Features
From 'latte makeup' to 'girl dinners,' TikTok has launched tons of trends. Will its influence last?
TikTok and its bite-sized videos arrived in the United States as a global version of the Chinese app Douyin. Less than six years later, the social media platform is deeply woven into the fabric of American consumerism, having shortened the shelf life of trends and revamped how people engage with… Read
UK’s new PM has chance to reset ties with White House – but a range of thorny issues and U.S. election make it tricky
The new British prime minister, Keir Starmer, this week faces his first test on the global stage. Having presided over a landslide victory for his party on July 4, Starmer will head to Washington, D.C., for a crucial NATO summit starting Tuesday. Days later he will host over 50 European leaders for… Read
Why are all measures being taken to reverse Japan's falling birthrate failing?
Japan ages and ages, its birthrate falls and falls, no end in sight. What next? No one knows. Population shrinkage on this scale, in all historical precedents, came from war, famine or plague. In peace, abundance and health people made babies. It was life, it was natural. No longer. Consider the… Read
Fender Flagship Tokyo releases Hokusai art-inspired guitar series for first anniversary
On June 11, Fender Flagship Tokyo started reservations for Made in Japan Art Canvas Hokusai, a collection of three electric guitars with designs inspired by Japanese artist Katsushika Hokusai (1760-1849). Hokusai is best known for his ukiyo-e style woodblock prints of various views of Mount Fuji throughout different times and seasons.… Read
Pizza Hut Japan now sells…grilled cheese ramen
Pizza Hut is famous for selling pizzas, but here in Japan, the chain has been thinking outside the box, recently adding new items like burgers to its menu. Just when we thought things couldn’t get any crazier, we heard whispers of another surprising addition to the menu, and this one has flown… Read
Get a unique aerial view of Furano with hot air balloon rides
When you’re visiting the beautiful landscapes of Hokkaido, you should definitely consider taking a hot air balloon ride in the picturesque town of Furano. It’s a fantastic way to see the area from a different perspective and appreciate its natural beauty. Whether soaring in the summer amidst lush greens or drifting in the… Read
Are plant-based burgers really bad for your heart? Here’s what’s behind the scary headlines
We’re hearing a lot about ultra-processed foods and the health effects of eating too many. And we know plant-based foods are popular for health or other reasons. So it’s not surprising new research including the health effects of ultra-processed, plant-based foods is going to attract global attention. And the headlines can be scary if that research… Read
Persistent heat wave in U.S. expected to shatter new records as it bakes West and swelters in East
A long-running heat wave that has already shattered previous records across the U.S. will persist, baking parts of the West with dangerous temperatures that will soar into the 100s and holding the East in its hot and humid grip throughout the week, forecasters said Sunday. An excessive heat warning —… Read
Make room on your grill for smoky charred eggplant
Summer grilling tends to focus on meat, but vegetables also get great flavor from a stint over hot coals. So move the burgers and hot dogs to the side and make room on your grill for smoky, tender eggplant. In this recipe from our cookbook “ Milk Street 365: The… Read
Edamame lovers: Take part in World Edamame Speed-Eating Championship preliminaries in Tokyo
While some people delight in gastronomic pursuits such as speed-eating, others take their time finishing the largest possible portion of a dish to perfection. No matter which of those camps you fall into, the upcoming Niigata Edamame-Mori Festival in Tokyo will have something for everyone–as long as you’re a fan of the immature soybeans, of… Read
