Life: News & Insights

One of the oldest surviving Naga headhunters poses for a photo in Hongphoi, a remote village in the northeastern Indian state of Nagaland. (Photo by Sudha Madhavan)

Life

Exploring the changing face of India's Nagaland

Unique tour spotlights both tradition and modernity in state once known for headhunters

3 June 2023

Adike chogaru, the syrup produced when young betel nuts are boiled, can be used to make a dye to produce a range of colors, from brown to pink, garnet and beige. (Photo by Shailesh Swarga)

Life

Indian textile industry finds fresh use for betel nut

Natural dye more sustainable option than alternatives harvested from wild

2 June 2023

Poker machines glimmer at a pub in Sydney. With the exceptions of Las Vegas in the U.S. and China's special administrative territory of Macao, no other place offers Australia's array of gambling options.

Life

Australia's gambling addiction extends far beyond high rollers

Poker machines pull in piles of cash for pubs and clubs

1 June 2023

An old woman walks by a mosaic rocket at an elementary school with only 16 students in Tanegashima.  (Kyodo)

Life

Japan's 'rocket island' grapples with demographic change

'Graying' Tanegashima is a microcosm of the national economy

28 May 2023

Rice fish have become popular pets in Japan because of the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly among city dwellers with busy schedules and little space.

Life

Pandemic craze for Japan's 'medaka' rice fish keeps up steam

Colorful pets are easy to keep and breed, and can sell for over $3,000 each

27 May 2023

Thailand's remote Koh Mak island boasts the hallmarks of a tropical paradise. (Photos by Ron Emmons unless specified otherwise)

Life

Thai island makes a virtue of simplicity

Koh Mak may be a model for sustainable tourism

26 May 2023

Efforts to elevate the quality of Thai coffee have helped create a flourishing cafe culture in the northern city of Chiang Mai and improve the livelihoods of local farmers, many of whom belong to ethnic minority groups. (Nikkei montage/Source photos by Getty Images, Denis Gray)

Life

Thailand adds quality coffee to its export menu

Specialty brews include one made from beans found in elephant feces

25 May 2023

Lee Xian Jie, right, chats with locals at his restaurant next to the house he is renovating in Wakayama prefecture. (Photo by Takaki Kashiwabara)

Life

Japan's empty old rural houses attracting overseas buyers

Foreign ownership of abandoned homes may change local attitudes

21 May 2023

A woman walks past vending machines selling canned coffee and other drinks in Tokyo.

Tea Leaves

Japan's vending machine culture is ahead of the curve

In an insecure world, automatic dispensers may be our last hope

16 May 2023

A protester in Bangkok in late 2021 flashes the three-finger salute that has become a symbol of resistance in demonstrations across Asia. There are signs of a potential resurgence in protests in Thailand, especially if national election results are perceived to be undemocratic.

Thai election

Thai youth takes creative defiance into election

Protest movement gears up for May 14 poll, but many doubt its likely impact

9 May 2023

The golden mask of Pharaoh Tutankhamen is seen on display at the Egyptian Museum in Cairo. It will be moved to the new Grand Egyptian Museum later this year.

Travel & Leisure

King Tut gets new home to help welcome Chinese tourists

Tomb relics to be center of attention at Grand Egyptian Museum

30 April 2023

Interest in the majestic Brihadeeswara Temple and others like it has surged in the wake of a movie that some have called the "Indian Game of Thrones." (Photos by Kalpana Sunder unless specified otherwise)

Life

Epic movie rekindles interest in ancient south Indian empire

Cultural legacy of Chola dynasty draws tourists to region

27 April 2023

Maia Shibutani, left, and older brother Alex live in Los Angeles, where they are involved in a number of creative projects. (Photo by Suzu Takahashi)

Life

Bronze medalist Shibutani siblings rack up post-Olympic successes

Alex and Maia 'ShibSibs' turn to books, photography, even cultural diplomacy

23 April 2023

Nasi pecel, a traditional Javanese salad with peanut sauce. (All photos by Ian Neubauer)

Life

Unearthing curious culinary secrets of Java

Indonesia's most populous island boasts a vibrant but underrated food culture

22 April 2023

A newlywed wears wedding couture from Indian designer Anita Dongre, all of whose collections are available in plus sizes up to U.K. size 20. (Nikkei montage/Photos from Instagram, Anita Dongre)

Life

Indian fashion industry weighs the cost of 'fat-shaming'

Shift in public attitudes helps drive surge in 'plus-size' clothes sales

20 April 2023

A Chin midwife holds the baby of a Chin refugee moments after it was delivered in a clinic near refugee camps at the India-Myanmar border in India's Mizoram state on Jan. 15. (All photos by Valeria Mongelli)

Life

Myanmar's border midwives deliver hope to refugees

Underequipped teams help minority women fleeing violence

12 April 2023

Trailblazing Japanese musician Ryuichi Sakamoto, pictured here in 1987, leaves behind a rich trove of recordings and other creative output for his fans to explore.

Life

The real musical magic of Ryuichi Sakamoto

Reflections on late Japanese composer-musician's artistic journey and legacy

8 April 2023

Ryuichi Sakamoto, who passed away on March 28, absorbed music from all directions, including classical, rock and jazz. He was also politically active, becoming involved in social action throughout his life.

Obituaries

Ryuichi Sakamoto, defiant musical innovator, sought meaning of sound

Multifaceted Oscar winner dismantled barriers in search of 'people's music,' social justice

3 April 2023

Ryuichi Sakamoto was the first Japanese composer to win the Academy Award for Best Original Score, for the 1987 film "The Last Emperor." (Photo obtained by Nikkei)

Obituaries

Ryuichi Sakamoto, Japanese musician and Oscar winner, dies at 71

He won award for 'The Last Emperor' and co-founded Yellow Magic Orchestra

2 April 2023

The risks of openly criticizing Thai politicians and government employees has not discouraged game developer Opendream's founder, Patipat Keng Susumpow, from tackling taboos.

Society

Thai game 'Corrupt' helps kids think about sensitive social issues

Developer Opendream's apps focus on taboo topics like bribery and sex

2 April 2023

A Karenni child carries a pail in a camp for internally displaced people in Kayah state, eastern Myanmar, in July 2022. Many people in the region were forced to flee their villages when fighting erupted following the military takeover in February 2021.

Life

Myanmar's 'forgotten people' bear brunt of war

Conflict sheds light on the Karenni, who have sought autonomy for 75 years

31 March 2023

Chinese customers pose in Thai student uniforms at the Sriphan store. (Photo from Sriphan's Facebook page)

Travel & Leisure

Thai school uniform boom in China fuels hope for tourism recovery

Social media post by Chinese actress starts cosplay trend among visitors

19 March 2023

Young people drink coffee at a local coffee shop in Ho Chi Minh City. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)

Business Spotlight

Vietnam's coffee culture survives 10 years of Starbucks

Deep history, popularity of local brews make country hard for global brands to crack

17 March 2023

Food & Beverage

Japan's wine country takes the road to the deep north

Climate change opens up new regional possibilities for vineyards

12 March 2023

Travel & Leisure

The top 10 Japanese hotels for architectural excellence

Discover artistic accommodations designed by prominent Japanese architects

4 March 2023