Culture

December 19, 2025
Sony Acquires Snoopy Parent Company to Strengthen Its IP Portfolio

On December 19, 2025, Sony Group announced a major acquisition that sent shockwaves through the global entertainment industry.

By Honourway Asia Pacific Limited

December 5, 2025
Fuji TV Secures Exclusive F1 Rights: DAZN Exits and a New Era Begins in 2026

On December 5, 2025, shockwaves rippled through Japan’s motorsports community. What many fans saw when they opened their smartphones was the stunning headline: “Fuji TV Acquires Exclusive F1 Broadcasting Rights,” followed immediately by “DAZN to End F1 Streaming.” Fuji Television Network announced that it had signed an “exclusive all-rights agreement” for Formula 1 in Japan covering five seasons from 2026 through 2030.

By Honourway Asia Pacific Limited
November 11, 2025
PokéPark KANTO to Open in Tokyo in 2026

On November 11, 2025, a groundbreaking announcement was made in Japan’s entertainment industry—and in the global history of pop culture. The Pokémon Company, Yomiuriland Co., Ltd., and The Yomiuri Shimbun Tokyo Headquarters jointly announced the establishment of PokéPark KANTO LLC, a new joint venture company that will launch PokéPark KANTO, the world’s first permanent outdoor Pokémon-themed facility.

By Honourway Asia Pacific Limited

October 20, 2025
Eguchi Hisashi’s “Trace Plagiarism” Scandal Sparks Widespread Controversy

Veteran manga artist and illustrator Hisashi Eguchi (69), known for hit works such as Stop!! Hibari-kun!, is under intense criticism after being accused of tracing a third party’s photograph without permission for a commercial illustration.

By Honourway Asia Pacific Limited
October 18, 2025
Historic Feat! Shohei Ohtani Leads Dodgers to World Series as Both Pitcher and Hitter

In Game 4 of the National League Championship Series, the Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Milwaukee Brewers 5–1 at Dodger Stadium, sweeping the series 4–0 and advancing to the World Series for the second consecutive year.

By Honourway Asia Pacific Limited
October 13, 2025
The Future Beyond the Clamor: Osaka Expo—184 Days of Light and Shadow

On October 13, 2025, the artificial island of Yumeshima in Osaka Bay was filled with the excitement and emotion of people reluctant to see the six-month festival end. On the final day of the Osaka–Kansai Expo, the venue was packed with visitors eager to etch one last memory before closing.

By Honourway Asia Pacific Limited
September 28, 2025
TGS 2025 Concludes: 260,000 On-Site Fans and 6 Million Online Viewers

Held from September 25–28, 2025, Tokyo Game Show 2025 (TGS 2025) powerfully signaled to Japan and the world that the nation’s game industry has emerged from the long tunnel of the pandemic and entered a new growth track.

By Honourway Asia Pacific Limited
September 8, 2025
After Three Years, a Coppery Red: Japan Watches a Total Lunar Eclipse

In the early hours of Monday, September 8, 2025—while many were fast asleep or savoring a quiet moment before a new week—a grand cosmic drama unfolded silently above Japan.

By Honourway Asia Pacific Limited
August 17, 2025
A Half-Century of Celebration: 250,000 Flock to Comiket 106

Over two days, August 16–17, 2025, Tokyo Big Sight once again became a crucible of pop culture. Comic Market 106 (C106), one of the world’s largest dōjinshi conventions, drew 120,000 attendees on Day 1 and 130,000 on Day 2—for a total of 250,000 visitors.

By Honourway Asia Pacific Limited
August 3, 2025
“Precision Machine” Miyuu Yamashita Makes History with British Open Triumph

On August 3, 2025, at the prestigious Royal Porthcawl Golf Club in Wales, Miyuu Yamashita captured the AIG Women’s British Open.

By Honourway Asia Pacific Limited
July 25, 2025
Okinawa’s New Pulse: The Light and Shadow of the “JUNGLIA” Theme Park

On July 25, 2025, a vast tract of land straddling Nakijin Village and Nago City in northern Okinawa Island welcomed a brand-new theme park: **JUNGLIA OKINAWA**.

By Honourway Asia Pacific Limited
July 16, 2025
Shohei Ohtani: The True Headliner Chosen by Fans and Players

On July 16, 2025 (JST), at Truist Park in Atlanta, Georgia, the MLB All-Star Game offered a dazzling stage where stars converged—and Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers proved once again that his presence transcends mere popularity or prowess.

By Honourway Asia Pacific Limited
June 16, 2025
Return at 161 km/h — Shohei Ohtani Opens a New Chapter of His “Two-Way” Era

On June 16, 2025 (June 17, JST), what shook the air over Los Angeles, California wasn’t mere cheering—it was a roar distilled from 663 days of anticipation and prayers for a miracle.

By Honourway Asia Pacific Limited
June 7, 2025
on the Red Clay — Oda’s Three-Peat and Kamiji’s Triumphant Comeback

On June 7, 2025, at Roland Garros — the sacred home of tennis in Paris — Japan’s national anthem “Kimi ga Yo” rang out not once, but twice.

By Honourway Asia Pacific Limited
June 3, 2025
The Sun Sets — Shigeo Nagashima, “Mr. Baseball,” the Soul of Japan, Passes Away

On the early morning of June 3, 2025, news spread across Japan that brought with it a shock and a deep sense of loss.

By Honourway Asia Pacific Limited
May 4, 2025
The “Monster” Unleashes the Soul of a Champion — A Historic Night in Las Vegas

Las Vegas — the holy land of boxing. Under the bright lights of the T-Mobile Arena, one man stood in the ring: Naoya “The Monster” Inoue, the undisputed world super bantamweight champion.

By Honourway Asia Pacific Limited
April 13, 2025
The Door to the Future Opens: The Osaka Expo Finally Begins

On April 13, 2025, amid global anticipation and excitement, the Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan opened its doors—launching a 184-day journey into the future.

By Honourway Asia Pacific Limited
April 3, 2025
Nintendo Switch 2: The Full Picture of Its Strategy

Since its release in 2017, the Nintendo Switch has sold over 146 million units worldwide, securing its place in gaming history.

By
February 28, 2025
Shohei Ohtani, A New Chapter Begins: Arizona Awash in Dodger Blue

Glendale, Arizona. In February 2025, Camelback Ranch, a baseball complex spread across the dry desert, became the epicenter of the global sports scene.

By Honourway Asia Pacific Limited
January 21, 2025
An Icon Enshrined: Ichiro Enters the U.S. Baseball Hall of Fame

On January 21, 2025 (Japan time: January 22), baseball history was made. Ichiro Suzuki (51), who starred for the Seattle Mariners and other teams, was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility. He is the first Japanese player ever to receive this honor, and the first player from Asia to enter Cooperstown.

By Honourway Asia Pacific Limited
January 5, 2025
Toyosu’s First Auction: A ¥200 Million Tuna Reflects Today’s Japan

In the early hours of January 5, 2025, just after 5:00 a.m., while pre-dawn stillness held sway over Tokyo, the Toyosu Market—one of the world’s largest seafood markets—was charged with its once-a-year electricity.

By Honourway Asia Pacific Limited
January 5, 2025
SHOGUN Conquers the World: Four Golden Globes Usher in a New Era

On January 5, 2025, the 82nd Golden Globe Awards marked a groundbreaking night in both Japanese entertainment and global television history.

By Honourway Asia Pacific Limited
January 23, 2024
Last Time, It Was Ichiro—Why Ohtani Is Indispensable for Japan to Regain the WBC Title

For Japan’s professional baseball, 2022 marked a year when stadiums lifted capacity limitations and moves to exit the COVID pandemic finally began rolling in full swing.

By Yasushi Washida
January 2, 2024
The Worldly Reason the Angels May Offer Ohtani the Highest-Ever $600 Million Deal

On July 27, the Los Angeles Angels announced they will not trade Shohei Ohtani, 29, during the season.

By Noboru Kijima
November 29, 2023
“It Felt Like a Failure,” Losing Sleep, Shedding Tears: Interview with Makoto Shinkai (#2)

Director Makoto ShInkai talked about the reception in the U.S. and why COVID-19 is not directly depicted in “Suzume,” set in 2023.

By Yusuke Hirata
November 9, 2023
Why “Suzume” Was a Blockbuster in China and South Korea: Interview with Makoto Shinkai (#1)

Released in November 2022, Makoto Shinkai’s anime movie “Suzume” drew over 11 million viewers and earned over 14.7 billion yen.

By Yusuke Hirata
November 3, 2023
A Decade-Long Wooing by Aston Martin CEO Whitmarsh Brings Honda Back to F1

On May 24, Honda announced its return to the F1 World Championship from the 2026 season through a power unit (PU) supplier agreement with Aston Martin, based on new engine regulations.

By Masahiro Owari
October 30, 2023
Why the Nets Is Eyeing the Japanese Market: “Brooklyn Could Become Watanabe’s Home”

The key figures of Japan's national basketball team got together in New York City, dubbed the “capital of the world.”

By Daisuke Sugiura
October 27, 2023
World Cup Qatar: Why Foreigners in Samurai Blue Jerseys Are Rooting for Japan

While covering the latest World Cup, there was something that struck my attention.

By Masaki Asada
October 25, 2023
“Koji Speaks with His Face Instead of Words”: Cannes Laud the Overlooked Aspect of His Acting

On May 28, Koji Yakusho, 67, won the Best Actor Award at the Cannes, one of the “Big Three” international film festivals.

By Ayako Ishizu
October 23, 2023
How Japanese Rugby Overcame Adversities and Became “One Team”

At the 2019 World Cup, Japanese Rugby succeeded in both building audiences and national team performance.

By Masato Tsuchida
December 12, 2022
Young South Koreans Flock to Kyoto-like Theme Park

The South Korean government declared it will coexist with COVID-19 on November 1, last year.

By No Minha
November 29, 2022
Parasite, BTS, and Netflix Big Hit Squid Game: a Look into the K-Wave Phenomenon

People in deep debt compete in deadly games to reverse their lives—the viral South Korean TV series Squid Game is based on the entertainment world’s recurring theme, the survival game.

By Sumire Ishigaki
November 1, 2022
Must-See: Ingenious Flood Measures of Kochi Castle

If one were to describe the tenshu (the castle tower) of Himeji Castle as "graceful" and that of Matsue Castle as "magnificent," the word "dynamic" is perfect for that of Kochi Castle.

By Sachiko Hagiwara
October 14, 2022
How the NBA Captivated Japan

The connection between the NBA, which celebrated its 75th anniversary last season, and Japan goes far back. It started in the league’s second season.

By Yoko Miyaji
August 25, 2022
My “Fukushima Peach Delicious Project” at the Olympics Press Room

The U.S. softball coach Ken Eriksen's comments on how good the Fukushima peaches were and how he had six of them, following the team’s game in Fukushima Prefecture, had garnered a lot of attention.

By Ayako Oikawa
August 8, 2022
Honda F1 Boss Yamamoto Says He “Gave It His All” as He Sets His Eyes on New Challenge

It was reported that Honda Formula 1 Managing Director Masashi Yamamoto will leave Honda at the end of January 2022.

By Masahiro Owari
August 3, 2022
Verstappen Hails Japanese Collectivism That Led Honda to Triumph

With Honda winning its first F1 title in 30 years, new light is shed on the Japanese corporate culture and mentality, quite different from those in the West.

By Masahiro Owari
July 21, 2022
Established Hatcho Miso Brewers Uphold Aesthetics Despite Exclusion from Trademark Right

There are two miso brewers in Okazaki City, Aichi Prefecture, which have the oldest history in Japan.

By Keita Kato
May 19, 2022
How Ayumu Hirano Replaced Shaun White to Reach the Gold Medal in Halfpipe

I recall what Ayumu Hirano said eight years ago, when he won the silver at his first Olympic Games in Sochi.

By Keigo Amemiya
May 9, 2022
Chinami Yoshida: The Determination Behind the Shining Smile in Curling at Beijing Olympics

On February 20, 2022, at the women’s curling finals, Japan’s Loco Solare lost at a score of 3-10 against Great Britain, and took home the silver medal from the Beijing Olympics.

By Takaomi Matsubara
April 25, 2022
Riding Through the Pandemic—Searching New Forms of Entertainment

Interview with Katsura Sunshine.

By WORLD INSIGHT Editorial Desk
April 19, 2022
The Universal Language of Laughter—Rakugo on World Stage

Interview with Katsura Sunshine.

By WORLD INSIGHT Editorial Desk
April 13, 2022
Challenging Japan’s Traditional Performing Arts—Breaking Through Old Customs

Interview with Katsura Sunshine.

By WORLD INSIGHT Editorial Desk
April 7, 2022
How a Canadian Became Japan’s Traditional Storyteller: Interview with Katsura Sunshine

Rakugo is the art of Japanese comic storytelling with 400 years of tradition.

By WORLD INSIGHT Editorial Desk
March 29, 2022
Rui Hachimura’s Long Absence for Personal Reasons: “Natural for Him to Be Quiet About It”

After a long absence from the start of the season, Rui Hachimura returned to the Washington Wizards roster on January 9 in the game against the Orlando Magic.

By Daisuke Sugiura
March 7, 2022
Grand Slam Career-High at 29: Why Late-Bloomer Taro Daniel Admires Federer

We often see cases of late-bloomers in Japanese tennis players.

By Naomi Yamaguchi
January 28, 2022
Mainstream Handicraft: Interview with Matsumoto Mingei Kagu Managing Director Mototami Ikeda

Muneyoshi (Soetsu) Yanagi and others advocated the Mingei (folk-arts) movement during the early 20th century.

By Etsuko Motokawa
January 18, 2022
Japan’s One-in-a-Hundred Female Pilot in the Air, Rugby Referee on the Ground

“I completely agree with her view,” said Richie McCaw, the legendary player of the rugby kingdom New Zealand, or rather, world rugby.

By Nobuhiko Otomo
December 15, 2021
Agonized Absolute Champ Kunieda Finds Answer with Federer’s Advice

“I want the people in Japan to watch the high-level games. With many interesting players in the world, I hope there will be more wheelchair tennis fans,” said Kunieda, when asked about his goal at the Tokyo Paralympics, due to start in several days.

By Akatsuki Uchida
November 29, 2021
Some Telling Quotes on Shohei Otani’s 2021 Batting Performance

As part of the series featuring quotes on top athletes from the “Sports Graphic Number” magazine and “Number Web,” we have selected three quotes commenting on “Shohei Otani as a batter in 2021.”

By Number Web Editorial Desk
November 5, 2021
Young Japanese Player Challenges the Unsung World of India’s Pro Kabaddi

Tetsuro Abe (23), candidate for kabaddi Japan national team, will play in the Season 8 of India’s Pro Kabaddi League (PKL).

By Takaya Hirano
September 24, 2021
Foreign Journalists Speak Their Minds as Tokyo Olympics End

With Tokyo Olympics now ended, we asked the foreign journalists and photographers covering the event how they really thought.

By Naka Kondo
September 10, 2021
Tokyo Olympics and the Mysterious City in the Eyes of British Media Reporters

With Team Japan winning the most medals in its history, How will the foreign journalists look back on this summer in Tokyo where various factors intertwined?

By Satoshi Takehana
August 31, 2021
Stay-at-Home Dad Backs up Female Head Coach of Brazilian Men’s Judo: Interview with Yuko Fujii #1

In June 2018, the news of Yuko Fujii (then 35) becoming the judo head coach of Brazil’s men’s team shocked the sports world across the globe.

By Hiroaki Sawada
August 31, 2021
From Coffee to Cosmetics. Burgeoning “New Premium Market” in China.

The Chinese consumer market in 2020 was hit hard by negative growth due to the impact of the spread of the new coronavirus infection at the beginning of the year.

By Yutaka Go
August 31, 2021
Married After Dating Zero-Days, She Became Pregnant While Coaching the Brazilian National Judo Team ― Interview with Yuko Fujii and Her Husband #2

Yuko is a native of Obu City, Aichi Prefecture in Japan. She had been coaching the British Women’s National Judo Team in the U.K. since 2010, working day and night to achieve good results at the 2012 London Olympics.

By Hiroaki Sawada
August 31, 2021
Female Judoka from a Slum Becomes a Gold Medalist: Head Coach Yuko Fujii in Brazil Presents a New Form of Husband and Wife #3

With five months to go until the Tokyo Olympics, a Japanese woman, Yuko Fujii, leads the Brazilian men's judo team.

By Hiroaki Sawada