Masked Masses | Lifestyle | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
Close Decori-Mask Face Mask. ©Kawamoto Corporation

Keeping Sharp | Science and Technology | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
Recently, an increasing number of local governments and private-sector organizations have taken measures to encourage mental exercise as a means of preventing the onset of dementia.

Saying Yes to Yoga | Sports | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
Yoga, which eases fatigue and is useful for maintaining physical and mental health, is enjoying renewed popularity in Japan, particularly among young women. Yoga studios are cropping up all over the country, and manufacturers specializing in yoga attire have emerged. According to the Dai-ichi Life Research Institute Inc., the number of yoga enthusiasts in Japan is now over 200,000.

Air-Conditioned Clothes | Science and Technology | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
Cool Biz is the title of a government campaign to persuade office workers to dispense with their ties and jackets as an environmentally friendly way of staying cool. And now an innovation called kuchofuku (air-conditioned clothing) is taking the concept one step further.

Back to Basics | Science and Technology | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
Modern cell phones are a lot more than just phones. In addition to voice calls, they can be used to send e-mail, take photos and videos, navigate the Internet, and even conduct bank transactions. But not everyone is impressed with such a plethora of functions.

Bright Young Things | Fashion | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
A family of brands known for their cute, trendy children's clothes has captured the hearts of many Japanese girls. The brands are the products of Narumiya International and are not limited to clothes, but include stationery, accessories, and cosmetics designed for youngsters. This wide range of products has attracted the attention of legions of girls.

A New Fountain of Youth | Fashion | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
Used as anti-aging ingredients in various health and beauty products, coenzymes - and one in particular, known as Coenzyme Q10 - are fueling brisk sales of products from health foods to cosmetics.

Something For Nothing | Business and Economy | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
Free newspapers and magazines have rapidly evolved into one of the most exciting subsectors of the publishing industry, with the annual circulation of free publications currently standing at more than 200 million.

All Part of the Service | Business and Economy | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
A growing number of taxi operators in provincial areas of Japan have introduced innovative services to attract passengers.

Healthy Holidays | Business and Economy | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
In a further reflection of consumers' growing inclination to choose products that are good for their health, travel packages that combine medical checkups or treatment with fun and relaxing activities are enjoying a steady growth in popularity.

Leisurely Lunches | Business and Economy | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
Neo Yatai Mura, or "villages of neo food stalls," consist of clusters of around a half dozen colorfully decorated food stalls parked in open spaces in office districts, where lunch-goers can relax in alfresco surroundings.

Is it a Phone? Is it an Octopus? | Arts and Entertainment | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
As mobile phones become an indispensable part of life for many people, they have developed into personalized fashion items as well. Some users customize their phones by decorating them with stickers or covers of their choosing, and these covers have evolved to take on many forms.

Local Festivals Go National | Arts and Entertainment | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
Recently festivals rich in local color are being held not only in their regions of origin but in localities all across Japan.

Small Pet Animals - What's Cool in Japan - Archives - Kids Web Japan - Web Japan
Recently, more and more people are adopting small animals, which are relatively easy to care for, as pets. Particularly popular with kids are hamsters and ferrets.

Birthday Teddy - What's Cool in Japan - Archives - Kids Web Japan - Web Japan
Like girls anywhere in the world, Japanese girls love chocolate. If a free prize is attached to the chocolate that captures their hearts, it's only natural that its popularity would go through the roof.

Good Luck Charms - What's Cool in Japan - Archives - Kids Web Japan - Web Japan
An ornament of a cat with a forepaw raised, a crystal figure in the shape of an owl, an earpick with a little, red Buddhist daruma doll attached--what do these things have in common? They're all good luck charms that Japanese kids want to have as they prepare for school entrance examinations.

Pinkback Buttons - What's Cool in Japan - Archives - Kids Web Japan - Web Japan
Recently a lot of kids at school and about town seem to be wearing pinback buttons. Some attach them to their bags or caps, others to their T-shirts, and some even wear them on their jeans. There is an amazing variety of designs, from simple text to manga (Japanese cartoon) characters, abstract pictures, and photos of themselves or their pets. Pins up to about 5 centimeters (2 inches) wide are available, but the most popular size is around 3 centimeters (1.2 inches).

Local Action Heroes - What's Cool in Japan - Archives - Kids Web Japan - Web Japan
Action heroes that are active in a specific region are popping up across Japan. One example is the Suginami Sentai Irenja (Suginami Task Force Rangers) of Tokyo's Suginami Ward, the members of which are clad in red, blue, yellow, green, and pink suits. The mission of these heroes is to encourage people to conserve resources by using their own shopping bags instead of the plastic bags given out at supermarkets and convenience stores.

Sudoku - What's Cool in Japan - Archives - Kids Web Japan - Web Japan
People in Europe and the United States are going wild over a number puzzle called sudoku, which evolved into its present form in Japan. Sudoku's popularity in Japan was limited to a small group of devotees, but in the autumn of 2004 it suddenly burst onto the scene in puzzle-loving Britain. The sudoku boom has now spread all over the world.

Board Games Make a Comeback - What's Cool - Kids Web Japan - Web Japan
Board games that were big hits in the age before video games became mainstream are experiencing a resurgence in popularity. Among these games, which groups of family and friends enjoy playing together, are Yakyu Ban (Baseball Board) and Jinsei Game (The Game of Life).