National Jan 27, 2021
Ahead of administering vaccines, municipalities are facing challenges such as selecting venues, securing doctors and nurses, and informing residents.
National Sep 9, 2020
Boy, 4, dies after choking on large grape at Tokyo kindergarten
A 4-year-old boy died after choking on a large grape while eating lunch at a Tokyo kindergarten and police have launched a probe into the accident, investigators said Tuesday. The boy suddenly stood up with a pained expression on his face while eating grapes of ...
National / Media | BIG IN JAPAN Jun 20, 2020
An aging sumo wrestler, food poisoning risks and safeguarding pets from COVID-19
by Mark Schreiber
Warning: A portion of this contribution deals with suicide, which some readers may find distressing. In this age of medical miracles, it has become increasingly common to read accounts of women who have given birth in their 60s or even 70s. For professional sumo wrestlers, ...
National Jun 8, 2020
Police investigate source of gun after Tokyo teen's apparent suicide
The boy's mother and elder sister were inside the house at the time but neither was injured, police added.
National Dec 3, 2019
Emperor Naruhito, joined by Empress Masako, visited the mausoleums of his grandfather and great grandfather in Tokyo on Tuesday, concluding a series of visits to imperial mausoleums since the completion of key succession rituals. The imperial couple separately offered tributes at the mausoleum of Emperor ...
National Nov 11, 2019
Six, including four toddlers, injured in Tokyo after vehicle plows into pedestrians
The children, about 1 or 2 years old, suffered minor injuries, while two teachers were also taken to hospital, according to police.
National May 3, 2019
Tokyo police investigating drone flights near imperial residences a day after emperor's accession
The unmanned aircraft were seen Thursday night near the Imperial Palace, the Akasaka Estate — the current home of Emperor Naruhito — and the Musashino Imperial Graveyard in Hachioji.
National May 1, 2019
Man apparently kills himself with crossbow at imperial burial site in western Tokyo
A man was found dead Wednesday morning at an imperial burial site on the outskirts of Tokyo after an apparent suicide, police said. The discovery came as a series of ceremonies took place in Tokyo at the Imperial Palace for the ascension of Emperor Naruhito ...
Business | Help Wanted? Apr 21, 2019
Foreign staff bring new perspectives to smaller firms in Japan
by Kazuaki Nagata
There's no denying that Japan, amid a severe labor crunch and a shrinking population, will need to rely more on foreign workers in the coming years, and that's especially true for small and midsize companies. Because of language issues and cultural differences, smaller firms often ...
Culture Nov 25, 2017
Japan's geisha battle to protect their future
by Masami Ito
A handful of traditional female entertainers across the country are experimenting with innovative ways of preserving their culture.
National / Crime & Legal Nov 1, 2017
Takahiro Shiraishi, who worked at as sex industry scout, tells police that some of his victims were teenage girls.
National / Crime & Legal Feb 20, 2015
Deceased man linked to fingerprint in 1995 supermarket triple-murder had alibi
A deceased man police believed to be a potential suspect in a 1995 triple-murder at a suburban Tokyo supermarket due to a fingerprint found at the scene was elsewhere at the time of the crime, investigative sources said Thursday. On Wednesday, sources said investigators had ...