Giant panda gives birth to tiny twin cubs at Tokyo zoo
Good news for the conservation of one of the most beloved creatures on earth! A giant panda has given birth to two cubs at Tokyo's Ueno Zoo in Japan. Last Wednesday, 15-year-old Shin Shin gave birth to tiny twin cubs. The event marks the first time that twins have been born at the zoo. "Baby Read More...
With limited cemetery space, tree burials are gaining popularity
Many people expect to be buried after their passing, but what happens when cities begin to run out of burial space? Cemetery space is an increasingly hot commodity in many places around the world, but rather than limiting plot leases to 15 years like Singapore and other regions (after which the Read More...
Japan comes one step closer to recognizing same-sex marriage
Japan is the only country in the G7 that doesn’t allow same-sex couples the right to marriage, but this past Wednesday in Sapporo, the district court ruled that the government’s failure to recognize same-sex marriage is unconstitutional. The case is part of a series of lawsuits filed by Read More...
Shrub species thought extinct for almost 100 years rediscovered in Japan
While out to study the growth of plants in an evergreen forest on the Japanese island of Amami-Oshima, a team of researchers has come across a colony of an unfamiliar plant species. Not long after — after taking a sample to the lab — the researchers realized that what they had recently Read More...
Only in Japan: These transparent public toilets turn opaque when in use
Japan is quite famous for its elaborate toilets, which can exhibit features such as bidet washing, drying, seat warming, and even deodorization. Now Japan is adding to its reputation for unique toilets after installing public toilet cubicles around Tokyo that are transparent. What? Transparent Read More...
14 nations come together to launch plan to safeguard our oceans
In 2018, a panel of world leaders was established with the goal of creating a plan to achieve a ‘sustainable ocean economy’ in which our precious oceans are guarded against exploitation. The panel featured a mix of 14 developed and developing nations from around the world, including Norway, Read More...
Japanese businesses launch digestible packaging to save local wild deers
After a number of wild deers in Japan’s ancient capital of Nara died last year as a result of eating plastic waste discarded by tourists, concerned local companies quickly stepped in to help protect the iconic animals. In a joint effort, several local businesses partnered up to develop bags that Read More...
This pungent Japanese breakfast delicacy is packed with health benefits
If you love Japanese food and want to spice up your breakfast diet, then we have the perfect thing for you: Natto. A staple in Japanese cuisine, natto is a notoriously pungent delicacy comprised of heavily fermented soybeans. It’s the ideal dish for vegetarians and vegans who need some extra Read More...
Japan, the world’s third largest economy, vows to go carbon-neutral by 2050
As extreme weather events associated with climate change are becoming more common all over the world, we’ve recently seen an increasing number of economies pledge to do their part in solving this urgent global challenge. The most recent commitment of the like comes from Japan, the world’s Read More...
How a single Japanese tourist got to enter Machu Picchu alone
Like many of us have experienced in the past months, Japanese tourist Jesse Katayama had his vacation plans ruined due to the coronavirus pandemic. Back in March, Katayama, a native of Osaka, arrived in Peru with the dream of visiting the ruins of Machu Picchu—the ancient Inca citadel. But when Read More...