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July 24, 2026
 

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MLIT

For many people, utility poles and power lines have become such a familiar part of Japan¡¯s landscape that they often go unnoticed.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Society / Longform
Jul 13, 2026
Why Japan¡¯s utility poles won¡¯t be disappearing anytime soon
Burying Japan¡¯s power lines is far more difficult ¡ª and expensive ¡ª than it looks.
Keisei Electric Railway hopes to improve convenience for passengers traveling between Tokyo's Haneda Airport and Narita International Airport in Chiba Prefecture and enhance its transport capacities.
BUSINESS / Companies
Jul 7, 2026
Keisei to introduce new rail service linking Haneda and Narita airports
With the limited express service, Keisei hopes to improve convenience for passengers traveling between the two major international airports.
Removing the limit on simultaneous drone use by one person is aimed at optimizing logistics and infrastructure inspections, and at making damage assessment and search operations more effective during disasters.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø
Jun 22, 2026
Japan lifts upper limit on drones operated by one pilot
Removing the limit is aimed at optimizing logistics and infrastructure inspections, and at making damage assessment and search operations more effective during disasters.
According to Japan's transport ministry, around 70,000 cases of roadkill occurred on state-managed roads in fiscal 2022.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø
Jun 3, 2026
Japan to boost efforts to prevent roadkill
According to the ministry, around 70,000 cases of roadkill occurred on state-managed roads in fiscal 2022.
The transport ministry urged executives of infrastructure operators to play active roles in taking measures against cyberattacks and secure sufficient funding and personnel.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø
May 28, 2026
Government urges transport firms to guard against AI misuse
The instructions were made at a meeting with operators from six infrastructure sectors, also including ports, airports, logistics and water supply.
An expressway toll gate in Toyota, Aichi Prefecture, that only accepts cars equipped with ETC systems
51³Ô¹ÏÍø
May 6, 2026
ETC-only expressway gates increasing as Japan ditches cash toll payments
The number of interchanges that do not allow toll payments with credit cards and cash is increasing as Japanese operators aim to complete the transition by fiscal 2030.
About 748 kilometers of sewer pipes in Japan, roughly 16% of those inspected, have been found to require countermeasures due to risks such as cave-ins, prompting the infrastructure ministry to call for immediate repairs.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø
Apr 21, 2026
Hundreds of kilometers of Japan¡¯s sewers classified as needing action
The infrastructure ministry will ask 383 municipalities and organizations managing the sewer pipes to take immediate measures.
Yamano Music's main store in the Ginza district of Tokyo¡¯s Chuo Ward is the most expensive commercial land site in Japan, according to data released Tuesday.
BUSINESS
Mar 17, 2026
Japan¡¯s average land price rises for fifth straight year
The average land price in Japan as of Jan. 1 rose 2.8% from a year earlier, up for the fifth straight year, the land ministry said Tuesday.
The government approved a bill on Tuesday to improve transportation in underserved areas by supporting shared-vehicle services and simplifying procedures for local providers.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Society
Mar 10, 2026
Japan adopts bill aiming to address regional gaps in public transport services
According to the transport ministry, there were about 2,000 areas lacking transportation nationwide as of April 2025.
Water coming from an underground artesian well through brass pipes
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Politics
Mar 10, 2026
Government panel to compile groundwater report that includes users¡¯ nationalities
In response to whether the panel might consider restricting foreign nationals¡¯ access to groundwater, a land ministry official said discrimination was not the goal.
The age distribution of pilots in Japan is skewed toward those in their 50s and older, and the number of retirees is expected to increase sharply from around 2030.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø
Feb 27, 2026
Japan faces headwinds in efforts to boost share of female airline pilots
The government aims to raise the share of female pilots from only 2% as of 2024 to 10% by the end of 2035.
The transport ministry plans to cover half the cost of snowplows and other snow removal equipment for domestic airlines and local governments managing airports to prevent heavy snow-related flight disruptions.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø
Feb 22, 2026
Japan to subsidize snowplow introduction at airports
The move is part of the ministry¡¯s efforts to ensure stable flight operations and prevent passengers from being stranded.
Trucks on a road near a shipping terminal in Yokohama. In 2024, the annual working hours of drivers of large trucks, who are mainly involved in long-distance cargo transportation, averaged 2,484 hours.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø
Feb 19, 2026
Distribution law in Japan to be revised to help long-distance truck drivers
The aim is to allow drivers to pass their cargo to other companies¡¯ trucks at warehouses along transportation routes, making it easier for them to return home within the day.
Passengers will still be able to bring two power banks on flights, just not use them.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø
Feb 18, 2026
Japan set to prohibit use of power banks on flights
Portable batteries have caught fire and emitted smoke on flights globally.
Narita Airport in Chiba Prefecture is pictured crowded with inbound tourists in June 2025.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø
Feb 12, 2026
Japan to subsidize measures to ease airport congestion
The transport ministry is considering subsidizing costs for expanding passenger walkways at airports and increasing baggage conveyor belts
Japan Post has a total of some 32,000 delivery minivehicles at 3,188 post offices offering collection and delivery services across the country.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø
Feb 10, 2026
Japan Post ordered to halt 3,333 delivery vehicles
Japan Post has a total of some 32,000 delivery minivehicles at 3,188 post offices offering collection and delivery services across the country.
JR East Executive Vice President and Chief Safety Officer Chiharu Watari speaks to reporters at the transport ministry on Tuesday.
BUSINESS / Companies
Feb 3, 2026
JR East given administrative guidance over service halts
The company¡¯s executive vice president and chief safety officer was summoned over recent issues such as disruptions on the Yamanote and Joban lines.
The historical townscape in Takayama, Gifu Prefecture, has been approved for tourism subsidies.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø
Feb 2, 2026
Japan to boost aid for town development using historical resources
The tourism ministry intends to provide subsidies to a wide range of municipal governments working on projects including renovating old buildings and preserving traditional events.
A JR West shinkansen approaches Shin-Osaka station
51³Ô¹ÏÍø
Jan 24, 2026
Japan eyes higher leasing fees for shinkansen facilities
The transport ministry is looking to use the increased revenue for new new construction projects and renovations of aging infrastructure.
The government is asking municipalities to check the nationalities of residents of public housing to address challenges such as etiquette awareness and disaster response.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø
Jan 23, 2026
Japan begins survey over nationality of public housing residents
Identifying the dominant nationalities of foreign residents will help officials address challenges such as etiquette awareness and disaster response, ministry officials said.
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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