Japanese Household Spending Drops 6.3% in January, Marks 11th Consecutive Decline

As Golden Week reaches its final day on May 6th, the Expo site is bustling with visitors debating what souvenirs to take home. To help those unsure of what to buy, a full investigation was launched into the most popular items.

A traditional tea maker in Kyoto is raising concerns over Chinese-made products being sold under the name "Uji matcha," a term long associated with premium green tea grown and produced in parts of Kyoto Prefecture.

A new form of e-commerce known as "live commerce" is rapidly gaining popularity in Japan, especially among housewives. Operated by Osaka-based startup Celest, the model uses social media livestreams to sell products in real time while interacting with viewers.

For many farmers who have long struggled with low income, this price surge has become a rare boost in motivation. As rice prices climb amid nationwide shortages, some producers are finally seeing a chance to earn a sustainable living.

In Japan’s urban housing market, real estate prices continue to rise, with the average price of a newly built condominium in Tokyo’s 23 wards exceeding 100 million yen in fiscal 2024.

A new wave of art experiences in Japan is captivating domestic and international audiences alike, blending cutting-edge technology with unexpected sources of creativity—including specialists in mathematics and architecture, and artists with disabilities.

Losing a loved one is one of the most painful experiences anyone can go through. When that loss happens because of someone else's carelessness or wrongful actions, it adds another layer of hurt and confusion.

日本は長年、現金中心の社会として知られており、日常の取引では物理的な通貨が主流でした。