🃏 In Japan, gambling has long existed in a legal gray area. Pachinko parlors operate with a clever workaround, horse racing remains a popular pastime, and now—thanks to the 2016…
💡 Introduction In 2025, a newly elected lawmaker—formerly a tech entrepreneur—sparked national conversation when he questioned a longstanding but little-known parliamentary custom in Japan: laptops and tablets are not allowed…
As of July 28, 2025, Japan remains one of the few major economies without a comprehensive anti-espionage law. While debates over state secrecy and national security are not new, recent…
The rise of the “Nihonjin First” (日本人ファースト) movement in Japan has ignited a nationwide debate over a deceptively simple but deeply complex question: Who is truly Japanese? 🇯🇵 At first…
In recent months, a quiet but fiery debate has been growing in Japan—a nation known for its pacifist constitution and deep scars from Hiroshima and Nagasaki. For the first time…
With the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) suffering a historic defeat in the July 2025 House of Councillors election, pressure is mounting on Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba to step down. As…
In a dramatic turn of events, Japan has narrowly dodged a potentially devastating 25% tariff on its auto exports to the United States. After months of tense negotiations, a breakthrough…
In a surprising turn during Japan’s 27th House of Councillors election held on July 20, the right-wing populist party Sanseitō made a major leap in political influence. Running under the…
On July 20, the Nara City Council election wrapped up as scheduled. Among the 39 open seats, Hezuma Ryu, a 34‑year‑old former “nuisance YouTuber,” secured a win as an independent…
🗳️ Every few years, Japanese election nights follow a curious pattern: the moment the clock strikes 8 PM — when polling stations officially close — major news networks begin flashing…
