Sony has unveiled its latest Xperia smartphone, equipped with advanced camera capabilities powered by its proprietary AI technology. The new model features the brand's first-ever "AI Camera Work" function, which uses artificial intelligence to recognize skeletal movements of moving subjects and automatically track them to keep them centered in the frame.

A woman in her 20s and two other individuals were arrested on Thursday on suspicion of defrauding a visually impaired man by luring him through a dating app and charging him excessive fees at a bar.

Metaplanet, a Tokyo-based investment firm, recently issued $24.7 million worth of ordinary bonds to raise money to expand its Bitcoin accumulation strategy.

Toshiba announced that it returned to profitability in its earnings report for the fiscal year ending March 2025, posting a net profit of 279 billion yen. Operating profit, a key indicator of core business performance, surged nearly fivefold from the previous year to 198.5 billion yen, driven in part by increased sales of hard disk drives for data centers.

Explosions and eruptions continued at Sakurajima in Kagoshima Prefecture, with volcanic activity intensifying since May 15. In an early morning eruption before 6 a.m., a plume of ash rose approximately 2,700 meters above the crater.

The Japanese government has set a new wage policy target aimed at achieving a real wage increase of around 1% by fiscal 2029, taking inflation into account. To support this goal, it plans to mobilize public and private investment totaling approximately 60 trillion yen over the next five years to boost corporate productivity.

In the heart of Tokyo’s Kabukicho district, a group of young men known for working in host clubs are taking the stage—not in their usual nightlife roles, but in a traditional Japanese dance performance.

Kadoya Sesame Mills and Takemoto Oil & Fat have been accused of forming a cartel over the wholesale pricing of sesame oil and related products, prompting Japan’s Fair Trade Commission to issue an elimination order against the two companies.

Sony Group announced on May 14th that its net profit for the year ending March 2025 rose 17.6% year-on-year to a record 1.1416 trillion yen. The strong performance was driven by brisk sales in its gaming division, including the PlayStation 5, as well as continued growth in its music and film business.

Japan’s growing donut market has entered a new phase with the opening of popular American chain Randy’s Donuts’ first store in Daikanyama, Shibuya, marking its debut with handmade offerings and an iconic oversized donut monument as the 'donut Sengoku era' intensifies.

A growing number of Chinese tourists in Japan are converting their foreign driver's licenses into Japanese ones by listing their hotel addresses as proof of residence, drawing criticism and prompting a policy shift from authorities.

A bill to revise the Kyūtoku Law, aiming to improve the treatment of Japan's public school teachers by gradually raising the salary supplement in place of overtime pay from 4% to 10%, was approved by the Lower House Committee on Education on Wednesday after ruling and opposition parties agreed on revisions.

JR East has announced its first-ever time-limited discount sale offering up to 60% off Shinkansen fares, with tickets available through its online reservation platform, Ekinet.

Loose socks, once a symbol of 1990s gyaru fashion, are making a stylish comeback among Japan's Gen Z, driven by a broader 'Heisei retro' trend that celebrates nostalgic aesthetics. In Harajuku, young people are pairing the evolved, shorter versions of the socks with miniskirts and shorts.

Tokyo's push for river-based commuting is gaining momentum with the launch of a new weekday evening ferry route connecting Gotanda and Tennozu.

The revised Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Act, passed by Japan's Upper House on May 14th, will allow over-the-counter drugs to be sold at convenience stores if consumers first receive online guidance from licensed pharmacists or other qualified professionals.

SoftBank Group has returned to profitability for the first time in four years, reporting on May 13th a net profit of 1.1533 trillion yen for the fiscal year ending March 2025, driven by a global rebound in stock markets that sharply boosted the value of its investment holdings.

Zensho Holdings, operator of the Sukiya beef bowl chain, reported a 17.7% rise in annual revenue to 1.1366 trillion yen for the fiscal year ending March 2025—marking the first time a domestic restaurant company in Japan has exceeded 1 trillion yen in sales.

A commercial for the "Horiemon AI School" began airing nationwide in taxis on May 20th, as part of a promotional push ahead of the upcoming AI Utilization EXPO.

Japan has traditionally not practiced tipping, but signs of change are emerging amid an unprecedented boom in inbound tourism.

A growing number of credit card fraud cases in Japan has been linked to a shadowy underground labor network, where Chinese nationals are suspected of stealing Japanese consumers' card data.

There has been a major development in the so-called "Trump tariffs" negotiations, in which Japan is also involved. The United States and China, which had been imposing more than 100% tariffs on each other, agreed on May 12th to reduce those tariffs by 115%.

The Japan Meteorological Agency announced has that the Kuroshio Large Meander, a phenomenon that has lasted for 7 years and 9 months, is expected to come to an end. The agency is urging people to stay updated, noting that changes in the Kuroshio Current may affect both fish species and fishing grounds.

Greater Bay Airlines, which resumed regular flights between Sendai and Hong Kong last December for the first time in 13 years, currently operates four round trips per week. However, starting this week and continuing through the end of October, the airline will reduce that to three weekly round trips due to declining travel demand. The number of flights to Tokushima will also be cut. What is behind this sudden downturn?

Nissan Motor has decided to cut nearly 20,000 jobs globally as it struggles with worsening business performance.