ROCKET NEWS
Toy maker Kaiyodo, famous for their ultra-detailed figures, recently released two new designs of their popular Danbo character which recall the WWII-era “Zero” Japanese fighter plane. 
Danbo—whose name is a shortened version of danbooru, or cardboard in Japanese—is the super-cute robo...

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JAPAN TRENDS
 
Ginza Mitsukoshi has opened the first airport-style duty-free store in Japan. The only place in Japan that has previously been allowed to host such retail facilities outside of airports is Okinawa, which is home to a large number of United States military bases and is a popular des...

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ROCKET NEWS
 
We may be in the dead of winter here in Japan, but snack makers are already coming out with a taste of Spring.
 
That’s right, major snack company Calbee has recently announced a brand new limited edition potato chip flavor — Sakura Butter!
Sakura is always a favorite flavor in the ...

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JAPAN TODAY
 
TOKYO — The world-famous Cirque du Soleil kicked off its 13th tour of Japan on Wednesday, playing to a packed house at the Odaiba Big Top.
 
The new production TOTEM, which lives up to the high standards of its predecessors, is an evolution-themed performance that traces the fascina...

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ROCKET NEWS
 
 
We certainly hope you enjoy looking at rows and rows of cute things, because that’s exactly what we have in store for you here!
 
Now, we know there are tons of really, really cute animal figures out there, but we’ve absolutely fallen in love with these hamsters produced by animal...

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ROCKET NEWS
 
 
The Rocket News reporter Meg ventures waist-deep in carbs to discover a new way to enjoy Subway — and she may never turn back.
 
Even in Japan, the global sub chain Subway markets itself as a more health-conscious alternative to fast food. So, it was with a small pang of guilt tha...

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THE JAPAN NEWS
 
The Yomiuri Shimbun
OSAKA — Kayoko Fukushi virtually secured a spot at this summer’s Rio de Janeiro Olympics on Sunday, winning the Osaka Women’s Marathon with the seventh-best time ever for a Japanese woman.
The 33-year-old finished in 2 hours 22 minutes 17 seconds, just under t...

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JAPAN TODAY
 
TOKYO — The support rate for Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s cabinet rose 4.3 points in January from the previous month to 53.7%, a Kyodo News opinion poll showed Sunday.
 
The disapproval rate came in at 35.3%, down 2.9 points from the previous poll.
 
In the nationwide telephone surve...

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JAPAN TRENDS
 
Tokyo Metropolitan Government has published a disaster preparedness book in a partially manga format to help get the residents of Japan’s capital ready for “the big one”, the earthquake long conjectured to take place with an epicenter under the city itself.
 
 
Tokyo Bousai, which ...

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ROCKET NEWS
 
 
Your significant other not big on sweets? Then these udon noodles filled with a lot of “heart” may be the perfect treat this Valentine’s Day!
Typically, Valentine’s Day in Japan involves gifts of chocolates or other sweets (sometimes with some special extra ingredients added) , us...

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