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, ...
Lifestyle Jun 14, 2020
Here’s what you need to know before getting a pet in Japan
by Louise George Kittaka
If time spent at home during COVID-19 made you want to get your own furry friend, here are some points to consider before committing to a new pet.
National Jun 9, 2020
Wasao, an Akita dog who earned nationwide popularity for his unique looks, has died at age 13, believed to be equivalent to around the early 90s in human years, a support group said Tuesday. The big, white furry canine with a squinty-eyed face died Monday. ...
Commentary / World May 30, 2020
How safe are pets from COVID-19?
by Faye Flam
Back in mid-April, I took my 13-year-old cat to the vet for some tests. They told me his chronic heart disease had worsened, but it was nothing alarming. His condition started to deteriorate a few days later, ultimately leading to a 3 a.m. trip ...
National May 20, 2020
Police have seen increasing numbers of violations of the animal law, such as animal abuse, which hit a record high last year.
National May 14, 2020
Coronavirus transmissible between domestic cats, Japan-U.S. study shows
During the research, the new virus was passed on even though infected cats didn't show any symptoms.
Business May 12, 2020
Virus fears leave some Japan facilities reluctant to look after pets
Many say the unknowns surrounding COVID-19 transmission make the risk too high.
National Apr 4, 2020
Pet owners in Japan spend ¥300,000 on dogs, ¥160,000 on cats a year
Pet owners in Japan annually fork out an average of about ¥300,000 ($2,780) for a dog, and an average of ¥160,000 for a cat, according to a recent survey. Anicom Insurance Inc., which provides insurance policies for pets, on Tuesday released the results of the ...
Offbeat Mar 31, 2020
U.S. man teaching dog how to drive arrested after high-speed chase
A resident of the western U.S. state of Washington was arrested following a high-speed chase that left officers dumbfounded after they found the man's pit bull behind the wheel. The incident unfolded Sunday afternoon after police received calls about a driver hitting two vehicles in ...
National / Crime & Legal Mar 26, 2020
The number of suspected animal abuse cases investigated by police across the nation reached 105 in 2019, setting a record, and included some cases in which videos of abuse were uploaded online, police data showed Thursday. The figure has been rising in recent years, according ...
National / Social Issues Mar 25, 2020
A Tokyo share house where shelter dogs and humans live in harmony
by Donican Lam
Share houses in Tokyo come in all shapes and sizes, but a nonprofit organization for rescue dogs has taken a fresh approach with a home where abandoned canines are housemates. "Wans Heim," which draws its name from a colloquial Japanese word for "dog" and the ...