japan

How The Yakuza Became One Of History’s Most Successful Organized Crime Groups

Known informally as the Japanese mafia, the Yakuza are a 400-year-old criminal syndicate that carries out everything from human trafficking to real estate sales.

By Mark Oliver • Aug 6, 2022

How The Yakuza Became One Of History’s Most Successful Organized Crime Groups

Known informally as the Japanese mafia, the Yakuza are a 400-year-old criminal syndicate that carries out everything from human trafficking to real estate sales.

By Mark Oliver • August 6, 2022

Inside The Enigmatic Story Of Yasuke, The Black Samurai Of 16th-Century Japan

The first African man to become a samurai, Yasuke certainly made a mark on feudal Japan — though much about his life remains a mystery.

By Gina Dimuro • Jul 26, 2022

Inside The Enigmatic Story Of Yasuke, The Black Samurai Of 16th-Century Japan

The first African man to become a samurai, Yasuke certainly made a mark on feudal Japan — though much about his life remains a mystery.

By Gina Dimuro • July 26, 2022

Explore Aoshima, Japan’s ‘Cat Island’ That’s Been Taken Over By Felines

Once a thriving fishing village in southwest Japan, Aoshima is now home to only six humans but hundreds of cats, earning it the moniker of "Cat Island."

By Leah Silverman • Jun 25, 2022

Explore Aoshima, Japan’s ‘Cat Island’ That’s Been Taken Over By Felines

Once a thriving fishing village in southwest Japan, Aoshima is now home to only six humans but hundreds of cats, earning it the moniker of "Cat Island."

By Leah Silverman • June 25, 2022

This Navy Veteran Just Reunited With His Long-Lost First Love — Seven Decades After The Korean War Separated Them

In 1953, Duane Mann and Peggy Yamaguchi started planning their lives together before the end of the Korean War tore them apart.

By Kaleena Fraga • Jun 17, 2022

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This Navy Veteran Just Reunited With His Long-Lost First Love — Seven Decades After The Korean War Separated Them

In 1953, Duane Mann and Peggy Yamaguchi started planning their lives together before the end of the Korean War tore them apart.

By Kaleena Fraga • June 17, 2022

Cats Can Learn Each Others’ Names And Those Of Their Owners, Study Says

The study might give millions of cat owners around the world a reason to rejoice, as their pets are not only more attentive than they thought — but literally know their names.

By Marco Margaritoff • May 17, 2022

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Cats Can Learn Each Others’ Names And Those Of Their Owners, Study Says

The study might give millions of cat owners around the world a reason to rejoice, as their pets are not only more attentive than they thought — but literally know their names.

By Marco Margaritoff • May 17, 2022

Meet Shoji Morimoto, The Japanese ‘Do-Nothing Guy’ Who People Can Rent Out Just For Company

Shoji Morimoto provides a curious service to the lonely and socially anxious — and has been in especially high demand since the COVID-19 pandemic.

By Marco Margaritoff • Mar 23, 2022

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Meet Shoji Morimoto, The Japanese ‘Do-Nothing Guy’ Who People Can Rent Out Just For Company

Shoji Morimoto provides a curious service to the lonely and socially anxious — and has been in especially high demand since the COVID-19 pandemic.

By Marco Margaritoff • March 23, 2022

This Centuries-Old ‘Mermaid’ Mummy Housed In A Japanese Temple Is Finally Being Studied By Scientists

While many have worshipped the bizarre specimen for its purported powers of everlasting life, others believe it's a man-made creation.

By Marco Margaritoff • Mar 9, 2022

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This Centuries-Old ‘Mermaid’ Mummy Housed In A Japanese Temple Is Finally Being Studied By Scientists

While many have worshipped the bizarre specimen for its purported powers of everlasting life, others believe it's a man-made creation.

By Marco Margaritoff • March 9, 2022

Meet Masako Katsura, The Enigmatic ‘First Lady Of Billiards’

In the 1950s, a Japanese woman named Masako Katsura took the billiards world by storm — and made a name for herself in the traditionally male-dominated sport.

By Genevieve Carlton • Feb 24, 2022

Meet Masako Katsura, The Enigmatic ‘First Lady Of Billiards’

In the 1950s, a Japanese woman named Masako Katsura took the billiards world by storm — and made a name for herself in the traditionally male-dominated sport.

By Genevieve Carlton • February 24, 2022

Inside The Grisly Murder Of Junko Furuta, The Teenage Girl Who Was Tortured For 44 Days

Junko Furuta was just 17 years old when she was raped, beaten, and killed by four teenage boys in 1980s Japan.

By Katie Serena • Feb 17, 2022

Inside The Grisly Murder Of Junko Furuta, The Teenage Girl Who Was Tortured For 44 Days

Junko Furuta was just 17 years old when she was raped, beaten, and killed by four teenage boys in 1980s Japan.

By Katie Serena • February 17, 2022

This Week In History News, Jan. 23 – 29

Pre-Columbian coyote-man statue recovered by Mexico after long dispute, ninja weapon prototypes found in Japan, youngest known Roman amphitheater found in Switzerland.

By All That's Interesting • Jan 28, 2022

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This Week In History News, Jan. 23 – 29

Pre-Columbian coyote-man statue recovered by Mexico after long dispute, ninja weapon prototypes found in Japan, youngest known Roman amphitheater found in Switzerland.

By All That's Interesting • January 28, 2022