JR East Redesigns All Station Stamps in Tokyo
Train otaku, rejoice! JR East has redesigned 78 of the stamps at central stations in Tokyo. Are you gonna catch 'em all?
Japan Rolls Out Paid Plastic Bags Policy
Japan mandates businesses to charge customers for plastic shopping bags as part of efforts to tackle plastic waste. Stores are responding in various ways.
70% of New Covid Cases Among 20s & 30s Adults
Tokyo confirmed 107 new coronavirus cases on Thursday, and over 100 cases per day over the the weekend. The capital has designated a four-color warning system to notify the public of the severity of the situation.
Japan to Abolish Seal-Stamping System
Life in Japan Traditional Japan
Bad news for fans of Japanese seals! Japan is looking to do away with its custom of physical seal stamping and come up with a digitized process.
Japan PM Vows Aid to Rain-Battered Kumamoto
Japanese Prime Minister Abe Shinzo visits the disaster-stricken areas of Kumamoto Prefecture. Japan’s southwestern region has been devastated by torrential rains and flooding.
Hakone Tozan Railway Is Ready to Roll
Typhoon-hit Hakone Tozan Railway is preparing to resume operations. The railway was partially destroyed last October by Typhoon Hagibis. Operators had a successful test run on Wednesday.
Toyota to Allow Permanent Work From Home
Toyota Motor will allow eligible employees to permanently work from home. Until now workers needed special permission to work remotely, but the automaker decided on the new measure due to increased productivity.
Southwestern Japan Rocked by Rains & Flooding
Heavy rain in Japan’s southwestern region of Kyushu has left at least 57 people dead in Kumamoto and Fukuoka prefectures. More rain is expected from Wednesday night.
Tokyo Hits Record High for New COVID Cases
Tokyo confirmed 224 new cases of infection with the novel coronavirus on Thursday, July 9, a record high for a single day.
Patients With COVID-19 Antibodies Found Immune
The results of Japan’s large-scale antibody test show all eight patients who had antibodies against the novel coronavirus were immune to COVID-19.
Tokyo Subway Going Antimicrobial
Workers at Tokyo Metro are now applying an antimicrobial surface coating to their trains to fend off the coronavirus.
Tokyo's New Foreign Residents Support Center
The Japanese government has opened a center that offers foreign residents support ranging from immigration issues to employment. The facility also advises companies employing foreigners, and local governments of areas where they reside.
Tokyo On High Alert for Coronavirus
Tokyo officials have raised the four-stage COVID-19 alert to its highest level, since the Japanese capital saw more than 100 new cases for the seventh straight day.
Fireball in Japan Identified as Meteorite
Researchers have identified a fireball seen streaking across the night sky over wide areas of Japan in early July as a meteorite.
Tokyo Coronavirus Cases on the Rise
Tokyo reports 124 new confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus on Friday, July 3, while the health minister says Japan’s medical care system is not in a crunch.
Upopoy National Ainu Museum Finally Opens
After delays, the Ainu now have an official space to showcase and preserve their unique cultural heritage at the Upopoy National Ainu Museum in Hokkaido. The center showcases the unique culture of the Ainu, an indigenous people in northern Japan.
New Daily High of Coronavirus Cases in Tokyo
The Tokyo Metropolitan Government reported a new daily high of 286 confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus in Japan’s capital on Thursday.
JAXA's Asteroid Explorer to Return in December
The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency says its asteroid explorer will return to Earth from its mission this December. Hayabusa 2 has been collecting sand and rocks from an asteroid to try and discover the origins of life.
New Hotel Embraces Its Ikebukuro Home
A new hotel embracing minimalism celebrates the neighborhood it's in, Ikebukuro.
New Shinkansen Bullet Train Model Debuts
A new model of the Shinkansen bullet train goes into service between Tokyo and Hakata. The N700S is the first fully remodeled Tokaido Shinkansen train series in 13 years.
