Children in Japan are receiving their first smartphones at an increasingly early age, with 51.6 percent of parents reporting giving them to their kids in elementary school, according to a recent survey. (Japan Today)

Although the COVID-19 pandemic has been battering Japan's tourism industry, traditional inns in Nikko and Nasu -- tourist destinations north of Tokyo -- are getting fresh money to remake themselves as modern hot-spring spa resorts. (Nikkei)

Hokkaido Prefectural Police have arrested a 61-year-old assistant police inspector on suspicion of dangerous driving resulting in death after the patrol car he was driving hit and killed a pedestrian on Sunday. (Japan Today)

Tucked away in the mountains of Japan’s Shikoku island, a town of about 1,500 residents is on an ambitious path toward a zero-waste life. (plainsmenpost.com)

新しいオンラインカジノは、その最先端のデザイン、新鮮なコンテンツ、最新の機能のおかげで、非常に需要があります。 (newsonjapan.com)

Japan's Financial Services Agency has revised its regulations in a bid to attract more foreign securities firms to the country. They can now complete all procedures for establishing a presence in Japan in English. (NHKn)

I took an overnight ferry from Kagoshima to one of the beautiful islands in Japan. On this route, two ferry companies alternately operate once a day. Today's ship is Queen Coral Cross, operated by Marix Line. ( Solo Travel Japan)

Japanese mother of three Maiko Takahashi was never one to pinch pennies or accept hand-me-downs for her children even though circumstances for her single-income family have always been fairly modest. (straitstimes.com)

With cyberbullying and other forms of online abuse gaining attention as an alarming social problem, the Japanese government is working to crack down on and prevent such acts with legislative amendments. (Japan Times)

Half the respondents in a Kyodo News survey released Monday believe Japan needs to amend the war-renouncing Article 9 of the Constitution to clarify the legal status of the Self-Defense Forces, with the level of support almost unchanged from a year ago despite growing concerns over regional security. (Kyodo)

After two years struggling against the coronavirus, Japanese tour companies were hoping for the best in the ongoing Golden Week holiday. But their first big test of post-pandemic demand has been marred by a deadly tragedy at sea. (GPgu6jyl9tc)

People in Japan are now enjoying their first spring holidays in three years with no coronavirus restrictions in place. (NHK)

Shizuka visits historic Nikko to try some of the oldest street food that has been popular in the area for more than 300 years. (Japan by Food)

Today we will be riding on Japan Railway's most luxurious private compartment on the Saphir Odoriko limited express. (Solo Solo Travel)

Japanese police say a young woman has died after being found on a street in Tokyo. Investigation sources say she is believed to be a Vietnamese national. (NHK)

Subways in Ukraine's capital of Kyiv stopped operations following the launch of attacks by Russian troops. Stations, as deep as 105 meters underground, became temporary bomb shelters as citizens brought in blankets and tents to protect themselves from Russia's threat of nuclear attack. (Nikkei)

A growing number of Japanese companies are setting their sights on "sleep tech" to help people deal with common sleep problems, such as insomnia. (Nikkei)

From June 2022, revisions to Japan’s Law on Welfare and Management of Animals will go into effect and make microchipping of dogs and cats mandatory. (medium.com)

Japan has decided to require listed companies to disclose in their annual securities reports the ratio of women in management positions, in a bid to increase female leaders in the country's male-dominated corporate world. (Kyodo)

A Japanese trade union organization has staged a May Day rally in Tokyo, demanding corrections to pay gaps and long working hours. (NHK)

It depends on each area and school, but generally speaking, Japanese schools have quite strict rules. (Nobita from Japan)

Tokyo's Minato Ward has expanded a multi-language information service on its website to 108 languages from previous four. Around 17,000 people from about 130 countries live in the ward. (NHK)

A pair of typical blue jeans might not cost you much, but it could set you back a few hundred dollars if it's the renowned Japanese selvage variety. ( Business Insider)

Japanese carrier All Nippon Airways is restoring the world's largest passenger planes for its connection to Hawaii starting in July, after the double-decker jets stopped regular flights more than two years ago. (Nikkei)

Japanese film director Takeshi Kitano was honored Friday with a lifetime achievement award at the 24th Far East Film Festival in Italy for his contributions to the industry over more than 30 years. (Kyodo)