🔞 ADULT: Gallery - Collection
TOP STORIES
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Economy Japan to Share AI Summaries of Patent Examination Cases with Emerging Nations; Protection of Companies’ Rights, Faster Process Times Sought
The Japan Patent Office plans to use artificial intelligence to create summaries of some of its past patent examinations and provide them to emerging nations starting in January.
December 31, 2025 -
General News Shoppers Flock to Tokyo’s Ameyoko Shopping Street to Buy Something Affordable, Delicious for New Year’s
With the end of the year fast approaching, people flocked to Ameyoko shopping street in Tokyo’s Ueno district on Monday to buy food and other items ahead of New Year’s.
9 hours ago -
Asia-Pacific China Appears to Warn Japan, U.S. with Drills Around Taiwan
Japan and the United States were on alert as the Chinese military began conducting exercises around Taiwan on Monday, the first such drills since April. China has hinted that the drills are meant to counter not only Taiwan President Lai Ching-te’s administration, which it views as an enemy, but also the United States and Japan, which it expects may interfere in a Taiwan contingency.
11 hours ago -
Politics & Government Japan PM Sanae Takaichi to Skip Overseas New Year Trip, Focus on Domestic Policy
The Yomiuri ShimbunPrime Minister Sanae Takaichi is seen at the Prime Minister’s Office on Friday. The Yomiuri Shimbun [posttime] JST, [postdate] Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi will forgo overseas diplomatic trips at the beginning of the new year and will focus on domestic policy, such as tackling rising prices. It has been customary for prime ministers to …14 hours ago -
Soccer ‘King Kazu’ Joins J3’s Fukushima United FC on Loan; 58-Year-Old Kazuyoshi Miura Returns to J.League for 1st time in 5 Years in 2026
Former Japan international Kazuyoshi Miura announced he will join J3 club Fukushima United FC on loan in 2026.
The move means 58-year-old Miura will compete in the J.League for the first time in five years.
13 hours ago -
General News Top 10 International News Events of 2025 Selected by Yomiuri Readers
The inauguration of Donald Trump as the 47th president of the United States topped the list of international news events for 2025 as selected by Yomiuri Shimbun readers.
14 hours ago
LATEST NEWS
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Japanese Monks Wipe Dust from Buddha Statues; Ritual Known as Ominugui is Part of New Year’s Preparations
NARA — Ahead of the New Year, the annual ritual of Ominugui, in which dust is wiped off of Buddhist statues, was performed on Monday at Yakushiji Temple, a World Heritage site in Nara.
14 hours ago -
Elderly People Living Alone: What Should be Done to Ensure Living with Peace of Mind until the End?
An increasing number of elderly people are living alone, without relatives or acquaintances to rely on in times of need. The central and local governments should establish systems to support these individuals’ livelihood during the final stages of their lives and help with procedures that must be dealt with after their deaths.
14 hours ago -
China’s Military Exercises: Outrageous Acts Escalate Tensions in Taiwan Strait
China, which has been intensifying its opposition to Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s Diet response regarding a possible Taiwan contingency, has begun large-scale military exercises around Taiwan.
14 hours ago -
Former Japan Communist Party Chairperson Tetsuzo Fuwa Dies
Tetsuzo Fuwa, former Chairperson of the Japan Communist Party’s Executive Committee, died at the age of 95 on Tuesday.
14 hours ago -
Crocodiles, Alligators in Japan Garden Get Scrubbed Clean; Year-end Cleanup Comes to Japan’s Reptiles
SHIZUOKA – Crocodiles and alligators were recently scrubbed with deck brushes by keepers at Atagawa Tropical and Alligator Garden in Higashi-Izu, Shizuoka Prefecture, as part of the facility’s annual year-end cleanup.
15 hours ago -
Japan’s Nikkei Stock Average Trims 2025 Surge as Tech Stocks Take a Breather (Update 1)
TOKYO, Dec 30 (Reuters) - Japan's Nikkei share gauge edged lower on the final trading day of 2025, dragged down by the technology sector that has been a key driver of the year's massive gains.
16 hours ago -
CARTOON OF THE DAY (December 30)
.17 hours ago
SOCIETY
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Bear Likely Hit, Killed By Train on Japan’s JR Tokaido Line in Shizuoka Pref.; Animal Had Likely Been Spotted Around Christmas
SHIZUOKA — The body of a bear was found in Kakegawa, Shizuoka Prefecture, the city government announced Monday, saying that the animal had likely been hit by a train on the JR Tokaido Line.
12 hours ago -
Japanese Monks Wipe Dust from Buddha Statues; Ritual Known as Ominugui is Part of New Year’s Preparations
NARA — Ahead of the New Year, the annual ritual of Ominugui, in which dust is wiped off of Buddhist statues, was performed on Monday at Yakushiji Temple, a World Heritage site in Nara.
14 hours ago -
Top 10 International News Events of 2025 Selected by Yomiuri Readers
The inauguration of Donald Trump as the 47th president of the United States topped the list of international news events for 2025 as selected by Yomiuri Shimbun readers.
14 hours ago
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Former Japan Communist Party Chairperson Tetsuzo Fuwa Dies
Tetsuzo Fuwa, former Chairperson of the Japan Communist Party’s Executive Committee, died at the age of 95 on Tuesday.
14 hours ago -
Top 10 Japanese News Stories of 2025; Reviewing Expo, Prime Ministers, Bears, More
The 2025 Osaka-Kansai Expo’s visitor count of 25.57 million came in first among this year's top 10 Japanese news stories.
17 hours ago -
Mt. Fuji Climber Dies After Slipping, Falling; Police Responded to Call Stating ‘I Can’t Move’
SHIZUOKA — A 44-year-old mountain climber died after slipping and falling while descending from Mt. Fuji on Monday, Shizuoka prefectural police said.
17 hours ago
IMPERIAL FAMILY
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Japan’s Princess Kako, Turning 31, Smiles, Waves to People Gathered along Road
Princess Kako, the second daughter of Crown Prince Akishino, celebrated her 31st birthday on Monday.
After receiving congratulations from senior officials including the chief of the Imperial Household Agency at the residence, she greeted the Emperor, Empress and Princess Aiko at the Imperial Palace.
December 29, 2025 -
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Japan’s Princess Kako Marks 31st Birthday, Contributed to Key Events This Year
TOKYO (Jiji Press) — Princess Kako, the second daughter of Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko, turned 31 on Monday.
December 29, 2025 -
Prince Hisahito to Attend New Year Public Greetings for First Time, Also Expected at New Year’s Celebration Ceremony
Prince Hisahito, the 19-year-old son of Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko, for the first time will attend the Imperial family’s New Year public greetings, scheduled for Jan. 2 at the Imperial Palace, the Imperial Household Agency said Friday.
December 27, 2025
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Crown Prince’s Family View Works on Children and War, Art at Museum in Tokyo Made During Wartime or Just After
Crown Prince Akishino and his family on Friday visited the Itabashi Art Museum in Tokyo to view an exhibition of works depicting children created during wartime and immediately after the end of World War II.
December 27, 2025 -
Japan’s Emperor Emeritus Turns 92, Spends Peaceful Days Despite Heart Illness
The Emperor Emeritus turned 92 on Tuesday.
December 23, 2025
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YOMIURI EDITORIAL
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Elderly People Living Alone: What Should be Done to Ensure Living with Peace of Mind until the End?
An increasing number of elderly people are living alone, without relatives or acquaintances to rely on in times of need. The central and local governments should establish systems to support these individuals’ livelihood during the final stages of their lives and help with procedures that must be dealt with after their deaths.
14 hours ago -
China’s Military Exercises: Outrageous Acts Escalate Tensions in Taiwan Strait
China, which has been intensifying its opposition to Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s Diet response regarding a possible Taiwan contingency, has begun large-scale military exercises around Taiwan.
14 hours ago -
Social Security Reform: Government Must Seek Understanding for Medical Spending Cuts
Specific plans have at last been finalized regarding two focal issues in social security system reform. To curb ever-rising medical expenditures, a certain increase in the burden on patients is unavoidable.
December 29, 2025 -
United States and Latin America: Washington Should Not Escalate Tensions with Blatant Intervention
The United States regards Latin America as being within its sphere of influence and has repeatedly engaged in military intimidation and election interference there. It is concerning that the country is threatening regional stability with blatant interference that is reminiscent of the Cold War era.
December 29, 2025 -
Electoral Reform: It Is Crucial to Emphasize Political Stability
December 28, 2025 -
Consumption Tax Delinquency: Businesses’ Unauthorized Use for Other Purposes Is Unacceptable
Consumption tax delinquency has been on the rise. If this tax, which is the closest to the people, is not paid properly, that undermines the principle of fairness regarding taxes. The central government needs to increase its collection efforts and deal with delinquent payers strictly.
December 28, 2025
POLITICS
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Takaichi Moves into Official Residence of the Prime Minister; Leaves House of Representatives Members’ Dormitory after Two Months in Office
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi moved from the House of Representatives members’ dormitory in Akasaka, Tokyo, to the Prime Minister’s Official Residence on Monday, two months after taking office, in a move intended to make her more prepared to fully manage any crisis that might arise.
17 hours ago -
Defense Ministry Seeks to Increase Post-Retirement Allowance for SDF Personnel
The Defense Ministry has decided to submit a bill to revise the law on its employees’ salaries, which includes a plan to increase post-retirement allowances for Self-Defense Forces (SDF) personnel, during the upcoming ordinary Diet session next month, The Yomiuri Shimbun has learned.
1 day ago -
Koizumi to Attend Davos Meeting in January; Would Be First Visit by Sitting Japanese Defense Minister
Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi is making arrangements to attend the World Economic Forum’s annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland, next January, ministry sources have said.
December 29, 2025
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Japan, Philippines to Sign ACSA for Defense Cooperation in January
Japan and the Philippines plan to sign an Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement (ACSA) as early as January, according to sources.
December 29, 2025 -
China Announces Military Drill Encircling Taiwan
BEIJING - A spokesperson for the Chinese military’s Eastern Theater Command, which oversees Taiwan, announced on Monday that it had commenced the “Justice Mission 2025” military drills, which encircle Taiwan.
The spokesperson stated that the drills involve the Army, Navy, Air Force and Rocket Force conducting integrated combat training and blockading key ports, asserting that the drills serve as a “stern warning to ‘Taiwan independence’ forces and external interference forces.”
December 29, 2025 -
Japanese Intelligence Agency to Screen Foreign Investments, as Govt Looks to Emulate U.S.
The government plans to require that foreign companies and investors be screened by an intelligence body before investing in Japanese companies, if there are high-level risks for national security.
December 28, 2025
BUSINESS
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Japan to Share AI Summaries of Patent Examination Cases with Emerging Nations; Protection of Companies’ Rights, Faster Process Times Sought
The Japan Patent Office plans to use artificial intelligence to create summaries of some of its past patent examinations and provide them to emerging nations starting in January.
December 31, 2025 -
Southwest Japan’s Challenges: Revitalization Efforts / Getting Latent Human Resources Back into Workforce: Homemakers, Seniors Have Strong Inclination to Work
“Please bear in mind that when you hand out your business card, you ought to introduce yourself first and have a brief conversation,” urged a female anchorperson who served as the seminar instructor at an exchange center in Yamaguchi in early September.
The participants were women who had left their jobs to care for children or for other reasons and now wish to rejoin the workforce. At, a Yamaguchi-based Specified Nonprofit Corporation that organized the event, has held such seminars several times since 2019, connecting job-seekers with companies.
December 29, 2025 -
Japan Firms to Get Financial Help for AI Data Prep; Government Seeks to Boost Performance of Domestic AI
The economy ministry will provide financial support for domestic companies’ efforts to process their vast amount of data for machine learning.
December 29, 2025
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Southwest Japan’s Challenges: Revitalization Efforts / Self-Driving Minibus Trialed in Fukuoka Pref. as Companies Build Bases for Technologies in Kyushu
With the future of Kyushu as well as Yamaguchi and Okinawa prefectures in mind, this series of articles takes a look at measures to solve the worsening labor shortage and build a vibrant society. This is the first installment in a three-part series.
December 29, 2025 -
Convenience Store Chain Lawson May Start OTC Drug Delivery in 2026
TOKYO (Jiji Press) — Convenience store chain Lawson Inc. plans to launch as early as 2026 a delivery service for over-the-counter drugs at its stores with no pharmacists or registered sellers present, President Sadanobu Takemasu has said.
December 28, 2025 -
Berkshire to Keep Japanese Trader Shares after Buffet’s Exit
NEW YORK (Jiji Press) — U.S. investment company Berkshire Hathaway Inc. plans to keep its shares in five major Japanese trading houses over the long term, even after the exit of CEO Warren Buffett on Wednesday.
December 28, 2025 -
Royal Holdings to Open 1st U.S. Sushi Restaurant in Calif., to be Launched in Sojitz, Choushimaru Joint Venture
Royal Holdings Co., a major Japanese restaurant operator, announced Friday that it will open its first U.S. restaurant on Tuesday in California, launching a dining concept centered on sushi. The company is aiming to expand earnings in the United States, where the market is large and Japanese food remains highly popular.
December 27, 2025
WORLD
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China May Be Building Nuclear Aircraft Carrier to Contend with U.S. Forces Around Taiwan
Satellite imagery shows frames resembling nuclear reactor containment vessels at what is believed to be the dockyard in China where the country is building its fourth aircraft carrier, according to an analysis by the Japan Institute for National Fundamentals. This could be China’s first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier.
13 hours ago -
Chinese Foreign Ministry Criticizes Japan’s Largest Ever Defense Budget in Draft Budget for Fiscal 2026
BEIJING — Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian criticized Japan’s fiscal 2026 draft defense budget at a press conference on Friday.
December 27, 2025 -
U.S. Senate Resolution Backs Japan, Condemns China’s Pressure
WASHINGTON (Jiji Press) — Bipartisan U.S. senators on Wednesday introduced a resolution expressing support for Japan and condemning China’s economic and military pressure amid Tokyo-Beijing tensions over Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s remarks on a potential Taiwan contingency.
December 18, 2025
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China Attacks Japan at U.N. Security Council Meetings; Representatives Ignore Agendas to Criticize Takaichi’s Remark
NEW YORK — China has ignored the agendas of multiple recent meetings at the United Nations to instead launch a barrage of criticism against Japan, and Japan has consistently rebutted its claims.
December 17, 2025 -
China to Impose Sanctions on Shigeru Iwasaki, Former Head of Japan’s Self-Defense Forces, Who Serves as Adviser to Taiwan’s Executive Branch
BEIJING — China has decided to impose sanctions on Shigeru Iwasaki, a former chief of Japan’s Self-Defense Forces’ Joint Staff, prohibiting him from entering the country and trading or working with groups or individuals within China, the Chinese Foreign Ministry announced Monday.
December 15, 2025 -
Moscow Court Rules ICC President Akane, Others Guilty
TOKYO (Jiji Press) — A court in Moscow handed down guilty rulings to nine people including Tomoko Akane, president of the International Criminal Court, which issued an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin, according to the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation.
December 14, 2025
NEWS SERVICES
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Japan’s Nikkei Stock Average Trims 2025 Surge as Tech Stocks Take a Breather (Update 1)
TOKYO, Dec 30 (Reuters) - Japan's Nikkei share gauge edged lower on the final trading day of 2025, dragged down by the technology sector that has been a key driver of the year's massive gains.
16 hours ago -
Trump Says the US ‘Hit’ a Facility along Shore Where He Says Alleged Drug Boats ‘Load up’
PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — President Donald Trump has indicated that the U.S. has “hit” a dock facility along a shore as he wages a pressure campaign on Venezuela, but the U.S. offered few details.
17 hours ago -
US Stocks End down as Tech Shares Drop Ahead of New Year
NEW YORK, Dec 29 (Reuters) - Wall Street's main indexes ended lower on Monday, kicking off the final week of the year on a softer note, as heavyweight technology stocks retreated from last week's gains that had pushed the S&P 500 to record highs.
18 hours ago
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Trump Warns Iran of Possible Strike, Urges Hamas to Disarm after Meeting Netanyahu
PALM BEACH, Florida, Dec 29 (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump said on Monday the United States could support another major strike on Iran were it to resume rebuilding its ballistic missile or nuclear weapons programs and warned Hamas of severe consequences if it does not disarm.
18 hours ago -
China Launches Live-Firing Drills around Taiwan in Its Biggest War Games to Date
BEIJING/TAIPEI, Dec 30 (Reuters) - China launched 10 hours of live-firing exercises around Taiwan on Tuesday, the second day of Beijing's largest-ever war games around the island, aimed at swiftly cutting its links to outside support in the event of a conflict.
19 hours ago -
Top Diplomats of China, Cambodia and Thailand Meet as Beijing Seeks to Strengthen Role in Dispute
HONG KONG (AP) — Foreign ministers from Cambodia and Thailand convened with their Chinese counterpart on Monday as the Beijing government, building on its expanding presence in the world diplomatic arena, sought to play a stronger mediating role in the violent border dispute between the two Southeast Asian countries.
The trilateral meeting, held in a southwestern Chinese province north of the contested border, came two days after Thailand and Cambodia signed a fresh ceasefire agreement to end weeks of fighting that killed more than 100 people and forced the evacuation of hundreds of thousands on both sides of the border.
December 29, 2025 -
Indonesia Fire Kills 16 People in Retirement Home
JAKARTA, Dec 29 (Reuters) - A fire at a retirement home in the city of Manado on Indonesia's on Sulawesi island has killed 16 people, a local police official was quoted as saying on Monday by state news agency Antara.
December 29, 2025
EDITORIAL & COLUMNS
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Japan-China Strain Set to Persist as Beijing Officials Self-Interestedly Bash Tokyo; Takaichi Unlikely to Back Down
The standoff between Japan and China shows signs of becoming protracted. China has strongly protested Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s Nov. 7 response to a question in the Diet, in which she stated that a Taiwan emergency could constitute a “survival-threatening situation,” thereby implying that it would trigger the exercise of Japan’s right of collective self-defense.
December 27, 2025 -
U.N. Women and Japan: Advancing Equality for a Better Future
The executive director of U.N. Women, a United Nations organization committed to advancing gender equality in the world, shares her thoughts on partnership with Japan.
December 27, 2025 -
Don’t Reward Russia for Aggression Against Ukraine
Three years and 10 months have passed since the war in Ukraine began, a period already longer than the Pacific War, which was fought for three years and eight months.
December 26, 2025
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French and German Ambassadors to Japan Call for Democracies to Unite in Defense against Russian Disinformation
Facing the threat of Russian disinformation, the French and German ambassadors to Japan jointly call for solidarity in defense of democracies in the following contribution to The Japan News.
December 25, 2025 -
Artificial Intelligence Expands Possibilities for Foreign Language Learners
AI translation has made significant strides in recent years, now handling tasks once considered uniquely human, such as translating manga and literary works, and providing simultaneous interpretation at international conferences.
December 20, 2025 -
How Will Takaichi Emulate Her Political Role Models, Thatcher and Abe?
Sanae Takaichi, Japan’s first female prime minister, has two role models in politics. One is Margaret Thatcher, the first female prime minister of the United Kingdom, who served from 1979 to 1990. The other is former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, under whom Takaichi was a cabinet minister.
December 13, 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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Kyoraku / Ginza’s Beloved Mellow Chuka Soba; Third-Generation Owner Starts Making Noodles from Scatch
I set out for Tokyo’s Ginza to get a bowl of ramen and knew Kyoraku, approaching its 70th anniversary, would satisfy my purpose. The shop, founded in 1956, serves Japan’s most traditional and simple ramen: the chuka soba. It took a leap toward becoming an even more thriving establishment when third-generation owner Kazuhiko Nakano, 39, began serving noodles made from scratch. As I wandered through Ginza amid the year-end rush, I stopped by the shop, which always seems to have people lined up.
December 10, 2025 -
Noodle Dining Shunsai / Rich Oyster Ramen to Savor at Odasaga; Experienced 68-year-old Owner Creates Numerous Ramen Varieties
Odakyu Sagamihara Station in Kanagawa Prefecture is affectionately called “Odasaga” by locals. In the residential area north of the station, opposite the commercial district in the south, stands the distinctive ramen shop “Noodle Dining Shunsai.” Owner Yasunori Okamoto, 68, who has experience with both Japanese and Italian cuisine, serves a variety of unique ramen centered around seafood. Intrigued by his seasonal oyster ramen, I visited the shop.
November 27, 2025
SPORTS
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‘King Kazu’ Joins J3’s Fukushima United FC on Loan; 58-Year-Old Kazuyoshi Miura Returns to J.League for 1st time in 5 Years in 2026
Former Japan international Kazuyoshi Miura announced he will join J3 club Fukushima United FC on loan in 2026.
The move means 58-year-old Miura will compete in the J.League for the first time in five years.
13 hours ago -
Speed Skater Miho Takagi Heads Japan Squad for Milan Cortina Winter Games
NAGANO — Miho Takagi will look to add to her bulging Olympic medal collection as she heads the 14 speed skaters named to the Japan team to next year’s Milan Cortina Winter Games.
December 29, 2025 -
Museum Mile Wins Arima Kinen; Cosmo Kuranda Comes in 2nd, Danon Decile 3rd
Second-favorite Museum Mile won the 70th Arima Kinen on Sunday, finishing neck-and-neck with 11th favorite Cosmo Kuranda, at Nakayama Racecourse in Funabashi, Chiba Prefecture.
December 28, 2025
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Naoya Inoue and Junto Nakatani Both Win to Set up Potential Japanese Super Fight
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AP) — Undisputed super bantamweight champion Naoya Inoue outpointed Alan David Picasso on Saturday to set up a potential pound-for-pound super fight with Junto Nakatani.
December 28, 2025 -
‘King Kazu’ Determined to Rebound, Return for 41st Season
Having just completed his 40th season as a professional soccer player that was hampered by injuries, Japanese forward Kazuyoshi Miura remains intent on getting ready to return for a 41st.
December 26, 2025 -
Dodgers Superstar Shohei Ohtani Heads 1st Wave of Samurai Japan Players Named for WBC
It’s official. Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani, a key member of Samurai Japan’s victory in the last World Baseball Classic and the player the baseball world most wants to see, will be returning to the event to be held next year.
December 26, 2025 -
Yokozuna Onosato Says He Has Recovered from Shoulder Injury, Is Ready for New Year
Yokozuna Onosato, whose bid for the title at the Kyushu tournament in November was upended by a shoulder injury, said Wednesday he has made a steady recovery and will be prepared for the upcoming New Year tournament.
December 25, 2025
SCIENCE & NATURE
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‘Fiercest, Most Damaging Invasive Weed’ Spreading in Rivers, Lakes in Japan, Alligator Weed Found in Numerous Locations
Alligator weed, an invasive plant species native to South America, is spreading in rivers and lakes in Japan. The aquatic plant is described as one of the fiercest and most damaging invasive species because of its high reproductivity. It is causing damage to agriculture such as by covering rice paddies, thereby preventing harvest.
December 27, 2025 -
Canadian Researchers Capture Rare Case of Polar Bear Adoption
MONTREAL (AFP-Jiji) — Researchers in northern Canada have observed a rare case of polar bear adoption, capturing video footage of a wild female bear caring for a cub that was not her own.
December 27, 2025 -
Scientists Solve Mystery of Fossils ‘Burtele Foot’
WASHINGTON (Reuters) — Scientists have solved the mystery of 3.4 million-year-old fossils called the “Burtele Foot” discovered in Ethiopia in 2009, finding they belonged to an enigmatic human ancestor that lived alongside another closely related species during a poorly understood time in human evolution.
December 27, 2025
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Nanotyrannus Was Not Juvenile T. Rex — a Throat Bone Settles It
WASHINGTON (Reuters) — Paleontologists for decades debated whether meat-eating dinosaur Nanotyrannus was actually just a juvenile Tyrannosaurus. But within a span of five weeks, the matter seems to have been definitively resolved by two new studies showing that Nanotyrannus was clearly distinct from T. rex.
December 26, 2025 -
Tanning Beds Triple Skin Cancer Risk, Study Finds
PARIS (AFP-Jiji) — When Heidi Tarr was a teenager, she used a tanning bed several times a week with her friends because they all wanted to glow like a celebrity.
December 26, 2025 -
Japan’s H3 Rocket Likely Made 1.5 Trips Around Earth; Analyst Believes Satellite Almost Certainly Lost As Well
WASHINGTON — Japan’s No. 8 H3 rocket likely reentered the atmosphere over South America about two hours after launch, according to analysis by Dr. Jonathan McDowell of the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics.
December 25, 2025 -
Italy Awards Solar Capacity in First ‘Not Made in China’ Auction
MILAN (Reuters) — Italy awarded more than 1.1 gigawatts of capacity to 88 projects in its first auction exclusively for solar projects built without equipment manufactured in China, setting an average price of €66.38 per megawatt hour.
December 24, 2025
CULTURE
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Brigitte Bardot, 1960s Sultry sex Symbol Turned Militant Animal Rights Activist Dies at 91
PARIS (AP) — Brigitte Bardot, the French 1960s sex symbol who became one of the greatest screen sirens of the 20th century and later a militant animal rights activist, has died. She was 91.
December 28, 2025 -
‘Kokuho’ Creates Opening for Japan’s Film Industry with Lavish Depiction of Kabuki
This year, Japan’s film industry was dominated by “Kokuho,” directed by Lee Sang-il. The film centered on the world of kabuki and got younger people interested in Japan’s traditional performing arts. It broke the box office record for a Japanese live-action film, grossing over ¥18.1 billion and beating out the previous record from 22 years ago. It is also a contender for the Academy Awards, ensuring the buzz continues into the new year.
December 26, 2025 -
Celebrating New Year’s with Glass Kagamimochi, Sapporo Artist Makes Ceremonial Cakes to Be Enjoyed for Years to Come
Glass kagamimochi ceremonial rice cakes for the New Year are displayed at glass studio GLOW in Kita Ward, Sapporo. Glass artist Issey Mizuki, 44, molds the molten glass — heated to 1,300 C in a furnace — using chopsticks and scissors. The lower sections are transparent, but air bubbles trapped inside give them a white tint. “I hope people enjoy how the appearance changes with the angle and light. I want to convey Japanese traditions through glass craft,” Mizuki said. Three sizes: small, large and extra-large, are available in store and online, priced from ¥3,600.
December 26, 2025
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Osamu Tezuka Museum Exhibits Kemono Friends Illustrations to Teach that Life is Precious
TAKARAZUKA, Hyogo — Fans of the popular media franchise Kemono Friends can enjoy an exhibition of its illustrations at The Osamu Tezuka Manga Museum in Takarazuka, Hyogo Prefecture.Livestock abandoned in the aftermath of the Great East Japan Earthquake in March 2011 are behind the creation of this charming work, which features anthropomorphized animals. The exhibition offers the opportunity to think about our coexistence with animals.Kemono Friends is set in Japari Park, a fictional giant zoo. The work has spawned entertainment across various genres, including games, anime and manga, both in Japan and overseas. Mine Yoshizaki, the creator of the manga “Keroro Gunso” (“Sgt. Frog”), has been providing the concept designs.After the 2011 earthquake, Yoshizaki shifted his focus to abandoned livestock in the disaster-hit areas. He began looking for ways to help the affected region as well as the people and animals there through his profession, leading to the creation of characters that transform from animals into humans.To deepen the public’s understanding of animals, Kemono Friends collaborates with zoos and aquariums nationwide by placing character panels near the exhibited animals. Donation boxes for the World Wildlife Fund also are set up at events featuring Kemono Friends.
December 26, 2025 -
Dior’s New Creative Director Jonathan Anderson Takes Inspiration from Fashion House’s History
Jonathan Anderson is one of the most talked-about fashion designers in the world right now. The 41-year-old became the creative director for French fashion house Dior and presented his first new collection for Spring/Summer 2026 in Paris this autumn.
December 25, 2025 -
Popularity of Piggy Banks Across Time and Place Seen at Bank’s Museum of Money Boxes in Hyogo Pref.
Money boxes come in all shapes and sizes, but the pig is one of the most familiar shapes, as is indicated by the fact that they are commonly called piggy banks in English.
December 21, 2025
NEWS WITH VIDEO
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Celebrating New Year’s with Glass Kagamimochi, Sapporo Artist Makes Ceremonial Cakes to Be Enjoyed for Years to Come
December 26, 2025 -
Shrine Maidens Assemble Treasure Ships Ahead of New Year’s Pilgrimage
December 24, 2025 -
Arrival of Migratory White-Fronted Geese at Peak at Izunuma Pond, Miyagi Pref.; 100,000 Birds Spotted This Season
December 23, 2025 -
Hakone Ekiden Banners Hung at Tokyo’s JR Shinagawa Station Ahead of Long-Distance Relay Race
December 23, 2025 -
Benihoppe, Yumenoka Strawberries At Peak Harvest Season in Japan’s Aichi Prefecture Amid High Demand During Festive Seasons
December 22, 2025
FEATURES
DELICIOUS
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Japanese Chef of Italian Restaurant in Tokyo Offers Milanese Risotto; Bright Colors, Rich Flavors in Simple Steps
December 28, 2025 -
Students Recreate 19th-Century Bento Boxes Made for Ino Tadataka’s Survey Team in Hot Spring Town on Nakasendo Road
December 21, 2025 -
Hand-Ground, Aroma-Perfecting, Dressed Dishes; 1 Recipe Comes from 1872
December 21, 2025 -
Sambusa Delight with Crispy Outside, Juicy Inside; Party Snack Pairs Great with Alcohol
December 14, 2025
JAPAN IN FOCUS
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Utsunomiya Kissaten Keeps Showa Atmosphere Alive; Nostalgic Cafe Offers Signature Warm Egg Sandwich, Variety of Coffee Options
December 29, 2025 -
Kagoshima: Shogi Star Fujii Enjoys Sightseeing Train, Welcomed in Ibusuki
December 27, 2025 -
Tottori: Sand Dunes Facility Opens Sand Circuit Dedicated to Radio-Controlled Cars
December 27, 2025 -
Hyogo: Colorful Fishermen’s Flags Decorate Akashi Shopping Arcade
December 27, 2025
TRAVEL SPOTS
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Crocodiles, Alligators in Japan Garden Get Scrubbed Clean; Year-end Cleanup Comes to Japan’s Reptiles
15 hours ago -
Buddhist Monks Ring in New Year at Chion-in in Kyoto; Massive Bells Struck with Full Force to Ward off Evil Desires
December 28, 2025 -
Arrival of Migratory White-Fronted Geese at Peak at Izunuma Pond, Miyagi Pref.; 100,000 Birds Spotted This Season
December 23, 2025 -
Santa Claus Delivers Christmas Presents to Penguins at Aquarium in Japan’s Nagasaki Prefecture
December 21, 2025
TROUBLESHOOTER
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I Said Hurtful Things to My Family, but I Don’t Remember Saying Them
December 28, 2025 -
My Partner Opened a Takeaway Restaurant Without Telling Me
December 28, 2025 -
My Gambler Husband’s Debts are Paid off by His Father
December 21, 2025 -
My Husband is Extraordinarily Strict with our Daughter, Who is Struggling in School
December 21, 2025
