A poplar American YouTuber, Logan Paul, who went to the well known suicide forest called Aokigahara(or Fuji no Jukai) in Japan, filmed a hanging body is a very big controversy. The forest is located in Yamanashi prefecture. I grew up near there and heard a lot about Aokigahara when I was teenager. People said “If you go into the forest, you’ll never come back because you’ll … Continue reading The things Logan Paul did in Japan
Yahoo! News Japan has introduced a virtual YouTuber Kaguya Luna. Actually, this was the first time for me to hear about Virtual YouTubers in my life, so I Googled about it. Apparently, there are some famous virtual YouTubers in Japan. I’d like to introduce them. Kizuna Ai She is the original Virtual YouTuber. She started YouTube in December 2016. She speaks Japanese, … Continue reading Virtual YouTubers are a new boom for Otaku culture
According to Nishinippon Shinbun, there is an island that having a dog as a pet is a big taboo. The island is located in Saga prefecture, it is called Kakarashima (???). About 130 people live there (2015). A journalist who works for Nishinippon Shinbun has visited the island. The journalist has asked residents about having pet dogs. People said “No one can own a dog, … Continue reading An island where nobody can have a dog
When I lived overseas, I was surprised that Japan is famous for being a Hentai (pervert) country. Some guy talked me about Japanese porn or anime. I’ve never thought that Japan is a perverted country, but after I lived outside of Japan, I realized that there wasn’t any porn displayed in stores. However, in Japan we can see porn being sold, even in convenience stores. … Continue reading Convenience stores should sell porn?
If you have ever visited Japan, you might be surprised that many old people are still working. Today, the birth rate in Japan is at it’s lowest rate in the world (Dillinger, 2017). More than 25% of Japanese people are over 65 years old. It is one of the biggest issues in Japan, but it seems that the government doesn’t seriously face this issue. Finally, … Continue reading One third of People will be over 65 years old in 2024
It’s the holiday season! I’ve heard “Happy Holidays!” a lot. Japan is a Buddhist and Shinto country, but they celebrate Christmas Day, have wedding ceremonies at church and wear costumes for Halloween. They are very open minded about accepting other cultures in this regard. Even though Christmas Day is not a holiday in Japan, it is a very big event for them. Christmas Day in … Continue reading Christmas is the “Couple’s Day” in Japan
I’ve been in the U.S for 2 and half years. I go back to Japan once or twice a year. When I back to Japan, I was realized that people are taking photos with sound of a shutter. I was kind of annoyed by it. Also, Japanese travelers take photos with the shutter sound even outside of Japan. I was also doing same thing when … Continue reading Taking photo with the sound of a shutter
H.I.S is one of biggest travel companies in Japan. Hideo Sawada set up the company as International Tours Co., Ltd. in 1980. He used to be a backpacker. He traveled to over 50 countries from 1973 to 1976. H.I.S stands for Hideo (President of H.I.S) International Service. It has 296 branches in Japan and 271 branches outside of Japan. According to Nishi Nihon Shinbun, Mr.Sawada is … Continue reading President of H.I.S is planning to travel by himself
Japanese government reviewed the cost of welfare, and 67% of welfare recipient households will have a reduction in monetary monthly stipends from October 2018. Welfare recipients can still receive medical services, dental services, live in public apartments, their children can go to nursery school or public high school for free. Also, they don’t need to pay into the national pension plan (social security) and tax. … Continue reading Welfare will be reduced from 2018
Last month, something happened that it must happen only in Japan. One train left 20 seconds earlier. The train supposed to left 9:44 40 seconds, but the train left 9:44 20 seconds. The rail company, Metropolitan Intercity Railway Company, MIR, released a apology. (BBC, 2017 http://www.bbc.com/japanese/42023075) When train arrives or departs 1 minute too earlier or has delays, it is a big issue for Japanese … Continue reading Apologize for 20 seconds early departure
