The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications announced a new rule last week regarding the hometown tax donation system. Starting next October, it will ban the solicitation of donations through websites that offer points.

With the issuance of the new banknotes set for the 3rd, the Tokyo Chamber of Commerce and Industry (TCCI), where Eiichi Shibusawa served as the first chairman and will be the face of the new 10,000 yen bill, is rolling out original products to build excitement.

Mina has a surprise for Ken - Emi has learned to dance to children’s music! But there are other (smellier) surprises in store. (Netflix Anime)

Land prices, a benchmark for property valuation used in inheritance tax declarations, have seen significant changes this year. Shibuya, currently undergoing extensive redevelopment, has ranked second nationally for the first time.

In the world of Japanese sake, luxury brands with prices ranging from tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of yen are gaining prominence. The driving force behind this trend is startups led by individuals with experience in IT. These outsiders are challenging the high-end sake market using a fabless manufacturing approach, where they don't own the production facilities.

A large-scale geothermal power project comparable to nuclear power is underway in Japan, with the government and private sector accelerating their efforts toward a green transformation (GX) and renewable energy transition. However, rising power consumption, partly due to the spread of AI, has sent the demand for electricity skyrocketing.

In response to the anticipated intense summer heat, Tokyo Disney Resort is extending its summer event period beyond the usual schedule. At Tokyo Disneyland, a special parade featuring the popular character Baymax, who will douse visitors with large quantities of water, will run from the 2nd of July to the 18th of September.

A dispute has arisen between a maid cafe and a curry shop in Akihabara, Tokyo, a globally recognized hub of subculture.

Hiroaki Iwanaga, who joined the mood kayou chorus group Junretsu on January 1, 2023, has announced he will graduate from the group at the end of March 2025.

According to JNN’s mid-campaign analysis of the Tokyo gubernatorial election set for voting on July 7, incumbent Yuriko Koike is slightly leading, while former Senator Renho is making significant gains.

AI continues to advance, significantly impacting various fields, including healthcare. We spoke with Masayoshi Son of SoftBank Group, who announced plans to use AI for analyzing medical data and aiding in cancer treatment, about the future of AI in healthcare.

A 20-year-old university student was caught in the act of sneaking into the women's changing room at a public bathhouse in Tama City, Tokyo, while disguised as a woman.

Starting June 30, Tokyo will enhance its regulations on advertising vehicles operating in busy city areas, extending the rules to cover vehicles with non-Tokyo license plates.

On the 28th, the yen temporarily fell to the 161-yen level against the dollar, marking the weakest level in approximately 37 and a half years. Market concerns are growing over potential currency intervention by the government and the Bank of Japan (BOJ).

Police in Tokyo have arrested a 31-year-old daughter of the couple whose burnt bodies were found in a mountain area in Tochigi Prefecture, north of Tokyo, this April. She is the 7th person arrested in the double-murder case. (NHK)

A shortage of aviation fuel is causing disruptions primarily at regional airports, impacting international flight increases and new routes. This issue has now extended to Narita Airport, where nearly 60 flights per week are affected.

At the end of March this year, Japan's personal financial assets reached a record high of 2,199 trillion yen, marking a 7.1% increase from the previous year. This growth was primarily driven by a rise in stock prices and the introduction of the new NISA (Nippon Individual Savings Account) system, achieving a record high for the fifth consecutive quarter.

SoftBank Group has unveiled a new initiative aimed at advancing healthcare through artificial intelligence. Chairman and CEO Masayoshi Son announced the launch of a genetic analysis service utilizing AI.

The proposal to sell shares of Oriental Land was rejected at Keisei Electric Railway's shareholders meeting, despite being pushed by a UK investment fund.

A former breeder in Saitama Prefecture has been arrested on suspicion of killing dogs that were deemed non-reproductive by sealing them in bags.

Authorities in Japan have warned people not to go up Mount Fuji before it's safe to do so. They've seen four climbers die at a time when the trails are still closed to hikers. (NHK)

A protest against tuition hikes at the University of Tokyo on June 21, led to police intervention, sparking criticism from students who accused the university of disregarding their autonomy.

A police officer in his 50s was attacked by a woman with scissors at Shinjuku Station on Thursday, leaving him unconscious with blood streaming from his head.

The Japanese yen sharply declined Wednesday in the foreign exchange market, reaching the late 160s against the dollar, according to major banks. This marks the weakest level for the yen in 37 and a half years since December 1986, the start of Japan's bubble economy.

The 8th 'Japan Food Export Expo' was held from June 19 to June 21, drawing approximately 2,000 buyers from around the world, all eager to sample Japan’s unique culinary offerings. From instant noodles and konjac jelly to ramune and motsunabe, the expo showcased a wide array of Japanese foods that are gaining popularity overseas.