Search
kanji
Articles
· Chandler Treon
Why the kanji for ‘war’ was chosen by Japan to represent 2022
“Sen,” the kanji for war or battle, was chosen by the Japan Kanji Aptitude Testing Foundation to represent 2022. The foundation’s 28th annual poll collected votes cast by the general public to illustrate the social mood of the country this year.
· Ryan General
Japan, US commemorate Battle of Okinawa 80th anniversary
Japan recently marked 80 years since the end of the Battle of Okinawa, the final and bloodiest ground battle of World War II in the Pacific. A memorial ceremony was held on June 23 at Mabuni Hill in Itoman City, the site of the conflict’s last stages, where Prime Minister…
· Carl Samson
Japan bans flashy baby names like ‘Nike,’ ‘Pikachu’
Japan’s parliament passed legislation in late May establishing standards for children’s name pronunciations, addressing disputes over creative interpretations of traditional characters. What you need to know: The law requires family registries to include phonetic guidance for…
· Bryan Ke
‘Kakizome’ explained: The Japanese tradition of writing New Year’s wishes
Japanese people will soon write their wishes on paper using calligraphy, a tradition known as “kakizome” or “first writing.” How it’s done: Kakizome involves people writing their wishes or goals for the upcoming year in calligraphy using kanji, a system of Japanese writing using…
· Bryan Ke
2023’s word of the year, according to Japanese voters
“Zei” (“税”), or “tax,” has been voted as the word of the year in Japan in 2023, reflecting people’s frustration over rising costs of living and discussions on taxes among policymakers. Announcing the word: The Kyoto-based Japan Kanji Aptitude Testing Foundation unveiled the word…
· Ines Shin
Hayao Miyazaki’s son models new ‘Spirited Away,’ ‘Princess Mononoke’ Ghibli Park merch
Hayao Miyazaki’s son, Japanese filmmaker Goro Miyazaki, recently modeled merchandise coming soon to Ghibli Park. On Monday, the official Ghibli Park Twitter account tweeted, “In a very serious meeting about new products,” along with two pictures of Goro, who is also the creative…
· Michelle De Pacina
Complete list of WWII Japanese internees unveiled in LA weighs 25 pounds
This year marks the 80th anniversary of former U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s authorization of Executive Order 9066 in February 1942, which forced Japanese immigrants and Japanese Americans into incarceration camps across the U.S. The Japanese American National Museum in…
· Chandler Treon
Japanese tourist in Wisconsin captivated by lakes, cheese and monster trucks in viral TikTok video
A Japanese tourist traveling across the U.S. has gone viral on TikTok for his video explaining why Wisconsin is an underrated destination. The tourist is George Japan, a popular Japanese YouTuber who rose to fame for his videos explaining Japanese culture and reacting to poorly…
· Rebecca Moon
Poop teaches kids finance in extremely popular textbook on backorder in Japan
A children’s financial literacy textbook that uses poop-themed illustrations is on a severe backorder in Japan due to its massive popularity. The textbook, “Poop Money Drill,” is divided into two books that teach children about the importance of the economy and financial…
· Celine Pun
Pepsi Japan releases new cola formulated to taste best when paired with karaage fried chicken
Pepsi Japan is releasing a special soda made specifically to pair perfectly with fried chicken. “Pepsi Zero Karaage Senyou Cola,” which translates to “Pepsi Zero Exclusively for Japanese-Style Fried Chicken,” is a zero-calorie, clear and colorless drink. Pepsi Japan reduced the…
· Bryan Ke
Rui Hachimura’s ‘Black Samurai’ sneaker and apparel collab collection with Jordan Brand is on fire
Japanese NBA star and Washington Wizards power forward Rui Hachimura and Jordan Brand have released a collection of sweaters, shirts and footwear inspired by Hachimura’s Japanese roots. The now sold-out Rui Hachimura x Jordan Brand collection, called “Black Samurai,” is…
· Iris Jung
New Batman comic series based on animated ‘Batman Beyond’ features bi-racial Asian Terry McGinnis
In an attempt to diversify Gotham’s caped crusader, DC Comics writer and artist Sean Murphy has confirmed on Instagram that the newest Dark Knight, Terry McGinnis, is "half Asian." Terry will be featured in Murphy’s eight-issue limited series “Batman: Beyond the White Knight,”…
· Ryan General
‘Don’t insult Japan!’: Miss Universe 2021 Japan’s national costume is all wrong according to netizens
The national costume worn by Japan’s candidate in the 70th Miss Universe pageant has sparked criticism on Japanese social media. “Cool Japan” take: During the pageant’s National Costume Show on Dec. 10, Japanese contestant Juri Watanabe wore highly stylized attire that social…
· Editorial Staff
Singer Resorts to Using Brownface in Music Video for Skin Whitening Product
A Malaysian singer has come under fire over the weekend after featuring an ethnically Chinese woman in brownface in his latest music video. Choo Hao Ren, also known as Haoren, released the song “White Doll” for a Snowbebe advertisement. Snowbebe is a skin-whitening product sold…
· Khier Casino
Japanese Mayor ‘Jo Baiden’ Congratulates President-Elect Joe Biden
A mayor in a small town in Japan has become internet famous for his name, which is pronounced as “Jo Baiden” in kanji (Chinese characters). What’s in a name? Yutaka Umeda, 73, is the mayor of Yamato, Kumamoto Prefecture, which has a population of only 15,000 but has gained…
· Ryan General
Naruto x Adidas Collaboration Leaked, Reportedly Coming Later This Year
After delivering a sneaker collection centered around the Dragon Ball Z franchise last year, Adidas is gearing up another surprise for sneakerheads who love anime. This year, the popular apparel brand is reportedly collaborating with the beloved anime series, Naruto.
· Carl Samson
Japanese Prank Where Kids Stick Their Fingers Into People’s Butts is Real
In Japan, children can stick their fingers into people’s butts and get away with it — at least in theory. The act, which involves putting together one’s index fingers to form a “gun,” is a socially acceptable prank known as kanchō.
· Bryan Ke
Japan’s New Era Name in English is the Same as the Theme Song of a Hentai Game
As we all know, Japan has entered a new era and the next emperor has been revealed. But it turns out that this new era’s name, Reiwa, with the two kanji characters 令和 which mean “orderly harmony” in English, may actually have a connection with a theme song for a porn game…
· Bryan Ke
Man Shocked to Discover ‘Flower Vase’ on Grandma’s Altar is a Sex Toy
A Japanese man had the shock of his life after finding his grandfather using a Tenga male masturbatory aid as a flower vase for his late grandmother’s altar. 久々に実家に帰宅。 一年前に他界した祖母に挨拶しに行くと、前の職場の送別会で貰ったTENGAが、歴史上かつてない程に最悪の使われ方をしていた。
· Ryan General
Ariana Grande Responds to Cultural Appropriation Accusations Over Her Japanese Tattoo
When Ariana Grande unveiled her unfortunate Japanese tattoo last week, the internet’s immediate reaction was mostly of ridicule. This is because instead of reading “7 Rings” in Kanji — in reference to her song of the same name — her ink translated more closely to shichirin, a…