Aisha Khalil
Latest Reporting
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Ohitorisama: The Japanese Art of Doing Things Alone
Have you ever felt embarrassed or awkward to do things alone, such as eating at a restaurant, going to the movies, or traveling to a new place? If so, you are not alone. Many people in Western cultures tend to associate solo activities with loneliness, isolation, or social failure. But what if there is another…
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Can Money Buy “Marriage” in Japan’s “Ohitorisama” Culture?
Can Money Buy “Marriage” in Japan? The 2026 Verdict on the “Bachelor Tax” Era In 2025, the Japanese government attempted to bribe single women with 600,000 yen (approx. $4,200) to leave Tokyo and marry rural men. The result? A public relations disaster and a speedy policy reversal. Now, heading into 2026, the strategy has shifted