In recent years, Japan's kawaii culture has exploded in popularity. WSJ's Eric Bellman speaks with author Manami Okazaki about how cuteness has gained a global fanbase.

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 ...

Cuteness as a Japanese concept predates the modern use of the word “kawaii” — for example, in Japan’s Edo period (1603-1868), “netsuke,” or miniature charms made of ivory or boxwood ...

This series showcases what we are calling “kawaii” (cute) items made locally in the iconic Japanese city. Kyomiori Ltd. handles cosmetic products under the concept of "traditional Japanese ...

Take a long sip of cuteness with these deliciously adorable kawaii drink coloring pages. Print them for coloring fun!

Sanrio is a Japanese company that designs, produces and sells products and their licenses with a focus on "kawaii" aesthetics ...

Richard Magarey, better known as Ladybeard, is a cross-dressing pro wrestler and a heavy metal singer from Adelaide who’s made it big in Japan. Ladybeard is a Japan-based Australian wrestler ...

Sanrio, the leading Japanese kawaii brand, launched its Valentine's Day 2025 collection for fans of Hello Kitty, Kuromi and ...