Turning 20 used to mean becoming an adult in Japan, until the revised Civil Code went into effect in April 2022 to lower the age of adulthood to 18. (yomiuri.co.jp)

Emperor Naruhito wished for a year where people will be able to lead their lives with hope after one marked by the novel coronavirus pandemic and the Russian war in Ukraine, in his New Year address released Sunday. (Japan Today)

Emperor Naruhito and his family waved to throngs of New Year’s well-wishers from the balcony at the Imperial Palace on Monday in the return of a celebration halted for the past two years by the pandemic. (Japan Today)

If you have recently viewed yourself in the mirror and saw a smart, confident, prosperous gambler - then you may be on your way to becoming a certified high roller. (newsonjapan.com)

Beatles musician John Lennon and his peace activist wife Yoko Ono asked Japanese Prime Minister Eisaku Sato in 1969 to permit overseas release of an unedited film on the aftermath of the U.S. atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki to prevent a similar "atrocity," the Japanese Foreign Ministry's archives show. (Japan Today)

Police in Osaka have arrested a 28-year-old unemployed man on suspicion of breaking into a 36-year-old woman’s home, stealing her underwear, then setting fire to her house two days later. (Japan Today)

The internet-famous dog whose quizzical expression inspired the ‘doge’ meme is very sick with leukemia and liver disease, the dog’s owner said. (miamiherald.com)

There's something appealing about the unique atmosphere of a sushi train or conveyor belt sushi restaurant. In Japan, the concept is known as kaiten zushi. (mashed.com)

Japan is discussing a possible change next spring that would place COVID-19 in the same category of infectious disease as the seasonal flu, a move that could ease the strain on health care providers. (Nikkei)

Many small railway lines across Japanese countryside carry sizeable losses. (france24.com)

Kyoto Street Food Tour - This Japan, Kyoto Street Food Perfect Guide introduces you to the food available at Kyoto's famous tourist attractions: Kiyomizu-dera Temple, Fushimi inari shrine, Nishiki Market, and Arashiyama. (SAMURAI JUNJIRO Channel)

Princess Kako had a busy year of engagements, taking over many of the duties of the former Princess Mako. (people.com)

Riisa Naka, who plays Mira in Alice in Borderland, gives you a behind the scenes look into how she delivered the scene where Mira confuses Arisu with the truth about Borderland. (Netflix Japan)

After the end of the sieges of Osaka castle, Tokugawa Ieyasu finally reaches the end of his days. (The Shogunate)

Japan's transport ministry said Thursday the country will conditionally accept direct flights from Hong Kong to airports in Fukuoka, Naha and one near Sapporo after it had initially planned to ban them. (Nikkei)

Police in Toyonaka, Osaka Prefecture, have arrested a 50-year-old man who claimed he was stabbed by a stranger on Dec 20, but who actually stabbed himself to make it look like someone tried to kill him. (Japan Today)

Police in Nasushiobara, Tochigi Prefecture, have arrested a 46-year-old woman on suspicion of killing her 13-year-old son. (Japan Today)

Apple Japan is being charged 13 billion yen ($98 million) in additional taxes by Tokyo authorities, apparently for bulk sales of iPhones and other devices to foreign tourists that were incorrectly exempted from the consumption tax, Nikkei learned on Monday. (Nikkei)

Japanese reconstruction minister Kenya Akiba tendered his resignation to Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Tuesday, December 27, becoming the fourth minister to leave the cabinet created by Kishida in August. (rappler.com)

Japan will require COVID-19 tests on arrival for travellers from mainland China from Friday (Dec 30), Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said, after Beijing announced it will end inbound quarantine requirements. (CNA)

In one of his last diary entries, teacher Yoshio Kudo lamented workdays that started early and could last until nearly midnight. Two months later, he became a victim of karōshi — death from overwork. (Japan Times)

A couple in their 60s and their daughter were found dead at their home in Hanno, Saitama Prefecture, on Sunday morning. Part of the second floor of the house had also been destroyed by a fire. (Japan Today)

The recent heavy snow has killed 17 people in Japan, 90 more people were left injured as the heavy snowfall left 10,000 households without power. Earlier this week, the blizzard killed at least eight people. (WION)

Bank of Japan (BOJ) Governor Haruhiko Kuroda on Monday brushed aside the chance of a near-term exit from ultra-loose monetary policy but voiced hope that intensifying labour shortages will prod firms to raise wages. (CNAcn)

A winter pressure pattern around Japan has brought heavy snow to mountainous areas in northern and eastern parts of the country. Caution is advised against traffic disruption, as well as icy roads. (NHK)