Soaring Rice Prices Show No Sign of Dropping in Japan
The price of rice in Japan has risen to more than twice as much as a year ago, and releases of government stockpiles have yet to prove effective in bringing it down.Economy
The Conservative Argument Against Nuclear Power in Japan
Opposition to nuclear power in earthquake-prone Japan is often seen as the province of political progressives. But a former judge argues that conservative thinking should lead to the same conclusion: that nuclear power is not the wise choice for Japan.Society
The “Evacuate Can” Project: Tsunami Readiness in a Kōchi Community
A monster earthquake along the Nankai Trough is expected to unleash massive tsunamis all along Japan’s southern Pacific coast. The town of Kuroshio, Kōchi, is finding ways to prepare that involve not massive infrastructure splitting the people from the sea, but rather education preparing them to remain safe when the time comes.Disaster
Purification Festivals: The Power of Fire and Water
The latest entry in our series of articles looking at Japan’s most fascinating festivals in sets of three tackles purification rituals. From Hokkaidō in the north to Aichi farther south, explore these three gatherings that aim to cleanse the realm for health and bountiful harvests in the year to come.Culture
New Best-Before and Use-By Guidelines Target Food Waste Reduction in Japan
New Japanese guidelines on best-before and use-by dates aim to tackle food waste by encouraging greater understanding of these terms’ meaning.Lifestyle
Exploring Expo 2025
Expo 2025 Osaka Kansai kicks off on April 13, 2025, to run for a half-year through October 13. Below we take a look at the main facilities, national pavilions, and attractions of the all-new World Expo.Travel
Seated Image of Amida Buddha, Kōzōji, Miyagi
Next to the main image in the Amida Hall at the temple Kōzōji in Miyagi Prefecture stands another statue of roughly the same size and age. Although now badly damaged, the finely proportioned features of the sculpture convey a powerful message across the centuries.Images
Too Much Information: Osaka Expo Website’s Excessive Personal Data Demands
Osaka Expo’s ticket sales website has come under fire in Japan for its excessive requirements to provide personal information.Society
News in Brief
Japanese Firms Call for Improved Distribution of Stockpiled Rice
Economy
2026 Olympic, Paralympic Torches Unveiled at Osaka Expo
Sports
Ishiba, Labor Leader Yoshino Vow Cooperation over Wage Hikes
Politics
Osaka Expo Advance Ticket Sales Miss Target
Economy
Japanese Emperor Hosts Tea Party for Lawmakers
Society
Tsuruha Investor Opposes Merger with Welcia
Economy
Japan's Population Falls for 14th Straight Year
Politics
S. Korea Industry Groups Donate 3 B. Won for Wartime Labor Payments
World
Japanese Millers to Cut Prices for Business Customers
Economy
Ishiba Denies Retaliatory Tariffs against U.S.
Politics
Wakayama Governor Taken to Hospital after Collapse
Politics
Kumamoto Quake Victims Remembered after 9 Years
Society
Japanese National Confirmed Dead in Myanmar Quake
World
Japan to Decide Whether to Compile Extra Budget: Ishiba
Politics
Whooping Cough Spreading in Japan
Society
Turkmenistan 1st to Mark Osaka Expo National Day
Society
58,000 Elderly People Died Alone at Home in Japan in 2024
Society
USTR Hopes to Discuss Currency with Japan
Economy
In-depth Deeper takes on the issues that shape the nation.
No Need for Nissan? Hon Hai Buyout Not in the Cards
When Honda walked away from the idea of merging with Nissan to create a new Japanese automotive giant earlier this year, it left a wide-open field with plenty of room for observers to wonder about other potential purchasers for the beleaguered automaker. An analyst notes that Hon Hai, named as one potential suitor for Nissan, is not a likely buyer, as its corporate focus is elsewhere.Economy
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Policy Challenges for China and the Region Under Trump 2.0: Tough Choices Ahead for Japan
In-depth
Japan Grapples with Risks of Social Media in Pursuing Options for Protecting Children Online
Society
Buried Timebombs: Saitama Sinkhole Draws Attention to Japan’s Aging Wastewater Infrastructure
Society
Pancontinental Olympics? Watanabe Morinari’s Audacious Vision Fuels Outside IOC Presidential Bid
Sports
Keeping Japanese Children Safe in Cyberspace: Weighing the Roles of Government, Business, and Family
Society
The Gilded Age of the American Tariff: Choices Ahead for Japan
Economy
Japan Data Basic information on Japan with easy-to-understand statistics and diagrams.
Guide to Japan Tour the country's well-known and out-of-the-way destinations. Guide to Japan
Sakura Wonderland: A Walk Under the Cherry Blossoms in Kamakura
Travel
Cherry Blossom Forecast 2025 (March Update): Let It Bloom
Guide to Japan
Nagasaki’s Glover Garden: Window on the British Merchants Involved in Japan’s Modernization
History
A New Film and Kneeling Statue at Osaka Expo Gundam Pavilion
Guide to Japan