McDonald’s Japan said on September 9th that for the Happy Meal sets to be released on September 12th, sales on the first day will be limited to in-store counters and drive-thru only.

MUFG Bank will open its first new branch in roughly two decades, positioning the outlet for individual customers and emphasizing easy access to asset-management consultations.

I often wander Tokyo’s streets at night, just as a quiet observer. The city feels alive, transient, and full of hidden stories, all of which are often washed away by daybreak. (Retro Japan)

7-Eleven has begun trialing robots for some store tasks, including window cleaning and beverage stocking, in an effort to cut labor needs by up to 30 percent.

An AI-powered disaster response system designed to detect flood risks and automatically urge residents to evacuate was demonstrated in Fukuoka City. The system uses video footage to identify potential river overflows and issue alerts without human intervention.

Kirin has introduced a new piece of tableware designed to make low-salt meals taste stronger, addressing growing health concerns about excessive salt consumption in Japan.

Honda announced that it will begin sales of a one-person electric mobility vehicle, the UNI-ONE, on September 24th for corporate clients.

Shinjuku’s Kabukicho -- Tokyo’s busiest nightlife district -- saw a steady stream of disturbances through the night, from fistfights and fare disputes to intoxicated individuals collapsing on the street, as officers at the Shinjuku Police Box maintained round-the-clock patrols to keep order.

Japan’s Ministry of Finance has taken the unusual step of cutting issuance of ultra-long-term government bonds after demand from major buyers weakened, highlighting concerns among investors about Japan’s fiscal outlook.

Mitsubishi Electric will introduce a voluntary retirement program targeting employees aged 53 and older, as well as those rehired after retirement, despite posting record profits in fiscal 2025.

The resignation of Prime Minister Ishiba has triggered continued gains in Japanese stocks, with the Nikkei surpassed 44,000 for the first time in history on Tuesday morning before closing at 43,459.

We tried samgyeopsal made with premium Japanese brand pork at Teji Tokyo in Shinjuku. This place is known for using rare domestic pork like Meishan—a specialty raised in very limited numbers—and they grill and slice the pork tableside for maximum flavor. (TabiEats)

Takara Tomy announced on September 8th that it is voluntarily recalling about 40,000 units of the "Grand Mall Tomica Building (Tomica 55th Anniversary Special Edition)," which was released in July. The decision follows two reported cases in which children injured their fingers after they became caught in the rotating parts of the central "spiral elevator."

At Narita Airport, a small repair counter in Terminal 1 has become a lifeline for travelers whose trips are suddenly derailed by broken suitcases. From tourists arriving with luggage damaged in transit to families rushing to check in before their flight, customers rely on the skilled hands of repairman and shop manager Kazuto Nakamura, known to many as the airport’s “master repairman.”

A total lunar eclipse was observed across Japan early Monday morning, marking the first such event in about three years. The moon began to darken at around 1:30 a.m., glowing a distinctive copper-red as it entered the Earth’s shadow.

Tokyo is the greatest city on Earth: here's 101 ideas to make the most of your time here. (Abroad in Japan)

The Cabinet Office announced on September 8th that Japan’s GDP for the April-June quarter was revised upward, reflecting stronger consumer spending. Real GDP, which excludes the impact of inflation, rose 0.5% from the previous quarter, equivalent to an annualized increase of 2.2%.

Agriculture Minister Koizumi and former Economic Security Minister Takaichi tied as the top choices to succeed Prime Minister Ishiba in a JNN poll, with Ishiba himself ranking third. Support for the Ishiba Cabinet rose to 37.7% in September, while 41% of respondents said he should resign after the Upper House election defeat and 49% said he should not.

A worldwide boom in matcha has fueled what some are calling a “matcha bubble,” sending the price of tea leaves sharply higher.

Following Prime Minister Ishiba's announcement of his resignation on September 7th, moves to select his successor within the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) are accelerating.

Comedian Egashira 2:50 and convenience store giant FamilyMart have come under fire after promoting potato chips that contained pork ingredients without informing Muslim participants who were asked to sample them.

Today we look at two very different major news for the future of kabuki. (Kabuki In-Depth)

Prime Minister Ishiba announced on September 7th at a press conference that he would step down, formally declaring his resignation. He also indicated that he would not run in the upcoming Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) leadership race, which he asked to be brought forward.

Several facilities connected to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government were falsely renamed on Google Maps, including the Tokyo Tourist Information Center, which was changed to the 'Tokyo Egypt Tourist Information Center.'

The Netflix Series BAKI-DOU starts streaming in 2026 on Netflix.