McDonald's (Japan) has reworked how it prepares the popular Filet-O-Fish sandwich for the first time in 25 years, freezing the fish just once instead of twice to preserve more of the original texture and flavor. (Nikkei)

Major Japanese railway and utility companies expect a recent series of typhoons to hit their business hard. (NHK)

For her graduation thesis, Mizuki Tanaka, then an art history student at Meiji Gakuin University, chose to explore how the motif of Mount Fuji evolved into the most commonly used in murals decorating sentō (public bathhouses) dotting the capital. (Japan Times)

Japan's government has decided to delay the introduction of mandatory charges for plastic bags at supermarkets, convenience stores and all other retail outlets for three months to July next year. It cites the need for time to prepare for the change. (NHK)

About 2,000 people have taken part in a parade in the ancient Japanese capital of Kyoto. It's one of the city's major festivals. (NHK)

Japanese Bonsai Trees have been a part of Japanese culture for over 1000 years going back to the Heian Era. Today, we'll visit the Omiya Bonsai Art Museum 大宮盆栽美術館 in Saitama to see some amazing tree! One in particular is a 1000 year old Ezo Spruce that has a lot of personality. (ONLY in JAPAN)

Torrential rainfall from a low-pressure system has caused flooding and mudslides in eastern and northeastern Japan. Four people have been confirmed dead. At least two others are missing. (NHK)

Japanese police on Friday were looking for a stolen diamond worth 200 million yen after the pricey piece was discovered missing from a jewelry trade show in Yokohama. (Japan Today)

A record 2,829,416 foreign people were registered as residents at the end of June as more and more technical interns and workers enter Japan amid a severe labor shortage, government data showed Friday. (Japan Times)

The government will write family names first when using the Roman alphabet for Japanese names on official documents from Jan. 1, the education minister said Friday. (Japan Times)

Japan's industry minister Isshu Sugawara has resigned over reports of a possible electoral law violation. (NHK)

Japan's Environment Minister is telling children not to touch any unusual ants if they see one. The warning comes after at least 50 queens of a poisonous species of fire ant were found in a Tokyo port facility. (NHK)

A 35-year-old man walking on the train platform at Nishiarai Station in Tokyo’s Adachi Ward was killed in a freak accident on Wednesday after his bag got caught on the side of a passing train. (Japan Today)

Electric vehicles and cars designed for short trips are in the spotlight at the Tokyo Motor Show as automakers face growing pressure to address vehicle emissions and develop a growth strategy that will help them to overcome Japan's shrinking market. (Japan Today)

Foreign dignitaries enjoyed a rare joint show of Japanese traditional arts on Wednesday at a banquet following the enthronement ceremony of Emperor Naruhito the previous day. (Kyodo)

Mt. Fuji got its first full snowcap of the season on Oct. 23, 2019, eight days later than last year, according to the city of Fujiyoshida in eastern Japan. (Kyodo)

The number of foreign students who changed their visa status to work in Japan after graduating from universities or vocational schools hit a record high in 2018, immigration authorities said Wednesday, amid a chronic manpower shortage in the nation. (Japan Times)

WeWork announced on Wednesday that it had accepted a $9.5 billion rescue package from Japan's SoftBank Group that would give its biggest investor an over 80% economic interest in the troubled office space company but not voting control. (Nikkei)

With torrential rain, raging rivers and submerged homes, the havoc wrought by Typhoon Hagibis was a grim reminder that extreme weather may now be the new norm in this disaster-prone nation. (Japan Times)

Three people were arrested Tuesday as citizens opposed to Japan's imperial system rallied in Tokyo's upscale Ginza district and other areas, protesting the emperor's enthronement ceremony held at the Imperial Palace the same day, police said. (Kyodo)

Japan’s enthronement combines legend and the spiritual with modernity, similar to coronations used by monarchies worldwide. These ceremonies tend to be described as “traditional” — but the term is overused and rarely properly defined in reference to Japan’s enthronement, Sokui no Rei. (Japan Times)

Former Nissan Motor Chairman Carlos Ghosn is preparing to plead not guilty to all charges in the pay scandal that led to his ouster from the Japanese automaker. (Nikkei)

Central Japan Railway plans to expand its ticketless boarding service for the Tokyo-Osaka shinkansen bullet train line as early as April, allowing more foreign visitors to pay for seats in advance abroad. (Nikkei)

The Japanese weather agency warned people in Tokyo and northern Nagano that heavy rainfall Tuesday may set off flooding and mudslides, including in areas recovering from a deadly typhoon. (Japan Today)

Princess Mako, a niece of Japanese Emperor Naruhito and the eldest daughter of Crown Prince Fumihito, turned 28 on Wednesday. (Kyodo)