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July 24, 2026
 

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LOCAL GOVERNMENT

The government eyes financial support for local vocational schools that train students for elderly care and other sectors facing personnel shortages.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Society
Jul 21, 2026
Education ministry to aid regional human resources development
The government¡¯s project would help support Japan¡¯s local essential services, from medical and elderly care to construction.
Shoko Kawata, the mayor of the city of Yawata in Kyoto Prefecture, during an interview at city hall on Friday
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Politics
Jul 20, 2026
Japanese mayor makes history with maternity leave that caused a stir
Shoko Kawata, the mayor of Yawata in Kyoto Prefecture, ?became Japan¡¯s ?youngest female mayor in 2023 at the age of 33.
Tokyo Metropolitan Government officials wear shorts, T-shirts and sneakers at work on Tuesday as part of the capital's Cool Biz initiative.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø
Jul 15, 2026
Too hot: Buttoned-up Tokyo officials ditch suits for ¡®cool¡¯ shorts
The loosening of a strict dress code comes as Japanese offices cut reliance on air conditioning due to high energy costs linked to the Middle East war.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks at a government meeting on disaster response measures at the Prime Minister's Office on Tuesday.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø
Jul 14, 2026
Japan to boost measures against heatstroke and cold at evacuation centers
The revised plan comes after residents in many parts of Japan had to spend long hours at evacuation centers following a powerful earthquake in July last year.
The number of elementary school children on waiting lists for after-school care facilities fell for the second straight year as the capacity of such facilities improved.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø
Jul 14, 2026
Waitlist for after-school care down for second year in Japan
By prefecture, Tokyo had the largest number of children on waiting lists, followed by Saitama and Hyogo, while Fukui had no children on such waiting lists.
Japan's internal affairs industry may introduce artificial intelligence agents at local governments facing labor shortages.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø
Jul 11, 2026
Japan weighing AI agents for understaffed local governments
A study group will compile an interim report by the end of fiscal 2026 and aim to release its final report around summer 2027.
Neyagawa Mayor Keisuke Hirose speaks to reporters in the city in Osaka Prefecture on Thursday.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø
Jul 9, 2026
City in Osaka Prefecture to tax vacant houses from fiscal 2029
Annual revenue from the tax is estimated to reach ?139 million, which will be used for measures against crimes and natural disasters.
Japan's closely watched maglev train project still faces major challenges, including soaring construction costs, despite clearing a key hurdle with a prefectural governor's long-awaited approval.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / FOCUS
Jul 8, 2026
Despite the green light, challenges lie ahead for Japan¡¯s maglev project
Central Japan Railway now expects the train line¡¯s opening to be in 2036, at the earliest, even if construction kicks off by the end of this year.
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.
Taizo Mikazuki, 55, won his fourth term as Shiga Prefecture governor in an election Sunday, defeating three rivals.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Politics
Jul 6, 2026
Mikazuki wins fourth term as Shiga governor
The incumbent governor fended off three other rivals, one of whom ran on a platform of opposing a transportation tax he is proposing.
The town assembly of Kaisei in Kanagawa Prefecture has been opening its chamber as a study room for students during summer vacation since July 2023.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / FOCUS
Jul 2, 2026
Local assembly chambers in Japan open their doors for studying and weddings
As the chambers are only sparingly used when assemblies are not in session, it is hoped allowing residents to make use of the spaces will raise public awareness of the assemblies.
The front page carries news of a former prime minister's arrest as the Lockheed scandal expands.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / History / Japan Times Gone By
Jul 1, 2026
Japan Times 1976: Ex-Prime Minister Tanaka arrested
From Tanaka¡¯s dramatic arrest to the Akashi stampede, Japan confronted tragedy and accountability.
Collapsed walls in Kofu, Yamanashi Prefecture, early Saturday following an earthquake
51³Ô¹ÏÍø
Jun 29, 2026
Cabinet Office refreshes guidelines for municipalities to prepare for major quakes
The new standards clarify methods for estimating the number of first-aid staff and ambulances needed for relief operations.
The Terasaka Rice Terraces are seen with Mount Buko in the background.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Society / Longform
Jun 29, 2026
What Yokoze can teach Japan about rural revival
Faced with the same demographic pressures confronting other towns, Yokoze is experimenting with a different approach.
A bear warning sign is displayed at the site near where a Spanish visitor was attacked by a cub last October in Shirakawa village, Gifu Prefecture.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø
Jun 24, 2026
Schools in Tokyo suburb to get bear sprays
Japan saw a record 13 people killed by bears last fiscal year, and five more fatalities and 20 people injured between April 1 and May 30 this year.
A maglev train exhibited in Tsuru, Yamanashi Prefecture, in 2020
51³Ô¹ÏÍø
Jun 24, 2026
Shizuoka governor to approve maglev line construction
Shizuoka Gov. Yasutomo Suzuki plans to announce the approval at a prefectural assembly meeting on July 7.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks to reporters in Tokyo on Monday.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Politics
Jun 23, 2026
Takaichi and JIP agree to pass bill on backup capital this parliamentary session
The Japan Innovation Party has long sought a backup capital plan, agreeing to join the ruling coalition last year in exchange for passing legislation on it.
Internal affairs minister Yoshimasa Hayashi (center) speaks during a meeting with Hokkaido Gov. Naomichi Suzuki (left) and Yubari Mayor Tsukasa Atsuya (right) in Yubari, Hokkaido, on Saturday.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø
Jun 21, 2026
Bankruptcy-induced salary cuts for Yubari city workers to end
The announcement was made on the 20th anniversary of the city¡¯s declaration of financial collapse.
Toyoji Sudo, mayor of Shimotsuma, Ibaraki Prefecture, was found dead early Monday.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø
Jun 15, 2026
Mayor of Ibaraki city found dead in drainage ditch
Ibaraki Prefectural Police believe, based on surrounding circumstances, that Toyoji Sudo killed himself.
A "customer harassment" prevention awareness poster at the entrance of an Aoki Super supermarket in Aichi Prefecture
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Society / Regional Voices: Chubu
Jun 15, 2026
¡®Customer harassment¡¯ continues in Japan despite moves to end it
While ordinances have been helping many businesses across the nation to combat ¡°customer harassment,¡± they haven¡¯t been a silver bullet for such abuse.
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.
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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