Author: Mina

Yahoo! Japan has recently released two new modes for their timer app Tsuukin Timer (Commute Timer), which tells users when their train leaves in the form of a countdown. As you can see from the ...

It seems like Tokyo Tower has yet to concede defeat to the Tokyo Skytree, holding tightly to its self-acclaimed title of Best City Landmark. Whereas the newer east Tokyo attraction seems to prefer ...

Studio Ghibli's latest film Kaze Tachinu (The Wind Rises) has revealed yet another face to anime director Hayao Miyazaki, who reportedly was against the making of such film that he knew would be ...

Japan is a country known for its great generosity when it comes to serving customers, both current and potential alike. The level of customer service can be seen in various forms of service, from ...

Among many English speakers, spoken Japanese is often said to be fairly easy to learn. This is probably because conversational Japanese in large part is a language of omission which doesn't require ...

If you ever think that Japan is a country of great hospitality and politeness, you should know that behind their happy face might reveal deadly diligence and sacrifice. For a long time, the terms ...

On June 24th, Ashley Madison, the world-famous online dating service for dissatisfied married people -- or more bluntly, plain cheaters (wannabes included) -- launched a Japanese version of the ...

As clichéd as it might sound, in everyday life we really do take too many things for granted. The virtual world of the Internet makes it seem as though everything can be done instantly at no cost. ...

While people make charitable donations for (arguably) many different reasons, this year, the annual 24 Hour Television themed "Love Saves the Earth" -- which will be aired on August 24th and 25th -- ...

In 2013, Shingeki no Kyojin (Attack on Titan) became no longer just a popular comic book. It has evolved into a social phenomenon which will be remembered as one of the biggest hits of the decade. So ...

If someone asked me to name Japan's greatest invention, I might say it's the Cup Noodle. Although some people consider it to be more of junk food rather than a meal, I'm sure we all love it not only ...

Could you tell us a little bit about yourself? How would you describe yourself? I can't remember how many times people asked me these questions. Whether it was during job interviews or random ...

Weddings and konkatsu (or spouse-hunting) are big money in Japan. June Bride is a term that originated in the west but later became a commercialized concept in Japan too. However, June in Japan, as ...

There is no doubt that Japanese anime's stories vary greatly from cute, funny, educational, heroic, romantic, horror, erotic to grotesque. Makoto Shinkai's latest animation film "The Garden of Words" ...

You can argue with me on this, but in Japan, there are two days a year when the idea of being alone might affect you emotionally -- these are Valentine's Day and Christmas (or Christmas Eve, to be ...