News On Japan
November 04, 2024
Yumeshima Station, the 'nearest station' to the Osaka-Kansai Expo, is set to open next spring, with a public reveal this week for the first time ahead of its scheduled January opening.
Image of Osaka Expo Station with Origami-Inspired Ceiling Unveiled

Following the main Halloween event on Thursday, Shibuya Ward's Chief remarked that while Halloween passed without significant disruption, 'engagement with foreign visitors remains a challenge for the future.' (Video Street View Japan)

North Korea's state-run media has announced it launched an intercontinental ballistic missile on Thursday morning. Japan and the United States have strongly condemned it. (NHK)


SOCIETY | November 04, 2024
A man found to be cycling under the influence of alcohol has been charged in Osaka City, western Japan, becoming the first to be penalized in Osaka Prefecture under newly tightened traffic regulations. (NHK)
Image of Osaka police charge offender of tougher cycling regulations

In Japan, idol culture is a huge part of the entertainment world. At live concerts, various teenage idol groups perform one after another, each with fans eagerly awaiting their favorite act. (Japanese Comedian Meshida)

Eleven individuals suspected of laundering money gained through criminal activities were arrested for allegedly facilitating gambling through an online casino.

A woman who repeatedly hurled raw eggs at her neighbor's house in Kawabe, Gifu, has been sentenced to prison. In court, the woman explained her actions stemmed from 'insults being hurled at her almost daily.'


Ninoike, a 3,067 meter lake once shining in cobalt blue near the summit of Mount Ontake, has entirely dried up, leaving only mud in its place.
Image of End of an Era: Blue Lake Vanishes

If you need to get somewhere in Tokyo by train using Google Maps, this video is for you. Stay until the end for useful things to know when you are traveling or commuting by train in Japan. (GaijinPot)

The question of whether to preserve or dismantle a nearly 100-year-old aqueduct bridge that stands as a town symbol is dividing opinions among the town and its residents.

To prevent large gatherings, Tokyo's Shibuya Ward has cordoned off the area around the Hachiko statue from early October 30th, as Halloween approaches.

A beloved café in Kamakura, Kanagawa Prefecture, is at risk of closure after the city ordered it to vacate its location. Calls for its preservation have intensified as the court battle begins.


A dance video created by the Hiroshima Prefectural Police aiming to raise awareness of fraud prevention has taken social media by storm.
Image of Hiroshima Police's Fraud Prevention Video Goes Viral

The "Beautiful Legs Awards 2024," honoring public figures with healthy, attractive legs, were held recently. In the Teen category, 18-year-old actress Kisaki Hattori won; the 20s category was awarded to 29-year-old Alice Hirose; the 30s category to 38-year-old Manami Higa; and the Over-40 category to 43-year-old MEGUMI.

Kubota Rikuto, a 21-year-old former 'underground idol,' has been arrested in connection with a series of robberies, casting light on the pressures faced by aspiring idols in Japan's niche entertainment industry.

Today, we focus on the upcoming November Tokyo performances. (Kabuki In-Depth)

Two years after The Paramount War, in Sabaody Archipelago, a young girl with great admiration for Nami embarks on an adventure. (Netflix Anime)


The popular Osaka street food takoyaki, often enjoyed as a budget-friendly delicacy, might soon become a luxury out of reach.

The number of elementary and junior high school students in Japan who are classified as "chronically absent" has reached a record high of about 350,000, according to the Ministry of Education's latest survey.

The leader of Japan's ruling coalition partner Komeito has stated his intention to step down to take responsibility for the party's setback in Sunday's Lower House election. (NHK)

Toyota Motor Corporation and NTT have announced a partnership to develop autonomous driving technology aimed at reducing traffic accidents, leveraging AI and other advanced technologies. The two companies plan to invest several billion yen in this initiative.


BUSINESS | November 04, 2024
The Japan Association of Corporate Executives has expressed support for Prime Minister Ishiba's goal of raising the minimum wage to ¥1,500 by the 2020s, calling for it to be achieved within three years.
Image of Calls for Minimum Wage of 1,500 Yen as Key to Japan’s Economic Revival

Japan's Fair Trade Commission has ordered four major insurance companies — Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance, Sompo Japan, Aioi Nissay Dowa Insurance, and Tokio Marine & Nichido Fire Insurance — to pay fines totaling over 2 billion yen for collaborating to discuss estimates and bid amounts, leading to premium increases.

Honda Motor Co. has filed a recall with Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism for over 650,000 motorcycles due to the risk of rear wheels locking from oil leaks, potentially leading to accidents.

The Bank of Japan decided to keep short-term interest rates unchanged in its two-day policy meeting that ended on Thursday. (NHK)

Toyota Motor Corp. announced that its global production from April to September fell by 7% compared to the previous year, totaling 4,705,037 units. This is the first time in four years that production figures have fallen below the prior year's results.