Japan Central!

Japan’s crazy Air Shield face shield gets strapped to Mr. Sato’s head【Photos】

2021-01-17T09:00:00Z
Our man of many masks tries out this inflatable shield.

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Nana Mizuki to Post Special Performance Clip of “Link or Chains” on YouTube

January 17, 2021 6:30pm CST
Her 1st online concert “NANA ACOUSTIC ONLINE” DVD/Blu-ray will be available on April 7

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Japanese politicians want workers across country to have option for three-day weekends every week

2021-01-18T02:00:00Z
Shorter workweek would help fight coronavirus, allow more time for family and education, proponents say.

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VTuber Gawr Gura Swims Past 2 Million Subscribers on YouTube

January 17, 2021 10:45pm CST
Very well deserved A~

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Trio of thieves break into Japanese glasses store, foiled by old-timey cash register

2021-01-18T04:00:00Z
They don’t make them like they used to… back in 1908.

2 Likes

BAND-MAID’s New Album Unseen World Now Available

Jan 18th 2021
Online Listening Party, New Contents on YouTube, and Online Live in February Announced!

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Teen kicked out of Japan’s national college entrance exam for improper mask-wearing technique

2021-01-18T09:00:00Z
If you can’t handle wearing a mask properly, you’re probably not ready for higher education.

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Japanese restaurant from the Edo Period forced to close due to coronavirus pandemic

2021-01-18T14:00:00Z
Serving diners since the days of the samurai and once loved by famous writers like Natsume Soseki, this long-standing business will soon be no more.

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Four photos, five years – A father’s beautiful pictures of his daughter growing up at Nara temple

2021-01-18T03:30:00Z
Loving dad also has a heartwarming idea for what to photograph next.

2 Likes

Gundam’s Yoshikazu Yasuhiko Wins Japan Academy Film Prize Association’s Special Award

posted on 2021-01-19 09:30 EST by Alex Mateo
Character designer, manga creator to be honored in March 19 ceremony

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Donald Trump parades around streets in Japan on the shoulders of Japanese supporters

2021-01-19T15:30:00Z
Protestors in Japan show their fervent love for Trump despite needing help to sing the U.S. national anthem.

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Expressway littered with vehicles after 134-car pileup amid blizzard

2021-01-19T14:29:00Z
Blinding, wind-driven snow is the suspected cause of a deadly accident on an expressway in northern Japan that involved at least 134 vehicles.

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Woman asks for eight-hour taxi ride in Japan, arrested when she doesn’t pay gigantic fare

2021-01-19T18:00:00Z
Driver should have spotted multiple warning signs as soon as she said where she wanted to go.

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Tsumugi Voice Actress Minako Kotobuki Visits K-ON! Movie Locales in London

posted on 2021-01-19 19:45 EST by Kim Morrissy

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Voice Actress Azumi Waki Dressed Up as Angel and Devil in Her New MV “CupiDevi”

January 19, 2021 6:50pm CST
The cute song is already available digitally from today

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We experience what a real Okinawan beach party is like with the help of a local

2021-01-20T03:00:00Z
The party was a far cry from what our reporter had envisioned, but it was just as satisfying in its own way.

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Japan now has talking Evangelion ATMs

2021-01-20T04:00:00Z
I mustn’t run out of cash…I mustn’t run out of cash…

2 Likes

Let’s learn Japanese with Steven Seagal’s entire filmography!

2021-01-20T13:00:00Z
Anything can be educational material if you want it to be.

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Check Out This Song-by-song Guide to ‘SiX’, the New Album from Japanese Boy Group Da-iCE

Jan 20th 2021

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Japanese Funk-Rock Band OKAMOTO’S to Release New Single ‘Young Japanese’ on January 27th

Jan 20th 2021

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Anime song dance performance group Real Akiba Boys: combining the otaku life with street dancing

2021-01-20T16:00:00Z
Anime music and breakdancing? Sign us up!

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Man who refused to wear mask on airplane in Japan gets arrested four months later

2021-01-20T17:30:00Z
Airline apparently did not forgive or forget.

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Studio 4°C Gets Retrospective Art Exhibition in Los Angeles

posted on 2021-01-20 16:45 EST by Kim Morrissy
Gallery Nucleus holds exhibit from February 6 to 21

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Miyagi Prefecture to Install Pokémon Manholes

posted on 2021-01-20 18:45 EST by Kim Morrissy
‘PokeLids’ project aims to install manholes across all 47 prefectures in Japan

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Love Live! Rin VA Riho Iida Releases Sparkling New MV “One Wish”

January 20, 2021 7:30pm CST
Her fifth solo single will be available on February 10, 2021

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Virtual YouTuber queen Kizuna Ai angrily addresses rumors her voice has been changed【Video】

2021-01-21T03:30:00Z
”It never ends.”

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Does changing your smartphone lock to 8376 bring good luck, as one Japanese book title suggests?

2021-01-21T05:00:00Z
We try to harness the magical power of a new passcode.

2 Likes

Loaded gun found in convenience store restroom in Japan, cop’s on-duty poop to blame

2021-01-21T14:30:00Z
That wasn’t the only piece of police equipment left behind either.

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Pokémon come to real-life Johto region with new Pokémon manhole covers for Nara【Pics】

2021-01-21T17:30:00Z
Gen-II Legendary Pokémon is in its natural habitat as Pokéfuta project comes to Ikaruga.

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Virtual YouTuber Agency hololive Opens Recruitment for New Online Service, Game

posted on 2021-01-21 13:45 EST by ANN Interest Team

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Voice Actress Akari Kitō Diagnosed with Gastroenteritis

posted on 2021-01-21 21:00 EST by Alex Mateo
Voice of Demon Slayer’s Nezuko tested negative for COVID-19

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Dorothy VA Azuki Shibuya to Graduate from “PriPara” Voice Actress Idol Unit i☆Ris

January 21, 2021 6:45pm CST
Their last concert as a six-member unit will be held on March 28

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Tokyo airport’s new train line to make getting into, out of the city easier for JR pass holders

2021-01-22T04:00:00Z
East Japan Railway wants to cut travel time to Tokyo Station in half.

3 Likes

Japanese Gov’t Denies Report it is No Longer Considering Tokyo Olympics This Year, Aiming for 2032 Games

posted on 2021-01-22 01:33 EST by Rafael Antonio Pineda

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Composer Ryuichi Sakamoto Diagnosed With Rectal Cancer

posted on 2021-01-22 03:13 EST by Rafael Antonio Pineda
Sakamoto beat throat cancer 6 years ago, but now says he will be “living alongside” cancer

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Boxer Kazuto Ioka in trouble for showing tattoos during match, flips off association in response

2021-01-22T13:00:00Z
Ioka and friends declare: “Tattoo culture is best.”

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Host King Roland goes to Akihabara disguised as a foreign otaku 【Video】

2021-01-22T15:00:00Z
“James” looks more like a lumberjack than a geeky anime nerd.

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Not-guilty verdict for man in women’s restroom, he had to go so bad it clouded his judgement

2021-01-22T16:00:00Z
The laws of nature supersede those of society.

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Kizuna Ai Insists Her Voice Actor Was Never Changed in Recent Video

posted on 2021-01-22 13:45 EST by Kim Morrissy
‘Even an AI experiences one or two changes, sometimes 10. What’s wrong with that?’

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J-pop Star Nanase Aikawa '90s Hit ‘Bye Bye Boy’ is Reborn in Thailand, with Fresh Hip-hop Cover, Video and EP from Thai Trendsetters P-Hot, Mindset and Milli

Jan 22nd 2021

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‘Mother Music Revisited’ the New Soundtrack of the Classic Game ‘Mother’, to Be Released on Jan. 27 and…

Jan 22nd 2021
New soundtrack for the classic game Mother; A live video of the classic song ‘SNOW MAN’ has also been uploaded.

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Maaya Sakamoto’s 4th Concept Album “Duets” Set to be Released on March 17

January 22, 2021 7:35pm CST
She duets with a total of seven singers that she has known and respected

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PreCure Girls Celebrate Young Children Magazine Tanoshii Youchien’s 65th Anniversary

January 22, 2021 10:45pm CST
The magazine will feature a special collaboration project with PreCure in every issue.

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Macross Delta Singer JUNNA’s Solo Concert Tour All Cancelled due to COVID-19 Concerns

January 22, 2021 11:35pm CST
No-audience live will be live-streamed on February 21 as an alternative performance

2 Likes

Berserk Exhibition in Tokyo Delayed

posted on 2021-01-23 05:05 EST by Crystalyn Hodgkins

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IA & ONE Anniversary Super Liveshow Will be Held at a New VR Live Stage Currently Under Construction

Jan 23rd 2021
CeVIO AI and new song first live information release!

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Japan’s legal age of adulthood dropping by two years, but do teens understand what that means?

2021-01-23T13:00:00Z
Survey sees if high school students know what they can and can’t do under the accelerated end of childhood.

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Japanese politician posts photo of his dinner, netizens pity him over his depression meal

2021-01-23T16:15:00Z
If the stomach is the way to someone’s heart, might as well get constituents by… making them sympathize over what you eat?

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Evangelion joins the fight against COVID-19 with this amazing awareness campaign

2021-01-24T04:00:00Z
If Shinji and the gang can fight Angels, surely they can fight coronavirus too!

2 Likes

Japanese Government Are Looking Into New Copyright Regulations for Cosplay

January 24, 2021 4:05am CST
Wants the rules to become a pillar of their Cool Japan strategy

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120-year-old condom found in Japan

2021-01-24T15:15:00Z
Only surviving example of the sheath that protected Japan from “plum poison.”

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YouTube video about home-grown, home-cooked, traditional Chinese food causes major controversy

2021-01-24T17:30:00Z
One dish created in the video has some people angry that it was included when it’s not Chinese food.

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Date A Live Illustrator Draws Hatsune Miku for Digital Stars 2021

posted on 2021-01-24 14:45 EST by Kim Morrissy
A 1/7 scale figure is also in the works

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A+ in kindness — Tsukuba university donates over 19 tons of food to students during pandemic【Vid】

2021-01-25T03:00:00Z
School staff, Tsukuba farmers, and local businesses all pitch in.

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Megumi Nakajima to Live-stream Special Program on Her New Album’s Release Day

January 24, 2021 10:30pm CST
A full music video for the album’s lead track “GREEN DIARY” is now streamed

3 Likes

Man arrested after refusing to wear mask on a plane refuses to wear mask in custody

2021-01-25T06:00:00Z
At least he’s consistent.

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Mori Calliope Slices her Way to 1 Million Subscribers on YouTube

January 25, 2021 2:14am CST
Calli and her deadbeats are more alive than ever today!

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Resi Stay Nishiki hotel in Kyoto adds a special Maiko Hello Kitty room for tourists with taste

2021-01-25T17:30:00Z
The room is fully kitted out with unique kimono-clad Kitty art.

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Watch Macross Delta Freyja VA Minori Suzuki’s Latest Concert Digest

January 25, 2021 7:15pm CST
It has been just three years since her solo singer debut in January 2018

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Japanese Anime Cosplayer Gets 3 Month Sentence For Exposing Booty In Public

2021-01-25T08:40:00Z

1 Like

1,500th Episode of Megumi Hayashibara’s TOKYO Boogie Night to be Live-streamed Worldwide on YouTube

January 26, 2021 1:00am EST
One of the longest-running voice actress radio show started airing in Japan in April 1992

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Japanese train conductor flips off rail fan photographer, prompts apology from JR

2021-01-26T13:00:00Z
Conductor flips the bird on snowy night in Tokyo.

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Two men charged for having sex at a public bathhouse in Tokyo

2021-01-26T15:00:00Z
Manager has had enough of people using the sento for casual hookups.

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Evangelion-Style State of Emergency Announcement Billboards Go Viral on Japanese Social Media

posted on 2021-01-26 18:45 EST by Kim Morrissy

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Forget Godzilla vs. Kong, Mechagodzilla Pikachu is All We Need

January 26, 2021 4:34pm CST
Hard Shell Studios shows off the cosplaying 'Mon ahead of Q3 2021 release

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The end of the pay phone? Japanese government considering getting rid of phone boxes

2021-01-27T02:00:00Z
Let’s be real though — when was the last time you used one anyway?

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The good, the bad, and the ugly of half-price stickers at Japanese supermarkets

2021-01-27T04:00:00Z
One person’s bargain is another’s burden.

Toei Animation Refuses Labor Negotiations With LGBT Union Member

posted on 2021-01-27 13:45 EST by Kim Morrissy
Union member, who identifies as X-Gender, was accused of using ‘false name’ in paperwork

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Mother/Earthbound Gets New Soundtrack Released Digitally in U.S., Canada

posted on 2021-01-27 17:45 EST by Kim Morrissy
‘Mother Music Revisited’ album will be available on Spotify, Apple Music from January 27

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Japanese Twitter barks with laughter over dogfood ad’s bizarre choice of photo

2021-01-28T01:00:00Z
They should have used a shot from earlier in the dog feeding process.

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Woman in Japan disciplined after putting up partition between herself and older male coworker

2021-01-28T04:00:00Z
City hall worker denies man’s physical handicap was part of her motivation.

2 Likes

millennium parade to Stream “millennium parade 3D Live 2020” Online: Tickets Available for Overseas Fans

Jan 28th 2021

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All aboard Japan’s new Super Mario Nintendo World train!【Photos】

2021-01-28T14:00:00Z
A very special train to carry fans to Universal Studios Japan’s Super Nintendo World.

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Guesthouse owner arrested for slashing guest who sprinkled too much pepper on his own food

2021-01-28T15:00:00Z
Assault and pepper.

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Japan has a new bar just for people who want to drink alone

2021-01-29T02:05:00Z
If a cold beer is all the company you need, this is the place for you.

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Online manga piracy surging by users in Japan as people are stuck at home during the pandemic

2021-01-29T04:00:00Z
Industry group gives staggering figure for cost of pirated manga in just one month.

2 Likes

Japanese subway ad about depressed teens should probably be in a different place

2021-01-29T13:00:00Z
Cram school’s message would be ordinarily be inspiring, but takes on an inadvertently dark, potentially dangerous atmosphere.

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How to use Japanese convenience store Lawson’s self-checkout terminals

2021-01-29T15:15:00Z
Speedy and convenient, the payment option is no snack run speedbump.

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Rice made out of soybeans is coming

2021-01-29T16:15:00Z
Finally, a rice for vegetaria… Hey, wait a minute.

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Why are some people in Japan paying big money for an old cassette tape?

2021-01-29T18:00:00Z
Cassettes are back in style in Japan in a big way, with new releases and people paying premiums for discontinued tapes.

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‘Ex machina’ Rap Duo FEMM Announce the Release of Dark and Emotional '80s Revival Track ‘Come&Go’

Jan 29th 2021

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Lawmaker Yamada Explains Implications of Proposed Copyright Guidelines on Cosplay Income

posted on 2021-01-29 13:45 EST by Kim Morrissy

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Naruto, Demon Slayer, and More Unite in Peter Hollens and AmaLee’s Epic Anime Medley

January 29, 2021 2:29pm CST
Hollens responds to repeat fan demand for anime covers!

3 Likes

How much do Japanese men and women pay on dates? Survey finds large gap

2021-01-30T06:00:00Z
Big spenders bump up one gender’s average.

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Anime Studio Signal.MD Forced to Pay Animation Director After Non-Payment

January 30, 2021 8:31am CST
I.G. Port: “we will take appropriate measures to deal with the parties concerned”

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2021 Salaryman Poetry Battle showcases some dark but hilarious poems

2021-01-30T16:00:00Z
Giving insight into the life of a Japanese office worker.

2 Likes

Eizouken! Manga Creator Leads Production of Sweet Nogizaka46 Anime Music Video

January 31, 2021 1:07am CST
Sumito Owara drew the storyboards and created the concept for the 2021 MV

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Love Hina Creator Weighs in on Cosplay Regulation Debate

January 31, 2021 2:43am CST
Ken Akamatsu and his wife is a manga creator and cosplayer duo, able to see both sides

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PS5 chaos at Akihabara as customers rush to grab new consoles【Videos】

2021-01-31T10:00:00Z
Police called due to out-of-control crowd, sparking a heated debate on resellers in Japan.

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Celebrate 50 years of McDonald’s Japan by walking through history, from 1971 to today【Video】

2021-01-31T14:00:00Z
McDonald’s Japan takes a look back on the last half-century while saying thank you to customers.

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Nagasaki teens find missing elderly woman by simply striking up a conversation on the bus

2021-01-31T17:30:00Z
In this case, chatting up a stranger was for a good cause.

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Watch Voice Actress Unit harmoe’s Alice in Wonderland-themed 1st MV “Kimagure Ticktack”

January 31, 2021 7:25pm CST
Their debut single will be available on March 10, 2021

3 Likes

Government: Signal.MD Did Not Properly Compensate Animator

posted on 2021-02-01 01:12 EST by Rafael Antonio Pineda
Japan FTC sent notice to studio after failure to compensate animator Shiro Kudaka

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STUDIO4°C Retrospective Art Exhibition

Feb 1st 2021

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Hiroyuki Sawano Brings “Sawano Hiroyuki Live [emU] 2021” Online, Open to Overseas Fans

Feb 1st 2021

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YOASOBI Solo Concert “YOASOBI 1st LIVE『Keep Out Theater』” Streams Online 14th February

Feb 1st 2021
Overseas Tickets Available!

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Male deer breaks into Japanese high school’s women’s bathroom【Video】

2021-02-01T13:30:00Z
Breaks multiple school rules.

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Soak in the art literally and figuratively at TeamLab’s and TikTok’s new collab sauna exhibit

2021-02-01T14:00:00Z
Another thought-provoking, gorgeous exhibition from the beloved digital art collective.

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Japan to Extend COVID-19 State of Emergency in Tokyo, Osaka Areas by 1 Month

posted on 2021-02-01 10:49 EST by Alex Mateo
Extending in 10 previously affected prefectures, but not Tochigi

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Osaka accidentally mails out funeral service ads to people infected with coronavirus

2021-02-01T16:00:00Z
Some self-quarantining residents feel like their death is being treated like a forgone conclusion.

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Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Announces Its 1st Art Exhibit

posted on 2021-02-01 18:45 EST by Kim Morrissy
Exhibit will run in Tokyo’s Mori Arts Center Gallery from October 26 to December 12

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Hot spring in Gunma Prefecture found to reduce COVID-19 infectivity by over 90 percent

2021-02-02T04:45:00Z
A disinfectant so good you could bathe in it.

2 Likes

Hotel in Japan is offering rooms for just 390 yen a night, less than the cost of a bowl of ramen

2021-02-02T15:30:00Z
Downtown Osaka hotel wants to say “thank you!”

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Super Crazy Kun wins seat in Toda City Council election

2021-02-02T18:00:00Z
And what a long super-crazy ride it’s been.

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World Cosplay Summit to Have Physical, Online Event This August

posted on 2021-02-02 15:00 EST by Rafael Antonio Pineda
Event canceled Championship, International Representative events last year due to COVID-19

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Colored Pencils Popular Among Animators Get Discontinued

posted on 2021-02-02 16:45 EST by Kim Morrissy
Mitsubishi Pencil’s ‘7700’ pencils were initially set to discontinue in 2015 but continued for 5 more years due to animator demand

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Watch “Demon Slayer” Nezuko VA Akari Kito’s Cute & Striking Performance in Her 1st Live Blu-ray Digest

February 02, 2021 8:10pm CST
Her official fan club “Smiley Light Village” has finally been pre-opened

3 Likes

“Floating” Mt Fuji and shrine gates capture the hidden beauty of Japan【Photos】

2021-02-03T13:00:00Z
Ethereal images emanate a quiet beauty that’ll take your breath away.

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Nara asks visitors to stop feeding the deer

2021-02-03T14:30:00Z
Goodwill of strangers now threatens to do the deer more harm than good.

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Japanese monks want to create new temple…in space!

2021-02-03T15:00:00Z
A Kyoto expansion 1,100 years in the making.

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Terrace House stars announce their marriage on social media 【Pics & Video】

2021-02-03T16:00:00Z
Japanese model looking for her “last love” finally gets her happy ending.

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Head of Tokyo Olympics doesn’t want women in leadership roles because he thinks they talk too much

2021-02-03T17:10:00Z
”Women, they have a very competitive nature.”

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Nier Automata’s creator is confused by Square Enix’s new fan art guidelines

2021-02-03T17:30:00Z
Maybe for another series it wouldn’t be a headscratcher, but Yoko Taro is surprised about one request.

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Japanese Dance/vocal Group Ballistik Boyz Show Their Mature and Sexy Side in Video for New Single ‘Animal’

Feb 3rd 2021

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OKAMOTO’S Release Young Japanese, Announce Complication

Feb 3rd 2021

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Voice Actress Nao Toyama to Make “Important Announcement” at Valentine’s Day Special Program

February 03, 2021 8:10pm CST
The last “important announcement” was about the release of her character song best album

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New socially distant stage in Aichi lets you watch dance in an unusual way: through a peephole!

2021-02-04T01:00:00Z
The view becomes another part of the art, and could also keep you safe!

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Winner of NASA’s Mars residence design contest releases Japan’s first 3D-printed house prototypes

2021-02-04T04:00:00Z
The announcement suggests you can print your own futuristic home sphere for the price of a car!

2 Likes

Snow Miku on Display as 1st Attraction of Sapporo Snow Festival’s Online Celebrations

February 04, 2021 3:09am CST
Also, historic footage of the first few snow festivals released online

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Multicultural Artist ‘The Charm Park’ Released a New Music Video to Commemorate His New Album ‘Bedroom Revelations’

Feb 4th 2021

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Some of Japan’s COVID-19 contact tracing apps haven’t been working since last September

2021-02-04T09:00:00Z
It’s not like we needed it or anything.

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Sapporo Snow Festival now officially open online!

2021-02-04T15:00:00Z
Enjoy all the fun of Japan’s biggest winter festival from the comfort of your own home.

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Actress Satomi Ishihara Tests Positive for COVID-19

posted on 2021-02-04 16:00 EST by Alex Mateo
Ishihara shows no symptoms, plans to return to work this weekend

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Captain Tsubasa’s Creator Yoichi Takahashi Draws Illustrations For Diego Maradona Documentary

posted on 2021-02-04 17:45 EST by Choo Sum Lee

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Man arrested in Japan for selling modified Pokémon to Sword and Shield players

2021-02-05T04:00:00Z
He might have gotten away with it if someone in Kyoto hadn’t wanted an extra-strong Sobble and Scorbunny.

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Disagreeing with chairman Mori, comedian Atsushi Tamura withdraws from the Olympic Torch Relay

2021-02-05T04:30:00Z
The celebrity shared his reasoning in a YouTube video uploaded to London Boot’s channel.

2 Likes

Mystery “nail house” discovered in Japan

2021-02-05T15:00:00Z
One of the country’s most unusual property locations.

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Japanese politician piggybacks on Demon Slayer’s popularity by exploiting copyright loophole

2021-02-05T17:30:00Z
Kimetsu no Yaiba fans aren’t pleased with election poster, but there’s not much publisher can do about it.

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Watch VA Idol Unit Run Girls, Run!'s Cute Performance in Their Online Concert Digest

February 05, 2021 7:04pm CST
The setlist includes the OP theme songs for “Kiratto Pri☆chan”

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111-year-old Japanese confectionery company disappears forever due to COVID-19

2021-02-06T01:30:00Z
Local Japanese candy stores get ready for a bittersweet goodbye.

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Voice Actor Shouta Aoi to Live-stream No-Audience Concert Worldwide from Nippon Budokan on March 6

February 05, 2021 10:42pm CST
“I will sing to the best of my ability so that I can push as many people’s back as possible.”

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Official Hatsune Miku Virtual Amusement Park “Miku Land β Snow World 2021” Details Announced ~to Be Opened in Virtual Cast During Feb. 6th-7th~

Feb 5th 2021

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Former schoolgirl sues Tokyo high school that made her drop out for breaking no-dating rule

2021-02-06T04:00:00Z
No love in school leads to fight in court.

1 Like