A 52-year-old newspaper deliveryman was killed in the early hours of July 12th after being attacked by a bear in a residential area of Fukushima Town, Hokkaido.
A sudden swarm of dragonflies blanketed the skies over a residential area in Koriyama, Fukushima Prefecture, stunning local residents and prompting reactions ranging from unease to delight.
Aiming to revive Japan's status as a semiconductor powerhouse, Hoshikawa Naohisa, CEO of Okuma Diamond Devices, is leading the development of what is being called the "ultimate semiconductor"—a diamond-based device capable of withstanding extreme heat and radiation.
Japan’s land values have risen nationwide for the fourth consecutive year, with the National Tax Agency releasing new roadside land prices on July 1st that show a continued upward trend driven by suburbanization and redevelopment.
China has announced the partial resumption of Japanese seafood imports for the first time in nearly two years, following a suspension imposed in response to the discharge of treated water from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant.
A man convicted of murdering nine people in one of Japan's most disturbing serial killing cases was executed on June 27th. Takahiro Shiraishi, 34, had been sentenced to death for robbery, rape, and murder in a case that came to light in October 2017 after police discovered nine dismembered bodies stored in coolers in his apartment in Zama, Kanagawa Prefecture. It marks the first execution under the Ishiba administration, following an order by Justice Minister Keishu Suzuki.
In Fukushima Town, located in southern Hokkaido, a massive surge in rodent populations is causing widespread damage to rice and other crops. The situation has become so severe that home centers are struggling to keep up with demand for rodent traps, with shelves completely emptied and supply chains unable to restock in time.
In the second part of the interview series "30 People Akira Ikegami Wants to Hear From Now," Noriko Arai of the National Institute of Informatics discusses how to develop reading skills that can withstand the rise of AI.
The Australia Pavilion at Expo 2025 in Osaka is drawing attention for its immersive design and distinctive culinary offerings, blending the country’s natural wonders with its unique food culture. The exterior of the building is shaped like a eucalyptus flower, a nod to Australia's iconic flora, and greets visitors with statues of kangaroos and emus—animals also featured on Australia's coat of arms.
The second day of the Soma Nomaoi festival—designated as an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property by the Japanese government—featured its most anticipated spectacles: the armored horse race and the sacred flag competition, held on May 25th at the Hibarigahara festival grounds in Minamisoma, Fukushima Prefecture.
A 36-year-old unemployed man has been arrested on suspicion of abducting a teenage girl who was later found dead in Yamagata Prefecture. The suspect, Hiroki Kishinami from Fukushima City, has previously been arrested three times for offenses including the abduction of minors and assisting in suicides.
Japan recorded a current account surplus of 30.3771 trillion yen in fiscal 2024, according to the Ministry of Finance, continuing a long-standing trend of strong income from trade and overseas investment.
In this video we examine the lives of the famed "Seven Spears of Shizugatake," valiant warriors who would go on to become some of the most significant names of the late Sengoku period. (The Shogunate)
The Nuclear Regulation Authority approved a draft review on April 30th confirming that safety measures at Hokkaido Electric Power’s Tomari Nuclear Power Plant Unit 3 comply with the country’s updated safety standards. This effectively clears the unit for restart, making it the 18th reactor at 11 nuclear plants nationwide to pass the review under the new regulatory framework.
In August 1990, two men hiking in the Scottish Highlands captured a striking photo of a silent, diamond-shaped object hovering in the sky—later dubbed "the greatest UFO photo ever taken." A Harrier jet was seen circling the object before it suddenly shot straight up and vanished. (Abroad in Japan)
People across Japan are remembering tens of thousands of lives lost 14 years ago.
An avalanche occurred around noon on Monday along a prefectural road in Fukushima City, leaving two hot spring inns isolated once again due to record snowfall.
An All Nippon Airways aircraft arriving at Fukushima Airport on February 2nd made contact with a boarding bridge, though no injuries were reported among the 28 passengers and crew on board.
Japan is home to vast nuclear plants made dormant after the Fukushima meltdown. The area around the power plant remains a ghost town almost 14 years after the reactor shut down, showing the dangers of nuclear power gone awry. But power companies are clamoring to restart dormant reactors across Japan, as the AI revolution sends demand for energy soaring. (The Wall Street Journal)
An annual opinion poll shows that more than 87 percent of Chinese have negative views of Japan, up sharply from last year and the second-highest rate recorded. (NHK)
Elon Musk, the incoming head of the newly established Efficiency Ministry under President-elect Trump, has vowed to reduce $500 billion in government waste annually. Musk, known for his admiration of Japanese culture, sparked speculation on October 21st with a social media post simply stating "Wabi-Sabi" in Japanese, prompting questions about his intentions.
The operator of a nuclear power plant in Miyagi Prefecture, northeastern Japan, restarted one of its reactors on Tuesday, more than 13 years after it suffered damage in the 2011 earthquake and tsunami disaster. (NHK)
Campaigning in Japan's Lower House election has officially kicked off. Registration is now closed, with over 1,000 candidates in the running. (NHK)
Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru and Chinese Premier Li Qiang have affirmed that their countries will continue to communicate at every level. Ishiba has also conveyed deep concerns about the situation in the East China Sea and increased activity by the Chinese military near Japan. (NHK)
A sharp drop in temperatures has marked the sudden arrival of the autumn travel season in Japan.