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controversy (Page 8)
Persona 5 video game character’s shoes cause controversy in Korea【Videos】
- Casey Baseel
May 25, 2017 - Tweet
Persona 5’s opening animation has style to spare, but gamers in Korea took issue with one character’s fashion sense.
- Japan, Korea
- (controversy • Persona • persona 5 • video • video games)
The woman on the “I’m glad I’m Japanese” posters spotted in Kyoto? She’s actually Chinese
- Casey Baseel
May 11, 2017
Turns out the controversial posters aren’t quite as nationalistic as their creators likely intended them to be.
- China, Japan
- (controversy • discrimination • internationalism • Kyoto • travel)
“I’m glad I’m Japanese” posters in Kyoto spark outrage among Japanese Twitter users
- Casey Baseel
May 3, 2017
Mysterious posters draw concerned comments about the insensitive mentality of their anonymous creators.
- Japan
- (controversy • discrimination • internationalism • Kyoto • travel)
German linguist living in Japan says kanji characters used for Germany are discriminatory
- Casey Baseel
Apr 6, 2017
Though the kanji can translate as “lonely country,” his complaint lies elsewhere.
- Japan
- (controversy • discrimination • Germany • Japanese language • kanji • Katakana • linguistics)
Japanese Twitter seems to have no problems with Karlie Kloss’ “geisha” photo shoot
- Casey Baseel
Feb 17, 2017
With the controversy over the model’s Vogue photos ongoing, has anyone bothered to check on how Japan feels?
- Global, Internet, Japan, USA
- (controversy • culture • discrimination • geisha • Karlie Kloss • kimono • photography • racism • society • Vogue)
Japanese government gives examples of what qualifies as “hate speech” in anti-discrimination law
- Casey Baseel
Feb 7, 2017
Critics still likely to find problems with legislation.
- Japan
- (controversy • discrimination • government • hate speech • law • politics • society)
Sapporo Snow Festival to once again feature art installations containing frozen fish
- Casey Baseel
Feb 6, 2017
Recent animal rights complaints had some thinking plans would be scrapped, but the eve mainstay will be part of this year’s event after all.
- Japan
- (animal rights • animals • art • controversy • fish • Hokkaido • ice • Sapporo • snow festival)
The true story behind the giant coffee mug/Starbucks’ refugee plan Internet meme
- Casey Baseel
Feb 1, 2017
RocketNews24’s Mr. Sato went out for coffee, and somehow came back at the center of a political debate.
- Internet, Japan, USA
- (boycott • controversy • Donald Trump • Mr. Sato • refugees • Starbucks)
Japanese film “Behind THE COVE” defends whaling and dolphin-hunting, screens in the U.S.【Video】
- Corey Gold
Dec 12, 2016
New Japanese film asks, “Who decides which animals are okay to eat and which animals aren’t?”
- Japan
- (animal welfare • controversy • culture • documentary • dolphins • The Cove • whales)
Japanese train company slammed for ad branding women “undignified” for applying makeup on board
- Oona McGee
Oct 29, 2016
The new ad campaign addresses a variety of behaviours that should be avoided while travelling on trains, but so far, this is the only act that they’re calling indecent.
Tokyo Comic-Con reverses policy, will allow male cosplayers to dress as female characters
- Casey Baseel
Oct 28, 2016
Gender-based, color-coded badges to be introduced as part of new regulations.
- Japan
- (comic con • controversy • cosplay • crossplay • events • gender • Tokyo Comic-Con)
Tokyo junior high school demands students wear white underwear as part of dress code
- Casey Baseel
Oct 27, 2016
Apparently kids just can’t learn properly if they’re wearing any other shade.
- Japan
- (controversy • education • schoolgirls • schools • underwear • uniforms)
Tokyo Comic-Con explicitly prohibits men from cosplaying as female characters
- Casey Baseel
Oct 26, 2016
Event lists restriction on official website.
- Japan
- (comic con • controversy • cosplay • crossplay • events • gender • San Diego Comic-Con • Tokyo Comic-Con)
Universal Studios Japan receives letter of protest over haunted house using Shinto shrine’s dolls
- Casey Baseel
Oct 20, 2016
Trade association upset over Halloween attraction with hundreds of authentic figures.
- Japan
- (Amusement Parks • controversy • dolls • halloween • haunted house • scary • Universal Studios • Universal Studios Japan)
Japanese conductor apologizes for “inconvenience of many foreign passengers being on the train”
- Casey Baseel
Oct 13, 2016
Famed Japanese politeness wraps so far back around that it ends up being pretty rude on Osaka train.
- Japan
- (controversy • foreigners in Japan • Osaka • trains • travel)
Women-only restaurant in Tokyo suddenly reverses policy, allows male diners 【Update】
- Casey Baseel
Sep 24, 2016
Looks like this Shinjuku eatery is a boys’ night out option after all.
- Japan
- (controversy • food • gender • Kabuki-cho • restaurants • shinjuku • Tokyo)
Tokyo restaurant refuses service to all-male groups of customers
- Casey Baseel
Sep 19, 2016
Feel like having pizza for your boys’ night out? Better find somewhere else to eat it.
- Japan
- (controversy • food • gender • Kabuki-cho • restaurants • shinjuku • Tokyo)
Nationwide Pokémon GO ban sought by Indian lawsuit that claims title is religiously offensive
- Casey Baseel
Sep 12, 2016
Pokémon GO’s eggs apparently contain not only baby Pokémon, but seeds of controversy too.
- India
- (controversy • lawsuit • Pokemon • Pokémon GO • religion • video games)
Samurai sword in new Japan Self-Defense Force emblem causing controversy
- Casey Baseel
Sep 9, 2016
Critics say that adding a katana to the insignia is offensively evocative of Japan’s World War II military aggression.
- Japan
- (controversy • Japan Self-Defense Forces • Katana • military • samurai • soceity • swords • World War II)
French Olympic announcer in hot water for calling Japanese gymnasts “little Pikachus”
- Master Blaster
Aug 11, 2016
Broadcasting Standards Association, I choose you!!!
- Europe, Japan
- (2016 Olympics • controversy • france • gymnastics • Olympics • Pikachu • Pokemon • Rio de Janeiro • sports)
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Recent Posts
- Tokyo cracks down on Airbnb-style rentals with new laws limiting operator days and more
- Japanese viewers of Godzilla Minus Zero angered by unusual number of restroom goers
- America’s first-ever permanent One Piece store is now open [Photos]
- Japanese convenience store offering chance to have your shopping be effectively free for one day
- Starbucks Japan unveils new Potato Soupuccino that’s said to be more than just soup
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MOST POPULAR
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Today
Japanese viewers of Godzilla Minus Zero angered by unusual number of restroom goers
Pokémon card game’s expansion features art from Fist of the North Star creator
Amazing Japanese yogurt spoon scoops up every last drop of dairy effortlessly
New Era celebrates three decades of Pokémon with new 30th anniversary cap line [Photos]
Japanese hoodie for cat-loving gamers will keep you and your feline friend warm and fuzzy [Pics]
Japanese convenience store offering chance to have your shopping be effectively free for one day
Starbucks Japan unveils new Potato Soupuccino that’s said to be more than just soup
America’s first-ever permanent One Piece store is now open [Photos]
Kenshi Yonezu’s Lemon hits 1 billion views on YouTube and he’s still not quite sure why
Katsuya takes perhaps a little too much liberty with its take on a Niigata soul food
Weekly
Japan ends tax-free shopping system for foreign tourists, new refund request system now in effect
Starbucks Japan unveils new winter drinkware collection with limited-edition Stanley cups
Pachinko parlor operator arrested for not obscuring the act of gambling well enough
Beautiful Ghibli diorama kits lets you build anime characters’ homes inside yours [Photos]
Two Tokyo neighborhoods to gather on bridge and shift their recognized border through tug-of-war
Liquid croissant coffee is coming to Japanese stores this month
Pokémon doughnuts pop up at Mister Donut, with a new gathering that’s bigger than ever
Japan’s new matcha vending machines serve freshly prepared matcha in five different strengths
Get the taste of the U.K. in Tokyo with 99 Flakes, meat pies, and Jaffa Cakes- New Era celebrates three decades of Pokémon with new 30th anniversary cap line [Photos]
Monthly
Pokémon Company announces first-ever permanent Pokémon store to open outside Asia- Japan ends tax-free shopping system for foreign tourists, new refund request system now in effect
Japan’s TeamLab digital art group is opening a permanent museum in America
Family Mart releases 47 convenience store socks and stickers, one for every prefecture in Japan
What’s it like to stay in a Japanese container hotel?- Beautiful Ghibli diorama kits lets you build anime characters’ homes inside yours [Photos]
Chainsaw robots helping keep trains running safely in east Japan [Video]
New Studio Ghibli anime gets extended run at the only cinema in Japan where it’s being shown
Osaka’s famous Glico Running Man will be removed and replaced with a new-look sign
Studio Ghibli creates illustrated Kyoto sightseeing map, available at any 7-Eleven Japan store
Yearly
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Tokyo subway installing new ticket gates that don’t accept payment through Suica or other IC cards
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
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RECOMMENDED STORIES
Japanese convenience store offering chance to have your shopping be effectively free for one day
Starbucks Japan unveils new Potato Soupuccino that’s said to be more than just soup
America’s first-ever permanent One Piece store is now open [Photos]
Kenshi Yonezu’s Lemon hits 1 billion views on YouTube and he’s still not quite sure why
Katsuya takes perhaps a little too much liberty with its take on a Niigata soul food
Two Tokyo neighborhoods to gather on bridge and shift their recognized border through tug-of-war
Pachinko parlor operator arrested for not obscuring the act of gambling well enough
Family Mart releases 47 convenience store socks and stickers, one for every prefecture in Japan
Starbucks Japan unveils new winter drinkware collection with limited-edition Stanley cups
Hello Kitty ready to keep you company in the bathroom with new dessert-aroma Sanrio toilet paper
Virtual idol Hatsune Miku redesigned with look that adds new elements and brings back old ones
First-ever cafe on Tokyo Imperial Palace Garden grounds is now open
Bontan Ame: the candy that survived 100 years of leaks, bombings, censorship, and floods
Cinnabon gets into the Japanese spirit with new Wagokorobon treats
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