From the frigid city of Kitami in Hokkaido comes a report on the "Severe Cold Yakiniku Festival," marking the celebration of "Meat Day" on February 9th.

Pada bulan Desember 2023, Nippon Steel berhasil mencapai kesepakatan senilai 2 triliun yen untuk mengakuisisi US Steel, perusahaan baja terkemuka di Amerika. Namun, munculnya konflik dari serikat pekerja dan mantan Presiden Donald Trump menambah kompleksitas situasi. Serikat pekerja mengklaim bahwa Presiden Biden turut mengekspresikan ketidaksetujuannya terhadap akuisisi tersebut, yang berpotensi menjadikan isu ini sebagai pusat perdebatan dalam pemilihan presiden bulan November. Hal ini semakin meningkatkan tingkat kesulitan yang dihadapi oleh Nippon Steel dalam mengamankan kesepakatan tersebut.

On February 11th (Sunday) at 9:30 AM, the highly anticipated episode 1093 of the anime "One Piece," titled "Winner Takes All! Law VS Blackbeard!" will air.

As the Spring Festival approaches in just two days, Aomori Prefecture's official account on Chinese social media is experiencing unprecedented popularity, with a staggering 1.3 million followers, surpassing the population of Aomori itself. We delved into the secret behind this surge in interest.

Chicken meat is currently experiencing unprecedented popularity! According to a household survey released by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications on February 6th, the annual amount spent on chicken meat by households for the first time exceeded 18,000 yen last year, reaching a record high of 18,558 yen.

The Consumer Affairs Agency has called for preventive measures against four companies selling rice cookers advertised with "carb-cutting" features, citing a lack of rational basis for such claims.

On March 8th, Ishikawa Prefecture, which suffered damage from the Noto Peninsula earthquake, published the estimated population by age as of October last year. In the heavily damaged "Oku-Noto region," the proportion of the population aged 65 and over is around 50%, posing challenges such as how to promote the settlement of younger generations in tandem with recovery and reconstruction efforts.

A snow sculpture at the Sapporo Snow Festival replicating the human intestines is stopping people in their tracks, "How would anyone even think to create this?"

Bento boxes developed by high school have been on sale at AEON stores in Aichi Prefecture since Wednesday, as part of the "Kids' Lunch Bento Box" program, allowing students to learn the basics of business firsthand.

Ito-Yokado, a supermarket chain under the umbrella of Seven & i Holdings, has announced its withdrawal from Hokkaido and the Tohoku region, signaling the closure of all its 14 stores in these areas. This strategic retreat encompasses six stores in Hokkaido and eight stores across Aomori, Iwate, Miyagi, and Fukushima prefectures. The closures will be phased in starting this spring.

The Japanese government has taken a significant step towards expanding employment insurance coverage by approving an amendment to the Employment Insurance Act that aims to lower the required working hours for eligibility, making it easier for part-time workers to join the insurance system.

Japan McDonald's Holdings announced on February 8th that its annual sales reached a record 777.7 billion yen last year, marking the highest in the company's history. The final profit also saw a significant increase, rising by 26.2% to 25.1 billion yen compared to the previous year.

Japan's women's basketball team made a triumphant start in their quest for a third consecutive Olympic appearance by securing a resounding victory over Spain with a score of 86-75 in the opening game of the world final qualifiers for the Paris Olympics.

Tokyo Disneyland has announced a special event titled "Celebrating Space Mountain: The Final Ignition!" to mark the closure of its iconic "Space Mountain" attraction. The event will run from April 9 to July 31, 2024, offering guests a final journey through space along with a trip down memory lane.

Following the death of Hinako Ashihara, the artist behind the popular manga "Sexy Tanaka-san," which was adapted into a TV drama, Shogakukan, the publisher serializing her work, has announced that they are conducting an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the script.

In Tokyo's Setagaya district, a gathering of manga artists has brought new life to the "Former Ozaki Teodora Residence," a Western-style mansion built 135 years ago that has overcome the threat of demolition.

New scene cuts from the upcoming animated film "Haikyuu!! The Movie: Battle of the Garbage Dump," based on the original work by Haruichi Furudate, have been released to the public. The film, which is set to premiere on February 16th, features exhilarating moments from the popular volleyball series.

Pada hari Rabu, Nintendo mengumumkan peningkatan laba bersih sebesar 17,9% menjadi rekor 408 miliar yen untuk periode April hingga Desember tahun lalu. Kenaikan ini didorong oleh depresiasi nilai tukar yen, yang memperbesar pendapatan perusahaan.

Prototipe kendaraan listrik terbaru dari Sony dan Honda, yang diberi nama "AFEELA," telah diperkenalkan di acara teknologi CES di Amerika. Kendaraan ini menampilkan layanan dukungan interaktif yang didukung oleh kecerdasan buatan melalui kerjasama dengan Microsoft, serta kemampuan untuk mengendalikannya menggunakan pengontrol PlayStation5.

In a significant first, Princess Aiko, the eldest daughter of Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako, attended a luncheon hosted by their Majesties for the President of Kenya and his spouse at the Imperial Palace. This marks the first occasion Princess Aiko has participated in a palace luncheon with foreign dignitaries.

Starbucks has launched a limited-time offering in its chilled cup series, the "Starbucks Sakura Matcha with Sakura Jelly," priced at 230 yen. The packaging is dominated by pink, with a charming design featuring sakura motifs, and three-colored lines represent the layered flavors of "sakura," "matcha," and "milk."

Satoshi Takamatsu, a former advertising creator turned photographer, aged 60, has revealed plans to become the third Japanese civilian to undertake a long-term stay at the International Space Station (ISS).

Yukihiro Risa graces the cover of 'FRIDAY' magazine's February 23rd issue, released on the 9th, with a voluminous feature including a cover, lead gravure, and making-of DVD.

Actress Shuri stars in the NHK morning drama series "Boogie Woogie," which airs its 91st episode on the 9th. The series, broadcast on NHK General TV from Monday to Saturday at 8 a.m., features Shuri as the heroine. The 109th NHK Asadora, "Boogie Woogie," is inspired by the life of post-war superstar Shizuko Kasagi. Singing and dancing with a bright smile and a straightforward heart, the heroine Suzuko, played by Shuri, rushes down the path of a singer, delivering energy and cheer throughout Japan.

Renowned for his unique character roles, actor Jiro Sato recently disclosed on social media that he has been grappling with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) since his elementary school days. What exactly is this condition, and when should one consider seeking medical advice? A psychiatric specialist provides clarity on these questions.