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Tokyo Disney parks to extend operating hours

Oct 22, 2021 (Japan Times) - The operator of Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea said Thursday that it will extend the operating hours of the theme parks, beginning next month, and resume the Dreamlights nighttime parade in Disneyland on Nov. 1.

Oriental Land Co. made the announcement after the government of Chiba Prefecture, which hosts the theme parks, decided the previous day to remove its COVID-19 restrictions on commercial facilities, in light of a decline in the number of new infections.

The theme parks, located in the city of Urayasu, Chiba Prefecture, are currently open between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m.

Starting Nov. 1, Tokyo Disneyland will be open between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m. and Tokyo DisneySea between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m.

The nighttime electrical parade, meanwhile, has not been held since late February 2020 due to the spread of COVID-19. ...continue reading

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[updated 14:15 p.m.] Typhoon No. 6 is expected to make a direct hit on Okinawa Main Island on the night of June 1st, bringing the threat of destructive winds, torrential rain, and dangerous seas, while forecasters warn that heavy rain and strong winds could spread across much of Japan over the coming days. As of noon on June 1st, Typhoon No. 6 was located south of Okinawa and moving northward toward Okinawa Main Island. Although the island had not yet entered the typhoon's storm-force wind zone, very strong winds were already affecting the region and storm warnings remained in effect.

Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi strongly rejected accusations that Japan is embracing "new militarism," describing such claims as false while delivering a speech at a major regional security conference in Singapore on May 31st.

A series of false bear sighting reports posted to an online alert system operated by Aomori Prefecture has disrupted schools, prompted a police investigation, and raised concerns about the growing impact of misinformation on public safety.

A social media dispute between a 17-year-old high school student from Tokyo's Itabashi Ward and a 16-year-old boy from Edogawa Ward escalated into a planned group fight involving around 30 youths, some of whom allegedly brought weapons including a rusty saw, iron pipes, a special baton and even a shovel.

Japan's population stood at 123.05 million in 2025, according to preliminary results from the national census released by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, marking a decline of 3.097 million people over the past five years.

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A driver was left in critical condition after being thrown from his vehicle and struck by a following car in an accident on the outbound lanes of the Tohoku Expressway in Utsunomiya, Tochigi Prefecture, on May 31st.

Cosplayers gathered in Tokyo's Ikebukuro district on May 30th to promote environmental conservation by taking part in a large-scale cleanup campaign aimed at reducing marine plastic waste and other litter.

A major transformation is underway in Osaka's Juso district, where the area's first large-scale tower condominium has opened in a neighborhood long known for its retro downtown atmosphere and entertainment district. While the development is bringing new conveniences and attracting new residents, concerns are also emerging over rising rents and the future character of the community.

A social media dispute between a 17-year-old high school student from Tokyo's Itabashi Ward and a 16-year-old boy from Edogawa Ward escalated into a planned group fight involving around 30 youths, some of whom allegedly brought weapons including a rusty saw, iron pipes, a special baton and even a shovel.

A traffic accident that occurred beneath an elevated section of the Meitetsu railway line in Kasamatsu, Gifu Prefecture, on Thursday morning claimed the life of a 21-year-old woman who was riding in the front passenger seat of a car.

Japan's population stood at 123.05 million in 2025, according to preliminary results from the national census released by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, marking a decline of 3.097 million people over the past five years.

Police in Hyogo Prefecture on May 27th released a new image of a wanted murder suspect believed to have changed clothes multiple times while fleeing after the killing of a mother and daughter in Tatsuno City, raising concerns that he may still be hiding in the surrounding area.

Two junior high school students were injured after being attacked by a monkey in a residential area of Himeji, Hyogo Prefecture, on May 26th, as reports of similar incidents continue across the city.