Nara Mulls Changing Venue for K-Pop Live to Cut Expenses
Nara Prefecture is considering changing the venue for a free K-pop live concert initially planned to take place at Nara Park. (News On Japan)
View ArticleNishiyama Falls Short of Becoming First Female Shogi Pro
Tomoka Nishiyama, a 29-year-old holder of three women's shogi titles, faced the final match of the professional shogi qualification series on January 22nd at the Kansai Shogi Hall in Takatsuki City,...
View ArticleKagome Develops 'Ever Egg' - A Plant-Based Alternative
Concerns are growing over the potential for further increases in egg prices as mass culling due to avian influenza continues to affect supplies. This situation has shifted attention toward egg...
View ArticleAI Revolution: Latest Innovations and Applications
Here are nine noteworthy updates in the world of generative AI. (News On Japan)
View ArticleExpo 2025: A Vision for Japan's Future
Toru Hashimoto, a former governor and mayor of Osaka, and a prominent lawyer, recently shared his insights on urban development, political dynamics, and the future of Osaka. (News On Japan)
View ArticleInstagram Limits Use for Japanese Teens
Instagram has introduced new restrictions for users aged 13 to 17 in Japan, aiming to address concerns about the app's impact on young users. (News On Japan)
View ArticleJapanese Anime Booms in China
Japanese anime has been gaining immense popularity in China over the past few years, creating what has now become a significant social phenomenon. (News On Japan)
View ArticleJapan's First Airport Karaoke
Saga Airport has become the first in Japan to introduce karaoke booths, offering passengers a unique way to enjoy their wait before flights. (News On Japan)
View ArticleNissan to Build EV Battery Plant in Kitakyushu
Nissan Motor announced on Wednesday that it will construct a new battery plant for electric vehicles (EVs) in Kitakyushu, signing an agreement with the city and Fukuoka Prefecture. (News On Japan)
View ArticleJapan's First Electric Aircraft Cargo Test
A partnership agreement was signed on January 20th to promote cargo transportation using electric aircraft based at Kitakyushu Airport. A test flight to Miyazaki Airport is planned for this summer....
View ArticleFukuoka City to Provide Free School Meals
Details of Fukuoka City's budget plan for the upcoming fiscal year have been revealed, highlighting new initiatives such as making school lunches free for elementary and junior high school students...
View ArticleFuji TV Chairman Apologizes Over Handling of Scandal
During an employee briefing held at 5:30 p.m. today, Fuji TV Chairman Kano expressed his apology, stating, "President Minato and I have been leading the efforts, but there were deficiencies in our...
View ArticleMedia Scandal Deepens as Fuji TV Faces New Allegations
The resignation of popular television personality Masahiro Nakai has sent shockwaves through the Japanese entertainment industry. Announced through his agency’s website, Nakai apologized, stating, “I’m...
View ArticleAbandoned Kabukicho Hotel Overflows With Trash
An abandoned hotel in Tokyo's Kabukicho district has become a source of public concern due to the large amounts of trash accumulating in front of the building. (News On Japan)
View ArticleSevere Rice Shortage Looms in Japan
Japan is facing an unprecedented rice shortage, with recent data highlighting alarming supply-demand imbalances in the domestic market. The Agricultural Newspaper reported on January 10 that the DI...
View ArticleFarmers Voice Concerns Over New Agricultural Law
Japan is facing significant challenges in its food supply chain as new laws and rising prices create widespread concern among farmers and consumers. The recently introduced Food Supply Crisis...
View ArticleBOJ Raises Policy Rate to 0.5 Percent
The Bank of Japan (BOJ) has decided to raise its policy interest rate from an annualized 0.25 percent to 0.5 percent. This marks the first rate hike in six months and appears aimed at correcting the...
View ArticleU.S. Prosecutors Seek 4 Years 9 Months for Ohtani's Former Interpreter
Ippei Mizuhara, the former interpreter for baseball star Shohei Ohtani, is facing a prison sentence of 4 years and 9 months, along with 3 years of probation, as sought by U.S. prosecutors in a fraud...
View ArticleHow Should Japan Navigate the Second Trump Administration?
Japan is facing critical questions about how to navigate its relationship with the United States following the inauguration of Donald Trump as the 47th president. (News On Japan)
View ArticleChild Welfare Centers in Japan Struggle as Staff Resignations Rise
Child consultation centers in Japan are at the forefront of efforts to protect children from abuse and make critical decisions about their care, including whether to return them to their families or...
View ArticleStudents Seek Success in Kyoto's Kitano Tenmangu
Kyoto’s Kitano Tenmangu Shrine, known as the home of the "God of Learning," held its first fair of the year, the "Hatsu Tenjin," on January 25th. (News On Japan)
View ArticleKobe Luminarie Shines Bright in Memory of Earthquake Victims
The Kobe Luminarie, an annual light event commemorating the victims of the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake, began on January 24th. (News On Japan)
View ArticleMan Admits to Dismembering Partner's Body With Farm Tools
Tokyo police are investigating a shocking case involving the disposal of a woman’s remains on the shores of Izu Oshima. The arrested suspect, 45-year-old Sōtatsu Yanase, who operates a tatami shop, has...
View ArticleOnigiri Brings Global Food Cultures Together
The Osaka-Kansai Expo, set to open in April, is reviving memories of the 1970 Osaka Expo, which sparked national trends such as canned coffee and conveyor-belt sushi. With food playing a key role in...
View ArticleMan Confesses: Gifu Stabbing Was Self-Harm, Not a Crime
Gifu Police have announced that what was initially reported as a stabbing incident in Gifu City was, in fact, an act of self-harm by the victim. (News On Japan)
View ArticleWhy Did the Japan Innovation Party Struggle in the General Election?
The Japan Innovation Party has faced significant challenges following its disappointing performance in the recent general election. In a candid discussion, Osaka Governor Hirofumi Yoshimura reflected...
View ArticleTeam Friendship? Matsuko Deluxe and Yuki Chiba's Unusual First Encounter
'Overwhelmed!' Rapper Yuki Chiba, who is often mentioned as the person people most want to meet, had his first encounter with Matsuko Deluxe. (News On Japan)
View ArticleMan Arrested in Nagano Triple Stabbing
A man has been arrested in connection with the stabbing of three individuals in front of JR Nagano Station in Nagano City, where one person was killed and two others sustained injuries of varying...
View ArticleKobayashi Shines at Osaka International Women's Marathon
A new heroine was born at the 2025 Osaka International Women's Marathon, as Kana Kobayashi made a stunning performance in the final 800 meters. Kobayashi overtook Yuka Suzuki, who placed sixth at the...
View Article'Great Cold Endurance Competition' Held at Mount Tsurumi
The annual 'Midwinter Endurance Tournament' was held at Tsurumi Mountain, standing 1,300 meters above sea level in Beppu City, Oita Prefecture. (News On Japan)
View ArticlePart of Japanese Pavilion Unfurled at Expo
A portion of the Japan Pavilion, a government-sponsored exhibit at the Osaka-Kansai Expo, was unveiled to the media on January 26, showcasing the theme of sustainability with displays such as...
View ArticleNiece of Sayuri Ishikawa Wins Miss Japan 2025 Grand Prix
The 57th Miss Japan Contest was held on January 27th at the Keio Plaza Hotel in Shinjuku, Tokyo. Twelve finalists participated, showcasing performances in traditional kimonos and dresses. Marinna...
View ArticlePublic Smoking Ban Across Osaka, Violators Fined 1,000 Yen
Starting January 27, Osaka City has implemented a citywide ban on smoking in public areas, including heated tobacco products, as part of preparations for the Osaka-Kansai Expo set to open in April....
View ArticleRevealed: The Reason a Doctor Halted COVID-19 Vaccinations
Kunihiko Oishi, anchor for the program "Chanto!", discusses the topic of COVID-19 vaccines. Since October 2024, Japan has introduced routine vaccinations for COVID-19 to prevent severe cases. However,...
View ArticleFuji TV Crisis Deepens
Fuji TV held a press conference on January 27 at 4 p.m. to address allegations reported in the media that an employee was involved in a dispute between TV personality Nakai and a woman. Fuji TV...
View ArticleJapanese Clinics Gaining Popularity Among Travelers
From sudden severe pain during a gourmet-filled trip to chronic illness attacks that medication cannot treat, what kinds of symptoms bring foreign tourists to clinics? (News On Japan)
View ArticleDeath Sentence Finalized for Kyoto Animation Arsonist Who Killed 36
Shinji Aoba, the defendant sentenced to death in the first trial for the Kyoto Animation arson-murder case that claimed 36 lives, has withdrawn his appeal, finalizing the death sentence. (News On Japan)
View Article30 Hours After Road Collapse, No Progress in Driver Rescue Effort
A truck plunged that into a sinkhole after a road collapse in Yashio City, Saitama Prefecture, has left the male driver trapped for more than 30 hours at a depth of 10 meters. Rescue efforts to save...
View ArticleNew Okinawa Theme Park to Open in July Featuring Dinosaur Escapes
A new theme park spearheaded by Takashi Morioka, known for his role in revitalizing Universal Studios Japan (USJ), is set to open in Okinawa this July. (News On Japan)
View ArticleAsuka-Fujiwara Palaces Set for UNESCO Nomination as Cultural Heritage
The Japanese government is set to nominate the "Asuka-Fujiwara Palaces" in Nara Prefecture for UNESCO World Heritage status, aiming for registration next summer. (News On Japan)
View ArticleDeepSeek and Japan’s Role in the Global AI Race
The global AI landscape is witnessing rapid advancements, with nations and tech companies vying for leadership. Among the recent breakthroughs is DeepSeek, an AI model developed by a Chinese firm,...
View ArticleReview of Single-Member District System in Focus
The first meeting of a bipartisan council to discuss Japan's electoral system was held on January 29th at around 11 a.m., with a review of the single-member district system emerging as a key issue....
View ArticleClassic Citroën 2CV, Miyazaki's Beloved Car, Now on Display at Ghibli Park
Aichi Prefecture’s Ghibli Park has begun displaying the Citroën 2CV, the beloved car of renowned director Hayao Miyazaki, which also appeared in his films. (News On Japan)
View ArticleJapanese Man Completes 7-Month Rickshaw Journey Across Africa
A Japanese man has successfully traversed the African continent over seven months—while pulling a rickshaw. (News On Japan)
View ArticleMahoroba Hydrogen Fuel Cell Ship Debuts, Connecting Central Osaka and Expo...
The hydrogen fuel cell ship "Mahoroba," designed to connect central Osaka with the Expo venue in Yumeshima in approximately 60 minutes, was unveiled to the media ahead of its commercial launch during...
View ArticleTourists Flock to Hokkaido for Lunar New Year
Hokkaido is taking steps to address overtourism issues as large numbers of foreign visitors arrive during the Lunar New Year holiday. (News On Japan)
View ArticleCan eSports Save Sapporo's Struggling Dome?
A major international eSports tournament has kicked off in Sapporo, drawing significant attention as a potential economic boost for the city. The five-day event, held at the Daiwa House Plemist Dome in...
View ArticleCan Higher Interest Rates Ease Household Finances?
Banks are engaged in an intense battle to attract deposits, pushing interest rates higher. While savings account holders may benefit from increased interest earnings, rising rates also mean heavier...
View ArticleTeamLab Planets Expands With New Immersive Experience
A new area has opened at TeamLab Planets in Toyosu, Tokyo, bringing an expanded, immersive experience to visitors. The museum, known for its cutting-edge digital art installations, has increased its...
View ArticleHonda and Nissan Delay Integration Until Mid-Feb
Honda and Nissan's negotiations over a potential business integration have hit a roadblock, with concerns that Nissan’s restructuring measures are inadequate. (News On Japan)
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