Production of Japan’s familiar 50cc motorized bicycles — a popular choice for short trips and errands — will come to an end in October, prompting a surge in demand as consumers scramble to purchase the last available models.

The first half of 2025’s paperback sales rankings are dominated by 'Comrade Girl, Shoot the Enemy,' a powerful debut novel by author Toma Aisaka that traces the brutal wartime coming-of-age of a Soviet girl turned sniper.

Yakult has been officially recognized by Guinness World Records as the world’s best-selling lactic acid beverage brand in 2024, marking a new milestone for the iconic probiotic drink. The certification, announced at a presentation ceremony, celebrates the brand’s success across domestic and international markets.

The Japan Meteorological Agency announced that satellite images from the Himawari-9 weather satellite are currently unavailable due to a communication failure. While some functions have been restored through the backup satellite Himawari-8, key nighttime observation data such as infrared imagery remain inaccessible.

People who belonged to a school sports club or athletic circle are significantly more likely to maintain regular exercise habits after graduation than those who did not, according to a new survey by the Japan Sports Agency.

Mazda, the automaker synonymous with Hiroshima — a prefecture of 2.7 million people — is fighting to reinvent itself from within as the global automobile industry undergoes a once-in-a-century transformation. The company is launching a five-year internal reform to reshape its corporate culture and stay competitive amid the global shift to electric and eco-friendly vehicles.

The abrupt collapse of the long-standing Liberal Democratic Party (LDP)–Komeito coalition ahead of the upcoming prime ministerial vote has thrown Japanese politics into flux, complicating the path for Takaichi to take office and intensifying behind-the-scenes maneuvering among all major parties. Takaichi, who visited the Constitutional Democratic Party (CDP) headquarters earlier this week, was met with criticism over remarks describing an opposition figure as “damaged goods,” a sign of heightened tensions just two days before Komeito’s dramatic departure from the coalition.

Tokyo’s Metropolitan Police Department held a community event in Suginami Ward on October 11 to raise awareness and prevent special fraud schemes that continue to target residents.

The Democratic Party for the People leader Yuichiro Tamaki reaffirmed on October 11 that his party will not cooperate with the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan (CDP) in unifying opposition candidates for the upcoming prime minister designation vote in the next extraordinary Diet session.

Hidden in Shibuya, Chillmatic is redefining Japanese craft burgers with aged beef and homemade pastrami that take flavor to another level a Japanese craft burger shop known for serving one-of-a-kind burgers made with aged beef and topped with irresistible homemade pastrami. (Paolo fromTOKYO)

Hitachi announced on October 10 that it will focus on developing “physical AI,” a form of artificial intelligence capable of perceiving and responding optimally to real-world conditions.

The number of foreign residents in Japan has reached a record high of nearly 4 million, according to the Immigration Services Agency. As of the end of June, 3,956,619 foreign nationals were living in the country, an increase of about 190,000 from the end of 2024, marking the highest total on record.

Japan's Imperial Household Agency has released The Official Record of Empress Kojun, chronicling the life of Empress Kojun, wife of Emperor Showa and grandmother of the current Emperor.

Tokyo has confirmed its first case of a dog infected with severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS), a potentially fatal disease transmitted by ticks. It is the first time an animal infection has been recorded in the capital.

Fender, the US-based instrument maker, unveiled its first collaboration guitar with Godzilla on October 9 in Tokyo, featuring a special-edition “Godzilla Guitar” capable of reproducing the monster’s iconic roar.

Japan’s new administration under Liberal Democratic Party President Takaichi faces its first major diplomatic test: an inaugural summit with President Trump, expected on October 28. How that meeting unfolds—and how Takaichi responds if Trump presses Japan to lift defense outlays to 3.5% of GDP—will shape Tokyo’s security posture. With Beijing wary of Takaichi’s stance, the trajectory of Japan–China relations is also in focus.

Komeito leader Saito informed Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) president Takaichi on October 10 that his party intends to withdraw from their coalition, bringing an end to a political partnership that has lasted 26 years, including periods when the LDP was in opposition. Leaders and secretary-generals of both parties met in the Diet at 1:45 p.m. on October 10 to discuss whether to continue the alliance, with Komeito insisting during the meeting that strengthening regulations on corporate and organizational political donations be accepted as a condition for maintaining the coalition.

Sumitomo Life Insurance has reported that around 80% of households in Japan are being impacted by rising prices, with monthly living costs now about 9,600 yen higher than a year ago. The findings come from the company’s latest survey on household finances, which shows that inflation is putting significant pressure on family budgets.

Japan’s annual prefectural attractiveness ranking has placed Saitama Prefecture at the bottom for the first time, surprising even local restaurant owners. Now in its 17th year, the 2025 survey once again crowned Hokkaido as the most attractive prefecture — maintaining its perfect record since the ranking’s inception.

The Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department plans to launch an unmanned “patrol station” in the Ariake district of Koto Ward from March next year, aiming to create a new base to safeguard the local community.

Four former executives of Alts, an AI development company previously listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange’s Growth Market, were arrested on October 9 on suspicion of falsifying financial statements.

Bear attacks are intensifying across Japan, with fatalities in fiscal 2025 already matching the record high set in 2023. Experts warn that the rise reflects not only an increase in bear numbers but also changes in human society that have blurred the line between mountain habitats and residential areas.

The intersection of modern interior design and real estate has become increasingly significant in recent years, fundamentally transforming how properties are valued, marketed, and sold.

A visit to Teppanyaki Kaikan to have dinner of Foie Gras, Wagyu, Lobster and a few side dishes (Aden Films)

At the 21st Clarino Beautiful Legs Award 2025 ceremony held in Tokyo on October 6th, actress Risa Naka was honored in the 30s category, alongside Runa Nakajima in the teen division and Hikaru Takahashi in the 20s division. The annual event recognizes celebrities with outstanding leg beauty and health.