Japan's Top High School Gamers Battle for National Esports Crown

Aug 15, 2026 | News On Japan

OSAKA - STAGE:0, one of Japan's largest esports tournaments for high school students, has opened in Osaka, bringing together more than 2,000 teams from across the country to compete for the title of national champion.

The tournament tests competitors' strategic thinking, technical skills and teamwork as high school students battle to reach the top of Japan's growing esports scene.

More than 2,000 teams are taking part nationwide this year, making STAGE:0 one of the country's largest competitions of its kind.

The tournament is also receiving support from the Osaka Prefectural Government as the esports market continues to expand.

Source: Television OSAKA NEWS

Typhoon No. 24 Lingers Near Okinawa

Typhoon No. 24 (Krovanh) was moving north southwest of Amami City on September 3, with Okinawa and the Amami Islands facing stronger winds, heavy rain and high waves as the storm approaches before following an unusually complex path that could prolong its effects for several days. As of 9 p.m. on September 3, the typhoon was south of the Amami region, with Okinawa's main island, the Amami Islands and southern parts of the Osumi and Satsuma peninsulas within its strong-wind zone.

Shinkansen Takes on Overnight Travel

Night trains are making a comeback across Japan, with railway operators introducing new overnight services and even experimenting with overnight Shinkansen trains as demand grows for alternatives that combine transportation, accommodation and the experience of traveling through the night.

Bear Attacks Continue as Peak Season Looms

Bear sightings and attacks have been reported across Japan throughout the summer, with animals damaging sheds, attacking livestock and injuring people, while experts warn that autumn is the most dangerous season as bears expand their range in search of food.

Japan to Conduct First Nationwide Survey of Animal Cafes

Japan's Environment Ministry will conduct its first survey of animal cafes, where customers can interact with animals including exotic species, as concerns grow over infection risks, injuries and the welfare burden placed on animals.

Haneda Tightens Baggage Deadline

Haneda Airport introduced two major changes on September 2, opening a new boarding facility at Terminal 1 while moving the checked-baggage deadline for all domestic flights to 30 minutes before departure.

MEDIA CHANNELS

MORE Sports NEWS

Imperial Palace Running Boom Sparks Calls for Better Manners

Running around the Imperial Palace has become one of Tokyo's most popular fitness activities, but growing numbers of runners and pedestrians sharing narrow sidewalks are raising safety concerns and prompting calls for stronger rules and better infrastructure.

Aonishiki Returns to Ozeki as Autumn Grand Sumo Rankings Announced

The Japan Sumo Association announced the rankings for the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament on August 31, with last tournament's champion Aonishiki returning to ozeki after two tournaments and taking the second position on the east side of the rankings.

Japan U-18 Baseball Team Begins Training for Asian Championship

Japan's high school baseball national team began preparations for the U-18 Asian Baseball Championship with a training session in Yokohama on August 28, as the squad looks to capture the continental title at the tournament opening in Taiwan on September 7.

Basketball celebration in Berlin: Women’s Basketball World Cup 2026 preview

From September 4 to 13, the German capital will become the epicenter of women’s basketball.

Children Try Cricket Ahead of Asian Games

Families and children tried their hand at cricket at an event in Nagakute, Aichi Prefecture, on August 29, designed to build interest in the sport ahead of its competition at the Asian Games.

Scoop on National Goldfish Scooping Championship

Around 1,500 competitors from across Japan gathered in Yamatokoriyama, Nara Prefecture, for the National Goldfish Scooping Championship, testing their skills in three-minute contests to determine the country's best goldfish scoopers.

Japan Team Holds Ceremony One Month Before Asian Games

Japan's delegation for the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games held a team formation ceremony at a hotel in Tokyo on August 19, exactly one month before the competition opens, with wrestler Akari Fujinami pledging that the athletes would "fight through to the very end" on home soil.

Asian Games Plans Evacuation Measures

Organizers of the Asian Games and Asian Para Games are preparing evacuation plans for athletes and officials staying in temporary container houses and a cruise ship at Nagoya Port, with around 20,000 participants and related personnel expected to visit Aichi Prefecture during the 23-day competition period beginning September 19.

< 2 3 4 5 >