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July 24, 2026
 

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SMOKING

The revised health promotion law, which went into force in April 2020, bans indoor smoking at various facilities, including restaurants, in principle.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø
Jul 16, 2026
Japan looks to strengthen rules in bid to curtail passive smoking
The panel, which has been reviewing measures against secondhand smoking, stopped short of strengthening regulations on heated tobacco products.
A view of the burnt-out building in Osaka's Dotonbori entertainment district in August 2025
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Crime & Legal
Jul 14, 2026
Careless smoker accused of causing fatal Osaka fire in 2025
The police called for prosecutors to indict the man on charges of gross negligence resulting in an accidental fire.
The health ministry said that it will hold off on strengthening regulations against secondhand smoke emitted from heated tobacco products, citing a lack of scientific evidence concerning its health risks.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Science & Health
Jul 9, 2026
Japan shelves beefing up regulations for heated tobacco products
Some public health experts have advocated for tougher measures against heated tobacco products, saying the ministry should apply precautionary principles.
Cigarette packages at a 7-Eleven convenience store in Tokyo in January 2024
51³Ô¹ÏÍø
May 31, 2026
Experts urge Japan to use pictorial warnings on tobacco packages
Many countries require cigarette packages to display images warning of health hazards related to smoking, such as a blackened lung.
Japan is a leading and growing market for HTPs, also known as heat-not-burn products. They use electronic devices to heat tobacco and create a nicotine-containing aerosol without burning it.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Science & Health
May 21, 2026
Heated tobacco products may be more harmful than cigarettes, Japan panel review says
The literature review found that heated tobacco products may produce greater amounts of cancer-causing substances than regular cigarettes.
The Finance Ministry projected in December that revenue from tobacco tax increases would total ?44 billion for the 2026 fiscal year and ?116 billion in 2027.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Politics / FOCUS
Mar 26, 2026
Tobacco and corporate tax hikes to help finance defense expansion
The new taxes are being introduced as the government is looking to secure over ?9 trillion in defense spending for the 2026 fiscal year, reaching 2% of GDP.
Nearly 1 in 5 of those who said they smoke also said they wanted to quit, a health ministry survey has found.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Science & Health
Dec 3, 2025
Japan sees drop in regular smokers, national health survey finds
Nearly 1 in 5 of those who said in the health ministry¡¯s annual survey that they smoke also said they wanted to quit.
Boxes of single-use e-cigarettes are displayed for sale on shelves in a shop in Gardanne, France
WORLD / Science & Health
Oct 7, 2025
Surging numbers of children using e-cigarettes, WHO says
In countries that have the data, children are on average nine times more likely than adults to vape, the organization said.
Employees select sheets of Green Virginia tobacco leaves for processing at a Japan Tobacco cigarette plant in Senta, Serbia. While rivals have set ambitious targets for "smoke-free¡± products, Japan Tobacco has focused more on conventional combustible tobacco products.
BUSINESS / Companies
Oct 4, 2025
Japan Tobacco is doubling down on cheap cigarettes
While rivals have set ambitious targets for ¡°smoke-free¡± products, Japan Tobacco has focused more on conventional combustible tobacco products.
The World Health Organization has backed tobacco taxes and price rises for decades, and has called for taxes on alcohol and sugary drinks in recent years, but this is the first time it has suggested a target price rise for all three products.
WORLD / Science & Health
Jul 4, 2025
WHO pushes countries to raise prices on sugary drinks, alcohol and tobacco by 50%
The move by the United Nations health agency is the strongest backing yet for taxes to help tackle chronic public health problems.
A beachgoer smokes a cigarette at La Baule on the Atlantic coast on June 25. A nationwide ban on smoking is due to come into effect in France on July 1, at beaches, parks and outside schools to protect children.
WORLD / Science & Health
Jun 30, 2025
France imposes smoking ban on beaches and parks
The rule is being imposed one week before the beginning of the school holidays in France in a clear bid to immediately protect children from smoke on the beach.
Japan is the world's biggest market for Iqos, a heat-not-burn tobacco product marketed by its maker Philip Morris as a less harmful alternative to traditional cigarettes ¡ª a claim not backed by independent scientific research.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Jun 6, 2025
Smoke and mirrors: How big tobacco manipulates science in Japan
In Japan, not only does the tobacco industry have close ties to government, but universities are also vulnerable to its influence. In this equation, public health loses out.
While governments have succeeded in reducing the number of smokers, they have yet to hit their 30% reduction target.
WORLD / Science & Health
Jun 3, 2025
Global crises disrupt effort to get millions to quit smoking
Governments had planned to reduce smoking rates among people over 15 by 30% between 2010 and 2025, but the timeline was extended an extra five years.
Nomura aims to reduce the smoking rate among its more than 14,000 employees in Japan to 12% by March 2026.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø
May 30, 2025
Nomura¡¯s smoking ban leads to less staff lighting up
Close to 15% of staff at Japan¡¯s largest brokerage were smokers in the fiscal year ended March 2024, down from 21.4% as of March 2018.
Tokyo police arrested five people on suspicion of buying some 2,800 boxes of heated tobacco products, worth about ?1.64 million, at a convenience store using the Apple Pay iD contactless payment service over 167 times from Nov. 8 to 10 last year.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Crime & Legal
May 15, 2025
Five arrested for alleged credit card fraud over tobacco purchases
Offline payment, whose inappropriate use is unstoppable when smartphone signals are cut, was used for the crime.
People smoking in Yuxi, in China's southwest Yunnan province. China is home to a third of the world's smokers and tobacco-related diseases are a major cause of death in the country ¡ª a trend likely to worsen as its population rapidly ages.
ASIA PACIFIC / Society
May 13, 2025
Tobacco town thrives as China struggles to kick the habit
China is home to a third of the world¡¯s smokers and tobacco-related diseases are a major cause of death in the country.
The Supreme Court ruled that the man's conduct could undermine public trust in the system and the sound operation of the bus service.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Crime & Legal
Apr 18, 2025
Japan bus driver steals $7, loses $84,000 pension
The city of Kyoto sacked the man after he was filmed by a bus security camera taking ?1,000 in 2022.
Exposure to secondhand smoke during pregnancy or smoking by pregnant women increase the risk of placental abruption by more than double, a study has found.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Science & Health
Mar 31, 2025
Secondhand smoke more than doubles placental abruption risk, study shows
Toxic substances in tobacco have been found to reduce blood flow to the placenta, according to the Tohoku University research group.
The Canadian unit of Japan Tobacco plans to record nearly ?400 billion in loss allowances as sales expenses for the settlement.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Crime & Legal
Mar 3, 2025
Canadian units of Japan Tobacco and others agree to settle litigation
For the settlement, the Canadian unit of Japan Tobacco plans to record nearly ?400 billion in loss allowances as sales expenses.
"We want to welcome many people from all over the world, so we want to make Osaka a city where people feel safe with smoke-free streets," said Hideyuki Yokoyama, mayor of the city of Osaka, in early January.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø
Jan 27, 2025
Osaka bans street smoking ahead of Expo 2025
Expo 2025 has struggled with slow ticket sales and public concern over the construction budget.
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

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Kabukicho: Tokyo¡¯s ¡®stadium of desire¡¯

Longform

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Why Japan¡¯s utility poles won¡¯t be disappearing anytime soon
By Alex K.T. Martin

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