Japan’s gross domestic product for the April to June period rose at an annualized rate of 1.0%, marking the fifth consecutive quarter of growth.

A research team from the Okinawa Churashima Foundation and the University of Tokyo has announced the discovery of a new coral species named Ryukyu Coral. The coral was collected in 2013 during a deep-sea survey off the east coast of Okinawa’s main island.

During the Obon holiday, Shinjuku’s Kabukicho To-Yoko area has drawn large numbers of young people, prompting Tokyo authorities to issue warnings.

The Nikkei Stock Average rose for the second consecutive day to reach a new record, surpassing 43,000 yen for the first time on August 14th. The rally was fueled by expectations of a U.S. interest rate cut as early as next month and relief that the worst-case scenario from planned Trump tariffs had been avoided.

Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo, which decided to change coaches mid-season, held its first training session under new head coach Shingo Shibata, 40, as it begins its push to return to the J1 league within a year.

McDonald's Japan has issued an apology over the controversy surrounding its Pokémon card promotion in Happy Meals following reports of bulk purchases for resale purposes, as well as instances of food being abandoned or discarded.

Tokyo's Nikkei surpassed its previous all-time high set in July 2024 when trading resumed this week, a move attributed to eased trade concerns, a weaker yen, and investor momentum driven by fear of missing out.

The Nikkei Stock Average closed at a record high of 42,718 yen on August 12th, surpassing the previous peak of 42,224 yen set on July 11th last year for the first time in over a year. The benchmark index gained more than 1,100 yen at one point before ending the day 897 yen higher than last Friday’s close.

A recent in-depth report captured the crucial moment when illegal drug smuggling was foiled at Haneda Airport, Japan’s primary international gateway. With the rise of inbound foreign visitors, airport customs has become an important line of defense against smuggling.

This week, we have a look at the August kabuki performance at the Kabuki-za theatre in Tokyo. (Kabuki In-Depth)

Ever wondered how Japanese indie musicians are breaking out beyond Japan? In this article, we’ll explore how platforms like Spotify, YouTube, and TikTok—along with targeted tools—are helping them reach global fans.

Tokyo, which is a world within a whirl of activity, presents a unique mix of old and new. The city has here the serene shrines that have stood for centuries and the modern skyscrapers that shoot up to the sky; also, it has traditional culture and high-tech trends.

Many families struggle to maintain a regular diary of their daily lives, especially during the summer break, which is a particularly challenging time. Support organizations like Kids Door, which deliver food to children in need, are seeing an increase in requests for help.

We start off the vlog with breakfast at Iki Espresso, a favorite brunch spot of mine. I've taken a few groups of friends who visit from Manila and it never disappoints. (Heidi Sarol)

As generative AI becomes more widespread, reports of sexual deepfake abuse are increasing around the world. Behind the surge are websites that use artificial intelligence to transform ordinary photos into fake nude images and videos—often without the subject’s consent.

A groundbreaking study by Toshitaka Suzuki, a leading figure in animal linguistics, has revealed that birds use their songs not merely to chirp but to communicate specific information, such as the presence of predators or the location of food—functioning as a true form of language.

An increasing number of South Korean men are traveling to Japan to find Japanese wives, with some making repeated trips each year until they meet a potential partner. Behind this trend lies a mix of cultural expectations and economic pressures.

The iconic stick-shaped chocolate snack Pocky has been officially registered as a three-dimensional trademark, marking a major milestone for manufacturer Ezaki Glico.

It’s no secret that Japanese skewer “yakitori” is one of the most famous street foods here. It’s cheap, delicious, and has a lot of varieties to it; chicken, pork, beef, liver, meatballs, skin, everything! What makes it even more interesting is the different versions of serving it – whether to have it in a casual izakaya setting or an upscale chef dining. (Japan by Food)

Japan’s population of Japanese nationals has decreased for the 16th consecutive year, according to demographic data released by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications. As of January 1st, 2025, the Japanese population stood at 120.65 million, a drop of roughly 910,000 from the previous year—marking the largest annual decline on record.

Seven & i Holdings has announced a new mid-term strategy targeting the addition of 2,300 stores globally by 2030—1,000 in Japan and 1,300 overseas—amid concerns that the company has grown complacent in its dominant market position.

Listen, I've eaten a lot of ramen in my time. Sodium-bomb packets (when I didn’t have to mind my sodium intake) that sustained me through college, $25 artisanal bowls that make my wallet weep, to anything in between.

Japan’s government plan to flood the market with stockpiled rice to lower prices is facing setbacks, as demand slumps and cancellations from retailers increase. Initially popular, the rice is now piling up on shelves, prompting calls to extend the end-of-August sales deadline. Even discounted imported rice is struggling to sell. Meanwhile, rice prices have unexpectedly risen for the first time in 10 weeks.

The impact of Trump-era tariffs is being strongly felt. Mazda has announced its financial forecast for the fiscal year through March 2026, which had previously been left undecided due to the uncertainty surrounding the tariffs.

Australia has selected Japan’s proposal for the joint development of next-generation naval vessels, marking a significant milestone in bilateral defense cooperation.