TOKYO, Jul 01 (Nikkei) - A supermarket run will soon leave wallets lighter in Japan as food producers pass along higher costs for ingredients, energy and pay to consumers.
Prices are set to increase on 3,566 food items in July, about 50% more items than a year earlier, Teikoku Databank said Friday. Hikes will hit a total of 29,106 items in the January-October period -- 10% more than in all of 2022. ...continue reading
The annual Shunie ceremony, commonly known as Omizutori, has begun at Todai-ji Temple in Nara. Carrying large torches, attendants lit the way as monks, known as the Rengyoshu, slowly ascended the steps of Nigatsudo Hall.
A train derailed after colliding with a fallen rock near Hishima Station on the Echizen Railway in Fukui Prefecture on Sunday. No passengers or crew were injured, but service remains suspended on some sections of the line.
The number of children born in Japan in 2024 fell to a record low, marking the ninth consecutive year of decline. According to preliminary data from the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, 720,988 babies were born last year, a decrease of approximately 38,000 from the previous year. This figure represents the lowest birthrate since records began in 1899.
Three teenage students have been arrested for illegally accessing Rakuten Mobile’s system using a self-developed program created with the help of generative AI. They allegedly used the program to fraudulently obtain mobile contracts.
Furano, a town in central Hokkaido long known as the "navel" of the region, is experiencing a surge in inbound tourism. Once overshadowed by Niseko, Furano has now become a hot spot for skiers and snowboarders seeking pristine powder snow.
The city of Nagoya has announced plans to demolish the Asunal Kanayama shopping complex by February 2028 and construct a new multi-purpose facility in its place. The redevelopment project will also include renovations to nearby parks and the city’s civic hall, aiming to revitalize the entire Kanayama district.
The world’s largest Muji store has opened in Kashihara, Nara Prefecture, boasting a retail space of approximately 8,000 square meters and offering a diverse range of products spanning clothing, food, and home goods.
The planned opening of Starbucks’ first store in Gyoda, Saitama Prefecture, has sparked mixed reactions among residents. As of February 26th, the project has been put on hold.
Despite government assurances of ample rice supply, farmers are facing pressure to increase production as demand continues to soar.
As March approaches, while some regions in Japan struggle with heavy snowfall, foreign tourists continue to arrive in search of the country’s renowned winter sports experience.
In 2024, Japanese companies engaged in a record 4,700 mergers and acquisitions (M&A), marking a new high. Kyodo News economic editor Satoshi Matsuo explains the factors behind this surge. M&A has become a key strategy for Japanese businesses facing a wave of retirements and business closures. While some acquisitions aim to expand overseas, others focus on ensuring business continuity in Japan’s rapidly aging economy.
US prominent investor Warren Buffett has written that he is looking to increase his company's holdings in Japan's five largest trading houses in his annual letter to shareholders. (NHK)
Vision Megane, widely known for its catchy commercial jingles, faced a major crisis in 2013 when it applied for civil rehabilitation, effectively declaring bankruptcy. Surprisingly, the man who led the company’s revival was none other than a CEO chosen through an amidakuji (lottery-style drawing).
