A draw for the Year-End Jumbo Lottery, with a total prize of 1 billion yen for the first prize and related prizes combined, was held in Tokyo on December 31st.

End-of-year shrine visits, known as "Nenmatumoude," are a growing tradition observed from mid-December until New Year’s Eve. This practice allows people to express gratitude for the past year and set intentions for the coming one. But what makes these visits particularly appealing?

Reports of rodent infestation have surged nationwide in recent years, posing increasing challenges for homeowners. The issue, which is particularly evident during the year-end season, has left many families struggling to find effective solutions.

Tokyo's winter nights have been illuminated in spectacular fashion. A new projection mapping display debuted at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building in Shinjuku, featuring visuals inspired by traditional Japanese performing arts, including Kabuki.

Today’s Tokyo eats aren’t your average ones. They’ve gone viral on the internet, especially in Japan, but do they live up to their reputation? From cream-filled donuts to a HUGE American-inspired meat sandwich, Shizuka puts four viral spots to the test to find out if they really are delicious in real life and WORTH the hype. (Japan by Food)

The Tokyo Stock Exchange concluded its final trading session of the year, with stock prices narrowly missing the key 40,000 mark.

If you’ve ever ridden a train in Japan, you may have noticed food stalls on the train platform many of which are standing soba shops. (Paolo fromTOKYO)

AutoReserve AI booking calls are leaving Japanese restaurant owners increasingly frustrated. The service, designed to streamline reservations for customers, is causing confusion and operational issues for businesses.

The shadowy practices of the former Unification Church, involving Japanese female members, have come under scrutiny in recent months. From forced adoptions to missionary assignments and massive financial contributions, these practices highlight the harsh realities faced by these women.

Today we’re trying out Tokyo’s sightseeing taxi! Whether you want to explore the greater Tokyo area or get a few sights in before you leave for the airport, this could be a great option for you. (franklin the woman)

Japanese convenience stores (known as “konbini” or “conbini”) are a treasure trove of limited-edition and seasonal snacks and drinks. In this video, join byFood host Stephanie for a taste test of top-ranked and viral konbini treats, combos, hacks as and must-try staple foods readily available all over Japan. (Japan by Food)

Japan is revolutionising its defence innovation by creating a dual-use startup ecosystem that integrates civilian technologies into defence research. (East Asia Forum)

A Chinese national was sentenced to eight months in prison by the Tokyo District Court for defacing a stone pillar at Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo's Chiyoda Ward, an act deemed disrespectful to the worship site.

With only a week left until the New Year, people are preparing for "hatsumode," the tradition of visiting a shrine or temple for the first time in the year. However, the first three days of January see heavy crowds at popular spots. Strategic planning around timing and location can help avoid congestion and make for a quieter visit.

Abandoned hotels in Shizuoka’s Izu Peninsula are becoming an increasing concern for local authorities. Once bustling with tourists during Japan’s economic boom, many hot spring resorts in Higashi-Izu Town have been left derelict, their structures crumbling and ownership unclear.

Shinya Wada, a visually impaired world-class para-athlete in track and field, and his guide runner, Takumi Hasebe, strive for the pinnacle of global competition. Their partnership exemplifies trust and communication as essential elements in overcoming challenges.

Matsumoto Hitoshi, one half of the comedy duo "Downtown," is planning to resume activities next spring through an independent platform, according to recent revelations.

The former head of Japanese precision equipment maker Olympus has admitted to purchasing illegal drugs on the first day of his trial in Tokyo. (NHK)

Stepping into a sushi restaurant to enjoy omakase for the first time can be exciting but also daunting. However, some restaurants make it easy for everyone, including newcomers, to fully enjoy an omakase experience. (Japan by Food)

Konishiki, a former sumo wrestler and current television personality, held a press conference at a hospital in Kamakura, Kanagawa Prefecture, on December 23rd, revealing that he had been suffering from kidney failure.

Honda and Nissan Motor Co. reported on December 23rd to government authorities that they have entered full-scale discussions on a management merger, according to senior officials in the economic ministries.

Sharp announced on December 20th that it will sell part of its Sakai factory, which previously produced LCD panels for televisions, to SoftBank for approximately 100 billion yen. SoftBank plans to use around 60% of the factory’s site, equivalent to about 450,000 square meters, to construct a large-scale data center aimed at advancing generative AI development.

In this video we're taking on the most shockingly bizarre foods we can find here in Tokyo, where you can find foods like raw horse, raw shark, heart and even alien looking snake fish called warasubo. (More Best Ever Food Review Show)

The number of aesthetic clinics in Japan, offering services like skin enhancement, has surged by 40% over the past three years. A growing trend, known as 'Chokubi,' involves newly trained doctors immediately joining aesthetic clinics after completing their clinical internships.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has unveiled a new passport design set to be issued from March next year. The new system will allow online applications not only for renewals but also for new passport requests. Submitting an original family register certificate will no longer be required for online applications.