As Tokyo gets set to host the Olympics and Paralympics after 2020’s false start,
a multitude of behind-the-scenes players have long been exercising their minds to
ensure a gold-standard Games. We meet some of the unsung…
The offshore prefecture of Okinawa has long been thought of as a separate entity from the rest of Japan due to its strong US military presence, distinct culture and geography. Tropical breezes and low-slung bungalows allow…
It’s often the little things that leave a lasting impression when visiting a new city. From flickering neon lights in Portugal to beautifully painted manholes in Japan, Monocle picks out 10 unique and memorable city details…
The clean, practical buildings left behind by the US military occupation of Okinawa in Japan are today influencing a new style of residence there: the Okinawa Standard.
Tokyo’s Tsukiji fish market might be the city’s must-see for tourists but it’s the Japanese capital’s flower market that’s a thing of beauty and big business.
When luxury cosmetics brand Three decided to open a shop, spa and restaurant in central Aoyama, it needed a space that would echo its understated image yet stand out from the crowd. We meet the team behind the evolving…
The functional concrete bungalows hastily built after the Second World War to house the US troops are becoming a popular option for young Japanese looking for more living space.
Despite an unsettled history and political identity, due to its location at the point where Japan faces China under the watchful eyes of the US military, Naha seems healthy, happy and relaxed, and a long way from Japan’s…
As Japan starts to rebuild following the events of March, the management of the crisis and its aftermath has revealed deep-seated problems within the Japanese political system. The country boasts a long list of dysfuncti…
The poorest prefecture in Japan, Okinawa, in the far south of the country, is experiencing a renaissance as companies large and small capitalise on its relaxed, affordable lifestyle, great beaches and warm climate. And the…
Under its post-war constitution, Japan is not allowed a navy, only a Self-Defence Force. Yet, today, the country has one of the largest, most sophisticated fleets in the world. Tensions with North Korea and China have also…