News On Japan
December 10, 2024
Tofukuji Temple’s most iconic view can be enjoyed from Tsutenkyo Bridge. From there, visitors feel as though they are floating above a sea of colorful autumn leaves—a truly breathtaking sight.
Image of Stunning Fall Foliage Captured at Tofukuji Temple

The rare celestial event known as Saturn occultation, where Saturn hides behind the Moon, was visible Sunday night for the first time in 22 and a half years under conditions minimally affected by sunlight or moonlight.

Domestic travel spending by Japanese residents reached a record high from January to September this year. Additionally, spending by foreign visitors in Japan has already surpassed last year's total, setting a new record. In this environment, accommodation facilities across the country are adopting strategies to enhance their earning power by offering high-value services.


SOCIETY | December 10, 2024
What was initially thought to be a suicide has now been revealed as a murder, with workplace bullying suspected to be a contributing factor.
Image of Suspected Suicide Turns Out to Be Workplace Murder

The Tokyo District Court has sentenced a former junior high school principal to nine years in prison for sexually assaulting and injuring a female student 14 years ago. (NHK)

Japan's Empress Masako turned 61 on Monday. She issued a statement, saying 2024 began in a deeply painful manner due to a major earthquake that struck the Noto Peninsula of Ishikawa Prefecture on New Year's Day. (NHK)

The supermarket reopened its doors after a week, regaining its usual bustle as customers streamed in.


The city of Himeji has proposed a revision to the entry fees for the World Heritage Site Himeji Castle in Hyogo Prefecture, increasing the current rate of 1,000 yen to two or three times the amount for non-residents.
Image of Himeji Castle Entry Fees for Non-Residents to Double or Triple

Step into the heart of Ginza this December and experience the enchanting Christmas window displays that light up Tokyo’s luxury shopping district. Each high-end store presents its own unique holiday theme, creating a one-of-a-kind visual feast. (Video Street View Japan)

Shibuya Ward in Tokyo has announced that the Hachiko statue in front of Shibuya Station will be cordoned off on New Year’s Eve following the cancellation of the countdown event in the area.

The Osaka-Kansai Expo, set to open in four months, has announced plans to charge 10,000 yen per day for storing large luggage near the venue. This high fee is intended to discourage visitors from bringing large items to the site, reducing congestion and ensuring safety.

The Japanese government is moving toward easing visa requirements for Chinese visitors, while maintaining conditions such as minimum income levels, according to sources.


This week, the focus on a outstanding supporting actor who sadly passed away last month. (Kabuki In-Depth)
Image of Mikawaya! ・ Ichikawa Danzō IX

Comedian Yuriyan Retriever, 34, is set to relocate to Las Vegas in five days, aiming to become a Hollywood star and a top comedian.

Set against the backdrop of the Boshin War during Japan's Meiji Restoration, 11 Rebels (Jūichi-nin no Zokugun) delves into the untold story of a defiant group from the Shibata Domain. As the country faces upheaval and transformation, these individuals rise to challenge oppressive forces, driven by a fierce sense of loyalty and justice.

Strange occurrences are happening in the town of Kurouzu-cho... Eyes are rolling, tongues are coiling, bodies twist unnaturally. Can anyone escape the curse of the spirals? (Netflix Anime)

As Kame throws her cherished item down the well, the Medicine Seller senses that something has taken form inside the Ōoku. (Netflix Anime)


Rare vegetables are not something one encounters every day. To learn more about one such rarity, we visited a farm in Edogawa Ward producing "Shintori Greens," a vegetable that almost never reaches the general market.

Long ago in Japan’s biggest pleasure quarters, there was a beautiful courtesan with a strange name. Other ladies of pleasure chose elegant, poetic names like Evening Mist and Spring Meadow, but this lady called herself Jigoku, or Hell. (Linfamy)

Armwrestling, often referred to as "tabletop martial arts," has gained prominence through a unique family in Miyagi Prefecture. This family—a father, mother, and daughter—are collectively aiming for global armwrestling competitions.

A leading expert in robotics and android research recently showcased a special class featuring interactions between his avatar and students.


BUSINESS | December 10, 2024
The Cabinet Office announced the revised GDP figures for the July-September period of 2024, showing a 0.3% increase in real terms compared to the previous three months. On an annualized basis, the growth rate was adjusted upward to 1.2%, from the initial estimate of 0.9%.
Image of Japan’s GDP Growth Revised to 1.2%

A luxury real estate expo, one of the largest in Asia, has begun in Shanghai, drawing significant attention to Japanese properties such as tower apartments from wealthy buyers.

Last week, the Nikkei Stock Average extended its gains for four consecutive days from the start of the week, briefly surpassing the 39,600-yen mark, demonstrating steady progress.

Winter bonuses in Japan this year are largely unchanged from last year, with a growing number of companies reporting no increase in average payouts.

Thousands of users of the popular messaging app LINE experienced a privacy breach, with private photos saved in the app’s album feature being inadvertently displayed to strangers. Approximately 135,000 people were affected by the incident.