Areas highlighted in blue indicate regions where tsunami was forecast.
JAPAN / Science & Health
Dec 3, 2023
Japan lifts tsunami warning after strong quake jolts Philippines
A powerful earthquake struck the southern Philippines late Saturday, followed by four major aftershocks that sent residents fleeing from coastal areas.
An aurora is observed in Bihoro, Hokkaido, on Friday.
JAPAN / Science & Health
Dec 2, 2023
Aurora observed in Hokkaido for first time since 2003
The aurora, which was seen Friday, was apparently the result of a massive explosion that occurred on the sun's surface about two days earlier.
An electron micrograph of the bacteria treponema, which causes syphilis
JAPAN / Science & Health
Nov 29, 2023
Congenital syphilis cases set new annual record in Japan
Meanwhile, the overall number of syphilis cases in the country in 2023 came to 13,251 as of Nov. 19, topping the 2022 total of 13,228.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida receives a COVID-19 booster shot in Tokyo on Nov. 11.
JAPAN / Science & Health
Nov 28, 2023
Japan approves first domestically developed COVID-19 XBB vaccine
The XBB-adapted coronavirus vaccine will be available as a booster under the nation’s free COVID-19 vaccination program beginning next week.
Customers look at products on display outside a drug store in Tokyo on Friday. As part of a trial, 145 stores nationwide will be allowed to sell morning-after pills until the end of March.
JAPAN / Science & Health
Nov 27, 2023
Japan to start trial of over-the-counter sales of morning-after pills
The health ministry will allow 145 stores nationwide to sell morning-after pills until the end of March.
A research has found that hexaraphane — a component found in wasabi — helps improve the episodic and working memories of elderly people.
JAPAN / Science & Health
Nov 26, 2023
Wasabi effective in improving memory of elderly: study
In addition to known antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, new research indicates improvements in episodic and working memories.
Workers prepare to cull chickens at a farm in Kashima, Saga Prefecture, on Saturday after a case of bird flu was detected there.
JAPAN / Science & Health
Nov 25, 2023
Japan confirms season's first bird flu case in Saga
The Saga Prefectural Government has started to cull around 40,000 chickens raised at a farm in the city of Kashima.

Longform

Janos Cegledy sits in a park in Tokyo's Nerima Ward. The pianist says Japan suits him, “There is a certain civility and politeness here which you don’t find anywhere else.”
The extraordinary life of a Holocaust survivor living in Japan