Hiroshi Kimura, a 24-year-old office worker from Nishinomiya City, Hyogo Prefecture, has set a new record as the youngest Japanese to complete a solo, non-stop, and unassisted circumnavigation of the world by yacht.
On June 5, the early summer tradition 'YOSAKOI Soran Festival' began at Odori Park in central Sapporo. A total of 255 teams from both domestic and international regions, comprising around 25,000 participants, will showcase vibrant performances at 15 venues across the city, including Odori Park, until June 9.
Japanese electronics group Sharp and telecom partner KDDI will convert a factory site in Japan into a data center for artificial intelligence powered by advanced Nvidia chips, Nikkei has learned. (Nikkei)
Harley-Davidson Japan, based in Tokyo, orchestrated a parade through the streets of Yokohama on April 2nd, uniting approximately 300 Harley motorcycles in a gesture of support for the regions affected by the Noto Peninsula earthquake.
The Boeing 747, once dubbed the 'Queen of the Skies' and a mainstay for airlines like ANA and JAL, is nearing the end of its operational life. Known as the Jumbo Jet, this super-large aircraft is now rarely seen in Japan, with only Nippon Cargo Airlines (NCA), based at Narita Airport, still flying it.
A male couple in Omura City, Nagasaki Prefecture, received a residency certificate on May 28, marking their relationship as 'husband' in the section indicating the partner living with the head of the household.
The historic "Soma Nomaoi" event, which boasts over a thousand years of tradition and features armored horsemen parading in a scene reminiscent of the Sengoku period, commenced on May 25 in Fukushima's coastal region. Traditionally held in July, the event was rescheduled to May this year to avoid the severe summer heat after a horse died from heatstroke last year.
Four people, likely to be three children and one woman, were found dead after a fire broke out on Thursday at a house in Tokyo, according to Japan's fire authorities and investigative sources. (Kyodo)
A 59-year-old former employee at a vocational school in Miyazaki Prefecture was sentenced to 23 years in prison on Monday for sexually assaulting seven people including some students after drugging them with sleeping pills. (Kyodo)
A survey of major Japanese firms showed they offered their highest monthly wage increases in 32 years at over 5 percent in the spring wage negotiations, as many sought to respond to elevated prices while trying to avoid brain drains, the country's biggest business lobby said Monday. (Kyodo)
Tokyo-based startup Innovative Space Carrier Inc. will develop a reusable satellite launch rocket in partnership with a U.S rocket engine maker, aiming for commercial use by around 2030. (Kyodo)
An illimination event this weekend at the Ainokura Gassho-zukuri Village in Toyama Prefecture, a World Cultural Heritage site, reflects upside down Gassho-style houses, creating a "Sakasa Gassho" effect.
The season for the traditional cormorant fishing on the Nagaragawa River, which boasts a history of over 1,300 years, commenced on May 11th in Gifu City.
The Oji Zoo in Kobe's Nada Ward held a memorial service on May 10th for Tantan, the female giant panda who passed away at the age of 28 at the end of March, making her the oldest panda in Japan at the time of her death.
Undisputed world super bantamweight boxing champion Naoya Inoue fought back from an early knockdown to stop Mexico's Luis Nery in the sixth round of their title showdown at Tokyo Dome on Monday. (Kyodo)
A memorial service for the former Imperial Japanese Army kamikaze pilots who died during the Battle of Okinawa at the end of World War II was held on May 3rd in front of the Chiran Peace Kannon Hall in Minamikyushu City, Kagoshima Prefecture.
Naoya Inoue, Japan's undisputed super bantamweight world champion said Saturday he has high hopes for the defense of his four belts against Mexico's Luis Nery when they fight on Monday. (Kyodo)
A consortium led by Mitsui Fudosan, selected to redevelop the former Tsukiji Market site, revealed at a press conference held in Tokyo on May 1st, plans to invest 900 billion yen in creating a multi-purpose stadium capable of accommodating 50,000 people.
The Japanese government is planning to trial an artificial intelligence system for spotting wild bears to better deal with an increasing number of attacks by the animals on humans, a government source said Monday. (Kyodo)
In northern Hokkaido, Japan's largest freshwater fish, the Itou, also known as the "phantom fish," has begun its spawning season, migrating upstream in local rivers.
The Japanese national rhythmic gymnastics team, headed to the Asian Championships in Tashkent starting May 2, which also serves as a continental qualifier for the Paris Olympics, held a spirited send-off event on April 25 at the National Sports Science Center (JISS) in Kita, Tokyo.
Bloodstains have been found inside a car belonging to a 25-year-old man arrested over last week's discovery of two burnt bodies on a riverside north of Tokyo, investigative sources said Monday. (Kyodo)
Takarazuka Music School, the actor training institution of the Takarazuka Revue Company located in Takarazuka City, Hyogo Prefecture, celebrated the entrance ceremony on April 19th, for its 112th class.
Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda on Thursday suggested a possible need to raise interest rates again if the yen's depreciation continues and leads to notable price increases. (Kyodo)
With only 100 days to go until the opening of the Paris Olympics, the Japanese Olympic and Paralympic teams showed off their official sportswear in Tokyo on Wednesday.