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.
Kitani Tatsuya, known for Jujutsu Kaisen's "Ao no Sumika," teams up with BABYMETAL—the first Japanese act signed to Capitol Records—for a groundbreaking collaboration. "Kasuka na Hana," the opening theme for Hell's Paradise Season 2, gets a CD release on March 11, 2026. Discover how this unexpected fusion of J-Pop, metal, and anime is resonating with fans worldwide.
The 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics medal design is sparking debate worldwide. Its minimalist two-halves concept divided by a single diagonal line draws both praise for Italian elegance and criticism for being too plain. Here's how Japan and the world are reacting to this bold design choice.
Japan's vinyl record production has surged from just 100,000 units in 2009 to 3.15 million in 2024, a 30x V-shaped recovery. In an age of streaming dominance, why are analog records thriving? Discover the "tactile experience" boom explained by Toyo Kasei, Japan's veteran record manufacturer, and how Gen Z is driving a global analog revival.