Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has quickly become Japan’s newest fashion icon. Since taking office just ten days ago, the 63-year-old leader’s signature style -- defined by her understated black tote bag and soft pink pen -- has sparked a nationwide shopping craze.

Kao’s long-running shampoo brand “Merit” has captured wide attention with its television commercial titled “Family, Love, and Merit,” which has now surpassed 3 million views online. The ad, rendered in a soft illustration style and set to Ringo Sheena’s song “Theory of Happiness,” has been praised on social media for its emotional impact and relatable message about everyday family life.

In a quiet neighborhood of Osaka stands a four-story building with around 40 rooms. Yet more than 100 companies are registered there, despite the absence of any visible workers.

Tokyo’s Shibuya Ward has installed barricades around the Hachiko statue in front of Shibuya Station as part of safety measures ahead of Halloween on October 31st.

The Liberal Democratic Party, Nippon Ishin no Kai, and Komeito have reached an agreement on the framework for Japan’s new free high school tuition program, which will begin in fiscal 2026. Under the plan, tuition support for private full-time high schools will be capped at 457,000 yen, while correspondence courses will have an upper limit of 337,000 yen.

Rocket development firm Future Space Transport Systems and travel agency Nippon Travel announced on October 28th their joint goal of commercializing space travel in the 2040s. As humanity prepares to venture further into space, one crucial consideration is food.

Lawson is introducing a new concept for convenience stores, aiming to enhance operational efficiency through the use of AI-powered digital glasses.

JR Central announced that the construction cost of the Linear Chuo Shinkansen between Shinagawa and Nagoya is now expected to increase by 4 trillion yen from the previously planned 7 trillion yen, bringing the total to 11 trillion yen.

Temperatures in Karuizawa, Nagano Prefecture, fell to minus 1.1 degrees Celsius on the morning of October 29th, marking the lowest of the season and accelerating the autumn foliage at Kumoba Pond, which had been about two weeks behind schedule.

The Japan Mobility Show opened on October 29th, marking the start of Japan’s premier automotive exhibition, where foreign manufacturers are stepping up their entry into the country’s growing electric vehicle (EV) market.

The Defense Ministry is considering deploying the Self-Defense Forces to Akita Prefecture following a series of bear attacks that have injured residents in recent weeks.

Japan’s first yen-denominated stablecoin has officially been launched. Fintech startup JPYC began issuing the stablecoin on October 27th, marking a significant step toward expanding digital payment options in the country.

Prime Minister Takaiichi’s first face-to-face meeting with U.S. President Trump drew high praise from officials at the Prime Minister’s Office, who described the atmosphere as friendly and open. According to government sources, the two leaders addressed each other by their first names, “Sanae” and “Donald,” a gesture that one senior official called “120 points,” underscoring the success of the meeting.

Emperor Naruhito met with former U.S. President Donald Trump for the first time in six years at the Imperial Palace on October 27th. The two exchanged greetings in English, with the Emperor saying, "I’m pleased to see you again," as he welcomed Trump to the Imperial residence around 6:30 p.m.

A 43-year-old former employee of Tsuda University has been re-arrested by Tokyo Metropolitan Police on suspicion of vandalism for spraying his bodily fluid on female students’ clothing on campus.

AI tools are increasingly finding their way into Japan’s classrooms, from language practice to career counseling. Among them is the “AI University Lecturer,” developed by DOU Inc., a system designed to supplement human instruction by providing tailored support to each student based on their academic data.

McDonald's Japan announced it will phase out the use of paper straws and introduce new lids that allow customers to drink directly from the cup without a straw starting on November 19th.

The Nikkei Stock Average closed at 50,512 yen on October 27th, surpassing the 50,000 mark for the first time in history and setting a new all-time high. The benchmark index rose 1,212 yen from the previous trading day, driven by strong gains across sectors.

The Nikkei Stock Average surpassed the 50,000-yen mark for the first time ever as trading began on Monday in Tokyo, marking a historic milestone for Japan’s equity market. The breakthrough occurred just three minutes after the opening bell at 9 a.m., with traders at some securities firms preparing to celebrate with a traditional kagami-biraki sake ceremony.

Keio Electric Railway has unveiled a new commuter train developed with the help of artificial intelligence, presenting it to the media ahead of its commercial debut.

U.S. President Donald Trump arrived at Tokyo’s Haneda Airport on the afternoon of October 27 aboard Air Force One, marking his first visit to Japan in roughly six years and his first since the start of his second administration.

Google’s latest generative AI technology, unveiled at its Google Marketing Live event, is sending shockwaves through the advertising industry because much of the work marketers do today is now on track to be handled directly by AI in the near future, according to marketing strategist Kazuki Nishiguchi.

The emergence of Harajuku fashion originated under the motto of dressing freely, without having to follow established social norms. (TRNGL)

A 38-year-old man was arrested near the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo’s Minato Ward on October 24th after attacking a riot police officer with a knife, injuring the officer’s right leg.

A cosplayer dressed as a popular female character became the target of a malicious deepfake—his image was manipulated by generative AI to depict him in underwear. The victim, who is actually a man, said he was mistaken for a woman and found images of himself altered into R18 content circulating online.