Tokyo has confirmed its first case of a dog infected with severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS), a potentially fatal disease transmitted by ticks. It is the first time an animal infection has been recorded in the capital. (News On Japan)
A life-sized holographic police officer has been installed in central Seoul in a bid to deter crime. The BBC took to the streets to ask people if they think it’ll work.
Japan’s new administration under Liberal Democratic Party President Takaichi faces its first major diplomatic test: an inaugural summit with President Trump, expected on October 28. How that meeting unfolds—and how Takaichi responds if Trump presses Japan to lift defense outlays to 3.5% of GDP—will shape Tokyo’s security posture. With Beijing wary of Takaichi’s stance, the trajectory of Japan–China relations is also in focus. (News On Japan)
Four former executives of Alts, an AI development company previously listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange’s Growth Market, were arrested on October 9 on suspicion of falsifying financial statements. (News On Japan)
Sumitomo Life Insurance has reported that around 80% of households in Japan are being impacted by rising prices, with monthly living costs now about 9,600 yen higher than a year ago. The findings come from the company’s latest survey on household finances, which shows that inflation is putting significant pressure on family budgets. (News On Japan)
Osaka is grappling with a wave of confusion and last-minute activity after announcing it would halt new approvals for special “minpaku” short-term rental properties in response to mounting complaints over noise and garbage. One week after the policy shift, application counters are fully booked, with wait times stretching to two months. (News On Japan)
The intersection of modern interior design and real estate has become increasingly significant in recent years, fundamentally transforming how properties are valued, marketed, and sold. (News On Japan)
Fender, the US-based instrument maker, unveiled its first collaboration guitar with Godzilla on October 9 in Tokyo, featuring a special-edition “Godzilla Guitar” capable of reproducing the monster’s iconic roar. (News On Japan)