On the Cards

The government says its new registration system for foreign residents will make our lives easier. But some lawmakers and privacy rights activists claim that Big Brother lurks around the corner

Pescaderia

Mission: find the best oysters in town. Mission status: accomplished

Marijuana Underground

Celebrity busts and student smokers have Japan's authorities in a tizz. But what do users make of Japan's ganja explosion? Shaun Davies delves into Tokyo's marijuana subculture to find the answer

Open Season

Celebrating 150 years as the international face of Japan, Yokohama gets ready to greet the crowds

On the Road to Justice

A motorcyclist sets out to keep his family's killer behind bars

Toriromeo

Yakitori and wine are the perfect match at this tiny Yokohama bar

Tokyo 2050

Futuristic super-hub or graying has-been: what's next for our favorite metropolis?

Screen Dreams

A digital-age literary form has become a publishing powerhouse

Red Star Rising

With global Capitalism on the ropes, local Communism is on the rise

Flavors of the year

Metropolis staffers pick their favorite new restaurants of 2008

Last call for Kabukicho

As the iconic Koma Theater goes under the wrecking ball, is this the end of Tokyo’s notorious red-light district?

Annus Scandalous

A year’s worth of food safety scandals has upset Japan’s applecart