‘I’m glad to be Japanese!’ It’s a thought that two-thirds of Japanese people have had. But with nationalism’s long, sordid history in the country, some debate whether it can be taken too far. With a recent spike in patriotism in Japan's popular culture, how is it translating to the rest of the world?

The cronut is a hybrid treat that combines a croissant and a donut. While it started out as an online viral craze, its popularity has persisted much longer than many had expected. Now, Tokyo has opened its doors to host just the second store in the world to sell cronuts.

Japan’s relationship with rice runs deep. It’s such a staple in the national diet that the Japanese word for rice –gohan– is also the word for meal. But shifting demographics and changing economic circumstances are loosening the nation’s dependence on its signature crop.

Is Japan really light-years ahead with technology? Is sex really a taboo? Is sipping on sake still the drink of choice? In our 2015 cultural snapshot of Japan, we debunk cultural myths, shed light on the country’s economic outlook, and explore the emerging and established trends across 12 sectors.