51³Ô¹ÏÍø

author

 
Menu
Search
 
July 24, 2026
 

Home Delivery
Subscribe for more access

Meta

Yukana Inoue
The number of foreign visitors to Japan reached a high of 42.68 million in 2025.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø
Jul 10, 2026
Over 70% of accommodations in Japan say they are understaffed amid tourism influx
Solving the issue is crucial to developing tourism sustainably as a strategic industry for Japan, the government said in a white paper released Friday.
Content that infringes on an artist¡¯s copyrights include using AI to make a live-action version of an anime from images of celebrities or generating anime characters¡¯ voices to have them sing popular songs.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø
Jul 9, 2026
AI-related copyright losses cost celebrities up to ?4.5 billion, study says
Over 43,000 AI-generated images and videos that used celebrities¡¯ likenesses without their consent were created over a two-month period last year.
Hikers wait for a bus at a train station in Okutama on the outskirts of Tokyo on June 14 as local authorities urge visitors to take precautions following increased reports of bear sightings in the region.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Society
Jul 8, 2026
Tokyo considers lifting ban on bear hunting for the first time in nearly 20 years
With the move to permit culling in the capital, authorities are hoping to put pressure on the wild animal and avert human-bear conflicts.
Environmental concerns relating to the construction of Central Japan Railway¡¯s high-speed maglev line had contributed to years of delays for the project.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø
Jul 7, 2026
Long-stalled maglev line finally gets green light from Shizuoka Prefecture
Environmental concerns had led to years of delays, but now that understanding has ¡°steadily deepened,¡± it is now possible to move forward, Shizuoka¡¯s governor said.
A record high of 804 people were arrested for possession of cocaine in 2025, up from around 160 in 2021, according to the National Police Agency.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Crime & Legal
Jul 6, 2026
Number of people who have tried cocaine reaches new high in Japan, study shows
Those found in possession of the drug also hit a record high of 804 arrests in 2025, according to the National Police Agency.
Born on social media platforms in 2022, Opanchu Usagi has become a major hit, especially among Generation Z.
BUSINESS / Companies
Jul 6, 2026
Japan bets on character IP to drive global growth
Hard-working Japanese businesses and creators are banding together to drive what is now one of Japan¡¯s most valuable assets.
Tourists in Yanaka Ginza, Tokyo, on Wednesday. Japan tripled its International Tourist Tax (departure tax) to ?3,000 from ?1,000 on Wednesday for all travelers leaving Japan, regardless of nationality.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø
Jul 1, 2026
Japan triples departure tax in push to combat overtourism
Previously set at ?1,000, the tax has risen to ?3,000 for all travelers departing Japan, regardless of nationality.
The government plans to invest ?150 billion in Rakuten Mobile in a push to develop a homegrown satellite communication system and reduce reliance on firms such as Starlink.
BUSINESS / Companies
Jun 30, 2026
Japan to invest ?150 billion in Rakuten¡¯s domestic satellite project
The investment is part of a push to develop a homegrown satellite network and to reduce Starlink¡¯s dominance in the field.
A fan watches Japan's World Cup match against Sweden on a smartphone in Tokyo on Friday.
BUSINESS
Jun 29, 2026
World Cup offers chance to find right broadcasting balance for fans in Japan
The diversification of broadcasting methods for soccer, such as online streaming, could be a potential for further growth for the sport.
A Japan Meteorological Agency official in Tokyo explains on Thursday about the two tropical storms approaching Japan.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø
Jun 26, 2026
Heavy rain continues across country with two approaching tropical storms
Central Japan Railway said the Tokaido Shinkansen may be delayed or suspended Saturday, while East Japan Railway warned of possible regular train line delays over the weekend.
A map depicting the paths of Tropical Storm Mekkhala and Tropical Storm Higos
51³Ô¹ÏÍø
Jun 25, 2026
Two storms approach Japan, with possible convergence complicating forecasts
If Tropical Storm Mekkhala and Tropical Storm Higos meet, they could act unpredictably ¡ª diverging, moving in succession, or merging into one storm.
The National Consumer Affairs Center of Japan has issued a warning over a rise in air conditioner repair scams.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Crime & Legal
Jun 23, 2026
Consumer affairs watchdog raises alarm over air conditioner repair scams
The National Consumer Affairs Center of Japan is urging people to be on alert for offers to repair broken air conditioners that sound too good to be true.
Although paper customs forms are still available?in many cases, it is no longer standard practice to hand them out on all flights.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Society
Jun 22, 2026
Japan to fully digitalize airport customs system by 2030
The phasing-out of paper customs declaration forms is among measures eyed by the Finance Ministry to handle the inbound movement of people and goods more efficiently.
Kiyomizu Temple in Kyoto in March. Various cities around the world have cracked down on private lodgings, such as in Barcelona where the city is attempting to eradicate all short-stay apartments by 2028.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø
Jun 19, 2026
Japan to allow local governments to ban private lodging
The move comes amid complaints of lodgers partying at night, ignoring trash rules, and leaving cigarette butts on the streets.
Students at the campus of Harvard University. Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike on Tuesday announced a scholarship for top-level students who are looking to pursue higher education abroad.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Society
Jun 17, 2026
Tokyo launches scholarship program for students bound for top global universities
Only students with Japanese citizenship who are currently enrolled in a Tokyo metropolitan high school and reside in the city are eligible to apply.
A Studio Ghibli store in Kamakura, Kanagawa Prefecture. Studio Ghibli will open a pop-up store in Los Angeles later this month, bringing a wide selection of merchandise to the U.S. for the first time.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Society
Jun 17, 2026
Studio Ghibli to open its first U.S. pop-up store in Los Angeles
Called ¡°Donguri Republic in Los Angeles,¡± the store will be opened for six months from June. 23 to Dec. 31.
Only 102 new bookstores were opened in Japan during fiscal year 2025, which began in April last year, while 499 shops closed.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Society
Jun 16, 2026
Number of bookstores in Japan drops below 10,000 for the first time
Japan had 9,993 bookstores as of the end of March 2026 ¡ª just over 40% of its peak in fiscal year 1998.
Hikers walk past a bear warning sign in the Okutama area in western Tokyo on Sunday as local authorities urge visitors to take precautions following increased reports of bear sightings in the region.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Society / FOCUS
Jun 16, 2026
Why more bears are entering urban areas
Five deaths have already been reported this year as of the beginning of June, with bears showing a growing willingness to roam closer to where people live.
Many older adults in Japan want to continue working as a way to earn money and stay healthy.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø
Jun 12, 2026
Nearly 40% of older adults in Japan want to keep working
The main motivation cited was the need to earn an income, followed by the notion that working helps maintain health and slow down aging.
Last year, the number of bear-related deaths in Japan hit a record high of 13. Bear sightings also set a new record.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø
Jun 9, 2026
Dayslong bear hunt in Tochigi Prefecture capital ends with animal¡¯s capture
The city of Utsunomiya had been on high alert following reports of a bear sighting near schools and residential areas since the weekend.
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'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'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.
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'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' 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.
Summer has arrived in Japan and so have hot sleepless nights
Amid the heat and humidity in Japan, a good night¡¯s sleep is growing increasingly elusive without the heavy use of air conditioning.
Maya Ongaku¡¯s DIY dream is getting bigger
The members of Maya Ongaku ¡ª (from left) Tsutomu Sonoda, Shoei Ikeda and Ryota Takano ¡ª grew up on the Shonan Coast south of Tokyo and have been friends since their school days.

Podcast

One of the many entrances to the Kabukicho neighborhood in Tokyo¡¯s Shinjuku Ward.
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

SUSTAINABLE 51³Ô¹ÏÍø

SPECIAL SUPPLEMENTS note

SUPPLEMENTS BINDER