All About Japan

Kimono Company Makes Masks for Nightlife Staff

Otozuki, a manufacturer of traditional kimono garments, has teamed up with a company that runs nightclubs to develop hostess-friendly face masks that make it easy to sip drinks and converse with customers while maintaining a safe environment.

Japan Approves Second COVID-19 Treatment

The use of dexamethasone to treat people infected with the novel coronavirus has been approved as the second drug that doctors can now prescribe to COVID-19 patients in the country.

Japan to Abolish Seal-Stamping System

Bad news for fans of Japanese seals! Japan is looking to do away with its custom of physical seal stamping and come up with a digitized process.

Bringing a 70-Year-Old Sento into Modern Day

It’s said that in Tokyo every week another sento goes bust. One of those was Miyanoyu, located in the Nezu district of Tokyo.

Japan Rolls Out Paid Plastic Bags Policy

Japan mandates businesses to charge customers for plastic shopping bags as part of efforts to tackle plastic waste. Stores are responding in various ways.

New Hanko Ink Lets You Use Colors of Nature

These inks won't let you paint with all the colors of the wind, but you can now stamp your name with different colors inspired by nature.

How Fireworks in Japan Were Used for Epidemics

Learn more about the meaning of fireworks in Japan and why they are connected to COVID-19.

Getting to Know Your Bathtub Better

Learn more about bathing in Japan with this online event.

Beautiful Origami Paper Using Gum Wrappers

Once you're done chewing a piece of Lotte gum, the company wants you to use the colorful wrapper to make your own origami koala or penguin. And they even offer instructions.

Another Legendary Lego & Nintendo Crossover

First came the reveal of the Lego Super Mario set, which has fans’ hearts racing (and their wallets sweating). And now, the two companies are already getting fans hyped with another team-up.

Kitamura Shop Like Theme Park for Camera Fans

Kitamura Camera's new location, which just opened in early July 2020, hopes to become a one-stop-shop for amateur and professional photographers alike. And Spoon & Tamago has the scoop!

Toyota to Allow Permanent Work From Home

Toyota Motor will allow eligible employees to permanently work from home. Until now workers needed special permission to work remotely, but the automaker decided on the new measure due to increased productivity.

Yamato Is Making Yukatas for All

Yamato, a kimono maker with over 100 years of history, decided to apply to their garments the concept of universal design, making them accessible for everyone.

Toyota Invests in Joint Space Venture

Toyota Motor and three major Japanese banks invest in a new fund for space development aimed at nurturing domestic startups in the field.

Why Be Just a Snack When You Can Be Dessert?

Some days you want the soothing scent of incense to dispel the musty air of your home. Other days maybe you'd prefer to smell like an éclair instead of freshly picked flowers. Thankfully, Japanese cosmetics company Kobe Bijinnuuka has got you covered.

A Home Ready for the 'New Normal'

Custom-home builder Aqurahome has unveiled features that can help residents take measures to keep the home cleaner.

Japanese Supercomputer Is World's Fastest

Japan’s Fugaku supercomputer, developed jointly by Riken and Fujitsu, has been ranked the fastest in the world.

Renaissance Paintings Purr-fect for Cat Lovers

Japanese contemporary artist Tokuhiro Kawai uses his mastery of oil painting to create surreal images that invoke the Italian painters of the High Renaissance. But instead of heroes, saints, and the divine, he largely focuses on lots of cats.

AI Bartender Serving Up Age-Based Craft Beers

Electronics maker NEC has used artificial intelligence to come up with craft beers reflecting the characteristics of age groups. The AI analyzed some 300 magazines from a 40-year-period to propose beer tastes for people in their 20s to 50s.

Get Good Lighting from Stylish Hurricane Lamp

Check out these cool floor lamps made from swirling water into a small hurricane.

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