Motoko Rich and Hikari Hida
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In Rare Move, Japanese Pop Star Comes Out Publicly as Gay
“I don’t want people to struggle like me,” said Shinjiro Atae, making an announcement that is extremely unusual in conservative Japan.
Japan Is Trying to Use Ammonia to Make Coal Cleaner
Japan says that by blending ammonia with coal in its boilers, it can make coal less damaging to the planet. But the technology faces many...
As Asian Societies Age, ‘Retirement’ Just Means More Work
Across East Asia, populations are graying faster than anywhere else in the world, and while younger generations shrink, older workers are often toiling well into...
Japan’s Ski Mecca, Niseko, Is Desperate for Workers
Japan reopened its borders just in time for the winter season. The Niseko area is straining to meet the pent-up demand.
Beauty Over Brains: Japan’s Skin-Deep University Pageants
The contests reflect a culture that often judges women by their appearance and slots them into rigid, gender-defined roles.