近年ではタバコへの規制が日に日に厳しくなっており、紙タバコからの移行を求めるユーザーの声を反映し、ベイプやiQOSなど様々な電子タバコ製品が登場しています。 (newsonjapan.com)

Eels are a much-loved delicacy in Japan - but the animals are now so endangered that they command eyewatering prices. (euronews)

The operator of the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant has begun a boring survey to build an undersea tunnel for releasing treated water from the facility. (NHK)

Japan’s small hotels and restaurants continue to suffer from financing strains caused by the COVID-19 crisis, a survey has shown, complicating the central bank’s decision on when to end pandemic-relief funding programmes. (aljazeera.com)

The 70th Miss Universe pageant was held at Universe Dome in Eilat, Israel, this year, with 80 contestants from around the world vying to take home the title. (soranews24.com)

Japan's Toyota Motor, accelerating its efforts in the fast-growing electric vehicle field, said it aims to achieve global sales of 3.5 million EV units a year by 2030. (NHK)

As the cost of groceries, clothing and electronics have gone up in the U.S., prices in Japan have stayed low. (Wall Street Journal)

Japan has confirmed four more cases of infection with the Omicron coronavirus variant among arrivals in the country. (NHK)

"The Edge" visits Japanese tech company Atoun and sees how its robotic power suits, which were used by ground staff at the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games, are transforming the way we do manual work. (CNBC International TV)

The government plans to simplify the immigration procedures for foreign travelers arriving in Japan by luxury transport such as private jets and superyachts usually used by the wealthy, sources close to the matter said Monday. (Kyodo)

The government will start offering a digital version of its COVID-19 vaccination certificates on Dec. 20., the Digital Agency said Monday. (Japan Times)

Japan's new prime minister has spent the first few nights in his official residence in Tokyo, becoming the first Japanese leader in nearly a decade to live in the so-called "haunted" house. (buzz.ie)

Visitors and residents were able to see the annual light show at Tokyo's Roppongi Hills on Monday. (Ruptly)

Sentiment among Japan's large manufacturers held at the highest level since 2018, while an index of their outlook slipped, according to the Bank of Japan's quarterly Tankan survey. ( Bloomberg Markets and Finance)

The kanji for "kin," meaning gold or money, was picked as the single most representative Chinese character corresponding to the social mood in Japan this year, a Kyoto-based organization said Monday. (Kyodo)

Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio has indicated that he will allow local governments to provide planned one-time handouts to families with children entirely in cash before year-end. (NHK)

In Japan's ancient capital of Kyoto, professional female entertainers known as "geiko," and their apprentices known as "maiko," have started offering early New Year's greetings. (No Comment TV)

Japan has a lot of coin storage lockers. And sometimes things get left behind or abandoned. Collecting these forgotten items, is an entire job here in Japan, and today, we are tagging along to see what we can find. (Tokyo Lens)

In a protest against China's human rights abuses in the Xinjiang region, Top Japanese officials are likely to skip Beijing Winter Olympics. (WION)

Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi gave an impromptu piano rendition of John Lennon's "Imagine" during Saturday's dinner party of the Group of Seven ministerial talks in Liverpool, England. (Kyodo)

A Japanese research team said it developed a vaccine to remove so-called zombie cells that accumulate with age and damage nearby cells, causing aging-related diseases including arterial stiffening. (Japan Times)

I just found a secret spot to enjoy the view of Shibuya Crossing, famous tourist destination in Tokyo. ( Solo Travel Japan)

Although not many Japanese people acknowledge it, Japan actually still has many problems regarding discrimination. (Let's ask Shogo -Your Japanese friend in Kyoto)

A 38-year-old man and 21-year-old woman were arrested Sunday in western Japan for allegedly kidnapping a female high school student who was later found dead at the man’s apartment, police said. (Japan Times)

Japan has reported very few cases of influenza infection again this year in an apparent reflection of widespread efforts to prevent the spread of COVID-19. (Japan Times)