China’s major airlines have extended the period during which Japan-bound tickets can be cancelled free of charge, with carriers announcing by today that the deadline—initially set to run through the end of this year—will now continue until March 28th 2026. (News On Japan)

The three JR companies operating the Tokaido, Sanyo, and Kyushu Shinkansen demonstrated on December 6th how they would switch train control to a secondary command center in Osaka if a major earthquake or other large-scale disaster rendered the main command facility in Tokyo unusable. (News On Japan)

A festival praying for children’s healthy growth and a bountiful harvest was held on Sunday at Kibaha Shrine in Kushimoto, Wakayama Prefecture, where the traditional “Nenneko Festival” took place as local first-grader Hamaguchi Rikka, age 7, served as the “rice-bearing shrine maiden” and walked through the grounds in a kimono with an ohitsu container holding rice, mochi, and sakaki branches balanced on her head as she joined Shinto priests in a ceremonial procession. (News On Japan)

A civic group in Usa City, Oita Prefecture that collects and analyzes wartime film archives released 18 pieces of footage to the media on December 7th, with the materials depicting kamikaze aircraft engaging U.S. forces and the devastation from air raids across Japan, much of it being shown publicly for the first time after the group obtained and examined the reels from the U.S. National Archives. (News On Japan)

Autumn travel to Nikko, which draws visitors from across Japan for its bright foliage, is seeing an unexpected wave of vehicle troubles on mountain roads, with everything from flat tires and sudden breakdowns to off-road mishaps and stranded foreign tourists prompting repeated calls for roadside assistance during busy weekends in November. (News On Japan)

Kamakura City, known internationally as the setting for the hit anime “SLAM DUNK,” plans to halt the issuance of its popular local license plates at the end of January 2026, raising debate among residents who question why a design long cherished by locals must be discontinued. (News On Japan)

The Kremlin welcomes the starkly worded document, which does not cast Russia as a threat to the US.

The protective shield at the site of the 1986 disaster has lost its main safety function, the IAEA says.

The pop star posted a string of photographs of herself and the former Canadian Prime Minster.

The pop star posted a string of photographs of herself and the former Canadian Prime Minster.

Kilauea, one of the world's most active volcanoes, has been erupting intermittently since December last year.

Kilauea, one of the world's most active volcanoes, has been erupting intermittently since December last year.

A message from the French embassy in Benin said gunfire had been reported near the residence of the president.

India Editor Vikas Pandey visits the Indian nightclub where 25 people were killed in a blaze.

Hundreds gathered in Manger Square to bask in the festivities that included music, dancing and Santas bearing sweet treats.

More than 100,000 homes were destroyed when powerful rains lashed the South East Asian country last week.

More than 100,000 homes were destroyed when powerful rains lashed the South East Asian country last week.

Lawh Wa Qalam is dedicated to the late Indian artist whose prolific paintings fascinated the world.

Japan's ageing population is putting strain on national budgets and society as a whole, but researchers are developing solutions to ease the pressure.

The Legislative Council election is seen as a test of public sentiment following a deadly fire that angered some.