News On Japan

Why Do Japanese Games Handle Trans Characters so Differently?

Jun 30 (Moon Channel) - If you play a lot of Japanese games, or consume Japanese media, you might notice that there is quite an abundance of gender non-conforming, crossdressing, and trans characters... but not very many gay or lesbian characters, by comparison.

In the West, T acceptance has been much slower than LGB acceptance, but in the East, this trend is largely the opposite. Why is that? And what does this have to do with video games? In this Pride Month special, we'll be looking at the history and development of characters like Birdo and Bridget to see what we can learn about cultural differences in the area of gender studies.

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Japan's northern Akita Prefecture experienced a torrential deluge Friday, causing major flooding and the collapse of a bridge in Kamikoani Village.

Theft of air conditioner outdoor units has surged as Japan's heatwave continues, leaving some businesses unable to run critical cooling systems.

As power harassment allegations against the governor of Hyogo Prefecture continue to swirl, it has been revealed that another prefectural employee has passed away, with the prefecture delaying a formal announcement of the death by 3 months.

Osaka has topped the 'Japan Urban Power Rankings' for the fourth consecutive year. Conducted by Mori Building's think tank, the ranking evaluates 136 cities across Japan in six categories, including economy, culture, and environment.

Japan's total population stood at 124.88 million as of January 1 this year, a decrease of over 530,000 from the previous year, further accelerating the trend of a declining birthrate and aging population.

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The Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department is facing a decline in the number of applicants, leading to concerns about future recruitment. In an effort to showcase the appeal of the profession, the department held a training event for students, featuring demonstrations by special police units.

A 'biting dolphin' has reappeared at a Fukui Prefecture beach this year, injuring a junior high school student. Cameras captured footage of the dolphin swimming in the same waters.

Osaka private school organizations have requested the Osaka Prefectural Government to publicize the existing system that allows students to receive special education programs for an additional fee, despite the ongoing initiative to make high school tuition free.

Japan's territory today is divided into 47 areas called prefectures. This system was established in 1868 to replace the old provinces which had actually been in use since the year 600. (General Knowledge)

A 43-year-old American male, who has been teaching English at elementary and junior high schools in Kanagawa Prefecture for 18 years, is voicing his struggles with living expenses.

The 'Hajimete Challenge' service is gaining popularity for helping children complete their first errands. The service, provided by Tokyo-based video production company WAGAKOTO, includes filming and editing the errand experience, which is then sent to parents.

Japanese swords, also known as 'katanas,' areĀ samurai sword made in Japan. Many sword collectors highly regard katanas for their sharpness, durability, and rich history. That's why a real katana can cost as much as $200,000.

As Japan comes under a wave of strict new laws decreed by Shogun Tokugawa Tsunayoshi, the tension is set to burst when a group of 47 Ronin carry out a now legendary attack against a rival government official, eventually coming to be known as the Ako Incident. (The Shogunate)