Shachihata Inc. has created invisible ink stamp sets to deter groping on crowded commuter trains in Japan. The product sold out within an hour of release and is seen as a significant step towards deterring unwanted advances. The stamps sold for $23 USD and the company is working on improving the product based on user […]
Karoshi, meaning “death by overwork,” originated in Japan in 1982 when doctors noted young, healthy men dying from heart attacks and strokes after working over 60 hours a week. Japanese Production Management (JPM) is blamed for high stress and job expectations leading to karoshi. Despite anti-karoshi policies, Japan still has long working hours. In Japan, […]
Japan’s Naki Zumo festival, dating back 400 years, sees sumo wrestlers gather at temples to scare babies into crying. The winner is the baby who cries the longest and loudest, with all who sob rewarded with good health and defense against evil spirits. Parents can pay up to $100 USD to make their child cry, […]
Japan is a small island nation in the western Pacific, with a long history dating back to 35,000 BC. It has undergone periods of decentralization, centralization, feudalism, and militarization. It was isolated from the West for two centuries before opening up to trade in 1853. Japan became an economic superpower after World War II, but […]
Smoking in Japan was unregulated for centuries, with over 25% of the population smoking and cigarettes sold in vending machines. Recent policies have changed laws, with a potential for a nationwide ban. The tobacco industry has historically influenced smoking laws. Identification scans in vending machines prevent minors from purchasing tobacco. Some cities have banned smoking […]
On December 7, 1941, Japan launched a surprise attack on US military installations in Hawaii, killing and injuring thousands. The attack was a response to the US embargo on Japan’s expansion in Asia. Japan believed that destroying the US Pacific Fleet would give them a decisive victory and demoralize the American people. However, the attack […]
Emperor Hirohito announced Japan’s surrender on August 15, 1945, but his formal language and lack of explicit surrender caused confusion. The decision to surrender was influenced by the destruction of Japanese forces and the use of atomic bombs by the US. Hirohito, also known as Emperor Shōwa, was emperor of Japan between 1926 and 1989. […]
Tipping in Japan is considered rude, as it is for service workers in other countries like Costa Rica, Brunei, Denmark, Fiji, Malaysia, and New Zealand. Bowing, using a wet towel to wash hands, and taking off shoes when entering a home are customary in Japan. No, tipping in Japan is considered extremely rude and offensive. […]
Asian languages use syllabic and meaning-based symbols, making traditional Roman-type keyboards less efficient. Japanese keyboards have one or two symbols per key and include Roman letters. Chinese keyboards use input method software, including the Wubi and Pinyin methods, handwriting, and speech recognition. Where Western alphabets are divided into individual letters, Asian languages use syllabic and […]
Black cats are considered good luck in Japan and the UK, but in America they were thought to be companions of witches. Some believe that if a black cat crosses from left to right it brings good luck, but crossing from right to left brings bad luck. Black cats are generally considered good luck in […]
Japan is experiencing a rise in the “super solo society” trend, where people live alone and enjoy activities alone. Retailers are adapting to this trend by offering solo booths, single-serving items, and separate seats for solo moviegoers. This trend is a response to a changing society where marriage is less common and social media is […]
In Japan, adult male adoptions are common, with 90,000 males adopted in 2008. This is due to family businesses wanting heirs to pass their businesses on to. It is considered an honor to be chosen as an adopted heir, and family-owned businesses tend to perform well in Japan. About 98% of adoptions in Japan are […]
