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July 24, 2026
 

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OCEANS

A plastic bottle cap about 3.5 centimeters in diameter, where polychaete worms built a nest out of small pebbles. It drifted from the coast of the Philippines and was recovered off Kochi Prefecture.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø
Jul 20, 2026
Researchers find tiny marine ecosystem ¡ª population 307 ¡ª in a bottle cap
The discovery shows that a large amount of plastic waste floating in the sea can become small ships of organisms, according to a Japanese research team.
An international conference to discuss Pacific bluefin tuna catch quotas ended in host city Nagasaki on Tuesday without an agreement being reached.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø
Jul 14, 2026
International conference on bluefin tuna fails to strike agreement
Japan called for increasing the overall catch quota for large bluefin tuna in the western and central Pacific to 14,836 tons from the current 11,869 tons.
Fishermen in Japan have reported an abnormal surge in the number of the once-endangered bluefin tuna ?in surrounding waters this year in what experts say may be partly due to changing migratory patterns linked to climate change.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / FOCUS
Jul 9, 2026
Bumper haul of Pacific bluefin tuna a double-edged sword for Japan¡¯s fishermen
Climate change may be altering marine life, with serious consequences for those whose livelihoods have long depended on the sea.
Local harvesters gather <i>mozuku</i> during low tide at Hyakuna Beach in the city of Nanjo, Okinawa Prefecture. As the planet warms, rising ocean temperatures are placing increasing pressure on the seaweed industry.
ENVIRONMENT / Climate change / OUR PLANET
Jul 5, 2026
Okinawa¡¯s prized seaweed under threat as oceans warm
As sea temperatures rise, the prefecture¡¯s ubiquitous mozuku is under threat. Scientists believe they are close to a breakthrough to protect the staple.
A man carrying a child stands in the Pacific Ocean near the Mexico-U.S. border fence in Tijuana, Mexico, on May 30.
ENVIRONMENT
Jul 1, 2026
World¡¯s oceans break June heat record, EU monitor says
Global average sea surface temperatures in June were 20.98 C, beating the previous records of 2023 and 2024.
A television screen shows a news report on patrol and law?enforcement operations around Taiwan conducted by the China Coast Guard, at a restaurant in Beijing in late December.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / ANALYSIS
Jun 30, 2026
More than a boundary: Why Japan-Philippines maritime talks matter for China
Beijing says the talks infringe on maritime rights it claims through Taiwan and sees discussions as part of a broader effort by Manila and Tokyo to deepen strategic coordination.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks at a government meeting on ocean policy on Monday.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Politics
Jun 30, 2026
Japan to revise its Arctic policy as region¡¯s geopolitical importance grows
The Arctic region is becoming increasingly important for national security as China and Russia intensify their activities.
Romain Troubl¨¦, the executive director of Tara Ocean Foundation, speaks to visitors aboard the Tara during a rare port call in Tokyo in April.
ENVIRONMENT / OUR PLANET
Jun 28, 2026
A French ship with close ties to Japan combines arts and sciences on the high seas
With research on microplastics and the health of coral reefs, the crew of the Tara are making a difference as the world¡¯s environmental issues mount.
In the fiscal year that began in April, Tepco plans to release a total of about 62,400 tons of treated water in eight rounds.
BUSINESS
Jun 20, 2026
Tepco ends second round of fiscal 2026 treated water release
In the just ended round, about 7,900 tons of water containing small amounts of radioactive tritium was discharged.
"I¡¯ve been doing this for 40 years and it just keeps getting worse,¡± Bunyut Chaosamut said. "We are sea people; we can¡¯t just quit and start growing rice or planting rubber trees.¡±
ASIA PACIFIC / Society
May 22, 2026
Southeast Asia¡¯s fishermen are being pushed to the brink by fuel costs
High fuel prices linked to the 51³Ô¹ÏÍø are hitting Southeast Asia¡¯s seafood industry hard, forcing boats to stay ashore and raising costs across the supply chai
Ndey Ndiaye (center) with her grandsons Fallou (left) and Bara (right) at their home in Mbour, Senegal. Ndey is raising her two grandsons after losing her daughter when the boat she was traveling in capsized trying to reach Europe.
WORLD / Society
May 15, 2026
Senegal¡¯s children mourn in silence when migrant parents disappear
The number of such dead, missing and their children is at least in the thousands in Senegal in?recent years, an advocate has said.
Samples of rare earth-bearing mud extracted from the seabed around Minamitorishima island in February are examined.
BUSINESS / Economy
May 7, 2026
Japan tackles challenges of seafloor rare earth mining, eyeing economic security
In February, Japan succeeded in a test collection of rare earth-bearing mud from a depth of 6,000 meters below sea level near the remote Japanese island of Minamitorishima.
In an undated image provided by Project CETI, the birth of a sperm whale.
WORLD / Science & Health
Mar 31, 2026
Scientists filmed a whale birth. The surprise: Mom had many helpers.
The findings add to a growing body of research indicating that humans are not the only species in which mothers receive some form of help during and after birth.
Scientists look at footage of old munitions on the seabed near northern Germany&#039;s Kiel Bay, aboard the scientific research vessel Alkor, belonging to the Kiel-based GEOMAR oceanographic research center.
WORLD / Science & Health
Mar 30, 2026
Germany¡¯s WWII munitions a toxic legacy on Baltic Sea floor
Scientists warn that rockets, artillery shells and bombs will release contaminants into the marine environment as salt water corrodes their metal casings.
Tsunamis are among the strongest and most destructive natural forces, with powerful waves radiating outward in all directions from a point of origin.
WORLD / Science & Health
Mar 27, 2026
Satellite observations offer insight into a tsunami¡¯s early stages
The researchers said the findings may help improve understanding of future tsunamis and earthquakes at subduction zones.
Arctic sea ice reached its lowest level ever recorded, a leading U.S. climate observatory has said.
ENVIRONMENT / Climate change
Mar 27, 2026
Arctic sea ice at lowest level ever this winter
This year¡¯s maximum ice level was reached on March 15 ¡ª a week earlier than last year.
A nuclear-powered Type 094A Jin-class ballistic missile submarine of the Chinese People&#039;s Liberation Army Navy in waters during a military display in the South China Sea in April 2018.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Mar 24, 2026
China is mapping the ocean floor as it prepares for submarine warfare with the U.S.
Beijing has been monitoring operation across the Pacific, Indian and Arctic oceans.
Concerns are mounting in the Cape Erimo area of Hokkaido, where Kuril harbor seals have been damaging fishing nets and eating catches.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Regional Voices: Hokkaido
Mar 16, 2026
Ministry turns to acoustic devices to stop seals from stealing fish in Hokkaido
Authorities hope the measure will protect the local fishing industry and address, in a responsible way, the problem of seals stealing salmon and mackerel from fishing nets.
About a fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas normally passes through the Strait of Hormuz, where traffic has dropped by 97% since the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran began on Feb. 28, according to United Nations data.
BUSINESS / Economy / EXPLAINER
Mar 14, 2026
Why is it so easy for Iran to shut the Strait of Hormuz?
About a fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas normally passes through the strait, where traffic has dropped by 97% since the Iran conflict began.
The Chikyu, the deep sea drilling vessel operated by the Japan Agency for Marine Earth-Science and Technology, has been on a mission to pull metal-bearing mud from the seabed.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / FOCUS
Feb 12, 2026
Japan steps up deep-sea mining plan to cut rare-earth dependence
An ambitious initiative to accelerate a decade-old plan has been given extra impetus by the country¡¯s drive to cut reliance on Chinese supply.
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&#039;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&#039;s Chiyoda Ward on July 1.
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&#039;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&#039; 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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