Japan

two actors pretending to fight

Tokyo’s trash-collecting samurai takes a fun, zany approach to cleanup

They call themselves the Gomi Hiroi Samurai — or the “Samurai Who Pick Up Litter.” These sword-wielding eco-warriors have turned garbage collecting into a choreographed performance. 

Tokyo’s trash-collecting samurai takes a fun, zany approach to cleanup
sushi restaurant facade

Japanese restaurants use AI to combat sushi terrorism

Japanese restaurants use AI to combat sushi terrorism
Customers get out their smartphones and go silent as Shizuo Mori begins his pudding-fling serving technique that made him a viral sensation.

This 80-year-old pudding maker in Tokyo goes viral for his flan-flinging flair

This 80-year-old pudding maker in Tokyo goes viral for his flan-flinging flair
scientists on lake

Geologists edge closer to defining the Anthropocene

Geologists edge closer to defining the Anthropocene
Album covers of some of the allbums from artists included in the end-of-year music playlist with recommendations from The World staff. Clockwise, startiing from the top left corner: Adrian Quesada's "Boleros Psicodélicos," Sillvana Estrada's "Marchita," V

A musical journey around the globe 2022, a playlist

A musical journey around the globe 2022, a playlist
man speaking at podium

Japan’s infamous ‘happy’ cult sets sights on the United States

Happy Science is among the most enduring and far-reaching “new religious movement,” as they’re called in Japan. 

Japan’s infamous ‘happy’ cult sets sights on the United States
woman at ceremony in front of line of people

Contempt for the messiah: The scandal behind Shinzo Abe’s murder

A messianic sect holds sway with Japan’s ruling party. The murder of ex-premier Shinzo Abe is forcing the country to reckon with this shadowy alliance.

Contempt for the messiah: The scandal behind Shinzo Abe’s murder
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol waves a national flag during a ceremony to celebrate Korean Liberation Day from Japanese colonial rule in 1945, at the presidential office square in Seoul, South Korea, Monday, Aug. 15, 2022. 

Imagining empire: Part II

Critical State, a foreign policy newsletter, takes a deep dive this week into the ways in which memorialization in South Korea is an act of present politics.

Imagining empire: Part II
The Manuscript Café in Tokyo helps writers to bring their projects to completion.

Tokyo café specializes in aiding procrastinators 

A café manager in Tokyo has developed a particular method to help writers struggling with procrastination complete their work.

Tokyo café specializes in aiding procrastinators 
Japan's outgoing Prime Minister Shinzo Abe speaks to the media as he arrives at the prime minister's office for a cabinet meeting in Tokyo, Japan

Japan's ex-leader Shinzo Abe assassinated during a speech

Former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was delivering a campaign speech when a gunman shot him from behind. "Japan is in a state of shock. It is a tragic and unprecedented attack," reporter Thisanka Siripala tells The World's host Marco Werman.

Japan's ex-leader Shinzo Abe assassinated during a speech
A collage of video screenshots that feature Africans exploited for profit in a growing trend known as "blessings videos."

A new documentary uncovers the story behind China’s racist ‘blessings video’ trend

These trendy videos often feature African children who are prompted to parrot Chinese greetings and to act in inappropriate ways — for entertainment.

A new documentary uncovers the story behind China’s racist ‘blessings video’ trend
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

Last month, one railway network in Tokyo switched its entire network to electricity derived from renewable energy. It’s the first time a railway has become entirely net-carbon neutral.

A Tokyo train company moves to become net-carbon neutral
Labor Party leader Anthony Albanese, center back, celebrates with his partner partner Jodie Haydon, right, and Labor senate leader partner Penny Wong at a Labor Party event in Sydney, Australia

Albanese sworn in as PM in Australia ahead of Tokyo summit

Australia’s new prime minister, Anthony Albanese, has flown to Tokyo for a summit, after being sworn in to office on Monday. He's meeting with the leaders of the US, Japan and India.

Albanese sworn in as PM in Australia ahead of Tokyo summit
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

The recent spate of North Korean missile tests is déjà vu for people in Japan.

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

To an American audience, toddlers crossing the road to go to the supermarket unsupervised or helping with household chores would be considered alarming or negligent. But in Japan, children as young as 6 can be seen taking the train or walking to school. And it’s not viewed as something unusual.

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