Opinions | You Can Never Be Too Skinny in Japan

As far as I can remember, I would return to Japan from a foreign country and be hit with the same reverse culture shock: everyone here is so darn skinny.

Japanese people being quite thin is no secret, and it’s attributable to Japan’s healthy diet and lifestyle, as well as genetics. With balanced meals consisting of seasonal fish, meats and vegetables, and a habit of walking everywhere in the big cities, it makes Japanese people generally feel lighter than Westerners. What also looms large, though, is the sheer pressure to be thin in Japan. From the sly comments about weight to aesthetic salons in every corner of Tokyo, diet culture can be exhausting and harmful, especially for young women. So, what is the culture around dieting in Japan? And what harm does it cause?

The Skinny Truth

According to the 2019 Japanese National Health and Nutrition survey11.5% of Japanese

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Suikawari 101: Smashing Watermelons in the Summer

Japanese watermelons are famous across the world for their fantastically bizarre shapes and deep, sweet flavors. When they come into season from June onwards, watermelons (suika in Japanese) make for the perfect summertime snacks. The game associated with the fruit, suikawari, or watermelon smashing, providing enjoyment and refreshment in one go. Let’s have a look at the history of it and how to play it.

What is Suikawari?

Suikawari is a traditional Japanese summertime activity. Usually taking place on a beach or on a sports field, it involves participants trying to smash open a watermelon while blindfolded. Frequently, one or more teams will have a go. Once the watermelon is successfully split, it is divided out for everyone to enjoy.

A popular group game for the beach, suikawari is easy to prepare. Most Japanese people have played suikawari at least once in their lifetime. Many even more so. For

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Gigi Hadid Has 5 Words To Say After the Cayman Islands ‘Ganja’ Arrest

Gigi Hadid attends a British Vogue party in 2022.

Gigi Hadid attends a British Vogue party in 2022.

Gigi Hadid attends a British Vogue party in 2022.

Shortly after news broke Tuesday that Gigi Hadid had been arrested for “possession of marijuana” while visiting the Cayman Islands last week, the model decided to post an Instagram slideshow of herself and a few buds living the high life for the duration of their Caribbean vacation.

Hadid captioned a slideshow brimming with bikini pics and snaps of delicious-looking food with five words that implied the arrest was anything but a buzzkill.

“All’s well that ends well🌅,” she wrote.

A customs screen discovered “marijuana and utensils used for the consumption of marijuana” in Hadid’s luggage shortly after she landed by private aircraft at Owen Roberts International Airport in the Caymans on July 10, according to local news site Cayman Marl Road. The outlet reported that Hadid’s stash was “relatively small” and “seemingly

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3 Japanese Artists Who Started With Vocaloid Music

There’s no single way to break into the Japanese pop music scene. Many popular J-pop artists actually started their careers on Niconico, a Japanese video distribution service similar to YouTube. Many J-pop artists began by uploading their own covers of Vocaloid songs or produced and sang Vocaloid songs themselves. These singers are called utaite (people who cover previously released songs on video sharing sites) and Vocaloid producers, or “VocalP” in Japanese. Most utaite and Vocaloid producers do not reveal their faces online and utilize aliases to remain anonymous, some even choosing to stay anonymous after their major debut.

Since many of these Vocaloid musicians are breaking into and making it big in the Japanese music industry, we’ve rounded up a few Japanese artists who started with Vocaloid music.

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Ayase from Yoasobi

Yoasobi is a band that creates music from novels and consists of the composer Ayase and Ikura on

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Psychogeography: Walking Through Ubara | Tokyo Weekends

I have written extensively about my struggles with mental health over the last few years. And I use, rightly or wrongly, this series of psychogeography articles to detail what I have been through and what I’m currently going through. And I hope I never alarm you too much with the description of my varying levels of madness. It was, and still is, never my intention to worry or shock you, but I do believe that sharing my feelings and experiences can bring some semblance of solace to some of you and a reassurance that you are never ever alone.

To proceed with another story and how it relates to my psychological welfare, I bring you my personal experiences related to Ubara.

I sometimes hear voices. I sometimes imagine conversations. I sometimes hallucinate and experience whole seconds, minutes, hours and occasional days which didn’t actually happen, not in the real world.

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These 7 Affordable Off-Path Destinations Are Perfect For Solo Travelers

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As travelers have become more prone to traveling alone, one of the benefits of taking a solo trip is having complete control of your itinerary.

If you want to go to more popular destinations, such as Paris, New York City, or Dubai, there’s nothing wrong with that. You will never be bored as they are popular for a reason with many attractions.

Some major cities can be too expensive. But, there are many wondrous off-the-beaten-path places that are worth exploring too, especially when you are on your own and on a budget.

Here are 7 affordable off-path destinations perfect for a solo trip:

woman walking down street in salvador, brazil

Puducherry, India

Why not visit a truly unique place with a blend of multiple cultures? Puducherry (or Pondicherry) is a beachside city away from the hustle and bustle of Mumbai and New Delhi.

French and Indian cultures are

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Europe Travel Chaos Expected As Air Traffic Controllers Vote To Strike

It’s expected that almost one third of all flights will be disrupted across Europe this summer after air traffic controllers announced they would strike. The controllers are based on EuroControl, the European air traffic management body that regulates EU airspace for both military and commercial flights.

The news comes at a time when the travel industry was hoping it would be able to deal with the expected huge crowds with the least amount of disruption, after seasonal strikes were averted at Heathrow, one of Europe’s largest airports, and the recent protests against pensions reforms diminished across France.

An industry insider told The Telegraph that up to 12,600 flights could be delayed or canceled each day. Controllers are protesting against out-of-date equipment, staff shortages and what they feel is non-strategic

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Business travel for Indonesians to Australia will be made easier in a deal between national leaders

CANBERRA, Australia (AP) — Business travel for Indonesians to Australia will be made easier in a bid to boost the economic partnership between the two countries following a deal struck between their leaders. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Indonesian President Joko Widodo agreed on visa changes, climate initiative funding and education partnerships during talks Tuesday at Sydney’s Taronga Zoo. Albanese announced that Indonesians will be able to access extended business visas for Australia, increasing from three to five years, while Indonesian e-passport holders will be prioritized. Indonesians will also be able to access a frequent traveler visa.

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What’s New in Tokyo in July 2023

Just at the tail end of June, the iconic guitar company Fender opened a flagship store in Harajuku. The next day, the apparel brand Ugg opened its inaugural flagship store in Asia, also in Harajuku. In Uehara, a new stylish commercial complex named Cabo opens, while in Yoyogi, there’s a new facility dedicated to shogi, Japanese chess. This and more in our monthly showcase of what’s new in Tokyo.

Ugg Flagship Store in Harajuku

Ugg (stylized as UGG) is a lifestyle brand based in Southern California with a legion of fans all over the world. Renowned for its comfy beige sheepskin boots, the brand also sells other footwear and casual clothes that emulate the laidback culture seen in both California and Australia (where the company founders are from). On July 1, Ugg opened a flagship store in Harajuku, its first in Asia. The interior design aims to showcase the Californian

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Canada updates travel advice for France amid anti-police protests – National

Canada is urging travelers to exercise a “high degree of caution” when traveling to France as protests have broken out across French cities in response to the fatal shooting of a 17-year-old by police.

“Since June 27, 2023, demonstrations in opposition to police violence have been taking place. Further demonstrations are planned in the commune of Nanterre, in Paris and in several other cities across the country, including Lyon and Toulouse,” the advisory issued on Thursday read.

“They have caused disruptions to services and transportation and have led to acts of vandalism, arson, and violent clashes between demonstrators and police. In certain cases, security forces have used to tear gas and disperse crowds.”

The Canadian government has urged those already in France to monitor local media for the most recent information, follow the instructions of local authorities and be prepared to modify their plans in case of disturbances.

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