Tokyo

A portrait of Sasami from her self-titled LP, "Sasami."

‘It’s all mixed’: Sasami makes music inspired by her multicultural heritage 

Sasami’s latest album, “Squeeze,” is a musical concoction of different genres and influences — including her family’s multicultural heritage as zainichi Koreans. Meklit Hadero, host of “Movement,” our series on music and migration, speaks with Sasami about her family history and upbringing. 

‘It’s all mixed’: Sasami makes music inspired by her multicultural heritage 
A few customers sneak into a card shop just before closing time in Akihabara, Tokyo.

Pokémon fever once again grips fans around the world

Pokémon fever once again grips fans around the world
two actors pretending to fight

Tokyo’s trash-collecting samurai takes a fun, zany approach to cleanup

Tokyo’s trash-collecting samurai takes a fun, zany approach to cleanup
sushi restaurant facade

Japanese restaurants use AI to combat sushi terrorism

Japanese restaurants use AI to combat sushi terrorism
Customers get out their smartphones and go silent as Shizuo Mori begins his pudding-fling serving technique that made him a viral sensation.

This 80-year-old pudding maker in Tokyo goes viral for his flan-flinging flair

This 80-year-old pudding maker in Tokyo goes viral for his flan-flinging flair
man speaking at podium

Japan’s infamous ‘happy’ cult sets sights on the United States

Happy Science is among the most enduring and far-reaching “new religious movement,” as they’re called in Japan. 

Japan’s infamous ‘happy’ cult sets sights on the United States
The Manuscript Café in Tokyo helps writers to bring their projects to completion.

Tokyo café specializes in aiding procrastinators 

A café manager in Tokyo has developed a particular method to help writers struggling with procrastination complete their work.

Tokyo café specializes in aiding procrastinators 
Japan's outgoing Prime Minister Shinzo Abe speaks to the media as he arrives at the prime minister's office for a cabinet meeting in Tokyo, Japan

Japan's ex-leader Shinzo Abe assassinated during a speech

Former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was delivering a campaign speech when a gunman shot him from behind. "Japan is in a state of shock. It is a tragic and unprecedented attack," reporter Thisanka Siripala tells The World's host Marco Werman.

Japan's ex-leader Shinzo Abe assassinated during a speech
People walk across the famed Shibuya scramble crossing as the sun sets behind the skyscraper, Oct. 11, 2021, in Tokyo.

A Tokyo train company moves to become net-carbon neutral

Last month, one railway network in Tokyo switched its entire network to electricity derived from renewable energy. It’s the first time a railway has become entirely net-carbon neutral.

A Tokyo train company moves to become net-carbon neutral
Labor Party leader Anthony Albanese, center back, celebrates with his partner partner Jodie Haydon, right, and Labor senate leader partner Penny Wong at a Labor Party event in Sydney, Australia

Albanese sworn in as PM in Australia ahead of Tokyo summit

Australia’s new prime minister, Anthony Albanese, has flown to Tokyo for a summit, after being sworn in to office on Monday. He's meeting with the leaders of the US, Japan and India.

Albanese sworn in as PM in Australia ahead of Tokyo summit
a young kid walking down the sidewalk

Netflix’s 'Old Enough!' reality TV show sends very young kids on errands by themselves

To an American audience, toddlers crossing the road to go to the supermarket unsupervised or helping with household chores would be considered alarming or negligent. But in Japan, children as young as 6 can be seen taking the train or walking to school. And it’s not viewed as something unusual.

Netflix’s 'Old Enough!' reality TV show sends very young kids on errands by themselves
A woman is shown holding back a curtain and entering a salon with painted over pictures of women on either side of the doorway.

UN warning of Taliban actions and impending humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan

Top of The World: The Taliban are increasingly under scrutiny over their promises of a different governance. And, North Korean officials said the country had successfully tested long-range cruise missiles over the weekend. Also, Peruvian officials are debating what to do with the body of Abimael Guzmán, the leader of the brutal Shining Path insurgency who died on Saturday.

UN warning of Taliban actions and impending humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan
Brazil's libero Camila Brait and teammate Rosamaria Montibeller fist bump during a women's volleyball semifinal match against South Korea, at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 6, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. 

Move over soccer: Brazil’s award-winning volleyball teams compete for Olympic gold

Brazil may not be top-of-mind as a volleyball powerhouse. But since the 1980s, the men’s and women’s teams have been making waves on the court.

Move over soccer: Brazil’s award-winning volleyball teams compete for Olympic gold
An several storeys tall stone church is shown carved into the side of a hillside.

Tigrayan forces take over Ethiopian town known for its ancient churches

Top of The World: Tigrayan forces have taken over the Ethiopian town of Lalibela, known for its rock-hewn churches that are on the list of UN World Heritage Sites. And, the International Olympic Committee has expelled two Belarus coaches from the Tokyo Olympic Games. Also, President Joe Biden has deferred the deportation of Hong Kong residents living in the United States, over fears of repression by Chinese authorities upon return.

Tigrayan forces take over Ethiopian town known for its ancient churches
Belarusian Olympic sprinter Krystsina Tsimanouskaya is shown through a frosted glass window speaking into microphones.

2 coaches removed from Tokyo Olympics in Belarus case

Two Belarus team coaches have been removed from the Olympics, four days after they were involved in trying to send sprinter Krystsina Tsimanouskaya back to their country.

2 coaches removed from Tokyo Olympics in Belarus case