Ruling LDP party loses upper house seat in setback for PM Kishida
Japan's prime minister has suffered a setback just days before going to the polls. Fumio Kishida's ruling LDP party has lost one of two parliamentary by-elections. (CNA)
Japan eases restaurant COVID restrictions
Most anti-coronavirus restrictions on restaurants and bars were lifted in Japan on Monday as new daily infections continue to drop across the country. (NHK)
Tokyo coronavirus cases fall to new low
The Tokyo Metropolitan Government confirmed 17 new cases of coronavirus on Monday. That is the lowest single-day figure in the capital this year, falling below what had been the record low-for-the-year registered on Sunday. (NHK)
Tokyo Disneyland to host Halloween event for first time in two years
After the park's operator postponed special events because of the spread of COVID-19, Tokyo Disneyland had its first Halloween programme in two years on Monday. (republicworld.com)
26 October 2021
All Japan Tours
Japan Weather
JAPANESE COMMERCIALS
SOCIETY
Kyoto police using targeted YouTube ads to warn would-be voyeurs
soranews24.com - Oct 26
The crime of taking secret photos and videos of other people is sadly nothing new, but in the prefecture of Kyoto it appears to be a particularly growing problem.
All you need to know about dating Japanese men | NO TABOO
Crazyllah - Oct 25
Dating in Japan storytime, What's it like dating Japanese men, from foreign women's perspective.
Thieves steal 60,000 persimmons from Gifu orchard
Japan Today - Oct 24
Gifu prefectural police are investigating the theft of 60,000 persimmons from an orchard last week.
Princess Mako marks 30th birthday
NHK - Oct 24
Japan's Princess Mako turns 30 on Saturday, three days before she marries a commoner and leaves the Imperial family.
[more society news…]
BUSINESS
Wedding industry rethinks cancelation policies
NHK - Oct 26
Japan's wedding industry is enduring tough times as the coronavirus pandemic has been forcing couples to cancel their nuptials, and the organization that oversees the industry has been looking at who should bear the cost.
Beaujolais Nouveau imports seen down 20%
NHK - Oct 26
Cases of Beaujolais Nouveau are arriving from France, ready to go on sale in Japan next month. But the volume is likely to be low compared to pre-pandemic years.
Container shipping crisis bites Japan's chicken and wine lovers
Nikkei - Oct 25
Japanese consumers can count the toll of disruptions in global supply chains and shipping on their dinner plates.
Japan consumer prices see first rise in 18 months
NHK - Oct 23
Japan's consumer prices rose last month for the first time in 18 months in a sign that higher energy costs are having an impact.
[more business news…]
POLITICS
Ruling LDP party loses upper house seat in setback for PM Kishida
CNA - Oct 26
Japan's prime minister has suffered a setback just days before going to the polls. Fumio Kishida's ruling LDP party has lost one of two parliamentary by-elections.
LDP loses one of two Upper House by-elections
NHK - Oct 25
Japan's main ruling Liberal Democratic Party has lost one of two Upper House by-elections. But it won the other and will retain that seat.
Japan parliamentary race hits record low for candidates under 40
Nikkei - Oct 20
Candidates in their 20s and 30s make up 9.4% and women less than 20% of those running in Japan's lower house election on Oct. 31, highlighting the country's continued struggles with incorporating new and more diverse viewpoints into its politics.
Lack of vaccination passport, testing threaten Japan's reopening
Reuters - Oct 20
Japan’s lack of a vaccination passport and limited testing capacity is threatening ambitions to reopen the economy at a crucial year-end period when restaurants earn up to a half of their annual revenue and travel agencies are at their busiest.
[more politics news…]
EDUCATION
Hiroshima schools offer choice of skirts and pants to female students
Japan Times - Oct 25
There is a growing trend among municipal junior high schools in the district of Aki, Hiroshima Prefecture, to offer female students a choice between skirts and a pair of pants for their uniforms.
Tantanmen | Spicy Sesame Ramen
Kimono Mom - Oct 24
Today we made Tantanmen, Spicy Sesame Noodles. It's easy to make with ingredients you can find anywhere in the world!
Anorexia cases up 60% among people younger than 20 in Japan
Japan Times - Oct 22
New anorexia cases among people younger than 20 in Japan grew 60% from the previous year in fiscal 2020 amid the novel coronavirus crisis, a survey by the National Center for Child Health and Development showed Thursday.
Rice Festival in Kyoto (1910) | BFI National Archive
BFI - Oct 21
Celebrations for the festival, including a Courtesans’ procession, the parade of mikoshi (portable shrines) and traditional theatre.
[more education news…]
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
What Are IDC Connectors and Crimp?
newsonjapan.com - Oct 25
IDC connectors, also called insulation-piercing contact (IPC), are designed to connect to an insulated cable conductor via a connection method, which lets out a selective sharp blade/blades through its insulation.
DNA shows Japanese wolf closest relative of domestic dogs
phys.org - Oct 22
A team of researchers affiliated with several entities in Japan has found evidence that the Japanese wolf is the closest known relative of domestic dogs.
Erupting volcano spews ash two miles into Japan sky
Guardian News - Oct 20
A volcano erupted blasting ash two miles into the sky on Wednedsay on Japan's main southern island of Kyushu
Carbon neutrality at heart of Japan's Ceatec expo
Nikkei - Oct 20
Japanese companies are stampeding to show off decarbonization plans at a flagship annual tech trade show, in a sign of growing pressure on them to take global warming seriously. With the 26th U.N. Climate Change Conference of the Parties, or COP26, coming up at the end of this month, the latest technologies are growing in appeal.
[more sci-tech news…]
SPORTS
Matsuyama clinches 7th PGA tour win
NHK - Oct 26
Japanese golfer Matsuyama Hideki has won his seventh PGA Tour held in Japan after a year's absence.
Annual children's sumo event held in Tokyo
NHK - Oct 25
Around 130 elementary school students took part in an annual sumo event in Tokyo's Sumida Ward on Saturday.
Australia survive late scare to overcome Japan and extend unbeaten run
irishtimes.com - Oct 24
Australia had a minor scare late in the game but held on to launch their end-of-season tour with a 32-23 victory over Japan in Oita on Saturday and extend their winning streak to five Tests.
PGA golf tournament restarts in Japan
NHK - Oct 22
A men's PGA golf tournament restarts in Japan, after a year's absence, featuring some of the world's best players, such as Olympic gold medalist Xander Schauffele of the United States and this year's Masters winner Matsuyama Hideki.
[more sports news…]
TRAVEL
Japan eases restaurant COVID restrictions
NHK - Oct 25
Most anti-coronavirus restrictions on restaurants and bars were lifted in Japan on Monday as new daily infections continue to drop across the country.
Tokyo Disneyland to host Halloween event for first time in two years
republicworld.com - Oct 25
After the park's operator postponed special events because of the spread of COVID-19, Tokyo Disneyland had its first Halloween programme in two years on Monday.
Tourists gradually returning to Kyoto
NHK - Oct 25
In Japan, coronavirus restrictions are being lifted across the nation.
Solo Hiking Japan's Forgotten Forest
Tokyo Lens - Oct 25
A Japanese forest and trails that were forgotten long ago. There are no blogs, no maps, and nothing that shows where they lead. Today we camp out in Japan, and hike them to see where they take us.
[more travel news…]
FEATURED BLOGS
Oct 21
5 Easy Japanese Karaoke Songs

Singing your heart out at a karaoke box is one of the most popular ways to hang out and unwind in Japan, regardless of age or gender. Within the confines of the dimly light soundproof walls, it's easy to let loose and forget all the stress of the ...

Oct 20
Which is your favourite? Japan’s iconic landmark signs ranked by popularity

Dive into the treasure box that is Japan and you're sure to find a little bit of iconic magic no matter where you go, from Tokyo's tallest towers to Kyoto's oldest shrines, you can always find something that screams ‘Hey everyone, look where I a...

Oct 20
Pantry Essentials for Japanese Home Cooking – Part 1
Collection of some pantry essentials for Japanese home cooking.

Japanese food has many specialised ingredients unique to the cuisine. Some ingredients are repeatedly used in my recipes. I thought it might be of help to you if I posted my Pantry Essentials for Japanese Home Cooking, explaining each item in deta...

Oct 20
Autumn Foliage Forecast 2021 Japan – When and Where To See Autumn Leaves
Autumn Foliage Forecast Japan 2021 Momiji

Autumn Foliage Forecast 2021 Japan – It's this time of the year again! Autumn is one of the most beautiful season in Japan and it's personally my favourite. The leaves on the trees will slowly turn yellow, orange or red, giving a colourful look ...

Oct 20
Beautifying Your Balcony
Beautifying Your Balcony

Our mansion's balcony started off as an extension of the concrete jungle around it. Sometimes it's the repository of all our family's clothes hung up to dry, sometimes it's the home of house plants who seemed dissatisfied with their lighting indoo...

[more blogs…]