Omotenashi – which roughly translates as ‘selfless hospitality’ – is a complex concept; one the Japanese pride themselves on. As the 2020 Olympics approach, Japan is preparing to serve it up on a mass scale, turning to robots for help. But are androids advanced enough to emulate such a human service?

Navigating large department stores can be daunting at the best of times, and a Japanese retailer is developing a robot that can make the shopping experience easier. Japan's growing use of robots underlines a shift in attitude where automation is favoured over human interaction.

What’s got Japanese people worried about their work-life balance? Why are more men staying at home to raise the kids? And how did Halloween become a national holiday? This Cultural Snapshot uses local stats and case studies to explore behavioural norms shared by Japanese people in 2017.

Japan may be renowned for its high speed bullet trains, but a new kind of rail revolution is set to put the wheels of the country’s economic growth in motion. The Seven Stars in Kyushu is one in a number of luxurious cruise trains charging big bucks to meander through Japan's exquisite countryside.