It’s no secret that Japanese skewer “yakitori” is one of the most famous street foods here. It’s cheap, delicious, and has a lot of varieties to it; chicken, pork, beef, liver, meatballs, skin, everything! What makes it even more interesting is the different versions of serving it – whether to have it in a casual izakaya setting or an upscale chef dining. (Japan by Food)

Japan’s population of Japanese nationals has decreased for the 16th consecutive year, according to demographic data released by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications. As of January 1st, 2025, the Japanese population stood at 120.65 million, a drop of roughly 910,000 from the previous year—marking the largest annual decline on record.

Seven & i Holdings has announced a new mid-term strategy targeting the addition of 2,300 stores globally by 2030—1,000 in Japan and 1,300 overseas—amid concerns that the company has grown complacent in its dominant market position.

Listen, I've eaten a lot of ramen in my time. Sodium-bomb packets (when I didn’t have to mind my sodium intake) that sustained me through college, $25 artisanal bowls that make my wallet weep, to anything in between.

Japan’s government plan to flood the market with stockpiled rice to lower prices is facing setbacks, as demand slumps and cancellations from retailers increase. Initially popular, the rice is now piling up on shelves, prompting calls to extend the end-of-August sales deadline. Even discounted imported rice is struggling to sell. Meanwhile, rice prices have unexpectedly risen for the first time in 10 weeks.

The impact of Trump-era tariffs is being strongly felt. Mazda has announced its financial forecast for the fiscal year through March 2026, which had previously been left undecided due to the uncertainty surrounding the tariffs.

Australia has selected Japan’s proposal for the joint development of next-generation naval vessels, marking a significant milestone in bilateral defense cooperation.

This summer, Shizuka is on a mission to try a different range AND style of ice creams from the convenience store, artisan, to luxury – what could be the difference between them all besides the price? (Japan by Food)

Japan's national average hourly minimum wage for this fiscal year has been set at 1,118 yen, marking a record increase of 63 yen from the previous year.

Panasonic has unveiled a new high-end rice cooker priced at around 100,000 yen, featuring AI technology that makes even older or emergency stockpile rice taste sweet and fluffy.

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.