Japanese lunar exploration company ispace began its long-anticipated first mission on Sunday, with a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launching the venture’s lunar lander from Florida. (cnbc.com)

The global market for Japanese anime expanded 13% to an all-time high of 2.74 trillion yen ($20 billion at current rates) last year, thanks to streaming platforms like Netflix and fans eager to spend on merchandise for franchises like Pokemon and "Demon Slayer." (Nikkei)

Its listing is expected to take place in mid-February 2023. The exact date is yet to be announced. (u.today)

Dutch-Norwegian company SolarDuck has been awarded a contract to develop Japan’s first offshore floating solar power generation and automated sailing boat technology demonstrator together with local partners. (offshore-energy.biz)

Egg prices are surging in Japan largely because the cost of feeding hens is too. Russia's invasion of Ukraine sent those prices rocketing, and the spread of bird flu in the country has made matters worse. (NHK)

A former police officer, who has been sacked from his post near Tokyo for sexual assault and other charges, has been arrested again for suspicion of another assault. He has now been arrested for the fifth time. (NHK)

Japan's Lower House has passed a bill that would regulate religious donations, including those to the group formerly known as the Unification Church. (NHK)

Japan, the U.K. and Italy have agreed to jointly develop next-generation fighter aircraft by 2035, the three countries announced on Friday, a collaborative effort that reflects the need to respond together to growing geopolitical threats from the likes of China and Russia. (Nikkei)

Police on Wednesday arrested five men with links to organized crime over a mass brawl that erupted as a group of around 100 were dining at a restaurant in a Tokyo skyscraper in October. (Kyodo)

After passing its landmark legislation on stablecoins in June, Japanese regulators are considering complementing it by restricting the algorithmic backing of stablecoins. (cointelegraph.com)

Japan's top court has decided to hold a deliberation on whether a legal provision requiring people to undergo sex change surgery to switch their gender registry is constitutional. (NHK)

Japanese lawmakers have started debating a bill that would regulate donations to religious entities. They include the group formerly known as the Unification Church. ()

The mother of Hana Kimura, a former cast member of the popular reality show "Terrace House," said Tuesday she has filed a lawsuit against the program's Japanese broadcaster and two other companies, claiming her daughter committed suicide because of the show. (Japan Today)

Tokyo Metro will raise subway fares for the first time in 28 years as urban train operators nationwide grapple with ridership declines caused by the pandemic and a subsequent population exodus from Japan's biggest cities. (Nikkei)

Hundreds of soccer fans witnessed Japan's heartbreaking World Cup defeat to Croatia at a public viewing spot in Tokyo. Their reaction to the loss, however, was largely positive. (NHK)

Japanese online fashion retailer Zozo Inc will open its first physical outlet in Tokyo in mid-December exclusively to offer free styling advice to customers, the company said. (Japan Today)

One of the most popular destinations for a day trip from Tokyo, Hakone is a hot springs town full of beautiful views and tasty treats. (Japan by Food)

Abema TV may have to restrict access to Japan’s World Cup game at midnight on Monday local time, as runaway demand is pushing the streaming service to its limits. (South China Morning Post)

Three men have been detained in Britain over their alleged involvement in a 2015 robbery that netted over 100 million yen ($742,000) worth of jewelry from a luxury shop in central Tokyo, an investigative source said Saturday. (Kyodo)

Just a one minute walk from Shimbashi station, you’ll find a hidden local Japanese soba noodle shop, Sukehei. (Paolo fromTOKYO)

Japan's ruling coalition said the country should be able to launch a "counterstrike" if it's targeted by an armed attack. (NHK)

With Christmas only a few weeks away, Santa Claus has come to Japan for the first time in three years. He flew in from Finland on Friday. (NHK)

Japanese telecom giant KDDI says it has started using the Starlink satellite communications network to help provide mobile phone connectivity anywhere in the country, including remote islands. (NHK)

Princess Aiko, the daughter of Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako, turned 21 on Thursday. (NHK)

Binance has managed to expand its services throughout the past year by either acquiring an operating license or buying a stake in a regulated entity. (cointelegraph.com)