TOP STORIES
Other Sports Aoyama Gakuin Finishes 1st on Day 1 of Tokyo-Hakone Ekiden; 2nd-Place Chuo Univ. to Start Over 1 Min. After Aoyama on Day 2
Aoyama Gakuin University’s Hiroki Wakabayashi crosses the finish line on the first day of the two-day Tokyo-Hakone Intercollegiate Ekiden on Thursd...
January 2, 2025
US & Canada Rahm Emanuel, U.S. Ambassador to Japan, Hails Japan-U.S. Alliance; Countries Better Prepared Compared to 3 Years Ago, Ambassador Says
U.S. Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel hailed the Japan-U.S. alliance and said their deterrence capabilities have become stronger over the past thre...
January 2, 2025
Imperial Family Emperor, Empress Welcome in New Year
The Emperor and Empress, along with other Imperial family members including the Emperor Emeritus and Empress Emerita, held their New Year’s greetin...
January 2, 2025
Noto Peninsula Earthquake Noto Peninsula Earthquake Victims Remembered 1 Year On; Ishiba, Kishida Join Bereaved Family Members at Ceremony
Victims of the Noto Peninsula Earthquake that killed 504 people, including in so-called disaster-related deaths, were remembered by families, frien...
January 2, 2025
Defense & Security New Developments Seen in China’s Maritime Expansion; Japanese Govt Official Urges Calm, Stout Response
China seems to be pursuing a strategy of making a succession of minor changes to territorial issues to create a situation favorable to the country....
January 2, 2025
Politics & Government Japan’s Leading Party to Outline Measures on Strengthening Disaster Prevention Measures; Revisions to Law Based on Noto Earthquake Response
An outline of a bill put forward by the Liberal Democratic Party to strengthen the nation’s resilience as a disaster prevention measure has been re...
January 2, 2025
LATEST NEWS
Wire Art Animals Transform with 3D Viewing Angle; Artists Help Others Express Their Creative Side
As the viewing angle changes on these wire art animals, including the gentle-looking bear an...
January 2, 2025
Noto Peninsula Earthquake 1 year on: Provide extensive support for rebuilding homes
It has been a year since the Noto Peninsula Earthquake struck on New Year’s Day. The areas a...
January 2, 2025-
Halting aid to Gaza: Are Residents Going to be Left to Die?
The activities of the U.N. Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (...
January 2, 2025 
Years of Inaction on ‘Crisis’ at Secret Service Set Stage for Trump Shooting in Butler
In the days before Donald Trump’s July 13 rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, the Secret Service ...
January 2, 2025
Russia’s Gas Supply to Europe Halted after Ukraine Transit Deal Expires
MUKACHEVO, Ukraine - The flow of natural gas from Russia to Europe was suspended Wednesday a...
January 2, 2025
The Epicenter of Revelry in New Orleans Turns into a Scene of Horror
NEW ORLEANS - On New Year’s Eve, in a town where anything goes, Bourbon Street sits at the c...
January 2, 2025
Treasury’s Sanctions Office Hacked by Chinese Government, Officials Say
Chinese government hackers breached a highly sensitive office in the Treasury Department tha...
January 2, 2025
POPULAR ARTICLES
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Prehistoric Stone Tool Cut Out of Coral Reef and Taken Away in Kyushu island; Artifact was Believed to Have Been Dropped in Sea During Prehistoric Jomon Period
KIKAI, Kagoshima — A stone tool, believed to be from Japan’s prehistoric Jomon period, ...
December 27, 2024 -
New Year’s Ceremony Held at Imperial Palace (UPDATE 1)
TOKYO (Jiji Press) — The Emperor and Empress received New Year’s greetings from other I...
January 1, 2025 -
40-Year-Old Chinese Man Indicted on Murder Charges in Deadly Attack on Japanese Student at International School
Chinese authorities have indicted a Chinese man in his 40s, who was previously arrested...
December 29, 2024 -
Princess Kako Visits Imperial Palace on Her 30th Birthday
Princess Kako, the second daughter of Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko, vi...
December 29, 2024 -
Fiery Crash Kills Nearly All on Board in Worst Airline Disaster in South Korea (UPDATE 8)
MUAN COUNTY, South Korea (Reuters) - At least 167 people were killed when an Jeju Air p...
December 29, 2024 -
Depopulation in Japan Attributed to Decrease in Hidden Christians; Estimated to be Less than 100 Hidden Christians in Japan
A group of hidden Christians on Ikitsuki Island in Hirado, Nagasaki Prefecture, where b...
December 27, 2024 -
Osamu Suzuki Demonstrates Outstanding Business Skills, Developing Minicar Market; Leaders Remember Japanese Car Tycoon
Osamu Suzuki, the late former president and chairman of Suzuki Motor Corp., demonstrate...
December 28, 2024 -
New Limited Express Train Destination to Ease Kyoto Station Congestion; Bringing Travelers Closer to Popular Spots
As a measure to ease congestion caused by inbound tourists at Kyoto Station, all Limite...
December 28, 2024 -
Chinese Man Detained for June Knife Attack against Japanese Indicted in China; Motive, other Details Remain Unexplained
A Chinese man detained for the murder in June of a Chinese woman and attempted murder o...
December 27, 2024 -
Japan-China Foreign Ministers’ Meeting: Beijing Should Take Specific Measures to Resolve Pending Issues
The building of stable relations between Japan and China cannot be expected if only a m...
December 30, 2024
SOCIETY
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Noto Peninsula Earthquake Victims Remembered 1 Year On; Ishiba, Kishida Join Bereaved Family Members at Ceremony
Victims of the Noto Peninsula Earthquake that killed 504 people, including in so-called disaster-related deaths, were remembered by families, friends and government officials on...
January 2, 2025 
Memorial Service for Noto Peninsula Earthquake, Rain Victims Held; 300 Bereaved Family Members in Attendance
WAJIMA, Ishikawa — A memorial service for the victims of the Noto Peninsula Earthquake ...
January 1, 2025
Wajima Residents Pray for Peaceful Year at Quake-Damaged Shrine; Memorial Service Marks 1 Year Since Disaster
WAJIMA, Ishikawa — Residents in Wajima, Ishikawa Prefecture, visited a local shrine dam...
January 1, 2025
Hundreds of Businesses Abandoned, Closed in Northern Noto Municipalities Since Quake; Status of Many More Unconfirmed
In four municipalities located in the northernmost part of the Noto Peninsula that were...
January 1, 2025
Japan Marks 1 Year of Huge Noto Peninsula Earthquake
WAJIMA, Ishikawa (Jiji Press) — Japan on Wednesday marked the first anniversary of a ma...
January 1, 2025
IMPERIAL FAMILY
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Emperor, Empress Welcome in New Year
The Emperor and Empress, along with other Imperial family members including the Emperor Emeritus and Empress Emerita, held their New Year’s greetings at the Imperial Palace in Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo, ...
January 2, 2025 -
New Year’s Ceremony Held at Imperial Palace (UPDATE 1)
TOKYO (Jiji Press) — The Emperor and Empress received New Year’s greetings from other Imperi...
January 1, 2025
Japan Emperor Prays for World Peace in New Year’s Message
TOKYO (Jiji Press) — The Emperor, in his New Year’s thoughts released through the Imperial H...
January 1, 2025
Princess Kako Visits Imperial Palace on Her 30th Birthday
Princess Kako, the second daughter of Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko, visited...
December 29, 2024
Japanese Princess Kako Turns 30
Tokyo (Jiji Press)—Japanese Princess Kako, the second daughter of Crown Prince Akishino and ...
December 29, 2024
NEW！
YOMIURI EDITORIAL
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Noto Peninsula Earthquake 1 year on: Provide extensive support for rebuilding homes
It has been a year since the Noto Peninsula Earthquake struck on New Year’s Day. The areas a...
January 2, 2025 -
Halting aid to Gaza: Are Residents Going to be Left to Die?
The activities of the U.N. Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (...
January 2, 2025 -
Now is the time to rebuild peace and democracy / Japan should take the lead with principle of cooperation
Editorial [posttime] JST, [postdate] Unexpected events keep happening one after another. T...
January 1, 2025 -
Japan-China Foreign Ministers’ Meeting: Beijing Should Take Specific Measures to Resolve Pending Issues
The building of stable relations between Japan and China cannot be expected if only a mood o...
December 30, 2024 -
New NISA 1 Year On: Shift of Financial Assets from Savings into Investments Must Progress
It has been one year since the significant expansion of the Nippon Individual Savings Accoun...
December 30, 2024 -
Self-Defense Force Wrongdoings: Folly Ruins Public’s Confidence in SDF
In various departments of the Self-Defense Forces, which are required to have a high sense o...
December 29, 2024
POLITICS
Japan’s Leading Party to Outline Measures on Strengthening Disaster Prevention Measures; Revisions to Law Based on Noto Earthquake Response
An outline of a bill put forward by the Liberal Democratic Party to strengthen the nation’s resilience as a disaster prevention measure has been re...
January 2, 2025
Japan-EU Strategic Partnership Agreement Takes Effect
London (Jiji Press)—The strategic partnership agreement (SPA) between Japan and the European Union took effect on Wednesday.
...
January 2, 2025
China Conducts Naval Blockade Exercise in Miyako Strait; CCG Ships Near Senkaku Islands Given Stronger Weapons
The Chinese navy and the China Coast Guard (CCG) in December jointly carried out activities similar to a naval blockade in the Miyako Strait locate...
January 1, 2025
PM Ishiba Vows to Revitalize Japan at Start of 2025
Tokyo (Jiji Press)—Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba vowed to revitalize the country in...
January 1, 2025
Japan to Again Propose Frigate Development With Indonesia; Seeks to Enhance Security Cooperation With East Asia Nations
The government has decided to again propose the joint development of Maritime Self-Defense F...
January 1, 2025
Japan Widens Scope of Plans For Active Cyber Defense; Major Hospitals, Defense Firms Likely to Be Covered
National hospitals and the defense industry will likely be included in the government’s new ...
December 31, 2024
BUSINESS
Mizuho’s Online Banking Services Hit by Glitch
Tokyo (Jiji Press)—A glitch made it difficult for Mizuho Bank customers to access its online banking services temporarily Tuesday, the major Japane...
January 1, 2025
Konica Minolta to Sell Disaster Information Translation System to Municipalities; Improving Clarity of Communication
Konica Minolta Inc. has developed a system that automatically translates information on disasters and evacuation into foreign languages and will re...
December 31, 2024
Resona Bank May Have Been Hit by Cyberattack
Tokyo (Jiji Press)—Japan’s Resona Bank may have been hit by a so-called distributed denial of service, or DDoS, attack, in which perpetrators overl...
December 31, 2024
Honda Likely to Own Majority of Holding Firm with Nissan
Tokyo (Jiji Press)—Honda Motor Co. and Nissan Motor Co. are expected to discuss a plan for H...
December 31, 2024
Japan End-2024 Bank Notes Down for 2nd Straight Year
Tokyo (Jiji Press)—The year-end balance of bank notes in circulation in Japan is estimated a...
December 31, 2024
Japan’s Nikkei Stock Sees Highest Year-End Close Ever; Index Logs Annual Gain of 6430.37 Points
The Nikkei average closed at 39,894.54 on Monday, down 386.62 from Friday’s close and loggin...
December 30, 2024
Okinawa Pref. Farm Produces Domestic Coffee Beans; Ishigaki Growing Japan-Made Arabica Beans
ISHIGAKI, Okinawa — Coffee beans on Ishigaki Island, Okinawa Prefecture, are ripe, red and r...
December 30, 2024
WORLD
Japanese National Dies in Bangkok Hotel Fire
The fire broke out on Sunday night in a six-story hotel near Khao San Road, one of the busie...
January 2, 2025
40-Year-Old Chinese Man Indicted on Murder Charges in Deadly Attack on Japanese Student at International School
Chinese authorities have indicted a Chinese man in his 40s, who was previously arrested on m...
December 29, 2024
Chinese Man Detained for June Knife Attack against Japanese Indicted in China; Motive, other Details Remain Unexplained
A Chinese man detained for the murder in June of a Chinese woman and attempted murder of a J...
December 27, 2024
Ceremonies Mark 20 Years Since Indian Ocean Tsunami; 230,000 Lives Lost in Quake-Triggered Disaster
BANDA ACEH, Indonesia — Thursday marked the 20th anniversary of the Indian Ocean tsunami tha...
December 26, 2024
Peace in Ukraine Hinges on NATO Membership, Says Kyiv’s Ex-foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba
KYIV — Former Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba has expressed concern that Ukraine’s ...
December 22, 2024
China Expanding Influence in Global South, Japan Report Says; Highlights Dangers of China Building Military Base in Mideast
China is expanding its influence in the Global South of emerging and developing countries, i...
December 18, 2024
NEWS SERVICES
Years of Inaction on ‘Crisis’ at Secret Service Set Stage for Trump Shooting in Butler
In the days before Donald Trump’s July 13 rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, the Secret Service needed a member of his protective detail to develop a s...
January 2, 2025
Russia’s Gas Supply to Europe Halted after Ukraine Transit Deal Expires
MUKACHEVO, Ukraine - The flow of natural gas from Russia to Europe was suspended Wednesday after Ukraine said it would not renew a deal allowing Ru...
January 2, 2025
The Epicenter of Revelry in New Orleans Turns into a Scene of Horror
NEW ORLEANS - On New Year’s Eve, in a town where anything goes, Bourbon Street sits at the center of it all. Street performers are everywhere, play...
January 2, 2025
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Treasury’s Sanctions Office Hacked by Chinese Government, Officials Say
Chinese government hackers breached a highly sensitive office in the Treasury Department tha...
January 2, 2025 
Attacker with ISIS Flag Drives Truck into New Orleans Crowd, Killing 15
NEW ORLEANS - A man plowed a pickup bearing an Islamic State flag into revelers on Bourbon S...
January 2, 2025
Palestinian Authority Suspends Broadcast of Qatar’s Al Jazeera TV Temporarily
CAIRO (Reuters) - The Palestinian Authority temporarily halted operations of Qatar’s Al Jaze...
January 2, 2025
South Korea’s Choi Orders Immediate Action on Aircraft Inspection as Crash Probe Ramps up
SEOUL (Reuters) - South Korea’s acting President Choi Sang-mok said on Thursday immediate ac...
January 2, 2025
EDITORIAL & COLUMNS
‘Syrian Spring’ Ends 50 Years of Assad’s Brutal Rule
In the seventh century, Muslim armies, advancing north from the Arabian Peninsula, were able...
December 27, 2024
Overlooking China’s Tyranny Endangers Japan’s Security; Suppression of Hong Kong Democracy Leaves No One Safe
Hong Kong legal scholar Benny Tai was sentenced to 10 years in prison by Hong Kong’s High Co...
December 26, 2024
Are Tourists Loving Japan’s Ancient Capital to Death? Kyoto Seeks Ways to Welcome Visitors Sustainably
Kyoto, one of Japan’s major tourist destinations, is suffering from overtourism amid booming...
December 21, 2024
China Will Benefit If Ishiba’s Ideals Strain U.S. Ties; No Longer On The Sidelines, PM Must Learn Realism
Shigeru Ishiba, whose Liberal Democratic Party suffered a disastrous defeat in the October g...
December 14, 2024
Japan, Europe must hold line against power plays
Will power politics prevail in today’s world? In the war in Ukraine, Russia has reached the po...
December 13, 2024
Japan Must Prepare To Host Deaflympics in 2025; Intl Sign Language Interpreters Especially Needed
Less than a year remains until the opening of the Tokyo Deaflympics, an international sports...
December 7, 2024
RAMEN OF JAPAN
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Ramen Map
Map of ramen shops in Japan featured on the Ramen of Japan
A useful map for ramen lovers is now available. You can quickly find the locations of the ramen outlets featured on our Ramen of Japan. The number of shops keeps growing. Read the stories and visit there!
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Akari / Perfect Bowl of Kosyu Jidori Chicken to Fill You Up; Beautiful Ramen Created by Former Yakitori Shop Owner
I saw the statue of Takeda Shingen, a warlord from the Warring States period, at the south exit of JR Kofu Station for the first time in a while — ...
Kofu, Yamanashi
December 5, 2024 -
Number Nine 09 / Seafood Mazesoba Offers Delight Through Various Flavors; New Charm in Historical Soka
“Soka is becoming a ramen battleground with more and more delicious ramen shops opening up,” I was told by a person from the Soka Chamber of Commer...
Soka, Saitama
November 15, 2024
SPORTS
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Aoyama Gakuin Finishes 1st on Day 1 of Tokyo-Hakone Ekiden; 2nd-Place Chuo Univ. to Start Over 1 Min. After Aoyama on Day 2
Aoyama Gakuin University’s Hiroki Wakabayashi crosses the finish line on the first day of the two-day Tokyo-Hakone Intercollegiate Ekiden on Thursd...
January 2, 2025 
Roki Sasaki Might Visit 1 or 2 Teams before Deciding which Club He Wants to Sign with
NEW YORK (AP) — Prized Japanese free agent Roki Sasaki may visit one or two teams before deciding which club he wants to sign with.
...
December 31, 2024
Japan Wrestling: Teenager Taizo Yoshida Looks to Keep Japan’s Gold Rush Going
Among Japan’s highlights at last summer’s Paris Olympics was the stunning performance by its wrestlers, who grabbed eight of the 18 gold medals up ...
December 31, 2024
Naomi Osaka Wins Her 1st Match of New Season in a Return from Injury
WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — Four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka made a winning retu...
December 30, 2024
Lebron James at 40: A Milestone Birthday Arrives Monday for the NBA’s All-Time Scoring Leader
When LeBron James broke another NBA record earlier this month, the one for most regular-seas...
December 30, 2024
Shohei Ohtani to Become a Father for the 1st Time in 2025
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Shohei Ohtani is adding a newcomer to his family lineup.
...
December 29, 2024
Yomiuri Giants Mark 90th Anniversary; Oldest Existing Team in Japanese Baseball
The Yomiuri Giants, the oldest existing team in Japanese professional baseball, marked 90th ...
December 26, 2024
SCIENCE & NATURE
Bronze Statues, Snake Sculptures Found in Tuscan Thermal Baths
Bronze statues, snake sculptures found in Tuscan thermal baths ROME (Reuters) — Ancient statues, coins, jewels and still-intact eggs from Roman and...
January 1, 2025
PayPay Launches Service for Cashless Offerings at Shrine, Temple; Services Aims to Simplify, Speed up Donating
PayPay Corp. has launched a service that allows users to make cashless offerings through its app at shrines and temples. The service is expected to...
December 30, 2024
AI Breathes Fresh Life into New Year’s Customs; Avoiding Car Congestion near Shrines, Adding New Ideas to Cuisine
Artificial intelligence continues to spread rapidly in society, and the technology is being utilized for a variety of purpose during the New Year’s...
December 30, 2024
WHO Official Praises Japan’s Pandemic Strategy, Warns of Ongoing Global Risks; Interview with Dr. Maria Van Kerkhove
Dr. Maria Van Kerkhove, an infectious disease expert who helped deal with the COVID-19 outbr...
December 30, 2024
Did Venus Ever Have Oceans? Scientists Have an Answer
WASHINGTON (Reuters) — Earth is an ocean world, with water covering about 71% of its surface...
December 26, 2024
Seagrass Bed Restoration Work Spreading in Miyagi
SHIOGAMA, Miyagi (Jiji Press) — Efforts are spreading in Miyagi Prefecture to bring back sea...
December 26, 2024
The Secret to Living to 110? Bad Record-keeping, Researcher Says
PARIS (AFP-Jiji) — Most of what we know about humans living to very old age is based on faul...
December 26, 2024
CULTURE
Bound to Please / In “Miyabaru 198,” a Hamlet with Centuries of History Faces an Unpeopled Future
The Yomiuri Shimbun‘Miyabaru 198’ By Carl Stimson By Alex Breeden / Japan News Staf...
January 2, 2025
To Get Published in Japan, Write Nonfiction
If you are a foreign writer in Japan and hope to get published, your best bet is to go the n...
January 2, 2025
Kabuki Star Plays Exiled Priest on Remote Island; Real-Life Setting Highlights His Lonely Despair
MISHIMA, Kagoshima — In the latter years of the Heian period, which stretched from 794 to th...
December 29, 2024
Kyoto City U. of Arts To Get Sagrada Familia Angels; Spanish Basilica’s Sculptor Sotoo Is An Alumnus
Etsuro Sotoo, chief sculptor of the Sagrada Familia basilica in Barcelona, donated nine plas...
December 29, 2024
Immersive Digital Ukiyo-E Experience Opens in Tokyo
TOKYO (Jiji Press) — A new art exhibition immersing visitors in the world of Japan’s “ukiyo-...
December 28, 2024
Konomi Suzuki: The Fiery Hot Star of the Anison World
Anison (anime song) singer Konomi Suzuki is popular for her sweet appearance and powerful vo...
December 27, 2024
NEWS WITH VIDEO
Two Adorable White Tiger Cubs at Saitama Pref. Zoo Grow Bigger; Will Be Displayed to Public From Jan. 4
December 28, 2024
Detours Render Closed Route in Noto Peninsula Passable Again; Bypass Nakaya And Hosaka Tunnels Blocked Due to Earthquake And Flooding
December 25, 2024
New Bridge Opens in Miyagi Pref.’s Onagawa; Bringing Hope for Local Revitalization
December 20, 2024
Iranian Human Rights Activist Narges Mohammadi’s Message Heard in Exclusive Video Interview
December 18, 2024
Huge Snake in Park; Artwork Seems to Slither at Hitachi Seaside Park, Ibaraki Pref.
December 16, 2024
FEATURES
DELICIOUS
Coffee Fans Offered New Ways to Enjoy Delicious Brews; Options Include Elaborate Meals and Making Your Own
December 29, 2024Christmas Dinner in Only 30 Minutes; Sauteed Chicken Thighs, Mozzarella, Broccoli Salad Make for an Easy Festive Meal
December 24, 2024New Satoimo Taro Flavors Take Root in Agedashi, Taramosalata; Two Recipes to Mix It Up This Taro Season
December 22, 2024Scallop Dish Spiced Up with Sake Lees, Miso Marinade; Easy to Make Dish Pairs Well with Sake at Home
December 15, 2024
JAPAN IN FOCUS
Tokyo’s Meiji Kinenkan Holds Wedding Receptions in Hall Once Used by Emperor Meiji to Host Banquets
December 30, 2024Tokushima: Athletes Compete at Japan’s 1st Official Obstacle Course; Sport to Become Official Event at 2028 L.A. Olympics
December 28, 2024Osaka: Kansai Airport Proud to Have Never Lost Single Piece of Luggage;‘World’s Best Airport for Baggage Delivery’
December 28, 2024Hyogo: Ahead of 30 Years Since the Great Hanshin Earthquake: Redevelopment and Reconstruction Work Complete
December 28, 2024
TRAVEL SPOTS
200 Sheep Form Kanji for 2025 Chinese Zodiac Sign at Japan Farm; New Year Event to Take Place Weekends, Holidays through Jan. 26
December 31, 2024Massive Snake Statue Ready for New Year; Residents at Tsu Spent 1 Month Creating Symbol of 2025
December 31, 2024Playing with Light, Shadows at Kochi Castle; Committee Hopes Evening Event will Boost Winter Visitors
December 30, 2024Nagasaki: Sightseeing Train to Savor the Seasons: Train Operator’s Elaborate Seasonal Programs Gain Popularity
December 28, 2024
TROUBLESHOOTER
I’m Depressed Over Divorce From My Wife, My Father’s Illness
December 29, 2024My Family Is Shocked as Our Beloved Dog Was Bitten to Death; How Can We Recover from This?
December 29, 2024My Elderly Father Refuses to Give up His Driver’s License, Even Though He Promised to do so
December 22, 2024I’m Tired of My Husband Not Helping with the Children. I Want a Divorce.
December 22, 2024
