You might have heard about the Japanese staff, called Jō. But do you know who used it, why they used it, and how? (Let's ask Seki Sensei | Kobudo Asayama Ichiden Ryu)

Japanese zookeepers believe they have solved the mystery of how a gibbon became pregnant despite living alone in her cage. (ctvnews.ca)

The just-published memoir of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is a treasure trove of diplomatic anecdotes. From a colorful car ride with former U.S. President Donald Trump to psychological chess with Chinese President Xi Jinping, the late leader offers unique insights into the world of diplomacy. (Nikkei)

Japanese weather officials have issued heavy snow warnings for suburban Tokyo and other prefectures. They are warning of more possible disruptions to road traffic and public transport. (NHK)

Japan's Cabinet formally adopted a policy on Friday that will allow for the operation of nuclear reactors beyond their current 60-year limit alongside the building of new units to replace aging ones as part of efforts to cut carbon emissions while ensuring adequate national energy supply. (Nikkei)

Japan has canceled an order for more than 140 million doses of Novavax’s Covid-19 vaccine, Takeda revealed in an SEC filing. (endpts.com)

The Department of Migrant Workers has reported that 80 Japanese firms have offered to hire more Filipino skilled workers. (UNTV News and Rescue)

In Kumamoto where the horse meat culture is deeply rooted this restaurant serves Japanese horse intestines and they serve over 100 kilos a day! This restaurant is so popular in Kumamoto it has been in business for many many years and was just recently renovated. (Japanese food craftsman)

Today we are going to be riding the excursion train, the Aoniyoshi Tourist Train on both seat configurations from Kyoto to Nara. (Solo Solo Travel)

McDonald's Japan has signed an agreement with the government to use more domestic wood. The move is aimed at helping to realize a low-carbon society. (NHK)

The Japanese have had their own instances of unidentified flying objects and surveillance balloons sighted over the country in the past few years, Japan’s Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada said Friday. (usni.org)

Food prices will continue to soar in Japan in the first four months this year, with prices on more than 10,000 items set to rise due to high material and logistic costs, according to a recent survey by a credit research company. (Kyodo)

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida had sinus surgery at a Tokyo hospital on Saturday to treat chronic sinusitis that has caused him to have a stuffy nose since last year. (NHK)

Just as star players from overseas have improved the quality of Japanese domestic rugby, Japan's League One is hoping to do the same with its refereeing standards by importing top officials from other countries. (Kyodo)

The Japanese Boxing Commission and the Sportswriters Club held their annual awards ceremony at the Tokyo Dome Hotel on Wednesday. ()

Japan aims to receive a record number of foreign visitors in 2025, a draft of the government's revised plan showed Thursday, with inbound tourism seeing a steady recovery since the country significantly eased border measures last October. (Japan Today)

The Japanese government is planning to allow people to make their own choices about wearing face masks to prevent coronavirus infections, beginning on March 13. (NHK)

A Japanese man accused of causing the death of his 1-year-old son in 2018 by leaving him frail from severe malnutrition, refusing him medical treatment and shooting him multiple times with an air gun was sentenced to 16 years in prison on Thursday. (Kyodo)

Yuta Nakamoto (中本悠太) is one of two Japanese members of K-Pop band NCT (Neo Culture Technology). Born in Kadoma, Osaka, his fans call him the "Takoyaki Prince".

Police in Izumi, Osaka Prefecture, have arrested a 40-year-old unemployed woman on suspicion of killing her 39-year-old boyfriend and stashing his body inside a freezer at her house. (Japan Today)

Shenjumiausuan released a research result recently on "the interests of investing in Japanese real estate from Chinese investors" that 89% of Chinese investors are interested in going for a house-viewing tour if the overseas traveling market reopens. (asiaone.com)

From April, revised traffic laws will allow self-driving delivery robots to navigate streets across Japan. (WION)

The Liberal Democratic Party will likely struggle to agree on a bill to encourage understanding of LGBT issues, particularly regarding how the legislation will refer to discrimination. (The Japan News)

A volcano on Sakurajima in Kagoshima Prefecture, southwestern Japan, erupted Wednesday, with a local weather observatory warning those within a 2-kilometer radius against pyroclastic flows and falling rocks. (Kyodo)

Sana Minatozaki (湊崎 紗夏) is a Japanese singer based in South Korea. She is one of three Japanese members of the South Korean girl group Twice, formed in 2015 by JYP Entertainment.