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Kathleen Benoza
Tomohiro Koyama (center), who was arrested for his suspected involvement in a fraud case, arrives at Narita Airport on Tuesday afternoon from Manila.
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Nov 20, 2024
Senior JP Dragon member linked to Luffy crime group arrested
Tomohiro Koyama was arrested by the Metropolitan Police Department on board an aircraft while being deported from the Philippines.
In a survey of 31 countries, Japan ranked last in terms of those who felt loved, with just 51% of respondents saying so.
JAPAN / Society
Nov 20, 2024
Japan ranks last in romance satisfaction for second straight year
Just 37% of respondents in Japan said they were satisfied with their romantic and sexual relationships, according to a survey from Ipsos.
The National Consumer Affairs Center reported 1,997 consultations about water dispensers nationwide last fiscal year — an increase 1.4 times that of the previous year.
JAPAN
Nov 20, 2024
Misleading water dispenser contracts in Japan lead to surge in inquiries
The National Consumer Affairs Center reported 1,997 consultations nationwide last fiscal year — an increase 1.4 times that of the previous year.
A screenshot of a health ministry website that allows people to easily calculate the amount of time it takes for their body to break down the alcohol they have consumed
JAPAN / Science & Health
Nov 18, 2024
Japan ministry launches website to estimate alcohol breakdown time
The “Alcohol Watch” website allows people to enter the type and amount of drinks they consumed to calculate how long it will take for the alcohol to break down.
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba waves upon arrival for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum, in Callao, Peru, on Friday.
JAPAN / Politics
Nov 17, 2024
Ishiba delays meeting with Trump, citing legal restrictions
According to Ishiba, Trump’s team explained that no meetings with foreign leaders will take place before the inauguration due to legal constraints
Troops from the Ground Self-Defense Force's Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade take part in a marine landing drill as a part of the country's nationwide 05JX military exercises in Kagoshima Prefecture in November of last year.
JAPAN / Politics
Nov 17, 2024
Elite GSDF troops to regularly deploy for drills in Australia
Tokyo will begin the deployments of the GSDF’s elite Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade to the city of Darwin starting next year.
This September, six years after planting, researchers successfully cultivated 12 black truffles totaling 200 grams.
JAPAN / Science & Health
Nov 14, 2024
Japan researchers achieve second success in artificial black truffle cultivation
While black truffles do grow naturally in Japan, cultivation methods are still underdeveloped, prompting ongoing research.
An expert committee convened by the health ministry has proposed introducing a limit on consecutive workdays.
JAPAN / Society
Nov 13, 2024
Japan to ban employees from working for 14 consecutive days
Employers are currently required to provide one day off a week, but loopholes mean some employees can work up to 48 days in a row.
Last year, cashews were responsible for 279 of 6,033 allergy cases, or 4.6%, making them the seventh most common allergenic food.
JAPAN / Science & Health
Nov 11, 2024
Japan weighs mandatory allergen labeling for cashew nuts
Cashews nuts caused 37 cases of severe anaphylactic shock last year, making them the fifth most common trigger.
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba speaks to reporters at the Prime Minister's Office in Tokyo on Wednesday.
JAPAN / Politics
Nov 7, 2024
Ishiba holds first phone call with Trump as Japanese PM seeks to build ties
Ishiba called his first one-on-one conversation with Trump "friendly," saying that he expects the two will be able to "speak openly and candidly.”
Republican presidential nominee and former U.S. President Donald Trump points to supporters as he holds hands with his wife, Melania, before claiming victory in the 2024 U.S. presidential election during a rally at the Palm Beach County Convention Center in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Wednesday.
WORLD / Politics
Nov 7, 2024
Trump defeats Harris, returning U.S. to era of uncertainty
Kamala Harris congratulated her rival on a win expected to have a dramatic impact on the United States' relationships with allies like Japan and rivals like China.
A man watches a news broadcast about a North Korean missile test, at the main rail station in Seoul on Thursday.
JAPAN
Nov 5, 2024
North Korea fires off missiles hours before U.S. voters head to polls
Pyongyang launched at least seven short-range missiles that flew about 400 kilometers each before splashing down in waters outside Japan's exclusive economic zone.
A Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency H3 rocket carrying a defense communication satellite is successfully launched Monday from the Tanegashima Space Center launch site in Kagoshima Prefecture.
JAPAN
Nov 4, 2024
Fifth time’s a charm as H3 rocket puts defense satellite in orbit
The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency successfully launched the defense communication satellite, after four earlier launch dates were postponed.
Police officers investigate near a house in Tokyo where a resident was assaulted by a group of burglars on Saturday.
JAPAN / Crime & Legal / FOCUS
Nov 3, 2024
Spate of burglaries in Kanto highlight importance of home security
Amid a surge in burglaries linked to "dark" part-time jobs across the Tokyo area, experts are advising people to take measures that would delay intruders.
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump and Kamala Harris, the Democratic candidate, face off in an election Tuesday that will have wide-ranging implications for Japan.
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Nov 3, 2024
Status quo or disruption? Breaking down the U.S. election's impact on Japan
Regardless of who wins, Washington is likely to have limited bandwidth to change tack in a significant way with its most important Asian ally.
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba during a news conference at the Liberal Democratic Party's headquarters in Tokyo on Monday.
JAPAN / Politics
Oct 30, 2024
Ishiba Cabinet's approval rating sinks to around 30%
Public support for the LDP and its ruling coalition partner Komeito dropped significantly after they lost their Lower House majority on Oct. 27.
The health ministry’s report shows that the number of elementary, junior high and high school students who took their own lives in 2023 stood at 513, one fewer than last year's record of 514.
JAPAN / Science & Health
Oct 29, 2024
Japan’s struggle with youth suicide sparks government initiatives
The health ministry’s report shows that the number of elementary, junior high and high school students who took their own lives remained alarmingly high.
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba during an interview with reporters at the Liberal Democratic Party's headquarters in Tokyo on Sunday night
JAPAN / Politics
Oct 28, 2024
Japan faces political upheaval after LDP-led coalition loses majority
The electoral rout opens up a potential path for the opposition to steer the lower chamber’s agenda if they can act cohesively.
A false claim on social media about a restaurant chain being infested with slugs led to the store's closure. The man behind the claim was sentenced to prison on Thursday.
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Oct 24, 2024
Man gets prison time for false restaurant slug infestation claims
Haruomi Enya, 25, was convicted of obstruction of business by deception. His false claims ultimately led to the establishment's closure.
Then-astronaut candidates Ayu Yoneda (bottom, sixth from left) and Makoto Suwa (bottom center) take part in parabolic flight training.
JAPAN
Oct 23, 2024
Japan’s lunar ambitions advance with two new astronauts
The pair are preparing to become the first non-U.S. astronauts to set foot on the moon.

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