U.S. President Donald Trump called on Japan to "step up" its role in addressing tensions in the Middle East during a Japan-U.S. summit held on March 19th, as Iran’s ambassador to Japan also expressed expectations for Tokyo to play a constructive diplomatic role, placing renewed focus on Japan’s unique position between the two sides.

Japan’s culture of devoted fan support, known as "oshi-katsu," has expanded rapidly in recent years, with around 20 million people now actively engaging in the practice, while virtual YouTubers—online personalities who stream using digital avatars—have emerged as a central force behind the growing enthusiasm.

Japan began releasing its national oil reserves for the first time in about four years in response to escalating tensions in the Middle East, as concerns grow over potential supply shortages following disruptions in tanker traffic.

Medical institutions across Japan are coming under increasing financial strain as rising prices for plastic and rubber—key materials in essential medical supplies—begin to weigh heavily on operations, prompting the government to release national oil reserves on March 26th in an effort to curb inflation and stabilize supply.

A 23-year-old Ground Self-Defense Force member stationed at the Ebino camp was arrested on suspicion of intruding into the Chinese Embassy in Tokyo after allegedly scaling a wall from a neighboring building, with investigators suspecting the act was premeditated following the purchase of a knife the day before.

A government and Tokyo metropolitan task force held its first joint meeting with private-sector participants on March 25th to discuss countermeasures for a potential large-scale eruption of Mount Fuji that could blanket central Tokyo in volcanic ash and severely disrupt daily life.

Japan’s first cargo-only shinkansen began operations on March 23rd, aiming to significantly expand transport capacity and help address a growing shortage of truck drivers.

Japan’s technical intern training program, designed to allow workers from developing countries to gain skills while working in Japanese companies, has been plagued by workplace violence, low wages, and long working hours, prompting the government to introduce a new system from 2027 that could mark a turning point in how the country engages with its growing foreign workforce.

Kirishima has been reinstated to the rank of ozeki, declaring his ambition to reach even greater heights, as the Japan Sumo Association unanimously approved his promotion during a rankings meeting and extraordinary board session held on March 25th at Edion Arena Osaka in Naniwa Ward, Osaka, ahead of the Summer Grand Sumo Tournament, which opens on May 10th at Ryogoku Kokugikan.

Railway operators across Japan’s Kanto region have launched a new service allowing passengers to travel using contactless credit card payments, enabling seamless transfers across multiple rail lines operated by 11 companies and covering more than 700 stations.

Seibu & Sogo announced that it will close its Seibu Shibuya store in September, bringing an end to the 58-year history of what was once a symbol of the district and marking the disappearance of traditional department stores from Shibuya.

Sony and Honda have decided to halt their jointly developed electric vehicle project, with their joint venture Sony Honda Mobility announcing on March 25th that it will cancel the development and launch of its new EV, the "AFEELA 1," as a reassessment of Honda’s EV strategy made it difficult to continue utilizing Honda’s technology and production support, ultimately leading to the conclusion that commercialization would be unfeasible.

Italian furniture exports to Japan have grown steadily for over a decade, but this growth has not been driven by aggressive retail expansion.

Reports of cherry blossoms blooming continued to arrive from across Japan on March 24th, with Kofu City in Yamanashi Prefecture declaring the nation’s earliest full bloom, marking the long-awaited start of the spring viewing season.

A feature from BS TV Tokyo’s program Nikkei Morning Plus FT, broadcast on March 24th, 2026, highlights how startups are accelerating growth through proprietary technologies and services, with a focus on CadDi, a company aiming to transform the manufacturing industry through data utilization.

As the impact of the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz spreads, the government announced it will begin releasing national oil reserves from 11 bases across the country starting March 26th, in a move aimed at minimizing disruption to economic activity.

The Japanese government on March 24th approved a bill to revise the drone regulation law, expanding no-fly zones to roughly a 1-kilometer radius around key facilities and strengthening penalties in response to growing security risks.

A final screening and award ceremony for the talent discovery audition Bishoujo Zukan AWARD 2026, known for launching actors such as Maika Yamamoto and Hinako Sakurai, was held in Tokyo on March 21st, where Ayano Enomoto, a 14-year-old second-year junior high school student from Fukushima and a member of the local idol group my coffret, was selected as the grand prize winner.

Animal cafes offering close interaction with a wide range of animals beyond dogs and cats are rapidly increasing in Tokyo’s Harajuku district, particularly along Takeshita Street, where a surge in inbound tourism is driving demand and even creating venues where nearly all customers are foreign visitors.

Hitachi Ltd. will open a new studio designed to accelerate the real-world adoption of “physical AI,” a technology that analyzes real-world data to autonomously control machines and robots, as the company seeks to expand practical applications across industries.

Rising tensions in the Middle East, triggered by an attack on liquefied natural gas facilities in Qatar, are not only driving up oil prices but also raising concerns over a potential helium shortage that could disrupt MRI diagnostics and strain hospital operations in Japan.

IKEA and small eateries across Japan are drawing crowds and doubling customer traffic by offering ultra-cheap 100 yen meals, using creative strategies to maintain low prices amid rising inflation.

One of two Japanese nationals detained in Iran has been released and returned to Japan on March 22nd, while diplomatic efforts continue to secure the release of the remaining individual.

A long-held perception that overnight highway buses are inexpensive but exhausting is being challenged, as a regional bus operator in Japan moves to redefine long-distance travel with the country’s first fully flat sleeper seats.

The Imperial Palace’s Inui Street opened to the public for its annual spring viewing on March 21st, drawing around 18,000 visitors under clear skies as cherry blossoms began to bloom across Tokyo.