Kenzo Tange's 1964 'Ship Gymnasium' in Kagawa is being torn down despite a citizens' buy-and-reuse plan, with demolition starting mid-lawsuit and an 847-million-yen cost drawing scrutiny.
From August 2026, The Pokemon Company will require Japan's My Number national ID card to verify identity for Pokemon Center Online lotteries and select official tournaments. It's a hard counter to scalpers and impersonators — and an unintended wall against overseas collectors who have long worked around the system. Here's what changes.
Inside the Nippon TV interview AKIRA creator Katsuhiro Otomo gave after unveiling Tokyo's Ginza Station mural Procession Spin. The original design got scrapped, the Kaneda bike was a doodle, and he wants to retire to sumi-e — context English-language press hasn't carried.
Tsubame Industries' Archax — a 4.5-meter, 3.5-ton piloted transforming robot — has released new transformation footage. We break down the $2.5M price tag, the Gundam-inspired engineering team behind it, and where Japan-bound travelers can actually see one.
Tatsumi Publishing's Tanuki Marugoto BOOK, released May 1, hit #1 in 12 Amazon categories during pre-orders alone. From Shigaraki pottery statues outside every Japanese restaurant to Studio Ghibli's Pom Poko, from Animal Crossing's Tom Nook to viral SNS memes with 96 million views — why is Japan so devoted to this uniquely Japanese canid? A guide for overseas readers (and please, it's not a raccoon).
Japanese book designer Shin Sobue died at 66 on March 15. We explore soutei, the Japanese discipline of designing every element of a book—paper, type, binding, even intentional misprints—and the legacy of works like Densha-Otoko, Soseki's Kokoro, and the Dorohedoro art book.
Kunio Okawara, the legendary mechanical designer who created Gundam's Mobile Suits, will design Seibu Railway's new tourist limited express debuting in 2028. Running from Shinjuku to Kawagoe, aka 'Little Edo', the train pairs Japanese anime heritage with access to Edo-period streetscapes and the scenic Chichibu region.
KADOKAWA has released 'The World of Hideki Kamiya,' a 176-page book covering the legendary game designer's 30-year career. Featuring hundreds of concept art pieces and 150,000 characters of commentary on Bayonetta, Okami, Devil May Cry, and more. We explore its contents and the prospects for an English edition.
Yamada Heiando, a 107-year-old lacquerware maker that supplies Japan's Imperial Household, collaborates with Pokémon to create handcrafted bowls featuring Ponyta in traditional makie gold-dust technique. Discover how Japan's ancient craft meets pop culture in this 'Only in Japan' fusion, priced at around $110.
Sanrio announces Hello Kitty's first designer change in 46 years. The iconic character's 3rd designer Yuko Yamaguchi passes the baton to 4th designer "Aya" in 2026. Explore the legacy of character succession and fan reactions from Japan.
Shigeki Matsuoka, head of Tokyo furniture workshop KOMA, has won 50 international design awards across 8 countries—including all three of the world's top design prizes. Recognized as a "Contemporary Master Craftsman" by Japan's government, his hand-tool philosophy and the concept of "keinen-bika" (beauty through aging) are redefining what Japanese craftsmanship means for the world.