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Tag - manners

 
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July 24, 2026
 

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MANNERS

Japanese fans hold up their blue plastic bags before the start of the Group F match against Tunisia at the 2026 World Cup in Monterrey, Mexico, on June 20.
COMMENTARY / World
Jun 28, 2026
The spotless World Cup stadium and the ¡®unseen sink¡¯
OECD data place Japanese men among the least domestically active in the developed world.
Tourists take photographs of Japanese macaques, commonly referred to as "snow monkeys," taking an open-air hot spring bath at the Jigokudani Monkey Park in the town of Yamanouchi, Nagano Prefecture, in February last year.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø
Jun 27, 2026
Japan ¡®snow monkey¡¯ park to cap visitors after overcrowding and bad behavior
As the number of tourists snowballed, so did instances of bad behavior, such as trying to feed or touch the monkeys.
In Tokyo and other major Japanese cities, <i>aruki-sumaho</i> ¡ª walking while using a smartphone ¡ª has become a persistent safety concern as commuters navigate crowded stations and sidewalks while focused on their devices.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Society / First person
Jun 21, 2026
Distracted walkers in Japan are a real safety risk. My mother knows firsthand.
Despite years of awareness campaigns, aruki-sumaho ¡ª walking while using a smartphone ¡ª remains widespread and difficult to stop.
A "customer harassment" prevention awareness poster at the entrance of an Aoki Super supermarket in Aichi Prefecture
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Society / Regional Voices: Chubu
Jun 15, 2026
¡®Customer harassment¡¯ continues in Japan despite moves to end it
While ordinances have been helping many businesses across the nation to combat ¡°customer harassment,¡± they haven¡¯t been a silver bullet for such abuse.
The Chinese embassy in Tokyo in November
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Society
Mar 4, 2026
Chinese Embassy in Japan issues warning against ¡®bumpers¡¯ after viral video
The call for vigilance comes as Tokyo was pushing back against Beijing¡¯s claims that Japan¡¯s safety environment is deteriorating.
A litter prevention warden draws circles around feces using yellow chalk at Kaiseizan Park in Koriyama, Fukushima Prefecture, on Dec. 5.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Society / Regional Voices: Tohoku
Jan 19, 2026
A Fukushima city launches Operation Yellow Chalk to battle dog fouling
The Koriyama Municipal Government hopes to prompt dog owners to voluntarily pick up dog feces and raise awareness of manners.
The Amtrak Cascades line provides service along the Pacific Northwest from Vancouver, British Columbia, to Eugene, Oregon.
COMMUNITY / Voices / FOREIGN AGENDA
Jan 19, 2026
Shinkansen vs. Amtrak and the lost art of small talk
After years steeped in the sacred silence of the shinkansen, a Japan Times staffer returns stateside and gets his sea legs with small talk aboard Amtrak.
The Justice Ministry is assessing the impact of tougher penalties for the crime of insult.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Crime & Legal
Nov 10, 2025
Japan assessing impact of tougher penalties for insults
The Justice Ministry is assessing through an expert panel the impact of tougher penalties for the crime of insult three years after their enforcement through a penal code revision.
A boy looks at samples of Pokemon toys available with the McDonald's Happy Meal set in Tokyo earlier this month.
LIFE / Language / BILINGUAL
Aug 28, 2025
How to complain politely: Lessons from the McDonald¡¯s Pokemon debacle
In Japan, the right phrasing can mean the difference between a request and harassment.
Though Kyotoites play down their reputation for not meaning what they say, there are certain phrases you should look out for if you¡¯re invited to a home.
LIFE / Language / BILINGUAL
Jun 20, 2025
How to get kicked out of a Kyoto home with a smile
In Kyoto, a polite offer of tea might really mean ¡°please leave.¡± Learn how to decode Kansai¡¯s indirect dialect through a few phrases.
FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem ahead of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on April 20
MORE SPORTS / Auto Racing
Apr 29, 2025
FIA president considering ¡®improvements¡¯ to swearing rules
Competitors in rallying and Formula One have been at loggerheads with the Emirati over a crackdown on bad language during events.
The Great Wall of China near Beijing. Two Japanese tourists were detained in China for taking photos showing exposed buttocks at the World Heritage site.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø
Mar 14, 2025
China deports Japanese tourists over Great Wall buttocks pic, reports state
The tourists reportedly told the Japanese embassy they did it as a prank.
Tokyo¡¯s notoriously crowded trains and train stations can be stressful for many. Unfortunately, the ¤Ö¤Ä¤«¤êÄÐ (butsukari otoko, bumping man) takes his stress out on others through shoving, elbowing and shoulder checks.
LIFE / Language / BILINGUAL
Jan 31, 2025
Mind the gap ¡ª and the shoulder checking: Dealing with pushy people in Japan¡¯s crowded spaces
Knowing what to say in the moment is good, knowing how to report it to the authorities is even better.
Kumiko Shichijo provides tips on Japanese etiquette and manners on Instagram and says videos on gift-giving and hand towels have done particularly well.
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / 20 QUESTIONS
Nov 29, 2024
Kumiko Shichijo: ¡®Living abroad helped me appreciate Japanese etiquette¡¯
Worried about committing a social faux pas while in Japan? This manners expert hopes to help you be your most polite while out and about.
With Labor Thanksgiving Day approaching in Japan, it's a good time to show some appreciation to your colleagues.
LIFE / Language / BILINGUAL
Nov 20, 2024
You don¡¯t need an onion bouquet to say thanks ¡ª just the right words
Nov. 23 is Labor Thanksgiving Day in Japan and Nov. 28 is Thanksgiving in the United States. That makes it a good time to learn how to show your appreciation.
Max Verstappen described his recent punishment for swearing during a news conference as "silly."
SPORTS
Sep 23, 2024
Red Bull¡¯s Max Verstappen says ¡®silly¡¯ swearing penalty could hasten F1 exit
The Red Bull driver was sanctioned by the FIA after swearing during Thursday¡¯s drivers¡¯ news conference, which was being broadcast live.
Red Bull's Max Verstappen speaks during a news conference in Singapore on Thursday.
MORE SPORTS / Auto Racing
Sep 20, 2024
Max Verstappen riled up by call for F1 drivers to swear less
Mercedes¡¯s seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton took issue with the FIA¡¯s comparison to rappers, saying there was a ¡°racial element¡± at play.
A new rule of having prison officers use honorifics when addressing inmates sparked apprehension when it was introduced in April. Three months later, a prison officer said the rule helps avoid situations where older inmates might not feel comfortable being called by their names without honorifics by officers fresh out of school.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Crime & Legal
Jul 15, 2024
Prison officers and inmates warm up to rule on use of honorifics
Since April, a new rule requires prison officers to use the honorifics san and kun when addressing inmates by their last names.
As the world marks World No Tobacco Day on Friday, debate is growing over passive smoking in one crucial space that remains unregulated: private homes.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Science & Health
May 30, 2024
In Japan, neighborly debates light up over secondhand smoke
Passive smoking has become a concern because many people live in multiunit apartment buildings or small houses with little space between them.
The Japanese word "hanami," literally means ¡°flower viewing.¡± But, a hanami gathering is more than that: It can be a picnic, a drinking party or an occasion to read poetry.
LIFE / Language / BILINGUAL
Mar 15, 2024
We invite you to get ready for this year¡¯s cherry blossom parties
Asking people to a party is made easy in Japanese with a few basic sentence structures. Taking your leave from a party is just as simple.
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&#039;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&#039;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&#039;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&#039; 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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