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Irene Wang
Takao Doi, a former astronaut and professor at Kyoto University, holds an engineering model of LignoSat wooden satellite during an interview at the university on Oct. 25.
JAPAN
Nov 5, 2024
World's first wooden satellite, developed in Japan, heads to space
The palm-sized satellite is tasked to demonstrate the cosmic potential of the renewable material as humans explore living in space.
Ramen shop Menya Taisei's owner Taisei Hikage cooks ramen at his shop in Tokyo.
BUSINESS / Economy
Oct 24, 2024
Japan's rising ramen prices give election voters food for thought
The problems facing ramen shop owners reflect a cost-of-living crunch that has become a top issue for voters in the general election on Sunday.
Visitors look at the preserved Atomic Bomb Dome in the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park on Saturday, a day after the Nihon Hidankyo atomic bomb survivors' group was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.
JAPAN
Oct 13, 2024
In Hiroshima peace park, visitors hope Nobel win will boost peace efforts
With the 80th anniversary of the bombings next year, the Nobel Prize could spotlight the legacy of its survivors and renew debate over nuclear weapons.
A researcher at the University of Tokyo shows a face mold covered in human skin tissue at its lab.
JAPAN / Science & Health
Jul 18, 2024
Say cheese: Japanese scientists make robot face 'smile' with living skin
Researchers at the University of Tokyo grew human skin cells in the shape of a face and pulled it into a wide grin, using embedded ligamentlike attachments.
Daiki Hashimoto takes part in a training session in Tokyo on June 21.
OLYMPICS / Gymnastics
Jun 27, 2024
Japan men's gymnastics team sets sights on China for team gold
Three years ago, the Russians beat Japan by 0.103 points — a sliver of a number that etched itself into the minds of Japan's gymnasts.
Mayumi Kitakata uses "CatsMe!," an AI-driven smartphone app that purports to tell when a cat is feeling pain, near her 14 year-old male pet cat Chi at her home in Tokyo.
JAPAN
Jun 20, 2024
Japan's beloved cats get health care help from AI
The CatsMe! app has been used on 6,000 pictures of cats and by more than 230,000 customers since its launch last year.
Tomomi Bitoh, 33, Japan's top ultrarunner, stretches as she takes part in a workout session around the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on Tuesday.
JAPAN / Science & Health
Jun 6, 2024
As Japan's birth rate drops, runner freezes her eggs to sustain motherhood dream
Last year Tokyo authorities started offering subsidies of up to ¥300,000 ($1,900) for women aged between 18 and 39 to have their eggs frozen for future pregnancies.
Japanese gymnast Daiki Hashimoto attends a ceremony to unveil the official uniforms of Team Japan for the Paris Games, in Tokyo on Wednesday.
OLYMPICS
Apr 18, 2024
How green are your trainers? Team Japan uniforms to have carbon footprint labels
Japanese Olympians stepping up to the podium in Paris will have more than just a medal to be proud of this summer.
Kenji Tanaka uses a method of paper stenciling called Ise katagami that began in the region more than 1,000 years ago.
MORE SPORTS
Apr 3, 2024
In Suzuka, artist hopes Formula One can revive ancient Japanese craft
Kenji Tanaka uses an ancient method of paper stenciling called Ise katagami to create model F1 cars.
Masaya Shibasaki, 26, an employee of EXEO Group, reacts as he tries the Osaka Heart Cool-developed VR electrical device Perionoid, which simulates menstrual pain, on Thursday.
JAPAN
Mar 8, 2024
Japanese male office workers experience simulated menstrual pain
Companies are required to offer menstrual leave, but the time off doesn't have to be paid and around half of female workers never take it.
Staff from All Nippon Airways and a travel agency escort a Chinese tour group from Beijing upon their arrival at Haneda Airport in Tokyo on Wednesday.
BUSINESS / Economy
Aug 24, 2023
Will 'explosive spending' return to Japan with China group tours?
Hopes the tours will herald big returns clash with a struggling Chinese economy and Japan's controversial release of treated wastewater into the sea.
Nadine, a 43-year-old tourist from the U.S., wears a sumo wrestler costume and tries to spar against former sumo wrestler Towanoyama in the sumo ring at Yokozuna Tonkatsu Dosukoi Tanaka in Tokyo in June 30.
SUMO
Jul 23, 2023
Sumo retirees play for laughs from tourists flooding back to Japan
Themed restaurants, including those offering sumo performances, are part of a tourism ecosystem that Prime Minister Fumio Kishida hopes will add ¥5 trillion a year to the nation's economy.
Japan Times
SOCCER / Women's World Cup
Jun 20, 2023
Nadeshiko coach says Women's World Cup TV blackout will harm game
FIFA had threatened a blackout in major European markets before reaching an agreement with broadcasters in Britain, Spain, France, Germany and Italy last week.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Art
Feb 14, 2023
Japanese artist turns heads with freaky flesh-like accessories
Masataka Shishido says his art is often made-to-order by customers who request their own body parts on the items.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Sep 12, 2022
Japan liquor businesses turn to nonalcoholic drinks to attract Gen Z
The global market value for low- and nonalcoholic drinks rose to just under $10 billion in 2021 from $7.8 billion in 2018.
Japan Times
LIFE / Lifestyle
May 4, 2022
Coffee, tea and nagging at Japan's anti-procrastination cafe
The clean, well-lit place in western Tokyo has 10 seats reserved for writers, editors, manga artists and anybody else grappling with the written word and deadlines.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Science & Health
Mar 17, 2022
Seals help Japanese researchers collect data under Antarctic ice
The seals were equipped with a head-mounted conductivity, temperature and depth sensor between March and November 2017, allowing scientists to collect observation data.
Japan Times
CULTURE
Feb 4, 2021
Party's over: Pandemic forces closure of iconic Kawaii Monster Cafe
The cafe had hoped to capitalize on strong demand during the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, but with the outlook still uncertain a decision was made to let the lease expire and shut down.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / OSAKA RESTAURANTS
May 26, 2018
Hood by Vargas: Whimsy, Americana and sandwiches
Just behind Nakatsu Station, there's an old residential pocket located within a warren of narrow alleyways. Here, change is in the air.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / TOKYO FOOD FILE
Mar 3, 2018
Koe Lobby: New arrival has all-day sustenance and style
With its high ceiling, comfortable seating and impeccably cool soundtrack, Koe Lobby ticks all the right boxes. It only opened last month and already this buzzy cafe/bakery/restaurant/lounge space has become a magnet in Shibuya for both the hungry and the hip.

Longform

Construction takes place on the Takanawa Gateway Convention Center in Tokyo, slated to open in 2025.
A boom for business tourism in Japan?