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."
An anti-organized crime convention was held in Osaka City, bringing together police, government officials, and business representatives to reaffirm their commitment to eliminating organized crime groups, as authorities warned that shrinking yakuza organizations are increasingly cooperating with loosely organized criminal networks involved in fraud and robbery.
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.
During typhoon season a Japanese river can climb several levels of alert and carry a heavy load of sediment within a few hours. The country follows both strands through the storm as it happens, rather than piecing the picture together once the water has dropped.
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.
A Japanese startup founded at Osaka University is preparing to begin clinical trials of a brain-computer interface in 2027, aiming to enable patients with severe physical disabilities to communicate and operate electronic devices using only their thoughts, with commercialization targeted for around 2030.
Japan's recent stock market recovery has prompted warnings against excessive optimism, with investors urged to remain disciplined and avoid chasing short-term gains before there is clearer evidence that the market has established a sustainable upward trend.
Japan's Nikkei 225 Stock Average closed 322.99 points higher, or 0.53%, at 61,142.35 at 3:30 p.m. on Friday, November 13, recovering from the previous day's decline but surrendering most of its early gains as investors weighed renewed pressure on the yen, rising government bond yields, corporate earnings and uncertainty surrounding the global technology industry.
Kobe is undergoing a sweeping transformation, with major redevelopment projects around Sannomiya Station, the planned closure and renovation of the Mosaic shopping complex at Harborland, and the international expansion of Kobe Airport raising hopes that the port city can attract more overseas visitors while improving everyday life for residents.