Bio-venture Spiber's financial crisis delivers a fatal blow to Japan's Cool Japan Fund, pushing cumulative losses beyond $2.5 billion. With its third missed target triggering dissolution discussions, we analyze Japan's structural challenges in government-backed startup investment compared to Singapore's Temasek and other sovereign wealth funds.
16-time Grammy winner Bruno Mars has signed a global music publishing partnership with Avex Music Group. After selling out seven consecutive Tokyo Dome shows and breaking streaming records in Japan, Mars will move his publishing administration to the Tokyo- and LA-based company once his BMG/Warner Chappell deal expires. With 'The Romantic' debuting at No. 1 on Billboard 200 and 2.1 million Romantic Tour tickets sold in a single day, here's the full story.
At GDC 2026, Sucker Punch Productions revealed a unique development ritual behind Ghost of Yotei: a weekly 'Cut Ceremony' where every scrapped idea was met with applause from the entire team. Learn how this roughly 160-person studio used positive reinforcement to stay lean while building one of 2025's biggest open-world games.
To celebrate the PC launch of DEATH STRANDING 2: ON THE BEACH, director Hideo Kojima and Dollman voice actor Tomokazu Sugita sat down for their first-ever joint interview. From their 18-year partnership to the 2,000 lines recorded over 27 days, discover the behind-the-scenes story of Dollman and what 'just be Sugita' really means — plus PC-exclusive features and the new 'to the wilder' mode.
At the Famitsu Dengeki Game Awards 2025, FromSoftware's Switch 2 exclusive 'The Duskbloods' won Most Anticipated Title of 2026, beating GTA VI and Fire Emblem. Directed by Hidetaka Miyazaki, this 8-player PvPvE action game reflects Japan's deep trust in the studio and Nintendo's bold exclusive strategy.
Ado debuted her new song 'Ai Ai A' on YouTube's THE FIRST TAKE on March 16, 2026, with a simultaneous surprise digital release. Written by renowned Vocaloid producer Kikuo, the chaotic carnival-like track features backup vocals from Phantom Siita, the idol group Ado herself produces. With a world tour of 500,000+ fans and a sold-out stadium show ahead, Ado continues her global dominance.
Saudi investment firm EGDC has acquired 5.03% of Capcom's shares, bringing total Saudi-linked ownership to roughly 10%. Known as SNK's parent company, EGDC's move comes amid a broader wave of Middle Eastern capital flowing into Japanese gaming—from the $55 billion EA acquisition to expanded stakes in Nintendo. We break down the latest developments and public reactions.
The Sony MSF-1, the earliest known development unit for the SNES CD-ROM add-on once called 'PlayStation,' has been acquired by the National Videogame Museum in Texas. As the only known surviving unit, this historic artifact sheds new light on the Nintendo-Sony partnership that reshaped gaming history.
BABYMETAL's historic sold-out show at LA's Intuit Dome — the first solo performance by a Japanese artist at the venue — is coming to Blu-ray and DVD on June 17, 2026. Featuring 15 tracks including surprise guest Courtney LaPlante of Spiritbox and a spectacular center-stage production. Pre-order details and THE ONE exclusive edition info included.
Japanese fans are dissecting hidden symbolism in Frieren Season 2's OP and ED sequences. Flower petals in Mrs. GREEN APPLE's 'lulu.' opening represent layered memories, while the blue flame in milet's 'The Story of Us' ending symbolizes Himmel's undying feelings. We report on the fan analysis debate, the controversy over the OP artist choice, and the stunning hand-drawn colored pencil ED animation.
Japanese startup DOT P unveiled PONKEY, a solenoid-powered instrument robot, at SXSW 2026 in Austin, Texas. Featuring 16 custom-designed keys that light up, produce sound, and physically pop out, PONKEY functions as a drum machine, digital synthesizer, and AI communication device. Backed by Tokyo's TOKYO SUTEAM program, it's set for public release in 2027.
