A shortage of designated garbage bags began emerging in Hokkaido's Hokuto City in late April, with residents reporting that the bags had disappeared from store shelves and become difficult to purchase. (News On Japan)

As rice planting season gets underway, a rare seasonal sight known as the “Upside-Down Hyono Mountain” has appeared in Yabu City, Hyogo Prefecture, where the image of Mount Hyono is reflected on the surface of flooded terraced rice fields. (News On Japan)

As ferries cut across the open waters between Wakayama and Tokushima during the Golden Week holidays, passengers aboard the Nankai Ferry found themselves enjoying a slower pace of travel far removed from Japan’s notorious highway congestion. (News On Japan)

Celebrities, filmmakers and creators put up a performance at Africa's biggest night of film and fashion.

Celebrities, filmmakers and creators put up a performance at Africa's biggest night of film and fashion.

Celebrities, filmmakers and creators put up a performance at Africa's biggest night of film and fashion.

The Russian leader sees potential for Ukraine negotiations, but condemns the West's backing for President Zelensky.

The warning comes as a commercial vessel is hit off Qatar, and both the UAE and Kuwait report drone attacks.

Spanish national Saif Abu Keshek and Brazilian Thiago Ávila were detained by Israel after sailing in a Gaza-bound aid flotilla.

The specialist team parachuted onto Tristan da Cunha, a remote British overseas territory, to treat them.

Changes are emerging within PTAs that support children's school lives as growing numbers of dual-income households make it increasingly difficult for parents to participate in traditional school activities. (News On Japan)

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced on May 7th that Tokyo has been selected as a host city for the Olympic Qualifying Series, where athletes will compete for places at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. (News On Japan)

Police searched the offices of a bus company on May 8th following a crash on the Banetsu Expressway in Fukushima Prefecture on May 6th that left one high school student dead and 20 others injured, with the driver of the microbus claiming he was not asleep at the wheel. (News On Japan)

The "Okihiki" ceremony, in which citizens transport timber to the Outer Shrine of Ise Grand Shrine ahead of its next Shikinen Sengu reconstruction seven years from now, began in Ise City, Mie Prefecture, on May 9th. (News On Japan)

A man has been arrested on suspicion of robbery and murder after a woman was killed at a hotel in Osaka’s Minami district. (News On Japan)

As bears increasingly appear in residential areas across Japan, emergency gun hunts to eliminate the animals have also been carried out repeatedly in Aomori Prefecture, where a local hunter has spoken publicly about the difficulties involved in firing a weapon in populated areas. (News On Japan)

The fifth annual "Japan Parade" was held in Manhattan on May 9th, drawing large crowds as around 100 groups and approximately 2,700 participants showcased Japanese culture through martial arts performances, traditional dance, and cosplay. (News On Japan)

Officials are investigating what caused the explosion at a popular marina in southern Florida.

Officials are investigating what caused the explosion at a popular marina in southern Florida.

The Venerable Pallegama Hemarathana Thero holds one of the most revered positions in the Buddhist world.