Photo by Courtney Reynolds When you step through the torii gate of the Japan EPCOT Pavilion you enter the world of cute! Or “kawaii” in Japanese. Kawaii is deeply embedded in Japanese culture ...

In Japan, ‘cute’ is a big deal. Their own word for it, kawaii (“ka-why-ee”), is more of an ethos than an adjective. Shops and billboards are filled with big-eyed fluffy figures.

Part of the confusion stems from a misunderstanding of “kawaii,” which is Japanese for “cute” but also connotes a lovable or adorable essence. Sanrio recruited Shimizu and other ...

Anime fans powered up in their best cosplay all weekend long for all things Japanese pop culture at Kawaii Kon.

Others are a bit more narrow, like kawaii metal. Created in Japan when Babymetal was formed, kawaii metal (also known as ...

Sally Amaki is a voice actress and idol professional entertainer in Japan. Kana Ichinose stars in the TV anime series “Mobile ...

Sporting a pair of jeans and sneakers, Japan's prime minister ditched his usually solemn demeanour for a fashion show to tout a "cute, lively and cool" Japan. Surrounded on stage by members of an ...

TOKYO-Sporting a pair of jeans and sneakers, Japan’s Prime Minister ditched his usually solemn demeanour for a fashion show to tout a “cute, lively and cool” Japan. Surrounded on stage by ...