Japan on Tuesday decided to formally withdraw its Self-Defense Forces from their mission to evacuate people, including its nationals, from war-torn Afghanistan, citing security reasons amid heightened tensions following the recent seizure of power by the Taliban. (Japan Times)

Princess Mako, a niece of Japanese Emperor Naruhito, and her boyfriend Kei Komuro will marry by the year-end and may start a new life in the United States, but without holding the related ritual ceremonies in a rare decision, a government source said Wednesday. (Kyodo)

Ten years ago, 19-year-old art student Monami Ohno picked up a cardboard box for a homework assignment and made what she described was a "bike-like thing". Her imaginative, almost life-like cardboard sculptures have gradually gained a following in recent years. (WION)

U.S. climate envoy John Kerry held talks in Tokyo on Tuesday with Japan's Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga and other ministers on cooperation on carbon emissions and cutting support for fossil fuels. (Reuters)

In this video I am on a search at Kuromon Market in Osaka, Japan. (Jonny Kimchee)

My Embarrassing Story in Tokyo ( Japanese Ammo with Misa)

A group of Japanese researchers says it has found a new mutation of the Delta coronavirus variant for the first time in Japan. (NHK)

This video is about Osaka Summer Battle in 1615, featuring the folding screen depicting the war. (Nagura Meeko)

With the beginning of the new semester, schools in Japan are heading into uncharted waters as they battle a delta-driven explosion in COVID-19 cases, prompting some parents to decide not to send their children back to the classroom. (Japan Times)

Japanese authorities confirmed a nationwide tally of more than 17,000 new cases of coronavirus infection on Tuesday. The number of seriously ill patients was at a record high for the 19th straight day. (NHK)

Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga intends to dissolve the Lower House of parliament in mid-September after a reshuffle of the ruling party executive and his Cabinet next week, the Mainichi newspaper said late Tuesday, citing senior government sources. (Japan Times)

Taiwanese technology companies have made hardly any supply chain investments in Japan as an alternative to mainland China, directing most of their new factory construction and acquisitions to the U.S., Europe and Southeast Asia instead, official research shows. (Nikkei)

An outdoor music festival held on Sunday in central Japan has come under fire for failing to take anti-coronavirus measures, including serving alcoholic drinks to the crowds packing the venue. (NHK)

Were Japan's Three Great Unifiers really the best men for the job? In this 2-part debate, "Japan at War" and I discuss this topic and argue whether or not each of them was a true unifier or if there were better alternatives! (The Shogunate)

Due to its geographical location on the Ring of Fire, Japan is one of the most seismically active countries on the planet. (Interesting Engineering)

The United Arab Emirates pavilion, joined by Japanese architect Kenichi Teramoto among others, won the top Golden Lion prize Monday at the Venice Biennale International Architecture Exhibition. (Kyodo)

Mongolian Terunofuji found himself among the ranks of sumo's historic elite as the ancient sport's 73rd yokozuna on Monday when the Japan Sumo Association rankings for September's Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament were published. (Kyodo)

Toyota Motor Corp. said on Monday it would resume operations of its self-driving e-Palette pods at the athletes village for the Tokyo Paralympics with greater operator control and more safety staff to ensure they do not hit any more people. (Japan Times)

I tried a Japanese style cabin with tatami mats on the ferry from Osaka to Shinmoji. Tatami mats are made from Igusa (rush). It will be a unique experience. (Solo Travel Japan)

Police in Tokuo have arrested a senior leader of the Yamaguchi-gumi yakuza gang on suspicion of murder after he allegedly fatally beat a man on Sunday. (Japan Todayj)

These videos are full of general knowledge and a lot of facts that you would not normally know in your day to day life. (Unbelievable Factual Facts)

There are plenty of smart, educated women in Japan who could be driving the country out of its current economic slump to a stunning pandemic recovery. (BBC)

While Japanese women acknowledge being influenced by European and American fashion, it is Korean style, worn by K-pop icons, that is having the biggest impact on what women are wearing on the streets of Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya. (inquirer.net)

Japan京都舞妓 8月の簪と着物 (舞妓シアターMaikotheater)

Nissan has announced that it plans to launch an all-new, all-electric minivehicle in Japan (aka kei car) in early FY21 (from April 1, 2022 to March 31, 2023). (insideevs.com)