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July 04, 2025
 

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PARKS

A beachgoer smokes a cigarette at La Baule on the Atlantic coast on June 25. A nationwide ban on smoking is due to come into effect in France on July 1, at beaches, parks and outside schools to protect children.
WORLD / Science & Health
Jun 30, 2025
France imposes smoking ban on beaches and parks
The rule is being imposed one week before the beginning of the school holidays in France in a clear bid to immediately protect children from smoke on the beach.
A person walks with a dog through the "micro-forest" park created by the Athens City Council near Alepotrypa Park in downtown Athens, Greece, on March 31.
ENVIRONMENT / Sustainability
Apr 22, 2025
Tentative tree planting 'decades overdue' in sweltering Athens
Planting vegetation is crucial to help cities beat the heat, scientists say, as climate change stokes hotter and more intense heatwaves.
Trash cans have been installed at Nara Park for the first time in about 40 years following a rise in littering alongside an increasing number of foreign tourists in recent years.
JAPAN / Society
Mar 5, 2025
Rise in tourists prompts Nara Park to install trash cans to protect deer
Increased littering in the park has created a health hazard for the protected animal.
An example of utilizing waterfront spaces, such as developing public waterfront embarkments and privately owned roads into a unified plaza, and operating moored ships as hotels. The land ministry views this as a reference case for a public-private partnerships system. The photo was taken in December, in Tokyo's Shinagawa Ward.
JAPAN / FOCUS
Feb 20, 2025
Private funds tapped for revitalization of Japan's port green areas
Many local governments across the nation are inviting businesses to boost the appeal of port areas by developing commercial facilities and cafes.
A park in the city of Nikko, Tochigi Prefecture
JAPAN
Jun 6, 2024
Japan eyes partner hotels for national parks
The ministry is considering forming such tie-ups with around five hotel operators that are active in preserving the environment and contributing to local communities.
A sign banning the use of a water tap in Tokyo's Setagaya Ward on Friday
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Apr 7, 2024
Man arrested for allegedly rubbing his buttocks against water tap at Tokyo park
The man has admitted to the charge, saying he did it "to satisfy his sexual desire," according to the sources.
People visit to view cherry blossoms in full bloom at Chidorigafuchi, one of the moats around the Imperial Palace, in Tokyo on Thursday.
JAPAN
Apr 4, 2024
Tokyo crowds revel as cherry blossoms reach full bloom
The Meteorological Agency declared that Japan's most common and popular Somei Yoshino variety of cherry tree was in full bloom.
JAPAN / Explainer
Nov 6, 2023
What to know about the Meiji Jingu Gaien redevelopment plan
The project is controversial due to the potential felling of thousands of trees, loss of green space and threat to historic gingko trees.
People take part in a protest against the Tokyo Metropolitan Government's redevelopment project for the Meiji Jingu Gaien district in Tokyo in February.
JAPAN / Society
Sep 25, 2023
Petitioners try to halt razing of thousands of trees in historic Tokyo park
Tokyo's percentage of public green space is far lower than other major cities such as New York, Seoul and London.
Sven Hannemann manages the forest surrounding Sanssouci Palace in Potsdam, Germany. Its ancient oak trees are suffering from drought induced by climate change.
ENVIRONMENT / Climate change
Aug 9, 2023
In Germany's Versailles, drought is killing ancient trees
Drought induced by climate change is decimating trees in Potsdam's Sanssouci Palace, forcing park managers to rethink its centuries-old forest.
Jingu Gaien is a famous landmark, park and sports center in Minato Ward, Tokyo. 
COMMENTARY / Japan
Jul 26, 2023
Tokyo's tree-razing drama shouldn't stymie transformation
Residents are raging over a redevelopment plan. But while other cities become stuck in time, Tokyo's best projects can combine the spirit of the past with the hope for the future.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Apr 30, 2023
How a scientific approach to urban greening could cool Japan's concrete jungles
In Tokyo, temperatures have risen by 3 C over the past 100 years, even though global temperatures have risen by only around 1 C. The solution could lie in green infrastructure.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Mar 23, 2023
In Japan, cherry blossom forecasting is a big deal. Warming is making it harder.
A robust system of forecasting has built up around Japan’s sakura festivities, but climate change is disrupting the former and threatening the latter.
JAPAN
Dec 30, 2022
Bust of Philippine national hero quietly sits in a Tokyo park
The man is Jose Rizal, a doctor and writer who led the independence of the Philippines from Spain's colonial rule.
JAPAN
Dec 22, 2022
A controversy forces Tokyo to define 'public park'
A plan to redevelop the capital's Meiji Jingu Gaien park and its sporting venues has drawn ire from people who want the area's trees to be spared.
Japan Times
LIFE / Lifestyle / Longform
Dec 13, 2021
Park life: Growing Japan's green spaces through private investment
Green spaces nationwide increased fivefold between 1970 and 2010, but that growth has slowed to a trickle over the past decade.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Apr 21, 2021
Tokyo parks offer respite amid pandemic, but authorities urge vigilance
With their wide, open spaces, large parks have become crowded with people hanging out under the sun, something that is likely to increase during the upcoming Golden Week holidays.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Regional Voices: Hiroshima
May 1, 2020
Cities in Japan flush bad image with upgraded public toilets
Municipalities are teaming up with corporations when carrying out renovations aimed at improving experience for tourists and families.
Japan Times
LIFE / Travel
Mar 28, 2020
If you must go out, keep your distance in a quiet green space
With the current upheaval caused by COVID-19, Tokyoites have been advised from going outside to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. But Tokyo apartments are cramped and constricting, and a solo sojourn in nature can do wonders to alleviate the anxiety the virus is causing. Tokyo has plenty up its sleeve that means you can bypass popular spots like Ueno Park for a moment of quiet all to yourself.
COMMUNITY / Voices / OVERHEARD
Nov 9, 2019
You shall not pass (without first needing to disturb me)
'And then there's those people who crowd around the barriers at the entrance to a park and scowl at you for asking them to let you pass as if you're disturbing them.'
Magnitude 5.5 earthquake jars Tokara Islands amid flurry of seismic activity
A strong quake struck off the Tokara Islands on Thursday afternoon, with the island chain having recorded around 1,000 earthquakes since a burst of seismic activity first began on June 21.
Onosato's yokozuna promotion causes rare quirk in new sumo rankings
Newly promoted yokozuna Onosato holds a copy of the latest banzuke ranking in Anjo, Aichi Prefecture, on Monday.
A prophesied disaster (likely) won’t strike Japan this weekend
A viral manga prediction of a July 5 disaster has gripped Japan with anxiety and triggered an economic impact, but experts warn that while such dates are unreliable, the threat of a massive earthquake remains real. 
Over 900 earthquakes strike Tokara islands in space of two weeks
A screenshot shows many quakes occurring in the Tokara islands over the past 30 days, in this image taken from the U.S. Geological Survey website.
Ghibli’s Isao Takahata exhibit shows how beloved anime is made
“The man who planted Japanese animation” exhibition includes a variety of sketches, drawings and animation cels from Isao Takahata films such as color design for characters by Michiyo Yasuda from "Grave of the Fireflies."
Ghibli’s Isao Takahata exhibit shows how beloved anime is made
“The man who planted Japanese animation” exhibition includes a variety of sketches, drawings and animation cels from Isao Takahata films such as color design for characters by Michiyo Yasuda from "Grave of the Fireflies."
Flag football facing challenges and opportunities ahead
Japan’s women’s flag football team at the 2025 International Bowl in Los Angeles in June. The sport is enjoying continued growth in the country.
From Hokusai’s Great Wave, shinkansen to One Piece: a cultural treasure box for Lego Japan
Michael Ebbesen, general manager of Lego Japan, says Lego bricks based on Japanese culture have a rich global appeal and are sellable around the world.
With farmed fish, RelationFish swims against the tide in fine dining
Chef Hideaki Matsuo (middle) and the staff of Oseto Suisan Fisheries prepare to check on their sustainably farmed fish.
As Southeast Asia heats up, a Japanese cooling giant sees a major opportunity
An employee of Daikin Cambodia explains the use of different tools during an air conditioner installation training session in Phnom Penh. Daikin is one of Japan’s oldest air conditioning companies, but as Japan’s population falls, the firm is keying in on overseas growth.

Podcast

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

Longform

Mount Fuji is considered one of Japan's most iconic symbols and is a major draw for tourists. It's still a mountain, though, and potential hikers need to properly prepare for any climb.
What it takes to save lives on Mount Fuji
By Alex K.T. Martin

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