News

In the heart of Japan’s summer season, the island of Kyushu has been battered by relentless heavy rainfall, triggering widespread flooding, landslides, and emergency evacuations. As of August 11, 2025, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) has issued its highest-level special heavy rain warnings for several areas in Kumamoto Prefecture, including …

Miyazaki Prefecture, a tranquil region on Japan’s southern Kyushu island, is witnessing a fascinating demographic transformation. According to the latest population survey released by Japan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications on January 6, 2025 (based on data from January 1, 2025), the prefecture’s total population is 1,048,347—a 0.98% decrease …

Kagoshima Prefecture’s Population Hits Record Low for 11th Year, While Foreign Residents Reach All-Time High Kagoshima Prefecture, a stunning region in southern Japan, is undergoing a remarkable demographic transformation. According to the latest population dynamics report from the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, released on August 6, 2025, the …

Japan’s Population Decline Hits Record Levels: What Does It Mean for the Future? Japan’s population has reached a critical turning point. As of January 1 this year, the number of Japanese residents dropped to 120.65 million, a staggering decline of approximately 910,000 people from the previous year—the largest drop since …

Introduction: Hiroshima’s 80th Anniversary—A Day of Reflection and Resolve On August 6, 2025, the city of Hiroshima marked 80 years since the atomic bomb fell, a somber milestone known as “Hiroshima Day” or “Atomic Bomb Day.” At the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba addressed a global …

Introduction: A Milestone in Hokkaido’s Wildlife Story For the first time since record-keeping began in 1991, the brown bear population in Hokkaido, Japan, has decreased. As of the end of 2023, the estimated number of bears stands at 11,600—a drop of 500 from the previous year. This historic decline follows …

The Online Trade of Japanese War Relics: A Growing Crisis of History and Memory As we approach the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II in 2025, a troubling phenomenon is unfolding on the internet: the rampant sale of Japanese war relics on online auction sites. Items such …

Why This Heatwave Matters: A Record-Breaking Event in Context Japan’s summers are famously hot and humid, but the heatwave that struck the Kanto region on August 5, 2025, was exceptional. The temperature of 41.8°C (107.2°F) in Isesaki, Gunma, didn’t just break records—it shattered them, eclipsing the previous national high set …

In a groundbreaking move, the Japanese government, led by Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, has decided to pivot its agricultural policy toward increasing rice production. This decision, set to be formally announced at a ministerial meeting on August 5, 2025, comes as a direct response to recent rice price hikes triggered …

On August 4, 2025, Ezaki Glico, the renowned Japanese confectionery company, announced a groundbreaking achievement: the registration of Pocky’s distinctive long, thin stick shape as a “three-dimensional trademark.” This milestone is more than just a legal victory—it’s a celebration of Pocky’s enduring legacy as a beloved snack, both in Japan …