“In many countries, men getting their hair cut by barbers is an established culture,” whereas in Japan young men favour salons, competition organiser Sho Yokota told AFP.

Getting a haircut in another country – in a foreign language – can be a daunting experience. We’ve all heard stories about that one unfortunate soul who, just wanting a trim, indicated a few ...

Last August 23, Japan's sovereign credit rating was downgraded by Moody's to Aa3 from Aa2.

Health and Labor ministry statistics show that by 2017, Japan had 368,543 salons and barber shops — an all-time high. Tokyo alone is thought to have 31,500 such businesses.

Japan's World Barber Classic tries to bring back business Tomohiro OSAKI AFP Jul 14, 2025 Updated Jul 15, 2025 1 of 3 A barber gives a model a haircut during the World Barber Classic in Tokyo ...

Health and Labor ministry statistics show that by 2017, Japan had 368,543 salons and barber shops — an all-time high. Tokyo alone is thought to have 31,500 such businesses.

"In many countries, men getting their hair cut by barbers is an established culture," whereas in Japan young men favour salons, competition organiser Sho Yokota told AFP.

Hundreds of rowdy spectators, many heavily tattooed, roared Monday at a Tokyo arena usually reserved for boxing -- except the contestants were not athletes, but barbers. A dozen Japanese and foreign ...

A barber gives a model a haircut during the World Barber Classic at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo on July 14, 2025. (Photo by Philip FONG / AFP) ...