National Apr 24, 2021
Pandemic causing changes in pet dogs' behavior, survey shows
A recent study by dog information website Inunavi found that a total of 56% of owners say their pets' behavior has changed from before the pandemic.
Our Lives Apr 5, 2021
Susan Mercer’s 15-year quest to educate on pet adoption in Japan
by Rebecca Saunders
Canadian Susan Mercer founded HEART Tokushima 15 years ago. Amid a rise in pet ownership due to the pandemic, she's asking people to get educated before committing to a new furry friend.
National Feb 20, 2021
Disaster-prone Japan to step up efforts to help evacuees with pets
The Environment Ministry is preparing a checklist for local governments with a view toward making it simpler for people to find out which shelters accept pets, officials said.
Life Jan 19, 2021
Animal rights groups warn the surge could see pets abandoned once lives return to normal after the virus is defeated.
National / Media | BIG IN JAPAN Dec 5, 2020
Japan's portrait studios are adjusting services to cater to COVID-19 landscape
by Mark Schreiber
Revenue this year is expected to plunge by as much as 20% from 2019.
National Nov 4, 2020
Japanese health officials find 164 dogs crammed into tiny house
Japanese health officials have found 164 emaciated dogs crammed into a tiny house in one of the country's worst cases of animal hoarding, an animal rights activist said Wednesday. The parasite-infested animals were found in a 30 square-meter (323 sq. foot) house in the city ...
National Sep 24, 2020
Akita paper launches English site to spread word on beloved dogs
The site is dedicated to the popular breed and run by the Akita Sakigake Shimpo.
National | Regional voices: Chubu Aug 21, 2020
Pets in demand as Japanese stay home, but pandemic chokes supply
As people stay home longer amid the spread of COVID-19 infections, more are turning to animals for help in dealing with stress.
National Aug 3, 2020
Japan confirms first cases of COVID-19 in pets as two dogs test positive
Two pet dogs belonging to two coronavirus patients have tested positive for the coronavirus, a pet insurance company said Monday, marking the first cases in which infection of a pet has been reported in Japan. The two dogs have not shown any symptoms and one ...
People | 20 QUESTIONS Jul 26, 2020
Misty Fujii: 'I love when music was original and raw'
by Naché Buie
Involved with Black Lives Matter Kansai, DJ Misty Fujii also delivers a stream of soul classics via online radio.
National Jun 28, 2020
Clever cat wins police plaudits in Japan for leading to rescue of man stuck in canal
A neighbor followed Koko the cat's gaze, discovering a man lying on his back in about 15 cm of water.
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, ...