Japan petition urges "Barbenheimer" hashtag ban over A-bomb memes

Aug 04 (Kyodo) - Young activists in Japan have launched a petition urging the distributors of hit movies "Barbie" and "Oppenheimer" to disavow the "Barbenheimer" hashtag referring to both films online amid controversy over memes involving atomic bomb images.

The campaign has garnered more than 17,000 signatures since its launch on Tuesday amid a backlash in Japan after a social media account of the Barbie Movie from Warner Bros Film Group engaged positively with fan posts, including images of Barbie with a mushroom cloud hairstyle.

Audiences in the United States and elsewhere have flocked to see both Barbie, a satirical comedy, and Oppenheimer, a biographical film from Universal Pictures about physicist Robert Oppenheimer who led the project to make atomic bombs, in an unlikely "Barbenheimer" double bill inspired by their simultaneous release on July 21. ...continue reading

Student's Homemade Bomb Sparks School Lockdown in Sapporo

A suspicious object feared to be explosive was discovered at a high school in Sapporo on the afternoon of November 22nd, causing temporary chaos. The object was found to have been brought to the school by one of its students.

China to resume visa-exemptions for short-term Japanese travelers

China says it will resume allowing visa-free visits by Japanese nationals on short-term trips from the end of this month. (NHK)

Japan Grapples with Poverty and Rising 'Invisible Homeless'

Japan is facing a deepening crisis of poverty and inequality, with rising reports of 'invisible homeless' individuals and growing economic hardships among the population. Discussions over reforms to the country's tax and welfare systems have taken center stage, as policymakers grapple with how to provide meaningful support.

Ueno Toshogu Shrine Shines in Gold with Special Lighting

A special lighting ceremony was held on November 20th at Ueno Toshogu Shrine, located in Ueno Park, Taito Ward, Tokyo. The event featured a unique lighting design created by renowned lighting designer Motoko Ishii.

World's First Fiber Made From Bagworm Silk Revolutionizes Industry

A Japanese pharmaceutical company has announced the successful commercialization of fiber made from silk produced by bagworms.

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Elon Musk Highlights Japanese 'Wabi-Sabi' in Social Media Post

Elon Musk, the incoming head of the newly established Efficiency Ministry under President-elect Trump, has vowed to reduce $500 billion in government waste annually. Musk, known for his admiration of Japanese culture, sparked speculation on October 21st with a social media post simply stating "Wabi-Sabi" in Japanese, prompting questions about his intentions.

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Trump's Victory: The End of Traditional Media in America?

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Hyogo Governor Secures Re-Election

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