On March 29th (2020), not many people living in the Tokyo area left their homes. While many were simply exercising necessary caution in the face of the novel coronavirus outbreak, the day saw a heavy snowfall that encouraged many to stay indoors regardless. For Japanese Twitter user Sayaka … [Read more...] about Japanese Twitter user and son take advantage of rare Tokyo snowfall to craft cat crime scene
Archives for March 2020
Crowds disappear from Tokyo streets amid virus, out-of-season snow
Crowds disappeared from bustling business and tourist districts as out-of-season snow fell in Tokyo and surrounding areas on Sunday, the second day under stay-at-home requests in the capital region due to the coronavirus outbreak. It was the first time in 32 years that central Tokyo witnessed … [Read more...] about Crowds disappear from Tokyo streets amid virus, out-of-season snow
Abe warns Japanese to prepare for prolonged coronavirus battle
Japan will aim to spearhead cooperation among major nations around the world to support a weakening global economy, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said, warning that policy coordination was critical to fight "disruptions” in world financial markets. The remarks on Saturday (March 14) came after the … [Read more...] about Abe warns Japanese to prepare for prolonged coronavirus battle
Tokyo governor says ‘Enjoy cherry blossoms next year,’
Japan’s Tokyo prefecture reported 40 more coronavirus infections on Friday. Its governor appealed to people to wait until next year for traditional spring parties to view the flowering of cherry blossoms. Preventing a regional outbreak is a prerequisite for holding a successful Olympic Games, … [Read more...] about Tokyo governor says ‘Enjoy cherry blossoms next year,’
Japanese comedian Shimura Ken dies of coronavirus
Ken Shimura, a veteran slapstick comedian and a one-time member of rock and roll band and comedy group the Drifters, a household name in Japan in the 1970s and 1980s, died of pneumonia caused by the novel coronavirus Sunday, his agency said Monday. He was 70. Shimura was hospitalized on March … [Read more...] about Japanese comedian Shimura Ken dies of coronavirus
Desert Sand Cats, The World’s Smallest Wild Cat Species Are Coming to Japan!
Desert Sand Cats, the world’s smallest wild cat species are coming to Japan! From March 20, 2020, Nasu Animal Kingdom will be welcoming the new residents to their conservation display in Tochigi. The display will house two Sand Cats, one male known as Sharif and one female named Jameel. The … [Read more...] about Desert Sand Cats, The World’s Smallest Wild Cat Species Are Coming to Japan!
Adorable Shiba Inu Takes Over Toddler’s Toy
Owaki describes Ringo-kun as the older “brother” Shiba Inu who is more addicted to toys than his own daughter. Ringo-kun lives with Owaki, his wife and their one year old daughter. He became a big brother following the birth of Owaki’s daughter in March 2019. Recently, the Owaki family bought … [Read more...] about Adorable Shiba Inu Takes Over Toddler’s Toy
These adorable cat hanko seals make stamping your documents a lot cuter
Whenever you need to prove your identity in documents, you might think to use a signature, but in Japan, people use a hanko (判子) instead. Hanko are personalized name seals that are stamped on to documents, and since they need to be unique to the person using them, you’ll often find customized hanko … [Read more...] about These adorable cat hanko seals make stamping your documents a lot cuter
Almost 75% of South Koreans and Japanese Don’t Trust Each Other, According to Study
A new study has shown that a majority of Japanese and South Koreans mutually do not trust each other. Researchers from the Yomiuri Shimbun in Japan and the Hankook Ilbo in Korea found that an astounding 74% of the Japanese people are now distrustful of South Koreans, while 75% of South Koreans … [Read more...] about Almost 75% of South Koreans and Japanese Don’t Trust Each Other, According to Study
Japanese Prank Where Kids Stick Their Fingers Into People’s Butts is Real
In Japan, children can stick their fingers into people’s butts and get away with it — at least in theory. The act, which involves putting together one’s index fingers to form a “gun,” is a socially acceptable prank known as kanchō. The term is a slang adaptation of the Japanese word for … [Read more...] about Japanese Prank Where Kids Stick Their Fingers Into People’s Butts is Real
Japanese Professor Discovers Way to Light LEDs with Urine
A Japanese professor made a breakthrough when he managed to light an LED for several hours using only a small amount of urine during an experiment conducted on April 18. The inventor of the portable fuel cell breakthrough, Keiichi Kaneto, a visiting professor at the Osaka Institute of … [Read more...] about Japanese Professor Discovers Way to Light LEDs with Urine
Japanese KFC Chicken Rice ‘Hack’ Takes Twitter By Storm
A simple rice recipe featuring KFC Original Recipe chicken has apparently sent local Twitter users abuzz in Japan. As we’ve covered before, KFC became a yuletide tradition for many Japanese mostly due to a brilliant promotional campaign during the 1974 holidays season. Japan’s special affinity … [Read more...] about Japanese KFC Chicken Rice ‘Hack’ Takes Twitter By Storm