News On Japan
November 21, 2024
A special lighting ceremony was held on November 20th at Ueno Toshogu Shrine, located in Ueno Park, Taito Ward, Tokyo. The event featured a unique lighting design created by renowned lighting designer Motoko Ishii.
Image of Ueno Toshogu Shrine Shines in Gold with Special Lighting

A Japanese pharmaceutical company has announced the successful commercialization of fiber made from silk produced by bagworms.

Sales for the Year-End Jumbo Lottery, which offers a combined prize of 1 billion yen for the first prize and adjacent prizes, have officially begun.


SOCIETY | November 21, 2024
The operator of a strip theater in Osaka's Tenma district, advertised as "Western Japan's largest," has been arrested alongside nine others for exposing dancers' lower bodies to customers, police announced.
Image of Osaka Strip Theater Busted for Indecency

Kumano Nachi Taisha Shrine in Nachikatsuura Town, Wakayama Prefecture, has begun producing traditional calligraphy artwork for next year’s New Year celebrations.

Tokyo Metropolitan Police have arrested five people on suspicion of violating Japan's Employment Security Act. They are believed to have run a nationwide operation to recruit women via social media to work in the sex industry. (NHK)

A human hand was discovered protruding from the ground at a cemetery in Nara City on November 18th, around 1:30 p.m.


Foreign tourists flocking to Tokyo’s Roppongi have been engaging in dangerous photography, turning the area’s popular photo spots into safety hazards.
Image of Tourists Taking Risks Chasing the Perfect Shot

A new shopping street, set to be Japan's longest, will open in Tokyo's Asakusa area on November 20th. Spanning 3 kilometers, it aims to surpass Osaka's Tenjinbashisuji Shopping Street, which currently holds the title at 2 kilometers.

Located in the northern part of the Echigo Mountain Range, this iconic mountain in Shibata is among Japan's '200 Famous Mountains.' It has long been a site of religious significance, with the Ninouji Shrine—designated as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property in March 2024—situated at the trailhead.

An Egyptian man has successfully traveled overland from Cairo to Tokyo without using an airplane, completing a journey spanning nine months and over 46,000 kilometers.

Yamanashi Prefecture announced the abandonment of its 'Mount Fuji Railway Plan,' which aimed to connect the base of Mount Fuji to the Fifth Station via a next-generation tram system.


Champions will rise. The legendary conclusion of Arcane season 2 arrives. Alliances are forged, allegiances are smashed and fresh dangers emerge as the battle between Piltover and Zaun inspires both glory and heartbreak. (Netflix Anime)
Image of Arcane Season 2 | Act 3 Sneak Peek

This week, we continue exploring the danmari style, focusing now on the sewamono subgenre. (Kabuki In-Depth)

Acrobat Silky's tragic past keeps her bound to sorrow as she dances through the night, chasing a dream that slips out of her grasp. (Netflix Anime)

'Re:Zero − Starting Life in Another World' follows the story of Subaru Natsuki, an ordinary young man who is unexpectedly transported to a fantastical world while on his way home from the convenience store.

SANA (27), a member of the multinational girl group TWICE, recently shared insights into how she maintains her beauty. "I prioritize mental care above all else," she explained. "Being on my own side gives me the most strength. Also, when it comes to my body, I make sure to release any tension in my muscles whenever they feel tight," she revealed.


A meat processing company in Oita Prefecture marketed a beef liver product as 'raw liver flavor,' but it was found to have been inadequately heated, violating food sanitation laws.

The Kirin is a mythical Japanese creature, a symbol of prosperity and good luck. It appears in times of transition, such as the birth of leaders, indicating blessings and divine protection. (See U in History / Mythology)

Initiatives to turn Osaka into the 'holy ground' of F1 are gaining momentum as discussions around building a new circuit have begun.

NVIDIA has thrown its weight behind Sakana AI, a Tokyo-based startup rapidly gaining traction in the booming generative AI field. Since ChatGPT's debut in November 2022, industry giants like Google and Meta have entered the fray, intensifying the competitive landscape.


BUSINESS | November 21, 2024
The iconic Osaka Marubiru in Umeda, closed last year due to aging, will be replaced with a new 192-meter skyscraper, the tallest in the Osaka Station area.
Image of New Osaka Marubiru to Open in 2030

The average price for a newly built condominium in Tokyo’s 23 wards has remained above 100 million yen for six consecutive months.

The average transaction price of newly harvested rice between agricultural cooperatives and wholesalers reached a record high for the second consecutive month in October. The price of unpolished rice was 23,820 yen per 60 kilograms.

NVIDIA has thrown its weight behind Sakana AI, a Tokyo-based startup rapidly gaining traction in the booming generative AI field. Since ChatGPT's debut in November 2022, industry giants like Google and Meta have entered the fray, intensifying the competitive landscape.

Bank of Japan Governor Ueda Kazuo says the BOJ makes decisions on interest rates by carefully assessing all risk factors at each monetary policy meeting. (NHK)