Japan welcomed 21,518,100 foreign visitors in the first half of 2025, exceeding 20 million at the fastest pace ever, according to data released by the Japan National Tourism Organization on July 16th. The surge was driven by increased travel during the Chinese New Year holiday and cherry blossom season, resulting in a 21% year-on-year increase.

A new trailer has been released for the upcoming film Black Showman, which opens in theaters on September 12th. The story begins with the murder of Eiichi Kamio, a former junior high school teacher. His daughter Mayo (played by Kasumi Arimura), who was just two months away from getting married, returns to her hometown after receiving sudden news of his death.

The LEC Summer 2025 Split is heating up and fans across Europe and beyond are watching every match with excitement and nervous anticipation.

With Japan facing a labor shortage due to its aging population, immigration policy has emerged as a key issue in the upcoming Upper House election in July. On July 9th, the topic was discussed in depth by news program “It!”, which highlighted public concerns and political stances regarding the role of foreign nationals in Japanese society.

According to Teikoku Databank, the number of corporate bankruptcies across Japan in the first half of this year reached 5,003 cases, surpassing the previous year's total for the third consecutive year.

A rumor predicting a major disaster in Japan this July has spread widely in Hong Kong, prompting a sharp drop in inbound tourism from the region and even flight suspensions.

More than 400 earthquakes have been recorded over six days in the Tokara Islands of Kagoshima Prefecture, unsettling residents and particularly affecting children, some of whom say they are now afraid to sleep at night. The seismic activity comes amid renewed volcanic activity at Shinmoedake, which erupted again on the morning of June 26th, straddling the border between Miyazaki and Kagoshima prefectures.

Learning to write well can feel like climbing a mountain. Students spend hours drafting essays, hunting for feedback, and revising late into the night. Now artificial intelligence brings a new route to the summit.

Founded in 1970, Dom Dom Hamburger was Japan’s first homegrown hamburger chain. At its peak, it operated 400 outlets nationwide. However, since the 2000s, its popularity declined sharply, leading to a drastic reduction in store numbers and prolonged financial losses.

Japan Display (JDI), formed in 2012 through the merger of Hitachi, Toshiba, and Sony’s small and medium-sized LCD panel businesses, was once celebrated as the “Hinamaru LCD” and symbolized Japan’s national pride in the sector. By the fiscal year ending March 2016, its sales neared 1 trillion yen. However, its fortunes soon reversed, and it has now posted losses for eleven consecutive years.

Once the greatest hitman of all, Taro Sakamoto retired in the name of love. But when his past catches up, he must fight to protect his beloved family. (Netflix Anime)

Hair removal is rapidly growing in popularity across all age groups in Japan, with a sharp increase seen even among children. Some clinics now report cases of children as young as nine undergoing hair removal treatments, often due to teasing from classmates or a desire to feel confident during swimming classes.

Supermarket shelves are now lined with tomatoes at the peak of their season, from large round varieties to small ones that resemble jewels. In recent years, the variety of tomatoes has greatly expanded, with some stores offering around 30 types, proving highly popular with customers.

The recent surge in rice prices has exposed a critical juncture in Japan's agricultural policy. While the government has begun releasing reserve stocks to address the prolonged spike, prices remain stubbornly high.

On the morning of June 17th, a man was led by police officers at the Mukojima Police Station in Tokyo, sending a sharp glare toward the cameras. The man was identified as 49-year-old Takeshi Kuratani, a former ballet instructor. He was arrested on suspicion of engaging in inappropriate conduct toward a female junior high school student at a ballet studio he operated in Sumida Ward, Tokyo.

A special feature focuses on central banks, markets, and politics from the perspective of over 30 years of experience, with veteran economist Ueno Yasunari offering his insights.

As government rice stockpiles went on sale in Fukuoka, long lines formed outside stores even before opening hours. At the Mega Don Quijote in Nishi Ward, customers queued early on June 9th to purchase the reserve rice, with distribution beginning at 7 a.m.

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.

Nara Park, a world-famous site where wild deer freely roam among tourists, is facing growing concern over the animals’ survival as local authorities continue cutting down acorn-bearing trees. Researchers warn the move could seriously affect the deer's ability to endure the harsh winter months.

The number of babies born in Japan in 2024 fell below 700,000 for the first time since recordkeeping began in 1899, highlighting the nation’s accelerating demographic crisis. According to population statistics released by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare on June 4th, the number of births dropped to 686,061—down more than 40,000 from the previous year.

The number of people arrested for violating Japan’s anti-stalking law reached a record high of 1,341 in 2024, while consultations regarding the misuse of tracking devices such as Apple’s AirTag also hit an all-time high, prompting the National Police Agency (NPA) to consider new regulations.

Japan’s super-long-term government bond yields—covering 30- and 40-year maturities—have climbed sharply in recent months, reaching their highest levels in years. The upward momentum has also pushed up 10-year yields, which are commonly used as a benchmark in financial markets.

Japan’s men’s beauty market is experiencing rapid growth, reaching 972 billion yen in 2024—an increase of 58.7 billion yen from the previous year—according to a survey by Hot Pepper Beauty. The market, once considered a niche segment, is now being driven by a growing awareness among men of all ages about skincare, grooming, and appearance.

The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry convened a panel of experts to discuss Japan’s national energy policy, focusing on how to address the expected rise in electricity demand driven by the spread of artificial intelligence and other technologies. A central topic was the energy consumption of data centers, which has raised growing concerns.