NHK -- Jan 14
A winter phenomenon known as "diamond dust" has been observed in the town of Biei in the northern Japanese prefecture of Hokkaido.
The natural phenomenon is seen when frigid temperatures cause water vapor in the air to freeze and sparkle in the sunlight.
On Sunday, many people with cameras gathered in mountainous areas of the town, where the mercury fell to minus 25.8 degrees Celsius in the morning.
They took photos of the tiny ice crystals in the air shining in the morning sunlight.
Visitors also enjoyed other winter scenes, such as frost-covered trees and a frozen river.
北海道は冷え込みが強まり、北海道旭川市ではダイヤモンドダスト現象が見られました。 空気中の水蒸気が凍り、朝日を浴びて輝いています。13日の北海道は上空に強い寒気が流れ込んだうえ、広い範囲で晴れて放射冷却の影響で冷え込みが強まりました。
Apr 20
The world's smallest baby boy, who was born in October in Japan weighing as much as an apple, is now ready for the outside world, his doctor said Friday.
(Japan Today) Apr 20
A woman and her young daughter have died after being struck by a passenger car driven by an 87-year-old man in downtown Tokyo.
(NHK) Apr 20
A law recognizing the Ainu ethnic minority as an indigenous people of Japan has been enacted.
(NHK) Apr 20
An agreement has been reached at an international conference on managing Japanese eel resources to more effectively clarify the distribution routes of young eels.
(NHK) Apr 19
Those hoping to watch a tennis match featuring No. 1-ranked Naomi Osaka at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics Games will likely face long odds in the upcoming ticket lottery.
(Nikkei) Apr 18
Can the country welcome 60 million visitors a year without losing its culture -- and its mind? (Nikkei) Apr 18
A pharmaceutical science professor at a university in Shikoku was referred to prosecutors Tuesday for allegedly instructing his students to produce the synthetic drug MDMA without a permit, the university said Tuesday, in an echo of hit TV series “Breaking Bad.” (Japan Times) Apr 18
Tokyo Metropolitan Police have arrested a pair of hostesses over the alleged theft of the wallet of a drunk pedestrian in the Ueno entertainment area of Taito Ward last year, reports TV Asahi (tokyoreporter.com) Apr 18
Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko are in the city of Ise in central Japan on their last trip to a local region before the Emperor's abdication on April 30.
(NHK) Apr 18
A senior manager with Japan Airlines Co. was arrested on Wednesday on suspicion of committing an indecent act with a female junior high school student in exchange for money, according to the Metropolitan Police Department.
(Japan Times)