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July 24, 2026
 

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Karin Kaneko
A strong quake struck off the Tokara Islands on Thursday afternoon, with the island chain having recorded around 1,000 earthquakes since a burst of seismic activity first began on June 21.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø
Jul 3, 2025
Magnitude 5.5 earthquake jars Tokara Islands amid flurry of seismic activity
Authorities said there was no risk of tsunami and there have been no immediate reports of damage or injuries.
The transport ministry has announced new regulations requiring flight passengers to keep power banks within sight to mitigate fire risks while on board planes.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø
Jul 3, 2025
Japan to require flight passengers to keep power banks within sight
The move comes in response to a series of incidents involving battery packs emitting smoke or catching fire during flights.
A screenshot shows many quakes occurring in the Tokara islands over the past 30 days, in this image taken from the U.S. Geological Survey website.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Society
Jul 2, 2025
Over 900 earthquakes strike Tokara islands in space of two weeks
In total, 911 earthquakes were recorded by Wednesday afternoon, with the cause behind the series of earthquakes still unclear.
The Japanese version of the U.K.¡¯s Disclosure and Barring Service aims to ensure a safe learning environment for children by facilitating checks for records of sexual offenses for those working in jobs involving contact with children such as education or child care.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Crime & Legal
Jul 1, 2025
Japan expands scope of background checks amid child safety concerns
The expanded guidelines will apply not only to schools and kindergartens, but also to community spaces such as children¡¯s cafeterias and talent agencies.
A gate to check climbers at Mount Fuji's fifth station in Fujiyoshida, Yamanashi Prefecture, on June 13. Climbers who do not have the necessary climbing equipment may be barred from using the trails.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Society
Jun 30, 2025
Mount Fuji¡¯s ?4,000 entrance fee kicks in for all routes
Climbers paid ?2,000 to scale the mountain via the popular Yoshida trail last year, while those who made the journey through other routes did not have to pay anything.
Investigators say the group chat members were using pseudonyms to hide their identities, suggesting they were largely unaware of each other¡¯s true backgrounds.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Crime & Legal
Jun 27, 2025
Teachers sharing indecent photos of girls in a group chat elicits outrage in Japan
The coordinated voyeurism of the teachers came as a strong shock, undermining people¡¯s confidence in those in the role.
The incubation period of ¡°severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome¡± (SFTS) ranges from 6 days to 2 weeks, with symptoms including fever and diarrhea. It has a fatality rate of 27%.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø
Jun 25, 2025
Tick-borne disease cases, with one death, confirmed in Kanto region
Of particular concern is SFTS, which is primarily transmitted through ticks infected with the virus and has a fatality rate of 27%.
A screenshot from the Meteorological Agency website shows tropical storm Sepat approaching Japan on Tuesday.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Science & Health
Jun 24, 2025
Heavy rain forecast in Japan as tropical storm Sepat set to weaken
As of early Tuesday, the tropical storm was located roughly 170 kilometers north of Chichijima, moving north-northwest at a speed of 30 kilometers per hour.
A screenshot of the Meteorological Agency's earthquake website shows numerous seismic activities in the 24 hours through 11:18 a.m. on Monday.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Science & Health
Jun 23, 2025
Over 200 earthquakes have shaken Tokara islands since Saturday
As of 2 p.m. on Monday, more than 200 earthquakes registering shindo 1 or higher on the Japanese seismic intensity scale had been observed.
In Tokyo, at least 562 people have been taken to the hospital for suspected heatstroke so far this month.
ENVIRONMENT
Jun 20, 2025
What happened to the rainy season?
The mercury has climbed across much of Japan in recent days, but the seasonal rain front is expected to return early next week.
People walk under the scorching sun in Tokyo's Omotesando area on Tuesday as temperatures rise above 35 degrees Celsius in much of eastern Japan.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Society
Jun 17, 2025
Japan sweats under extreme heat despite ongoing rainy season
The weather agency warned of heat waves throughout the week as a high-pressure system stretches across eastern and northern Japan.
A screenshot of a submarine cable map on TeleGeography¡¯s website shows a network of cables connecting with Japan.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / EXPLAINER
Jun 16, 2025
The underlying risks to Japan¡¯s undersea cables
What exactly are undersea cables, and how real is the threat?of disruption in Japan?
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba speaks during ministerial meeting meeting on foreign residents in Japan on Friday at the Prime Minister's Office.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø
Jun 6, 2025
Foreign tourists with unpaid medical bills in Japan to be denied entry
There have been growing calls for legislative?reform to address unpaid medical fees and health care premiums ¡ª deficits filled by taxpayers¡¯ money.
Keita Ueno (right), the owner of Kiki Driving School and an instructor who supports both foreign nationals and Japanese citizens returning from abroad in getting their foreign driver¡¯s licenses converted, is worried about the current lax system for the process.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Crime & Legal / FOCUS
Jun 6, 2025
Accidents raise concern over how Japan vets foreign drivers
A driving school owner points out that traffic signs could carry different meanings in other countries, and driving standards might vary significantly.
If Japan Post loses its general cargo vehicle license, it would be barred from reapplying for a new one for five years.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Society
Jun 5, 2025
Japan Post may lose cargo license over widespread driver check failures
A transport ministry audit in April revealed enough instances of missed checks in the Kanto region to surpass the threshold for license revocation.
Justice Minister Keisuke Suzuki speaks to reporters in Tokyo on Friday. Suzuki said preparations for the changes that will focus more on rehabilitation are being actively made at each correctional facility.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Crime & Legal / FOCUS
Jun 5, 2025
Japan¡¯s prison reform focuses on rehabilitation
Prison labor is no longer mandatory, which allows more time for educational and rehabilitative programs aimed at reducing recidivism.
Then-<i>yokozuna</i> Hakuho performs the New Year's ring-entering rite in 2018. The Japan Sumo Association has accepted his resignation and he will officially leave the association on June 9.
SUMO
Jun 2, 2025
Former yokozuna Hakuho to leave sumo association
Hakuho¡¯s departure comes more than a year after his stable closed down over a physical abuse incident involving one of its wrestlers.
People hold up signs during a rally in support of international students at the Harvard University campus in Boston on Tuesday.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Society
May 29, 2025
Halt of U.S. visa process puts Japanese students¡¯ futures in question
The U.S. Embassy in Tokyo has confirmed that the embassy and U.S. consulate offices in Japan have suspended scheduling new interviews for student visa applicants.
Liberal Democratic Party policy chief Itsunori Onodera (fourth from left) visits a driver's license center in Shinagawa Ward, Tokyo, on Wednesday to see how foreign driver's licenses are converted into Japanese ones.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Crime & Legal
May 22, 2025
Japan considers toughening rules on driver¡¯s license conversions
The National Police Agency revealed the plan amid concerns that the system for converting a foreign license is too easy.
A female Osaka prosecutor in her 50s speaks about how she was sexually assaulted, at a news conference in Tokyo on Wednesday.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Crime & Legal
May 21, 2025
Female prosecutor says she experienced secondary victimization in rape case
The prosecutor said the prosecutors?office?where she worked turned a blind eye after she reported the case, and?slanderous comments about her spread at work.
Japan scientists identify clusters of protein believed to trigger Alzheimer¡¯s disease
A team of researchers said they found a ¡°seed¡± that accelerates the amyloid beta accumulation process in the brain, naming it ¡°Peak 1 amyloid beta,¡± as seen in a mouse&#039;s brain.
Indian brothers make manga debut in Japan
Two Indian brothers made their manga debut in Japan with "Kung Fu Kung Fool" ¡ª an action-comedy series that follows the adventures of a notorious thief and a young boy.
Japan weighs regulating Pokemon cards amid trading mania
A Pokemon event is held in Jakarta on July 11
Low-income families in Japan cut food and air conditioning during summer break
Yumiko Watanabe, the chairperson of nonprofit Kidsdoor, explains the results of a survey in Tokyo&#039;s Chiyoda Ward on July 1.
Iran strikes on CIA facilities prompt questions about possible Russian role
Iranian drones are displayed in an undisclosed location in Iran, in this handout image obtained on Jan. 13, 2025.U.S. officials have acknowledged that Russia has ?provided targeting ?and other support for Iran in its drone strikes on U.S. targets in the Persian Gulf region.
The sci-fi sensibilities of electronic trio Black Boboi
Black Boboi was formed in 2018 when solo artists Julia Shortreed, Utena Kobayashi and Ermhoi came together under Kobayashi¡¯s newly founded label, Bindividual.
A perfect storm: Kaze Fujii fans flock to Fuji Rock
Okayama-born singer-songwriter Kaze Fujii has carved out a distinctive place in Japanese pop since his major-label debut in 2019.
Can Japanese comedy get laughs in English? Yoshimoto Kogyo lets the jokes rip
Wes-P has millions of followers and his viral clips made him recognizable out of Japan.
The 180-day locals: Life on Japan¡¯s digital nomad visa
Christopher Flinn works remotely from Tokyo earlier this month. Japan issued 646 digital nomad visas in 2025, but tourism officials are hoping to increase that figure in the coming years, with Japan&#039;s relatively cheap cost of living and the weak yen seen as potential draws for young professionals.
Japan reveals hint of new defense spending target in fiscal blueprint
The Self-Defense Forces&#039; Type 16 mobile combat vehicle fires during a joint live-fire drill with U.S. Marines as part of the annual Resolute Dragon exercises in Yufu, Oita Prefecture, on June 28.

Podcast

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Kabukicho: Tokyo¡¯s ¡®stadium of desire¡¯

Longform

For many people, utility poles and power lines have become such a familiar part of Japan¡¯s landscape that they often go unnoticed.
Why Japan¡¯s utility poles won¡¯t be disappearing anytime soon
By Alex K.T. Martin

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