Japan's new banknotes, which began widespread circulation on July 4th, have sparked a frenzy among collectors and the general public alike. At the Mitsubishi UFJ Bank's main branch in Marunouchi, Tokyo, many people lined up to exchange their old bills for the new ones on the second day of issuance.

Seven-Eleven, a major convenience store chain, has entered the pizza delivery market with a focus on delivering freshly baked pizzas. Delivery staff from Seven-Eleven, carrying large backpacks, are now delivering piping hot pizzas.

The heatwave has not only affected the land but also brought unexpected changes to the sea. On July 3, Tokyo recorded a temperature of 34.8C, the hottest day of the year so far. This intense heat has also triggered unusual occurrences in the ocean, including shark attacks on aquaculture farms.

The Japanese government has requested all water utility companies to report the results of water quality tests by the end of September regarding the organic fluorine compound "PFAS." But what exactly is PFAS, and is Japan's tap water safe? Based on interviews with Koji Harada, an associate professor at Kyoto University, we delve into the topic.

Japan's Supreme Court has ruled for the first time that the country's defunct Eugenic Protection Law, which forced people with impairments to undergo sterilization surgery, is unconstitutional. (NHK)

In the first half of this year, the market experienced significant fluctuations, marking a historic turning point for the Japanese market. The Nikkei Stock Average surpassed 40,000 yen for the first time in March. Meanwhile, despite the high-interest-rate environment in the United States, the economy remained robust, and stock prices continued to hit record highs.

The second daughter of Shoko Asahara, the former leader of Aum Shinrikyo, appeared in court to request the handover of his ashes, expressing her desire to mourn his death as a daughter.

A planned pink bench for a greenway redevelopment project in Shibuya, Tokyo, is stirring controversy due to its high cost.

In response to the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications’ demand to reassess its capital relationship with South Korean companies due to the recent data leak issue, LINE Yahoo expressed on the 1st of July that "short-term capital movement is difficult."

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.