Pritzker Prize-winning architect Riken Yamamoto calls Tokyo's mega-developments a "colony for the rich." From $130 million penthouse apartments to vanishing local communities, we explore how Tokyo's skyline transformation compares with global urban redevelopment trends, and what sustainable alternatives look like.
A 2026 survey reveals 70% of Japanese people feel giri-choco (obligation chocolate) culture is fading. While 85% of women don't want to participate in workplace chocolate-giving, over 40% now buy chocolate for themselves. Explore how rising cocoa prices and remote work are transforming Japan's unique Valentine's Day traditions.
A new survey reveals 76.3% of unmarried Japanese adults have no romantic partner, up from 72% in 2023. Only 36.8% want to marry, women see no need for it, men worry about losing financial freedom. With Gen Z turning to AI for love advice and virtual relationships on the rise, Japan's demographic crisis deepens. How does your country compare?
Kyocera, Toyota, Denso and three other major Japanese firms have formed a consortium to promote the deployment of 760MHz ITS roadside communication units. By accelerating V2X technology — enabling vehicles and roads to "talk" to each other wirelessly — the initiative aims to support Japan's 2030 goals of reducing traffic fatalities and scaling Level 4 autonomous driving to 10,000 vehicles.
Japan's transport ministry has issued its first-ever guidelines requiring more women's toilet fixtures than men's in public facilities. From highway rest stops with reversible layouts to real-time occupancy displays, here's how Japan is finally addressing the gender gap in restrooms.
A Japanese man living in just 1.5 tatami mats (28 sq ft / 2.6 sqm) has gone viral. With a futon taking up 90% of his room, his lifestyle embodies the ancient Japanese proverb "standing needs half a mat, sleeping needs one." Explore Japan's micro-housing culture, share houses, and the rise of extreme minimalism.
Electric scooter sharing service LUUP has achieved full coverage across all 23 Tokyo wards in February 2026. With over 16,000 ports and 5 million app downloads, Japan's largest micromobility service is booming—but rising accidents and traffic violations have sparked fierce public debate. How does Japan navigate the global micromobility challenge that led Paris to ban rental scooters?
Japan's Vivel Trike, a compact electric three-wheeler starting at $3,900, has surpassed 300 cumulative sales since 2023. Requiring only a standard driver's license with no vehicle inspection needed, this roofed EV tuk-tuk is gaining traction among elderly residents, families, and businesses. We explore how it addresses Japan's growing "mobility refugee" crisis.
Japan is gripped by an unprecedented sticker collecting craze. "Bonbon Drop Seal" has shipped over 15 million sheets, sparking store stampedes and exhausting retail staff. Adults nostalgic for their Heisei-era childhood are fueling the frenzy alongside kids, creating scalping problems and counterfeit issues in this cultural phenomenon.
Japan's 2026 ehomaki (lucky sushi rolls) generate ¥73 billion in economic impact, yet an estimated ¥1.65 billion worth are thrown away. Explore the structural causes behind Setsubun food waste and the tension between cultural tradition and sustainability.
Denmark-born food waste reduction app "Too Good To Go" launched in Japan on January 28, 2026, marking its first expansion into Asia. With over 500 million meals saved across 21 countries, the "Surprise Bag" model now partners with 80+ stores including FamilyMart and Krispy Kreme in Tokyo. Learn how this win-win-win system benefits consumers, businesses, and the environment while fighting food waste.