OCTOBER 2025

The Japanese word kawaii (an expression for something endearing or adorable) is now recognized all over the world, and the spread of the Internet and social media has helped kawaii culture become a transcultural phenomenon spreading beyond national and cultural boundaries. In this issue of HIGHLIGHTING Japan, we feature an interview with KOMA Kyoko, who researches kawaii culture in France and Japan, about kawaii culture’s history and its globalization. We also introduce artists, fashions, and characters that symbolize Japanese kawaii culture, along with various other aspects related to it.