A massive abandoned housing complex looms in the mountains, its buildings overgrown with vegetation. No residents are in sight. Concerns over deteriorating security at this so-called "ghost complex" have escalated.

The number of children born in Japan in 2024 fell to a record low, marking the ninth consecutive year of decline. According to preliminary data from the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, 720,988 babies were born last year, a decrease of approximately 38,000 from the previous year. This figure represents the lowest birthrate since records began in 1899.

Benesse has announced a new AI-powered learning service tailored for students preparing for university entrance exams.

An avatar robot has been introduced at Kitakyushu Airport to assist with customer guidance. A trial aimed at addressing labor shortages began on February 26th.

Japan is known for its quirky vending machine culture. Today, we venture beyond classic finds like ramen or drinks, traveling through Tokyo in search of some truly unique vending machine items like coffee beans, canned bread, fermented bean donuts and even bugs! (Japan by Food)

Despite government assurances of ample rice supply, farmers are facing pressure to increase production as demand continues to soar.

Warm sunshine bathed the Kansai region on February 26th, signaling the arrival of spring. But with rising temperatures comes an unwelcome companion—pollen. This year, pollen season is expected to start earlier and bring significantly higher concentrations than usual.

Guardrails installed along the roads near Okubo Park in Shinjuku, Tokyo, are set to be removed as street solicitation, commonly known as 'tachinbo,' has become a social issue in the area.

Furano, a town in central Hokkaido long known as the "navel" of the region, is experiencing a surge in inbound tourism. Once overshadowed by Niseko, Furano has now become a hot spot for skiers and snowboarders seeking pristine powder snow.

Children born through sperm donation are calling for stronger protections of their right to know their origins as Japan debates legislation on assisted reproduction.

A demonstration demanding the abolition of the consumption tax and the restructuring of the Finance Ministry took place in front of the ministry’s headquarters in Tokyo’s Kasumigaseki district on February 24th. The scene at around 5 p.m. was markedly different from the usual atmosphere.

A growing number of young people from China are traveling to Japan to take university entrance exams, drawn by the lower costs, perceived ease of admission, and better safety compared to their home country.

A recent survey found that approximately one in four junior high and high school students in the Kanto region show signs of internet addiction.

The leaders of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), Komeito, and Nippon Ishin no Kai met on February 25th at the National Diet to discuss key policy initiatives.

In 2024, Japanese companies engaged in a record 4,700 mergers and acquisitions (M&A), marking a new high. Kyodo News economic editor Satoshi Matsuo explains the factors behind this surge. M&A has become a key strategy for Japanese businesses facing a wave of retirements and business closures. While some acquisitions aim to expand overseas, others focus on ensuring business continuity in Japan’s rapidly aging economy.

Economist Toshihiro Nagahama joined lawmaker Yuichiro Tamaki for an urgent discussion on Japan’s economic policies. The conversation took place against the backdrop of the Ishiba administration’s efforts to pass the 2025 fiscal budget by the end of March, with opposition parties playing a crucial role in shaping policy decisions.

These are everyday sounds in Japan that all Japanese should know. These are Japan sounds that after living in Japan for many years I’ve grown to love. Some of these sounds in Japan I didn’t recognize until many years after living here and then didn’t know their purpose until many years. (Paolo fromTOKYO)

Japan's nationwide Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 3.2% in January compared to the previous year, marking the highest increase in a year and seven months, according to the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications.

The wholesale price of rice in Japan continues to climb, with the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries announcing on February 19th that the average price for rice traded in January under the 2024 harvest reached 25,927 yen per 60 kilograms of brown rice.

SBI Shinsei Bank will double the interest rate on savings accounts for individuals aged 60 and older starting in April.

More than half of employees in Japan say they do not want to become managers, according to a recent survey on management career aspirations conducted by a human resources company. Only 20.5% of respondents expressed a desire for a managerial role, while the majority said they would rather avoid it.

With the arrival of the Spring Festival, a surge in Chinese tourists is bringing an influx of foreign patients to Japanese clinics. From a vegetarian suffering appendicitis after indulging in local cuisine to an American traveler sustaining a head injury at a ryokan, clinics are seeing a wide range of medical cases.

Chiyoda Ward in central Tokyo has announced a new childcare support policy, offering households with junior high and high school students a monthly stipend of 15,000 yen per child, without income restrictions, starting in April 2025.

Japan's Justice Ministry has announced that starting in May, it will amend regulations to allow regional names to be listed in the nationality field of family registers when Japanese citizens marry foreign nationals.

Japan's real gross domestic product (GDP) grew at an annualized rate of 2.8% from October to December last year, marking the third consecutive quarter of positive growth. However, the results are not entirely encouraging, as weak consumer spending remains a concern.