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July 12, 2026
 

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Jessica Speed
The aggressive mouse (left) used in the experiment and a mouse defending itself
JAPAN / Science & Health
Jul 10, 2026
Japanese scientists identify neural mechanism that may explain why we dislike people
University of Tokyo researchers said the study’s findings could advance understanding of disorders in which social memory and emotional processing become distorted.
Japanese summer travel budgets increased for the first time in three years to an average of ¥58,902 ($363) this year, according to a recent survey.
JAPAN
Jul 9, 2026
Japan’s summer vacation budgets rise for first time in three years
An online survey conducted in June found that higher prices and a weak yen were the main reasons among respondents for increasing their budgets.
The rate of elementary and junior high school students requiring financial aid for school expenses among all students attending public schools was 13.36% in fiscal 2024.
JAPAN / Society
Jul 8, 2026
Number of students receiving financial aid for school falls for 13th year
Japan’s central government offers financial aid for school expenses to those living on welfare, while boards of education can offer assistance based on their own criteria.
A graphic illustration of the Hayabusa2 probe flying past the asteroid Torifune
JAPAN / Science & Health
Jul 6, 2026
Hayabusa2 flies past asteroid as Japan aims to acquire data for planetary defense
The encounter marks a new phase for Hayabusa2, which completed its primary mission in 2020 after returning samples from the asteroid Ryugu to Earth.
Foreign tourists walk on the path leading to the Kiyomizu Temple in Kyoto in May.
JAPAN / Society
Jul 3, 2026
Japan plans to sharply raise fees for residence permits from October
Under the new structure, fees will vary depending on the length of the permit, with those in the top bracket required to pay at least ¥65,000.
A Tokyo Pride parade participant holds a sign that says "we want to be a married couple, not a couple."
JAPAN / Society / FOCUS
Jun 29, 2026
Japan’s fertility system offers few safe paths for same-sex couples
LGBTQ+ people in Japan face such limited fertility treatment options, they could ultimately be deprived of the right to safely start a family.
Haru Ono founded Nijiiro Kazoku in 2010 after forming a same-sex stepfamily. She said the impetus for founding the organization was that she couldn’t find much reliable information out there for families such as hers in Japan.
JAPAN / Society / FOCUS
Jun 28, 2026
LGBTQ+ families are building lives Japanese lawmakers still struggle to see
Japan does not offer same-sex couples the same legal rights and benefits granted to married couples.
A Japan Meteorological Agency map shows the seismic intensity of Friday night's earthquake centered in Yamanashi.
JAPAN
Jun 26, 2026
Strong earthquake jolts Yamanashi and Kanagawa amid landslide fears
The magnitude 5.6 quake came as two tropical storms neared the main island of Honshu, with heavy rain falling in recent days and more to come over the weekend.
Fans celebrate at the Shibuya Crossing in Tokyo on Friday as Japan advanced to the knockout round in the World Cup.
SOCCER / World cup
Jun 26, 2026
Fans take over iconic Shibuya Crossing as Japan reaches World Cup knockout round
Fans watched in packed bars, cafes and even on the side of the road as the Samurai Blue secured a second-place finish in Group F at the World Cup.
A screenshot of the Japan Meteorological Agency website shows the seismic intensity of Thursday morning's earthquake.
JAPAN
Jun 25, 2026
Magnitude 7.2 quake hits northern Japan
No tsunami warning has been issued over the temblor, which registered a rare upper 6 on the Japanese seismic intensity scale in the town of Hashikami, Aomori Prefecture.
A map depicting the paths of Typhoon Mekkhala and Tropical Storm Higos
JAPAN
Jun 24, 2026
Double barrage of storms to hit Japan this week
A rare convergence of two storms — Typhoon Mekkhala and Tropical Storm Higos — is expected to bring dangerous winds and heavy rain to the country.
Yasuo Urata, the president and CEO of Oncolys BioPharma, said in an interview Wednesday in Tokyo that he wants to develop treatments that improve the quality of life for patients.
JAPAN / Science & Health
Jun 18, 2026
Oncolys president reflects on long journey to world-first cancer treatment
Yasuo Urata hopes the newly approved viral therapy will improve quality of life for esophageal cancer patients.
At least five people, including a child in serious condition, fell ill after eating “high rollers” deli wraps sold a Costco store in Nagoya, according to media reports.
JAPAN
Jun 16, 2026
Five fall ill from E. coli outbreak at Nagoya Costco store
One of them, a boy under the age of 10, remains in serious condition.
H3 Launch Vehicle No. 6 lifts off from the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's Tanegashima Space Center in Kagoshima Prefecture on Friday.
JAPAN / Science & Health
Jun 12, 2026
Japan successfully launches H3 rocket
The successful launch is an important comeback for Japan as it seeks to restore confidence in the H3 series and demonstrate the rocket can support a wider range of missions.
A group of high school students arrested over allegedly trying to extort money from a boy in western Tokyo may have used ChatGPT to decide how much to demand, police said.
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Jun 11, 2026
Teenagers in Tokyo allegedly used ChatGPT to decide extortion amount in assault case
Five teenagers were arrested in January over the alleged assault and attempted extortion of ¥150,000 from a high school student in the city of Hachioji.
A Japan Meteorological Agency official speaks about the earthquake off the Philippines and ensuing tsunami advisory for a large chunk of Japan, at a news conference early Monday in Tokyo.
JAPAN
Jun 8, 2026
JMA lifts tsunami advisory for Japan coastlines after strong quake off Philippines
The advisory was issued for coastal areas in Ibaraki, Chiba, Tokyo, Kanagawa, Shizuoka, Aichi, Mie, Wakayama, Kochi, Miyazaki, Kagoshima and Okinawa.
Participants in the Tokyo Rainbow Pride march through the streets on Sunday.
JAPAN / Society
Jun 7, 2026
Tokyo Pride draws thousands to spotlight important year for LGBTQ rights
Japan remains the only Group of Seven nation that does not recognize same-sex marriage, even as public support for marriage equality has reached about 67%.
Elevated water levels are seen along the Tama River in Kawasaki's Tama Ward as Tropical Storm Jangmi brought heavy rain and strong winds to the Kanto region Wednesday.
JAPAN
Jun 3, 2026
Tropical Storm Jangmi slams Japan, triggering flood alerts and disrupting transportation
The storm triggered Level 4 evacuation orders for areas in Tokyo as well as Kanagawa and Chiba prefectures before they were lifted after it passed over the area.
Tokyo's Shibuya Ward has begun handing out ¥2,000 ($12) fines to litterbugs.
JAPAN / Society
Jun 2, 2026
Shibuya begins handing out ¥2,000 fines for littering
Patrol officers will now monitor the ward and collect the fine on the spot from anyone caught throwing away trash improperly, with cashless payments accepted.
A man looks a departures board showing a canceled flight to Okinawa after Tropical Storm Jangmi shut down the airport there as it moved toward mainland Japan, at Tokyo's Haneda Airport on Monday.
JAPAN
Jun 2, 2026
At least 16 injured as Tropical Storm Jangmi threatens Kyushu
The Meteorological Agency has warned of violent winds, high waves, storm surges, landslides, flooding and overflowing rivers in affected areas.
China’s demand for Soviet-style apartments shows limits to revival
Apartments built during a Soviet Union-inspired construction drive in the 1970s and 1980s tend to suffer from poor insulation and outdated plumbing, but they are seeing a revival in interest due to their attractive locations.
Japanese scientists identify neural mechanism that may explain why we dislike people
The aggressive mouse (left) used in the experiment and a mouse defending itself
Japanese payment processor’s collapse hits banks and restaurants
Zentoshin served around 200,000 shops, many of which rely on early payments to maintain cash flow, raising concerns over their financial stability following the disruption.
Over 70% of accommodations in Japan say they are understaffed amid tourism influx
The number of foreign visitors to Japan reached a high of 42.68 million in 2025.
Lenders seek $700 million after Japanese payments firm’s collapse
The financial failure of Osaka-based Zentoshin has left 63 creditors with claims totaling ¥115.16 billion, according to Tokyo Shoko Research.
Japan’s largest exhibition of women photographers rights a wrong in cultural history
Miwa Yanagi’s “Elevator Girl House” series skewers the superficiality of gender roles through staged images.
Over 70% of accommodations in Japan say they are understaffed amid tourism influx
The number of foreign visitors to Japan reached a high of 42.68 million in 2025.
‘Princess Mononoke’ comes alive in Super Kabuki staging
The “Princess Mononoke” adaptation was created under Shochiku’s Super Kabuki initiative, a modern form of kabuki with more technology in staging and open to pop culture collaborations.
The beating heart inside ‘Human Vapor’
Different forms of love and connection form the emotional backbone of Netflix’s “Human Vapor,” says actor Shun Oguri, who plays troubled detective Kenji Okamoto.
Japan bets on character IP to drive global growth
Born on social media platforms in 2022, Opanchu Usagi has become a major hit, especially among Generation Z.

Podcast

One of the many entrances to the Kabukicho neighborhood in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward.
Kabukicho: Tokyo’s ‘stadium of desire’

Longform

The Terasaka Rice Terraces are seen with Mount Buko in the background.
What Yokoze can teach Japan about rural revival
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