A hidden problem lies behind the seemingly ordinary streets of Setagaya Ward, Tokyo. A vehicle belonging to the ward’s government arrives at a heavily overgrown property. The team inside is part of a specialized task force dealing with abandoned homes, and today they are conducting an inspection of one such property.

Matcha, once a traditional Japanese favorite, has now become a global sensation—but the surge in demand is causing a severe shortage. Leading tea company Ito En has announced that it will raise prices by up to twofold to cope with the growing supply-demand imbalance.

JR East has received government approval to revise fares, including a 10-yen increase in the base fare for the Yamanote Line, raising it from 150 yen to 160 yen.

Japan experienced its hottest July on record, with the nationwide average temperature exceeding the standard by 2.89°C, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency. This marks the third consecutive year of record-breaking July temperatures, and the second straight month of record highs following June.

Aeon has announced its 2026 New Year osechi offerings on July 31st, with reservations beginning on August 1st. Among the lineup is its most popular product, the "Kyoen" osechi, which maintains its price while expanding to a record 75 items under the Topvalu brand. The assortment includes a colorful mix of Japanese, Western, and Chinese dishes designed to appeal to all age groups.

As of July, high school students across Japan have effectively begun their job hunt, entering a job market where demand far exceeds supply. With a record-high job-offer-to-applicant ratio of 4.1, companies are fiercely competing to secure these “golden eggs”—young workers straight out of high school—who are seen as a valuable alternative to university graduates.

Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings reported a net loss of 857.6 billion yen for the April to June 2025 quarter, driven by newly booked special losses totaling 903 billion yen.

A 35-year-old Chinese woman living in Kawasaki has been arrested in connection with a stabbing incident that occurred on July 28th on the JR Tokaido Line, where a female passenger was slashed and the suspect fled the scene.

Tsunami advisories remain in effect Thursday morning along Japan’s Pacific coast from Hokkaido to Okinawa following a massive earthquake that struck near Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula.

Tsunami advisories issued along Japan's Pacific coast have now been fully lifted, more than a day after a major earthquake struck near Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula. As the situation returned to normal in some areas on July 31st, damage from the tsunami began to surface, including destroyed oyster farming rafts and injuries reported nationwide.

Advantest, a maker of semiconductor testing equipment, announced on July 29th that its net profit for the year through March 2026 is expected to reach 221.5 billion yen, a 37% increase from the previous year.

Don’t get lost in Shinjuku Station! This complete guide explains how to navigate Japan’s busiest railway hub. Learn the layout of JR platforms including Narita Express, Yamanote Line, and Chuo Line. (Tokyo Kenchan)

Toyota Motor has resumed part of its advertising on Fuji TV, returning in late July with sponsorship of a motorsports segment in the evening news after a suspension that began in January.

Tsunami warnings along Japan’s Pacific coast prompted widespread temporary closures of convenience stores, restaurants, factories and logistics operations on July 30th.

Driving school fees in Japan have been steadily increasing. Over the past decade, the nationwide average has risen by about 15%. According to the Internal Affairs Ministry’s Consumer Price Index, as of July, the average cost for automatic transmission training in Tokyo stood at 335,078 yen.

After trying the most viral foods in Tokyo, this time Shizuka is on a mission to eat ONLY convenience store foods (or known for short in Japanese as “konbini”) within 24 HOURS! From 7-Eleven, Lawson to Family Mart… which one could possibly have the best food? (Japan by Food)

Empress Masako has completed her annual silkworm-rearing duties at the Imperial Palace, a tradition passed down through generations of empresses since the Meiji era.

The long-running Marunouchi TOEI movie theater in Tokyo’s Ginza district, a beloved venue directly operated by major film studio Toei since its opening in 1960, closed its doors on Sunday.

In Japan’s high-priced real estate market, a new service has emerged that aims to uncover overlooked and undervalued properties. The target: the 99% of real estate on Earth that remains largely untapped.

The startup scene in Japan has grown significantly in the last ten years. Specifically, it has been drawing more and more funding, technological advancement, and, as a result, global attention.

A total of 130 kilograms of trash was collected in a spirited competition in Tokyo on July 26th, as participants raced to pick up garbage in the Tokyo qualifier for "SpoGOMI," a sport that turns litter collection into a team-based contest.

Tokyo Metropolitan Police have arrested two additional suspects in connection with the prolonged confinement and assault of a business associate, bringing new developments to a case that has already led to the arrest of a construction company president.

From spring 2026, passengers will be able to ride the entire Tokyo Metro network using contactless payments via credit cards or smartphones, without the need for tickets or transit IC cards.

Japan’s average life expectancy in 2023 saw a slight decline for women and remained unchanged for men, according to figures released by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.

Isawa Onsen in Yamanashi Prefecture, once known as the "inner sanctum" of the Tokyo metropolitan area for its popularity among group travelers from the capital, is undergoing a quiet transformation. Easily accessible from Tokyo in about 90 minutes by express train, the area has long been home to traditional ryokan inns with Japanese-style architecture and koi-filled courtyards. However, many of these ryokan are now under new ownership, with a significant portion—an estimated one-fourth—believed to be controlled by foreign capital, mainly from China.