TOP STORIES
General News Ishiba Cabinet Approval Rating Hits Low of 31% as Broad Majority Takes Issue with PM’s Gift Certificates, Survey Says
The approval rating for Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba’s Cabinet has dropped to 31%, the lowest level since it was inaugurated in October last year,...
March 18, 2025Economy Clean Hydrogen Business Facing Growing Headwinds; Supply Costs, Trump’s Focus on LNG Dent Confidence
BANGKOK — There are increasing moves among Australian and European companies to withdraw from the clean hydrogen business, in which the fuel is man...
March 17, 2025Politics & Government Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba Expresses Deep Regret over Controversial Distribution of Gift Certificates to LDP Lawmakers
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba again apologized during the House of Councillors’ Budget Committee meeting on Monday morning over the controversy sur...
March 17, 2025General News Humanity May Lose Control of AI, Yuval Noah Harari Warns; Israeli Historian Says Newspapers May Provide Vital Protection
Humanity could someday become unable to control advanced artificial intelligence, a renowned Israeli historian and the president of The Yomiuri Shi...
March 17, 2025Economy Japan Consortium Sets Targets for Use of Recycled Plastic in New Cars; Aims for Compliance with Draft EU Regulation
A consortium formed by representatives of industry, government and academia has set a target of using over 15% recycled plastic in the production o...
March 17, 2025Manga & Anime Director of Annie-Nominated ‘Look Back’ Creates Short Film for Disaster-Hit Fukushima Prefecture
FUKUSHIMA — A new animation created by Kiyotaka Oshiyama — known as the director of blockbuster anime movie “Look Back” — will be released on March...
March 17, 2025
LATEST NEWS
Sakai Attracts Visitors with Long-Established Tea Culture; City Is Hometown of Sengoku-Era Tea Master Sen no Rikyu
SAKAI — In Sakai, the city where the great tea master Sen no Rikyu (1522-91) was born and wo...
March 17, 2025Trump Says He Will Talk to Putin on Tuesday as He Pushes for End to Ukraine War
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump said he would speak to Russian President Vladimir P...
March 17, 2025Reviewing Annual Income Threshold: Leaving Principles Behind Distorts Tax System
The income tax system, which underpins the foundation of the nation’s public finances, must ...
March 17, 2025Online Casinos: Growing Debt Can Invite ‘Dark Part-Time Jobs’
The use of online casinos, which is illegal, is spreading rapidly in Japan. It is essential ...
March 17, 202554% in Japan Approve of Trump’s Ceasefire Talks for Ukraine, Yomiuri Poll Finds; Approval Highest Among Younger Respondents
An opinion poll indicated that 54% of respondents approve of U.S. President Trump’s efforts ...
March 17, 2025Rokugo Floodgate Protecting Area from Floods for 94 Years; Retro Showa Era Facility Continues as Local Symbol
I headed downstream on the causeway from the Rokugo Bridge over the Tama River that connects...
March 17, 2025Relatives of War Dead from WWII Battle on Attu Island Hope to Retrieve Remains Soon; Over 2,000 Soldier’s Remains Still on Island
The relatives of Japanese soldiers who died fighting U.S. forces on Attu Island, a fierce ba...
March 17, 2025
POPULAR ARTICLES
SOCIETY
Ishiba Cabinet Approval Rating Hits Low of 31% as Broad Majority Takes Issue with PM’s Gift Certificates, Survey Says
The approval rating for Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba’s Cabinet has dropped to 31%, the lowest level since it was inaugurated in October last year, according to a recent Yomiuri...
March 18, 2025Humanity May Lose Control of AI, Yuval Noah Harari Warns; Israeli Historian Says Newspapers May Provide Vital Protection
Humanity could someday become unable to control advanced artificial intelligence, a ren...
March 17, 2025Sakai Attracts Visitors with Long-Established Tea Culture; City Is Hometown of Sengoku-Era Tea Master Sen no Rikyu
SAKAI — In Sakai, the city where the great tea master Sen no Rikyu (1522-91) was born a...
March 17, 202554% in Japan Approve of Trump’s Ceasefire Talks for Ukraine, Yomiuri Poll Finds; Approval Highest Among Younger Respondents
An opinion poll indicated that 54% of respondents approve of U.S. President Trump’s eff...
March 17, 2025Relatives of War Dead from WWII Battle on Attu Island Hope to Retrieve Remains Soon; Over 2,000 Soldier’s Remains Still on Island
The relatives of Japanese soldiers who died fighting U.S. forces on Attu Island, a fier...
March 17, 2025
IMPERIAL FAMILY
Imperial Couple to Attend Osaka Expo Ceremony in April
Tokyo (Jiji Press)—Japan’s Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako will visit Osaka Prefecture for the 2025 World Exposition opening ceremony in April, the Imperial Household Agency said Tuesday.
...
March 11, 2025-
Prince Hisahito Speaks Thoughtfully at 1st Press Conference; Remarks Touch on Anniversary of War’s End, University Study
Prince Hisahito, the eldest son of Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko, spoke with...
March 4, 2025Prince Hisahito Holds First Press Conference; Prince Shares Concerns About Iwate Pref. Wildfire
Prince Hisahito, the eldest son of Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko, held his f...
March 3, 2025
People Celebrate Japan Emperor’s 65th Birthday at Palace (Update2)
TOKYO (Jiji Press) — A public gathering was held at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on Sunday t...
February 23, 2025Japan Emperor Turns 65, Renewing Wish for Peace 80 Years On
TOKYO (Jiji Press) — Japan’s Emperor Naruhito, who turned 65 on Sunday, has renewed his wish...
February 23, 2025
YOMIURI EDITORIAL
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Reviewing Annual Income Threshold: Leaving Principles Behind Distorts Tax System
The income tax system, which underpins the foundation of the nation’s public finances, must ...
March 17, 2025 -
Online Casinos: Growing Debt Can Invite ‘Dark Part-Time Jobs’
The use of online casinos, which is illegal, is spreading rapidly in Japan. It is essential ...
March 17, 2025 -
G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting: Rebuild Unity to Realize Ceasefire in Ukraine
Negotiations on a ceasefire for the Ukraine war are unlikely to go smoothly. Unity among the...
March 16, 2025 -
Attack on Tachibana: Violence Is Not Acceptable No Matter the Words or Actions
No matter how much someone disagrees with a person’s words or actions, it is not acceptable ...
March 16, 2025 -
Trade War: Japan Should Be on Higher Alert about The Situation
The high tariff policy of U.S. President Donald Trump has sparked a full-scale trade war, an...
March 15, 2025 -
Ishiba’s Distribution of Gift Vouchers: Prime Minister Cannot Escape Criticism for Being Thoughtless
It is astonishing that Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba himself behaved in a way that raised do...
March 15, 2025
POLITICS
Iwaya Focuses on Maintaining Unity Among G7 Members; Joint Statement Issued Amid U.S.-Europe Disagreements
CHARLEVOIX, Canada — Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya focused on efforts to maintain unity among Group of Seven countries during talks with his count...
March 17, 2025Japan Prime Minister Losing Regional Support Over Scandal; Calls for Resignation Still Limited Among Some Lawmakers
The distribution of gift certificates by Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has shaken the prime minister’s political support base in regional areas. Th...
March 16, 2025Opposition Sees Opportunity as Ishiba Digs His Own Grave
Tokyo (Jiji Press)—Japanese opposition parties are poised to step up their offensive against Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, who has dug his own gra...
March 16, 2025
Ishiba’s Gift Voucher Scandal a Blow to Budget Talks; PM Admits Causing ‘Unpleasantness’ and ‘Indignation’
Dark clouds are hanging over Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba’s management of his administratio...
March 15, 2025Citizens Group Files Complaint Against Ishiba Over Gift Certificates; Group Accuses Japan PM, LDP Lawmakers of Law Violation
A citizens group filed a complaint with the Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office on Frid...
March 15, 2025Iwaya Meets Rubio, Expresses Regret Over U.S. Tariffs; Meetings Also Held with Canadian, U.K., Italian Counterparts
CHARLEVOIX, Canada — Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya held talks with U.S. Secretary of State ...
March 14, 2025
BUSINESS
Clean Hydrogen Business Facing Growing Headwinds; Supply Costs, Trump’s Focus on LNG Dent Confidence
BANGKOK — There are increasing moves among Australian and European companies to withdraw from the clean hydrogen business, in which the fuel is man...
March 17, 2025Japan Consortium Sets Targets for Use of Recycled Plastic in New Cars; Aims for Compliance with Draft EU Regulation
A consortium formed by representatives of industry, government and academia has set a target of using over 15% recycled plastic in the production o...
March 17, 2025Shinkansen Window Cracks Mid-Journey, Detached Metal Cover Hits Glass; No Injuries Reported
A passenger on the Nozomi 317 Tokaido Shinkansen, en route to Shin-Osaka from Tokyo, reported to a conductor at around 10:30 a.m. on Saturday that ...
March 16, 2025
Private Rice Imports Surge Amid Domestic Shortages; Trading Companies Can Still Profit Despite Tariff
Private imports of overseas rice have been increasing rapidly due to shortages in the domest...
March 15, 2025U.S. Commerce Secretary Says Japan Not Exempt from U.S. Auto Tariffs; Japan’s Auto Industry to Be Significantly Impacted
WASHINGTON — U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick on Friday expressed Washington’s intenti...
March 15, 2025Couche-Tard Could Shutter Convenience Stores in Japan, Says Incoming Seven & i President Dacus in Yomiuri Interview
Stephen Hayes Dacus, the incoming president and chief executive officer of Seven & i Holding...
March 15, 2025Japan Sells 141,796 Tons of Reserve Rice in Auction
TOKYO (Jiji Press) — Japan’s agriculture ministry said Friday that it has selected successfu...
March 15, 2025
WORLD
Chinese Professor Missing in China Back to Japan
TOKYO (Jiji Press) — A Chinese professor of Kobe Gakuin University in the western Japan pref...
March 14, 2025N. Korean, Chinese Ships Collided in Late Feb.; 20 Feared Dead Aboard Suspected Coal Smuggling Vessel
SEOUL — A North Korean cargo ship collided with a Chinese vessel and sank in the Yellow Sea ...
March 14, 2025U.S. Envoy Nominee Glass Shows Tough Stance on Japan
WASHINGTON (Jiji Press) — George Glass, U.S. President Donald Trump’s nominee to be his amba...
March 14, 2025
Competition for ‘Non-Terrestrial’ Network Systems Intensifying in Japan; Docomo Aims to Commercialize High-Altitude Platform Systems by 2026
BARCELONA — The telecommunications industry is increasing moves to develop the practical app...
March 6, 20253 Years Of Aggression Against Ukraine: Ukraine’s ‘White Angels’ Push to Evacuate Residents from War’s Shifting Front Lines
Having endured three years of war, the White Angels of Ukraine’s National Police are determi...
March 3, 20253 Years Of Aggression Against Ukraine: Music of Mourning Resonates Across the Country; Funerals for the Fallen a Daily Occurrence
Vladyslav Narok, age 10, lost his father to Russia’s aggression against Ukraine a year ago. ...
March 2, 2025
NEWS SERVICES
Trump Says He Will Talk to Putin on Tuesday as He Pushes for End to Ukraine War
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump said he would speak to Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday as he pushes to end the war in Ukraine....
March 17, 2025Olympic Presidential Candidate Prince Feisal Sees Real-World Politics Playing a Bigger Role
GENEVA (AP) — The IOC presidential election on Thursday takes place in a political climate that seems a world away from the last contested Olympic ...
March 17, 2025Japan’s Nikkei Stock Average Ends Higher as Wall Street Surge Boosts Sentiment (UPDATE 1)
TOKYO, March 17 (Reuters) - Japan's Nikkei share average surged nearly 1% on Monday, fueled by widespread gains, as investor sentiment was lifted b...
March 17, 2025
Vatican Releases First Photograph of the Pope in a Month as He Celebrates Mass in Hospital Chapel
ROME (AP) — The Vatican on Sunday released the first photograph of Pope Francis in more than...
March 17, 2025Trump Administration Deports Hundreds of Immigrants Even as a Judge Orders Their Removals Be Stopped
The Trump administration has transferred hundreds of immigrants to El Salvador even as a fed...
March 17, 2025Trump and Putin Will Speak This Week on Russia-Ukraine War, US Envoy Says
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin are...
March 17, 2025U.S. Intel Vets Helped Crypto Firm Soar, Unaware of Infamous Hacker behind It
SAN FRANCISCO — An innovative company lionized for devising ways to crack passwords to huge ...
March 16, 2025
EDITORIAL & COLUMNS
Japan Must Stand Up for the Rule of Law; Trump Steering U.S. Away from This Key Value
On Feb. 24, the three-year anniversary of the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukrai...
March 8, 2025The BOJ Is Too Dovish on Its Interest Rate Policy
Three years will soon have passed since Japan’s consumer price inflation topped 2%. Has the ...
March 7, 2025As Voyeurism Plagues Sports, Devising Countermeasures Is Difficult
In the world of sports, there is a problem with female athletes being photographed with sexu...
March 1, 2025
EU Stands with Ukraine Shoulder to Shoulder
On Feb. 24, 2022, Russia began its aggression against Ukraine. Three years on, EU Ambassador...
February 24, 2025Japan Suffered Weak Leadership near End of Its Golden Age
It was very characteristic of U.S. President Donald Trump when he said: “The golden age of A...
February 22, 2025French FM Jean-Noel Barrot Says No Such Thing as Global South; G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting Ongoing in South Africa
The Group of 20 foreign ministers’ meeting is being held in South Africa from Feb. 20-21. On...
February 21, 2025
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
The Best Team in the National League? For Two Days in Japan, It’s Looked like the Hanshin Tigers
TOKYO (AP) — For two days in Japan, it's the Hanshin Tigers who have have looked like the class of the National League.
...
March 17, 2025Hanshin Tigers Hurlers Shine Again, Shut Down Shohei Ohtani, Dodgers
With all eyes from the rest of the Japanese baseball world clearly focused on Shohei Ohtani and his World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers, fans...
March 16, 2025Shohei Ohtani Gets Hero’s Welcome in Tokyo as Main Attraction of Dodgers’ Trip
Superstar Shohei Ohtani acknowledges the cheers of the fans as he walks to the field during a pregame ceremony ahead of the Los Angeles Dodgers’ pr...
March 16, 2025
Shohei Ohtani Hits Long HR in Return to Japan Against Yomiuri Giants
TOKYO (AP) — Japanese star Shohei Ohtani showed off some prodigious power in his return to t...
March 15, 2025Cubs Fire Blanks in Warmup for Tokyo Series with Dodgers; Hanshin Tigers Hurlers Combine on 3-hit Shutout
The Chicago Cubs were not much of a hit in their first game in Japan. The Hanshin Tigers’ pi...
March 15, 2025Shohei Ohtani ‘Wants Many Japanese People to See Japanese MLB Players in Action’
Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani, during a press conference in Tokyo on Friday ahead o...
March 14, 2025Ishiba Welcomes Dodgers’ Sasaki, Owner Walter at PMO; Says their Excellence Inspires Children to Dream
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba met with Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Roki Sasaki and owner Mar...
March 14, 2025
SCIENCE & NATURE
Odor-Detecting Drone Uses Silkworm Moth Antennae; Researchers Hope to Use It for Disaster Rescue
NAGANO — Researchers at Shinshu University and another institution have developed an odor-detecting drone that uses antennae taken from living inse...
March 16, 2025Japanese Astronaut Onishi, 3 Others Aboard SpaceX Falcon 9 Lift Off; 3rd Japanese to Serve as ISS Commander
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. — A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying Takuya Onishi and three other astronauts aboard the Crew Dragon spacecraft successfu...
March 15, 2025Mt. Vesuvius Eruption Brought Vitrification to Victim’s Brain
It was a surprising discovery when scientists examining the remains of a man who died in bed in the ancient city of Herculaneum after Italy’s Mt. V...
March 14, 2025
Tools Made from Elephant, Hippo Bones Show Ingenuity of Human Ancestors
An assemblage of tools found in Tanzania that was fashioned about 1.5 million years ago from...
March 14, 2025Astronomers Reveal 3D Structure of Exoplanet’s Atmosphere
WASHINGTON (Reuters) — Astronomers for the first time have deciphered the three-dimensional ...
March 13, 2025Ancient Martian Beaches Detected by Chinese Rover
WASHINGTON (Reuters) — Ground-penetrating radar data obtained by China’s Zhurong rover has r...
March 13, 2025Southern Greece Reveals Eu‘s Challenge to Conserve Water
NAFPLION, Greece (Reuters) — In the Argolida region of southern Greece, water escapes throug...
March 13, 2025
CULTURE
Meet Neil, 13, Attracting Attention as Japan’s Newest, Multi-Talented Pop Star
Okinawa Actors School in Naha, which has fostered such pop music stars as Namie Amuro, Da Pu...
March 14, 2025See ‘Boonboomger’ Superhero Stage Show in Tokyo for a Chance to Catch Tokusatsu Action Live
If you have never seen a superhero stage show in Japan, I think you are missing out. These “...
March 14, 2025Scores for Historic Tokyo Beethoven Concerts Found
Scores used at the first full performances of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 “Choral” by Japanes...
March 9, 2025
Brothers in Japan Spotlight Artists with Intellectual Disabilities; Hope to Change Society’s Perception of People with Disabilities
This is the mission of Heralbony Co., a Morioka-based planning company that handles artworks...
March 7, 2025Special ‘Contemporary Art Flavor’ Umaibo to Sell for ¥100,000; Tomokazu Matsuyama Looks to Create new Value with Art
Umaibo, a stick-shaped puffed corn snack which usually sells for ¥15 each, will be offered u...
March 6, 2025Spray Paint Art Adds Color to Everyday Life; Pair of Artists, Yoka Paint, Spreading Joy through Street Art
FUKUOKA — Colorful pictures painted on cold, lifeless walls and shutters are attracting atte...
February 28, 2025
NEWS WITH VIDEO
Evacuation Order Fully Lifted in Ofunato After Large-Scale Wildfire Burns for Nearly 2 Weeks; Residents Begin to Return to Their Homes
March 10, 2025Heirs to Kyoto Talent: Hakuoshi Leaf Stamping Artisan Works to Infuse Japanese Soul in His Kyo-sensu Folding Fans
March 8, 2025Giants Town Stadium Opens to Public; Big Names Attend Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony, Opening Game
March 1, 2025Forest Fire in Iwate Pref. Forces Evacuation of More Than 500 People, in Area Hit by 2011 Tsunami
February 27, 2025Japanese Factory Store in Saitama Prefecture Sun-Dries Straw Hats in Cold of Winter; Drawing Out Moisture Makes Hats More Durable
February 25, 2025
FEATURES
DELICIOUS
Egg, Milt Create Creamy, Smooth Duet in Seasonal Favorite Chawanmushi
March 16, 2025Ramen Restaurants Serve Up Special Dining Experiences
March 16, 2025Frozen Mackerel Can Be Grilled, Steamed, Simmered; Chef Shares Recipe Using Seafood Favorite
March 9, 2025Ramen Shops Use Various Tactics to Cope with Rising Prices; Restaurants Introduce Self-Serve Systems, Remove Toppings to Stay Below ‘¥1,000 Barrier’
March 6, 2025
JAPAN IN FOCUS
Rokugo Floodgate Protecting Area from Floods for 94 Years; Retro Showa Era Facility Continues as Local Symbol
March 17, 2025Fukui: Popular Red Panda Travels to Another Zoo for Breeding; Facilities Working to Protect At-Risk Species
March 15, 2025Hyogo: Repainted Gigantor Unveiled in Kobe; Monument Serves as Symbol of Reconstruction from Quake
March 15, 2025Mie: Female Student Joins Japan’s Ninja Group as Kunoichi; Shows Off Skills, Burning Passion
March 15, 2025
TRAVEL SPOTS
Tokyo Aquarium Offers Early Cherry Blossom Viewing in Digital Art
March 17, 2025Tokushima: Out with the Old, in with the New: Gondolas Replaced on Bizan Ropeway
March 15, 2025Hiroshima: Museum Commemorating Battleship Yamato Closed for Renovation; Overcrowding Causing Safety Issues
March 8, 2025Limited Time Operation in Hakone; Japan’s First Windowless Gondola Lift to Run
March 7, 2025
TROUBLESHOOTER
I’m Worried Changing Jobs Many Times Will Hurt My Employment Prospects; ‘Writing My Resume Is Depressing’
March 16, 2025I’m a Man in My 50s, and I Want to Remarry; ‘I Don’t Want to Die Alone’
March 16, 2025I’m Sick and Tired of Worrying about What My Mother Thinks
March 9, 2025My Husband is Emotionally Abusive, and I’ve Finally Had Enough
March 9, 2025