The latest news, trends and photo galleries from Japan by Japan News and Yomiuri Shimbun, a Japanese newspaper founded in 1874.
Local governments in Yamagata prefecture, Japan’s largest producer of cherries, are increasingly permitting civil servants to take on side jobs harvesting cherries as a means to deal with labor shortages amid a decline in farmers and an aging population. Read more
Moon-inspired artwork made their presence known in the streets and open spaces around Shimokitazawa Station in Tokyo’s Setagaya ward. Read more
Efforts to upcycle food, or use parts of food products that would traditionally go to waste, are gaining momentum in Japan amid growing environmental awareness. Read more
“Stationery art” has become popular in recent years as more people use items such as masking tape and pencils to create art. Read more
Futa, the red panda known for standing on his hind legs, reached the ripe old age of 20 in July at the Chiba Zoological Park. Read more
On a trip to Japan from Australia in mid-July, Ben Radewell was amazed when taking video of his friend stepping into a glass-walled cube that sits in a corner of a park in Shibuya in Tokyo. The walls became opaque as she entered, making her invisible from the outside. Read more
The rising number of foreign visitors to Japan is expected to benefit the nation’s economy. But there also are concerns about the return of overtourism and just partial success of countermeasures. Read more
The Oshare Bon Odori summer fashion event in Tokyo’s Ginza shopping area was held in August for the first time since coronavirus shutdowns. Read more
A project to create modern clothing using traditional Japanese textiles is making a splash. Mizen, led by Shunsuke Teranishi, features the fabric of 12 producers across the country. Read more
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Miho Nakashima stood in a bathing suit in Tokyo Aug. 27 next to a 100-year-old gingko tree, her body painted head-to-toe in green leaves and brown branches. Read more
A flavorless candy appeared briefly in Japanese convenience stores and may never be sold again. We consider this news. Read more
A highlight of the Otaru Ushio Festival, a summer staple in the Hokkaido city of Otaru, commenced July 29 with about 5,000 people from 76 groups dancing in formation in the city center for eight hours. Read more
A liquid hydrogen-powered Toyota Corolla completed a 24-hour endurance race at the Fuji International Speedway in Oyama, Shizuoka prefecture, in May. Read more
A red-and-yellow checkered pattern has been painted on a road preceding a pedestrian crossing in Chiryu, Aichi prefecture. Read more
The number of international visitors to Japan exceeded 2 million during the month of June, the first time in three years and five months, according to the Japan National Tourism Organization. Read more
For the first time in four years, the women’s-only Gal Mikoshi parade was held July 23 in Kita ward, Osaka City. Read more
In addition to being a starting pitcher for the Toronto Blue Jays, Yusei Kikuchi is an accomplished karaoke crooner who is proud of his spirited version of the fight song of his former team in Japan, the Seibu Lions. Read more
Americans are increasingly raising a glass of sake. Exports of the drink to the country reached $78.6 million last year, three times the figure from 10 years ago. Read more
With 2023 marking the 10th anniversary of Mount Fuji’s designation as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site, authorities are debating how to curb the number of tourists on Japan’s highest mountain and ease the environmental burden tourists create. Read more
A woman finds some relief from the scorching heat under cooling mist installed in Tokyo. Read more
An American man who loves ninja is teaching ninjutsu, the martial art strategy and tactics practiced by the ninja, as a grand master. Read more
