Japan Central!

[Slowhand]

Japan announces Kanji of the Year for 2019, and it was really the only logical choice

2019-12-12T13:00:00Z

Yoshiki makes surprise appearance at Kiss concert in Tokyo 【Video】

2019-12-12T17:30:00Z

Watch Voice Actress Azumi Waki’s Solo Singer Debut Song MVs “Fuwatto” & “Citrus”

December 12, 2019 7:10pm CST
She is now playing the protagonist Mile in “Didn’t I Say to Make My Abilities Average in the Next Life?”

Rakuten Travel reveals the top 5 best-rated, off-the-beaten-track Japanese ryokan inns

2019-12-13T01:00:00Z

Japanese ninja group wants to hire new member, must have strong aura and mental fortitude

2019-12-13T03:00:00Z

[Slowhand]

Anime Los Angeles Announces J-Pop Duo FEMM to Perform at January 2020 Convention

Dec 13th 2019

Apartment Hotel Mimaru, an In-city Hotel for Families Visiting Japan, Introduces Pokémon Rooms on December 24

Dec 13th 2019

Locked Up for Dress Up: Cosplayers Recount Harrowing Week in Malaysian Prison

by Andrew Osmond, Dec 13th 2019

‘Japanese’, ‘Hentai’ Top Pornhub Searches Worldwide (NSFW)

posted on 2019-12-13 13:45 EST by Kim Morrissy
Japan was country with second highest traffic in 2019

L’Arc-en-Ciel: All Songs and Music Videos Now Available through Subscription Services Worldwide

Dec 13th 2019

Anison Duo ClariS to Make Their First Music TV Show Appearance on January 2

December 13, 2019 8:10pm CST
Nana Mizuki, Megumi Nakajima, Aya Hirano, and Mamoru Miyano are also included in the lineup

Otaku in Japan in danger of losing their virtual anime girl wives due to hologram tech upgrade

2019-12-14T05:00:00Z

[Slowhand]

This holiday season, Japan lets you skip Christmas lights and see Evangelion lights instead【Vid】

2019-12-14T07:00:00Z

Japanese artist shows difference between erotic manga for men vs. women in simple side-by-side

2019-12-14T13:00:00Z

Japanese man’s son claps back to his lecture about too much YouTube time, starts media debate

2019-12-14T23:30:00Z

[Slowhand]

Anime Central is Honored to Welcome Riho Iida

Dec 15th 2019

Concert Celebrating Kyoto Animation’s Sound! Euphonium to Donate All Proceeds to Charity

December 15, 2019 12:02pm CST
Concert occurred in Uji, Kyoto, the setting of the anime series

Groper in Japan says he couldn’t resist “young females’ breasts,” all victims much older than him

2019-12-16T03:00:00Z

[Slowhand]

Anime Song Streaming Service ANiUTa Ends U.S. Service on March 31

posted on 2019-12-16 03:52 EST by Crystalyn Hodgkins
Subscribers must cancel subscription before March 31 to avoid continued fee charge

Stars Align for Tarot-Themed Idol Unit ARCANA PROJECT

December 16, 2019 11:07am CST
Lantis and DearStage collaborate to launch the new group, premiering next year

Virtual YouTubers, Singers Will Get Their Own Kōhaku Music Contest

posted on 2019-12-16 14:45 EST by Kim Morrissy
Kizuna Ai, Evangelion theme song Yoko Takahashi to participate

Over 30 percent of surveyed Japanese managers feel intense stress from working with foreigners

2019-12-17T01:00:00Z

[Slowhand]

Secret way Yoshinoya’s president customizes his beef bowl orders is a secret no more【Taste test】

2019-12-17T16:00:00Z

Japanese women asked what best job for a husband is, may be looking for romantic-comedy lead

2019-12-17T17:30:00Z

dwarf studios’ Masahito Kobayashi Nominated for Best Direction at the 47th Annie Awards

Dec 17th 2019

Japanese Twitter blown away by super cool business card that looks like computer hardware

2019-12-18T02:00:00Z

Japan’s anti-train groper badge design contest announces this year’s winners

2019-12-18T03:00:00Z

[Slowhand]

Yoshiki and Kiss to perform together again on Japan’s New Year’s Eve music extravaganza Kohaku

2019-12-18T13:00:00Z

ANN Interview: TRUE, The Ever-Evolving Anisong Artist

by Cindy Sibilsky, Dec 18th 2019

Family of four arrested for six-month spate of burglaries in Saitama Prefecture

2019-12-19T01:00:00Z

Voice Actress Aoi Yuki Destroys Everything in Her New MV “Unbreakable”

December 18, 2019 8:10pm CST
Winter 2020 TV anime “Infinite Dendrogram” OP song will be released on January 15, 2020

[Slowhand]

Japanese otaku now have special trash box just for merch of their former anime and idol crushes

2019-12-19T17:30:00Z

One-Punch Man Saitama VA Makoto Furukawa Shows His Unvarnished Side in 2nd Photo Book

December 19, 2019 8:10pm CST
The photos were shot in Hokkaido in early autumn for three days

[Slowhand]

Yoshiki Live at Carnegie Hall to Air Across the U.S. on New Year’s Eve

Dec 20th 2019

The 10 best Japanese hot spring resorts locals want to go back to again and again

2019-12-20T06:00:00Z

Overworked Japan loses last public holiday of the year, even though it’s still on the calendar

2019-12-20T14:00:00Z

TripAdvisor Japan announces the country’s 10 favorite shrines and temples

2019-12-20T15:00:00Z

Makoto Shinkai Honored at Kodansha’s Noda Publishing Culture Award

posted on 2019-12-20 17:45 EST by Kim Morrissy
Manga publishers Ribon, Nakayoshi also received awards

How much money do you need to raise a family with a “normal life” in Kyoto? Study investigates

2019-12-21T01:00:00Z

[LadyOfWicca]

Kyoto Animation to Close Donation Bank Account on December 27

posted on 2019-12-21 00:46 EST by Crystalyn Hodgkins
Studio has received more than US$30 million in donations

Tokyo police increase patrols in Shinjuku’s Kabukicho district

December 21, 2019 / Japan Today

No head for heights? Best give new tower attraction a miss

December 21, 2019 / The Asahi Shimbun

Helium shortage bursting more than balloons at Disneyland

December 21, 2019 / The Asahi Shimbun

Twin-tailed flasher in Japan’s coldest prefecture may not understand how flashing works

2019-12-21T13:00:00Z

Japan’s number-one cosplayer skips the Santa outfits, dresses up as a succubus【Photos】

2019-12-21T23:30:00Z

Gundam Run Hong Kong 2020 Cancelled

posted on 2019-12-21 23:00 EST by Kim Morrissy
Event was previously scheduled for January 5, 2020

[Slowhand]

Talented Japanese railway worker gives commuters serendipitous surprise on station piano

2019-12-22T09:00:00Z

Japanese woman’s hair turns into literal train wreck thanks to Thomas the Tank Engine’s friend

2019-12-22T15:00:00Z
Drastic solution required to remove cheeky locomotive.

Foreign comedian Atsugiri Jason’s hot take on Japan’s apology culture has netizens abuzz

2019-12-22T17:30:00Z
This time he really means “WHY JAPANESE PEOPLE?!”

Parody Romance Simulator Video of Toyota Cars Will Make Your Heart Go Vroom

posted on 2019-12-22 13:45 EST by Kim Morrissy
2-minute video features the voices of Tomokazu Sugita, Takahiro Sakurai, Jun Fukuyama

Japanese billionaire Yusaku Maezawa is selling his private jet because it’s old, gives a tour

2019-12-23T01:00:00Z

Pokémon hotel rooms spawn in Tokyo and Kyoto

2019-12-23T04:00:00Z

[Slowhand]

Shigeru Miyamoto to Receive “Honorary Citizen of Nantan City, Kyoto” By Hometown

December 23, 2019 4:13am CST
Miyamoto stands tall alongside the late politician Hiromu Nonaka and former Ambassador Mutsuo Mabuchi

Japanese artist frets over “wasting” pencils for lead art: Twitter steps in with ardent praise

2019-12-23T18:00:00Z
Careless comments caused an artist to work even harder, and Twitter has plenty of compliments for their awesome sculptures!

Making a low-budget, Tokyo Star Wars tribute gave us a new respect for the movie-making Force【Vid】

2019-12-24T02:30:00Z

“World’s most beautiful Starbucks” gets a makeover in Japan, but is it still beautiful?

2019-12-24T03:00:00Z

Climb the bridge between heaven and earth at Amanohashidate

December 23, 2019 / grape

How to respond to Japanese people saying “I don’t speak English” when you’re speaking Japanese?

2019-12-24T05:00:00Z
A cutting comeback from a Japanese-proficient foreigner leaves one man with a permanent emotional scar, but there are softer ways to make your point too.

[LadyOfWicca]

Merry Christmas from SoraNews24!

2019-12-24T22:00:00Z
Happy holidays to our readers both in Japan and around the world!

Beautiful Santacos models return to give a Christmas present for good little cosplay fans【Photos】

2019-12-25T05:00:00Z
’Tis the season for Japan’s cosplay models to slip into their cute and sexy Santa outfits.

[Slowhand]

Rock Band Wyse Resume Their Activities in Anime PV Produced by Tezuka Productions

December 25, 2019 12:10am CST
They performed the ED theme “Kokoro no Sukima” for the 2002 TV anime “Heat Guy J”

Kansas Convention Naka-Kon to Host Voice Actress Rica Fukami

posted on 2019-12-25 02:32 EST by Crystalyn Hodgkins
Convention in Overland Park to be held from March 13-15

Dogo Onsen: Have a relaxing soak in Japan’s oldest bathhouse

December 25, 2019 / grape

Remembering the victims of the Great Hanshin Earthquake as 200,000 lights brighten up the city of Kobe

December 25, 2019 / grape

Byōdōin temple: The temple you can hold in the palm of your hand

December 25, 2019 / grape

Japan votes on the rudest behaviors seen on trains and at stations this year

2019-12-25T15:00:00Z
This year’s ranking includes Kanto vs. Kansai regional variations in addition to the overall list.

Listen to the “New Type” Hatsune Miku Coming This March

December 25, 2019 10:18am CST
PiaPro is giving the digital idol an overhaul for the new year

Japan actually watches MORE adult videos on Christmas, study shows, but how come?

2019-12-25T18:00:00Z

Man at Ichiran ramen receives frightening note from man in the next booth

2019-12-26T03:00:00Z

Residents don’t want Kyoto Animation to build monument, memorial park to victims at arson site

2019-12-26T05:00:00Z

[Slowhand]

Oreimo, Eromanga Sensei Illustrator Designs New Virtual YouTuber Himemori Luna

December 26, 2019 1:10am CST
She will start her activities on YouTube on January 4, 2020

Yoshiki and Kiss will Collaborate for New Year’s Eve Television Performance

Dec 26th 2019

If you were naked in a Daiso 100 yen store, could you put together an entire outfit? We find out

2019-12-26T13:00:00Z

Extreme Anime Radio to Suspend Music Broadcasts on December 31

Dec 26th 2019

You can get married in Japan with official, legally binding Evangelion marriage registration forms

2019-12-27T01:00:00Z

Japan Airlines giving foreign travelers 100,000 free round-trip tickets during the Tokyo Olympics

2019-12-27T02:00:00Z

[Slowhand]

Voice Actor Mark Ishii Takes Hiatus to Recuperate After Maladjustment Diagnosis

posted on 2019-12-27 02:22 EST by Crystalyn Hodgkins
Gundam: Reconguista in G, Haikyu!!, Cardfight!! Vanguard G actor debuted in 2014

10 tips to remember for your first trip to izakaya, Japan’s awesome traditional pubs【Video】

2019-12-27T16:00:00Z
Suntory’s for-foreigners video has plenty of great info, and we’ve got a few things to add.

Japan prepares itself for…THE FUTURE!!! Lots of bridges and living underwater expected

2019-12-27T17:30:00Z
Mitsubishi’s view of 2020 was both incredibly on-point and way-off at the same time.

Archipel Releases English-Subtitled Documentary With Shaman King Creator Hiroyuki Takei

posted on 2019-12-27 14:45 EST by Kim Morrissy
Takei talks about his journey with manga, Shaman King’s cancellation, his next work

Canadian learns to speak proper Japanese by becoming comedian, pouring tea for his master

2019-12-28T02:00:00Z

Voice Actress Rika Tachibana Announces Marriage to Pro Baseball Player Kenya Wakatsuki

posted on 2019-12-27 23:00 EST by Kim Morrissy

Check Out JAM Project’s 20th Anniversary Album All-Song Preview

December 27, 2019 10:10pm EST
Solo works by the members are now also available on streaming services

Enjoy lakeside illuminations and cute alpacas at Tochigi’s Nasu Rindo Lake View park

December 27, 2019 / grape

Chill out with Japan’s Giant Reclining Buddha

December 27, 2019 / grape

Take a step back in time at Hiroshima Castle

December 27, 2019 / grape

Hatsune Miku affirms global star status with second Europe tour

2019-12-27T21:10:00Z

Donations top ¥3.3 bil for Kyoto Animation arson victims in Japan

2019-12-27T21:29:00Z

[LadyOfWicca]

Can the powers of the Tokyo area’s literal money-laundering shrine make us rich? We find out

2019-12-28T07:00:00Z
Our latest get-rich-quick scheme takes us to a Shinto shrine in Kamakura with an 835-year history.

Man fined ¥300,000 for online hate speech

2019-12-28T07:02:00Z

Pokemon Center Tokyo Bay Tempt Trainers Out to Chiba with Giant Surfer Pikachu and Pikachu Parade

December 28, 2019 / grape

Have a wild day out at Akiyoshidai Safari Land

December 28, 2019 / grape

How Japan Is Complimenting Itself Away from Burnout And Career Fatigue

December 28, 2019 / grape

Japan Guide: Visit Otaru during winter

December 28, 2019 / grape

Square Enix Cafe in Akihabara to Close in January 2020

December 28, 2019 / grape

Comic Market 97 Attracts 190,000 Attendees on 1st Day

posted on 2019-12-28 04:03 EST by Crystalyn Hodgkins

Another New Year cash giveaway hinted at by former Zozotown CEO Yusaku Maezawa

2019-12-29T00:00:00Z

‘Sponge cake’ looks way too much like the real thing

2019-12-28T21:00:00Z

Young ama divers strive to keep sustainable fishery alive

2019-12-28T21:01:00Z

First Saudi Anime Expo held, in pivot toward entertainment

2019-12-28T22:00:00Z

Skewer king finds success in leap of faith to bamboo straws

2019-12-28T22:30:00Z

[LadyOfWicca]

Traditional Japanese Food of New Year’s: The meaning of Ozoni and Osechi Ryori

December 29, 2019 / grape

VA’s Tasuku Hatanaka and Sayaka Senbongi Get Married and Become Kabaneri Power Couple

December 29, 2019 1:14am EST
The two leads from Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress announced their marriage via voice agency

Tokyo’s biggest street party spot bans public drinking on New Year’s Eve

2019-12-29T09:30:00Z

Is work more important to Japanese salarymen than their girlfriends? Survey investigates

2019-12-30T03:00:00Z
”Which is more important, your job, or me?”

What are “Kisei Blues” and why Housewives refuse to visit their in-laws during Holidays?

December 29, 2019 /grape

Eateries turning to lawyers on Web to collect from no-shows

2019-12-29T23:00:00Z

Comic Market 97 Attracts 180,000 Attendees on 2nd Day

posted on 2019-12-29 23:50 EST by Crystalyn Hodgkins

KFC Japan holds annual memorial services for its chicken

2019-12-30T05:00:00Z
Execs pray for chickens of the past and future on “Chicken Thanksgiving.”

7 places to see the first sunrise of 2020 in Japan

2019-12-29T20:04:00Z

[LadyOfWicca]

In Idol-Obsessed Japan, Polygamists And Centenarians Are Burning Up Pop Charts

December 30, 2019 / grape

Japan Travel: Top Spots to Visit in Aomori Prefecture

December 30, 2019 / grape

Want to win the lottery? The Best Shrines and Power Spots to Pray for Good Fortune before Buying Takarakuji

December 30, 2019 / grape

Gourmet Guide: Top 5 places to eat and drink in Hirosaki Aomori

December 30, 2019 / grape

Nijigasaki High School Idol Club Member Tomori Kusunoki to Make Solo Singer Debut

December 30, 2019 2:10am EST
The voice of Hazuki Kagimura (Märchen Mädchen), Llenn (SAO: Alternative Gun Gale Online),

Comic Market 97 Attracts 190,000 Attendees on 3rd Day

posted on 2019-12-30 03:32 EST by Crystalyn Hodgkins

Akihabara’s forgotten history reveals surprising basketball court at the station

2019-12-30T13:00:00Z
People in Japan can’t believe the otaku haven looked so different just a few decades ago.

The best Japanese cosplayers from Day 1 of Winter Comiket 2019【Photos】

2019-12-30T15:00:00Z

Survey reveals 70 percent of Japanese adults believe corporal punishment is necessary

2019-12-30T18:00:00Z

Kana Hanazawa, Yuuki Kaji to Narrate Kōhaku Music Program

posted on 2019-12-30 17:45 EST by Lynzee Loveridge

Shirobako Voice Actress Juri Kimura Announces Marriage, Baby

posted on 2019-12-30 22:00 EST by Lynzee Loveridge

The IDOLM@STER Voice Actress Rei Matsuzaki Announces Marriage

posted on 2019-12-30 23:56 EST by Kim Morrissy
Cinderella Girls cast member found her true love through baseball

More convenience store operators eye shorter hours, closures for holidays

2019-12-30T21:35:00Z

Japanese New Year traditions: 10 ways to celebrate like a local

2019-12-30T20:00:00Z

New Year’s Eve remains the ‘mountain pass’ to be crossed

2019-12-31T04:00:00Z

Osaka night view includes natural phenomena at projection event

2019-12-30T22:00:00Z

[LadyOfWicca]

Japan to greet New Year with ‘Kohaku,’ shrine visits, shopping and snowstorms

2019-12-31T07:03:00Z

Comic Market 97 Sets New Record with 750,000 Attendees Across All 4 Days

posted on 2019-12-31 06:22 EST by Egan Loo
Event drew 190,000 attendees on 4th day on Tuesday

The best Japanese cosplayers from Day 2 of Winter Comiket 2019【Photos】

2019-12-31T13:00:00Z

Voice Actress Aya Suzaki, Writer Takashi Ifukube Marry

posted on 2019-12-31 08:52 EST by Egan Loo, Jennifer Sherman
4th Idolm@ster cast member to announce in last few days

Our writer Seiji becomes the face of baldness on Google Japan

2019-12-31T17:30:00Z

Eiichiro Oda Celebrates New Year with “Year of the Rat” Illustration

December 31, 2019 11:10pm CST
His internationally popular series “One Piece” has printed 460 million copies worldwide

Happy New Year from SoraNews24!

2020-01-02T04:00:00Z