A magnitude 5.7 earthquake that struck central Japan at 1:04 a.m. on Sunday, November 8th, caused widespread transport disruption across the Tokai region, with Tokaido Shinkansen services delayed by up to an hour, major JR and private railway lines suspended, subway services disrupted in Nagoya, and rail access to Chubu Centrair International Airport cut off during the morning.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree placing the Russian operations of Japan Tobacco (JT) under the temporary management of a local company, effectively stripping the Japanese tobacco giant of control over its business in the country and prompting a formal protest from Tokyo demanding that the measure be immediately withdrawn.
Bears preparing for winter hibernation may be able to determine when astringent persimmons have lost their bitterness and become suitable to eat, according to research by the University of Hyogo, which suggests that prioritizing the removal of sweet persimmon trees could help prevent bears from entering residential areas.
A 39-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of assault after allegedly attacking seven women in a series of unprovoked incidents near Jimbocho intersection in Tokyo's Chiyoda Ward on October 17, with the assaults occurring at four locations over approximately 15 minutes.
A married couple from Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture, has been arrested on suspicion of secretly filming women changing clothes and bathing at public bathing facilities, with police saying the pair carried out around 100 illicit recordings and earned approximately 5 million yen by selling the footage online.
A former host club worker in Tokyo's Kabukicho entertainment district and a recruiter have been arrested on suspicion of exploiting a woman's romantic feelings to persuade her to work at sex establishments, with police alleging that the former host promised they could travel together if she helped him earn enough money.
Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 index plunged 3,643 points, or 5.96%, to close at 57,435 on Friday, November 6, 2026, marking its fifth consecutive daily decline and one of the largest point losses in its history, as a global selloff in technology stocks spread across the Tokyo market and raised concerns about the sustainability of artificial intelligence investment and corporate valuations.
Municipalities across Japan are raising the cost of designated garbage bags as waste disposal expenses increase, with one town in Hokkaido proposing a 4.5-fold price hike from 385 yen to 1,735 yen for a pack of 10 bags, while growing pressure on incineration facilities is prompting debate over whether more cities should introduce paid household garbage collection.
Japan's inflation-adjusted wages rose 2.2% in September from a year earlier, marking the ninth consecutive month of growth and the longest sustained increase in about a decade, as slower price increases helped boost workers' purchasing power.
Tokyo stocks suffered a sharp sell-off on November 6 as growing concerns over a slowdown in artificial intelligence investment sent the Nikkei 225 plunging more than 4,300 points at one stage, pushing the benchmark below the psychologically important 60,000 level following a sweeping Democratic victory in the U.S. midterm elections.
The Japanese government approved the allocation of 10 billion yen from its fiscal 2026 general account reserve funds on November 6 to strengthen cybersecurity measures, including inspections of vulnerabilities in government computer systems and upgrades to security equipment.
A Japanese slang term describing children hooked on the instant stimulation of short videos and social media has been nominated for the country's 2026 New Words and Buzzwords Awards, highlighting growing concerns about declining attention spans and the pressure to consume digital content at ever-increasing speeds.
Scientists at Toyo University have identified a possible weakness in alligator weed, an invasive aquatic plant described as one of the world's worst, raising hopes of finding a way to control its extraordinary ability to regenerate as it spreads through Japan's waterways, threatens agricultural land, and creates growing concerns about flooding.
Japanese agricultural technology startup Oishii Farm is seeking to transform global food production through artificial intelligence, robotics and fully controlled indoor farming, having succeeded in mass-producing Japanese strawberries in the United States and now joining forces with leading Japanese manufacturers to develop plant factories for export worldwide.
Yusaku Hosono, a 23-year-old professional golfer who underwent heart surgery as an infant and was forced to abandon his childhood dream of playing baseball, has emerged as one of Japan's brightest golfing talents after winning two domestic major championships this season, becoming the first left-handed player in 35 years to claim a men's tour victory.
Bears preparing for winter hibernation may be able to determine when astringent persimmons have lost their bitterness and become suitable to eat, according to research by the University of Hyogo, which suggests that prioritizing the removal of sweet persimmon trees could help prevent bears from entering residential areas.
Japan's top 30 hit products of 2026 were announced on November 3rd by Nikkei Trendy, highlighting a growing trend toward "pocket consumption," as consumers facing rising prices increasingly seek affordable products that deliver satisfaction, convenience and enjoyable experiences without putting a strain on household budgets.
Japan Post began nationwide sales of New Year postcards for 2027 on November 2nd, with a commemorative ceremony held in Kyoto featuring traditional maiko apprentices and members of the popular idol group NMB48, as the number of postcards issued continued to decline for the 16th consecutive year.
Nintendo game designer Shigeru Miyamoto, the creator behind globally popular franchises including Super Mario Bros. and The Legend of Zelda, reflected on nearly 50 years of game development after being named a recipient of Japan's 2026 Order of Culture in October, revealing how Mario's original gameplay emerged from a simple idea and why he believes artificial intelligence could encourage a deeper understanding of human creativity.
Japanese flea market app operator Mercari opened an exhibition in Tokyo's Harajuku district on October 28, recreating the rooms of fictional overseas fans of Japanese anime, manga and other pop culture to highlight how ordinary secondhand goods in Japan have become treasured collectibles around the world.
Typhoon No. 32, which formed near the Mariana Islands at noon on November 7th, is forecast to develop into a strong typhoon by the afternoon of November 9th before approaching Japan's Ogasawara Islands, with strong winds, heavy rain and dangerous waves expected early next week, according to an update issued at 4 p.m. on November 7th.
East Japan Railway (JR East) opened its Haneda Airport Access Line construction site to the media on November 6, offering a glimpse of a major underground railway project that will connect Haneda Airport directly with central Tokyo, with services scheduled to begin in fiscal 2031.
Residents of Awaji Island, one of the Kansai region's most popular resort destinations, are facing growing disruption from vacation rentals, with complaints involving late-night drinking, outdoor barbecues, fireworks, illegal parking and garbage disposal violations, while one property operator has been accused of destroying a warning sign installed by neighbors.
A bear cub charged toward a family standing outside their home in Ome, western Tokyo, on November 3rd, rushing straight toward the front door moments after a high-pitched cry was heard from nearby bushes, in an encounter that left the resident shaken.