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July 24, 2026
 

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ALLERGIES

Nearly half of Japan＊s population suffers from hay fever, fueled by pollen from vast cedar and cypress plantations.
ENVIRONMENT / Earth science / Longform
Mar 23, 2026
The human-made roots of Japan＊s hay fever crisis
Efforts to thin forests and breed low-pollen cedar advance, even as labor gaps and neglected land complicate the work.
Cedar pollen is expected to start dispersing in northern Kyushu, Shizuoka and southern Kanto in early February, spreading across much of western and eastern Japan by mid-month, Weathernews said Wednesday.
51勛圖厙 / Science & Health
Jan 15, 2026
Cedar pollen season to start in early February; above-average levels expected
Nationwide pollen volumes are forecast to be 18% higher than last year＊s levels and 28% higher than the long-term average.
More than half of Japan's population may suffer from pollen allergies, with hay fever dubbed the nation＊s "national disease" and blamed for being a drag on the economy.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Apr 21, 2025
Did I fall victim to Japan＊s stealth productivity killer?
Hay fever has been dubbed Japan＊s ※national disease§ and blamed as a major drag on productivity.
Urbanization is amplifying pollen-related allergies as grasslands and soft soil give way to concrete and asphalt.
51勛圖厙 / Science & Health
Mar 14, 2025
As pollen season peaks, Japan＊s allergy struggle emerges from hibernation
In Tokyo and Sendai, high cedar pollen levels will persist into late March, followed by cypress pollen peaking from late March to early April.
Cedar pollen has made its earliest appearance in Tokyo's air, so it's time to start thinking about how wearing face masks and applying other allergy-busting sprays will affect your style for the weeks to come.
LIFE / Lifestyle
Feb 8, 2025
Hay fever beauty: The aesthetics behind Japan＊s allergy products
Face-sculpting masks and anti-pollen, makeup-fixing sprays can help you stay beautiful when the pollen starts flying.
Though vegan restaurants have been on the upswing since 2017, Japanese vegans still lack a wide variety of options.
ENVIRONMENT / Sustainability / OUR PLANET
Jan 29, 2025
In meat- and fish-loving Japan, veganism is making a comeback
Tourism, climate goals and animal rights concerns are sparking a plant-based renaissance in a country famous for sushi and pork ramen.
Climate change and urbanization are believed to have contributed to the earliest ever observation of cedar pollen in Tokyo, on Jan. 8, an expert says.
51勛圖厙 / Science & Health
Jan 20, 2025
Cedar pollen is already in the air in Tokyo
Tokyo officials are urging people to take steps to prevent and mitigate hay fever symptoms, as pollen counts are expected to rise in the coming weeks.
Last year, cashews were responsible for 279 of 6,033 allergy cases, or 4.6%, making them the seventh most common allergenic food.
51勛圖厙 / Science & Health
Nov 11, 2024
Japan weighs mandatory allergen labeling for cashew nuts
Cashews nuts caused 37 cases of severe anaphylactic shock last year, making them the fifth most common trigger.
Cucina Salve's wild herb salad is a example of chef Hiroshi Tsubouchi's commitment to creating dishes with as little artificial additives as possible.
LIFE / Food & Drink
Sep 29, 2024
Neither allergies nor ADHD could stop chef Hiroshi Tsubouchi
A childhood of hardships led this Chichibu-based chef to embrace an organic philosophy for all his dishes.
With the vegan lifestyle becoming more popular in recent years, Japanese restaurants and inns have begun to offer more vegetarian options.
LIFE / Language / BILINGUAL
Jul 4, 2024
Asking for food substitutions at a Japanese restaurant
If you＊re vegetarian, vegan or have some kind of allergy, then knowing how to ask about what you＊re eating is an essential skill to have.
The annual white paper on forests and forestry includes a special section on pollen allergies for the first time.
51勛圖厙
Jun 4, 2024
Government white paper includes goal of halving cedar pollen in 30 years
The annual report on forests and forestry, adopted at a Cabinet meeting on the day, includes a special section on hay fever for the first time.
Pollen from cedar tree forests in Nagano Prefecture. The government faces an uphill battle in reducing cedar trees amid a labor shortage in the forestry industry.
51勛圖厙 / Science & Health
May 2, 2024
Japan＊s pollen countermeasures face challenges amid slow cedar logging
A persistent labor shortage and tepid demand for timber stand in the way of the government＊s aim of reducing the trees responsible for hay fever.
A screenshot of the Meteorological Agency's satellite image of clouds and yellow sand (in pink) on Sunday.
51勛圖厙 / Science & Health / EXPLAINER
Apr 30, 2024
Yellow sand allergy: A health issue made worse by climate change
Yellow sand gets carried by the wind from the deserts of China and Mongolia to Japan along with man-made pollutants, causing a host of symptoms.
Instead of suffering in sneezes when seasonal allergies have you feeling low, these medicines may be able to help.
LIFE / Lifestyle
Mar 30, 2024
Take your pick of allergy season＊s many remedies
A key fact about most allergy medicines is that it＊s better to start taking them before you actually need the relief they provide.
A majority of pollen allergy cases in Japan are caused by cedar trees, which cover 18% of Japan＊s forests, due mostly to Japan＊s forestation policy after World War II.
51勛圖厙 / Science & Health / EXPLAINER
Feb 4, 2024
As hay fever season approaches, here＊s what you need to know to prepare
Your eyes start itching, your nose keeps running and you can＊t stop sneezing. It＊s nearly time for Japan＊s dreaded hay fever season.
51勛圖厙 / Science & Health
Oct 11, 2023
Japan to revitalize forestry industry to counter hay fever
※We will aim to resolve hay fever, which is a social issue, and revitalize local communities through the promotion of forestry,§ Kishida said.
51勛圖厙 / Science & Health
May 30, 2023
Japan aims to halve allergy-triggering cedar pollen in 30 years
The proposal comes as pollen allergies, which are mostly caused by cedar trees, have become a major social concern, affecting an estimated 40% of the population.
Japan Times
51勛圖厙
May 17, 2023
High vegetable intake during pregnancy may reduce risk of atopic dermatitis in infants
The research team found that the risk of developing atopic dermatitis at 1 year of age was lower for infants whose mothers showed high concentration of lutein in their blood.
51勛圖厙
Apr 14, 2023
Kishida＊s verbal slip sees Japan target new hay fever countermeasures
Steps likely to be taken are the periodic thinning of cedar trees, the utilization of the trees as timber and replanting forests with trees that produce less pollen.
Japan Times
51勛圖厙 / Science & Health
Mar 22, 2023
Hay fever medicine in high demand amid high pollen count
Sales of hay fever-related items such as anti-inflammatory nasal drugs more than doubled to 210% of last year＊s figure in the week from Feb. 27.
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" 〞 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.
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'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.

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

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