News On Japan
May 19, 2025
Spring has brought a wave of newborn animals to North Safari Sapporo, a privately run zoo in Minami Ward, Sapporo City, even as the facility remains under pressure to remove illegal structures and relocate its animals.
Image of Baby Boom at North Safari Sapporo Despite Eviction Plans

The Sanja Festival at Asakusa Shrine in Tokyo, a signature early-summer tradition of the downtown area, reached its peak on Saturday as groups of local carried mikoshi through the streets in the main 'Rengo Togyo' procession despite the rain.

Southern Kyushu has entered the rainy season, marking the first time in 49 years that it has done so earlier than Okinawa. It is also the earliest rainy season start for any region in Japan since the Meteorological Agency began keeping records. Authorities are warning of heavy rainfall not only in Kyushu but across other parts of the country as well.


SOCIETY | May 19, 2025
A senior member of the Kudo-kai crime syndicate, designated as a particularly dangerous group, was arrested on Friday in Kitakyushu for allegedly operating an illegal dice gambling den known as 'Tabusai,' which reportedly generated over one million yen in a single night.
Image of Kudo-kai Gang Leader Arrested for Hosting Dice Night

A soft drink vending machine caught fire late Saturday night in Asahikawa City, Hokkaido, with no clear cause found in the surrounding area.

A sightseeing boat carrying 25 people caught fire off the coast of Ogijima Island in Takamatsu, Kagawa Prefecture on the evening of May 16th. All passengers and crew were safely rescued by a nearby fishing boat, and no injuries were reported.

A road collapse in Yashio City, Saitama Prefecture is expected to take five to seven years to fully restore, local officials said on Friday, following the recovery of a truck cab that had remained lodged in the sewer system since the January accident.


JR Central will launch a new remote customer assistance service at eight stations on the Tokaido Line in Shizuoka Prefecture starting June 1st. This initiative aims to support passengers at stations that are unstaffed during early morning and late-night hours, improving convenience for travelers.
Image of JR Launches Remote Support System at Unstaffed Stations in Shizuoka

A canal built more than 130 years ago to carry water from Lake Biwa to Kyoto is set to become the first modern civil engineering structure in Japan to be designated a National Treasure.

Kanazawa is one of Japan’s most underrated travel spots, filled with cultural treasures and authentic local experiences. Whether you're exploring the famous Kenrokuen Garden or getting lost in charming old samurai districts, this Kanazawa travel guide will help you uncover the best things to do in Kanazawa.

Explosions and eruptions continued at Sakurajima in Kagoshima Prefecture, with volcanic activity intensifying since May 15. In an early morning eruption before 6 a.m., a plume of ash rose approximately 2,700 meters above the crater.

A city-wide puzzle-solving game will soon begin in Naha as part of efforts to boost tourism and help participants rediscover the charm of the area.


The Shizuoka Hobby Show, one of the largest model exhibitions in Japan, was held over the weekend, drawing enthusiastic crowds, with 99 companies and organizations showcasing a wide variety of displays including plastic models and railway dioramas.
Image of Public Flocks to Massive Shizuoka Hobby Show

Once envisioned as Japan’s answer to Las Vegas, Kabukicho evolved into a nightlife hub that reflects Japan’s underworld culture. But how did it come to be this way? (Japanese Comedian Meshida)

An absolute legend compiled all of Japan's best memes. I'm here to explain the best ones for you and rank them. (Japanalysis)

Model and actress Mariya Nishiuchi, 31, has announced her retirement from the entertainment industry.

In the heart of Tokyo’s Kabukicho district, a group of young men known for working in host clubs are taking the stage—not in their usual nightlife roles, but in a traditional Japanese dance performance.


In Paris, a new Japanese twist on a French classic is attracting widespread attention. A dessert combining matcha, crème brûlée, and crepes has become a viral hit, largely fueled by social media buzz.

A peace march calling for the reduction of the burden caused by U.S. military bases was held in Okinawa on May 17th, marking 53 years since the prefecture's reversion to Japan.

Japan’s policy to provide free high school tuition for both public and private schools is expanding options for families who once gave up on private education due to cost. However, in Osaka, where this policy was implemented ahead of other regions, even prestigious public high schools are now struggling to fill seats.

Visitors to the Osaka-Kansai Expo may be surprised to learn that one of the most popular attractions—moon and Mars rocks—can be seen and touched without waiting in long lines, thanks to a lesser-known exhibit at the far western end of the venue.


BUSINESS | May 19, 2025
U.S. investment fund Dalton Investments has issued a statement criticizing Fuji Media Holdings for rejecting its proposed board nominees, calling the move "regrettable" and stating it "does not appear to have been seriously considered."
Image of US Fund Criticizes Fuji HD for Rejecting Board Nominees

Toyota Group unions have secured the highest average wage increase since 2000, with 123 manufacturing unions achieving pay hikes averaging 16,430 yen and a 5.72% increase, according to the All Toyota Labor Federation, which represents about 362,000 members across 307 unions.

A Japanese man in his 50s was sentenced to 12 years in prison by a Chinese court on May 13 under the anti-espionage law, following his December 2021 detention in Shanghai and formal arrest in June 2022 after six months of interrogation.

Nissan's plan to shut down several of its production facilities has drawn concern from Kitakyushu Mayor Kenji Takeuchi, who said at a press conference on May 15th that the move is "a matter directly linked to citizens' employment and livelihoods."

Japan’s three largest banking groups have all reported record net profits for the past fiscal year, with their combined earnings nearing 4 trillion yen.