TOP STORIES
Companies MUFG Bank to Cut President Hanzawa’s Monthly Remuneration by 30％; Following Arrest of Former Employee Suspected of Theft from Safety Deposit Vault
The MUFG Bank has decided to reduce the monthly remuneration of President Junichi Hanzawa by 30% for three months, following the arrest of a former...
January 16, 2025
General News Odakyu Line: Suspending Services between Shinjuku and Kyodo Stations, Romancecar Express Train Operations
The Odakyu Line is currently suspending services between Shinjuku and Kyodo stations and the operation of the Romancecar limited express train. The...
January 16, 2025
Crime & Courts 3 Vietnamese Men, Woman Arrested; 423 Thefts of Cash, Goods from Houses in 4 Prefectures
The Gunma Prefectural Police announced on Wednesday that it had wrapped up all investigations into the theft case from vacant houses in four prefec...
January 16, 2025
Tennis Australian Open: Naomi Osaka Is Back in a Slam’s 3rd Round for the 1st Time in 3 Years
MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Naomi Osaka's second-round match at the Australian Open could not possibly have started in a worse way. All of 21 minut...
January 16, 2025
Social Series Sho-chu Time / Shochu Makers Tie Up With Famous Characters to Attract Fans; Labels Feature Manga, Tokusatsu Heroes and Monsters
IBUSUKI, Kagoshima — Makers of shochu in Kagoshima Prefecture are using various measures to attract new people to the distilled liquor, including t...
January 16, 2025
Reuters Gaza Ceasefire Deal Reached between Israel, Hamas; Truce to Begin Sunday
DOHA/CAIRO/JERUSALEM (Reuters) — Negotiators reached a phased deal on Wednesday to end the war in Gaza between Israel and Hamas, the U.S. and Qatar...
January 16, 2025
LATEST NEWS
Biden Releases 11th-Hour Plan to Lower Nicotine in Cigarettes
The Biden administration released a proposal Wednesday to dramatically reduce nicotine level...
January 16, 2025
Inflation Heated Up in December, as Prices Continue to Weigh on Americans
Inflation picked up in late 2024, fueled by an increase in gas prices, the latest sign of st...
January 16, 2025
Don’t Eat Your Christmas Tree, Warns Belgium Food Agency
BRUSSELS (AFP-Jiji) — Some things may go without saying, but just in case … Belgium’s food a...
January 16, 2025
South Korean Investigators Question Arrested President Yoon in Insurrection Probe
SEOUL (Reuters) - Impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol was arrested and questioned...
January 16, 2025
Hundreds of Firefighters ‘Just Get up and Go’ to Aid Los Angeles
PASADENA, California (Reuters) - Members of the St. Helena Fire Department have battled deva...
January 16, 2025
US Tiktok Users Scramble, Despair as Bytedance Waves the ‘White Flag’
NEW YORK (Reuters) - Disappointment, denial and confusion flooded U.S. TikTok on Wednesday u...
January 16, 2025
Israel, Hamas Reach Ceasefire Deal to End 15 Months of War in Gaza
DOHA/CAIRO/JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Hamas and Israel reached a deal for a ceasefire in Gaza tha...
January 16, 2025
POPULAR ARTICLES
-
Indonesia Launches Free School Meal Program with Support from Japan; Ishiba Currying Favor with New President
JAKARTA — A free school meal program began this month in Indonesia, with Prime Minister...
January 12, 2025 -
Tire of Landing Gear of JAL Plane Goes Flat at Haneda; No Injuries Reported, but Runway Closed 25 Minutes
One of the tires on the left main landing gear of a Japan Airlines plane went flat as i...
January 9, 2025 -
Revitalization of Japan’s Economy: Make Leap toward Growth-Oriented Economy / Benefit Households by Breaking Prolonged Stagnation
Will Japan be able to make a smooth transition to a growth-oriented economy led by high...
January 10, 2025 -
Tokyo Auto Salon 2025 Unveils 900 Custom Cars; Features Nissan R32 EV, Honda Hybrid Prelude, Hyundai Inster, many more
The Tokyo Auto Salon custom car exhibition is being held at Makuhari Messe in Chiba. Ap...
January 11, 2025 -
Prime Minister’s Asian Tour: Make Efforts for Regional Development through Multilayered Cooperation
At a time when the international situation is increasingly fluid, it is significant if ...
January 12, 2025 -
Traditional Japanese Wrapping Cloth Furoshiki Gets a Hungarian Twist; Sustainability Trends, Floral Designs Revive Practice
A European twist on furoshiki, Japanese wrapping cloth, is opening up a new world of wr...
January 12, 2025 -
Outgoing U.S. Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel Says He Played Role in Reinvigorating Japan-U.S. Relations
U.S. Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel looked back at his three-year tenure and was conf...
January 10, 2025 -
Suzuki Exhibits ‘Electric Cart’ Developed with Startup; Company Makes CES Debut
LAS VEGAS – Suzuki Motor Corp. made its CES debut in Law Vegas this week, exhibiting a ...
January 10, 2025 -
North Korea Incited Anti-Japan Activities in South Korea; Court Documents Show Directives to Fuel Protests, Division
SEOUL ― North Korea ordered its spy network in South Korea to incite anti-Japanese acti...
January 9, 2025 -
Massive Govt Grant to Test Whether Japan Can Become Research Leader; Not Receiving Grant Can Mean Losing Out on Huge Opportunity for Univs
Tohoku University is the first university to be officially approved for the University ...
January 11, 2025
SOCIETY
-
Odakyu Line: Suspending Services between Shinjuku and Kyodo Stations, Romancecar Express Train Operations
The Odakyu Line is currently suspending services between Shinjuku and Kyodo stations and the operation of the Romancecar limited express train. There are also delays on services...
January 16, 2025 
3 Vietnamese Men, Woman Arrested; 423 Thefts of Cash, Goods from Houses in 4 Prefectures
The Gunma Prefectural Police announced on Wednesday that it had wrapped up all investig...
January 16, 2025
Sho-chu Time / Shochu Makers Tie Up With Famous Characters to Attract Fans; Labels Feature Manga, Tokusatsu Heroes and Monsters
IBUSUKI, Kagoshima — Makers of shochu in Kagoshima Prefecture are using various measure...
January 16, 2025
Man Arrested at Tokyo Airport Over Slapping Female Employee; Authorities Say He Was Angry Over Missing Flight
A man, who was arrested on suspicion of slapping a female employee at Tokyo’s Haneda Ai...
January 15, 2025
Foreign Visitors to Japan Spend Over 8 Trillion Yen for 1st Time
Spending by foreign visitors to Japan exceeded 8 trillion yen for the first time in 202...
January 15, 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 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
-
Influenza Rages: Increase Vigilance to Prevent Mass Infections
Influenza continues to rage across the country. The rapid increase in the number of patients...
January 15, 2025 -
China’s Foreign Policy: Is ‘Smiling Diplomacy’ Only Skin-deep?
Rather than sealing off its “wolf warrior diplomacy,” which is meant to intimidate adversari...
January 15, 2025 -
Rash of House Fires: Examine Appliances, Areas around Electrical Outlets, Plugs
Japan has seen a number of house fires, mainly on its Pacific Ocean side. Due to dry air, fi...
January 14, 2025 -
New political framework in Syria: Break away from violence, work for national reconciliation
Although Syria has been freed from a reign of terror that lasted half a century, it will not...
January 14, 2025 -
Coming-of-Age Day: Young People Should Take Time to Enjoy Inefficient Detours
What is important in an era of rapid change with great emphasis on efficiency? Hopefully, to...
January 13, 2025 -
Assessment of Bank of Japan’s Policies: Identify Effectiveness, Limitations So Lessons Can Be Learned
Japan has suffered from a prolonged period of deflation and economic stagnation unprecedente...
January 13, 2025
POLITICS
Harmony In Japan-China Ties Has Long Way To Go; Meeting Of Sides’ Ruling Party Officials First in Years
BEIJING — There is a long way to go for Japan and China to improve bilateral relations, even after a delegation of Japanese Diet members and senior...
January 15, 2025
Ishiba Commutes from Official Residence to PM’s Office for the First Time; Will Also Maintain Residence in House of Representatives Members’ Dormitory in Akasaka
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba on Tuesday made his first commute to the Prime Minister’s Office since moving into the Prime Minister’s Official Resi...
January 15, 2025
Prime Minister Ishiba May Visit U.S. Early Next Month for 1st Summit with Trump
Tokyo (Jiji Press)—Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba may visit the United States in early February for his first meeting with Donald Trump, wh...
January 15, 2025
LDP Official: End China’s Ban on Japanese Marine Products; Urges China to Remove ‘Thorn in Bilateral Relations’
BEIJING — Hiroshi Moriyama, the secretary general of the Liberal Democratic Party, on Tuesda...
January 14, 2025
Japan, South Korean Foreign Chiefs Reaffirm Cooperation; North Korea’s Nuclear, Missile Development Discussed
SEOUL — Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya and his South Korean counterpart Cho Tae-yul on Monda...
January 13, 2025
Japan Ruling Party Lawmakers to Meet With Chinese Officials; Expected to Discuss Cooperation, Finalize Joint Declaration
BEIJING — A delegation of lawmakers from the Liberal Democratic Party and Komeito arrived in...
January 13, 2025
BUSINESS
-
MUFG Bank to Cut President Hanzawa’s Monthly Remuneration by 30％; Following Arrest of Former Employee Suspected of Theft from Safety Deposit Vault
The MUFG Bank has decided to reduce the monthly remuneration of President Junichi Hanzawa by 30% for three months, following the arrest of a former...
January 16, 2025 
Japan Sauce Maker Opens Base in Paris; Hiroshima-Based Otafuku Hopes to Boost Sales Across Europe
Leading Hiroshima-based sauce maker Otafuku Sauce Co. has opened a base in Paris amid an increase in popularity of Japanese dishes. The company is loo...
January 14, 2025
Toyota to Shift Some Production from Tokai to Tohoku, Kyushu Regions; Labor Shortages, Disaster Threat Influence Change
Toyota Motor Corp. has plans to start reorganizing its domestic production system in 2030, it has been learned.
...
January 13, 2025
Mizuho Bank Experiments with Remote Customer Service; Robots Equipped with Touchscreens Serve Customers
Mizuho Bank is considering introducing remote-controlled robots for customer service at its ...
January 13, 2025
Tokyo Auto Salon 2025 Unveils 900 Custom Cars; Features Nissan R32 EV, Honda Hybrid Prelude, Hyundai Inster, many more
The Tokyo Auto Salon custom car exhibition is being held at Makuhari Messe in Chiba. Approxi...
January 11, 2025
Suzuki Exhibits ‘Electric Cart’ Developed with Startup; Company Makes CES Debut
LAS VEGAS – Suzuki Motor Corp. made its CES debut in Law Vegas this week, exhibiting a light...
January 10, 2025
Mizuho to Raise Long-Term Prime Rate to 2.00 Pct
Tokyo (Jiji Press)—Mizuho Bank said Thursday that it will raise its long-term prime lending ...
January 9, 2025
WORLD
Outgoing U.S. Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel Says He Played Role in Reinvigorating Japan-U.S. Relations
U.S. Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel looked back at his three-year tenure and was confident...
January 10, 2025
North Korea Incited Anti-Japan Activities in South Korea; Court Documents Show Directives to Fuel Protests, Division
SEOUL ― North Korea ordered its spy network in South Korea to incite anti-Japanese activitie...
January 9, 2025
Israel’s Ambassador to Japan Expresses Expectations for Trump, Including Ceasefire; Says Israel is Monitoring Syria Situation
Israeli Ambassador to Japan Gilad Cohen expressed his expectations for U.S President-elect D...
January 8, 2025
Canada PM Justin Trudeau Says He Will Step Down after New Liberal Party Leader Named
OTTAWA (Reuters) - Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced on Monday that he will s...
January 7, 2025
Vietnam’s First Subway Opens in Ho Chi Minh City; Japanese Companies And Organizations Supported Development And Operation
HO CHI MINH CITY — Vietnam’s first subway, built with Japanese assistance, opened in Ho Chi ...
January 5, 2025
Biden Honors Mitsuye Endo, Who Fought WWII Incarceration
Washington (Jiji Press)—U.S. President Joe Biden on Thursday awarded the Presidential Citize...
January 3, 2025
NEWS SERVICES
-
Biden Releases 11th-Hour Plan to Lower Nicotine in Cigarettes
The Biden administration released a proposal Wednesday to dramatically reduce nicotine levels in cigarettes, a move that anti-smoking advocates bel...
January 16, 2025 
Inflation Heated Up in December, as Prices Continue to Weigh on Americans
Inflation picked up in late 2024, fueled by an increase in gas prices, the latest sign of stalled improvement on lowering prices as President-elect...
January 16, 2025
South Korean Investigators Question Arrested President Yoon in Insurrection Probe
SEOUL (Reuters) - Impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol was arrested and questioned for hours by investigators on Wednesday in relation to...
January 16, 2025
-
Hundreds of Firefighters ‘Just Get up and Go’ to Aid Los Angeles
PASADENA, California (Reuters) - Members of the St. Helena Fire Department have battled deva...
January 16, 2025 -
US Tiktok Users Scramble, Despair as Bytedance Waves the ‘White Flag’
NEW YORK (Reuters) - Disappointment, denial and confusion flooded U.S. TikTok on Wednesday u...
January 16, 2025 -
Israel, Hamas Reach Ceasefire Deal to End 15 Months of War in Gaza
DOHA/CAIRO/JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Hamas and Israel reached a deal for a ceasefire in Gaza tha...
January 16, 2025 
Biden Bids Farewell from Oval Office as Trump Looms over His Legacy
President Joe Biden will cap his half-century political career on Wednesday with a final Ova...
January 16, 2025
EDITORIAL & COLUMNS
Anticipation Rises For Nintendo’s Next Platform; Past Platforms Have Been Radically Innovative
Nintendo, the brilliantly idiosyncratic giant of the video game platform world, will reach a...
January 4, 2025
Can a 1950s Prime Minister’s Approach Work Today? Ishiba, LDP Attempt Multilateral Political Dialogue
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, who is also president of the Liberal Democratic Party, is see...
December 28, 2024
‘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
RAMEN OF JAPAN
-
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!
-
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
Shotaro Morii, 18-Year-Old 2-Way Player, Bypasses Japanese Baseball to Sign with Athletics
Hoping to become a two-way player in Major League Baseball just like Shohei Ohtani, 18-year-old Shotaro Morii made the rare decision to bypass Japa...
January 16, 2025-
Australian Open: Naomi Osaka Is Back in a Slam’s 3rd Round for the 1st Time in 3 Years
MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Naomi Osaka's second-round match at the Australian Open could not possibly have started in a worse way. All of 21 minut...
January 16, 2025 
Ukraine Holds First Soccer Tournament for War-Wounded Amputees — and Plans to Go International
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — The players were chosen from among the thousands of Ukrainians wounded in the war. With limbs lost to Russian attacks, they ga...
January 15, 2025
Naomi Osaka Says She Sent Someone to Grab Her Daughter’s Birth Certificate from Her LA Home
MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — While Naomi Osaka is busy competing — and winning — at the Austr...
January 14, 2025
Roki Sasaki Won’t Sign with New York Yankees, Texas Rangers or San Francisco Giants
NEW YORK (AP) — The New York Yankees, Texas Rangers and San Francisco Giants have been infor...
January 14, 2025
Lakers, Clippers Return to Their Home Courts after Days of Fire Devastation across Los Angeles
LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Lakers and the Clippers both went back to work Monday night in Los An...
January 14, 2025
MLB Sponsorship Banners Shown Before Crowd at New Year Sumo Tournament in Tokyo
Sponsorship banners advertising upcoming Major League Baseball games were shown before a pac...
January 13, 2025
SCIENCE & NATURE
Don’t Eat Your Christmas Tree, Warns Belgium Food Agency
BRUSSELS (AFP-Jiji) — Some things may go without saying, but just in case … Belgium’s food agency issued a public health warning on Jan. 7 as the f...
January 16, 2025
Japanese Space Startup Ispace’s Lunar Lander Launched; Rover to Gather Regolith after Touchdown around Late May
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. — Japan-based space startup ispace, Inc.’s Resilience lunar lander was launched on a journey toward the moon from the Ke...
January 15, 2025
Spacecraft Beams Back Mercury’s Stunning Photos
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — A spacecraft has beamed back some of the best close-up photos yet of Mercury’s north pole.
...
January 15, 2025
Flying Taxis Finally on Horizon As Aviation Soars into a New Frontier
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — When he was still a boy making long, tedious trips between his school a...
January 15, 2025
Japan to Unveil Mars Meteorite at Osaka Expo
Tokyo (Jiji Press)—The Japanese government will unveil one of the world’s biggest meteorites...
January 15, 2025
Kyoto University, Kajima to Build Model Artificial Gravity Facility; Aiming for Habitation on Extraterrestrial Bodies
KYOTO — Kyoto University’s SIC Human Spaceology Center and Kajima Corp., a Tokyo-based major...
January 13, 2025
Japan Fire Response Teams to Get Remote-Controlled Robots; Equipment Can Travel Rough Roads, Work in Dangerous Areas
The Fire and Disaster Management Agency plans to deploy unmanned firefighting robots and oth...
January 12, 2025
CULTURE
Radio Show Hosts Make Heart-Warming Tokusatsu Event; Yama-Chang Has Touching Surprise
At the end of 2024, I put on an event based on Tokyo Star Radio’s “Ome Oja!” radio show, whi...
January 10, 2025
For 30 Years, Artist Has Helped Students with Disabilities Develop Potential; Artwork Draws Attention with Wonderful Designs
The Yomiuri ShimbunSawako Matsuzawa, right, stands with Ippo Motomura in front of his work at a...
January 10, 2025
“Shogun” Sweeps TV Drama Categories at Golden Globes (UPDATE 5)
Las Vegas (Jiji Press)—”Shogun,” a feudal Japan-set drama starring and produced by Hiroyuki ...
January 6, 2025
Cosplaying Gaining Ground, Inspiring New Businesses; Growth Area in Japan’s Pop Culture
Cosplaying is becoming ever more popular. Once treated as only a pastime for enthusiasts, it...
January 2, 2025
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
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
NEWS WITH VIDEO
Red-Crowned Cranes Perform Dance of Love at Hokkaido Sanctuary
January 15, 2025
Former Shipbuilding Site Conveys History, Heritage of Japan’s Shipbuilding Industry; Uraga Brick Dock in Yokosuka, Rare Dry Dock in Japan
January 12, 2025
Okinawa: Traditional Bashofu Cloth Carries On; Fabric Made from Banana-Like Plants
January 11, 2025
Tuna Sells for ¥207 Million at New Year’s Auction in Tokyo; 276-Kilogram Bluefin Brings Second-Highest Price on Record
January 5, 2025
Heirs to Kyoto Talent / Artist in Japan Adds Modern Touch to Traditional Straw Craft; Fujii Shows Off Potential of Straw Through Various Works
January 4, 2025
FEATURES
DELICIOUS
Hearty Hachis Parmentier Makes for the Perfect Winter Dish; Warm Your Seasonal Gatherings with French Classic
January 12, 2025Nagasaki Pref. Town Launches New Section Devoted to Goto Udon Noodles; Municipal Govt Aims to Promote Specialty Noodles
January 12, 2025Unagi Selected as ‘Japan’s Dish of 2024’ by Restaurant Search Site; Japanese Craft Gin, Premium Ramen Also Receive Awards
January 12, 2025Overhead Dining Videos Gaining Popularity; Social Media Trend Brings Floods of New Customers to Restaurants
January 5, 2025
JAPAN IN FOCUS
Shinto Purification Ceremony Held in Northern Japan Shrine; Worshippers at Aomori’s Uto Shrine Burn Items to Pray for Good Health in New Year
January 15, 2025Heso Daikon, or Navel Daikon, Reaches Peak Production in Japan; Specialty Daikon to Hit Store Shelves in Miyagi Pref. in Early Feb.
January 15, 2025Historic Japanese Building Attracts Film, TV Crews; Western-Style House Also Popular For Family Photos
January 14, 2025Osaka: Smartphone App Revives CG Images of Naniwa Palace; Digital Rendering of Historic Japanese Capital
January 11, 2025
TRAVEL SPOTS
New Food Court Opens in Ariake Garden in Tokyo; Mainly Offers Quick Meals and Takeout
January 15, 2025Retro Bus Braves Snow in Iwate Pref., Offering Tourists a Winter Voyage
January 13, 2025Special Winter Train Tour Starts Amid Winter Scenery in Japan’s Kurobe Gorge; Cargo Transit Rail Cars Enhance Experience
January 13, 2025Japanese Garden at Adachi Museum of Art in Shimane Prefecture Ranked #1 for 22nd Year in Row by U.S. Magazine
January 12, 2025
