The Japan Meteorological Agency has raised the volcanic alert for Mount Asama from Level 1 to 2, warning people to refrain from approaching its crater. (NHK)

The number of members and associate members of yakuza crime syndicates investigated by police in 2022 fell below 10,000 for the first time since Japan enacted the anti-organized crime law in 1991, National Police Agency data showed Thursday. (Japan Times)

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida began a surprise visit to Ukraine early Tuesday, hours after Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in neighboring Russia for a three-day visit. (euronews)

Japan has won the World Baseball Classic for the third time, beating the defending champion United States 3 to 2 in the final. It's their first title since 2009. (NHK)

Fashion model Jessica Michibata and a male friend have been arrested at a hotel in Tokyo on suspicion of possessing the synthetic drug MDMA, police said. (Japan Today)

Two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani was named MVP of the 2023 World Baseball Classic after dominating at the plate and on the mound to deliver Japan it's third championship win. (sportsnet.ca)

Shizuka visits Nikko for a wonderful luxury retreat in the mountains. She gets to witness an engaging fire ritual, where rhythmic chanting and the leaping flames of holy cedar transports you to an otherworldly scene. (Japan by Food)

A home-run robbery, terrific pitching, momentum-squashing catches, a game-tying three-run home run, punching back, and ear-splitting noise and commotion: The World Baseball Classic semifinal between Mexico and Japan had it all. (foxsports.com)

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida addressed the 41st Sapru House lecture on "Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP)" in Delhi on March 20. (ANI News)

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is on his way by train to Kyiv for talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in a trip that coincides with a state visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping to Moscow. (Al Jazeera)

Sometimes newfound flower species are lurking where scientists least expect to see them — in parks, gardens and even in planters on balconies. (CNN)

Whether you call it coriander or cilantro, “pakuchi”, as it’s known in Japan, is a divisive herb at the best of times. Those who hate the pungent plant won’t go anywhere near it, while those who love it just can’t get enough of it. (soranews24.com)

Today, we are traveling on Hokuto Limited Express from Hakodate to Sapporo in Hokkaido for 4 hours. Please relax and enjoy the Japan's northenmost island train. (travelgeek)

Japan’s marquee international festivals are heralding a return to form with lineups featuring some of the world’s biggest stars. (iq-mag.net)

Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Monday announced a new plan to promote an open and free Indo-Pacific, promising billions of dollars in investment to help economies across the region in everything from industry to disaster prevention. (Reuters)

Gotta love Japanese commercials! (Japanese commercials HD ツ)

It sounds completely crazy, but in Japan it is actually legal to kidnap children. (60 Minutes Australia)

The Yoshino cherry trees in Tokyo are likely to reach their peak soon with the Japan Meteorological Agency expected to report the flowers are in full bloom as early as Monday afternoon. (TV Asahi News / NOJ)

Tokyo residents are being told to prepare for X Day. That’s the day when a potential massive earthquake could strike the city. (SBS)

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is in Tokyo for a trip aimed at strengthening economic ties with Japan. Scholz has been meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. The pair have been discussing ways to strengthen economic security and reduce dependence on Chinese raw materials. (DW News)

Chikamatsu Monzaemon (1653 – 1725) is widely considered the most important playwright in Japanese history, and in particular, in the 12 plays originally written by him that continue to be performed on the kabuki stage. (Kabuki In-Depth)

In Japan, as some 80,000 people go missing every year, according to data from the National Police Agency. Some are later found, but others vanish completely, becoming what’s described as an "evaporated person" or johatsu-sha. (South China Morning Post)

A 32-year-old man was arrested Saturday for arson after a fire gutted the house where he lived in the central Japan prefecture of Nagano, apparently killing three of his family members, police said. (Kyodo)

Spending an hour or more in front of digital devices each day has a more limited effect on 2-year-olds’ growth and development than previously thought, a recent study by Japanese researchers has shown, providing fresh insight into the possible risks of the use of digital devices on toddlers. (Japan Times)

Twenty-year-old Sota Fujii became only the second player in the history of the shogi board game to hold six major titles Sunday when he took the Kio crown from Akira Watanabe. (Kyodo)