51³Ô¹ÏÍø

 
Menu
Search
 
July 24, 2026
 

Home Delivery
Subscribe for more access

51³Ô¹ÏÍø

Explainer

Politics
Crime & Legal
Science & Health
Society
Explainer
History
Who are the former royals who may be reinstated to the imperial family?
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Explainer
Who are the former royals who may be reinstated to the imperial family?
A proposal to allow the reinstatement of former male royals along the male line of the imperial family through adoption is being considered by policymakers.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Explainer
How the Iran crisis affects Japan
With the Strait of Hormuz still closed, nearly a fifth of the world¡¯s oil exports are being kept from reaching their destinations.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Explainer
How to prepare when Japan is under an earthquake advisory
Authorities in Japan are urging residents from Hokkaido to Chiba Prefecture to be ready in case a major earthquake strikes, following Monday¡¯s magnitude 7.7 jolt.
Chinese leader Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Explainer
Dec 3, 2025
Takaichi¡¯s Taiwan tumult: A closer look at the Japanese leader¡¯s contentious remarks
By Gabriele Ninivaggi
The prime minister¡¯s remarks about a Taiwan emergency have caused a diplomatic uproar, sending Japan-China ties to new lows.
With the government's integration of health insurance with My Number cards, conventional health insurance cards will no longer be accepted at clinics and hospitals across Japan from Dec. 2.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Explainer
Nov 17, 2025
What you need to know about the shift to My Number health insurance cards
By Jessica Speed
By integrating health insurance with My Number cards, the government hopes to streamline administration processes, reduce paperwork and make it easier to treat patients.
Police cars leave the Akita Prefectural Police headquarters to cull bears, in the city of Akita on Thursday.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Explainer
Nov 13, 2025
As attacks surge, who can cull bears in Japan?
By Yukana Inoue
In Japan, few people typically own guns, and the process to qualify for a license to hunt the animals takes time and effort.
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba waits for a session of the House of Councillors Budget Committee to begin in Tokyo on Friday.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Explainer
Mar 19, 2025
What¡¯s the fuss over Ishiba¡¯s gift vouchers?
By Himari Semans and Gabriele Ninivaggi
The prime minister¡¯s standing has worsened following reports that he handed out gift vouchers worth ?100,000 ($668) each to rookie lawmakers from his party.
Members of the media raise their hands for questions as outgoing Fuji TV President Koichi Minato attends a news conference in Tokyo on Monday.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Explainer
Jan 28, 2025
What we learned at Fuji TV¡¯s marathon Nakai scandal news conference
By Yukana Inoue
Longtime executive of Fuji TV Hisashi Hieda, who has been dubbed the ¡°emperor¡± of the broadcaster, was not present at the news conference and did not resign.
A mirror reflects a collapsed house in the city of Suzu, Ishikawa Prefecture, on Dec. 10, nearly one year after a major earthquake struck nearby on New Year's Day in 2024.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Explainer
Jan 14, 2025
Miyazaki quake falls short of triggering Nankai Trough megaquake advisory
By Yukana Inoue
Though Monday¡¯s temblor struck a similar area to one in August that sparked the first advisory, no such alert was issued.
A health ministry survey showed that 5,824 people age 65 and older died in a bathtub in their home or other residential facilities in 2022, more than double the number of people who died in a traffic accident.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Explainer
Dec 10, 2024
Winter chill, hot baths and the risk of heat shock: How to stay safe
By Kathleen Benoza
Heat shock has come under the spotlight after popular actor and singer Miho Nakayama was found dead at her home last week.

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

SPECIAL SUPPLEMENTS note

SUPPLEMENTS BINDER

SUSTAINABLE 51³Ô¹ÏÍø

Latest News

Trump rebuilds tariffs with forced-labor duties on 60 economies
1 hour ago
Japan and Solomon Islands leaders agree to bolster ties
11 hours ago
Japan weighs regulating Pokemon cards amid trading mania
Japan and Russia to resume youth exchanges after seven-year hiatus
Former head of Japanese barbecue chain arrested over tax evasion