Roads leading into forested areas of Towada Oyu in Kazuno City, Akita Prefecture, have been closed at 45 locations following a series of past bear attacks that left people dead or injured, with the measures set to remain in place until the end of June. (News On Japan)

JR West announced on April 30th that it has signed a cooperation agreement with Japan Airlines and All Nippon Airways to address social challenges in western Japan, aiming to boost inbound tourism and explore future integration of reservation systems. (News On Japan)

A scandal has emerged at Nishi-Nippon City Bank after it was revealed that an employee at its Shimonoseki branch uploaded videos and images containing personal information to social media, with the content later spreading widely online and prompting the bank to issue an apology on April 30th. (News On Japan)

A hotel in Choshi, Chiba Prefecture, known for offering one of Japan’s earliest sunrise views, has remained closed months after its sudden suspension of operations in late 2025, as an investigation reveals the operator behind the property acquired dozens of facilities nationwide, with at least 24 now shut or out of business, raising questions about a business model allegedly tied to visa acquisition for Chinese investors. (News On Japan)

A resident was referred to prosecutors on April 30 for continuing to feed pigeons and crows despite an official stop order from Osaka City, marking what authorities say is the first criminal case of its kind in Japan. (News On Japan)

Japan’s Golden Week holiday period got fully underway on April 29, drawing large crowds to major tourist destinations and airports, where long lines formed as overseas travel surged. (News On Japan)

A sharp exchange unfolded at the review conference of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) in New York, where China accused Japan of seeking to deploy nuclear weapons belonging to its allies, prompting a firm rebuttal from Tokyo. (News On Japan)

Sakurai City in Nara Prefecture, home to around 920 ancient burial mounds, has drawn renewed attention to one in particular, the Akasaka Tennozan Kofun, as researchers increasingly suggest it may be the true resting place of Emperor Sushun, who ascended the throne in the late sixth century with the backing of powerful statesman Soga no Umako. (News On Japan)

A motorcyclist was killed after colliding with a deer and being struck by following vehicles on April 29th in the early hours in Shibukawa, Gunma Prefecture, with police arresting a 61-year-old woman on suspicion of a hit-and-run. (News On Japan)

A long-standing hot spring facility in Kagoshima brought down the curtain on nearly six decades of history on April 29, Showa Day, as a cameraman documented its final day, capturing memories of an era shaped by Japan’s postwar growth. (News On Japan)

A series of sightings involving unusually large brown bears in Hokkaido has heightened concerns among local residents, with one 330-kilogram animal captured in Tomamae and another 280-kilogram bear attacking a hunter in Shimamaki. (News On Japan)

Hokkaido Electric Power Co. said the restart of its Tomari nuclear power plant may be delayed from its original schedule after announcing on April 28 that completion of a seawall under construction at the plant is now expected to be around four months later than the initial target of three years from now, citing the impact of regulatory reviews and related procedures. (News On Japan)

A body-make competition showcasing the results of months of training was held in Ginowan, marking the first time the 'Muscle Gate' contest has taken place in Okinawa. (News On Japan)

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi attended the central May Day rally organized by the Japanese Trade Union Confederation, known as Rengo, and called for cooperation in achieving sustained wage increases that outpace inflation, as concerns grow over rising prices amid worsening tensions in the Middle East. (News On Japan)

A man barricaded himself inside his home in Tokyo's Fussa on April 29 after allegedly attacking a teenage boy with a hammer on a street and spraying what appeared to be tear gas at responding officers, leaving more than seven people injured. (News On Japan)

In rural Edo-period Japan, men eagerly sought out meshimori onna—inn-based sex workers at roadside stations—even as society simultaneously despised and demonized them. (Linfamy)

About half of public high schools in Osaka Prefecture are failing to meet enrollment quotas, highlighting growing pressure on the region's education system. (News On Japan)

Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi met Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong on April 28, confirming the importance of stable natural gas supplies from Australia, one of Japan's key energy suppliers, against the backdrop of rising tensions involving Iran. (News On Japan)

A male zoo keeper in his 50s was seriously injured after being attacked by a rhinoceros at the Kumamoto City Zoo and Botanical Gardens on April 26. (News On Japan)

Electricity and gas bills for usage in May will rise slightly in Japan, with the impact of tensions involving Iran expected to appear in utility charges from June onward. Larger increases could follow in subsequent months. (News On Japan)