What New Year's at my Japanese In-Laws House is like

Jan 14 (Paolo fromTOKYO) - Spending Japan New Year's Holiday at my Japanese wife's parent's house in Aichi Prefecture. This is what it is like living in Japan outside of Tokyo and how Japanese families spend New Year's Eve together and what happens the following days.

Life in Japan can be different than most countries, but as long as your able to appreciate Japanese culture and the differences, it can feel like home. We spend time with Maiko's Japanese family including her sister and new husband. Also, Wolfy meets grandpa for the first time in his life. It’s been a lonely few years for many Japanese families, as they’ve avoided returning home for the Holidays and even this year, many areas urged their city family members to avoid travel in fear of getting sick. Luckily for us though, we’re all able to finally get together and welcome both Wolfy and Junya to the family. As many of you know, from following the channel this last year, Maiko and Wolfy had quite a few health issues so I’m personally thankful that our family was able to get through this year. It’s nothing but struggle city when trying to create content while tending to sick family members at the same time. I can wish for nothing more than a healthy family for 2023. ...continue reading

Japan Faces Legal Hurdles in Deploying Military for Bear Control

Japan’s worsening bear problem has prompted calls for national intervention, but legal and operational barriers have complicated the government’s response. In 2025, bear attacks have reached record levels, leaving 12 people dead—double the previous high of six fatalities in 2023.

Moths Threaten Kyoto’s Famous Bamboo Shoots

Kyoto’s prized bamboo shoots, a seasonal delicacy that graces dining tables each spring, are facing an unprecedented crisis this year. The culprit is the Chinese bamboo moth (Sinachiku nomeiga), whose larvae feed on bamboo leaves, weakening the plants and severely reducing harvest yields.

Typhoon No. 25 (Kalmaegi) Moves West, No Direct Impact on Japan

Typhoon No. 25 (Kalmaegi) is currently located east of the Philippines and moving west-northwest. The storm is expected to continue on a westward track, passing near the Philippines before entering the South China Sea. Weather agencies forecast that the typhoon will not have a direct impact on Japan.

Shibuya Crowds Subdued in Rain Soaked Halloween

Halloween Eve in Shibuya still drew a festive atmosphere, with people gathering in costume and enjoying the night. Tokyo police deployed several hundred officers, including the well-known “DJ police,” to manage the crowds and prevent congestion at the famous Shibuya Scramble Crossing.

Takaichi and Xi Hold 10-Second Handshake

Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi and Chinese President Xi Jinping stood side by side before the cameras on October 31st at 5 p.m. for a moment that drew intense attention. “Hello, please this way,” said Xi as the two leaders exchanged a handshake lasting roughly 10 seconds in front of their national flags. Takaichi’s expression was stiff at first but softened slightly into a faint smile, while Xi’s face remained largely unchanged.

MEDIA CHANNELS

MORE Education NEWS

Japan to Introduce Free High School Education Next Year

The Liberal Democratic Party, Nippon Ishin no Kai, and Komeito have reached an agreement on the framework for Japan’s new free high school tuition program, which will begin in fiscal 2026. Under the plan, tuition support for private full-time high schools will be capped at 457,000 yen, while correspondence courses will have an upper limit of 337,000 yen.

Aichi Faces Surge in Teacher Misconduct as Trust in Schools Erodes

The number of disciplinary actions at public elementary and junior high schools in Aichi Prefecture during the first half of 2025 has exceeded three times that of the same period last year, prompting growing concern among parents over how to engage with schools.

Teachers Compete in Mock Lesson Championship in Nagoya

Teachers from across Japan are gathering in Nagoya to compete in a national contest that tests and refines their classroom teaching skills. The event, called the "National Mock Lesson Championship in Nagoya," is organized by the Noda Juku preparatory school to help both cram school instructors and school teachers improve their teaching techniques.

Inside Japanese Fonts: How Designers Shape the Way We Read

Fonts are an invisible part of daily life, yet they profoundly shape how we perceive information and emotion. From the elegant Mincho to the bold Gothic, these designs are chosen according to purpose—whether to convey clarity, trust, or impact—and their influence extends beyond readability into branding and communication.

Chinese National Arrested Over Organized TOEIC Cheating

Tokyo police have arrested a Chinese national, identified as Li Zhaobei, on suspicion of document forgery and other offenses in connection with a case of TOEIC exam fraud involving impersonation.

Real-Life Water Police: Protecting Tokyo’s Seas and Rivers

Tokyo’s seas and rivers, once considered lawless backwaters beyond the reach of regular policing, are now under constant watch by a dedicated force known as the “water police,” specialists who patrol the capital’s waterways, chase down smugglers, stop reckless jet ski riders, and carry out dramatic rescue missions to save lives.

Why Tokyo University’s Data Science Course Has Teens Hooked

A rapidly growing data science program at the University of Tokyo is attracting an unusually wide range of participants, with junior high and high school students studying alongside university students and working adults.

Kitakyushu Announces Education Reforms as Population Nears 900,000

Kitakyushu, whose population is on the verge of falling below 900,000, announced new measures on October 16th aimed at reversing the decline, with a strong focus on improving education to attract and retain families.

< 2 3 4 5 >