Japanese calligraphy is set to be added to UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list after an evaluation body recommended its registration on November 5th, paving the way for the traditional art form to become Japan's 24th entry and its first since traditional sake brewing was recognized in 2024.
Japan's government is facing growing pressure from opposition lawmakers to clarify who will qualify for a new financial support program and how much they will receive, as deliberations on legislation to reduce the consumption tax on food and introduce payments for low- and middle-income earners enter their final stages in the House of Representatives.
A former host club worker in Tokyo's Kabukicho entertainment district and a recruiter have been arrested on suspicion of exploiting a woman's romantic feelings to persuade her to work at sex establishments, with police alleging that the former host promised they could travel together if she helped him earn enough money.
A 42-year-old mother accused of killing her two children at their apartment in Ibaraki Prefecture in July 2023 was sentenced to eight years in prison by the Mito District Court on November 5th, after judges ruled that her ability to stop herself from committing the crime had been severely impaired by her mental condition, resulting in a sentence 10 years shorter than prosecutors had requested.
A 37-year-old police sergeant from the Saitama Prefectural Police Department was left unconscious and in critical condition after grabbing a handgun from another officer and shooting himself in the head at a waste treatment facility in Koshigaya, Saitama Prefecture, on November 4.
A memorial service was held at a cemetery in Tokyo's Itabashi Ward on the morning of November 4 to honor police and security dogs that served in criminal investigations, disaster rescue operations, and other police duties, with 11 dogs newly laid to rest since late September 2025.
A bear cub charged toward a family standing outside their home in Ome, western Tokyo, on November 3rd, rushing straight toward the front door moments after a high-pitched cry was heard from nearby bushes, in an encounter that left the resident shaken.
Six Pakistani nationals have been arrested on suspicion of repeatedly operating unauthorized taxi services for foreign tourists in Kyoto and other sightseeing destinations, with police investigating what they believe may be an organized operation involving additional suspects.
A smartphone caught fire at Narita Airport's Terminal 1 shortly after 7:30 a.m. on November 4th, prompting the dispatch of 10 fire trucks and other emergency vehicles before the blaze was extinguished about 30 minutes later, with no injuries reported.
Osaka's annual Midosuji Illumination began on November 3rd, lighting up approximately four kilometers of the city's main thoroughfare from Umeda to Namba with colorful displays celebrating the street's history as one of Osaka's most recognizable winter attractions.
Japan's Digital Agency began offering a trial version of a generative artificial intelligence application on October 30 to help government officials prepare responses to parliamentary questions, aiming to reduce the workload of approximately 180,000 government employees and address the long working hours faced by national civil servants.
A city council in Hyogo Prefecture has postponed a decision on whether newly elected councilor and professional wrestler Billyken Kid, 52, should be allowed to wear his trademark mask during assembly sessions, following his first-place finish in the Kawanishi City Council election held in October.
Japan marked the 80th anniversary of the promulgation of its Constitution on November 3rd, with demonstrators gathering outside the National Diet to defend its pacifist principles as Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi pushes for constitutional revision and an early parliamentary proposal.
FamilyMart will introduce its first do-it-yourself Christmas cake for the 2026 holiday season, allowing customers to decorate their own cakes as the convenience store chain seeks to attract demand for affordable, at-home celebrations.
A Japanese slang term describing children hooked on the instant stimulation of short videos and social media has been nominated for the country's 2026 New Words and Buzzwords Awards, highlighting growing concerns about declining attention spans and the pressure to consume digital content at ever-increasing speeds.
Scientists at Toyo University have identified a possible weakness in alligator weed, an invasive aquatic plant described as one of the world's worst, raising hopes of finding a way to control its extraordinary ability to regenerate as it spreads through Japan's waterways, threatens agricultural land, and creates growing concerns about flooding.
Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako and their daughter Princess Aiko visited a museum in Tokyo's Roppongi district at around 7 p.m. on November 4 to view a collection of Renaissance artworks from the Louvre Museum in Paris, showing particular interest in how European culture spread across regions during the period.
Tokyo's Nikkei 225 Stock Average closed at 61,077.90 on Thursday, November 5, falling 1,110.73 points, or 1.79%, from the previous session in its fourth consecutive daily decline, as heavy selling in semiconductor and artificial intelligence-related shares dragged the benchmark to its lowest closing level in about five and a half months, despite gains across much of the broader market.
Japan's Nikkei 225 Stock Average closed at 62,188.63 on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, falling 893.23 points, or 1.42%, from the previous trading session as heavy selling in semiconductor and artificial intelligence-related stocks swept through Tokyo markets following the U.S. midterm elections, although a strong afternoon recovery helped the benchmark recover much of its earlier losses.
Personal information belonging to approximately 1.09 million MUJI Card members may have been leaked following unauthorized access, Ryohin Keikaku, the operator of MUJI stores, announced on November 4, while restaurant chain Denny's also reported a possible data breach involving customer information.
Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group plans to eliminate physical cash cards at a new digital bank scheduled to launch by March 2027, introducing smartphone-based cash withdrawals as part of efforts to strengthen cybersecurity following a surge in unauthorized access to corporate systems.