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Japan Today
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Japan Today
Why Japan's 2,000-year imperial family may not survive this century
By Jeff W. Richards Japan's imperial family is the world's oldest monarchy — but it's also one of the most fragile. With only three heirs, no reigning empress allowed and billions of yen in taxpayer funding at stake, the future of the throne is anything but secure. In this episode of "Japan Today Spotlight," we look at the gender rules, succession crisis and political silence surrounding Japan's imperial system and ask what role — if any — it should play in modern society. We also examine the powerful Imperial Household Agency and the extreme control it maintains over the family and its image. What do you think? Should Japan modernize its monarchy — or move on entirely? Chapters: 0:00 Topic overview 0:53 Royals' role in society 1:51 But are the royals popular? 4:17 The age gap 5:29 No empress allowed 8:30 Remembering the war 10:37 What do the royals think? 11:57 Outro Japan Today sources: See the Japan Today Spotlight series: Join the conversation! What do you think: Should Japan modernize its monarchy — or move on entirely? Let us know in the comments. Don't forget to like, subscribe and turn on notifications so you never miss an update on Japan's biggest news stories on our YouTube channel: Follow us for more updates: The views and opinions expressed in this video are those of the host and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of GPlusMedia, Inc. © Japan Today
Japan Today
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Japan Today
Why Japan's J-pop idol industry bans sex, dating and romance
By Jeff W. Richards What really goes on inside Japan's idol industry? In this episode of Japan Today Spotlight, we explore the strict no-dating and no-sex rules placed on Japan's J-pop idols — especially young women. From emotional control and punishment tactics to the rise of AI-generated performers, we take a deeper look at the power dynamics, mental health pressures and cultural double standards baked into the system. Idol culture may be a form of entertainment, but it comes with strict rules and unsettling control. From emotional control and punishment tactics to the rise of AI-generated performers, we take a deeper look at the power dynamics, mental health pressures and cultural double standards baked right into the system. Are these just industry norms — or signs of something more troubling underneath? Chapters: 0:00 Topic overview 1:21 Birth of idol singers 2:32 Dating rules and punishment 4:38 Management control methods 5:08 Mental health issues 6:02 Role in Japanese culture 7:58 Is the industry likely to change? 9:46 Outro Japan Today sources: See the Japan Today Spotlight series: Join the conversation! What do you think — are these 'no dating' rules just part of the job, or do they cross a line? Let us know in the comments. Don't forget to like, subscribe and turn on notifications so you never miss an update on Japan's biggest news stories on our YouTube channel: Follow us for more updates: The views and opinions expressed in this video are those of the host and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of GPlusMedia, Inc. © Japan Today
Japan Today
21-05-2025
- Business
- Japan Today
Japan sex industry boom: How tourism and the yen are changing everything
By Jeff W. Richards Japan's tourism boom is breaking records — but behind the crowded streets and souvenir shops, a different kind of business is thriving. Sex work targeting foreign visitors is on the rise, fueled by a weakened yen and demand from tourists seeking 'Japanese-style' experiences. In this episode of Japan Today Spotlight, we dig into the billion-yen adult industry that's quietly reshaping red-light districts, the legal gray zones that allow it to thrive and what it says about Japan's changing relationship with sex, law and tourism. From massage parlors to soaplands, how did a once-forbidden market now become wide open. This is a part of Japan's tourism story that rarely gets attention — and one that sits in a legal and cultural gray zone. What do you think: Is this a natural consequence of demand and economic shifts or something Japan should be trying harder to regulate? Watch the full story, and let us know what you think in the comments. Chapters: 0:00 Topic overview 1:10 Big business 2:14 How foreign clients are reeled in 3:49 What's the going rate? 6:27 Policing the gray zone 7:46 Outro Japan Today sources: See the Japan Today Spotlight series: Join the conversation! Is this a natural consequence of demand and economic shifts or something Japan should be trying harder to regulate? Let us know in the comments! Don't forget to like, subscribe and turn on notifications so you never miss an update on Japan's biggest news stories on our YouTube channel: Follow us for more updates: The views and opinions expressed in this video are those of the host and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of GPlusMedia, Inc. © Japan Today
Japan Today
14-05-2025
- Japan Today
End of the yakuza? Inside Japan's vanishing underworld
By Jeff W. Richards Once feared and oddly tolerated, Japan's yakuza are now in rapid decline — with membership dropping to historic lows. But what's replacing them? In this episode of Japan Today Spotlight, we trace the fall of the yakuza, from their deep historical roots to modern crackdowns, and explore how younger criminals are moving into the shadows with encrypted apps and online scams. We also look at the uncomfortable legacy they've left behind — from front companies and nationalist megaphones to the stigma against tattoos that persists in Japanese society today. Are the yakuza really finished? Or is Japan simply facing a new kind of threat? Watch the full story, and let us know what you think in the comments. Chapters: 0:00 Topic overview 1:02 Role in Japanese society 3:15 Things start to fall apart 4:59 Branching out 6:16 Looking ahead 7:34 Sunset on yakuza? 8:54 Outro Japan Today sources: Join the conversation! Do you think Japan is better off without the yakuza — or are the criminals replacing them even more dangerous? Let us know in the comments! Don't forget to like, subscribe and turn on notifications so you never miss an update on Japan's biggest news stories. Follow us for more updates: The views and opinions expressed in this video are those of the host and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of GPlusMedia, Inc. © Japan Today
Japan Today
30-04-2025
- Japan Today
Why is 'chikan' behavior still so common on Japan's trains?
By Jeff W. Richards Japan's trains are known for being clean, efficient and safe. But they're also where a darker problem plays out: chikan — public groping, mostly targeting women in packed commuter cars. In this edition of Japan Today Spotlight, we break down how the issue became so widespread, how gropers operate, what's being done to stop it and what commuters — both women and falsely accused men — need to know. We also look at why chikan behavior persists despite decades of public awareness campaigns, women-only train cars and increased policing. How can Japan finally move past this problem? Chapters: 00:00 Intro 00:45 What 'chikan' means 02:15 How gropers operate 04:30 What's being done 06:20 What women can do 08:00 Why is this happening? 09:45 What to do if you're accused 11:00 Outro Read more on Japan Today: Join the Conversation! Have you ever witnessed or experienced chikan behavior on Japan's trains? What more do you think should be done to tackle the problem? Let us know in the comments below. Don't forget to like, subscribe and turn on notifications so you never miss an update on Japan's biggest news stories on the Japan Today YouTube channel. Follow us for more updates: The views and opinions expressed in this video are those of the host and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of GPlusMedia, Inc. © Japan Today
