Last year, a 10-year-old girl in southwest Japan went viral after becoming the youngest person in the country to pass the fugu preparation authorization test.

Karin Tabira, a fifth grader in Kumamoto, earned certification to safely handle the deadly pufferfish, a rare and highly dangerous delicacy.

Karin trained for six months at Fukunari, a Kumamoto-based fugu wholesaler, learning to fillet the poisonous fish and identify its lethal parts.

She took the fiscal 2024 exam in Yamaguchi Prefecture, which has no age restrictions, allowing her to become certified despite being only 10 years old.

The test included both an academic section on food sanitation and a practical demonstration of fugu preparation skills.

Out of 93 examinees, 60 passed, mostly professional chefs. Karin became the youngest certified fugu preparer at 10, breaking the previous record of 11.

Following her success, Karin was invited to prepare the deadly dish for Kumamoto Governor Takashi Kimura on August 22, 2024. She served a platter of fugu sashimi, which the governor praised.

“I’m glad to hear that it tasted good. It was difficult to cut and wash the skin during the exam,” Karin said.

While Karin is now certified, she cannot officially prepare fugu in Kumamoto until she turns 18.

However, she plans to continue honing her skills so that, when the time comes, she can safely offer the delicacy in her hometown, combining a lifelong passion with rigorous safety standards.

Duolingo is going viral for bringing its quirky digital world into real life with the announcement of its first-ever pop-up store in Japan.

The temporary shop, called ‘DUOMART,’ will open in Shibuya from December 18 to 30, 2025, and is styled after a Japanese convenience store.

The konbini-inspired design shows Duolingo’s belief that learning should always feel close by. Like a convenience store open anytime, the app invites users to practice wherever they are.

The pop-up helps learners stay motivated during the busy holiday season and keep them on track daily.

Fans can expect exclusive merchandise featuring the iconic green owl, along with characters like Lily and Oscar.

The store will also include playful photo spots and small interactive elements, letting visitors experience Duolingo’s humor and bright personality beyond their phone screens.

To make the opening more fun, the exact location will be revealed through teaser clues placed around Shibuya.

Duolingo hopes the search will feel like part of the experience, blending a real-world scavenger hunt with the spirit of its gamified learning style.

Japanese toy manufacturer ‘Bandai Spirits’ will release official One Piece × NBA collaboration products this month.

The collection includes Master Stars Piece Luffy figures and NBA Chopper plushies, featuring team designs for the Lakers, Bulls, Warriors, Celtics, Knicks, and Grizzlies.

A separate ‘Uniform Icon Edition’ line is also confirmed, with ten types yet to be revealed.

These items are expected to showcase additional characters in NBA-themed outfits, appealing to both anime collectors and basketball enthusiasts.

Bandai Spirits says the release celebrates shared themes of friendship, teamwork, and pursuing dreams.

Since 1997, One Piece has sold over 500 million copies globally, while the NBA reaches audiences in more than 200 countries. Together, the brands aim to attract diverse fan bases worldwide.

Pre-orders for the One Piece × NBA collection, will begin on December 5, 2025, at One Piece Base Shop Japan and Premium Bandai Japan.

Fans in Hong Kong, Macao, Singapore, Malaysia, Taiwan, Philippines, and Thailand will also be able to secure items through their official Shopee store.