Tokyo, Japan – Netmarble and Netmarble Nexus have released a brand-new preview trailer for their highly anticipated mobile RPG, Shangri-La Frontier: The Seven Colossi, giving fans a deeper look at the game’s combat system, story, and anime-inspired world. The latest footage was showcased during the Shangri-La Frontier Day 2026 presentation, building excitement ahead of the … Read more
TOKYO, Japan — Japan’s ultraconservative Sanseito Party is moving closer to the country’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) in a calculated effort to secure policy victories and enhance its political credibility before the 2027 unified local elections. Sanseito gained national attention during the 2025 House of Councillors election, where its “Japanese First” slogan resonated with … Read more
Tokyo, Japan — Nissan Motor Co. announced Tuesday an ambitious push toward artificial intelligence–driven autonomous technology, revealing plans to equip 90% of its future vehicle lineup with next-generation self-driving systems as part of a broader strategy to revive sluggish global sales. The automaker said the new AI-powered autonomous driving technology will debut by the end … Read more
Tokyo, Japan — Japan’s progress in cutting greenhouse gas emissions showed signs of slowing in fiscal year 2024, according to government data released Tuesday, raising concerns about the pace of its climate commitments. The country emitted approximately 994 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent during the fiscal year ending March 2025. While this marks … Read more
TOKYO, Japan — Convenience store sales in Japan continued their upward momentum in February, marking the 12th consecutive month of year-over-year growth, according to new data released by the Japan Franchise Association. Total same-store sales across seven major convenience store chains reached ¥868.86 billion (approximately $5.8 billion USD), representing a 1.6% increase compared to February … Read more
Taipei, Taiwan: As artificial intelligence drives record investment and market gains, concerns are growing in Taiwan that the AI frenzy could turn into a bubble—raising echoes of the dot-com crash that rocked global markets in 2000. Those worries were voiced publicly by TSMC Chairman C.C. Wei, who acknowledged investor anxiety during an earnings call in … Read more
Tokyo:Vietnamese migrant workers in Japan are increasingly facing uncertainty as the government moves forward with a stricter crackdown on illegal employment, amid rising public resentment and labor market pressures. Minh, a Vietnamese worker who arrived in Japan in 2015 under the Technical Intern Training Program (TITP), represents thousands caught in this difficult situation. For nearly … Read more
Tokyo: Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is expected to visit the United States around March 20 for talks with President Donald Trump, diplomatic sources said on Sunday. The planned meeting is seen as an important step toward reaffirming the strong Japan–U.S. alliance ahead of President Trump’s anticipated visit to China. Preparations are already underway for … Read more
Tokyo/New Delhi: Allu Arjun and Rashmika Mandanna’s blockbuster film ‘Pushpa 2: The Rule’, which created history at the box office in 2024, has now made its way to Japan. The film was officially released in Japan on January 16, and its premiere received an overwhelming response from fans. During the promotional visit, Rashmika Mandanna was … Read more
Bangkok: Thailand on Tuesday accused Cambodian forces of violating a recently agreed ceasefire after a cross-border incident wounded a Thai soldier, raising fresh concerns over stability along the disputed frontier between the two Southeast Asian neighbors. According to the Thai army, Cambodian troops fired mortar rounds into Thailand’s northeastern Ubon Ratchathani province, injuring one soldier … Read more
Tokyo: In a quiet pediatric ward in Tokyo, the arrival of a Labrador retriever named Masa brings smiles, laughter and a brief escape from illness for hospitalized children. Masa is a facility dog—a specially trained animal that works alongside medical staff to support children undergoing long-term treatment or waiting for organ transplants. As Masa enters … Read more
Asahikawa, Japan: Overtourism continues to challenge the small town of Biei in Hokkaido, even after local authorities cut down a row of photogenic white birch trees last year in an effort to curb the influx of visitors. Biei, a town of around 9,000 residents known for its patchwork hills and scenic farmland, had become a … Read more
Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings (Tepco) has pledged to place safety as its top priority as it prepares to restart the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear power plant in Niigata Prefecture, the world’s largest nuclear facility. Tepco President Tomiaki Kobayakawa said on Wednesday that the company plans to restart the first unit of the plant on January 20, … Read more
Tokyo — Japan’s long-established yakuza gangs are facing an unexpected challenge, not from police alone but from a new generation of tech-savvy criminal networks known as tokuryu. These loosely organized groups are rapidly reshaping the country’s underworld, drawing young recruits away from traditional mafia syndicates and fueling a surge in fraud and scams. Unlike the … Read more
In a year dominated by fantasy epics and literary mysteries, Japan’s bestselling book of 2025 tells a surprisingly simple story — children making everyday mistakes. Dai Pinchi Zukan 3 (“The Big Pinch Encyclopedia 3”), the latest installment in Noritake Suzuki’s popular illustrated series, has captured the nation’s imagination by celebrating childhood mishaps rather than heroic … Read more
Tokyo: In a landmark legal move, hundreds of citizens across Japan on Thursday filed a lawsuit against the central government, accusing it of “unconstitutional” inaction on climate change. The case marks the first compensation lawsuit in the country directly targeting the state over climate policy failures. Around 450 plaintiffs have joined the suit, arguing that … Read more
Japan’s Exports Surge on Strong U.S. and EU Demand, Trade Surplus Widens Japan’s exports recorded their strongest growth since February, driven by a sharp rise in demand from the United States and the European Union, even as shipments to China declined. According to data released by the Finance Ministry on Wednesday, exports increased 6.1% in … Read more
Tokyo police have arrested a 39-year-old man and two women for allegedly secretly filming sexual encounters with multiple women and uploading the footage to an online video-sharing platform, investigators said on Tuesday. The suspects have been identified as Yohei Ono, his wife Haruka Ono, 28, and his common-law wife Rin, 23, who is also reportedly … Read more
Hong Kong: Hong Kong’s High Court on Monday found pro-democracy activist and media tycoon Jimmy Lai guilty of collusion with foreign forces under the China-imposed national security law, a conviction that could result in a life sentence. Delivering the verdict, High Court Judge Esther Toh said the court had “no doubt” that Lai had consistently … Read more
Seoul: South Korean police on Monday carried out raids on multiple offices and properties of the Unification Church in and around Seoul as part of an investigation into alleged illegal payments involving senior politicians and government officials. According to police, searches were conducted at 10 locations linked to the church, including a large palace complex … Read more
Beijing: China’s military on Tuesday released audio recordings that it says prove Japan was informed in advance of a carrier-based aircraft training exercise prior to a weekend incident in which Chinese fighter jets locked radar onto Japanese Air Self-Defense Force (ASDF) aircraft. The incident has further heightened tensions between the two Asian neighbors. Japan has … Read more
TOKYO — Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is attempting to reassure global investors as Japan faces mounting pressure from financial markets over the government’s 18.3 trillion yen ($137 billion) stimulus package, much of which is set to be funded through additional borrowing. The warning signs emerged during a November 17 meeting at the prime minister’s residence, … Read more
Tokyo: Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s famous remark — “I will work, work, work, work and work” — has been selected as Japan’s most popular catchphrase for 2025, the award’s organizer T&D Holdings announced on Monday. Takaichi made the comment on October 4, after winning the leadership election of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), … Read more
Tokyo — In response to a surge in bear sightings across Japan, Tokio Marine & Nichido Fire Insurance Co is set to introduce an unprecedented insurance product that protects tourism-related businesses from profit losses caused by bear intrusions. The product — the first of its kind in the insurance industry — will be available starting … Read more
