Crude oil futures surged sharply as concerns over supply disruptions intensified amid renewed uncertainty surrounding the situation in Iran, pushing prices above $105 per barrel on April 12th and driving Japan long-term interest rates—represented by the benchmark 10-year government bond yield—to their highest levels in nearly three decades. (News On Japan)

An event aimed at bringing the mysteries of the deep sea closer to the public was held in Nago City, where a researcher who has explored oceans around the world delivered a talk. (News On Japan)

The betting company 1xBet presents five basketball players for whom the B.League could become a springboard to achieving greater heights. (News On Japan)

A bronze statue of Ichiro, who built a stellar career with the Seattle Mariners and became the first Asian player inducted into the U.S. Baseball Hall of Fame, was unveiled at the team’s home stadium in Seattle on April 10th, marking a tribute to his enduring legacy. (News On Japan)

The number of people in Japan planning overnight domestic trips during the Golden Week holidays is expected to rise 1.7% from the previous year to 23.9 million, according to estimates by JTB, as higher prices drive growing demand for shorter trips closer to home. (News On Japan)

SoftBank has launched a new service enabling smartphones to connect directly to SpaceX’s Starlink satellites, aiming to ensure reliable communication even during disasters. (News On Japan)

Tucked away in the mountains of Kyoto’s Kita Ward, northwest of Kinkakuji, Haradani-en Garden was in full bloom on April 7th, offering a rare glimpse into one of the city’s lesser-known cherry blossom destinations. (News On Japan)

Tokyo DisneySea in Urayasu, Chiba Prefecture, was unveiled to the media on April 8th ahead of its 25th anniversary event “Sparkling Jubilee,” with the park transformed under a unified theme color for the first time in its anniversary celebrations. (News On Japan)

In November 2025, a major development shook Japan’s food service industry when U.S. financial giant Goldman Sachs acquired all shares of BK Japan Holdings, which runs Burger King’s Japan operations, for 80 billion yen. (News On Japan)

Honda announced it will launch a new compact electric vehicle designed to appeal to dedicated car enthusiasts, with sales set to begin in late May. (News On Japan)

A bill to reduce passport application fees is expected to pass the House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee, paving the way for lower costs for travelers. (News On Japan)

Members of the globally renowned hard rock band Deep Purple paid a courtesy visit to Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on April 10th during their visit to Japan. (News On Japan)

SoftBank said it will effectively raise monthly mobile fees by up to 550 yen, following similar moves by NTT Docomo and KDDI, meaning all three major carriers in Japan have now implemented price increases. (News On Japan)

Heavy oil prices have doubled over the past six months, placing mounting pressure on Japan’s green tea producers and transport sectors as Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi announced on April 10th that the government will release an additional 20 days’ worth of national oil reserves in an effort to ease supply bottlenecks. (News On Japan)

As temperatures rise, concerns about body odor return, drawing attention to a lesser-known scientific field that examines the invisible gases emitted from human skin, with Tokai University professor Yoshika Sekine leading research that could even help detect disease and stress levels. (News On Japan)

Mizuho Bank announced on April 9th that it will raise its long-term prime rate, a benchmark for corporate lending, by 0.2 percentage points to 3% annually, reflecting the recent upward trend in interest rates, with the change set to take effect on April 10th. (News On Japan)

SoftBank has applied for a capital alliance with Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings, according to sources familiar with the matter, following the utility’s call for external partnerships as part of its management restructuring plan. (News On Japan)

Japan’s House of Representatives Commission on the Constitution convened on April 9th for its first round of deliberations since the ruling party’s landslide victory in the February lower house election, with lawmakers beginning discussions on potential constitutional revisions. (News On Japan)

Japanese cosmetics brands are drawing renewed attention as global beauty standards, as a Tokyo-based experiential tour beginning on April 8th invites leading influencers from Europe and beyond to explore Japan’s distinctive skincare philosophy and cultural approach to beauty. (News On Japan)

Nankai Electric Railway will begin operating a new sightseeing train connecting Namba and Koyasan on April 24th, with the full details unveiled to the media on April 9th. (News On Japan)