Culture
Culture Popular Articles
-
Director Naomi Kawase’s New Film Explores Heart Transplants in Japan, Production Involved Real Patients, Families
A film about the current state of heart transplant surgeries in Japan has been completed in coope...
February 19, 2026
-
New Japanese Animated Film ‘A New Dawn’ Applauded at Berlin International Film Festival; Director Yoshitoshi Shinomiya Also Helped Produce “Your Name.”
BERLIN — “Hanarokusho ga Akeru Hi ni” (“A New Dawn”), a new animated film that marks the feature-...
February 20, 2026
-
Shun Oguri Plays Teacher in New Stage Play ‘Inokorigumi’; He Returns to Stage with 1st Starring Role in 3 Years
With his emotional acting skills in dramas, movies and stage plays, Shun Oguri continues to show ...
February 20, 2026
-
Brendan Fraser Plays Strange, Touching Role in ‘Rental Family’
“Rental Family,” a Japanese-U.S. film set in contemporary Tokyo with Osaka-born, internationally ...
February 20, 2026
Manga & Anime
-
‘Jujutsu Kaisen’ Voice Actor Junya Enoki Discusses Rapid Action Scenes in Season 3, Airing Now
With a performance that inspires all who watch, voice actor Junya Enoki portrays the straightforw...
January 30, 2026
-
Spaniard Draws Manga About Hunter-Turned-Gamer; Foreign Artist Makes Inroads in Japan’s Manga Culture
A retired veteran hunter who lives on his own in Akita Prefecture happens to pick up a game one d...
January 21, 2026
-
Hirohiko Araki, Mari Yamazaki Discuss 1st Large-scale Manga Art Exhibition in the Americas Being Held in San Francisco
SAN FRANCISCO — Manga art is finally reaching a museum in the United States! The first large-scal...
January 16, 2026
-
JAM Project Celebrates 25th Anniversary with Concert ‘Final Countdown,’ Spreads Anime Songs to Fans
JAM Project, a group of singers specializing in anime songs (anison), held a series of concerts i...
January 9, 2026
-
Osamu Tezuka Museum Exhibits Kemono Friends Illustrations to Teach that Life is Precious
TAKARAZUKA, Hyogo — Fans of the popular media franchise Kemono Friends can enjoy an exhibition of...
December 26, 2025
Film & TV
-
New Japanese Animated Film ‘A New Dawn’ Applauded at Berlin International Film Festival; Director Yoshitoshi Shinomiya Also Helped Produce “Your Name.”
BERLIN — “Hanarokusho ga Akeru Hi ni” (“A New Dawn”), a new animated film that marks the feature-...
February 20, 2026
-
Brendan Fraser Plays Strange, Touching Role in ‘Rental Family’
“Rental Family,” a Japanese-U.S. film set in contemporary Tokyo with Osaka-born, internationally ...
February 20, 2026
-
Director Naomi Kawase’s New Film Explores Heart Transplants in Japan, Production Involved Real Patients, Families
A film about the current state of heart transplant surgeries in Japan has been completed in coope...
February 19, 2026
-
New Drama Spotlights Feudal Lord Toyotomi Hideyoshi’s Brother, Actor Taiga Nakano Hopes to ‘Vividly Express His Energy’
This year’s NHK annual historical drama “Toyotomi Kyodai!” (“Brothers in Arms”) offers a fresh pe...
February 13, 2026
-
Blu-ray Release of ‘Kaiketsu Zubat’ Reflects Ongoing Popularity of Series Due to Actor’s Flashy Stunts
In December, I emceed an event about a unique hero. My guest and conversation partner was Hiroshi...
February 13, 2026
Kabuki / Noh / Rakugo
-
Box Office Revenue for “Kokuho” Hits ¥17.37 Bil., Making Movie Japan’s All-Time Top Live-Action Film
“Kokuho,” a film, directed by Lee Sang-il and depicting the life of a kabuki actor, reached box o...
November 25, 2025
-
Kabuki Film ‘Kokuho’ Hits ¥11 Billion at Box Office; Popularity Spreads to Original Novel, Live Shows
“Kokuho,” a film depicting the life of a kabuki actor, has made more than ¥11 billion at the box ...
August 24, 2025
-
Actors Give ‘Oppenheimer’ the Noh Treatment in English; Performances to Mark 80th Anniversaries of A-Bombings
The ghost of physicist Robert Oppenheimer (1904-1967), who led the development of the U.S. atomic...
July 23, 2025
-
Noh Prays for Peace: Revived Play to Be Performed in Tokyo by Komparu School Actors
A noh piece themed on the double-flowered cherry blossoms cherished in the ancient capital of Nar...
July 20, 2025
-
Stars of Kabuki Adaptation of Online Game ‘Touken Ranbu’ Share Thoughts About Their Newest Production
Touken Ranbu: Azuma Kagami Yuki no Midare ("Touken Ranbu: Disturbance in Snow as Described in Azu...
July 18, 2025
Performing Arts
-
Shun Oguri Plays Teacher in New Stage Play ‘Inokorigumi’; He Returns to Stage with 1st Starring Role in 3 Years
With his emotional acting skills in dramas, movies and stage plays, Shun Oguri continues to show ...
February 20, 2026
-
Shogi Star Sota Fujii Earns Record ¥200 Million Plus, Reigns as Money Leader for 4th Consecutive Year
Shogi genius Sota Fujii set a new record high for prize money and playing fees in 2025, according...
February 4, 2026
-
Geiko, Maiko Vow to Dedicate Themselves to Profession at New Year’s Opening Ceremonies in Kyoto
KYOTO — Geiko and maiko in formal black crested kimono vowed to dedicate themselves to their prof...
January 8, 2026
-
New ‘Chushingura’ Play Features Star-Studded Cast, Including Tokusatsu TV Drama
A new theatrical production of “Chushingura,” a tale of heroes loved by Japanese audiences for ov...
December 12, 2025
-
‘Wozzeck’ at NTT A Worthy New Production for Opera’s Centenary, with Stellar Performances, Sets, Costumes, More
The recent production of “Wozzeck” at the New National Theatre, Tokyo (NNTT) was a powerful event...
December 7, 2025
Art
-
Tokyo Exhibition Offers Inside Look at Impressionism; 70 of 100 Works on ‘Interiors’ by Monet, Others on Loan from Paris
Impressionism is often associated with the outdoors. Even its name, ironically coined by a scathi...
February 8, 2026
-
Japanese Byobu Folding Screens Tailored to Meet Modern Lifestyles; Foreign Orders Also Piling up
Byobu folding screens are a sure way to add elegance and glamour to any room. Although they are g...
February 1, 2026
-
Maison&Objet Kicks off Near Paris with Japanese Lighting Designers’ Installations on Display, Creating Rich Environment
PARIS — One of the world’s largest international interior design trade fairs, Maison&Objet, kicke...
January 17, 2026
-
‘Cat Carving’: Woodcarving Artist Makoto Nishi Captivates with Statues of Adorable Cats
“Cat carving” is the art of meticulously carving wooden statues of cats that capture their attrac...
January 13, 2026
-
Tokyo’s Jazz Kissa Cafes Documented by Belfast-Born Photographer Philip Arneill
From the sound and atmosphere to the owners’ passion and dedication, everything about jazz kissa ...
December 29, 2025
Fashion
-
Traditional Japanese Silk Hakama Tradition Preserved by Sole Weaver in Sendai
A hakama garment made of high-grade Sendaihira silk fabric elegantly billows when seated and fall...
February 15, 2026
-
Iconic Japanese Bag Maker Yoshida Marks 90 Years of Durable, Innovative Design
Tokyo-based bag maker Yoshida & Co., known as “Yoshida Kaban,” celebrated its 90th anniversary la...
January 23, 2026
-
Dior’s New Creative Director Jonathan Anderson Takes Inspiration from Fashion House’s History
Jonathan Anderson is one of the most talked-about fashion designers in the world right now. The 4...
December 25, 2025
-
Playful Bags from Brigitte Tanaka Evoke Parisian Atmosphere, Bring Fans from Around the World to Cozy Shop
Brigitte Tanaka is a Paris-based fashion brand attracting much attention of late with exquisitely...
December 19, 2025
-
World’s Top Fashion Brands Make Strides in Sustainability; Paris Fashion Week Provides Competition for Eco-Fashion
High-end fashion brands taking part in Paris Fashion Week, which was held from Sept. 29 to Oct. 7...
December 4, 2025
Music
-
Piece by Germany’s ‘Last’ Romantic Composer Debuts in Japan With Performance by Yomiuri Orchestra
Sebastian Weigle masterfully conducted the Yomiuri Nippon Symphony Orchestra (YNSO) in the Japane...
February 13, 2026
-
BTS to Hold Comeback Concert in Seoul on March 21; Popular Boy Band Releases New Album to Signal Return
SEOUL — The management agency of South Korean boy band BTS said Tuesday that the iconic seven-mem...
February 4, 2026
-
Japanese Soul Singer Toshinobu Kubota Releases Greatest Hits Album, Celebrates 40th Anniversary
Singer-songwriter Toshinobu Kubota celebrates the 40th anniversary of his major label debut this ...
January 23, 2026
-
Ayumi Hamasaki’s Shanghai Concert Canceled Day Before Schedule as Part of Beijing Backlash
SHENYANG, China — Singer Ayumi Hamasaki’s Saturday concert in Shanghai has been canceled due to “...
November 29, 2025
-
Japan’s Yoshimoto Wins 2nd Prize in Genoa Violin Contest
PARIS (Jiji Press) — Japan’s Rino Yoshimoto, 22, won the second prize at the 58th Premio Paganini...
October 26, 2025
Books & Literature
-
Prestigious Japanese Literature Prize Names Toriyama, Hatakeyama as Winners
This year’s winners of the Akutagawa Prize were announced Wednesday in Tokyo. Makoto Toriyama and...
January 14, 2026
-
Picture Book on Osechi New Year Dishes Enjoying Strong Sales; English Version Introduces Dishes to Foreigners
A picture book depicting osechi traditional Japanese New Year dishes has been selling well thanks...
December 18, 2025
-
Yoko Tawada Becomes 1st Japanese to Receive Nelly Sachs Prize, Prestigious German Award for Person of Literature
DORTMUND, Germany — Berlin-based writer Yoko Tawada was awarded the Nelly Sachs Prize, a biennial...
December 16, 2025
-
Haruki Murakami, His Translator Win Award for Japanese Literature Published in Italy
Haruki Murakami described translation as an ultimate close reading during an award ceremony at th...
October 10, 2025
-
Otani’s ‘Night of Baba Yaga’ Wins Dagger Award in London; Violent Novel Hailed for Exceptional Literary Quality
LONDON — “I believe you all love blood, murder, crime and violence as much as I do — in fiction, ...
July 5, 2025
Museums
-
Japan House in Paris Set for Overhaul Ahead of 2029 Centenary; Building Has Ties to Leonard Foujita, Takeo Miki, Others
The Foreign Ministry is set to embark on the first large-scale renovation in about 30 years of th...
January 8, 2026
-
Chocolate Dinosaurs Created By Internationally Recognized Pastry Chef on Display at Fukui Museum
Chocolate dinosaurs made by one of the world’s finest pastry chefs are on display at the Fukui Pr...
January 5, 2026
-
Popularity of Piggy Banks Across Time and Place Seen at Bank’s Museum of Money Boxes in Hyogo Pref.
Money boxes come in all shapes and sizes, but the pig is one of the most familiar shapes, as is i...
December 21, 2025
-
Museum Shows How Yokohama Exported Beauty in East-West ‘Rendezvous’
When Miyagawa Kozan was born in Kyoto in 1842, his family had been making pottery for generations...
December 13, 2025
-
Ghibli Museum Recreates Studio of ‘Guri and Gura’ Illustrator; Exhibition Features Over 680 Works by Yuriko Yamawaki
Works by picture book illustrator Yuriko Yamawaki, well-known for her “Guri and Gura” series, are...
December 4, 2025
JN Popular Articles
-
-
-
-
-
JN TOP STORIES
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
