Search - japan

 
 
Reports about fraudulent online rice shops to consumer affairs centers around the country spiked to 335 cases in April and May alone.
JAPAN
Jun 14, 2025

Reports of online rice scams surging in Japan

Reports about fraudulent online rice shops to consumer affairs centers around the country spiked to 335 cases in April and May alone, as much as is normally seen in a year.
A registration system linking local governments with the so-called connected population — nonresidents who regularly interact with regional areas — is designed to encourage people living in urban areas to play active roles in rural communities amid their shrinking populations.
JAPAN / Politics
Jun 15, 2025

Japan considers new system to connect urban and rural populations

The system aims to help those in overpopulated cities to play more active roles in rural communities with shrinking populations.
The primary causes for long-term sick leave among women in their 20s included mental illness, such as depression and anxiety disorders, a survey has found.
JAPAN
Jun 16, 2025

Women in their 20s have higher rate of long-term sick leave, survey finds

The primary causes included mental illness, such as depression and anxiety disorders, as well as pregnancy-related problems.
Kazuyoshi Miura takes part in a training session for Yokohama FC in Yokohama, Japan on March 21, 2017.
SOCCER
Jun 16, 2025

Japan's 'King Kazu' wants more after first appearance of 40th season

The former international forward, who turned 58 in February, came on as a late substitute in Atletico Suzuka's 2-1 win over YSCC Yokohama on Sunday.
Yuichiro Tamaki, leader of the Democratic Party for the People (center right), and others on Tuesday at the Diet building after announcing their campaign promises for the upcoming House of Councilors election.
JAPAN / Politics
Jun 17, 2025

Japan's opposition DPP pledges lower taxes and higher take-home pay

The Democratic Party for the People also emphasized support for young people and the working generation, proposing to double the budget for child-rearing and education.
An internal affairs ministry study group for reviewing regional administrative services compiled a draft report that stressed the need for reallocating tasks from a fresh perspective.
JAPAN / Politics
Jun 17, 2025

Japan study group seeks review of local government tasks

The current approach to administrative work is "creating challenges in light of sustainability," a government study group said.
People walk under the scorching sun in Tokyo's Omotesando area on Tuesday as temperatures rise above 35 degrees Celsius in much of eastern Japan.
JAPAN / Society
Jun 17, 2025

Japan sweats under extreme heat despite ongoing rainy season

The weather agency warned of heat waves throughout the week as a high-pressure system stretches across eastern and northern Japan.
New Zealand's Ardie Savea in action against Ireland at Aviva Stadium in Dublin on Nov. 8
MORE SPORTS / Rugby
Jun 17, 2025

All Black Savea to skip Super Rugby for Japan sabbatical in 2026

Moana Pasifika coach Tana Umaga said Savea, who was the inaugural Super Rugby Pacific Player of the Year this season, would be welcomed back with open arms in 2027.
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba speaks to reporters after holding talks with U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday on the sidelines of the Group of Seven leaders' summit in Kananaskis, Alberta, Canada.
BUSINESS / Economy
Jun 18, 2025

Trump calls Japan 'tough' trade negotiator and complains EU not being fair

U.S. President Donald Trump also said there was still a chance of a trade deal between Washington and Japan.
Bicycle riders will be fined for minor traffic violations starting on April 1.
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Jun 18, 2025

Japan to fine riders ¥12,000 for using mobile phones while cycling

Fines between ¥3,000 ($20) and ¥12,000 will be imposed for 113 types of traffic violations.
A minivehicle that crashed head-on with another vehicle in the Enasan Tunnel in Nakatsugawa, Gifu Prefecture, on June 11 after being driven the wrong way on the Chuo Expressway
JAPAN / Crime & Legal / FOCUS
Jun 18, 2025

Wrong-way driving on expressways proves a persistent problem in Japan

Around 200 cases of wrong-way driving on expressways are reported each year.
Smoke rises after an Israeli air strike in Tehran on Tuesday.
JAPAN
Jun 18, 2025

Japan raises travel warning for Iran to highest level

"The situation is becoming increasingly tense," Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya told a news conference, adding that the government will do all it can to protect Japanese nationals.
Citing challenges such as a declining workforce and rising costs, four major newspapers will discontinue their Saturday evening editions from August, in a shift away from a publishing tradition that has endured for decades in Japan.
JAPAN / Media
Jun 18, 2025

Four newspapers in Japan to cease Saturday evening editions from August

The announcements mark a shift away from a publishing tradition that has endured for decades in Japan, where evening newspapers had been a staple of the media landscape.
A view of Kunashir — known as Kunashiri in Japanese — one a group of Russian-controlled islands off Hokkaido that are claimed by Japan
JAPAN
Jun 18, 2025

Memorial services at sea to be held off disputed islands

Two of the five events will involve an overnight stay on a ship, with participants offering prayers toward part of Kunashiri Island.
Defense Minister Gen Nakatani speaks to reporters in Tokyo on Thursday.
JAPAN
Jun 19, 2025

SDF planes fly to Djibouti to aid return of Japan nationals from Israel and Iran

There are currently around 1,000 Japanese people in Israel and 280 in Iran, according to the Foreign Ministry.
Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako greet upon their arrival at Hiroshima Airport on Thursday.
JAPAN
Jun 19, 2025

Japan's emperor and empress arrive in Hiroshima

Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako traveled to the city to commemorate the victims of the 1945 U.S. atomic bombing.
Upper House lawmaker Hirofumi Yanagase in his office on June 9. Last month in parliament, he urged the criteria for naturalization to be revised.
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Jun 20, 2025

Calls to make naturalization more difficult emerge in parliament talks

Naturalization requires applicants to have lived in Japan for at least five consecutive years, or half of the duration required for permanent residency.
Takeshi Yamaguchi, a professor at the University of the Ryukyus in Okinawa Prefecture, speaks during an online interview on June 3.
JAPAN
Jun 20, 2025

Okinawa remains at mercy of armed forces, says expert

The prefecture hosts many U.S. military bases, following its occupation by U.S. armed forces after Japan's defeat in the Battle of Okinawa in the closing days of World War II.
Forged My Number cards and other ID cards seized by police are shown at a police station in Tokyo in December 2023.
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Jun 20, 2025

Japan to require IC chip ID verification for online bank accounts in 2027

The new rule is designed to prevent fraudulent accounts from being opened under stolen identities.
Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako will be the first reigning emperor and empress to visit Mongolia.
JAPAN
Jun 20, 2025

Emperor and empress to visit Mongolia in July

They will be the first reigning emperor and empress to visit Mongolia. The emperor visited the country in 2007 when he was Crown Prince.
Katsuya Toji looks at Jizo statues, which his father Kentaro had installed in his garden to honor the men he had executed, on May 13. The statues have been moved to a different location in the city of Fukuoka.
JAPAN
Jun 20, 2025

Diaries of a Japanese war criminal reveal 'how irrational war truly is,' son says

“It felt like I was sinking quietly into the bottom of a deep sea,” the convicted war criminal wrote after hearing of his death sentence.
The "kondosotosu" iron knife and pieces of armor, on Thursday in the city of Sakai, Osaka Prefecture
JAPAN
Jun 20, 2025

Japan team finds possible tomb artifacts at nation's largest ancient tumulus

An iron knife and pieces of armor have been confirmed to be from the keyhole-shaped grave mound, the team said.
The city of Nanto in Toyama Prefecture hosts an event for local residents to experience a ride-hailing service in March.
JAPAN / FOCUS
Jun 22, 2025

Public ride-hailing services gain ground in Japan

In a first for the nation, the city government has partnered with local taxi companies to offer ride-hailing services exclusively during times when taxis are in short supply.
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba speaks at a ceremony in the Peace Memorial Park in Itoman, Okinawa Prefecture, on Monday.
JAPAN / History
Jun 23, 2025

Okinawa marks 80th anniversary of end of ferocious ground battle

Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba spoke of the horrific ground war involving Okinawan residents, noting that 200,000 lives were lost, or about one in four Okinawans.
Ariya Jutanugarn was part of Thailand's 2023 LPGA International Crown-winning team.
MORE SPORTS / Golf
Jun 24, 2025

Holder Thailand to join Japan and others for LPGA International Crown

The Thai squad of Ariya and Moriya Jutanugarn, Patty Tavatanakit and Jeeno Thitikul won the most recent Crown in 2023.
A customer picks up a bag of government-stockpiled rice sold at a convenience store in Tokyo.
JAPAN
Jun 24, 2025

Price of rice in Japan falls below ¥4,000 per 5 kilograms

Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba had aimed to push down rice prices to the ¥3,000-¥4,000 range by as early as mid-June.
About 41% of LGBTQ+ teens could not find people or places they could consult with about their struggles with gender identity or sexual orientation.
JAPAN
Jun 24, 2025

Over half of LGBTQ+ teens in Japan have considered suicide, survey finds

Of the 90% of junior high and high school students who said they had experienced harassment at school, 64% said such harassment came from teachers.
A screenshot from the Meteorological Agency website shows tropical storm Sepat approaching Japan on Tuesday.
JAPAN / Science & Health
Jun 24, 2025

Heavy rain forecast in Japan as tropical storm Sepat set to weaken

As of early Tuesday, the tropical storm was located roughly 170 kilometers north of Chichijima, moving north-northwest at a speed of 30 kilometers per hour.
U.S. proxy adviser Institutional Shareholder Services had urged Japan Exchange Group investors to vote against CEO Hiromi Yamaji’s re-election after an employee was found guilty of insider trading.
BUSINESS / Companies
Jun 24, 2025

Japan bourse CEO reappointed with slimmer vote as rating falls

Investors voted with their feet as the stock’s 18.6% decline over the past year underperformed the broad Topix’s 1.6% rise.
A recent study on the eating habits of Japanese workers has found that those who ate the most washoku were 17% to 20% less likely to show symptoms of depression compared to those who ate it the least.
JAPAN / Science & Health
Jun 25, 2025

Washoku may prevent depression, Japan study says

Participants who ate the most washoku were 17% to 20% less likely to show symptoms of depression compared to those who ate it the least.

Longform

Ichiro Suzuki, one of the most iconic players in NPB and MLB history, was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame with 99.7% of the vote.
With Hall of Fame induction, Ichiro makes himself heard loud and clear