My first encounter with Kitchen, Banana Yoshimoto’s 1988 novel (translated into English in 1993 by Megan Backus) was in the late 90s when I discovered a copy wedged into the corner of a library shelf. It’s a small novel; only 150 pages. Yoshimoto’s language is simple, with short sentences describing action in unromantic language. Despite ...
Well folks, the apocalypse may finally be upon us. It isn’t anything fancy or dramatic like a zombie attack or tidal wave from 2012. It isn’t aliens or monsters. It’s gonorrhea. Scientists have found a new strain of super-gonorrhea that has shown resistance to antibiotics and other cures. The new form is called Ho41 and ...
Soon lonely astronauts will have a naughty nurse sexbot to keep them company in space. The Japanese space agency is looking into sending “humanoid” robots into space. Their function will be to tweet interesting things to those of us watching from Earth, but also to “watch the mission while astronauts are asleep, monitor their health ...
Women in Japan are suing for their right to have a different last name than their husbands. Currently the law says that families must have the same name. Although it’s up to the couple which name they have, it inevitably leads to women taking their husband’s name. Four women and one man are suing the government ...
Young Japanese people don’t like sex and married couples aren’t doing it either. A survey found that for 16 to 19-year-olds, 36.1% of men and 59% of women “had no interest or even despised sex.” And for married couples 40% of them had not had sex in the last month. What are the reasons for this? “Reluctance after ...
Manga comics and anime have now been regulated in Tokyo to protect under-18s from their sexually violent themes. Now any of these comics with rape, incest, or other sex crimes will not be allowed to be sold unless the buyer is 18 or older. Retailers will be charged up to $3,500 if they break these ...
As you look out of your hotel window across the sea-side town, you smile nervously at your girlfriend. “What do you think?” you ask, taking her hand. Only instead of her hand you take a stylus and poke at a screen. Your girlfriend is a Love Plus+ character but your vacation with her is real. ...
It begins with an “I do,” lovingly staring into each other’s eyes. But when it ends, mountains of paperwork must be sifted through and signed off on. At best the couple avoids each other, but at worst they hurl invectives down telephone lines and internet cables. But Japan has a better idea — the divorce ...
Are you sick of your husband and want a divorce? Do you think your daughter is marrying the wrong man? Well if you are lucky enough to live in Japan you can hire a “splitter-upper” to do the deed for you.
I love skirts. They’re comfortable and allow for maximum movement and airflow. Infinitely better than shorts for keeping cool in the summer. Which is why I am so happy that men have finally discovered them. Hopefully the Japanese will do what the Scots failed at, and convince boys everywhere to drop trou and slap on ...
My attention was drawn this week to an article on the resurgence of the market for men’s underwear. It...
Meh, the night bus. It isn’t ideal, but with the price of trains nowadays and the hellish standing-up-from-Edinburgh-to-Manchester situation...
Ladies, learn to know the signs of ovulation! So many women have no idea and so many headaches and...
Remember that time when I was with my friends and I saw you playing pool with your friends and...
Dear Madame X, My girl is hot but every single time we get into a fight she is all...
My first encounter with Kitchen, Banana Yoshimoto’s 1988 novel (translated into English in 1993 by Megan Backus) was in...
A slut is a person of any gender who has the courage to lead life according to the radical...
We know that a lot of women love cats. And we know that a lot of single women supposedly...
