The number of foreigners living in Japan has reached a record 3.67 million. Some have realized long-held dreams of working in the country, such as a Polish woman who became an animator, while others are keeping traditions alive, like a French rickshaw puller in Kanazawa. What kind of work do these residents do, and how much do they earn?

A male company employee was arrested after allegedly molesting a woman multiple times on a train, with the victim herself chasing him down and restraining him.

Agriculture Minister Shinjiro Koizumi has decided to run in the Liberal Democratic Party’s presidential race.

Hair salons are beginning to use generative-AI 'image models' in advertising to reduce the time and cost of photo shoots, a shift that has drawn both interest and concern from customers.

Record-breaking rain pounded Tokyo and Kanagawa on Thursday, triggering river overflows and widespread flooding across the capital region. Streets were inundated in central districts including Setagaya and Shinagawa, and damage from intruding floodwater was reported at homes and shops.

How to make a reservation online at Kura Sushi, a popular conveyor belt sushi chain in Japan. (Cakes with Faces)

The government convened the first meeting of the AI Strategy Headquarters, the new control tower for artificial-intelligence policy, to discuss the outline of a basic plan that would strengthen AI research, development, and utilization. Officials said the plan will be finalized within the year.

With September’s Respect-for-the-Aged Day three days away, the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare said Japan’s population of people aged 100 or older has climbed to nearly 100,000, marking a record for the 55th consecutive year.

LINE has begun offering a service that proposes message replies with AI and can convert the tone of text into different styles. The feature became available from the talk screen on September 9th and suggests multiple reply patterns based on recent exchanges.

Tokyo and Kanagawa saw a series of record 'short-term heavy rain' advisories on September 11, causing river overflows and widespread flooding, with more than 200 cases confirmed in the capital as of September 12. In Shinagawa Ward’s Togoshi Ginza shopping street, roads were submerged and motorbikes were toppled as residents and shopkeepers began cleanup at first light.

Fukuoka Prefectural Police have arrested six Japanese nationals believed to be members of the Philippines-based crime group ‘JP Dragon’ on suspicion of involvement in special fraud cases targeting people in Japan.

Foreign workers in Japan reached a record of about 2.3 million last year, reflecting chronic domestic labor shortages that have made overseas hires indispensable. At the same time, illegal employment has climbed, with experts pointing to brokers who target technical intern trainees amid reports of workplace harassment and low pay.

[20:34] Severe thunderstorms and flooding have prompted authorities in Tokyo’s Minato Ward to issue a Level 4 evacuation order for parts of the district in landslide warning zones.

The first hearing for former House of Councillors member Ohno Yasumasa and his secretary, charged with violating the Political Funds Control Act over an alleged slush fund tied to Liberal Democratic Party fundraising parties, was held at the Tokyo District Court on September 10th. Ohno pleaded not guilty, saying, "I have never committed a crime."

Sota Fujii (23) defended the Oi title for a sixth consecutive year after winning Game 6 of the best-of-seven match at the Shogi Kaikan in Tokyo, with challenger Takuya Nagase (33), a ninth-dan, resigning after 151 moves.

Google launched Japanese support for its AI-driven “AI mode” in Search on September 9th. Users can enter questions or text in Japanese from the search screen on the web or app and receive AI-generated responses. The feature is free to use.

Emperor Naruhito harvested rice on September 10th in a paddy field within the Imperial Palace grounds.

Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party is entering a leadership contest as factional infighting deepens, with the outcome set to shape responses to inflation and the realities of minority governance. Opposition parties are preparing to invoke Article 53 of the Constitution to demand an extraordinary Diet session, arguing that a prolonged political vacuum is unacceptable.

McDonald’s Japan said on September 9th that for the Happy Meal sets to be released on September 12th, sales on the first day will be limited to in-store counters and drive-thru only.

MUFG Bank will open its first new branch in roughly two decades, positioning the outlet for individual customers and emphasizing easy access to asset-management consultations.

I often wander Tokyo’s streets at night, just as a quiet observer. The city feels alive, transient, and full of hidden stories, all of which are often washed away by daybreak. (Retro Japan)

7-Eleven has begun trialing robots for some store tasks, including window cleaning and beverage stocking, in an effort to cut labor needs by up to 30 percent.

An AI-powered disaster response system designed to detect flood risks and automatically urge residents to evacuate was demonstrated in Fukuoka City. The system uses video footage to identify potential river overflows and issue alerts without human intervention.

Kirin has introduced a new piece of tableware designed to make low-salt meals taste stronger, addressing growing health concerns about excessive salt consumption in Japan.

Honda announced that it will begin sales of a one-person electric mobility vehicle, the UNI-ONE, on September 24th for corporate clients.