Imagine a drink that dances on your palate with a harmonious blend of sweet and tart, a beverage steeped in centuries of tradition yet endlessly adaptable to modern tastes. That’s umeshu, Japan’s beloved plum wine, a liqueur with roots stretching back to the Heian period (794-1185). Crafted in early summer from unripe ume plums soaked in alcohol and sugar, this versatile drink … [Read more...] about 10 Best Japanese Umeshu Plum Wine
Fukuoka city worker with ‘loud voice’ punished for alleged ‘power harassment’
Fukuoka, March 25, 2024 – A high-ranking official in the Fukuoka Municipal Government has been disciplined with a six-month salary reduction following multiple complaints of workplace harassment. The 56-year-old Environment Bureau chief received a 10% pay cut after investigators confirmed allegations of intimidating behavior toward subordinates, including aggressive glaring, … [Read more...] about Fukuoka city worker with ‘loud voice’ punished for alleged ‘power harassment’
Man Arrested for Abandoning Deceased Father’s Body Over Funeral Costs
Oyama, Tochigi Prefecture — A 38-year-old man was arrested on March 25 for allegedly abandoning his father’s body for nearly two months, citing an inability to pay for funeral expenses, authorities said. Hajime Kikuchi, a resident of Shiki in Saitama Prefecture, is accused of leaving the remains of his 69-year-old father, Hiroshi Kikuchi, inside the elder man’s home in … [Read more...] about Man Arrested for Abandoning Deceased Father’s Body Over Funeral Costs
Same-Sex Couple in Japan Fights for Daughter’s Citizenship Amid Legal Limbo
Tokyo, Japan — A Japanese-American same-sex couple is taking the Japanese government to court after their daughter, born through assisted reproduction in the United States, was denied Japanese citizenship, rendering the child effectively stateless in her parents' home country. The case exposes glaring gaps in Japan's family registration system and its failure to keep pace with … [Read more...] about Same-Sex Couple in Japan Fights for Daughter’s Citizenship Amid Legal Limbo
The Unique Watermelon Culture of Japan: From Square Melons to Luxury Fruits
In most of the world, watermelons are simply a refreshing summer treat—round, juicy, and casually sliced at picnics. But in Japan, watermelon cultivation is an art form, where innovation, precision, and tradition combine to create some of the most extraordinary fruits on Earth. From square and heart-shaped melons to the legendary Densuke black watermelon (which can sell for … [Read more...] about The Unique Watermelon Culture of Japan: From Square Melons to Luxury Fruits