The flight from Narita lands just after sunset, and by the time the taxi clears the terminal the air has already made its point: warm, salt-tinged, a shade heavier than the one you left behind that morning. (News On Japan)

The BBC finds out what is driving the sports' increasing popularity with women and what it takes to be the best.

One in five public junior high schools in Japan has stopped offering swimming lessons, raising concerns about declining swimming ability as schools struggle with extreme heat, aging pool facilities and the growing burden on teachers. (News On Japan)

Six beluga whales have arrived in the US after being moved from a Canadian marine park that could no longer care for them.

An unexploded U.S.-made bomb believed to date from World War II has been discovered at a housing construction site in a residential district of Minoh, Osaka Prefecture, potentially requiring the evacuation of nearly 5,000 people during its disposal. (News On Japan)

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s economic agenda came under sharper pressure on July 22 as the yen fell to its weakest level in about 40 years, forcing the government to warn of possible currency action while the Bank of Japan signaled growing concern that inflation risks could require faster interest-rate hikes. (News On Japan)

A 55-year-old man has been arrested for allegedly capturing an endangered butterfly in the Norikura Highlands of Matsumoto, Nagano Prefecture, marking Japan's first arrest involving the protected species. (News On Japan)

Large numbers of climbers headed to Mount Fuji on July 22 despite disaster-level heat that pushed temperatures to 40 degrees Celsius or higher in parts of Japan, while a series of rescues highlighted the risks of exhaustion, inadequate footwear and hypothermia during the peak summer climbing season. (News On Japan)

Japanese companies and the government are stepping up efforts to develop domestically produced humanoid robots as Chinese manufacturers dominate the rapidly expanding physical AI market, with Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang predicting that the next industrial revolution will take place in Japan. (News On Japan)

The law will require social media platforms in France to verify all users age from January.

The law will require social media platforms in France to verify all users age from January.

Officials say the restaurant in South Korea used some 49,000 ants in various dishes over four years.

Officials say the restaurant in South Korea used some 49,000 ants in various dishes over four years.

The US president's threat to target a key Iranian nuclear site came ahead of the 11th consecutive night of attacks.

The US president's threat to target a key Iranian nuclear site came ahead of the 11th consecutive night of attacks.

The court hears the singer ordered a body bag, chainsaws and an inflatable pool to dispose of the teen's body.

The court hears the singer ordered a body bag, chainsaws and an inflatable pool to dispose of the teen's body.

The hearing was disrupted by protests and a shouting match as Hegseth testified at a pivotal time in the war.

The hearing was disrupted by protests and a shouting match as Hegseth testified at a pivotal time in the war.

People will be able to chat without revealing their contact number once the new feature is rolled out.