2025-07

<strong>“Shikyū Ren’ai”</strong> (子宮恋愛), literally “womb love,” began as a provocative manga by Noriko Sasae, serialized from February 2021 to July 2024. The story follows 29-year-old Maki, a house-maker employee stuck in a loveless, sexless marriage. Feeling trapped, her instincts ("womb") suddenly drives her into a passionate and taboo affair with a colleague—a journey of desire, betrayal, pregnancy, and ultimately self-reclamation.

On Father’s Day 2025, the Yomiuri Giants baseball team shared a heartfelt illustration on their official X (formerly Twitter) account, asking, “Do you have memories with your dad and the Giants?” But one image sparked controversy: it featured a father watching TV with the line, <em>“Dad’s mood is determined by the Giants”</em>. What was meant as nostalgia touched a nerve—many saw it as reminding them of emotionally volatile or “toxic” fathers.

The term “Zankure Alphard” (残クレ アルファード) refers to purchasing a Toyota Alphard—a high-end minivan—using <em>residual‑value financing</em>, known in Japan as “zanka credit” or zankure. Recently, it's become a trendy subject on social media, sometimes mocked, sometimes admired. Let’s break down what it means, why it’s popular, and the real risks behind the hype.

In early 2025, social media and parts of the Asian press were abuzz with a chilling prediction: a catastrophic disaster would strike Japan on <strong>July 5, 2025</strong>. Here's how a manga, social fear, and misinformation converged to stir anxiety—and even hit tourism.

From the summer of 2024 into 2025, Japan experienced a dramatic surge in rice prices and shortages, dubbed the “Reiwa Rice Riots.” While no physical unrest occurred, this crisis strained household budgets, disrupted food supply chains, and triggered urgent policy responses. Here’s what unfolded

If you’ve ever wandered into the depths of Japanese internet culture, you might have encountered a strange name: <strong>“Yajuu Senpai” (野獣先輩)</strong>. Maybe it appeared in meme compilations, or maybe someone shouted a cryptic phrase like "114514" or "You are already invited." But who—or what—is this "senpai" figure? In this article, we explore the bizarre yet fascinating world of one of Japan’s most mysterious and long-lasting internet phenomena.