National
Hokkaido's 1st bear warning issued in town after fatal attack
Hokkaido on Saturday issued a strong warning of brown bears across one of its towns following a fatal attack on a newspaper deliveryman there, making it the first time that the highest-level of alert has been sent out in the northern prefecture. The warning, affecting the town of Fukushima in… Read
Osaka expo moves into full gear to fight heat exhaustion
As the mercury soars in Japan, the World Exposition in Osaka has moved into full gear to beat the summer heat, with firms showcasing their latest cooling technologies while the organizer urges visitors to take measures to ward off heat exhaustion. Daikin Industries Ltd, a major Japanese air conditioner manufacturer,… Read
'Forever chemicals' found in organs of vulnerable Japanese wildcats
High concentrations of potentially carcinogenic PFAS "forever chemicals" have been found in Tsushima leopard cats -- a designated natural monument and vulnerable species native to a Japanese island -- researchers said. The Ehime University-led research team found the chemicals in the organs of all 21 cats examined, raising concerns about… Read
Japan to make foreign driver's license conversion tests tougher
Japan plans to make foreign driver's license conversion tests more stringent by significantly increasing the number of questions, police said. With more foreign drivers on the road, and the number of accidents involving them also on the rise, the new written test is expected to include 50 questions and require… Read
Chinese fighter jet flies within 70 meters of SDF plane: Japan gov't
A Chinese fighter jet flew close to a Japan Air Self-Defense Force aircraft over international waters in the East China Sea, Japan's government said Thursday, in a move that could strain ties between the two countries. Following the close encounters within 70 meters between a Chinese JH-7 fighter-bomber and an… Read
Final 3 Mount Fuji trails open; ¥4,000 fee charged for all climbers
The climbing season on Mount Fuji began in full on Thursday as all three trails on the Shizuoka Prefecture side were opened, with all local authorities charging an entrance fee of 4,000 yen. The most commonly used trail, in neighboring Yamanashi Prefecture, opened on July 1. Both prefectures have introduced… Read
Japan weather bureau says 40% chance of La Nina in autumn
Japan's weather bureau said on Thursday that normal weather patterns are continuing and that there was a 40% chance of the La Nina phenomenon emerging in the Northern Hemisphere autumn. There was a greater, 60% chance of normal weather patterns continuing, it said. A La Nina weather event is characterized… Read
Heat, high prices to keep more summer holidaymakers indoors: survey
More summer holidaymakers in Japan are expected to stay indoors and avoid activities such as camping, barbecues and visits to theme parks amid record heat since June and rising living costs, a survey by a private company showed Thursday. According to the multiple-choice survey on people's summer plans, the highest… Read
Japan starts deploying Ospreys at new base to beef up southwest defense
The Japanese army on Wednesday began deploying its fleet of V-22 Ospreys on a newly opened permanent base in southwestern Japan, in the country’s latest move to strengthen its defense as tensions in the region grow. The first of the fleet of 17 Ospreys arrived at its new home base of Camp Saga… Read
Tokyo railway service disrupted after train hits man; 6 injured
A man was hit by a train at a station near Tokyo's Haneda airport on Wednesday night, leaving him, the driver and four passengers injured and disrupting the railway service through the evening, local police and a fire department said. The man, in his 20s, apparently jumped in front an… Read
