Japan
Ken, the Famously Adorable Roast Sweet Potato Stand Cashier in Hokkaido, Passes Away
Ken, the Shiba Inu who looked over the roast sweet potato store in Sapporo, Hokkaido, passed away at 6 years old.
Heartbreaking news: Ken passed away on June 6 at around 12:50 p.m., according to his owner’s Instagram post, Mothership reported. The owner said Ken returned to his “favorite (sweet potato) shop” and thanked all those who supported the Shiba Inu.
‘Master Artist and Storyteller’: ‘Berserk’ Creator Kentaro Miura Passes Away at 54
“Berserk” manga creator Kentaro Miura passed away at the age of 54 on May 6 after inspiring many fictional works for years.
What happened: Miura passed away due to an acute aortic dissection, according to a statement by Young Animal Comics’ editorial department, reported CNET.
Confused Japanese Citizens Receive Stimulus Checks From Biden’s COVID-19 Relief Package
Some Japanese citizens are reportedly receiving stimulus checks of up to $1,400 each from President Joe Biden’s COVID-19 relief package approved in March.
Surprise in the mail: The recipients, noncitizens who once lived in America but left a long time ago, posted online that they were surprised to receive stimulus checks from the U.S. Treasury, reported Asahi Shimbun.
Japanese Swimmer, Cancer Survivor Qualifies for Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games
Japanese swimmer Rikako Ikee, who was diagnosed with leukemia two years ago, has qualified for the upcoming Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.
The 20-year-old athlete competed in the women’s 100-meter butterfly during the national championships held at Tokyo Aquatics Centre on Sunday, according to Reuters. Ikee is now qualified to compete in the 4×100 medley relay at the Olympic Games this July.
Japanese Airline Offering $540 Meals on the Runway Quickly Sell Out
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, various airlines have started coming up with creative ways to use their grounded planes.
Anyone willing to pay $540 for a first-class dining experience can look into Japanese airline All Nippon Airways’s latest offer, which lets diners eat on a grounded Boeing 777 at Tokyo’s Haneda Airport, BBC reported.
Japan’s Super Nintendo World Finally Open
The long-awaited Universal Studios attraction finally opened on Thursday in Osaka, Japan.
Initially announced in 2015, the park’s opening was delayed from last summer due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Japanese Comedian Dresses Up as Batman Villain to Run for Governor
A Japanese politician is pulling different stunts, including dressing up as a Batman villain, to attract attention to his electoral campaign.
Yuusuke Kawai, who is running for governor of Chiba Prefecture, recently appeared on TV wearing makeup that appears to be a recreation of Joaquin Phoenix’s Joker, reports Kotaku.
‘Top Contender’ Capybara Wins Japan’s Annual Hot Spring Bath Competition
A capybara from central Japan has won this year’s national “Capybara Long Bath Showdown.”
The annual contest, which honors the capybara that bathes the longest, took place in various prefectures on Jan. 9.
Japanese Baseball Player’s Son Turns Himself Into a Living Doll
Masashi Kuwata, the son of former Japanese professional baseball player Masumi Kuwata, is gaining attention online for his transformation from being a young Japanese man to a living doll.
Masashi, who now goes by the name of Matt Kuwata, has stunned many netizens with his dramatic transformation that makes him look like a pale-skinned doll with huge cartoonish eyes.
Japanese Company Will Ask Your Crush Out on Valentine’s Day For a Cool $1,300
A company in Japan just opened up a service to ask out people on a Valentine’s Day date on behalf of their clients who are too shy to approach their crush.
The company, named Kokunavi, is a mashup of the words kokuhaku meaning “confession of love” and “navigation,” and will help their clients with the whole terrifying experience of trying to start a romantic relationship with the one they adore.
Japan is Opening an Adorable Museum of Poop
A museum dedicated to making poop look kawaii is set to open its doors in Japan next month – and it’s perfect for people who adore cartoonified poop or those who just had a really crappy day.
The museum, playfully called the Unko Museum – Unko is Japanese for poop – is going to open its doors to those who wish to see cute poop in the Aso Building, which is directly connected to Yokohama station, according to PR Times as translated by Grapee.
Some of The Deadliest Samurai Were Women, But History Forgot
There is no shortage of stories about legendary Japanese samurai warriors in modern pop culture; but most stories only feature the male ones.
Contrary to popular belief, female samurai existed and were just as fierce and skillful as their male counterparts.