Meet the New Cool Japan Strategy

Same as the old Cool Japan strategy

10 hrs ago • Matt Alt

31

7

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June 2026

Make Japan Uncool Again

Japan's best pop culture isn't "cool." It's dorky, weird, and out-there.

Jun 26 • Matt Alt

39

10

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May 2026

Hug of death

Will Japan's content industries survive the government's efforts to promote them?

May 28 • Matt Alt

41

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April 2026

Press any button to continue

The government's quixotic quest to make games a pillar of the Japanese economy

Apr 30 • Matt Alt

31

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Disorganized Religion

How Japanese spirituality sheds light on American faith

Apr 10 • Matt Alt

39

7

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So you want to be a manga millionaire

The principles behind the success of Japan's biggest hits

Apr 2 • Matt Alt

42

13

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February 2026

Japan's AI Affinity

The reasons many Westerners despise AI explain why Japanese don't

Feb 22 • Matt Alt

77

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20

Sanae vs. Anime

What does Prime Minister Takaichi’s landslide mean for Japan's pop culture?

Feb 13 • Matt Alt

39

4

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January 2026

Altered States

America's in trouble. Where are the artists?

Jan 30 • Matt Alt

39

20

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December 2025

Sony Goes for Peanuts

Some thoughts on Japan's acquisition of an American icon

Dec 21, 2025 • Matt Alt

53

12

9

A History of the World in Japanese Toys

Can you decipher the 20th century by looking at Japanese toys? I can try!

Dec 13, 2025 • Matt Alt

51

9

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November 2025

Boys (and girls), be ambiguous!

When Japanese leaders wade into the culture wars, pop culture suffers.

Nov 22, 2025 • Matt Alt

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