Sales of Miyazaki Prefecture’s signature fully ripe mangoes, branded as "Taiyo no Tamago" or "Egg of the Sun," officially began on April 17th, with auctions taking place in Fukuoka City.

Miyakonojo City in Miyazaki Prefecture has introduced a new leave system called "grandchild leave," allowing grandparents to take up to seven days off to support childcare, in a move that reflects changing work and family dynamics.

A regular flight route between Fukuoka and Kaohsiung in southern Taiwan resumed on April 15th for the first time in nine years, operated by Taiwan's China Airlines.

A groundbreaking ceremony was held on April 15th in Tomakomai, Hokkaido, for one of Japan's largest data centers, which is scheduled for completion in fiscal 2026.

Once a familiar and comforting presence on urban streets, Japan's cherished ramen stalls are quietly fading away as stricter regulations, an aging workforce, and evolving consumer preferences make their survival increasingly difficult.

A cherry tree blooming in the garden of the Shiga Peace Memorial Museum carries the legacy of Hiroshima. This tree, known as a 'hibaku zakura' or atomic-bombed cherry tree, descends from a tree that survived the atomic bombing in Hiroshima, just two kilometers from ground zero.

A bear attacking a live deer outside a hotel in Kamikawa, Hokkaido, has shocked onlookers and prompted heightened alert from local authorities.

Pelvic organ prolapse is a condition affecting a significant number of women over the age of 40, yet remains largely under-recognized. It occurs when organs in the pelvic region, such as the bladder or uterus, descend due to weakened support muscles, often as a result of childbirth or aging.

On the fourth day of the Osaka-Kansai Expo on April 16th, under clear skies, large crowds gathered once again as the long-delayed Brazil Pavilion finally opened after a minor fire scare and construction delays.

A Peruvian man detained at the Osaka Regional Immigration Bureau has been awarded 110,000 yen in compensation by the Osaka District Court, which ruled on April 16th that keeping him handcuffed for an extended period was illegal.

Rice prices in Japan have surged dramatically, with 5-kilogram bags now commonly priced in the 3,000 to 4,000 yen range and in some cases exceeding 6,000 yen including tax. This price surge has caught consumers off guard, and supermarkets are experiencing both high prices and shortages.

Strong winds battered wide areas of Japan on April 15th, disrupting air travel, toppling trees in central Tokyo, and fueling a fire that burned down homes in Toyama.

A preview event for "Lalaport Anjo," a new shopping mall set to open on April 18th, 2025 in Anjo City, Aichi Prefecture, was held on April 14th. The three-story complex will feature 215 stores and is tailored to the many young families living in the Nishi-Mikawa area.

18-year-old Zach Adgarian is considered a genius. He scored 34 out of 36 on the ACT, which, along with the SAT, is a primary criterion for college admissions in the U.S.

The torch to be used in the relay for the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics and Paralympics has been unveiled for the first time at the Osaka-Kansai Expo venue.

While the purpose of World Expositions has evolved over time, the 2020 Dubai Expo hosted 98 business events, drawing over 25,000 participants from more than 130 countries, both in-person and online. Events covered themes like space and medicine, offering opportunities for companies to hold negotiations.

An 80-year-old man who calls himself an Expo enthusiast was arrested on April 14th for obstructing operations at the entrance gate of the Osaka-Kansai Expo after falsely claiming that he had a bomb in his backpack.

Japan's Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications has released its latest population estimate, showing that Japan's total population, including foreign residents, stood at 123,802,000 as of October 1st last year, a decrease of 550,000 from the previous year. This marks the 14th consecutive year of population decline.

The official start of the swimming season was held on April 12th at Sesoko Beach in Motobu, Okinawa Prefecture, where children’s excited voices echoed across the sand as they welcomed the long-awaited day.

Nissan’s new president, 46-year-old Ivan Espinosa, may symbolize change for the struggling automaker. However, his appointment raises eyebrows: Espinosa previously served as head of product planning—a role directly tied to the decline in the company’s brand appeal.

A total of 72 people reported symptoms of food poisoning after eating boxed lunches from a catering shop in Tochigi Prefecture, with one person confirmed dead. Local authorities have identified the cause as a norovirus outbreak.

Sports betting is often seen as a game of chance. Many believe that winning comes down to being lucky. While luck can play a role in short-term results, it’s discipline that separates successful bettors from casual gamblers in the long run.

While Kyoto is often crowded during sakura season, Katsuryuji Castle Park in Nagaokakyo offers a more tranquil alternative. As a cherished local spot, it allows visitors to appreciate the cherry blossoms at a relaxed pace.

"Time is money—how are you using yours?" When it comes to short-term investing, the window to achieve significant returns is often smaller than many expect.

Mitsubishi Motors has suspended shipments of new vehicles to its dealerships in the United States, citing uncertainty over the impact of new U.S. tariffs on imported cars imposed by the Trump administration.