Education
In an effort to address the severe shortage of teachers, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) has decided to implement an exemption from the repayment of scholarships for those who have completed practical training at graduate schools of education or other graduate programs, starting with the successful applicants of the new fiscal year's hiring exams.

An emergency meeting began on Monday afternoon at the Suginami Ward Office in Tokyo, involving representatives from public elementary and junior high schools and nurseries, following a mysterious incident where a student's water bottle, brought from home, was found to contain an "abnormal" substance.

Emperor Naruhito visited his alma mater, Gakushuin University, to attend an "International Mountaineering Report Meeting" on Saturday.

The Tomioka Maruyama Kofun in Nara City, which gained significant attention with the discovery of East Asia's largest serpentine sword and a unique shield-shaped bronze mirror, dubbed a "national treasure-level discovery," holds another secret.

Katanas are traditional Japanese swords with a curved, single-edged blade, circular or squared guard, and long grip to accommodate two hands. The sword represents the samurai spirit which is a core part of the Japanese tradition.

Saga Women's Junior College held its graduation ceremony on Thursday, attended by international students, adding a rich cultural diversity to the event.

The National Consumer Affairs Center of Japan is issuing a warning as incidents of children making unauthorized in-app purchases in smartphone online games continue to rise.