As solitary lifestyles take over Japanese adulthood, those who choose to live alone are often the object of fear and pity in the press. Rather than accepting this stigmatised portrayal, Japan’s solitary population is pushing for a more nuanced understanding of their lived experiences.

Young Americans are moving home now more than ever. And while they have a growing interest in decor, house-hopping is leading many to buy cheap, disposable furniture. Affordable and sustainable furniture-subscription company Feather is providing renters with value and Insta-credentials.

Driven by an increasing sense of loneliness, the concept of a shared house is being adopted by Japan's young singletons. Yet with so many people in Japan struggling with social anxieties, how are these micro-communities forming?

What’s got Japanese people worried about their work-life balance? Why are more men staying at home to raise the kids? And how did Halloween become a national holiday? This Cultural Snapshot uses local stats and case studies to explore behavioural norms shared by Japanese people in 2017.