Features
Diet pills, laxatives may signal eating disorder risk in young women
Teens and young women who use diet pills and laxatives for weight control are five to six times more likely to be diagnosed with an eating disorder in the next three years, a U.S. study suggests. Using these medications for weight loss can be dangerous and may be a warning… Read
Alone in Tokyo: 5 tips to get through the solo foreigner blues
Japan has a reputation for being one of the loneliest countries in the world. And with many employees working overtime on a daily basis, it’s easy to understand why. The first time I lived in Japan, I got a contract playing piano and singing six nights a week at a… Read
ANA introduces Alipay compatibility in China
All Nippon Airways (ANA) is giving passengers flying to or from select Chinese airports the option to accept compensation for canceled and delayed flights via Alipay. Alipay, a China-based third-party mobile and online payment platform, is one of the world's leading digital payment platforms, with more than 1.2 billion registered users… Read
Antarctica tourism: the quest for Earth's vulnerable extremes
The swimsuit-clad tourists leap into the icy water, gasping at the shock, and startling a gaggle of penguins. They are spectators at the end of the world, luxury visitors experiencing a vulnerable ecosystem close-up. And their very presence might accelerate its demise. Antarctica, a vast territory belonging to no one… Read
Japanese company officially bans employees from licking fingers when handling papers or money
Yokohama-based cab company Sanwa Kotsu has an undeniable quirky, fun-loving side to it. This is, after all, the company that offers Tokyo-area taxi rides driven by ninja and “pretend-they’re-not-there” kabuki stagehands. But Sanwa Kotsu is still a legitimate company, and a Japanese one. That means a commitment to sparkling customer service and proper business decorum, and… Read
Study warns helmets don’t offer full protection on slopes
For several years now, it has been almost de rigueur for skiers and snowboarders to strap on a helmet amid rising concerns about safety on the slopes. But a new study caution that helmets cannot protect skiers from all head injuries. Two trauma surgeons studied data of seriously injured skiers… Read
China's facial recognition roll out reaches into mobile phones, shops and homes
China on Sunday put into effect new regulations that require Chinese telecom carriers to scan the faces of users registering new mobile phone services, a move the government says is aimed at cracking down on fraud. The rules, first announced in September, mean millions more people will come under the… Read
Dessert onigiri: Tokyo store now sells rice ball cakes
Onigiri, or rice balls, are one of Japan's most popular snacks. Available in a variety of flavors (such as pickled plum, fried chicken, salmon, and the ever popular tuna mayonnaise) that can either provide a quick bite on the go or even a light meal, it seems that the convenience store… Read
Automatic cup noodle maker
Finally, the hassle of making instant ramen is no more. No more having to go find a pot or kettle like some kind of Dickensian peasant, and no more dealing with the potentially harmful effects of scalding hot water on you or those you love. Thanko have addressed said problems… Read
Japan's drugs policy: Punish or treat?
Three celebrities were arrested in November in connection with narcotics – actress Erika Sawajiri, 33; former singer and comedian Masashi Tashiro, 63; and Olympic snowboarder Kazuhiro Kokubo, 31. The notoriety their professions assure them must be gratifying as a symbol of success and mass admiration, but it has its price.… Read
