Japanese Billionaire Yusaku Maezawa Passes Astronaut Test
ZOZO founder Yusaku Maezawa just passed rigorous tests to become the first Japanese civilian to travel to the International Space Station.
November 28, 2021
Contributor
Mark Kennedy
Mark Kennedy is a native of Chicago who has spent more than 20 years living, studying and working in Japan before deciding to retire to the idyllic countryside of Oita. Mark is a lifelong student of the Japanese language and culture and loves to travel throughout the country. He also is the author behind the "Real Gaijin" Substack and podcast as well as the Country Roads Japan YouTube channel. Photo supplied courtesy of the author who had stopped to check out the free-roaming horses and cows about half-way up to the summit of Mt. Aso, an active volcano in the center of Kyushu.
Articles
Curious Connection of Marvel’s Ironheart to a Japanese Adult Film
Inadequate due diligence may have led Disney to name the upcoming successor to the Iron Man franchise after a Japanese adult video.
November 19, 2021
The Big Reveal: 2021 Nominees for New Japanese Words
The Japanese language is constantly evolving and frequently borrows words from abroad. This year’s new word nominees are no exception.
November 12, 2021
Princess Mako’s Husband Kei Komuro Fails New York Bar Exam
Kei Komuro, the husband to Japan’s Princess Mako, has officially failed his New York Bar Exam, causing turmoil among the royal household.
November 5, 2021
“Corona Bullying” in Japan Afflicts Both Children and Adults
As vaccination rates catch up to the rest of the G7, Japan continues to struggle with another unwanted side effect of the…
November 1, 2021
Japanese Wireless Network Docomo Experiences National Blackouts
Numerous massive blackouts are just the latest in high-profile service disruptions by one of Japan’s corporate giants.
October 27, 2021
Vaccine Passports Are Nothing New in Japan
Meiji Era vaccine passports from 140 years ago have surfaced on Twitter
October 21, 2021
The Average Japanese Salary Sinks Even Lower
Wages in Japan are only a little more than half that of the U.S.
October 16, 2021
Tween Boys Still Allowed into Public Bathhouses for Women and Vise Versa
“In the past, my son used to take a bath in the women’s bath with his mother when he was small, but…
October 1, 2021
Japan’s First Sperm Bank Aims to Reduce Black Market Sperm Trades
Japan’s first home-grown sperm bank is aiming to reduce a growing and dangerous trend of online SNS sperm trading.
September 23, 2021