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July 13, 2025
 

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JAPAN

Politics
Crime & Legal
Science & Health
Society
Explainer
History
Foreign tourists at Tsukiji Outer Market in Tokyo. More than 1 million international visitors have a medical issue in Japan every year.
BUSINESS / Tech
Tourists in Japan have telemedicine options before calling 119
By Kazuaki Nagata
More than 1 million foreign visitors a year experience a medical event during their stay.
A Chinese JH-7 fighter-bomber flies close to an Air Self-Defense Force YS-11EB intelligence-gathering surveillance aircraft over the high seas in the East China Sea on Wednesday.
JAPAN
China says Japanese ‘harassment’ behind close encounter with ASDF spy plane
By Jesse Johnson
The Defense Ministry in Beijing said “close-in reconnaissance and harassment” by the Japanese side was “the root cause” of the latest incidents.
An intricate and massive wooden ring encircles the 2025 World Expo site in Osaka on April 9.
JAPAN
Visitors to Osaka Expo likely to exceed 10 million soon
The Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition is working to reach its target of 22 million visitors, the Osaka Expo's break-even point in terms of operating costs.
JAPAN
U.S. urges clarity on Japan’s role in potential war over Taiwan, report says
By Jesse Johnson
JAPAN
U.S. minesweeper makes port call in Niigata
JAPAN
Japan Foundation to distribute Japanese movies in Africa
JAPAN
Man arrested for alleged murder of ex-girlfriend in Kawasaki

Politics

Emperor Naruhito plays the viola at a banquet hosted by the Mongolian first couple on Tuesday in Ulaanbaatar.
Politics
Japanese Emperor, Empress deepen ties with Mongolia
At the 80th anniversary of the end of WWII, the Emperor and Empress paid tribute to Japanese who died in Mongolia during the aftermath of the war.
Politics
Rubio says Japan defense spending hike less about money, more about capabilities
By Jesse Johnson
Politics
Dual surnames for married couples in focus ahead of Japan poll
Politics
China to resume Japanese beef imports
Politics / FOCUS
What Japanese politics could look like after Upper House election
By Gabriele Ninivaggi
Politics
Japan voices strong concern over Chinese military and rare earth moves
By Jesse Johnson and Gabriel Dominguez
Politics
Prominent political speakers step up for candidates ahead of July 20 election

Society

Pedestrians at the Shibuya Scramble Crossing in Tokyo on Tuesday. The weekly number of people taken to hospital with heatstroke has exceeded 10,000 for the first time this year as summer temperatures soar.
Society
Over 10,000 people sent to hospital last week due to heatstroke
Last week's number is more than double of that a week earlier.
Society
Boosting support for parents of children with disabilities in Japan
Society
Japan releases guidelines on shooting of bears in urban areas
Society
Philanthropist Yoshiomi Tamai dies at 90
By Jessica Speed
Society
Record 80% of Japanese mothers are employed
Society
Tokyo and Kyoto feature among top ‘noctourism’ destinations
By Elizabeth Beattie
Society
80% of lower-income families in Japan say financial situation getting worse

Crime & Legal

Osaka Prefectural Police headquarters
Crime & Legal
Osaka police crack down on crime ring over underage prostitution
The group, made up of roughly 70 members, is suspected of recruiting about 130 underage girls for prostitution through social media.
Crime & Legal
Osaka man detained for three weeks under human protection law
Crime & Legal
Two found guilty of killing man found in suitcase dumped in river near Tokyo
Crime & Legal
Chinese court to issue ruling on Japanese businessman
Crime & Legal
Foreign drivers in Japan to face tougher license conversion rules from October
By Kanako Takahara
Crime & Legal
Police double staff who help prevent lone-wolf attacks after 2022 Abe shooting
Crime & Legal / FOCUS
Improper law-enforcement interrogations persist in Japan

Science & Health

Osaka University researchers say they have developed a method to improve embryo implantation rates.
Science & Health
Mouse embryo implantation reproduced in lab equipment
The team also discovered protein interactions that help drive embryo implantation.
Science & Health
Japan to cut price of Alzheimer's drug lecanemab
Science & Health
About half of people who died from cancer discussed last days with doctors
Science & Health
Japan’s H2A rocket retired after successful final launch
By Jessica Speed
Science & Health
Megaquake may hit central Japan within next 30 years, government panel says
Science & Health
Work-related mental health cases hit record high in Japan
Science & Health
Last week’s heat wave in Japan not possible without climate change, analysis shows
By Tomoko Otake

Explainer

Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba waits for a session of the House of Councillors Budget Committee to begin in Tokyo on Friday.
Explainer
What's the fuss over Ishiba's gift vouchers?
By Himari Semans and Gabriele Ninivaggi
The prime minister's standing has worsened following reports that he handed out gift vouchers worth ¥100,000 ($668) each to rookie lawmakers from his party.
Explainer
What we learned at Fuji TV's marathon Nakai scandal news conference
By Yukana Inoue
Explainer
Miyazaki quake falls short of triggering Nankai Trough megaquake advisory
By Yukana Inoue
Explainer
Winter chill, hot baths and the risk of heat shock: How to stay safe
By Kathleen Benoza
Explainer
Don’t worry, you can still use your Japan health insurance card — for now
By Tomoko Otake
Explainer
What is the Freelance Act, Japan’s first-ever law to help freelancers?
By Himari Semans
Explainer
Japan issued its first-ever megaquake alert. What does that mean?
By Francis Tang and Gabriele Ninivaggi

History

Former soldier Shuzo Yamada recounts his experience of being detained in Mongolia after World War II, in Nanto, Toyama Prefecture, in May.
History
Memory of detention in Mongolia still fresh for 107-year-old Japanese man
As they make a state visit to Mongolia, the imperial couple will offer flowers at a memorial for Japanese who were captured and detained in Mongolia after World War II.
History / Japan Times Gone By
Japan Times 1950: Kyoto’s ‘Golden Temple’ burns to the ground
History
Okinawa marks 80th anniversary of end of ferocious ground battle
By Eric Johnston
History / The Living Past
Gandhi and Japan: Turning away from ‘brute force’ and toward love
By Michael Hoffman
History
Diary of a teenage A-bomb victim donated to Hiroshima museum
History
Documents of 1945 vivisection of U.S. POWs on exhibit at Fukuoka museum
History / Japan Times Gone By
Japan Times 1925: Tokyo police impose curfew on ‘social dances’
Read more JAPAN stories
Tokyo hit by torrential rainfall at rush hour
People line up at Shibuya Station in Tokyo as they try to avoid the heavy rain on Thursday.
Foreign drivers in Japan to face tougher license conversion rules from October
According to the National Police Agency, there were 75,905 people who converted their foreign driver’s license to a Japanese one in 2024, up from 48,885 in 2019.
Nissan clinches $4.5 billion bond deal after orders soar
Nissan Motor has raised $4.5 billion through a junk bond sale in U.S. dollars and euros, part of which carries a record-high coupon rate.
Chinese fighters came within 30 meters of Japanese spy aircraft, Tokyo says
A Chinese JH-7 fighter jet makes an near an Air Self-Defense Force YS-11EB surveillance aircraft over the East China Sea this week in this image released Thursday.
What Japanese politics could look like after Upper House election
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, who heads the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (center) waves to attendees as he departs after delivering a campaign speech in Yokohama on Sunday.
An emoji used to say it all. Now it might say too much.
Apple’s Craig Federighi shows off a set of emoji at a conference on June 13, 2016. While the small pictures have proved helpful in conveying nuance in our texts, younger people are using them less often.
‘Our ultimate goal is to save every single Japanese video game’
After nearly shuttering earlier this year, the Tokyo-based Game Preservation Society continues its work to save the early history of Japanese gaming.
Rare vintage shots and first-time shows at TOP’s 30th anniversary
The museum's curators selected a wide array of works from the archives for the milestone exhibitions. Among other photos, Nobuyoshi Araki's work from the series "Winter Journey" (1990) was included in the "Continuity and Change" exhibition that concluded in June.
New IG Arena set to dial down temperature at Nagoya Basho, in a good way
With IG Arena getting glowing early reviews as the Nagoya Basho’s replacement venue, it may be a while before fans wax nostalgic about the Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium.
Once a niche, anime is now mainstream content for Netflix and other streaming services
Though Netflix remains the dominant choice globally for anime viewers, Amazon Prime Video has also invested heavily in anime, steadily adding titles to their catalogue.

Podcast

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

Longform

Mount Fuji is considered one of Japan's most iconic symbols and is a major draw for tourists. It's still a mountain, though, and potential hikers need to properly prepare for any climb.
What it takes to save lives on Mount Fuji
By Alex K.T. Martin

SUSTAINABLE JAPAN

Muji has been sustainable from the beginning
Muji has been sustainable from the beginning

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Latest News

U.S. urges clarity on Japan’s role in potential war over Taiwan, report says
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U.S. minesweeper makes port call in Niigata
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Japanese Emperor, Empress deepen ties with Mongolia
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Japan Foundation to distribute Japanese movies in Africa
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