2 May 2017
Not quite two years after its formation, the Kobe Yamaguchi-gumi organized crime group is expected to dissolve with departing members forming a new gang, a move that has police on high alert, reports NHK (tokyoreporter.com)
Japan's Self-Defense Forces are to carry out a new duty of escorting US and other foreign vessels that are operating to defend Japan. (NHK)
Masahiro Inoue, former president of major internet portal Yahoo Japan Corp., died in a traffic accident in California on Tuesday, it was learned Saturday. He was 60. (the-japan-news.com)
The Bank of Japan is keeping a wary eye on the steep growth of bank loans to finance the construction of apartment buildings and other rental homes. (Japan Times)
Historic buildings and artifacts in Nikko, north of Tokyo, are taking on a new glow during the spring holiday season. (NHK)
May 01
Police in Osaka said Sunday they have arrested a 35-year-old man on suspicion of killing his 71-year-old neighbor at their apartment complex. (Japan Today) Apr 30
A male worker died after he was buried alive while working alone inside a sand storage tank at a concrete factory in Kitakami City on Saturday, police said. (tokyoreporter.com) Apr 30
The town of Taiji, known for its whale-hunting traditions, held an annual memorial service on Saturday for whales captured and killed. (Japan Times) Apr 29
Tokyo Metro Co. briefly suspended all subway services on Saturday morning following news reports on a ballistic missile launch by North Korea. (Jiji) Apr 28
High Court hands down ruling in three-year legal dispute stemming from different attitudes between hard-core idol singer fans. (rocketnews24.com) [more society news…] [society blogs…]
May 01
Masahiro Inoue, former president of major internet portal Yahoo Japan Corp., died in a traffic accident in California on Tuesday, it was learned Saturday. He was 60. (the-japan-news.com) Apr 30
Leading parcel delivery firm Yamato Transport Co. said Friday that it will raise its basic tariff for retail customers by ¥140-¥180 excluding tax in September, marking its first rate hike in 27 years. (the-japan-news.com) Apr 28
The Tokyo District Court has ordered former executives of Japan's major precision equipment firm Olympus Corporation to compensate the company for covering up massive losses. (NHK) Apr 27
Apparently nobody goes to Tokyo Disney Resort anymore -- because it's too crowded. (Nikkei) Apr 27
Legions of Japanese crisps addicts are suffering and it doesn't look like they'll be getting their full fix anytime soon. (Japan Today) [more business news…] [business blogs…]
May 01
The Bank of Japan is keeping a wary eye on the steep growth of bank loans to finance the construction of apartment buildings and other rental homes. (Japan Times) Apr 30
Participants in a large-scale May Day rally in Tokyo on Saturday called for eliminating long working hours and correcting unreasonable pay gaps. (Jiji) Apr 29
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and his British counterpart, Theresa May, agreed at a meeting in London on Friday that their countries will work together to promote free trade at a time when protectionist moves are growing in the world. (Jiji) Apr 28
Japan and Russia have agreed to sign 29 deals to move forward on an economic cooperation plan proposed by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe last year. (NHK) Apr 28
Policymakers at the Bank of Japan have decided to keep its massive easing program unchanged to achieve its 2-percent inflation target. (NHK) May 01
Japan's Self-Defense Forces are to carry out a new duty of escorting US and other foreign vessels that are operating to defend Japan. (NHK) Apr 30
Participants in a large-scale May Day rally in Tokyo on Saturday called for eliminating long working hours and correcting unreasonable pay gaps. (Jiji) Apr 30
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has strongly condemned North Korea's latest firing of a ballistic missile. (NHK) Apr 30
As tension spikes on the Korean peninsula, a French amphibious assault carrier sailed into Japan's naval base of Sasebo on Saturday ahead of drills that risk upsetting China, which faces U.S. pressure to rein in North Korea's arms programs. (Japan Today) Apr 29
The US military says the latest ballistic missile launched by North Korea did not leave the nation's territory. (NHK) Apr 29
About 60 pct of teachers at public junior high schools in Japan worked at least 60 hours per week in fiscal 2016, beyond the dividing line used by the state for determining death from overwork, an education ministry survey revealed Friday. (Jiji) Apr 26
Schoolyard bullying has long bedeviled Japan where some students have taken their own lives after being harassed in person or online through emails, text messages and blogs. (Japan Today) Apr 26
The Tokyo High Court on Wednesday rejected an appeal by three former school teachers who claimed it was unreasonable they were banned from working part time after retirement because they had in the past refused to stand and sing the national anthem. (Japan Times) Apr 25
Princess Kako, a granddaughter of Emperor Akihito, will study at the University of Leeds in Britain from September this year to June next year as an exchange student, the Imperial Household Agency said Monday. (Japan Today) Apr 24
In Aichi Prefecture, the nation's top producing region of jump ropes, efforts are being made to promote the sport at home and abroad. (Japan Times) [more education news…] [education blogs…]
Apr 29
Japanese Coast Guard officials monitoring resurgent volcanic activity on Nishinoshima Island in the Pacific say lava has reached the shore. (NHK) Apr 29
Japanese authorities are warning ships to exercise caution in waters around Bayonnaise Rocks, a small volcano in the Pacific Ocean about 400 kilometers off Tokyo.
(NHK) Apr 28
The possibility of a powerful earthquake of lower 6 or above on the Japanese seismic intensity scale of 7 occurring in the next 30 years has slightly increased, mainly on the Pacific side of Japan, a government report showed Thursday. (Jiji) Apr 28
Japanese researchers said Thursday they have unearthed the remains of an 8-meter-long Hadrosaurid, dating from around 72 million years ago, in the mountains of Hokkaido, making it the largest fossilized dinosaur skeleton discovered in the country. (Japan Times) Apr 26
Japan's catches of smaller Pacific bluefin tuna this season are very close to topping the annual limit set under an international accord for resources conservation. (the-japan-news.com) [more sci-tech news…] [sci-tech blogs…]
Apr 28
A Japanese professional soccer club has banned a group of supporters from stadiums indefinitely for waving a flag that indicated a political ideology. (NHK) Apr 24
The 14-year-old shogi player who became the youngest-ever professional in Japan has defeated one of the game's top masters. (NHK) Apr 20
The Japan Rugby Football Union on Wednesday targeted at least a berth in the last eight of the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan and medals in both men's and women's sevens at the 2020 Tokyo Games. (Japan Times) Apr 18
Just over a year ago, the Japanese press was agog with stories of their "national treasure," Seibu Lions pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka, going overseas to play baseball in the U.S. While bemoaning the loss of a homegrown star, there was also a hint of pride in Matsuzaka's ability to compete in the MLB. (Japan Today) Apr 16
Japan's Taro Kurachi and Takumi Miyake have won the top places in the men's senior and junior age divisions, respectively, in the Youth America Grand Prix ballet competition in New York. (Jiji) May 01
Hundreds of people enjoyed participating in Inari festival's kunaijunko on Sunday as five mikoshi were paraded through the streets of southern Kyoto. (newsonjapan.com) May 01
East Japan Railway Co's new luxury sleeper train, the Train Suite Shiki-shima, providing a cruise experience with a modern Japanese taste, makes its debut Monday. (Japan Today) Apr 30
Historic buildings and artifacts in Nikko, north of Tokyo, are taking on a new glow during the spring holiday season. (NHK) Apr 28
Mount Sakurajima had its first major eruption in nine months on Friday, sending a plume of ash high over Kagoshima Prefecture, the Meteorological Agency said. (Japan Times) Apr 27
A Japanese railway operator has invited news reporters to ride on a new luxury sleeper train that links Tokyo and northern Japan. (NHK) [more travel news…] [travel blogs…]
May 1
The gift giving culture in Japan is a huge part of this society, with presents given for all types of occasions. Now, while there are plenty of gift giving etiquette to remember, it's also important to know the different occasions when gifts are a...May 1
There's always calm to be found amongst the chaos
Whether it's the noise and crowds or the sea of neon lights and tightly packed skyscrapers, Japanese cities promise an intense experience for your senses. They're densely populated hives of life an...
May 1
Author: Editors, East Asia Forum
The 70th anniversary of Japan's constitution on Wednesday 3 May has piqued global interest in the contentious debate around the Abe administration's proposals for the constitution's revision. Some call for modernis...
May 1
日本文具資料館Yatate portable pen and ink case, Japan Stationery Museum, Taito ward, Tokyo.The Japan Stationery Museum (Nihon Bungu Shiryokan) is a small repository of things to do with writing - in the broadest sense of the word - in the Y...
May 1
Traveling is carefree, fun and exciting! You're exploring, adventuring, without a care in the world! Er… apart from that 24kg suitcase full of your stuff that now feels like the combined weight of a dead mob cartel on the end of your arm. So you...Apr 30
A lot of English (and other language) words end up as loan words in Japanese, but many of them, particular technology-related ones, are unfamiliar to many Japanese, so goo Ranking took a look at what loan words do people often hear but don't know ...
Apr 29
祭りの背景Japan is steeped in tradition - or what looks like tradition, with a great number of historical buildings, for example, that were destroyed in World War II having been reconstructed, either as a facade or painstakingly much as they ...
Apr 28
I was wandering around Gifu JR station and I saw this intriguing vending machine that has an eye-catching sign. Take a look:It sells the usual drinks and some energy bar if you're in for a quick snack. Nothing special, right? But did you notice th...Apr 28
Japan's Setouchi inland sea has become quite the tourist destination thanks to its beautiful scenery, fresh seafood and vibrant art scene. But if island hopping isn't your thing and you prefer a more laid back style of sightseeing, consider Gunt...
Apr 28
Giving gifts are an incredibly important part of Japanese culture and presents are given for so many different occasions. In fact, gift giving in Japan is taken so seriously that it's not only seen as common courtesy, but a social obligation as we...