In a bid to peak the achievement of gamers across the world, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) took a vote to create a new Olympic Esports Games.

Karin Fujiyoshi of the idol group Sakurazaka46 makes her debut as a lead actress in the film "Rookie Reporter Torokko: If Not Me, Then Who!", which includes a theater manners commercial.

In response to the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications’ demand to reassess its capital relationship with South Korean companies due to the recent data leak issue, LINE Yahoo expressed on the 1st of July that "short-term capital movement is difficult."

A bridge in Hita City, Oita Prefecture, is at high risk of collapse and has been completely closed to traffic.

A man accused of killing a university student by injecting alcohol in a hotel room in Hiroshima Prefecture to fraudulently claim over 600 million yen in life insurance has been sentenced to 30 years in prison. The prosecution argued that the man disguised the victim as himself to receive the insurance payout.

A lawsuit has been filed by a civic group against the mayor of Osaka, demanding damages from the involved officials and contractors over the high costs of disposing of a whale that wandered into Osaka Bay and died. The city of Osaka has indicated it will contest the case.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications announced a new rule last week regarding the hometown tax donation system. Starting next October, it will ban the solicitation of donations through websites that offer points.

The skeletonized remains of three infants were discovered in an apartment in Kanagawa's Fujisawa City, prompting the police to investigate the male resident on suspicion of abandoning corpses.

It has been three years since Myanmar experienced a military coup. Although not a major tourist destination for Japanese citizens, over 300 Japanese companies have established operations in Myanmar.

With the issuance of the new banknotes set for the 3rd, the Tokyo Chamber of Commerce and Industry (TCCI), where Eiichi Shibusawa served as the first chairman and will be the face of the new 10,000 yen bill, is rolling out original products to build excitement.

A man has been sentenced to 17 years in prison for killing a hospitalized patient by stabbing him with a toothbrush.

Set in a near-future Japan where almost every property has become a stigmatized "accident site," "Japan's Least Scary Floor Plan" presents a unique and thrilling drama. The film centers around an intense battle for the last remaining property free from any accidents or tragedies.

A 30-year-old man known as the 'Drift Master' has been arrested on suspicion of repeatedly engaging in drift driving late at night.

In an abandoned school deep in the mountains of Chiba, locals are experimenting with foreign travellers, who are dressed up in school uniforms to have a 'Japanese School Experience,' in an effort to revive the town.

To revitalize Osaka's Shinsekai area, the iconic Tsutenkaku Tower has introduced a new attraction: '3, 2, 1, aaaaaah!' Visitors can now experience the thrill of diving 40 meters from the tower's new 'Dive & Walk.'

Land prices, a benchmark for property valuation used in inheritance tax declarations, have seen significant changes this year. Shibuya, currently undergoing extensive redevelopment, has ranked second nationally for the first time.

Two Cambodian men previously arrested on suspicion of stealing copper wire from a solar power plant in Gunma Prefecture have been re-arrested for allegedly stealing approximately 7,000 meters of copper wire from another solar power plant in Fujioka City, Gunma Prefecture.

In the world of Japanese sake, luxury brands with prices ranging from tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of yen are gaining prominence. The driving force behind this trend is startups led by individuals with experience in IT. These outsiders are challenging the high-end sake market using a fabless manufacturing approach, where they don't own the production facilities.

A large-scale geothermal power project comparable to nuclear power is underway in Japan, with the government and private sector accelerating their efforts toward a green transformation (GX) and renewable energy transition. However, rising power consumption, partly due to the spread of AI, has sent the demand for electricity skyrocketing.

Japan's new flagship H3 rocket has successfully placed an Earth observation satellite into orbit in its third launch. The rocket lifted off from the Tanegashima Space Center in the southwestern prefecture of Kagoshima shortly after midday on Monday. (NHK)

Four individuals, including a Japanese national, have been detained in Myanmar for allegedly selling rice at prices higher than those regulated by the government.

In response to the anticipated intense summer heat, Tokyo Disney Resort is extending its summer event period beyond the usual schedule. At Tokyo Disneyland, a special parade featuring the popular character Baymax, who will douse visitors with large quantities of water, will run from the 2nd of July to the 18th of September.

Join us on a trip through the city of Hiroshima! Shizuka teams up with a knowledgeable local tour guide to go on a bike tour adventure, uncovering the rich history and sights that define the legacy-rich place. (Japan by Food)

Today we board Japan's tiniest rooms on the Sunrise Express! Using both upper and lower berths of the “Solo” room class! We enjoy Japan's summer sceneries and cuisine at our destination of Izumo! (Solo Solo Travel)

In Osaka's Sumiyoshi Ward, the Asahi Onsen, a century-old bathhouse, has become a gathering place for children, hosting an event humorously dubbed the "Ofuronpic" in lieu of the Olympics. The bathhouse echoes with the laughter of children playing "bucket curling," a playful adaptation of the winter sport using bath buckets.