JAPANESE

Apr 15 2026TECHNOLOGY

Boosting Instagram Clicks with Smart Words

A recent survey looked at how the words in Japanese Instagram ads affect how many people click on them. The researchers pulled 21, 692 ads from the Meta Marketing API between July 2021 and June 2023. They measured click‑through rate (CTR) by dividing link clicks by the number of times an ad was show

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Apr 15 2026BUSINESS

Naphtha Shortages Hit Japan’s Factory Floor

Japanese firms that rely on naphtha, a key oil by‑product used in adhesives and paints, are cutting orders or lowering production after delivery delays and price hikes. The trouble began last week when more than a dozen companies, including Toto and Asahi Kasei, warned that their supplies were unrel

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Apr 15 2026SPORTS

Pitcher from Japan tests his skills in America

A new pitcher from Japan is finding the move to Major League Baseball harder than expected. Tatsuya Imai, 27, joined the Houston Astros this season after a strong career in Japan’s top baseball league. He pitched well there, with a low earned run average and impressive strikeout numbers. But once in

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Mar 14 2026HEALTH

Peaceful Ways: How Japanese YouTube Shapes Views on Death

The topic of death often feels too heavy to talk about, yet it offers a window into how people think today. In Japan, the way folks view a calm passing has shifted, especially after COVID‑19 hit. Recent research digs into videos on YouTube that discuss dying. These clips are not just personal stori

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Feb 28 2026HEALTH

Deep Connections in Japanese Hospital Care

In many hospitals, doctors and patients often share moments that feel almost holy. These “sacred moments” happen when people feel a strong bond and a sense of calm or hope. Studies from North America have shown that such encounters can hint at how healthy a person will feel later, both for the patie

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Feb 24 2026POLITICS

China Blocks 20 Japanese Firms From Exporting Dual‑Use Goods

The Commerce Ministry of China has announced a new set of restrictions targeting twenty Japanese companies and institutions. These entities are said to be involved in boosting Japan’s military strength, so any trade of dual‑use products—goods that can serve both civilian and defense purposes—must no

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Feb 24 2026ENTERTAINMENT

Celebrating 30 Years: Every Pokémon Gets a New Logo

The long‑running franchise is marking three decades with fresh ideas. After a Super Bowl spot and a cute partnership with BoxLunch, the creators have given each of more than 1, 000 Pokémon its own custom emblem. Each logo shows a different character leaping out of a zero that looks like a Poké Ball,

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Feb 14 2026EDUCATION

Why Do Japanese Girls Love Christian Schools So Much?

Japan has very few Christians, only about 0. 7% of the population. Yet, Christian schools are everywhere and super popular. Why is that? Many people think it's because these schools are seen as fancy or upper-class, especially for girls. But is that really the whole story? Let's talk about one scho

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Jan 21 2026POLITICS

The Trial of Tetsuya Yamagami: A Look at the Aftermath of Abe's Assassination

In a significant legal development, a Japanese court is set to announce its decision on the case of Tetsuya Yamagami, the man accused of assassinating former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. This event, which took place in July 2022, sent shockwaves through the nation. Yamagami, now 45, was apprehended im

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Jan 16 2026ENTERTAINMENT

Global Tales Take Flight: Legendary and TBS Join Forces

Legendary Entertainment, the studio behind hits like \"Dune\" and \"A Minecraft Movie, \" has teamed up with Japanese broadcasting giant TBS Holdings Inc. This isn't just another business deal; it's a strategic move to bring Japanese stories to a global audience. The deal involves TBS investing $15

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