Ryohoji Temple in Tokyo's Hachijoji district, has adopted 'moe' style anime characters and an RPG game in an attempt to attract more visitors; netizens like idea.

'Erotic' advert for mushroom company Hokuto, featuring actors Kaname Jun and Suzuki Sawa, gets millions of YouTube views for being too sexy; 2ch netizens respond.

Man who 'rents' a female companion for weekend 'dates' is featured on Yahoo! Japan; netizens mock the 'rent-a-friend' service, saying it's cheaper to pay for sex.

Japan falls four places in this year's Global Gender Report by the World Economic Forum, leaving the country in 105th position, the lowest among MEDCs; reactions.

"Waratte ii tomo", the lunchtime magazine programme that has run on Fuji TV for over 30 years, is to end in March 2014; netizens sad at the end of a TV era.

British conveyor-belt sushi chain features its mango and crab sushi roll on Japanese television, but Japanese netizens mock the concoction; responses from 2ch.net.

Politicians consider introducing a bill to curb excessive drinking in Japanese society, urging citizens to drink a moderate amount; netizens reach for their sake.

A man is hit and killed by a train after using his smartphone on the railway tracks after the safety barrier had descended; netizens critical of the man's actions.