Japan launched a new national disaster management agency on November 2nd to strengthen its response to major emergencies, just days before a powerful earthquake struck Aichi Prefecture, injuring 24 people and renewing concerns over the possibility of a catastrophic Nankai Trough earthquake.
Russia's Foreign Ministry on November 11 defended the government's unilateral decision to place the local subsidiary of Japan Tobacco (JT) under the management of a Russian company, describing the move as a countermeasure against what it called Japan's "blatantly hostile actions."
Tokyo police have raided two establishments in Shinjuku's Kabukicho entertainment district suspected of repeatedly overcharging customers brought in by foreign street touts, with investigators believing the businesses were targeting international tourists visiting Japan.
A 50-year-old woman accused of forcing her housemate to sew her own lips shut with a needle and thread admitted all charges at her first court hearing on November 11th, as prosecutors played disturbing audio recordings of the threats used to coerce the victim during an incident in Koga, Ibaraki Prefecture, in June 2026.
A 26-year-old woman from Nagoya has been arrested on suspicion of defrauding men by encouraging them to develop romantic feelings for her before repeatedly requesting money, with 13 men reporting losses totaling approximately 30 million yen in a scheme resembling the notorious "Itadaki Joshi" romance fraud case.
A rare red Coca-Cola bench was stolen from outside a prepared-food shop in Nagareyama, Chiba Prefecture, in the early hours of October 24th, with the owner suspecting the thieves intended to resell the collectible item to enthusiasts after similar benches were found listed online for as much as 180,000 yen.
Universal Studios Japan (USJ) is launching its winter season events on November 13, featuring one of the largest food festivals in the park's history, with more than twice as many menu items as last year and opportunities for visitors to dine alongside popular characters.
Tokyo's Toshima Ward announced on November 11th plans to impose administrative penalties of up to 20,000 yen for street smoking and littering, extending its smoking ban to heated tobacco products as complaints about public smoking and illegal dumping continue to rise.
The ginkgo-lined avenue at Hiroshima Shudo University in Hiroshima City has reached its peak autumn color, transforming the campus into a golden landscape as trees display their brilliant yellow leaves.
A woman was seriously injured in a wild boar attack in Nishinomiya, Hyogo Prefecture, as sightings of unusually large boars increase across the Kansai region, with some weighing nearly 150 kilograms and capable of running at speeds of 45 kilometers per hour.
The Japanese government is considering formally allowing exceptions to its longstanding ban on bringing nuclear weapons into the country during national emergencies, as part of revisions to its three key national security documents scheduled for completion by the end of 2026.
The mayor of Awa City in Tokushima Prefecture and two other people have been arrested on suspicion of defrauding the municipal government of 3.5 million yen by inflating the cost of a city contract to cover vehicle repair expenses arising from an accident caused by the mayor, prompting police to search city hall on November 10th.
Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party reprimanded former Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and three other lawmakers on November 9th for leaving the House of Representatives before a vote on legislation to reduce the consumption tax on food, as party leaders sought to prevent further defections that could jeopardize the bill's passage through the upper house.
Rare 360-degree cockpit footage has been released showing the Japan Air Self-Defense Force's Blue Impulse aerobatic team performing a special exhibition flight over Aichi Prefecture on September 19, 2026, to celebrate the opening of the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games.
Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako and their daughter, Princess Aiko, attended a martial arts tournament held by the Imperial Guard on November 11th, watching competitions in judo, kendo and Japanese archery as the organization marked its 140th anniversary.
Japan's Antarctic research vessel Shirase departed from the Maritime Self-Defense Force's Yokosuka Base in Kanagawa Prefecture on November 11th, beginning a mission to support the country's 68th Antarctic Research Expedition, with the ship scheduled to reach Showa Station in late December before returning to Japan in April 2027.
Japan now has only one sea otter remaining in captivity following the death of Kira, an 18-year-old female at Toba Aquarium in Mie Prefecture on November 5th, leaving 22-year-old Mei as the country's last surviving aquarium sea otter after a population that once exceeded 100 animals steadily declined.
Japan's Nikkei 225 Stock Average fell about 429 points, or 0.7%, to close near 60,819 on Thursday, November 12, ending a three-day winning streak as reports concerning Nvidia chief executive Jensen Huang triggered heavy selling in semiconductor-related shares, while the broader TOPIX index edged 0.2% higher to around 3,937.
SoftBank Group raised a record 1 trillion yen through bonds aimed at individual investors in September, offering an annual interest rate of 4.75% on seven-year securities as the Japanese technology investment giant seeks to finance massive investments in artificial intelligence and strengthen its cash reserves.
Japan's corporate goods price index rose 7.1% in October from a year earlier, returning to the 7% range for the first time in two months and highlighting persistent inflationary pressures on businesses, according to data released by the Bank of Japan on November 12th.
A survey of more than 20,000 full-time employees in Japan has revealed a significant gap between actual and preferred overtime hours, with workers averaging 23.8 hours of overtime a month compared with an ideal of 14.1 hours, a difference of 9.7 hours.