A series of regions across Honshu have officially entered the rainy season, with heavy rainfall prompting urgent alerts, especially in Kagoshima where flooding from an overflowing river has submerged homes up to thigh level.

A group of scholars staged a sit-in near the Diet on June 4th to protest a new bill concerning the Science Council of Japan, warning that it could threaten academic independence and freedom of expression.

Generative AI is no longer a distant concept. With features now integrated into smartphones, AI is becoming a familiar presence in daily life. But its impact is spreading far beyond convenience — reaching even into Japan’s most competitive university entrance exams and transforming business operations.

Wandering around Tokyo's most famous temple, Senso-ji, in the Asakusa district from day to night. As the sun sets on Japan, the temple and pagoda are illuminated, and is a beautiful sight with Tokyo Skytree lit up in the background. For sure one of my favorite even spots to wander around and take in the sights. (VIRTUAL JAPAN)

Shigeo Nagashima, known affectionately as "Mr. Professional Baseball," was remembered at his funeral in Tokyo on June 8th, following his death from pneumonia on June 3rd at age 89.

Former Yokozuna Hakuho Sho, 40, held a press conference in Tokyo on June 9th to announce his resignation from the Japan Sumo Association and to outline his future plans. The association had already stated on June 2nd that it would formally accept his resignation on the 9th.

Japan’s current account posted a surplus of 2.258 trillion yen in April, according to data released by the Ministry of Finance. The current account, which reflects how much Japan earns from trade and investment with the rest of the world, remained in the black for the month.

Japan's gross domestic product (GDP) for the January to March quarter was slightly revised upward to an annualized contraction of 0.2%, the Cabinet Office announced on June 9th.

Masahiko Inami, professor and deputy director at the University of Tokyo’s Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology, is leading groundbreaking research into human augmentation—technology that expands human capabilities beyond natural limitations. Inspired by science fiction and driven by a vision of a more inclusive and creative future, Inami’s work aims not only to assist those with physical challenges but to elevate all individuals through the integration of new skills and sensory functions.

In this video, we take a look at the June performances at the Kabuki-za. (Kabuki In-Depth)

Cardano is an innovative project developed by Charles Hoskinson, one of the co-founders of Ethereum. He is an American businessman, which is why many thought this project had American origins. This might sound surprising to some, but this crypto project actually originated in Japan.

A Vietnamese-themed girls' bar in Tokyo's Bunkyo Ward has been raided by police for operating without a license and employing foreign students on study visas to entertain customers.

Oriental Land President Wataru Takahashi announced on June 6th that the company is considering revising ticket prices for Tokyo Disney Resort. Currently, adult admission prices vary between 7,900 yen and 10,900 yen depending on the day of the week and season.

Japan’s digital economy is facing a growing challenge: a trade deficit exceeding 7 trillion yen driven by the surge in cloud services and generative AI. Most of the software and cloud tools used daily on computers and smartphones are provided by major overseas tech firms, particularly those based in the United States.

Japan’s bid for a successful private-sector moon landing has ended in failure for the second time, after startup ispace announced that it lost communication with its lunar lander Resilience during the final descent.

To meet surging inbound tourism demand, so-called "special zone minpaku" (private lodgings permitted under special deregulation zones) have rapidly increased in Osaka. This system, introduced in 2014, allows for more relaxed rules on operating private accommodations. Today, approximately 95% of all approved special zone minpaku are concentrated in Osaka, and tensions with neighboring residents are rising.

Japan continues to be a global leader in creative production, with video and photography studios that combine cutting-edge technology with refined visual storytelling. Whether you’re a multinational entering the Japanese market or a local business looking to amplify your brand, these are the top 10 production companies to consider in 2025.

Japan's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism has notified Japan Post of its intention to revoke the company’s license for freight transportation, following the discovery of improper safety checks at postal branches across the country.

More than half of female local assembly members in Japan have experienced harassment, according to a Cabinet Office survey released on June 6th.

Rice prices in Japan are drawing national attention following government moves to release stockpiled rice, with artificial intelligence now being used to forecast market trends. As convenience stores begin selling rice balls at lower prices, the public is welcoming the temporary relief in food costs. But experts warn that without fundamental policy changes, the situation is unlikely to improve long term.

To protect workers from customer harassment, such as unreasonable demands from clients or business partners, the revised Comprehensive Promotion of Labor Measures Law and related legislation were passed and enacted in the Upper House on June 4th. The revision mandates that all companies implement measures against so-called "customer harassment" (kasuhara). It also requires the disclosure of data such as the ratio of women in management positions, aiming to promote a society where women can thrive.

Daihatsu has unveiled a new model of its Move mini vehicle, featuring sliding doors as its standout characteristic—an increasingly essential feature in Japan's family car market.

The Tokyo Metropolitan Police have arrested four individuals, including Nobumasa Daigo, a director of an ivory sales company, on suspicion of violating the Unfair Competition Prevention Act. The group is accused of falsely labeling elephant ivory as mammoth tusk—a material not subject to trade restrictions—and selling it via online auctions.

Hana Sugisaki appeared at the 62nd Galaxy Awards ceremony held in Tokyo on June 2nd, where she was honored with the Individual Award in the television category. The accolade, presented by the Broadcast Critics Association, recognized her performances in the dramas "Unmet: A Neurosurgeon's Diary" and "Diamond Sleeping in the Sea."

As AI use becomes increasingly common in the workplace, a recent academic study has sparked discussion over the potential downsides of disclosing its use. The study, which has drawn widespread attention, suggests that employees who use AI may feel guilty or be perceived as lazy, leading to lower performance evaluations from their superiors.