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July 24, 2026
 

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RATS

Brown rats, also known as sewer rats, often burrow into damaged pipes and survive on garbage and food scraps. While there aren¡¯t any official numbers, at least hundreds of thousands of them are thought to be living in Tokyo.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Society / Longform
Dec 8, 2025
In the company of rats: Tokyo¡¯s growing rodent problem
As Tokyo confronts stubborn rat populations, researchers argue the path forward lies in understanding their behavior ¡ª not just stamping them out.
The Jikei University School of Medicine in Tokyo's Minato Ward. A team from the university has successfully transplanted kidneys between rat fetuses.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Science & Health
Apr 11, 2025
Japanese research team succeeds in fetal rat kidney transplant
The success of the team at Jikei University School of Medicine in Tokyo marks a key step toward clinical studies involving cross-species organ transplantation.
Zensho Holdings, operator of fast-food chain Sukiya, said it will close all of its stores in Japan, except for a small number in shopping centers, between Monday and Friday following recent contamination incidents.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø
Mar 30, 2025
Japan¡¯s biggest beef bowl chain Sukiya to shut nearly 2,000 stores after rat and bug contamination
As of the end of 2024, Sukiya operated 1,965 stores in Japan.
Pasco Shikishima has recalled 104,000 packs of its white Chojuku bread after parts of a rat's body were discovered in two of them.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Science & Health
May 9, 2024
Japan bread recalled after rat parts found inside packs
Pasco Shikishima has recalled over 100,000 packets of its processed white Chojuku bread and suspended the assembly line that produces it pending a probe.
Tokyo's Chiyoda Ward is testing a project to fight rats using garbage bags imbued with the smell of herbs they hate.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Society
Feb 11, 2024
Tokyo ward using garbage bags with herbs to combat rats
Chiyoda Ward received around 200 complaints annually in fiscal 2019 to 2022, a surge from around 50 until fiscal 2018.
Japan Times
WORLD
Jun 21, 2023
Washington recruits dogs and cats in war on rodents
There were nearly 13,400 calls to a city hotline for rat issues in 2022, up around 2,000 on the year before, according to local media reports. Now, some residents are fighting back.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Media / BIG IN 51³Ô¹ÏÍø
May 23, 2020
Rats, bugs, crooks and trucks share media spotlight amid pandemic
With city dwellers around the world in lockdown, increasing reports have surfaced about wild animals infiltrating urban areas.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Media / Japan Pulse
Jan 11, 2020
Infestations in Tokyo begin to align with zodiac animals of the year
It¡¯s hard to associate Tokyo with anything else besides people, buildings and cars, but a closer inspection of the city and its outskirts reveal otherwise.
Japan Times
WORLD / Science & Health
Jan 25, 2019
WHO warns of deadly outbreak of rat-borne hantavirus in Argentina as fatalities reach at least 11
At least 11 people have died in Argentina after becoming infected with hantavirus, a disease carried by rats and other rodents, according to a news alert from the World Health Organization (WHO).
Japan Times
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Media / BIG IN 51³Ô¹ÏÍø
Aug 18, 2018
Tabloids offer a potpourri of treats to mark summer
To give their staff a mid-August break, most magazines came out with special two-week issues. A few, waxing nostalgic, are describing this year as ¡°the last summer of the Heisei Era.¡±
Japan Times
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Society
Oct 28, 2017
Tsukiji races to exterminate rat infestation before fish market relocation
As the Tokyo Metropolitan Government works with industry groups to finalize the date for relocating the famed Tsukiji fish market next year, it is also mulling how to exterminate the hordes of rats infesting the current location.
Japan Times
ENVIRONMENT
Dec 5, 2015
Alien invasion: Vexatious foreign species are increasingly taking up residence in Japan
Shibuya has a rat problem.
WORLD / Science & Health
Dec 9, 2014
Scientists find brain mechanism behind glucose greed
British scientists have found a brain mechanism they think may drive our desire for glucose-rich food and say the discovery could one day lead to better treatments for obesity.
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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