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."
East Japan Railway (JR East) announced on November 10th that it will introduce touch-free ticket gates at 40 stations, including every station on Tokyo's Yamanote Line, from spring 2028, allowing passengers using Mobile Suica to pass through without taking their smartphones out of their pockets or bags.
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.
Emperor Naruhito presented prestigious Grand Cordon decorations to Toyota Motor Chairman Akio Toyoda and other recipients of Japan's autumn honors at a ceremony held at the Imperial Palace on November 10th, recognizing their longstanding contributions to the country and society.
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.
Arriving in Japan after a long-haul flight is so exciting. But dragging a 25kg suitcase through a busy train station is less so.
Northern Japan experienced record-breaking cold on the morning of November 11th, with temperatures plunging to minus 20.2 degrees Celsius in Horokanai, Hokkaido, marking the first time in Japan's recorded history that temperatures have fallen below minus 20 degrees during the first half of November.
Japan's autumn foliage season is entering one of its most colorful periods, with spectacular displays of red and golden leaves attracting visitors to lakes, mountain valleys and historic temples across the country, while the latest forecasts suggest that Tokyo, Kyoto and other major cities will see some of their best autumn scenery later than usual this year.
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.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree placing the Russian operations of Japan Tobacco (JT) under the temporary management of a local company, effectively stripping the Japanese tobacco giant of control over its business in the country and prompting a formal protest from Tokyo demanding that the measure be immediately withdrawn.
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.
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.
Tokyo stocks extended their recovery on Wednesday, November 11th, with the Nikkei 225 closing at 61,248.59 points as of 3:30 p.m., up 789.01 points, or 1.31%, from Tuesday, marking a third consecutive session of gains as investors bought semiconductor and artificial intelligence-related shares despite renewed concerns over US inflation and interest rates.