Culture

‘Demon Slayer,’ ‘Kokuho’ Bring Record ¥51.7 Billion Net Profit to Toho

Toho Co. reported records for sales revenue and net profit in its consolidated financial results ...

April 15, 2026

Japanese Anime ‘Precure’ Takes on Detective Genre in 23rd Series, Solving Mysterious Cases

Transforming into a magical warrior is surely the dream for all children who tune into “Precure” ...

April 10, 2026

Japan’s Takaichi, France’s Macron Strike ‘Dragon Ball’ Pose

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and French President Emmanuel Macron struck the Kamehameha pose aft...

April 2, 2026

More a Flower Than a Flower: Manga Featuring the World of Noh Concludes

After portraying the world of noh with delicate, beautiful artwork and meticulously researched de...

March 27, 2026

‘Ichi the Witch’ Manga Writer, Illustrator Talk About Working Together, Creating World of 1st ‘Male Witch’

After obtaining magical powers, a boy becomes the first “male witch” in the manga “Madan no Ichi”...

March 20, 2026

Talk Show with Veteran Suit Actor Jiro Okamoto Reaches Milestone 20th Edition with Style and Sausages

A talk event celebrating Jiro Okamoto called “Jiro Matsuri” (Jiro Festival) has reached its 20th ...

April 9, 2026

‘This Is I’: A Spirited, Musical Biopic of Transgender Star Ai Haruna, Colorful Film Shows Power of Entertainment

“This is I,” which started streaming on Netflix in February, is a biopic about Ai Haruna, a popul...

March 20, 2026

‘Kokuho’ Wins Record 10 Awards at Japan Academy Film Prize; Demon Slayer Film Claims Animation Category

“Kokuho” won a record 10 awards at the 49th Japan Academy Film Prize on Friday, including those f...

March 14, 2026

Tokyo ‘Gozyuger’ Stage Show Pays Tribute to Super Sentai Series Following End of Beloved TV Drama

Gozyuger members strike poses at Theatre G-Rosso in Bunkyo Ward, Tokyo. By Mishio Suzuko / Yomiuri S...

March 13, 2026

Japanese Film, Anymart, Wins Critics’ Award at International Film Festival in Berlin, Director’s Debut Feature Film Shocks Audiences

BERLIN — Director Yusuke Iwasaki’s debut feature film “AnyMart” won the FIPRESCI Prize, the inter...

February 22, 2026

Kabuki Actor Nakamura Takanosuke Looking Forward to Seeing Audiences’ Reactions in Europe in His First Overseas Performances

Ahead of a kabuki tour of Europe scheduled for this month, actor Nakamura Takanosuke spoke with T...

April 5, 2026

Famous Osaka Theater in Dotonbori District to Not Completely Close

OSAKA — A plan to close Osaka Shochikuza Theatre in Osaka has been reversed according to Shochiku...

April 1, 2026

Rising Kabuki Star Works to Ensure Deaf Audience’s Enjoyment of Performances Through Tablet Subtitle Service

The Kabukiza Theatre in Tokyo has begun a free tablet rental service for those who are deaf or ha...

March 13, 2026

Japan Traditional Puppet Performance Held at Onsen Resort in Shizuoka Pref.

A bunraku traditional puppet performance was held at a ryokan inn in Izunokuni, Shizuoka Prefectu...

March 3, 2026

Box Office Revenue for “Kokuho” Hits ¥17.37 Bil., Making Movie Japan’s All-Time Top Live-Action Film

“Kokuho,” a film, directed by Lee Sang-il and depicting the life of a kabuki actor, reached box o...

November 25, 2025

Lady Bess: Iroha Okuda, Mayuko Kominami Discuss Performing Elizabeth I’s Road to Queenhood

The Yomiuri ShimbunMayuko Kominami, left, and Iroha Okuda By Hideki Sukenari / Yomiuri Shimbun Senio...

March 13, 2026

Shun Oguri Plays Teacher in New Stage Play ‘Inokorigumi’; He Returns to Stage with 1st Starring Role in 3 Years

With his emotional acting skills in dramas, movies and stage plays, Shun Oguri continues to show ...

February 20, 2026

Shogi Star Sota Fujii Earns Record ¥200 Million Plus, Reigns as Money Leader for 4th Consecutive Year

Shogi genius Sota Fujii set a new record high for prize money and playing fees in 2025, according...

February 4, 2026

Geiko, Maiko Vow to Dedicate Themselves to Profession at New Year’s Opening Ceremonies in Kyoto

KYOTO — Geiko and maiko in formal black crested kimono vowed to dedicate themselves to their prof...

January 8, 2026

New ‘Chushingura’ Play Features Star-Studded Cast, Including Tokusatsu TV Drama

A new theatrical production of “Chushingura,” a tale of heroes loved by Japanese audiences for ov...

December 12, 2025

Allure of Masks on Full Display at Tokyo Shop Kamenya Omote

A mask hides one’s expression. By wearing a mask, one can enter the realm of the extraordinary, w...

April 2, 2026

Potter in Japan Concerned That Iran War Is Destroying Persian Culture

TAJIMI, Gifu — “People can overcome differences in religion and language and recognize each other...

March 30, 2026

Artist Translates Plants’ Signals into Sound, Light Via AI; Exhibition by Yuma Kishi Held in Tokyo Bay Area Forest

Biological signals collected in real time from the vegetation at a Tokyo park were translated int...

March 17, 2026

Japanese Modernist Artist Koiso’s ‘Long-Lost Masterpiece’ Returns to Kobe from South Korea after 90 Years

KOBE — A masterpiece by Kobe-born Western-style painter Ryohei Koiso (1903-88), created in the ea...

March 15, 2026

Beckoning Cats Get Makeover to Fit Modern Lifestyles with Sleek Designs to Match with Any Kind of Space

SETO, Aichi — Sleek, streamlined manekineko beckoning cats made by Chugai Toen Co. in Seto, Aichi...

March 8, 2026

Kyoto Native Indigo Dyeing Artisan Wins Top Prize at Traditional Craft Contest for Work Made Using Local Resources

A native of Kyoto City, motivated by a passion for indigo dyeing techniques that have retained th...

March 22, 2026

Traditional Japanese Silk Hakama Tradition Preserved by Sole Weaver in Sendai

A hakama garment made of high-grade Sendaihira silk fabric elegantly billows when seated and fall...

February 15, 2026

Iconic Japanese Bag Maker Yoshida Marks 90 Years of Durable, Innovative Design

Tokyo-based bag maker Yoshida & Co., known as “Yoshida Kaban,” celebrated its 90th anniversary la...

January 23, 2026

Dior’s New Creative Director Jonathan Anderson Takes Inspiration from Fashion House’s History

Jonathan Anderson is one of the most talked-about fashion designers in the world right now. The 4...

December 25, 2025

Playful Bags from Brigitte Tanaka Evoke Parisian Atmosphere, Bring Fans from Around the World to Cozy Shop

Brigitte Tanaka is a Paris-based fashion brand attracting much attention of late with exquisitely...

December 19, 2025

Instrumentalists to Give Array of Virtuoso Solo Performances Alongside Yomiuri Nippon Symphony Orchestra

The Yomiuri Nippon Symphony Orchestra (YNSO) will be joined by a number of outstanding instrument...

March 18, 2026

Yomiuri Nippon Symphony Orchestra Principal Conductor Sebastian Weigle Stresses Importance of Sharing Musical Experiences

Sebastian Weigle, the principal conductor of the Yomiuri Nippon Symphony Orchestra (YNSO), has le...

March 18, 2026

2026-27 Season of Japan’s Yomiuri Orchestra to Offer Invaluable Experiences

The Yomiuri Nippon Symphony Orchestra (YNSO) is offering exciting programs and invaluable music e...

March 18, 2026

Strawberry Prince’s Rinu Discusses His Dream of Voice Acting, Success on the Radio

March 6, 2026

Humbert Humbert: Husband-Wife Vocal Duo Brings Cheerful Singing to Morning Drama; Couple Shares Secret to Happy Marriage, Other Insights

Husband-and-wife vocal duo Humbert Humbert sing the theme song of the NHK serial morning drama “B...

February 27, 2026

Bound to Please / ‘Sherlock’ Meets ‘Shogun’ in Father-Son Samurai Detective Series

The Samurai Detectives: Volume 1 by Shotaro Ikenami (translated by Yui Kajita) By Melanie Kress / Th...

April 4, 2026

Osaka Expo Mascot Myaku-Myaku to Debut in 1st Photo Book

A photo book featuring Myaku-Myaku, the official mascot of last year’s Osaka-Kansai Expo, will be...

March 18, 2026

2 Unpublished Early Novellas by Japan’s Kenzaburo Oe Discovered, Show Budding Promise of Future Nobel Prize-Winning Author

Manuscripts of two unpublished early novellas by Nobel Prize laureate Kenzaburo Oe have been disc...

March 3, 2026

Prestigious Japanese Literature Prize Names Toriyama, Hatakeyama as Winners

This year’s winners of the Akutagawa Prize were announced Wednesday in Tokyo. Makoto Toriyama and...

January 14, 2026

Picture Book on Osechi New Year Dishes Enjoying Strong Sales; English Version Introduces Dishes to Foreigners

A picture book depicting osechi traditional Japanese New Year dishes has been selling well thanks...

December 18, 2025

Edo-Tokyo Museum Reopens After 4 Years of Extensive Refurbishment

Visitors lined up at the Edo-Tokyo Museum even before its doors opened on Tuesday after it reopen...

April 1, 2026

Japan House in Paris Set for Overhaul Ahead of 2029 Centenary; Building Has Ties to Leonard Foujita, Takeo Miki, Others

The Foreign Ministry is set to embark on the first large-scale renovation in about 30 years of th...

January 8, 2026

Chocolate Dinosaurs Created By Internationally Recognized Pastry Chef on Display at Fukui Museum

Chocolate dinosaurs made by one of the world’s finest pastry chefs are on display at the Fukui Pr...

January 5, 2026

Popularity of Piggy Banks Across Time and Place Seen at Bank’s Museum of Money Boxes in Hyogo Pref.

Money boxes come in all shapes and sizes, but the pig is one of the most familiar shapes, as is i...

December 21, 2025

Museum Shows How Yokohama Exported Beauty in East-West ‘Rendezvous’

When Miyagawa Kozan was born in Kyoto in 1842, his family had been making pottery for generations...

December 13, 2025