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.
The Queen of the Night Blooms Only Once a Year
Visitors gather in Aichi Prefecture, in central Japan, to get a glimpse of a special flower, the "Queen of the Night," a cactus flower that only blooms once a year in the evening, and withers by morning.
Hotel Why Thinks Zero Waste Is Not a Question
Tokushima has a zero-waste policy, and Hotel Why is doing its part to be a call-to-action hotel. Why is it shaped like a question mark? Read on to find out.
Japan's First Sign Language Starbucks Opens
As a show of its dedication to inclusion, Starbucks has brought it's fifth global sign language cafe to Tokyo, the first in the nation.
Toyota Invests in Joint Space Venture
Toyota Motor and three major Japanese banks invest in a new fund for space development aimed at nurturing domestic startups in the field.
Japan's Job Availability Continues to Drop
May marks the fifth consecutive month of declining job availability in Japan due to effects of the novel coronavirus pandemic.
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.
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.
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.
Tokyo’s Ueno Zoo Reopens
People flock to Tokyo’s Ueno Zoo, which has reopened after closing for about four months due to the novel coronavirus pandemic.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Tokyo Subway Going Antimicrobial
Workers at Tokyo Metro are now applying an antimicrobial surface coating to their trains to fend off the coronavirus.
Find Your Perfect Room at this Kyoto Hotel
This new, boutique hotel in Kyoto is serving up a completely different look in each room.
Tokyo Disneyland & DisneySea Reopen
The facilities of Tokyo's Magic Kingdom have reopened after a four-month hiatus to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus.
