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November 01, 2025
 

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LOCAL GOVERNMENT

JAPAN / FOCUS
Jun 15, 2023
Osaka in uphill battle to eradicate street smoking by 2025 Expo
The city announced plans last year to expand no-smoking areas to cover the entire city by 2025 while increasing the number of authorized smoking sections.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Jun 12, 2023
Esoteric fines pile up as China’s provinces hunt for revenue
The central government reiterated that provinces have to fix hidden debt problems on their own, leaving local officials to get more creative to raise revenue.
LIFE / Food & Drink
Jun 9, 2023
Town transforms marine nuisance into local delicacy
Ainan in Ehime Prefecture has released a variety of sea urchin fed with scraps of the town's signature agricultural products of broccoli and citrus.
Japan Times
JAPAN
May 31, 2023
Japan's parliament enacts bill to tackle social isolation
The legislation obliges local governments to make efforts to set up regional councils made up of groups offering aid to people suffering from isolation.
JAPAN
May 26, 2023
More My Number mistakes found, Digital Agency says
As of 5 p.m. Thursday, 20 such cases had been confirmed at 14 local governments, up from 11 cases at six local governments.
Japan Times
JAPAN
May 16, 2023
Delays won’t hurt Japan’s first casino, Osaka governor says
The Osaka plan for a so-called integrated resort featuring hotels, entertainment and conference centers as well as a casino, gained government approval in April.
Japan Times
JAPAN / FOCUS
May 15, 2023
Uzbekistan-born lawmaker looks to turn love of Japan into social change
Orzugul, who was recently elected to a seat in the Setagaya Ward Assembly, is looking to use it to address concerns of marginalized groups — issues she is all too familiar with.
JAPAN
May 3, 2023
Kinki Nippon Tourist admits overcharging municipalities by up to ¥1.6 billion
The travel agency has said it will return the funds, overcharged on commissioned work related to COVID-19 vaccination programs, after the amount is finalized.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
May 2, 2023
Chiba Prefecture woman arrested over Twitter threat to release sarin
Miyuki Yamamoto, who ran unsuccessfully for the Funabashi Municipal Assembly last month, was arrested on suspicion of obstructing business with fraudulent information.
JAPAN / FOCUS
May 1, 2023
LGBTQ+ 'familyship' systems expand in Japan amid absence of national law
Such systems add recognition of same-sex partners’ children as family members, enabling access to public services typically offered to married couples and families.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Apr 28, 2023
A small Japanese town sets new precedent for women in politics
Among the country’s city councils and assemblies, men held more than 80% of the total seats as of 2021. But in Ebetsu, more than 40% of the city council members are women.
JAPAN
Apr 25, 2023
Ashiya's new mayor stands out in a local politics dominated by old men
Ryosuke Takashima has grabbed headlines since becoming the youngest city chief ever elected in Japan.
JAPAN
Apr 20, 2023
Yokosuka becomes Japan's first city to use ChatGPT for administrative tasks
Roughly 4,000 municipal employees at Yokosuka’s city office began using the artificial intelligence-powered chatbot for a one-month trial in an effort to improve operations.
Japan Times
JAPAN / FOCUS
Apr 20, 2023
Despite hurdles, more political candidates hit campaign trail with young children
Politics in Japan has long been considered the domain of those who are capable of committing to the duty 24/7, marginalizing the voices of families with young children.
JAPAN / Politics
Apr 16, 2023
Campaigning starts for second half of Japan's unified polls
The official campaign period has kicked off for the second half of Japan's unified local elections slated for April 23.
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Apr 3, 2023
Rising number of uncontested seats in Japan sparks calls for change
A quarter of candidates in 41 prefectural assembly elections ran unopposed — the second highest ever — prompting even the winners to call for reforms.
JAPAN / Politics
Mar 26, 2023
Mayoral races in six major Japanese cities officially kick off
The mayoral elections, part of the first round of unified local polls next month, are set for April 9.
Japan Times
LIFE / Digital / Japan Pulse
Mar 23, 2023
Tokyo gets on board the virtual YouTuber hype train
The local government's move to recruit Gawr Gura, Mori Calliope and Miko Sakura to help promote tourism speaks to just how big the VTuber industry has become in Japan.
JAPAN
Mar 22, 2023
Japan sets date for launch of new children's agency
Beginning operations on April 1, the Children and Families Agency will adopt an integrated approach to tackling issues such as the falling birthrate, child abuse and bullying.
Japan Times
JAPAN / History / THE LIVING PAST
Mar 18, 2023
When Emperor Meiji opened Japan, a little democracy sneaked in
Inspiration was drawn not from liberal Britain but from authoritarian Germany. The parliament was partly appointed, partly elected — by an electorate of wealth.
Inside Tokyo's 'phantom' stations — and the stories they tell
Mamoru Iwai, stationmaster of Keisei Ueno Station, says that, other than earthquake-proofing, the former Hakubutsukan-Dobutsuen (Museum-Zoo) Station has remained untouched.
Trump trims fentanyl-linked China tariffs after 'amazing' Xi meeting
U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping greet each other as they arrive for talks at the Gimhae Air Base, next to the Gimhae International Airport in Busan, South Korea, on Thursday.
Japanese and South Korean leaders agree to boost ties in first meeting
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi shakes hands with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung ahead of their talks at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum summit in Gyeongju, South Korea, on Thursday.
Takaichi and Xi reaffirm pledge in first meet to pursue ‘mutually beneficial’ ties
A screenshot from Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's X account shows Takaichi exchanging greetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping ahead of an Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit meeting in Gyeongju, South Korea, on Friday.　
Japan’s government ramps up bear control efforts amid rise in attacks
A bear roams around a field in the town of Kuzumaki, Iwate Prefecture, on Oct. 12.
Oasis returns to Japan after 16 years — and fans can still sing every word
Liam Gallagher commanded the stage with effortless charisma during Oasis' Tokyo Dome set on Saturday.
At Japan Mobility Show, BYD gears up to conquer Japan's EV market
BYD Auto Japan President Atsuki Tofukuji unveils the Racco at the Japan Mobility Show in Tokyo on Wednesday.
Oasis returns to Tokyo: Rain, rapture and rock
Fans wait to get into the Oasis show at Tokyo Dome on Saturday. While lining up in the rain, some broke into impromptu versions of the British rock group's hits.
Kyushu banzuke sets the stage to cement 2025’s sumo narratives
Onosato ahead of his bout against Aonishiki at The Grand Sumo Tournament at the Royal Albert Hall in London on Oct. 18
Tokyo Film Festival opens with global stars and a spotlight on Asian storytelling
Director Junji Sakamoto (left) walked the Tokyo International Film Festival red carpet with Sayuri Yoshinaga (center) and Non (right), who both play mountaineer Junko Tabei, the first woman to summit Mount Everest, in the biopic "Climbing for Life."

Podcast

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

Longform

Mamoru Iwai, stationmaster of Keisei Ueno Station, says that, other than earthquake-proofing, the former Hakubutsukan-Dobutsuen (Museum-Zoo) Station has remained untouched.
Inside Tokyo's 'phantom' stations — and the stories they tell
By Alex K.T. Martin

SUSTAINABLE JAPAN

Foreign wrestlers have a long history in sumo
Foreign wrestlers have a long history in sumo

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