Unseen Japan

Japan has had a legal right to menstrual leave for nearly 80 years, but for many, actually using it is rare. And those who do use it might even be given the side eye. As if to say, “All these other women work through their periods. Why don’t you?”

A conversation that shouldn’t be controversial Picture:

Japan is often praised for its bullet trains. More than a bucket-list experience for tourists, the Shinkansen carries millions of passengers across the country each year while maintaining an astonishing average delay of just 24 seconds.

Yet even one of the world’s most celebrated rail systems has its inconveniences.

Just ask the 27-year-old Tokyo office wo...

Add a new entry to the キャンセル (cancel) vocabulary of Japan’s youth. The “meal-cancel crowd” (食事キャンセル界隈; shokuji kyanseru kaiwai) is spreading online and gaining mainstream media attention. But some on social media say the term isn’t a cute new linguistic turn of phrase, but a sign that Japan is slipping deeper into poverty. The numbers back them up.

Too busy t...

Let’s start with the good news: Japan is a far easier destination for gluten-free travelers than it was even a decade ago. Major cities like Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto now have some dedicated gluten-free bakeries, specialty restaurants, and cooking experiences, while better translation tools and allergy cards have made planning easier than ever.

Unfortunately, that doe...

Japan Trend Radar is a feature for members of our Unseen Japan Insider program that tracks trending issues in Japanese news and social media.

While the Kumamoto earthquake captured most of Japan’s attention this past week, it was hardly the only subject that caused waves online. We’re taking a look at how social media trends shape online discourse. This ra...