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July 24, 2026
 

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FILM FESTIVALS

¡°Fujiko¡± stars Yuki Katayama (left) as a scrappy single mother who fights for her autonomy in 1970s and ¡¯80s Japan.
CULTURE / Film
Jun 5, 2026
¡®Fujiko¡¯ transforms a mother¡¯s resilience into festival gold
Fresh off a major festival win and new international distribution deals, Taichi Kimura reflects on the deeply personal project that honors his mother¡¯s perseverance.
Tao Okamoto (left) and Virginie Efira (right) shared the Cannes Film Festival¡¯s best actress honor for their roles in Ryusuke Hamaguchi¡¯s ¡°All of a Sudden,¡± a coproduction between Japan, France, Belgium and Germany.
CULTURE / Film
Jun 4, 2026
Japan¡¯s Cannes moment signals a new global push
Tao Okamoto made history at Cannes, while Japanese filmmakers and producers looked ahead, embracing collaboration as the future of the industry.
Japan's Tao Okamoto and Belgium's Virginie Efira, co-winners of the best actress award for their roles in the film "All of a Sudden," celebrate during the closing ceremony of the 79th Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France, on Saturday.
CULTURE / Film
May 24, 2026
In first for Japanese, Tao Okamoto shares Best Actress award at Cannes
Okamoto shared the honor with Belgium¡¯s Virginie Efira for their roles in the drama ¡°All of a Sudden¡± by Japanese director Ryusuke Hamaguchi.
A couple (played by Haruka Ayase, right, and the mononymous Daigo) struggling to come to terms with the death of their son welcome a humanoid (Rimu Kuwaki, center) modeled after their child in ¡°Sheep in the Box.¡±
CULTURE / Film
May 21, 2026
Hirokazu Kore-eda says human imagination still matters in the age of AI
The director¡¯s new film is a meditation on grief, humanoids and creativity at a time when AI is reshaping the film industry.
"Nagi Notes" director Koji Fukada attends a press conference at the 79th edition of the Cannes Film Festival.
CULTURE / Entertainment news
May 15, 2026
At Cannes, director Koji Fukada says AI undermines the creative process
Speaking at Cannes, the ¡°Nagi Notes¡± director warned that AI-generated art may come at the expense of human expression and discovery.
Director Hirokazu Kore-eda's ¡°Sheep in the Box" is up for a Palme d¡¯Or at this year's Cannes Film Festival. Films by Ryusuke Hamaguchi and Koji Fukada are also in the running for the festival's top prize.
CULTURE / Entertainment news
Apr 14, 2026
Three Japanese directors vie for top prize at Cannes, a first since 2001
Hirokazu Kore-eda, Ryusuke Hamaguchi and Koji Fukada bring a strong Japanese presence to the Cannes Film Festival¡¯s competition section this year.
South Korean director Sasha Lee¡¯s surreal film ¡°The Popstar Water Deer and I¡± received the mid-length grand prize at this year¡¯s Niigata International Animation Film Festival.
CULTURE / Film
Mar 5, 2026
Reeling from loss, Niigata¡¯s animation festival refuses to fold
After losing key organizers and the death of its founder, the festival wasn¡¯t sure it could go on. Instead of going dark, however, NIAFF rebuilt from scratch.
Director Yoshitoshi Shinomiya (left) and cast members Riku Hagiwara and Miyu Irino attend a press conference to promote the movie "A New Dawn" at the 76th Berlinale International Film Festival in Berlin on Feb. 18.
CULTURE / Film
Feb 24, 2026
Yoshitoshi Shinomiya emerges as anime¡¯s new auteur with ¡®A New Dawn¡¯ in Berlin
A handcrafted debut blends tradition, reinvention and ecological urgency on the international stage.
The Golden Bear nomination for "A New Dawn" marks the first time in three years that a Japanese film has been selected to compete for the Berlin International Film Festival¡¯s top prize.
CULTURE / Entertainment news
Jan 22, 2026
Japanese anime ¡®A New Dawn¡¯ nominated for Berlin film festival¡¯s top honor
Yoshitoshi Shinomiya¡¯s debut feature is competing for the Berlin International Film Festival¡¯s Golden Bear as Japan¡¯s first contender for the top prize in three years.
Aichi Nagoya International Animation Film Festival director Shinichiro Inoue (left) and artistic director Tadashi Sudo (right) started the new event in Nagoya in part due to local government support and Aichi Prefecture¡¯s ongoing investment in arts and culture.
CULTURE / Film
Dec 3, 2025
A new animation festival lands in Nagoya with big plans
The Aichi Nagoya International Animation Film Festival will feature screenings, chat shows and storytelling.
While Fan Bingbing brings emotional energy to the lead role in Chong Keat Aun¡¯s ¡°Mother Bhumi,¡± the film¡¯s narrative layers don¡¯t coalesce in a satisfying way and ultimately leave the viewer adrift.
CULTURE / Film
Nov 14, 2025
At TIFF, East Asia¡¯s veteran stars tread new territory with mixed results
Fan Bingbing, Zhang Ziyi and Takeshi Kaneshiro stepped into their darkest roles yet ¡ª but the stories didn¡¯t rise to meet them.
The award winners from this year's Tokyo International Film Festival pose for a photo at the closing ceremony on Wednesday.
CULTURE / Entertainment news
Nov 7, 2025
¡®Palestine 36¡¯ wins top honor as TIFF wraps a 10-day celebration of cinema
The Tokyo International Film Festival closed its 38th edition with a screening of Chloe Zhao¡¯s ¡°Hamnet.¡±
Pen-ek Ratanaruang's "Morte Cucina," starring Bella Boonsang, is a food film par excellence.
CULTURE / Film
Nov 6, 2025
Asian auteurs stole the show at this year¡¯s TIFF
Zhang Lu and Pen-ek Ratanaruang delivered standout entries at this year¡¯s Tokyo International Film Festival.
Made at a time when Japan was still grappling with Yukio Mishima¡¯s legacy, Paul Schrader¡¯s biopic ¡°Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters¡± was blocked from screening in the country for decades.
CULTURE / Film
Nov 6, 2025
A 40-year wait for ¡®Mishima¡¯ ends at TIFF
Paul Schrader¡¯s 1985 biopic of the radical author Yukio Mishima finds its Japanese audience at last.
¡°Mother Bhumi¡± takes place in a multiethnic rice-farming community where Chinese, Thai and Malay lineages intertwine.
CULTURE / Film
Nov 6, 2025
Across borders and screens, Tokyo film festival finds humanity in migration
Five films screened at this year¡¯s TIFF put migration and its human impact front and center.
Director Junji Sakamoto (left) walked the Tokyo International Film Festival red carpet with Sayuri Yoshinaga (center) and Non (right), who both play mountaineer Junko Tabei, the first woman to summit Mount Everest, in the biopic "Climbing for Life."
CULTURE / Entertainment news
Oct 28, 2025
Tokyo Film Festival opens with global stars and a spotlight on Asian storytelling
From Juliette Binoche¡¯s directorial debut to Paul Schrader¡¯s Mishima biopic, this year¡¯s festival celebrates cross-cultural creativity.
Chloe Zhao¡¯s "Hamnet"
CULTURE / Film
Oct 16, 2025
What you need to see at this year¡¯s Tokyo film festival
From slow cinema and satire to moving biopics and restorations of classics, the TIFF lineup has something for every cinephile.
¡°KPop Demon Hunters¡± director Maggie Kang discussed how she fused Korean folklore with K-pop spectacle at Netflix¡¯s Creative Asia event in Busan.
CULTURE / TV & Streaming
Oct 5, 2025
With Hollywood facing headwinds, Netflix looks eastward
The streamer¡¯s Creative Asia event at the Busan International Film Festival unveiled new initiatives designed to expand the region¡¯s storytelling role.
Anshul Chauhan¡¯s Japanese film ¡°Tiger¡± won the Hylife Vision Award for independent films at this year¡¯s Busan International Film Festival.
CULTURE / Film
Oct 4, 2025
Japanese films win crowds but few prizes at Busan festival
From art house cinema to commercial hits, 24 films showcased Japan¡¯s range at the 30th edition of the Busan International Film Festival.
Director Park Chan-wook and the cast of his latest film ¡°No Other Choice¡± attended the Busan International Film Festival¡¯s glittering opening ceremony where the film¡¯s lead actor, Lee Byung-hun, served as host.
CULTURE / Film
Oct 2, 2025
Revamped Busan film festival turns 30 with expanded cinematic showcase
Since its inception, BIFF has been a launchpad for Asian cinema. This year, it grew bigger and brighter with a new Competition section, 90 world premieres and high-profile guests.
Japan scientists identify clusters of protein believed to trigger Alzheimer¡¯s disease
A team of researchers said they found a ¡°seed¡± that accelerates the amyloid beta accumulation process in the brain, naming it ¡°Peak 1 amyloid beta,¡± as seen in a mouse's brain.
Indian brothers make manga debut in Japan
Two Indian brothers made their manga debut in Japan with "Kung Fu Kung Fool" ¡ª an action-comedy series that follows the adventures of a notorious thief and a young boy.
Japan weighs regulating Pokemon cards amid trading mania
A Pokemon event is held in Jakarta on July 11
Low-income families in Japan cut food and air conditioning during summer break
Yumiko Watanabe, the chairperson of nonprofit Kidsdoor, explains the results of a survey in Tokyo's Chiyoda Ward on July 1.
Iran strikes on CIA facilities prompt questions about possible Russian role
Iranian drones are displayed in an undisclosed location in Iran, in this handout image obtained on Jan. 13, 2025.U.S. officials have acknowledged that Russia has ?provided targeting ?and other support for Iran in its drone strikes on U.S. targets in the Persian Gulf region.
The sci-fi sensibilities of electronic trio Black Boboi
Black Boboi was formed in 2018 when solo artists Julia Shortreed, Utena Kobayashi and Ermhoi came together under Kobayashi¡¯s newly founded label, Bindividual.
A perfect storm: Kaze Fujii fans flock to Fuji Rock
Okayama-born singer-songwriter Kaze Fujii has carved out a distinctive place in Japanese pop since his major-label debut in 2019.
Can Japanese comedy get laughs in English? Yoshimoto Kogyo lets the jokes rip
Wes-P has millions of followers and his viral clips made him recognizable out of Japan.
The 180-day locals: Life on Japan¡¯s digital nomad visa
Christopher Flinn works remotely from Tokyo earlier this month. Japan issued 646 digital nomad visas in 2025, but tourism officials are hoping to increase that figure in the coming years, with Japan's relatively cheap cost of living and the weak yen seen as potential draws for young professionals.
Japan reveals hint of new defense spending target in fiscal blueprint
The Self-Defense Forces' Type 16 mobile combat vehicle fires during a joint live-fire drill with U.S. Marines as part of the annual Resolute Dragon exercises in Yufu, Oita Prefecture, on June 28.

Podcast

One of the many entrances to the Kabukicho neighborhood in Tokyo¡¯s Shinjuku Ward.
Kabukicho: Tokyo¡¯s ¡®stadium of desire¡¯

Longform

For many people, utility poles and power lines have become such a familiar part of Japan¡¯s landscape that they often go unnoticed.
Why Japan¡¯s utility poles won¡¯t be disappearing anytime soon
By Alex K.T. Martin

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