Unseen Japan
@unseenjapan.com
The Japan you don't learn about in anime. News and social issues from Japan. Visiting Japan soon? Check out our tours service!
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Unseen Japan
@unseenjapan.com
· Mar 3
Wow - we blinked and you brought us to 20K followers on Bluesky. Thank you! We're happy to have made this our new social media home.
Unseen Japan covers Japanese news, language, history, and social issues from a liberal perspective. Here's a little more about what we do (and how you can help).
Unseen Japan covers Japanese news, language, history, and social issues from a liberal perspective. Here's a little more about what we do (and how you can help).
Reposted by Unseen Japan
I love the Christmas cake tradition in Japan. Train stations (this is Ebisu) an even combini like 7-Eleven have so many delicious-looking ones for sale and I want them all
December 24, 2025 at 9:45 PM
I love the Christmas cake tradition in Japan. Train stations (this is Ebisu) an even combini like 7-Eleven have so many delicious-looking ones for sale and I want them all
New Year's is one of the most important holidays celebrated almost universally throughout the world. New Year's in Japan, or oshōgatsu, is not just the biggest and most important holiday. It’s also the oldest and one of the longest.
New Years in Japan: Its History and Traditions - Unseen Japan
How the oldest celebrated holiday in Japan has changed throughout the years - and the traditions that have come along with it.
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December 24, 2025 at 2:04 PM
New Year's is one of the most important holidays celebrated almost universally throughout the world. New Year's in Japan, or oshōgatsu, is not just the biggest and most important holiday. It’s also the oldest and one of the longest.
“If my mother were to collapse and die, our family relationship would be considered nonexistent," said one lesbian couple's second son. "The past 20 years would be erased completely. This isn’t just about me. It is a problem that many children face.”
LGBTQ People, Advocates Ask Japan's Politicians to Legalize Marriage Equality Swiftly - Unseen Japan
After a bitter court loss, LGBTQ people in Japan continue pressing politicians for fast action.
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December 24, 2025 at 2:02 PM
“If my mother were to collapse and die, our family relationship would be considered nonexistent," said one lesbian couple's second son. "The past 20 years would be erased completely. This isn’t just about me. It is a problem that many children face.”
The first foreign bus drivers in Japan are hitting the road now. A recent revision to Japan's "specialized skilled worker" immigration category allows hiring immigrant bus drivers to help fill these chronically understaffed positions. Drivers started work on Dec 23rd in Tokyo & Okinawa.
December 24, 2025 at 10:09 AM
The first foreign bus drivers in Japan are hitting the road now. A recent revision to Japan's "specialized skilled worker" immigration category allows hiring immigrant bus drivers to help fill these chronically understaffed positions. Drivers started work on Dec 23rd in Tokyo & Okinawa.
Japanese bus operators are working to defeat the so-called "neighboring seat block," a technique in which someone reserves both seats in a row & then cancels one last minute to get the row to themselves. The tactic cuts into profits & forces some customers onto later buses.
December 24, 2025 at 10:02 AM
Japanese bus operators are working to defeat the so-called "neighboring seat block," a technique in which someone reserves both seats in a row & then cancels one last minute to get the row to themselves. The tactic cuts into profits & forces some customers onto later buses.
Japan's anti-foreigner backlash is putting the brakes on immigration in key industries. Nursing homes are pushing back, saying they can't remain fully staffed without foreign workers. "They're essential," insists a nursing home director in Gunma Prefecture's Ōizumimachi.
December 24, 2025 at 2:51 AM
Japan's anti-foreigner backlash is putting the brakes on immigration in key industries. Nursing homes are pushing back, saying they can't remain fully staffed without foreign workers. "They're essential," insists a nursing home director in Gunma Prefecture's Ōizumimachi.
Reposted by Unseen Japan
Also known as "Best Okonomiyaki"
If you’ve got some measure of experience with Japanese cuisine, you might have heard of okonomiyaki. This savory pancake is a staple comfort food. However, okonomiyaki– “as you like it” yaki– has more than just one variety. Here's how Hiroshima does it.
Hiroshima-Style Okonomiyaki: From Adversity to Beloved Staple - Unseen Japan
Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki is a staple of Japanese cuisine. A short introduction to its postwar roots as an invention in difficult times.
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December 23, 2025 at 11:03 PM
Also known as "Best Okonomiyaki"
Japan's gov officially announced plans to lower passport renewal fees from 15,900 yen ($96) to 7000 yen ($44). The move seems intended to quell local anger over proposed increases to the country's departure tax that will apply to both inbound visitors and citizens equally.
December 23, 2025 at 11:27 PM
Japan's gov officially announced plans to lower passport renewal fees from 15,900 yen ($96) to 7000 yen ($44). The move seems intended to quell local anger over proposed increases to the country's departure tax that will apply to both inbound visitors and citizens equally.
Back in July, police in Fukuoka, Japan arrested a man on a train on obscenity charges for showing five minutes of an adult video to a high school girl seated next to him. His defense? He didn't show it to her - he was just enjoying it by himself! 🧐
December 23, 2025 at 11:16 PM
Back in July, police in Fukuoka, Japan arrested a man on a train on obscenity charges for showing five minutes of an adult video to a high school girl seated next to him. His defense? He didn't show it to her - he was just enjoying it by himself! 🧐
If you’ve got some measure of experience with Japanese cuisine, you might have heard of okonomiyaki. This savory pancake is a staple comfort food. However, okonomiyaki– “as you like it” yaki– has more than just one variety. Here's how Hiroshima does it.
Hiroshima-Style Okonomiyaki: From Adversity to Beloved Staple - Unseen Japan
Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki is a staple of Japanese cuisine. A short introduction to its postwar roots as an invention in difficult times.
buff.ly
December 23, 2025 at 11:01 PM
If you’ve got some measure of experience with Japanese cuisine, you might have heard of okonomiyaki. This savory pancake is a staple comfort food. However, okonomiyaki– “as you like it” yaki– has more than just one variety. Here's how Hiroshima does it.
It sounds like something out of a horror movie. Japanese social media users were aghast at news that a couple died in a sauna fire in Tokyo after their room's doorknob broke off. The owner later told police he never turned on the emergency system.
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Couple Die in Tokyo Sauna Fire After Door Breaks, Emergency System Left Off - Unseen Japan
Japanese social media users were aghast at reports of the deaths, which raised serious questions about how the facility managed safety.
unseen-japan.com
December 23, 2025 at 10:03 PM
It sounds like something out of a horror movie. Japanese social media users were aghast at news that a couple died in a sauna fire in Tokyo after their room's doorknob broke off. The owner later told police he never turned on the emergency system.
buff.ly/vVYd7aK
buff.ly/vVYd7aK
There's so much more to Japanese food than the classics like sushi and ramen. Many of these foods and preparation styles center on ingredients that English speakers may never have heard of.
Unique Japanese Food: Cuisine You'll Only Find in Japan - Unseen Japan
Do you know shirako, konnyaku, and chankonabe? Go beyond ramen and learn about a host of unique Japanese ingredients and food prep styles.
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December 23, 2025 at 2:06 PM
There's so much more to Japanese food than the classics like sushi and ramen. Many of these foods and preparation styles center on ingredients that English speakers may never have heard of.
“Even when I enjoy my single life, there’s this constant sense of needing to settle down,” said 28-year-old teacher Nakamura Yuri. “It’s not just about finding someone, it’s about fulfilling everyone else’s idea of what I should be doing.”
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December 23, 2025 at 2:02 PM
“Even when I enjoy my single life, there’s this constant sense of needing to settle down,” said 28-year-old teacher Nakamura Yuri. “It’s not just about finding someone, it’s about fulfilling everyone else’s idea of what I should be doing.”
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While the sign might be problematic, the issues raised by Japanese users are real. Some users suggested that restaurants take a different approach – e.g., by posting express time limits for customers.
No Tourists at Lunch? Japanese Soba Store Sparks Controversy with Sign - Unseen Japan
The chain's owners ultimately ordered the store to take the sign down. Here's why many Japanese netizens defended it.
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December 23, 2025 at 1:02 PM
While the sign might be problematic, the issues raised by Japanese users are real. Some users suggested that restaurants take a different approach – e.g., by posting express time limits for customers.
Japan’s proposed flag-defacement law parallels Donald Trump’s unilateral August declaration that declared burning the American flag would be prosecuted by the US Attorney General as speech “likely to incite lawless action.”
Right-Wing Coalition in Japan Pushes Flag Defacement Law - Unseen Japan
If the coalition gets its way, defacing the Hi no Maru flag - an act currently considered protected speech - could become a crime.
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December 23, 2025 at 1:01 PM
Japan’s proposed flag-defacement law parallels Donald Trump’s unilateral August declaration that declared burning the American flag would be prosecuted by the US Attorney General as speech “likely to incite lawless action.”
Tokyo's public parks suffered a unique form of theft this week. Thieves made off with the flush valves from toilets in Suginami City's Wadabori Park, rendering them inoperable. Similar thefts were later reported at another 10 locations around Tokyo.
December 23, 2025 at 9:46 AM
Tokyo's public parks suffered a unique form of theft this week. Thieves made off with the flush valves from toilets in Suginami City's Wadabori Park, rendering them inoperable. Similar thefts were later reported at another 10 locations around Tokyo.
Reposted by Unseen Japan
This comes amidst a troubling rise in anti-foreigner sentiment and immigration restrictions in Japan. However, in and of itself, it's a perfectly sane and reasonable requirement imo
unseen-japan.com/japanese-lan...
unseen-japan.com/japanese-lan...
Japan May Require Japanese Language Test for Permanent Residency - Unseen Japan
The Japanese government may also require applicants to take courses in Japanese culture and manners before settling in for the long haul.
unseen-japan.com
December 23, 2025 at 12:31 AM
This comes amidst a troubling rise in anti-foreigner sentiment and immigration restrictions in Japan. However, in and of itself, it's a perfectly sane and reasonable requirement imo
unseen-japan.com/japanese-lan...
unseen-japan.com/japanese-lan...
Reposted by Unseen Japan
I mean... Canada makes sure you know English or French and make you take tests even if you come from the USA, UK, or France. It makes sure that not only can you get a job where you can thrive but also makes sure you can ask a local for help in an emergency
It might become a little more challenging to obtain permanent residency in Japan. New reports say the Japanese government may mandate Japanese language testing for all new applicants. Here's what we know so far.
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Japan May Require Japanese Language Test for Permanent Residency - Unseen Japan
The Japanese government may also require applicants to take courses in Japanese culture and manners before settling in for the long haul.
unseen-japan.com
December 22, 2025 at 11:28 PM
I mean... Canada makes sure you know English or French and make you take tests even if you come from the USA, UK, or France. It makes sure that not only can you get a job where you can thrive but also makes sure you can ask a local for help in an emergency
It might become a little more challenging to obtain permanent residency in Japan. New reports say the Japanese government may mandate Japanese language testing for all new applicants. Here's what we know so far.
buff.ly/O6TxlIC
buff.ly/O6TxlIC
Japan May Require Japanese Language Test for Permanent Residency - Unseen Japan
The Japanese government may also require applicants to take courses in Japanese culture and manners before settling in for the long haul.
unseen-japan.com
December 22, 2025 at 11:05 PM
It might become a little more challenging to obtain permanent residency in Japan. New reports say the Japanese government may mandate Japanese language testing for all new applicants. Here's what we know so far.
buff.ly/O6TxlIC
buff.ly/O6TxlIC
During the bubble economy of the 1980s and early 1990s, Christmas in Japan reached peak extravagance. Couples exchanged expensive jewelry and luxury goods. That era shaped modern expectations for romantic and high-cost celebrations.
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December 22, 2025 at 2:03 PM
During the bubble economy of the 1980s and early 1990s, Christmas in Japan reached peak extravagance. Couples exchanged expensive jewelry and luxury goods. That era shaped modern expectations for romantic and high-cost celebrations.
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Japan's right is up in arms that the same racism is being deployed against them. Up until now, however, they've had no qualms weaponizing it to achieve the same ends as America's wannabe Nazis.
[Insider] Japan's Right Experiences Racism and Realizes - It Sucks! - Unseen Japan
A racist episode involving Miss Finland leaves Japan's right on the receiving end of the same racist medicine it loves dishing out.
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December 22, 2025 at 1:45 PM
Japan's right is up in arms that the same racism is being deployed against them. Up until now, however, they've had no qualms weaponizing it to achieve the same ends as America's wannabe Nazis.
The Edo-Tokyo Museum is a treasure trove of information about Tokyo – and about Japan – from the Edo Period (1601-1868) up to the present day. It features several scaled recreations of everyday life in the Edo, Meiji, and Shōwa eras.
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December 22, 2025 at 1:01 PM
The Edo-Tokyo Museum is a treasure trove of information about Tokyo – and about Japan – from the Edo Period (1601-1868) up to the present day. It features several scaled recreations of everyday life in the Edo, Meiji, and Shōwa eras.
buff.ly/h3UdxNz
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It’s one of Tokyo’s most informative and detailed museums for history geeks. Unfortunately, it’s been closed to the public for almost four years. Finally, travelers to Japan have good news: the Edo-Tokyo Museum is set to reopen.
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Edo-Tokyo Museum Finally Set to Reopen in March 2026 - Unseen Japan
One of Tokyo's most beloved and culturally significant museums is finally set to reopen to the public on March 31st.
unseen-japan.com
December 22, 2025 at 12:09 AM
It’s one of Tokyo’s most informative and detailed museums for history geeks. Unfortunately, it’s been closed to the public for almost four years. Finally, travelers to Japan have good news: the Edo-Tokyo Museum is set to reopen.
buff.ly/p1CTjM6
buff.ly/p1CTjM6
Hard-right politicians in Tokyo are opposing the metropolis' recently-passed ordinance for "advancing women's participation" in society. The focus of their ire? A provision that would support events where male managers wear devices that emulate female menstrual pain.
December 21, 2025 at 1:07 AM
Hard-right politicians in Tokyo are opposing the metropolis' recently-passed ordinance for "advancing women's participation" in society. The focus of their ire? A provision that would support events where male managers wear devices that emulate female menstrual pain.
Japanese idol group Momoiro Clover Z invited 31 family members of people killed in accidents or crimes to their concert on Dec 20th. It's the 12th time the group has done this for survivors. "It really gave me a boost," said one woman who'd recently lost her husband.
December 21, 2025 at 12:47 AM
Japanese idol group Momoiro Clover Z invited 31 family members of people killed in accidents or crimes to their concert on Dec 20th. It's the 12th time the group has done this for survivors. "It really gave me a boost," said one woman who'd recently lost her husband.