Is high quality a curse? Reports in South Korea that Hitachi is considering selling its white goods business have drawn attention, raising questions about the future of Japanese appliances. (News On Japan)

Spa Resort Hawaiians, a sprawling tropical-themed facility in Iwaki, Fukushima Prefecture, has long been cherished as “Japan’s Hawaii.” The indoor resort, which features Japan’s tallest water slide with a 40-meter drop, attracts about one million visitors each year as a family-friendly theme park. (News On Japan)

The practice of supporting one’s favorite idols or characters, known as 'oshikatsu,' has grown into a massive market in Japan, with private research estimating spending to have reached 3.5 trillion yen this year. As demand expands, a wide range of specialized goods is driving the trend, with transparent tote bags -- known as 'ita-bags' -- emerging as a standout product. (News On Japan)

Long-term interest rates in Japan, which influence fixed mortgage rates, rose to their highest level in 17 years as the yield on 10-year government bonds briefly reached 1.665 percent in trading on September 22nd, the highest since 2008. (News On Japan)

Frozen tuna stored at minus 60 degrees Celsius are now being used as a new tool in electricity demand control. By temporarily shutting down refrigeration units and using the fish itself as a cooling agent to maintain storage temperatures, companies are beginning to reduce power consumption. (News On Japan)

The Consumer Affairs Agency announced that Ajinomoto and Inglewood are suspected of engaging in stealth marketing practices in connection with their frozen home-delivery meal brand, "Aete." The companies allegedly asked individuals to post on social media in exchange for free products and later republished those posts on sales sites. (News On Japan)

Sales of the "Halloween Jumbo Lottery," which offers a top prize of 500 million yen including supplementary prizes, began nationwide on September 19th. (News On Japan)

Seven-Eleven Japan has completed a large-scale overhaul of the store system used by about 21,000 outlets nationwide, five years after the project was conceived. The new system represents a major step in digital transformation, replacing the company’s traditional infrastructure with a cloud-based model designed to enhance efficiency and service. (News On Japan)

The Bank of Japan decided on September 19th to maintain its policy interest rate at 0.5 percent, marking the fifth consecutive meeting without a rate change. The decision, backed by a majority of the Policy Board, comes as the central bank monitors the impact of U.S. tariffs known as the “Trump tariffs.” (News On Japan)

Household financial assets have reached a record high, driven by rising stock prices and the expansion of NISA investment programs. (News On Japan)

Japan Airlines announced disciplinary measures against 37 executives, including President Mitsuko Tottori, after three flights were delayed due to a captain’s alcohol consumption. The move represents an unprecedented action, covering all directors and executive officers. (News On Japan)

About 40 percent of medical clinics across Japan were in deficit in fiscal 2023, according to a survey released by the Japan Medical Association, with 13.8 percent considering shutting down in the near future. (News On Japan)

Japan has developed a unique credit environment shaped by its cultural values, aging population, and long-standing financial traditions. (News On Japan)

The benchmark land prices, a key reference point for real estate transactions, were released on September 16th. While many tourist areas across the country saw increases, Osaka is experiencing a particularly notable trend. (News On Japan)

A tour of the large-scale redevelopment site around Shibuya Station in Tokyo was held on September 15th, Respect for the Aged Day, organized by Tokyu, JR East, and Tokyo Metro. About 20 participants, including elementary and junior high school students from Shibuya Ward, visited the construction site, which includes the planned East Exit 4th Floor Skyway set to open in 2030. (News On Japan)

MRO Japan, which handles aircraft maintenance at Naha Airport, marked its 10th anniversary on September 12th with a commemorative ceremony. (News On Japan)

More than half of new employees now say they prefer a seniority-based pay system, reflecting a growing desire for stability among younger generations. Surveys show a sharp increase in those favoring traditional frameworks such as lifetime employment and seniority-based promotion, signaling a shift in mindset among workers once considered open to frequent job changes. (News On Japan)

The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) announced it will provide up to 536 billion yen in subsidies to support mass production of next-generation semiconductor memory by Micron Technology, a major U.S. chipmaker, at its plant in Hiroshima. (News On Japan)

CyberAgent, Japan’s largest internet advertising agency, reported year-on-year declines in both revenue and profit in its third-quarter results for the fiscal year ending September 2025, announced in August. A revenue drop is unusual for the advertising business and underscores a turning point for the company. (News On Japan)

Foreign workers in Japan reached a record of about 2.3 million last year, reflecting chronic domestic labor shortages that have made overseas hires indispensable. At the same time, illegal employment has climbed, with experts pointing to brokers who target technical intern trainees amid reports of workplace harassment and low pay. (News On Japan)