Why is Japan a “Character Superpower”?
Most people are familiar with Japanese icons like Pokémon, Mario, and Hello Kitty. But if you actually visit Japan and take a stroll through its streets, you’ll encounter characters you’ve never seen before in the most unexpected places—from bank counters and construction site signs to police stations and local government offices. For instance, the […]
Inside “gene.hackerman”: Exploring Tokyo’s Real Culture Through The Weeknd’s Secret Sub-Account
The rumors are true: The Weeknd has been spending a solid two months in Japan, spanning from December 2025 through January 2026. While his main Instagram only follows one mysterious account, what started as a feed of cryptic Japanese landscapes was recently confirmed to be his personal sub-account when photos of Abel himself finally […]
Media Mix Strategy in Japanese Film Industry
Media mix with the idol-based star system is a significant strategy that has evolved in the Japanese film industry. Kadokawa Haruki, a Japanese entrepreneur and filmmaker, pioneered a commercial-driven approach to filmmaking by merging film, publishing, and music into a unified marketable model. He also applied an idol-driven approach, where idols were designed as transmedia […]
How has Japanese Cinema Been Reaching UK/Global Audiences? Looking from Late 20th Century ~
Japanese cinema is known for its incredible variety of styles, genres, and cultural influences, and over time it has gained increasing recognition around the world through distribution. In the UK in particular, the way Japanese films have been distributed has played a key role in shaping how they are viewed and appreciated, especially for their […]
Is Ramen Really Japanese?
A question I often get asked abroad. When people think of famous Japanese food, sushi is usually the first thing that comes to mind. But right next to sushi, you’ll often find another global favourite: ramen. In London, the ramen boom has been going strong for years. New shops pop up all the time, […]
Japanese love abbreviations
GRCON — GRA CON? GRCN? Why not just say “Ground Control”? When I was scrolling Instagram, I came across this funny and interesting video. Instagram Reel This account introduces many fun tips about Japanese. From a Japanese perspective, we’d say: “I totally get them, but I never really cared about these things.” Yes, we do […]