THIS WEEK

🐀 Rat Soup at Sukiya
😤 Kansai Airport Rage
🌉 Overhyped Drawbridge
🎯 Finance Ministry Under Fire
💍 Love on Trial

Excuse Me, Waiter—There's a Rat in My Miso Soup

In a stomach-churning incident, a customer at Sukiya's Tottori Minamiyoshikata outlet discovered a rat floating in their miso soup on January 21.

The beef bowl chain swiftly apologized, stating, "We will strive to further strengthen our management systems at all stores nationwide to prevent a similar incident from occurring again in the future."

The restaurant temporarily closed for hygiene inspections and structural repairs to prevent future infestations. Employees also received additional training on hygiene management.

The outlet resumed operations two days later after passing a health inspection.

👉 Read the full article here.

Kansai Air Rage: Japanese Passenger Spits on Airline Staff After Missing Flight

In a disturbing incident at Kansai Airport, a 41-year-old man from Sapporo, Hokkaido, was arrested for allegedly harassing a female airline employee after missing his flight.

The suspect, Hideki Nakamura, reportedly demanded a refund, threatening the staff member with, "Give me my money back. I want to kill you."

When informed that a refund wasn't possible, Nakamura allegedly spat in the woman's face. Nakamura has denied the allegations. ​

This incident is part of a broader trend of unruly passenger behavior in Japan. In response, major airlines like Japan Airlines (JAL) and All Nippon Airways (ANA) have implemented strict policies to protect their staff. Behaviors such as verbal threats, physical assault, and refusal to comply with safety instructions can result in denied boarding and legal action.

Globally, such incidents have led to flight diversions and arrests. For example, a flight from Tokyo to Seattle had to return to Japan after an intoxicated passenger bit a flight attendant. ​

👉 Read the full article here.

Overhyping the Ordinary: Japan's 'Unique' Drawbridge Obsession

In a recent article, Asahi Shimbun reported on a drawbridge in a historic Japanese port town, portraying it as a unique engineering marvel attracting numerous tourists.

While the bridge may be a local novelty, presenting drawbridges as uniquely Japanese overlooks their widespread presence and historical significance worldwide.​

Global Perspective: Drawbridges are everywhere

Drawbridges, or bascule bridges, have been integral to urban landscapes globally for centuries.

In Chicago alone, there are 43 operational drawbridges, contributing significantly to the city's architectural identity. Similarly, Amsterdam boasts a rich history of drawbridges, seamlessly blending functionality with aesthetic appeal. ​

Critical View on 'Japan-Unique' Narratives

While it's natural to celebrate local infrastructure, portraying common engineering structures as uniquely Japanese can perpetuate a misleading narrative. Recognizing the global prevalence of such structures fosters a more accurate and appreciative understanding of engineering achievements worldwide.​

👉 Read the full article here.

Japan’s Deep State Gets a Paintball Wake-Up Call

In a story that barely made a ripple in mainstream Japanese media, protesters recently targeted the Finance Ministry building in Tokyo—hurling paint and smashing glass—to express their growing discontent with government overreach, vaccine policies, taxation, media manipulation, and immigration.

While these protesters were quickly dismissed as fringe elements, their grievances tap into something deeper: rising frustration with the country’s opaque, entrenched bureaucracy—what many would recognize as Japan’s version of the Deep State.

But unlike in the U.S., where talk of the Deep State has entered public discourse, Japan’s is quieter, more insidious, and arguably more powerful. It operates with little accountability, shielded by a culture that prioritizes harmony over confrontation, and a public that either doesn’t know—or prefers not to know—how decisions are really made.

In a country where citizens are taught from an early age not to rock the boat, the real story may not be the broken glass, but the fact that anyone picked up a rock at all.

👉 Read the full article here.

Love on Trial: Profs Demoted for Marrying Win Big

In a case that reads like a courtroom drama, a married couple employed at Miyazaki Sangyo-keiei University found themselves demoted after tying the knot. The university cited an unwritten rule against married couples working together, leading to the wife's reassignment from assistant professor to administrative staff and the husband's demotion from professor to associate professor.

Refusing to accept this academic injustice, the couple filed a lawsuit challenging the university's actions. Their legal battle garnered significant attention, with many students initiating a signature campaign supporting their reinstatement.

In a happy ending befitting a feel-good movie, the university reached a settlement with the couple on March 21, agreeing to reinstate both professors to their original positions. The institution also pledged to create a supportive working environment for female faculty members, marking a victory for love and labor rights in academia.

👉 Read the full article here.