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.
To celebrate the 20th anniversary of 'The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya,' Netflix will stream the complete 2009 broadcast version (28 episodes) and the acclaimed film 'The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya' starting April 1, 2026. The legendary Kyoto Animation series goes global under the 'Gratitude of Haruhi Suzumiya' anniversary project.
From Kyary Pamyu Pamyu to Atarashii Gakko!, FRUITS ZIPPER, and CANDY TUNE — Asobisystem CEO Yusuke Nakagawa has spent 18 years turning Harajuku's Kawaii culture into a global pop ecosystem. Discover how his KAWAII LAB. project produced two NHK Kohaku acts and a Tokyo Dome headliner in 2025.
Japanese boy group JO1 became the first Japanese artist ever nominated for World Artist of the Year at the iHeartRadio Music Awards 2026. Alongside global stars Ayra Starr, Jackson Wang, and Tyla, three JO1 members made a surprise appearance at the ceremony in Hollywood's Dolby Theatre. From their Jingle Ball debut to upcoming Tokyo Dome shows, JO1's global rise continues.
On March 24, 2026, Japanese lawmakers launched the MOKEI Culture Promotion Parliamentary League, chaired by former Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa, to position plastic models as a national cultural asset. From Shizuoka's Bandai Hobby Center museum to Gundam Base Tokyo and Akihabara shops, discover why Japan's model kit culture deserves global recognition.
FF7 Remake Part 3 director Naoki Hamaguchi explains in detail why launching on PS5, PC, Xbox, and Switch 2 simultaneously won't compromise visual quality — with PC as the lead development platform and a top-down optimization approach for each console.
Frieren: Beyond Journey's End Season 3 'Golden Land Arc' has been confirmed for October 2027, announced right after the Season 2 finale. This highly anticipated arc features Macht, the strongest of the Seven Sages of Destruction. We report on Season 2's critical acclaim in Japan and overseas, and the massive fan excitement for what comes next.
The legendary 'Kemonomichi' FT10 exhibition between Daigo 'The Beast' Umehara and Dominican champion MenaRD is set for April 29, 2026. The undefeated FT10 god faces a three-time Evo champion in a historic clash of generations.
RADWIMPS frontman Yojiro Noda reveals his involvement in 5 tracks on Ye's 12th studio album 'BULLY.' Meeting through a mutual friend in Tokyo in October 2024, Noda contributed arrangements and recording — a remarkable crossover between Japanese rock and global hip-hop.
The Game Preservation Society, a Japanese NPO dedicated to archiving retro games, marks its 15th year with an in-depth interview with President Joseph Redon. From battling mold on 1980s floppy disks to navigating legal gray zones around preserving mobile phone games, the organization races against time to digitize 18,000 titles before they're lost forever. With over 60% of supporters now from overseas, Japan's gaming heritage is gaining global recognition—but funding and manpower remain critical challenges.
ONE OK ROCK's 'Wherever you are' has charted for 228 weeks on the Billboard JAPAN Hot 100 — roughly 4.5 years. Originally a deep cut from their 2010 album, the ballad became Japan's most beloved wedding song after a TV commercial boosted its popularity. With 400M+ streams and 536 consecutive weeks in the streaming top 300, it's an extraordinary long-hit story. What's your favorite ONE OK ROCK song?