A Japanese court on Wednesday awarded 970,000 yen ($7,000) in damages to a woman who left a Tokyo high school after being admonished by its principal to do so in 2019 for violating a school rule that banned dating by its students. (Kyodo)

Once one of China’s richest businessmen, Alibaba Group founder Jack Ma mostly disappeared from public view two years ago after a run-in with the authorities. (South China Morning Post)

A Japanese court has ruled that not recognizing same-sex marriages is constitutional. It dismissed plaintiffs' claim for government compensation, saying current legal provisions cannot be ruled unconstitutional. (NHK)

The time-honored tradition of ringing the year out with a restaurant party is making a comeback in Japan, according to a major online booking site that says reservations are at nearly 70 percent of the level seen just before the pandemic. (NHK)

A well-known Japanese professor was seriously wounded Tuesday in a suspected knife attack on a Tokyo university campus, and the attacker is still at large, police said. (Kyodo)

We have never experienced sushi like this. We were lucky enough to try the SUSHI at Andaz Tokyo (Chonnyday)

Japanese filmmaker Toru Kubota said on Monday that the Myanmar military government used him for propaganda as they made him pose with an anti-junta banner and used the photos as evidence to jail him on sedition charges. (laprensalatina.com)

The Japanese government has decided to step up measures against highly venomous fire ants by designating them as an invasive alien species that requires urgent action. (NHK)

Lawson Inc. opened Monday its first futuristic convenience store in Tokyo staffed by "avatars" remotely controlled by employees, making it possible for even those with mobility issues to enter the workforce. (Kyodo)

Japan's Lower House has passed a second supplementary budget for the current fiscal year to tackle soaring prices. The bill was sent to the Upper House. (NHK)

Japan’s Nikkei 225 share average will rally to the psychological 30,000 level by the middle of next year for the first time since September 2021, according to analysts in a Reuters poll. (inquirer.net)

In today's video, Shizuka dresses up to enjoy an omakase (chef's choice) tempura course at Tempura Ono. Celebrated chef Koichiro Shimura presents a beautiful course meal of tempura, highlighting seasonal flavors and premium ingredients. (Japan by Food)

Vegans in Japan are finding life much easier with a wide variety of foods to choose from, including specialty items such as “pork bone” ramen and even “cheesecake.” (Japan Times)

2022 marks the 150th anniversary of Japan's railway system, which began service between Shimbashi and Yokohama in 1872. (weforum.org)

Japan's Emperor Naruhito has visited a hospital to have his prostate examined again after the previous test results showed some slightly concerning data. (NHK)

A decade from now, a man suddenly collapses on the street. An ambulance is called but will take time to arrive. In the meantime, a robot stationed nearby rushes to the scene to provide emergency care, controlled by an expert operator sitting dozens of kilometers away. (Nikkei)

The sight of Japanese fans at a World Cup bagging trash after a match - win or lose - always surprises non-Japanese. Japanese players are famous for doing the same in their team dressing room: hanging up towels, cleaning the floor and even leaving a thank-you note. (taipeitimes.com)

Tonight I took the Sunrise Izumo sleeper express from Okayama station to Tokyo station in the highest class seat "Single Deluxe Seat". (At JAPAN)

The Tokyo metropolitan government has, for the first time, administered an English speaking test as part of its public high school entry exam amid doubts that the tests will be graded fairly. (Kyodo)

The University of Tokyo says it will hire more than 300 female professors and associate professors over the next six years. (NHK)

Sunday, 27 November 2022 TOKYO Japan Autumn International JAPAN CUP in association with LONGINES(International Invitational) (G1) 2400m, Turf (JRA公式チャンネル)

People enjoyed viewing autumn foliage inside the Imperial Palace in Tokyo for the first time in three years as a section has been reopened to the public. (NHK)

Official data issued by the Japanese government revealed on Friday that the prices of basic commodities of interest to consumers in the capital, Tokyo, rose by 3.6% in November compared to the same period in the previous year, recording the largest increase since 1982 amid the rise in energy and food prices, which have increasingly put pressure on household budgets. (see.news)

Japan’s space agency said on Friday that a research team headed by astronaut Satoshi Furukawa tampered with data from an experiment simulating life on the International Space Station, indicating that it would subject him to disciplinary action. (South China Morning Post)

A labor dispute arbitration body of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government has ordered the operator of the food delivery service Uber Eats to negotiate with its deliverers' labor union. (NHK)