Japan
60 stories related to this topic, newest first.
marketwatch.comJapan's Nikkei 225 Index Rises 2.5 Percent to New Record Above 66,000
The Nikkei 225 closed at a fresh all-time high after gaining 2.5 percent. The move marks the latest session gain for the benchmark index.
japantimes.co.jpJapan Government White Paper Notes Rise in Private Rice Imports
The fiscal 2025 white paper on food, agriculture and rural areas recorded a surge in private-sector rice imports after retail prices roughly doubled in May 2025. The document also addressed fertilizer supply risks and energy dependence on imported fossil fuels.
japantimes.co.jpJapan Reports Widespread Hay Fever Linked to Forest Policies
Seasonal allergies affect millions of residents each spring. Officials connect the rise in cases to earlier government decisions on tree planting and land use.
The Japan TimesJapan Parliament Report Considers Adopting Former Male Royals
Parliament leaders are preparing recommendations to address the shrinking size of Japan’s imperial family. One proposal under review would allow the adoption of former male royals from abolished princely houses.
japantoday.comJapan Raises Visa Fee Limits Up to 30 Times Current Levels
Japan enacted legislation on Friday that raises the statutory upper limits on several visa-related fees. The changes also authorize an electronic travel authorization system to begin by March 2029.
japantimes.co.jpMitsui Seeks LNG Investments for Data Center Power Supply
Japanese trading house Mitsui plans to acquire equity stakes or sign offtake agreements in liquefied natural gas projects. The moves aim to secure long-term electricity for data centers serving the technology sector.
bbc.co.ukJapanese Mayor Announces 16-Week Maternity Leave
The mayor of Yawata in Kyoto Prefecture will take eight weeks of leave before and after childbirth. The decision marks the first time a sitting mayor in Japan has scheduled maternity leave.
SemaforCapsule toy stores reach 1,400 locations across Japan
Japan now has about 1,400 stores selling small toys from coin-operated machines. The stores occupy retail spaces left vacant after the pandemic. The trend coincides with a record low number of children in the country.
ibtimes.co.ukJapan's Three Largest Banks Plan Use of OpenAI Model for Cybersecurity
Japan's three largest banks will deploy a new OpenAI model to detect and respond to cyberattacks. The initiative follows a report by Nikkei citing internal bank planning documents.
The Japan TimesHumanoids Summit Opens in Tokyo to Discuss AI Robots and Labor Shortage
A two-day robotics conference began Thursday in Tokyo, focusing on how AI-powered humanoids could address Japan's worker shortfall. Organizers expect 2,000 attendees from 30 countries and 300 companies.
The Japan TimesWakatakakage Wins Emperor’s Cup at Komusubi Rank in Summer Tournament
Wakatakakage claimed the top-division title at the Summer Grand Sumo Tournament while ranked komusubi, a rare achievement last recorded in 1931. He is the 11th wrestler to win the Emperor’s Cup at that rank since records began.
japantimes.co.jpJapan Wage Growth Tops 5 Percent for Third Straight Year
Keidanren reported that average wage increases in the 2026 spring negotiations exceeded 5 percent for the third consecutive year. The business federation released its initial summary of the talks.
japantimes.co.jpNikkei Stock Average Closes Nearly Flat After Brief Record High
Japan’s Nikkei 225 index rose above 66,000 for the first time on Wednesday morning before closing almost unchanged. The benchmark finished at 64,999.41, up 3.32 points from the prior session.
nintendoeverything.comDragon Quest JRPG Series Marks 40 Years Since 1986 Release
The first Dragon Quest game launched on May 27, 1986, for the Nintendo Entertainment System. The series is credited with establishing the Japanese role-playing game genre.
upi.comYomiuri Giants Manager Resigns After Arrest for Alleged Assault
Shinnosuke Abe resigned as manager of the Yomiuri Giants after his arrest for allegedly assaulting his 18-year-old daughter. The team named an acting manager to replace him.
SemaforChina criticizes Japan’s defense spending increase
Chinese officials expressed opposition to Japan’s higher defense budget during recent diplomatic exchanges. The comments follow Japan’s prime minister stating the country could assist Taiwan if attacked.
680news.comHonda Revises 2040 EV Sales Target After Posting First Net Loss
Honda Motor said its 2040 goal for all-new vehicle sales to be electric or fuel-cell models is no longer realistic. The company reported its first full-year net loss since 1957 and is cutting EV spending while increasing hybrid output.
citizen.co.zaChina Overtakes Japan as Second-Largest Creditor Nation in 2025
China surpassed Japan to become the world’s second-largest creditor nation in 2025. Japan recorded a new high in overseas assets but still fell behind China in net creditor position.
Japan Plans $67 Billion Maglev Line Between Tokyo and Osaka
Japan is constructing a magnetic levitation train line that will connect Tokyo and Osaka. The project is budgeted at $67 billion and is designed to operate at speeds up to 375 mph.
japantimes.co.jpTokyo Police Search for Man After Substance Sprayed at Ginza Mall ATM
At least 19 people were taken to hospital after a man sprayed an irritant at an ATM inside Tokyo's Ginza 6 shopping centre. Police identified the substance as likely containing capsaicin and are still searching for the suspect.
jpost.comTokyo Police Investigate Substance Spray at Ginza Six Mall
More than 20 people reported throat irritation after an unidentified substance was sprayed near an ATM inside the Ginza Six shopping complex on May 25. Japanese authorities took 19 people to hospitals for evaluation while roads around the site were closed.
japantoday.comJapan to Issue New Deficit Bonds for Extra Budget
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said the government will issue new deficit financing bonds to fund an extra budget. Bond issuance will not rise on a calendar-year basis.
eonline.comJapan to Request Summer and Winter Energy Conservation
Officials plan to urge households and businesses to reduce electricity use during peak seasons. The request follows the pattern used since the 1970s oil shock. Details will be released tomorrow.
thehindu.comJapan Plans to Raise Nuclear and Renewable Energy Share to 70 Percent
Officials announced a target to increase the combined share of nuclear and renewable energy in Japan's power mix to as much as 70 percent from the current 30 percent.
Japan Adds Remains of 193 War Dead to National Cemetery
The welfare ministry held a ceremony Monday to inter the remains of 193 unidentified Japanese war dead at Chidorigafuchi National Cemetery. The addition raised the total number of individuals buried at the site to 371,167.
japantimes.co.jpJapan Prime Minister Says New Debt Will Not Affect Bond Market
The Japanese prime minister stated that planned new government debt will be offset by higher tax revenue and will have no impact on the bond market. The comments addressed concerns about fiscal expansion.
koreatimes.co.krJapanese Oil Tanker Idemitsu Maru Arrives in Aichi After Passing Strait of Hormuz
The Idemitsu Maru reached a sea berth off Chita City, Aichi Prefecture, around noon on May 25, 2026. The vessel carried roughly 2 million barrels of Saudi Arabian crude oil. It is the first Japanese tanker reported to have transited the strait since the Iran war began.
japantimes.co.jpJapan Reports Rise in Dementia-Related Disappearances
The number of people with dementia reported missing in Japan nearly doubled from 2012 to 2024. Families and local governments are expanding search efforts and support networks as cases continue.
japantimes.co.jpJapan Urges Listed Companies to Prioritize Long-Term Investment Over Buybacks
Japan’s financial regulator is pressing listed companies to direct more cash reserves toward business investment rather than share repurchases and dividend increases. The guidance aims to support sustained corporate growth.
japantimes.co.jpPolice Obtain Arrest Warrant for 42-Year-Old Man in Hyogo Double Murder
Hyogo Prefectural Police obtained an arrest warrant Sunday for a 42-year-old unemployed man suspected in the stabbing deaths of two women in Tatsuno. The man remains at large, prompting an open search.
nbcnews.comJapan Trade Minister Holds Brief Talks With Chinese Counterpart
Japan's trade minister spoke briefly with China's commerce minister during an APEC dinner in Suzhou on Friday. The exchange marked the first ministerial-level contact between the two countries since a diplomatic standoff began in November.
New York PostUnited Airlines to Launch First Nonstop Flights from San Francisco to Sapporo
United Airlines will begin three weekly nonstop flights from San Francisco International Airport to Sapporo, Japan, in December 2026. The seasonal service will operate through March 27 and marks the first direct route from the continental United States to the city.
abcnews.go.comJapanese Climber Naoko Watanabe Completes All 14 Peaks Over 8,000 Meters
Naoko Watanabe, 44, became the first woman to summit K2 three times and the first Japanese woman to reach all 14 peaks above 8,000 meters. She says her goal is sharing the experience rather than setting records.
nippon.comOkinawa Police Refer U.S. Army Soldier to Prosecutors on Sexual Assault Charges
Okinawa police sent case documents to prosecutors on Friday concerning a U.S. Army soldier in his 20s accused of sexually assaulting an adult female acquaintance and causing injury. The suspect is also alleged to have left the scene by car, struck a guard rail, and failed to repo…
thedispatch.comJapanese Social Media User Gains Followers After Musk Interaction
A Japanese woman posting photos of meals and travel has drawn thousands of likes and replies on X. The account gained visibility after an interaction with Elon Musk.
nippon.comPolice Identify Two Suspects in Breach at Japanese Zoo Enclosure
Authorities named two men in custody after they entered the enclosure of a macaque at Ichikawa City Zoo and Botanical Garden on May 17. The zoo reported no injuries to animals and said it is adding security measures.
financialpost.comChina Halts Rare Earth Exports to Japan Since December
Chinese customs data show exports of dysprosium, terbium, yttrium oxide and gallium to Japan have been suspended since December except for a few small yttrium shipments. The halt began after a diplomatic dispute over Taiwan emerged in November.
The Japan TimesKawasaki Holds Annual Kanamara Festival at Kanayama Shrine
Crowds gathered in Kawasaki on the first Sunday of April for the Kanamara Festival at Kanayama Shrine. The event features portable shrines shaped like phalluses that are carried through the shrine grounds and nearby streets.
nintendoworldreport.comVisual Novel Coffee Talk Tokyo Releases May 21
Coffee Talk Tokyo, a visual novel from Indonesia-based Toge Productions, launched May 21. The game is set in a near-future Tokyo and features characters including spirits and humans who gather at a late-night coffee shop.
The Japan TimesJapan Weighs Language Rules for Residency as Debate Over Proficiency Standards Continues
Japan is considering language requirements for permanent residency and other visa categories. The government’s 2021 Reference Framework for Japanese-Language Education defines six proficiency levels based on practical use rather than native-speaker norms.
english.elpais.comPolymarket Seeks Government Approval for Prediction Markets in Japan
Polymarket is lobbying Japanese officials to authorize prediction markets by 2030. The company aims to secure regulatory clearance for its platform in the country.
opindia.comFire Destroys 1,200-Year-Old Buddhist Temple on Itsukushima Island
A fire destroyed Reikado Hall, a historic Buddhist temple on Itsukushima island near Hiroshima, on Wednesday. The blaze began at the temple's long-burning flame and spread through the structure despite efforts by firefighters and a helicopter.
nippon.comOne in Three Japanese Companies Consider AI-Powered Robots
A Reuters report indicates that roughly one-third of Japanese firms are either using or planning to deploy AI-powered robots. Automakers are at the forefront of this trend as companies seek to offset a shrinking workforce.
theaviationist.comU.S. Marines Test Fire HIMARS Rockets Near Mount Fuji
U.S. Marines fired a dozen rockets from a mobile launcher at a training range near Mount Fuji on Wednesday. The exercise demonstrated rapid deployment tactics for the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System.
koreaboo.comTeenage Suspects in Tochigi Robbery-Murder Case Report Threats
Four 16-year-olds arrested in a Tochigi Prefecture robbery-murder told police they were threatened with harm to their families and friends if they refused to participate. The teens said they received real-time instructions from the couple also arrested in the case.
under30ceo.comJapanese Stocks Decline as Long-Term Interest Rates Near 3 Percent
Japanese stocks fell amid rising long-term interest rates that are approaching 3 percent. Higher borrowing costs are expected to affect corporate earnings.
Man Attacks Three People With Knife at Shanghai Restaurant
A man armed with a fruit knife attacked three people at a Japanese restaurant in Shanghai on Tuesday. Two of the victims were Japanese nationals and one was a Chinese woman. None of the victims suffered life-threatening injuries.
japantimes.co.jpJapan Continues to Seek Resolution of North Korea Abduction Cases
A Japanese government survey from 2024 found that 76 percent of respondents expressed concern over North Korean abductions of Japanese citizens and missile activities. North Korea admitted to some abductions at a 2002 summit, and some victims returned while others remain unaccoun…
rte.ieTwo Americans Charged After Entering Viral Monkey Punch Enclosure at Japanese Zoo
Two U.S. men were arrested Sunday after one jumped into the macaque enclosure at Ichikawa City Zoo and Botanical Garden near Tokyo. The zoo reported no injuries to animals and is adding security measures.
japantimes.co.jpSouth Korean and Japanese Leaders Hold Fourth Meeting in Six Months
South Korean President Lee Jae-myung and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi met Tuesday in Andong to expand cooperation on supply chains and energy supplies amid instability in the Middle East.
SemaforPhilippine President Says Country Would Likely Join Any Taiwan Conflict
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said his country would likely become involved in any conflict over Taiwan. The statement precedes a planned trip to Tokyo for security talks with Japan.
japantimes.co.jpJapan to Allow Foreign-Issued Stablecoins as Electronic Payment Methods
Japan's financial regulator will treat foreign-issued stablecoins as electronic payment methods starting June 1. The change brings overseas stablecoin issuers under existing domestic rules for electronic payments.
rte.ieTwo Americans Arrested in Japan After Entering Baby Monkey Enclosure
Two U.S. citizens were taken into custody after one climbed into a macaque enclosure at a Japanese facility while the other recorded the act. The animal involved is a nine-month-old macaque named Punch that had previously gained online attention.
The Japan TimesJapan Lower House Passes Bill to Create Disaster Management Agency
The House of Representatives approved legislation on Tuesday to establish a new agency under the Cabinet that will coordinate disaster prevention and response. The bill now moves to the upper chamber for further review before the current parliamentary session ends in July.
channelnewsasia.comJapan Economy Expands 2.1 Percent in First Quarter
Japan's GDP grew faster than expected in the first quarter of 2026. Private consumption and business spending both rose, while net exports added to growth.
japantimes.co.jpJapan Considers Bond Market for New Spending to Offset Middle East Conflict Impact
Japan's Finance Minister stated the government is weighing bond issuance to fund new spending measures. The spending aims to counter economic effects from the Middle East conflict. No specific spending amount or timeline was announced.
New York PostTwo U.S. Men Arrested After Entering Viral Monkey Enclosure in Japan
Two American men were arrested Sunday after one climbed into the enclosure of Punch, a baby macaque at Ichikawa City Zoo near Tokyo. The zoo reported no injuries to animals and announced new safety measures.
rte.ieTwo Americans Arrested After Entering Monkey Enclosure at Japanese Zoo
Two U.S. nationals were arrested after one climbed into a monkey exhibit at Ichikawa City Zoo. The incident occurred at the site where a baby macaque named Punch gained online attention earlier this year.
The Japan TimesJapan Police Arrest Two Americans After Zoo Stunt Near Baby Macaque
Two American men were arrested after one climbed into a monkey enclosure at a zoo in Chiba Prefecture. The incident occurred at the facility where a baby macaque named Punch has drawn global attention online.
newsbtc.comJapanese Investors Shift Toward Domestic Bonds as Yields Rise
Japanese investors hold about $1 trillion in U.S. Treasuries. Rising JGB yields and expected Bank of Japan rate hikes are drawing funds back home. Weak demand at recent Treasury auctions has pushed long-term yields higher.