Say ‘Cheese’ and ‘I do’
Amid recovering demand for tourism, a bridal company in Matsue, Shimane prefecture, is planning wedding photography tours for foreign tourists in Japan. Read more
News
Beauty products now allowed for male inmates
The Justice Ministry is allowing male inmates to purchase or be given beauty items and a few other products that traditionally have been allowed only for female inmates. Read more
‘Naked Gun’ reboot set for 2025, with Liam Neeson to star
Paramount Pictures is moving ahead with a long-gestating remake of “Naked Gun,” the studio announced Wednesday. Liam Neeson will star as the bumbling police detective Debin in the role made famous by Leslie Nielsen. Read more
Proof copy of Harry Potter book sells for more than $13K
The book was sold to a private U.K. buyer on Wednesday for a hammer price of 11,000 pounds, and a total of 14,432 pounds including a sales premium. Read more
Artist portrays everyday wonders
Flowers blossoming like pink chiffon, luscious berries and fluttering goldfish make for the delicate but defiant beauty that’s signature Mika Ninagawa. Read more
Ben Affleck inspired J.Lo’s first album in a decade
At 54, Lopez said her ninth studio album and its accompanying film were the result of a sudden burst of inspiration, a large part of which she attributes to her rekindled romance with and marriage to Ben Affleck. Read more
In a first, Oscar-nominated ‘The Last Repair Shop’ to air on TV
It is one of the last in the country of its kind and the film takes viewers inside the downtown warehouse where it happens. Read more
Travis Kelce gets first producer credit on SXSW movie
The film stars Ed Harris, Sonequa Martin-Green and Natalie Morales, who are all credited as executive producers alongside Kelce. Read more
Open-air boat ride in chilly weather is still cozy
Kotatsu boats are back for the winter in Yanagawa, Fukuoka prefecture, where visitors can take in the canal waterfront while warming their feet. Read more
Don't miss out on what's happening!
Stay in touch with top news, as it happens, conveniently in your email inbox. It's FREE!
By clicking to sign up, you agree to Star-Advertiser's and Google's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. This form is protected by reCAPTCHA.
Traditional kotatsu evolving to meet modern-day needs
Contemporary lifestyles in Japan are reflected in new types of kotatsu, traditional tables with internal heating that are often draped with a futon (quilt) to retain warmth. Read more
New exhibition aims to bring Yoko Ono’s art out of Lennon’s shadow
More than 200 artworks — including film, music, soundscapes, paintings, drawings and sculptures — trace Ono’s career from the 1950s and 1960s New York, where her apartment became a hangout for bohemian artists, to Japan, where she brought together artists from east and west. Read more
Jeff Bezos sells nearly 12M Amazon shares worth at least $2B
The Amazon executive chairman notified the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission of the sale of 11,997,698 shares of common stock on Feb. 7 and Feb. 8. Read more
At trendy cafes, customers cuddle pigs
First there were cafes that allowed pets. Then came cat cafes, where lattes took second place to feline interaction. The latest craze in Japan: The pig cafe. Read more
Usher announces post-Super Bowl North American tour
The R&B-pop icon will embark on his 24-city “Past Present Future” tour beginning Aug. 20 at the Capital One Arena in Washington D.C. It will hit many major cities in North America before concluding in Chicago at United Center on Oct. 29. Read more
Women dominated the 2024 Grammy Awards. Is the tide turning?
Several women earned their very first Grammys, including Miley Cyrus, best new artist Victoria Monét, country artist Lainey Wilson and Karol G — also the first woman to win in best música urbana, a moment that may reflect changing perceptions of reggaetón and Latin hip-hop as exclusively “men’s music.” Read more
The Grateful Dead made Billboard chart history
The Grateful Dead pulled out ahead of Elvis Presley and Frank Sinatra with 59 total Top 40 entries on the chart Monday following the No. 25 debut of their archival release “Dave’s Picks, Volume 49: Frost Amphitheatre, Stanford U., Palo Alto, CA (4/27/85 & 4/28/85).” Read more
Interest in Japan’s traditional cuisine has grown globally
More than 10 years have passed since washoku — Japanese cuisine — was registered as a UNESCO intangible cultural heritage in December 2013. Read more
Taylor Swift greets Super Bowl-bound Travis Kelce with a kiss
Taylor Swift gave Travis Kelce a short peck and embraced him with a big hug after he and the Kansas City Chiefs beat the Baltimore Ravens to advance to the Super Bowl, and then the two locked lips with a smooch seen around the football world. Read more
Express train tuned up to reduce motion sickness
The Yakumo express trains, notorious for plaguing passengers with motion sickness due to their considerable tilt on curved tracks, will launch a new type of car this spring to improve the ride. Read more
Designer wraps kimono styles into current fashion trends
Maria Kawahara, a kimono designer, believes that the traditional garment can be worn more freely — with a belt, for instance, if one doesn’t have an obi, or even with boots or high heels instead of zori (traditional thong sandals). Read more
‘Baby dragons’ get ready for big year
A sea horse aquaculture farm in Minami-Kyushu, Kagoshima prefecture, is attracting tourists ahead of the Year of the Dragon because the Japanese word for sea horse is “tatsu no otoshigo,” which means “spawned baby dragon.” Read more
Having trouble finding what you need? Try using our search feature.
Subscriber Favorites
Maui dad who flew to Los Angeles to find missing daughter dies near airport
Macy’s discovers employee hid millions in delivery expenses
GOP senator sees many questions for Tulsi Gabbard
Man, 58, seriously injured in alleged attack in Kapiolani area
Prosecutors seek to drop federal criminal cases against Trump
More Focus on Japan
Tokyo students charged, fined in boulder incident
Couple depicted horror of bombings in ‘Hiroshima Panels’
