The prestigious Meijin title match, the oldest of the eight major shogi titles, has commenced in Tokyo. The reigning champion, 21-year-old Sota Fujii, who last year became the youngest ever Meijin, is being challenged by Yoshiharu Toyoshima (33), who is seeking to reclaim the title for the first time in five years. (News On Japan)

The Emperor Emeritus and Empress Emerita paid their respects at the Meiji Shrine, marking the 110th anniversary of the passing of Empress Shoken, consort to Emperor Meiji. This visit was the couple’s first public appearance in approximately five months. (News On Japan)

In Sangō Town, Nara, an innovative cherry blossom viewing experience combines the serene beauty of full bloom sakura with the thrill of bungee jumping from the Kaiun Bridge. (News On Japan)

A survey conducted by a group of active teachers and experts revealed that as of December 2023, approximately 60% of Japan's elementary and middle schools are experiencing a teacher shortage. (News On Japan)

On April 9, the broadcast of BS-TBS's "Hodo 1930" delved into the electric vehicle (EV) sector's shifting landscape, sparked by Tesla's reported sales dip and strategic pivot away from the low-cost EV market. (News On Japan)

The MICHELIN Guide Kyoto and Osaka 2024 unveiled on April 9 in Kyoto includes 115 new entries out of a record 440 selected restaurants. (News On Japan)

Kyoto's cherry blossoms have reached full bloom, attracting large crowds of tourists, including many from abroad. At To-ji Temple, visitors lined up for over 400 meters to see the illuminated cherry blossoms at night. (News On Japan)

To secure funding for measures against the declining birthrate, the Agency for Children and Families has compiled an estimate of the amount that employees, such as company workers, will contribute based on their annual income through the "support fund system" collected via public health insurance. (News On Japan)

Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress of Japan visited Meiji Shrine in Tokyo to commemorate the 110th anniversary of the passing of Empress Dowager Shoken, consort to Emperor Meiji. (News On Japan)

Domestic production facilities for ethylene, a basic raw material for various chemical products including plastics, are set to be shut down for the first time in approximately ten years. (News On Japan)

The Imperial Spring Garden Party, set to be held on April 23rd at the Akasaka Imperial Gardens, will see about 1,800 guests, including local government officials, achievers across various fields and their spouses, gracing the event by the invitation of Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress. (News On Japan)

Tokyo Disneyland's beloved ride, Space Mountain, is gearing up for its final event before temporarily closing its doors in July 2024. Having debuted alongside the opening of Tokyo Disneyland in 1983, Space Mountain boasts a 41-year history as one of the park's most cherished attractions. (News On Japan)

A Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) regiment, which referred to Iwo Jima, a site of intense battle between Japan and the United States during the final stages of the Pacific War, as "the greatest battlefield of the Greater East Asia War" on social media, deleted the post on Monday night after acknowledging that it had caused misunderstanding. (News On Japan)

Tokyo Metropolitan Government is set to support men with virtually free-of-charge fertility testing, starting this year. (News On Japan)

A police officer from the Kagoshima Prefectural Police has been arrested on suspicion of violating the Local Public Service Act by leaking internal documents containing personal information of individuals involved in criminal cases to a third party. (News On Japan)

Footage of a long-tailed tit or "snow fairy" shows this fluffy white bird tapping on a window, seemingly wanting to come in. A wildlife photographer gives insights into this little creature's cute behavior. (News On Japan)

The Aspite Line, traversing the picturesque landscapes of Hachimantai from Iwate Prefecture to Akita Prefecture over 27 kilometers, is now being cleared from both sides for next week's opening. (News On Japan)

Japan witnessed over 9,000 corporate bankruptcies nationwide in fiscal 2023 for the first time in nine years. (News On Japan)

Shohei Ohtani, known as Showtime, is starting the 2024 season with the Los Angeles Dodgers; following an unprecedented 2023 season, he became the first MLB player to secure 10 wins and 40 home runs. (News On Japan)

As the hay fever season continues, one company has embarked on a bold initiative for its employees: work in Okinawa. (News On Japan)