Category: LEARNJAPAN

BE:FIRST
EXPERIENCE Fun Facts LEARNJAPAN POPULAR

Japan Now! BE:FIRST Drop New Song “Missing” at FNS 2026 (6/30)

japanup_akane 06/30/2026

For years, BE:FIRST has been one of the most talked-about boy groups to come out of Japan’s BMSG label. However, on July 1, 2026, they did something that pushed them into an entirely new spotlight: they performed the brand-new song “Missing” on national television for the very first time, on the same night they covered a beloved Japanese summer classic.This BE:FIRST Missing performance instantly became one of the night’s biggest talking points. Quick Answer: At the 2026 FNS Music Festival Summer (FNS Kayousai), the BE:FIRST Missing premiere came at the 2026 FNS Music Festival Summer, where they also performed Keisuke…

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History LEARNJAPAN POPULAR

JAPANESE SAMURAI / Masaoka Shiki

japanup_akane 06/29/2026

1867 – 1902 正岡子規 Masaoka Shiki A Literary Figure Who Revitalized Modern Haiku and Opened New Paths for Language from His Sickbed . Early Life and the Formation of His Literary Interests Masaoka Shiki was born in 1867 in what is now Matsuyama City, Ehime Prefecture.  His real name was Masaoka Tsunenori.  From an early age, he loved reading and grew up immersed in Chinese poetry and classical Japanese literature.  After the death of his father, he was raised by his mother and grandmother.  Although the family was not wealthy, he was fortunate to grow up in a culturally rich…

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EXPERIENCE Fun Facts LEARNJAPAN POPULAR

Japan Now! Samurai Blue Stun Brazil with an Early Lead, Then Fall to a Last-Gasp Goal (6/29)

japanup_akane 06/29/2026

For 90 minutes in Houston, it looked like Japan might pull off the upset of the World Cup. Facing five-time champions Brazil in the Round of 32, the Samurai Blue did not just defend. They struck first, led for nearly half the match, and pushed the favorites to the very last seconds. In the end, it took six minutes of stoppage time for Brazil to escape with a 2-1 win. Quick Answer: On June 29, 2026, Brazil beat Japan 2-1 in the World Cup Round of 32 in Houston. Japan’s Kaishu Sano scored first in the 29th minute, but Casemiro…

View More Japan Now! Samurai Blue Stun Brazil with an Early Lead, Then Fall to a Last-Gasp Goal (6/29)
ANIME EXPO EVENT EVENT IN LOS ANGELES INTERVIEW LEARNJAPAN POPULAR

The Front Line of Anime Music “Yoko Takahashi × Yoko Kanno” Special Interview

miwako3 06/28/2026

Anime Expo 2026 Special Feature The Front Line of Anime Music Yoko Takahashi × Yoko Kanno Special Interview Anime Expo 2026, one of the world’s largest anime events, will take place in Los Angeles from July 2 to 6. Among its most anticipated stages is J-POP SOUND CAPSULE, where acclaimed Japanese singer Yoko Takahashi and celebrated composer Yoko Kanno will appear. Yoko Takahashi continues to captivate fans around the world with “A Cruel Angel’s Thesis,” the iconic theme song from Neon Genesis Evangelion. Yoko Kanno, meanwhile, is the composer behind the music of landmark anime works such as Cowboy Bebop…

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EXPERIENCE Fun Facts LEARNJAPAN POPULAR

Japan Now! Why Are Japanese Teens Obsessed with “Setlog,” the No-Filter Vlog App? (6/26)

japanup_akane 06/26/2026

If you have spent any time around Japanese or Korean social media lately, you may have noticed a smiley-face icon popping up everywhere. It is called Setlog, and over the past few months it has gone from unknown to the No. 1 free app in Japan. What makes it strange is that it does the opposite of what most social media promises. No filters, no editing, no looking your best. Here is why young people cannot get enough of it. Quick Answer: Setlog is a Korean-made social Vlog app where you film a 2-second clip once an hour, share it…

View More Japan Now! Why Are Japanese Teens Obsessed with “Setlog,” the No-Filter Vlog App? (6/26)
History LEARNJAPAN POPULAR

JAPANESE SAMURAI /Yosano Akiko

japanup_akane 06/26/2026

1878 – 1942 与謝野晶子 Yosano Akiko The revolutionary Tanka poet, progenitor of 50,000 works and mother of twelve children . The Literary Awakening of a Merchant’s Daughter Born December 7, 1878, in Sakai City, Osaka, to a family running a prosperous traditional confectionery shop, Surugaya. Her given name was Shiyou. Though raised in a merchant-class setting, her household fostered a strong cultural atmosphere thanks to her father’s extensive book collection. From a young age, Shiyou was exposed to classical arts, including the koto and shamisen, alongside rigorous studies at a Chinese classics school, where she learned Confucianism and Zhu Xi…

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ATT. JAPAN Fun Facts LEARNJAPAN POPULAR TRAVEL

Japan Now! What Is Typhoon Season in Japan, and Should Travelers Worry? (6/25)

japanup_akane 06/25/2026

If you are planning a summer trip to Japan, you have probably pictured warm evenings, festivals, and clear skies over Mt. Fuji. Here is something that does not always make the travel brochures. Summer is also typhoon season, and right now two of them are spinning near Japan at the same time. If you are visiting between roughly June and October, this is worth understanding before you go. Quick Answer: Japan’s typhoon season runs from about June through October, with the peak in August and September. Typhoons are powerful tropical storms (the Pacific cousin of hurricanes) that can bring extreme…

View More Japan Now! What Is Typhoon Season in Japan, and Should Travelers Worry? (6/25)
Fun Facts LEARNJAPAN POPULAR WHAT’S HOT

Japan Now! Why a Tiny Japanese Rubber Stamp Just Took Down Asia’s Biggest Cyber-Crime Syndicate (6/22)

japanup_akane 06/22/2026

If you have been following global security news, you likely know that the US and UK governments recently slapped heavy economic sanctions on the Prince Group—a massive, Cambodia-based Chinese conglomerate flagged as one of Asia’s largest criminal syndicates. But today, the story took an unexpected turn right in the heart of Tokyo. On June 22, 2026, Tokyo Metropolitan Police arrested a top executive of this notorious group. The charge? Legally speaking, it is “making and using a false entry in an official electromagnetic record.” In plain English: falsifying official corporate registry documents to hide their tracks. “【BREAKING】Executive of One of…

View More Japan Now! Why a Tiny Japanese Rubber Stamp Just Took Down Asia’s Biggest Cyber-Crime Syndicate (6/22)
ANIME EXPO EXPERIENCE POPULAR WHAT’S HOT

Want to Work at Anime Expo? How to Find Short Term Jobs in LA!

japanup_akane 06/22/2026

Every July, Los Angeles lights up for Anime Expo, the largest Japanese pop culture event in North America. Around 400,000 fans flood the Los Angeles Convention Center for cosplay, panels, merch, and some seriously good Japanese food. If you love anime and Japanese culture, here’s something you might not have considered: you don’t have to attend just as a fan. You can be part of the team that makes it happen. In this article, we’ll walk through the kinds of short-term jobs that pop up around Anime Expo, and how to find them, even if your Japanese is limited or…

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ATT. JAPAN Fun Facts LEARNJAPAN POPULAR TRAVEL WHAT’S HOT

Japan Now! Why is Japan Quintupling Its Visa Fees? The Story Behind the Massive 2026 Price Hike 🇯🇵 (6/19)

japanup_akane 06/19/2026

For decades, Japan has been the ultimate dream destination for American travelers, offering stunning temples, unmatched hospitality, and in recent years, an incredibly favorable exchange rate due to the weak yen. But Japan visa fees are about to change in a big way. A major financial update from Tokyo is currently making headlines across Japan, and it’s something every future traveler and expat needs to know. Starting July 1, 2026, the Japanese government will implement a massive hike in foreigner visa fees, marking the first major overhaul of its kind since 1978. “【Announcement】Visa fees for foreigners to be raised 5…

View More Japan Now! Why is Japan Quintupling Its Visa Fees? The Story Behind the Massive 2026 Price Hike 🇯🇵 (6/19)
Fun Facts LEARNJAPAN POPULAR WHAT’S HOT

Japan Now! Why Mt. Fuji is About to Send Reckless Hikers the Bill (6/18)

japanup_akane 06/18/2026

Mt. Fuji is the ultimate postcard image of Japan, drawing hundreds of thousands of hikers every year. But behind those serene sunrise photos lies a growing, costly crisis. Local authorities in Shizuoka Prefecture are officially moving to end “free” rescue operations during the off-season. From now on, if you ignore the warnings and get stuck, the bill is yours. “【Accidents Successive】Shizuoka Prefecture to Formally Discuss “Charging for Rescues” on Mt. Fuji During the Off-Season Currently, the cost of rescue operations for stranded climbers is borne by local governments. The Mayor of Fujinomiya urged for the monetization of off-season rescues, stating,…

View More Japan Now! Why Mt. Fuji is About to Send Reckless Hikers the Bill (6/18)