tokyo
Tokyo Olympics Official Resigns After Plus-Sized Model ‘Pig’ Comment
The head of the Tokyo Olympics’ creative team has recently resigned after making derogatory remarks about a female Japanese comedian.
Hiroshi Sasaki, 66, mentioned in a group chat last year that plus-size entertainer Naomi Watanabe, 33, could wear pig ears and be an “Olympig” during the Olympics’ opening ceremony, according to CNN.
7-Time Female Olympian Elected as Tokyo Olympics Head After Former’s Sexist Remarks
In response to the recent controversy surrounding its former president, the organizing committee of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games has appointed a new leader.
What happened: The Tokyo Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games announced on Thursday that Seiko Hashimoto will replace Tokyo Olympics chief Yoshiro Mori as its new president, ABC News reports.
Japanese Hotel Lets You Stay for Free If You Post on Social Media
A Japanese hotel is giving guests a free stay in one of its rooms as well as get complimentary food and drinks in exchange for a very small favor on social media.
Hotel New Shohei, which is located near Yotsuya Station in Tokyo, is offering a free stay in exchange for a post, including a photo, on one of their social media accounts with a caption saying they stayed at the hotel, according to SoraNews24.
Japan’s Oldest Amusement Park to Close After 94 Years for New ‘Harry Potter’ Park
After 94 years of bringing joy to kids and adults alike, the iconic Toshimaen amusement park in Tokyo, Japan has officially closed its doors to guests on Monday to make way for a “Harry Potter” theme park.
Owned by Seibu Railway Co., Toshimaen was one of the largest amusement parks in Tokyo and featured 30 rides and attractions, including a wooden carousel built in Germany in 1907 that was transported to the park in 1971, reported Japan Times. The wooden ride was the last ride to operate before the park closed for good.
Tokyo Company’s Flying Car Successfully Lifts Off in Test Video
Tokyo-based company SkyDrive Inc. has been successful in lifting its flying car model off the ground with a driver inside.
The company first showed the successful test of the flying car model SD-03 on August 25 at the Toyota Field Test, according to the company website. A video showcasing the flying vehicle, which is called an electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing or eVTOL, was posted on YouTube on August 28.
Tokyo’s First Video Game Bar Offers Free Licensed Games if You Buy Drinks
A video game bar in Tokyo’s Otaku culture epicenter, Akihabara, has become the first arcade to offer free-to-play licensed games in Japan.
Tokyo Video Gamers, located under the railroad tracks near Akihabara Station, is a type of “barcade” where paying guests can play for free, according to SoraNews24.
Tokyo Unveils Impressive Public Restrooms Built With ‘Smart Glass’
Two public restroom locations in Shibuya, Tokyo have garnered attention for their transparent walls that appear to neglect the concept of privacy right when it’s most needed — except that they don’t, really.
The restrooms, located in the district of Tomigaya and the neighborhood of Yoyogi, are among 17 public toilets that have been renovated by The Nippon Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to “creating new frameworks for a better society and bringing about change.”
Tokyo Restaurant to Serve Custom 3D-Printed Sushi According to Your Health Needs
A new restaurant in Tokyo is bringing on the future of sushi this year.
Created by startup Open Meals, Sushi Singularity will serve what it calls the “new sushi” — 3D-printed servings based on an individual’s health needs.
Japanese Doctors Pull Out 1.5-Inch Worm From Woman’s Tonsils After Eating Sashimi
Doctors at St. Luke’s International Hospital in Tokyo pulled out a 1.5 inch (38 millimeter) worm from a woman’s tonsils after she complained of a sore throat after eating sashimi.
The discovery: The shocking incident happened earlier this year but was only reported and published at the American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene on July 8, according to the New York Post.
Japanese Broadcaster Posts Wildly Ignorant Anime About Black Lives Matter, Immediately Regrets It
NHK, Japan’s public broadcaster, took down an anime about the Black Lives Matter movement after receiving complaints that the animation was offensive and failed to explain the main racial issues.
The broadcaster took down the 80-second clip on Sunday after heavy criticism for its content and lack of thorough explanation on current racial issues in the United States, according to CNN.
Why Black Lives Matter Protests Have Reached Japan
People in Japan have joined the growing number of global supporters of Black Lives Matter and those who condemn police brutality over the weekend.
Shibuya, Tokyo’s fashion capital, saw two protests emerge on its streets last Saturday: one for Black Lives Matter and another for a Kurdish man allegedly abused by local police.
Australian Twitch Streamer Saves Woman From Being Followed by Stranger in Tokyo
An Australian Twitch streamer living in Japan saved a distressed female tourist from being followed by a stranger while walking in Tokyo.
The 29-year-old streamer, Robcdee, was live-streaming outside a kebab shop and showing his gadget to viewers when he noticed a female Moroccan tourist being followed by a Japanese man on Feb. 10, according to Dexerto.