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.

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.

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.

The Taiheiyo Shiranui Orchestra is set to release their first-ever greatest hits album, "Rock de Naoshi Best," in celebration of their 20th anniversary. The band, self-proclaimed as "Japan's number one rock band," disbanded in 2015 but reunited in 2018.

In the late-night broadcast of "Witness Variety Anta Watchman!" on TV Asahi on Tuesday, comedian Natsuko Yokozawa, who is also a mother of three, appeared and shared a touching episode from a location shoot she experienced while pregnant, which has garnered a significant response.

The official trailer for the documentary film "Volunteering for Fools," which delves into the punk band The Swanky's, has been released. The film features extensive interviews with The Swanky's members—vocalist WATCH, bassist TV, guitarist LOODS, and drummer BEER—unraveling the history of their encounters, the truth behind their renaming to GAI, and more, alongside precious footage from the time.

Starting in April, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism has compiled a draft operational policy for the introduction of "ridesharing," where private drivers use their own vehicles to transport passengers for a fee.

In response to the surge in online shopping and the anticipated "2024 problem," Japan Airlines (JAL) has unveiled the interior of its newly introduced cargo aircraft, marking the company's first foray back into dedicated freighters in 13 years.

The Japanese government is set to establish a specialized agency for the safety assessment of Artificial Intelligence (AI), known as the "AI Safety Institute," by next week, as revealed through interviews with relevant parties.

For the first time in two years, Japan's current account surplus has rebounded to the 20 trillion yen range over the last year, thanks to a decrease in oil prices leading to reduced import costs.

Nintendo announced on Wednesday that its net profit for April to December last year surged by 17.9% to a record 408 billion yen, bolstered by the depreciating yen which expanded its earnings.

In December 2023, Nippon Steel reached an agreement to acquire American steel giant US Steel in a deal worth 2 trillion yen. However, opposition has emerged from labor unions and former President Donald Trump. Unions claim that President Biden has also expressed opposition to the acquisition, potentially making it a topic of discussion in the November presidential election and increasing the headwinds facing Nippon Steel.

As China's Spring Festival approaches, the phenomenon known as "explosive buying," which dominated discussions before the pandemic, is giving way to a trend in inbound consumption that places greater value on experiences over material goods. This shift towards "experience consumption" indicates a changing landscape in tourist behavior.

Convenience stores have become increasingly popular for their diverse and satisfying meal options. However, if you choose poorly, you might end up with a lunch that can lead to weight gain. A registered dietitian offers advice on how to select a balanced convenience store lunch and highlights options that are more and less likely to contribute to weight gain.

Once, the terminus of the Tokyu Toyoko Line on the Yokohama side was Sakuragicho Station. It has been exactly 20 years since the section between Yokohama Station and Sakuragicho Station was discontinued on January 31, 2004, due to the start of direct operations with the Yokohama Minatomirai Line. At the same time, the section between Higashi-Hakuraku Station and Yokohama Station was also moved underground.

Shino Kawahara's new series "Our Polyrythm" debuts in the March issue of Monthly Princess, released Tuesday, February 6th, by Akita Shoten. As the vocalist of a band, Natsuoki has been passionate about music and enjoys being part of a band. However, he has led a life where finding the right members to stick with has always been a challenge.