Japan

In this Aug. 9, 1945, file photo, a giant column of smoke rises after the second atomic bomb ever used in warfare explodes over the Japanese port town of Nagasaki, Japan.

‘Oppenheimer’ film ‘fails’ to show devastation of atom bombs in postwar Japan, critics say

‘Oppenheimer’ is expected to win big at the 2024 Academy Awards. But one point of controversy is that the director did not depict any images of the devastating aftermath of the dropping of the atomic bombs in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Getting those images out to the public was a longtime quest for Herbert Sussan, then a 24-year-old filmmaker who filmed in Japan at the time.

‘Oppenheimer’ film ‘fails’ to show devastation of atom bombs in postwar Japan, critics say
The 2015 Kennedy Center Honors Honorees, including conductor Seiji Ozawa, stand on stage during a reception for them in the East Room of the White House, Dec. 6, 2015.

Renowned conductor Seiji Ozawa is remembered as 'graceful,' 'supernaturally' gifted

Renowned conductor Seiji Ozawa is remembered as 'graceful,' 'supernaturally' gifted
A photo of a book, Eyeliner: A Cultural History

New book taps into the cultural history of eyeliner

New book taps into the cultural history of eyeliner
A portrait of Sasami from her self-titled LP, "Sasami."

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

‘It’s all mixed’: Sasami makes music inspired by her multicultural heritage 
The smaller floats impressed the audience because they were adorned with stunning tapestries, miniature trees, and beautiful figurines. Each float had a legendary story behind it. 

1,000-year-old Gion Matsuri festival resumes in Kyoto, Japan

1,000-year-old Gion Matsuri festival resumes in Kyoto, Japan
A few customers sneak into a card shop just before closing time in Akihabara, Tokyo.

Pokémon fever once again grips fans around the world

The 27-year-old Japanese trading card franchise has exploded in popularity in recent years, leading to frenzied fans, collectors and Pokémon card players fighting for the best cards.

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

They call themselves the Gomi Hiroi Samurai — or the “Samurai Who Pick Up Litter.” These sword-wielding eco-warriors have turned garbage collecting into a choreographed performance. 

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

Japanese restaurants use AI to combat sushi terrorism

​​​​​​​The latest disturbing TikTok trend in Japan features young pranksters who are contaminating sushi that is served on conveyor belts in restaurants. They share videos of themselves licking sushi rolls or otherwise contaminating plates and condiments. Some restaurants are using AI to fight back.

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

For more than five decades now, Shizuo Mori, now 80, has been waking up at 4 a.m. to prepare the famous flan-style puddings he serves at Hecklen, his cozy corner café in Tokyo’s Toranomon neighborhood.  

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

Geologists edge closer to defining the Anthropocene

The Anthropocene Working Group is voting on a so-called Golden Spike, a sedimentary layer somewhere on Earth that best exemplifies the global impact of humans on planet Earth. It's the last, big task in formally defining the Anthropocene, which is being proposed as a new age in geologic time.

Geologists edge closer to defining the Anthropocene
Album covers of some of the allbums from artists included in the end-of-year music playlist with recommendations from The World staff. Clockwise, startiing from the top left corner: Adrian Quesada's "Boleros Psicodélicos," Sillvana Estrada's "Marchita," V

A musical journey around the globe 2022, a playlist

Music is part of The World’s DNA and, as it turns out, it is something many of the show’s staff appreciate. This playlist with their recommendations will take you on a journey around the globe.

A musical journey around the globe 2022, a playlist
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
woman at ceremony in front of line of people

Contempt for the messiah: The scandal behind Shinzo Abe’s murder

A messianic sect holds sway with Japan’s ruling party. The murder of ex-premier Shinzo Abe is forcing the country to reckon with this shadowy alliance.

Contempt for the messiah: The scandal behind Shinzo Abe’s murder
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol waves a national flag during a ceremony to celebrate Korean Liberation Day from Japanese colonial rule in 1945, at the presidential office square in Seoul, South Korea, Monday, Aug. 15, 2022. 

Imagining empire: Part II

Critical State, a foreign policy newsletter, takes a deep dive this week into the ways in which memorialization in South Korea is an act of present politics.

Imagining empire: Part II
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