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September 17, 2025
 

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CULTURAL

The Agency for Cultural Affairs is recommending replacing the government’s long-standing Kunrei system with more widely used Hepburn-style spellings.
JAPAN
Aug 21, 2025
Japan to revise romanization rules for first time in 70 years
The change is expected to be approved within the current fiscal year, then gradually rolled out in school textbooks and other materials.
The Suirokaku Aqueduct at Nanzenji Temple in the city of Kyoto
JAPAN
May 18, 2025
Lake Biwa canal facilities recommended for national treasure designation
Lake Biwa canal facilities not only played key roles in water infrastructure and power generation, but also in irrigation and waterway transportation.
The Cultural Affairs Agency in the city of Kyoto
JAPAN
Dec 4, 2024
Japan to use AI to tackle online manga and anime piracy
The Cultural Affairs Agency's plan will have AI scour the web for sites pirating manga books and anime, using an image and text detection system.
Hikone Castle in Shiga Prefecture may meet a criterion for inscription on the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage list.
JAPAN
Oct 10, 2024
Hikone Castle could merit world heritage listing, UNESCO panel says
The castle from the Edo Period could being assessed as bearing a unique testimony to a disappeared cultural tradition or civilization.
Fluffy animals like English angora rabbits can be described in Japanese using new expressions such as mofumofu.
JAPAN / Society
Sep 18, 2024
Over 80% in Japan accept new expressions such as 'mofumofu'
Over 80% of the respondents said that they do not mind the use of these words by others, with younger generations being more likely to use them themselves.
Amateur actor Chihiro Kawano (front) performs in Hikaru Fujii's video art installation "War Is Over" in Saiki, Oita Prefecture.
CULTURE / Art
Jun 7, 2024
War is (not) over: Hikaru Fujii probes historical memory in Kyushu
Viewable at its current location until June 16, “War Is Over” simply would not be the same work in a different location.
The Cultural Affairs Agency in the city of Kyoto
JAPAN
Mar 27, 2024
One year on, benefits of culture agency's move to Kyoto unclear
The relocation of the Cultural Affairs Agency was decided in 2016
The Agency for Cultural Affairs recently recommended that official romanization rules be switched from the Kunrei to Hepburn system.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Mar 6, 2024
Romanization rules are changing. Why Kunrei won’t be missed.
Japan could soon change its romanization rules, opting for the more common Hepburn system. This would benefit Japanese people as much as foreigners.
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Oct 6, 2023
Unification Church objects to fine for refusing government questions
The religious organization argued that the agency's exercise of the right to question and seek answers from it was illegal.
JAPAN
Feb 5, 2023
Kyoto calling: Ancient capital prepares to be center of Japanese culture again
The relocation of the Cultural Affairs Agency has raised strong hopes in Kyoto that the move will give the city a higher profile and status.
JAPAN
Nov 7, 2022
Japan draws up draft rules for Unification Church probe
The draft, to be presented to an expert panel on the issue at a meeting Tuesday, lays out criteria for exercising the questioning right under the religious corporation law.
JAPAN
Nov 1, 2022
Japanese folk performing arts set for UNESCO listing
A total of 41 folk performing arts in 24 prefectures, including bon odori summer festival dances and nenbutsu odori dances with incantations, were recommended.
JAPAN
Feb 1, 2022
Japan OKs World Heritage bid for Sado mine despite South Korean protest
The attempt to register the mine, one of the world's largest producers of gold in the 17th century, may face hurdles as issues dating back to World War II fray ties.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Our Lives
Nov 9, 2020
Pushing international dialogue over the airwaves of Hokkaido's FM G'Sky
A radio station in small-town Hokkaido wants to help its listeners broaden their horizons.
Japan Times
Special Supplements / Japan Cultural Expo
Mar 13, 2020
Explore 10,000 years of Cultural practices
Attracted to Japanese paintings like those of artist Katsushika Hokusai? Curious about ancient techniques for wooden architecture or the works of famous modern architects such as Kenzo Tange and Kengo Kuma?
Japan Times
Special Supplements / Japan Cultural Expo
Mar 13, 2020
Kyoto National Treasure: To Protect and Convey Japanese Treasure
Commemorating the reopening of Kyoto City Kyocera Museum of Art, this exhibition showcases a collection of over 40 National Treasures, including paintings, sculptures, craft pieces, writings, archaeological artifacts and other historical items involved in Kyoto's history.
Haneda Airport security staff arrested over theft
Tokyo police have arrested a 21-year-old security inspector at Haneda Airport after he allegedly stole cash from a passenger during a baggage inspection.
Japan's elderly population down at around 36.2 million
The estimated number of people age 65 or older in Japan stands at 36.19 million as of Monday, accounting for record 29.4% of the country's total population, according to the internal affairs ministry.
SDF spots China’s biggest aircraft carrier for first time
The Fujian aircraft carrier is seen in Shanghai in May 2024 as it leaves for its first sea trial.
White House threatens broad crackdown on liberal groups
FBI Director Kash Patel (right) listens to senior White House adviser Stephen Miller speak in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington on Monday.
Why more hotels in Japan are offering room-only service
Nipponia Hotel Ise Kawasaki Merchant Town in Ise, Mie Prefecture
Pole vault rivals in awe after Duplantis has another historic night in Tokyo
Sweden's Armand Duplantis competes in the men's pole fault final during the World Athletics Championships at National Stadium in Tokyo on Monday.
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.
Tara Davis-Woodhall leaps to gold and finds redemption at world championships
Tara Davis-Woodhall celebrates after winning the women's long jump final at the World Athletics Championships at Tokyo's National Stadium on Sunday night.
An aesthetic escape to Hakone’s art-drenched hills
Between traditional examples of fine art and sleek, modern exhibitions that blend with nature, Hakone offers a unique escape from Tokyo's urban sprawl.
Niinami’s ouster quick but not unusual as corporations protect reputation
Takeshi Niinami resigns as chairman and CEO of Suntory Holdings.

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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