Japanese boy group ONE OR EIGHT held a surprise live at Shibuya Stream, debuting "TOKYO DRIFT" — a track sampling the iconic Fast & Furious theme — in Japan for the first time. With 30 million TikTok plays in one week, No.1 on iTunes in 4 countries, and chart entries in 21 nations, here's how this avex group is taking J-pop global.
Travis Japan member Shizuya Yoshizawa will appear as a guest on the Japanese live stream of the 2026 NBA All-Star Saturday. Once a basketball kid who dreamed of playing in the NBA, Yoshizawa now bridges Japanese pop culture and American sports. Here's how Japan and the world are reacting.
Anime Dorohedoro Season 2 will stream worldwide starting April 1, 2026. After a six-year wait, MAPPA and director Yuichiro Hayashi return to adapt more of Q Hayashida's legendary 23-volume dark fantasy manga. Explore why this chaotic blend of body horror, slapstick comedy, and gyoza became a global cult favorite, with fan reactions from Japan and around the world.
Disney's largest-ever cruise ship, the 208,000-ton Disney Adventure, is heading to Tokyo. Plus, a dedicated 140,000-ton ship will launch from Tokyo in 2028 with a ¥330 billion ($2.2 billion) investment. Here's how Disney is transforming Japan's cruise industry and what Japanese people think about it.
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.
MISAMO—TWICE's Japanese trio of MINA, SANA, and MOMO—hosted a listening party in Harajuku for their debut full album 'PLAY,' a theatrical 12-track collection. From breaking Tokyo Dome speed records to TWICE's upcoming 3-night Japan National Stadium shows with 80,000 fans per night, explore how these three Japanese members are driving global K-pop history.
Number_i's new single "3XL," produced by member Sho Hirano, debuted at No.1 on Billboard Japan Hot 100 with 75,000+ downloads in its first week. The same week, XG's debut album topped the album chart—a landmark moment for Japan-based artists dominating the charts simultaneously.
Snow Man's Ren Meguro has joined the cast of FX's Emmy-winning drama Shōgun Season 2 as Kazutada, a new character. After winning his role through audition, the J-pop star embarks on year-long filming in Vancouver, Canada. We explore what this means for Japanese actors in Hollywood and the global impact of Shōgun.
XG's first full album 'THE CORE - 核' has topped the Billboard Japan Hot Albums chart. With Apple Music chart entries in 68 countries, a Coachella appearance, and a 400,000-attendance world tour, this seven-member all-Japanese group is redefining global pop music. Here's the story behind their rise and what makes this album a landmark moment for "X-POP."
JETRO hosted its first-ever pop culture-focused event "Super Japan in Cairo" in Egypt's capital, bringing 16 Japanese companies including Bandai Namco and Yamaha to showcase anime, matcha, and stationery to 3,000 young Egyptian fans. With a population exceeding 108 million and a median age of 24, Egypt is emerging as a major untapped market for Japanese content in Africa.
The 14th GBWC (Gunpla Builders World Cup) has been confirmed for 2027, with potential new regulations and course restructuring. Since its 2011 debut, this official Gundam plastic model competition has expanded to 16 countries and regions. Explore how Gunpla culture grew into a global phenomenon with over $1 billion in annual Gundam IP revenue.
