Hanamaruki rebranded its liquid shio koji at Natural Products Expo West 2026 in Anaheim, moving a gold-colored fermented seasoning that had been business-to-business only abroad into US retail with 210 ml bottles and an organic version. Can rice koji, salt and water follow miso and shoyu into the global vocabulary?
Japan's health ministry adds "Sleep Disorder" as a new medical specialty for the first time since 2008. With the shortest sleep duration among OECD nations and $100 billion in annual economic losses, Japan is officially confronting its sleep crisis.
In 2025, a record $29 million in lost cash was turned in to Tokyo police — and over 70% was returned to owners. Discover why Japan's KOBAN police box system, Lost Property Law, and deep-rooted honesty culture make it the safest place to lose your wallet. Plus: what to do if you lose something while visiting Japan.
Japan's foreign driver's license conversion test got dramatically harder in October 2025. With questions jumping from 10 to 50, mandatory resident registration, and tourists barred from applying, pass rates have plummeted from 90% to 40%. Here's what changed, why, and how it compares to other countries' systems.
Kyoto announces Japan's first dual pricing system for city buses — residents will pay ¥200 ($1.30) while tourists face fares up to ¥400 ($2.60). With 56 million annual visitors overwhelming a city of 1.43 million, this bold overtourism measure follows global models from Venice to Bali. How do locals and the world react?
Around 420,000 Muslims in Japan face a growing burial crisis. Islamic faith requires burial rather than cremation, but in a country where 99.97% of the deceased are cremated, only about 10 burial-capable cemeteries exist. Plans to build new Muslim cemeteries in Oita and Miyagi prefectures have been blocked by resident opposition, exposing the gap between Japan's push for foreign workers and its readiness for multicultural coexistence.
A box of 12 "Berrytsu" strawberries just sold for $1,800 at auction in Japan. From $6,700 grape bunches to $17,000 melons, Japan's luxury fruit market defies global norms. Discover the cultural traditions, auction rituals, and branding strategies that make ultra-premium fruit a thriving business in Japan.
Japan's iconic confectionery giant Morinaga has launched its first-ever pet-friendly products in 126 years of history — 7 snacks that both humans and dogs can enjoy together. From Moonlight cookies to Ice Box frozen treats, the company backed its concept with university research proving shared snacking strengthens the human-dog bond. A deep dive into Japan's booming $12.7 billion pet market.
A butter confection sold only at Tokyo's Haneda Airport has sparked a souvenir frenzy among international tourists. Born from repurposing skim milk that would otherwise go to waste, "Butter no Itoko" has some flying to Japan just for a taste. We explore how Japan's limited-edition treats and omiyage culture create demand worldwide.
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.
For 6,000 years, Japan has eaten fugu — a pufferfish carrying tetrodotoxin, a poison 25 times deadlier than cyanide with no known antidote. From warlord bans to a prime minister's secret feast, from a Living National Treasure's fatal last meal to chefs who train for years to earn their license, this is the story of how Japan turned the world's most dangerous fish into high art. Does your country have a food worth risking your life for?