The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications has been keeping tabs on demographics since 1968, and this year’s survey shows that Japan’s population is decreasing while its foreign population is increasing. On January 1, 2025, there were 120,653,227 Japanese people living in Japan. Last year, …Read more »
Things keep shifting with President Trump’s tariffs, and yesterday afternoon the president put a 90-day pause on tariff hikes, but also raised China’s (which, as of this writing, is at 145%). For now, many countries have a baseline tariff of 10% during the pause. While …Read more »
Just in time for the official release of Shin chan: Shiro and the Coal Town on the Switch and Steam, we had a conversation with the game’s producer, Akira Nagashima. I recently wrote a preview of the first three days of the game and fell …Read more »
With a new album release and anime debut on the horizon, Japan’s leading virtual artist, KAF has been plenty busy lately. Debuting in 2018, KAF’s digital avatar is anime-inspired but her smooth vocals and emotional lyrics are real. Forging a path for virtual singers, the …Read more »
Want all your favorite anime songs in one place? Spotify recently announced its partnership with Crunchyroll to bring fans and anime music lovers new curated playlists, making streaming your favorite anime opening themes easy. Anime is composed of incredible storylines, vibrant characters, and stunning animation; …Read more »
Anime fans around the World voted on their favorite anime songs and the results are in! Japanese media, Asahi TV surveyed 1,740 people residing outside of Japan to rank their top anisongs. The top 20 were presented by Asahi TV’s General Election team on X. …Read more »
Just in time for the April 19th United States premiere of SPY x FAMILY CODE: White, the series’ first feature film, the famous Japanese conveyor belt sushi chain, Kura Sushi USA, is offering exclusive Bikkura Pon prizes of anime’s favorite faux family! Kura Sushi is …Read more »
A new festival focused on women working in Japanese film is set for this November 11 to 20 at the Japan Society in New York. Called The Female Gaze: Women Filmmakers from Japan Cuts and Beyond, the festival features a range of films old and …Read more »
Get over here, friends! Japan will finally be lifting its restrictions on tourist travel starting October 11, said Prime Minister Fumio Kishida while visiting the UN in New York this week. Visitors from countries that were previously exempted from visas for travel, such as the …Read more »
Anyone who’s tried to travel to Japan since the COVID-19 pandemic hit knows it hasn’t been easy. Until very recently, tourism was a no-go, and even now, you have to buy into tour packages to get in. There’s also an entry cap of 50,000 people …Read more »
Two years ago, artist Big Lugg (Clay Dietz) reached out to voice actor Yuri Lowenthal about doing a NARUTO-themed hip hop album for charity. Lowenthal, the voice of Sasuke, was immediately intrigued, and Big Lugg asked if other cast members would also be interested. Lowenthal …Read more »
Soundtracks for Fullmetal Alchemist, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, Fullmetal Alchemist: The Conqueror of Shamballa and Fullmetal Alchemist: The Sacred Star of Milos have become available outside of Japan for the first time thanks to Milan Records. You can check out the playlists here, and in the …Read more »
It turns out Kanji Yamanouchi isn’t just the Ambassador and Consul General of Japan in New York – he’s also a rocker with knowledge of otaku culture. Ahead of Anime NYC, which starts tomorrow, he released a video of himself playing musical instruments for Demon …Read more »
Every now and again, someone in Japan decides it’s a good idea to fetishize Nazi uniforms and make a fool of themselves. That’s the case with a new host club that recently opened in Osaka, which has hosts dressed up in Nazi-style uniforms emblazoned with …Read more »
Trumpeter Susumu Kazuhara, who sometimes used the stage name Shin Kazuhara, has passed away at age 74. A cause of death was not given. If you’ve seen the movie Laputa: Castle in the Sky, the trumpet music done by character Pazu was performed by Kazuhara. …Read more »
Danica Davidson
Brianna Fox-Priest
Matt Schley
Joseph Luster
