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September 19, 2025
 

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GENETICS

Yoko Inoue (third from right), co-head of a civic group working to recover the remains of victims of a fatal 1942 accident at the Chosei coal mine in Yamaguchi Prefecture, calls on the government to conduct DNA examinations on human bones recovered recently from the mine, in Tokyo on Tuesday.
JAPAN
Sep 10, 2025
DNA analysis sought for bones recovered from western Japan undersea mine
The Chosei coal mine in Yamaguchi Prefecture experienced a fatal flooding in 1942, which caused the deaths of 47 Japanese workers and 136 from the Korean Peninsula.
The Saga Prefectural Police sent papers on a worker at its crime laboratory to prosecutors for allegedly falsifying DNA analyses to make his job performances look better.
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Sep 10, 2025
Crime lab worker accused of 130 improper DNA analyses
The employee allegedly sought to make his job performance look better so as to get a good reputation and avoid criticism from his boss.
Japan previously only allowed preimplantation genetic testing for those who could not get pregnant even after multiple embryo transfers following in vitro fertilization or those who experienced repeated miscarriages and stillbirths.
JAPAN / Science & Health
Sep 9, 2025
Japan expands preimplantation genetic testing eligibility
Eligibility was limited to those who could not get pregnant after embryo transfers following in vitro fertilization or those who experienced repeated miscarriages and stillbirths.
Russian President Vladimir Putin walks with Chinese President Xi Jinping before a military parade in Beijing's Tiananmen Square on Wednesday.
WORLD / Science & Health / EXPLAINER
Sep 5, 2025
Could humans live forever, as Putin was heard telling Xi?
Maybe not, experts say, though serious research is increasingly revealing more about why we age — and how we could try to stop it.
Simple, affordable and versatile, the humble potato is now one of the world's most important crops. But its origins have long puzzled scientists.
WORLD / Science & Health
Aug 1, 2025
Study reveals potato's secret tomato heritage
Natural interbreeding between wild tomatoes and potato-like plants in South America gave rise to the modern-day spud around 9 million years ago.
This undated image shows cardiologist Kiran Musunuru and pediatrician Rebecca Ahrens-Nicklas with patient KJ Muldoon.
WORLD / Science & Health
May 16, 2025
U.S. baby with rare illness treated with tailor-made gene edit
The baby, who had a gene mutation that affected his liver, was treated using what amounts to a pair of molecular scissors, delivered via an infusion.
A tricolored calico cat (left) and a tortoiseshell cat. A Japanese research team has discovered a gene that determines the fur color patterns of the two breeds of cats.
JAPAN / Science & Health
May 16, 2025
Japan team finds gene that determines calico cats' color patterns
Researchers led by Kyushu University professor Hiroyuki Sasaki found that the coloring was decided by the ARHGAP36 gene on the X chromosome.
A genetically modified wolf juvenile, one of three successfully bred by reconstructing a genome from the ancient DNA of fossils from dire wolves that had been extinct for over 12,500 years by Colossal Biosciences, billed as "the world’s only de-extinction company," is seen at age five months after his Oct. 1, 2024 birth, at a secure site in the northern United States.
WORLD / Science & Health
Apr 9, 2025
U.S. company resurrects the extinct dire wolf, or some version of it
Dallas-based Colossal Biosciences has announced the birth of three genetically engineered wolf pups — all with striking white fur — created with the help of ancient DNA.
U.S. molecular biologist David Liu in 2017. A revolution is underway in gene editing, and at its forefront is Liu, whose pioneering work is rewriting the building blocks of life with unprecedented precision.
WORLD / Science & Health
Apr 7, 2025
The scientist rewriting DNA, and the future of medicine
American molecular biologist David Liu foresees his work to also contribute to areas such as developing more nutritious or disease-resistant crops.
Researchers from Anicom Specialty Medical Institute, the National Institute of Genetics and Kazusa DNA Research Institute decoded the genome of American Shorthair cats and published the results in an article last October.
JAPAN / Science & Health
Mar 18, 2025
Japanese researchers set Guinness record for cat genome
Researchers decoded the genome of American shorthair cats and published the results.
A trainer feeds an elephant at the Elephant Conservation Center in Laos' Sainyabuli province on Oct. 13.
ENVIRONMENT / Wildlife
Nov 30, 2024
Researchers analyze DNA from dung to save Laos elephants
Once abundant in the forests of Laos, Asian elephants have been decimated by habitat destruction, poaching and scarce breeding opportunities.
Genetically modified mosquitos are being released in Djibouti as the African nation tries to stem the tide of malaria infections.
WORLD / Science & Health
Nov 19, 2024
Djibouti tests genetically modified mosquitoes to fight malaria
A species of mosquito native to Asia and the Middle East is a key factor in an unprecedented spike in malaria cases in Djibouti.
Interest has grown worldwide in the genetic testing of embryos for couples trying to conceive through IVF.
JAPAN / Science & Health
Oct 17, 2024
Testing for desirable embryos inconsistent and unreliable, new study says
In recent years, interest has grown worldwide in the genetic testing of embryos among couples trying to conceive through IVF.
A researcher holds a plate of nematodes in a lab at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston on Monday. American scientists Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun won the Nobel Prize in Medicine the same day for their discovery of microRNA and its role in how genes are regulated.
COMMENTARY / World
Oct 9, 2024
Nobel Prize for medicine recognizes microRNA — and curiosity
Although microRNA's key role in regulating gene expression hasn't yet resulted in groundbreaking treatments, it may still significantly impact our health in the future.
A researcher works in the Ruvkun Lab in the Richard B. Simches Research Center at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts, on Monday. U.S. scientists Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun won the Nobel Prize in Medicine on Monday for their discovery of microRNA and its role in how genes are regulated.
WORLD
Oct 8, 2024
What is microRNA? Nobel-winning discovery explained
Several treatments and tests are under development using microRNAs against cancer, heart disease, viruses and other illnesses.
Nobel Committee Secretary-General Thomas Perlmann speaks to the media in front of a picture of this year's laureates Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkum during the announcement of the winners of the 2024 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine at the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm on Monday.
WORLD / Science & Health
Oct 7, 2024
U.S. pair wins Nobel in medicine for discovery of microRNA
Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun discovered the new class of tiny RNA molecules that play a crucial role in gene regulation.
The Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology has expanded the scope of pre-implantation genetic diagnosis to include diseases that manifest in adulthood.
JAPAN / Science & Health
Aug 29, 2024
More PGD tests performed after gynecology group widens scope of procedure
More than twice as many applications for screening have been approved after diseases that manifest in adulthood were included in the tests in 2022.
Genetic profiling performed in more than 8,000 patients with Parkinson's disease showed 13% had a genetic form of the progressive brain disorder.
WORLD / Science & Health
Jul 30, 2024
Genetic testing suggested for Parkinson's patients after gene mutation study
Genetic profiling performed in more than 8,000 patients with Parkinson's disease showed 13% had a genetic form of the progressive brain disorder.
A scientist looks at scans at the Memory Center at the Department of Readaptation and Geriatrics of the University Hospital in Geneva on June 6, 2023.
WORLD / Science & Health
Jul 29, 2024
A blood test accurately diagnosed Alzheimer’s 90% of the time, study finds
A team of researchers reported that a blood test was significantly more accurate than doctors’ interpretation of cognitive tests and CT scans in signaling Alzheimer's.
Dr Yilai Shu examines a young patient at the Eye & ENT Hospital of Fudan University on April 17.
WORLD / Science & Health
Jun 6, 2024
New gene therapy offers way to hear for some deaf children
The new gene therapy is focused on people born with a mutation of the OTOF gene, or roughly 2% to 8% of those with inherited deafness.
Wealthy foreign nationals picking up ultimate souvenir — a condo in Tokyo
A high-end property in the fashionable Daikanyama district in Tokyo
Japan dispatches five language education 'partners' to India
Five members of the Japan Foundation's Nihongo Partners program (front) gather at the Japanese Embassy in New Delhi on Monday.
End of U.S. de minimis exemption causes headaches for some businesses in Japan
Proxy-shopping services — companies that ship Japanese products ranging from cosmetics and snacks to limited-edition stationery on behalf of customers abroad — are already feeling the impact of the U.S. suspending de minimis exemptions.
Over 90% of low-income families in Japan struggling to feed children
Save the Children Japan domestic program chief Sonoko Kawakami speaks at a news conference in Tokyo in July. A survey conducted by the group in June has found that over 90% of low-income households with children face food insecurity.
Struggling train firm in Chiba Prefecture turns to self-deprecating humor
"Laughter is important when you're in a difficult situation," said Katsunori Takemoto, president of Choshi Electric Railway, on Aug. 5 in Choshi, Chiba Prefecture.
Japan’s front-line researchers see bright path ahead for dementia treatment
A scientist looks at scans of grains at the Memory Centre at the Department of Readaptation and Geriatrics of the University Hospital (HUG) in Geneva, Switzerland, on June 6, 2023.
Still plenty to fight for, says Japan’s team leader at worlds
Race walker Hayato Katsuki earned bronze for Japan on the opening day of the World Athletics Championships on Saturday.
Wealthy foreign nationals picking up ultimate souvenir — a condo in Tokyo
A high-end property in the fashionable Daikanyama district in Tokyo
Japanese athletes inspired by raucous home fans at World Athletics Championships
Fans cheer on the home favorites during the women's marathon at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo on Sunday.
Japan's major art events converge this fall
Shinji Ohmaki’s “Tokinokage” exhibited at Fuji Textile Week 2021 shows the use of fabric as art.

Podcast

One of the many entrances to the Kabukicho neighborhood in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward.
Kabukicho: Tokyo’s ‘stadium of desire’

Longform

Sumadori Bar on Shibuya Ward's main Center Gai street targets young customers who prefer low-alcohol drinks or abstain altogether.
Rethinking that second drink: Japan’s Gen Z gets ‘sober curious’
By Alex K.T. Martin

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We are pleased to announce the winners of the 6th annual Sustainable Japan Award.
We are pleased to announce the winners of the 6th annual Sustainable Japan Award.

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