Learning The Lingo | Lifestyle | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
The Japanese-Language Proficiency Test for non-native speakers of Japanese was held in December 2006 in 47 countries and regions worldwide, including Japan, and roughly 437,360 people took the test.

Fast Food With A Twist | Lifestyle | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
Innovative varieties of fast food are making some of young people's favorite dishes more convenient and tasty. They include noodles that can be held and eaten with one hand and pizzas that can be consumed on the move.

A Nation Of Longevity | Lifestyle | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
Japan boasts the world's longest average lifespan, and as of July 2007 it is also home to the oldest person in the world. Minagawa Yone, who lives in Fukuoka Prefecture, was born on January 4, 1893, making her 114 years old. The oldest man in the world, meanwhile, is Miyazaki Prefecture's 111-year old Tanabe Tomoji.

Edible Gold | Lifestyle | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
Tiny letters float on your cup of coffee, reading "Happy Birthday." Bright and shiny, they almost seem to be made of gold. In fact, they are! A new form of ultra-fine pure gold that floats on drinks is now being used to enliven refreshments at parties and other events.

It’s a Wrap! | Lifestyle | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
A square cloth that came into use over 1,000 years ago is basking in the limelight as a tool to combat global warming. Called furoshiki, these cloths can be used to wrap things of any shape and have even been known to transform into purses or handbags.

Creative Juices | Lifestyle | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
A battle for ideas is heating up among bottled tea producers, who are engaged in a fierce competition to create tasty beverages that capture the public's imagination.

Vinegar Vitality | Lifestyle | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
As more and more consumers recognize the health benefits of su (rice vinegar), vinegar bars and cafes offering beverages that combine rice vinegar with ingredients like fruits and vegetables have begun to appear in Tokyo.

Delectably White | Lifestyle | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
White-colored foods are enjoying a surge of popularity this autumn. White versions of curry, tea, fish burgers, mushrooms, and many other foods and dishes feature prominently in this trend.

Daddies On Leave | Lifestyle | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
A growing number of companies are introducing paid child-care leave systems in the aim of getting their male employees to play a more active role at home.

Lucky Grab Bags | Lifestyle | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
One of the highlights of the New Year's season for many people in Japan is shopping for grab bags, known as fukubukuro, or "lucky bags." Every year major department stores and other businesses offer lucky bags to grab the attention of the public.

The Bank Of Life | Lifestyle | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
In December 2006 toy manufacturer Tomy Co. came out with a piggy bank that combines saving money with the fun of a game. As users put coins into the Jinsei Ginko, meaning "bank of life," the life of a fictional character unfolds before their eyes.

Stone Baths and Germanium Soaks | Lifestyle | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
Young and old alike, the Japanese love baths. In recent years, two new types of bath have become popular. One is a dry form of bathing known as ganban-yoku ("stone-slab bath"), and the other is a soak in hot water infused with the mineral germanium.

Make Mine Macrobiotic | Lifestyle | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
What is the secret to staying healthy? For an increasing number of Japanese people, the answer is macrobiotic food. A macrobiotic diet is a diet that emphasizes natural ingredients and is heavy on brown rice, beans, and fresh vegetables grown without artificial fertilizers.

Tofu With a Twist | Lifestyle | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
Brands of tofu with unusual names like "Handsome Tofu" and "Johnny the Tofu Maker, Blowing in the Wind" have been attracting attention on the Internet and around town, not just for their names but also for their exquisite flavor.

Working the Soil | Lifestyle | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
Young people these days are taking a new look at agriculture. Students are making efforts to bridge the gap between farmers and consumers and are playing a role in regional revitalization through their involvement in farming.

Spare Some Change? | Lifestyle | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
Appearing across Japan recently is something called the "charity vending machine," which allows users to donate their change to such good causes as environmental conservation and child welfare at the push of a button.

Sweet Bean Treats | Lifestyle | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
More and more health- and weight-conscious Japanese, and women in particular, are eschewing sweets made from sugar and flour and turning instead to delicacies made of beans, which tend to be a lot better for one's health.

Taking Jobs for a Test Drive | Lifestyle | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
Many developed countries have been grappling with a common headache - how to create decent job opportunities for young people amid rising unemployment and the spread of low-paying irregular work. Japan's approach to this problem is attracting attention around the world for its focus on matching young people with jobs that suit them.

The Tastes of Nagoya | Lifestyle | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
Nagoyan food is enjoying explosive popularity in Tokyo and other parts of Japan. Restaurants serving cuisine from Aichi Prefecture have made inroads in the capital, attracting diners with distinctively Nagoyan fare.

Teaching Old Houses New Tricks | Lifestyle | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
The old townhouses of Kyoto are attracting renewed attention. Some are being used again as homes, while others are being remodeled into inns, cafes, restaurants, and boutiques.