Japan Informer

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 White House said President Donald Trump will hold a video-conference on the … [Read more...] about Abe warns Japanese to prepare for prolonged coronavirus battle

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, after the event was delayed until next year, Yuriko Koike told … [Read more...] about Tokyo governor says ‘Enjoy cherry blossoms next year,’

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 20 after developing a fever and being diagnosed with severe pneumonia. He tested … [Read more...] about Japanese comedian Shimura Ken dies of coronavirus

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 introduction will be a first for Sand Cats in Japan, which the zoo hopes will … [Read more...] about Desert Sand Cats, The World’s Smallest Wild Cat Species Are Coming to Japan!

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 a new toy for their daughter. The toy involves a ball or a car sliding down … [Read more...] about Adorable Shiba Inu Takes Over Toddler’s Toy

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 in various designs. Since not everybody enjoys going through paperwork, why … [Read more...] about These adorable cat hanko seals make stamping your documents a lot cuter

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 felt the same about the Japanese, South China Morning Post reports. The … [Read more...] about Almost 75% of South Koreans and Japanese Don’t Trust Each Other, According to Study

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 “enema.” When used as a prank, kanchō is written in katakana (カンチョー), while as a … [Read more...] about Japanese Prank Where Kids Stick Their Fingers Into People’s Butts is Real

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 Technology, created this in the hopes that it it could be used by those who are out in … [Read more...] about Japanese Professor Discovers Way to Light LEDs with Urine

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 with KFC remains evident today with the American fast-food chain raking in … [Read more...] about Japanese KFC Chicken Rice ‘Hack’ Takes Twitter By Storm

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 in various designs. Since not everybody enjoys going through paperwork, why … [Read more...] about These adorable cat hanko seals make stamping your documents a lot cuter

While celebrating Easter isn’t common in Japan, something about the spring iconography captures the imagination of Japanese confectioners every year, resulting in a whole lineup of bunny and egg inspired seasonal treats. This year we are especially spoiled for choice as Ginza Cozy Corner, a Japanese chain confectionery store, are releasing not just one but two Easter … [Read more...] about Japanese Confectioners Ginza Cozy Corner Celebrattion of Easter with Adorable Mini Disney Desert Set