Japan in Focus
Japan moves to shut down the Unification Church
A court in Tokyo has ordered the once-powerful Unification Church in Japan to be dissolved. The case against the religious group goes back to the 2022 assassination of Japan’s former prime minister, Shinzo Abe. The church is accused of violating the human rights of its followers, by demanding that they hand over their material wealth to the group. But church leaders deny any wrongdoing and say they will appeal the decision.
American football finds a way in Japan
While the Philadelphia Eagles smashed the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX in February, two teams in Japan fought for the title in their own tournament, known as the Rice Bowl. These foes might not draw as many people in for the game, or the commercials, but they still have everything to play for.
How a former gang member in Japan found a new path through Christianity
Tatsuya Shindo was once a member of the yakuza, a Japanese organized crime gang. His arm-length tattoos are a sure sign of his past life. Shindo also served time in prison. But now, he’s a 53-year-old Christian pastor who spends time with other former prisoners in a society where redemption and getting a second chance are not easy.
‘It’s like a dream’: Artists and fans connect over the love of comic books at Japan’s biannual Comiket
Comiket is the world’s largest comic festival. Twice a year, more than 300,000 comic enthusiasts from around the world travel to Tokyo to support their favorite artists. While the vast majority of artists are Japanese, some foreigners manage to grab a table to show their wares.
Japan’s ‘listening lounges’ offer pure music with a side of drinks
They go by a few different names, but Japan’s listening lounges are going through something of a revival. They’re music bars where simply sitting and listening to records is the main attraction. In fact, some of these establishments have strict rules against conversation and other distractions like cellphone photos. It’s all to maximize the listening experience, which often relies on extraordinarily expensive vintage stereo equipment that almost nobody can afford at home.
How Tokyo developed a culture of transit in a world of cars
Despite a population of 37 million, there’s relatively little congestion and pollution here since the majority of its residents rely on public transit rather than cars. But while Tokyo’s mass transportation system may serve as a global success story, it may not be replicable, because its organic growth over the decades has fostered a unique culture of transit.