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Thisanka Siripala

Thisanka Siripala is a broadcast journalist based in Tokyo with a specialization in the Asia Pacific region.  She is fluent in Japanese and enjoys covering Japan-based politics, business and social problems.

A few customers sneak into a card shop just before closing time in Akihabara, Tokyo.

Pokémon fever once again grips fans around the world

Arts, Culture & Media

The 27-year-old Japanese trading card franchise has exploded in popularity in recent years, leading to frenzied fans, collectors and Pokémon card players fighting for the best cards.

The Manuscript Café in Tokyo helps writers to bring their projects to completion.

Tokyo café specializes in aiding procrastinators 

People walk across the famed Shibuya scramble crossing as the sun sets behind the skyscraper, Oct. 11, 2021, in Tokyo.

A Tokyo train company moves to become net-carbon neutral

Energy
People watch a TV showing a file image of North Korea's missile launch during a news program at the Seoul Railway Station in Seoul, South Korea, May 7, 2022.

Japan gears up for evacuation drills amid spate of North Korean missile tests

a young kid walking down the sidewalk

Netflix’s ‘Old Enough!’ reality TV show sends very young kids on errands by themselves

Lifestyle
Rally

Slow to start, Japan is finally having a #MeToo moment

Women & Gender

Japan’s late-blooming #MeToo movement had a rally in central Tokyo over the weekend, with the goal of opening up a national dialogue on sexism.