Lifestyle 2003-2004 | Archives | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
Trends in Japan Archives Celebrating International Cooperation Tourists Flock to Tsukiji A New World Heritage Site Who's the Loser? What Places Would You Recommend to Foreign Tourists? The Return of

Lifestyle 2001-2002 | Archives | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
Trends in Japan Archives Be Prepared Last but Not Least Attitudes on Aging Sea of Japan Koizumi Reshuffles Cabinet Give Blood and Enjoy Keeping Food Safe Summer Fun Can't Live Without Mayonnaise Keep

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.

Cats And Dogs Join the Family | Lifestyle | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
The range of services catering to pets has grown dramatically in recent years. Clothes for animals have been around for quite some time, but did you know that dogs can now relieve their stress with pet aromatherapy or a session in an oxygen capsule?

Help For Morning Snoozers | Lifestyle | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
For those for whom waking up is a daily battle, there is a solution. Several alarm clocks are now available that can not only wake you up but even put a smile on your face.

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.

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.

99-00 | Lifestyle & Society | Memory Lane | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
This section covers a wide variety of fields in which Japanese innovations have often spread to other countries, such as work, food, architecture, and international cooperation.

01-02 | Lifestyle & Society | Memory Lane | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
This section covers a wide variety of fields in which Japanese innovations have often spread to other countries, such as work, food, architecture, and international cooperation.

05-07 | Lifestyle & Society | Memory Lane | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
This section covers a wide variety of fields in which Japanese innovations have often spread to other countries, such as work, food, architecture, and international cooperation.

97-98 | Lifestyle & Society | Memory Lane | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
This section covers a wide variety of fields in which Japanese innovations have often spread to other countries, such as work, food, architecture, and international cooperation.

97-98 | Lifestyle & Society | Memory Lane | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
This section covers a wide variety of fields in which Japanese innovations have often spread to other countries, such as work, food, architecture, and international cooperation.

Lifestyle | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
This section covers the latest developments in a wide variety of fields and products in which Japanese innovations often spread to other countries, such as food, leisure, and communication.

Men in the Teahouse | Lifestyle | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
Close A tea ceremony lesson in progress.

Men in the Teahouse | Lifestyle | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
Close A cover illustration from the Hyogemono manga. (C)Yoshihiro Yamada / Kodansha

Men in the Teahouse | Lifestyle | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
Close A photo of an ikebana lesson. (C)Ikebana Sessyu-ryu

Masked Masses | Lifestyle | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
Close A hay fever mask. ©Unicharm Superdimensional Masks

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.