Japon

business

Japan Recalls Second Oil Shock Amid Rising Inflation

A retrospective on the early 1980s energy crisis highlights the origins of Japan's nationwide energy-saving culture.

business

Japan Cuts Passport Fees by 44% to Boost Overseas Travel

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is lowering costs for adult and minor passports starting July 1 to increase ownership rates.

world

Japan Railways Ticketing System Glitch Disrupts Nationwide Travel

A technical failure in a shared JR platform halted ticket sales at counters, machines, and online Wednesday.

world

Japan House Speaker Urges Cooperation on Imperial Law, Seat Reductions

Speaker Eisuke Mori met with ruling and opposition leaders to resolve legislative deadlock over the Imperial House Law.

world

Japan Lowers 10-Year Passport Fees, Discontinues 5-Year Option

New pricing takes effect July 1, 2024, as officials warn of processing delays reaching one month due to application surges.

world

Man admits to killing woman during live stream in Tokyo

Kenichi Takano confessed to the murder of 22-year-old Airi Sato during his first trial at the Tokyo District Court.

world

Heavy Rain Forecast for Western and Central Japan

TBS warns of rainfall up to 150 mm in Kyushu and the potential development of two new typhoons.

world

Magnitude 5.1 Earthquake Strikes Miyazaki Prefecture

Japan Meteorological Agency reports maximum Shindo 4 intensity in northern Miyazaki with no tsunami threat

world

Earthquake Strikes Miyazaki Prefecture in Japan

A magnitude 5.1 to 5.8 quake reached Shindo 4 intensity; authorities report no tsunami risk.

world

Japan Unveils Growth Strategy With ¥370 Trillion Investment Plan

New government initiative targets a ¥1,500 minimum wage by the early 2030s and massive spending on high-tech sectors.

world

Nikkei 225 Opens Higher on AI and Semiconductor Demand

Japan's benchmark index surged early Wednesday following record highs in US markets.

world

Japan's May Job-to-Applicant Ratio Drops to 1.17

Nationwide employment demand fell for the first time in two months as high energy costs and a weak yen pressured businesses.

world

Morinaga Milk Industry Raises Prices on 47 Product Lines

The Japanese dairy company cites rising raw material and packaging costs driven by geopolitical instability in the Middle East.

world

Japan Approves Imperial House Law Amendment to Secure Succession

Cabinet decision allows female royals to remain in the family and adopts male heirs from former princely houses.

world

Singer-Songwriter Noshi Surpasses 6 Billion SNS Views During National Tour

The 25-year-old artist celebrated the milestone during a Tokyo performance as part of a nine-city tour.

world

Japan Airlines to Repay 290 Million Yen After Subsidy Fraud

The airline improperly claimed labor costs for projects involving drones and flying cars.

world

Over 2,500 Japanese Food Items Set for July Price Hikes

Rising costs from Middle East tensions and a weak yen drive price increases for major brands including Yamazaki Baking and Koikeya.

world

Former Imperial Family Member Says Adoption Candidates Must Gain Public Trust

Tomohiro Kuni discusses requirements for male descendants returning to the Japanese Imperial family amid succession debates.

world

Mizuho FG Launches AI-Driven Banking for Small Businesses

The new UPSIDER BANK by MIZUHO offers same-day account opening and AI-powered loans to Japanese SMEs.

world

Japan Selects Noetra for National AI Foundation Model Project

A new venture by SoftBank, NEC, Sony, and Honda will lead a five-year effort to develop domestic AI and robotics.

world

Japan Outlines Massive Investment Shift in New Economic Policy Draft

Prime Minister Takaichi proposes more than 370 trillion yen in public-private investments for AI, semiconductors, and shipbuilding.

world

Hunter Bitten by Asiatic Black Bear in Kyoto Mountains

A man in his 40s required seven stitches after a bear attack during a wildlife capture operation in Ukyo Ward.

sports

Naomi Osaka Wears Kimono-Inspired Robe at Wimbledon

The tennis star challenged the tournament's strict all-white dress code with a look inspired by the film Kill Bill.

Netflix Releases Baki-Dou: The Invincible Samurai Part 2

The 12-episode series continues the story of a cloned legendary swordsman in a Tokyo research laboratory.

sports

Parma Goalkeeper Zion Suzuki Featured in Serie A Highlight Reel

A new video compilation showcases the top saves of the 23-year-old Japanese international during the 2025/26 season.

sports

Brazil Defeats Japan 2-1 to Advance in 2026 World Cup

Gabriel Martinelli scores a 96th-minute winner at Houston Stadium to send Brazil into the Round of 16.

sports

Brazil Defeats Japan 2-1 to Advance in 2026 World Cup

Gabriel Martinelli scored a stoppage-time winner in Houston to send Brazil to the Round of 16.

sports

Brazil Defeats Japan 2-1 to Advance in World Cup

A last-minute goal by Gabriel Martinelli secures Brazil's place in the Round of 16 during the match in Houston.

culture

NiziU to release 'Make you happy' 2026 music video

The South Korean-Japanese girl group will launch a new version of the track on YouTube this Wednesday.

world

Powerful Earthquakes Strike Venezuela, Japan and Other Nations

Seismic activity including a magnitude 7.5 quake in Venezuela and a 6.9 quake in Japan occurred within a five-day window.

world

Japan Deploys AI Virtual Police Chief to Combat Cyber Fraud

Osaka Prefectural Police introduce AIko to tackle an annual cyber-fraud problem estimated at $2 billion.

business

Japanese Yen Hits Lowest Level Against US Dollar Since 1986

Currency continues to slide despite Japanese efforts to defend the yen through interest rate hikes and market intervention.

world

Japanese Yen Hits 40-Year Low Against US Dollar

Tokyo authorities monitor markets as a strengthening dollar pushes the yen to its weakest level since 1986.

world

Five Opposition Parties Demand Parliamentary Reform in Japan

Opposition leaders call for the withdrawal of seat-reduction and secondary-capital bills and a budget session with Prime Minister Takayoshi.

world

Thunderclouds develop over northern Kanto region

Japan Meteorological Agency warns of heavy rain and temperatures exceeding 30 °C tomorrow

world

Mai Shiraishi Reflects on Five Years Since Nogizaka46 Graduation

Former idol and current actor discusses her transition and support for new group members at a Japan commercial launch event.

world

Japanese Knitting Supplies Gain Popularity With Foreign Tourists

Travelers from Europe are buying Japanese yarn and specialty magazines as a form of digital detox and unique souvenir.

world

Glowing Eyes in Japanese Residential Garden Identified as Raccoons

Nightly foraging by raccoons caused a visual phenomenon in a residential yard, though reports differ on the exact city location.

world

Japan Rice Inventories Hit Record High as Prices Decline

Private sector stockpiles reach 2.23 million tons, driving down retail prices at supermarkets nationwide.

world

Yodobashi Camera Opens New Store in Tokyo's Ikebukuro District

The retailer enters a competitive electronics hub within the Seibu Ikebukuro Main Store to boost regional activity.

world

Japan Reports Surge in Bluefin Tuna Catches

High harvests in some ports reach 2.5 times previous levels, though regional pricing and quotas create market volatility.

world

Tokyo Wholesale Egg Prices Fall for Fifth Straight Month

Wholesale costs drop as chicken populations recover, but retail prices remain at two-month highs due to geopolitical tensions.

world

Yodobashi Camera Opens Massive Store at Seibu Ikebukuro

The electronics giant launches one of the Kanto region's largest outlets in Tokyo, intensifying competition in the Ikebukuro district.

world

Japan Unveils Growth Strategy With ¥370 Trillion Investment Plan

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi outlines a long-term economic roadmap targeting 17 strategic sectors through FY2040.

world

Farmer confronts 100-kg brown bear in Japanese rice paddy

The encounter occurs amid a surge of bear sightings and official warnings in the region.

world

China Imposes Export Curbs on 40 Japanese Entities

Beijing blacklists 20 companies and monitors another 20, citing national security and Japan's 'new militarism.'

world

Brazil Eliminates Japan With Last-Minute World Cup Goal

A 96th-minute strike in Houston secures a 2-1 victory for Brazil, ending the Samurai Blue's 2026 tournament run.

world

Brazil Beats Japan 2-1 to Advance to World Cup Round of 16

Gabriel Martinelli scored a stoppage-time winner in Houston to secure Brazil's place in the knockout stage.

business

Japan Recalls Panic Buying During First Oil Shock

Historical records show consumers hoarded toilet paper and detergent as oil prices surged, leaving store shelves empty nationwide.

world

Japan to Deploy 800 Camera Traps to Count Wild Bear Population

The Ministry of the Environment will use distinctive chest patterns to identify individual bears and set capture quotas.

world

Japan Issues Landslide and Heavy Rain Warnings Across Kanto and Kyushu

Unstable atmospheric conditions triggered localized 'guerrilla' rainstorms in Tokyo and high-risk landslide alerts in southern Japan.

world

Japanese Yen Hits 40-Year Low Amid Policy Concerns

Analyst Jesper Koll warns that slow rate hikes and negative real interest rates limit the effectiveness of Tokyo's market interventions.

world

Yodobashi Camera Opens New Commercial Facility at JR Ikebukuro Station

The retailer expands its footprint in Tokyo's Toshima Ward, intensifying competition with Bic Camera and Yamada Denki.

world

Brazil Defeats Japan 2-1 to Advance to World Cup Round of 16

Brazil secured a spot in the knockout stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup following a narrow victory over Japan.

world

Mobile Battery Fire Disrupts Tokyu Railway Lines in Tokyo

Service on the Toyoko and Meguro lines was temporarily suspended Tuesday after a passenger's battery ignited.

business

Yodobashi Camera Opens Massive New Store in Tokyo's Ikebukuro District

The new multimedia hub features approximately 33,000 square meters of retail space, marking a major expansion in the Kanto region.

world

Brazil Secures 2-1 World Cup Victory Over Japan

Gabriel Martinelli scored a late injury-time goal to propel Brazil into the round of 16.

business

Japan Fails to Reach World Cup Knockout Stage After Draw With Brazil

Japan's national team exits the tournament despite a draw against Brazil on June 15.

world

Brazil Eliminates Japan From World Cup With Late Goal

Japan suffered a 2-1 loss to Brazil in Houston on Monday, marking five consecutive knockout-stage defeats for the team.

world

Japan National Team Bows to Fans After World Cup Exit

The Samurai Blue thanked supporters following a 2-1 loss to Brazil in the Round of 32.