A 37-year-old police sergeant from the Saitama Prefectural Police Department was left unconscious and in critical condition after grabbing a handgun from another officer and shooting himself in the head at a waste treatment facility in Koshigaya, Saitama Prefecture, on November 4. (News On Japan)

A memorial service was held at a cemetery in Tokyo's Itabashi Ward on the morning of November 4 to honor police and security dogs that served in criminal investigations, disaster rescue operations, and other police duties, with 11 dogs newly laid to rest since late September 2025. (News On Japan)

Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group plans to eliminate physical cash cards at a new digital bank scheduled to launch by March 2027, introducing smartphone-based cash withdrawals as part of efforts to strengthen cybersecurity following a surge in unauthorized access to corporate systems. (News On Japan)

Japan's Nikkei 225 Stock Average closed at 62,188.63 on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, falling 893.23 points, or 1.42%, from the previous trading session as heavy selling in semiconductor and artificial intelligence-related stocks swept through Tokyo markets following the U.S. midterm elections, although a strong afternoon recovery helped the benchmark recover much of its earlier losses. (News On Japan)

A long-established tofu shop in Naha, Okinawa Prefecture, provided traditional Japanese sweets made from tofu byproducts to elementary and junior high school students on November 2nd to celebrate the completion of Shuri Castle's restored main hall. (News On Japan)

A king and queen dressed in elaborate traditional Ryukyu costumes appeared at Shuri Castle in Okinawa on November 2 as the annual Shuri Castle Restoration Festival celebrated the former kingdom's cultural heritage and built anticipation for the November 23 public opening of the reconstructed main hall. (News On Japan)

A city council in Hyogo Prefecture has postponed a decision on whether newly elected councilor and professional wrestler Billyken Kid, 52, should be allowed to wear his trademark mask during assembly sessions, following his first-place finish in the Kawanishi City Council election held in October. (News On Japan)

A vacant house in Osaka's Ikuno Ward collapsed in October after standing empty for more than a decade, exposing a loophole in Japan's vacant home legislation that prevents authorities from taking action against deteriorating properties when they form part of a row of connected houses still occupied by other residents. (News On Japan)

An 18-year-old Japanese cybersecurity expert has uncovered evidence suggesting that the hacker behind a major cyberattack on GMO Internet Group may be operating from Asia, as the company offers a reward of approximately 150 million yen for information leading to the attacker's identification and investigates more than 700 tips received from the public. (News On Japan)

Yusaku Hosono, a 23-year-old professional golfer who underwent heart surgery as an infant and was forced to abandon his childhood dream of playing baseball, has emerged as one of Japan's brightest golfing talents after winning two domestic major championships this season, becoming the first left-handed player in 35 years to claim a men's tour victory. (News On Japan)

An 18-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of obstructing police operations in Osaka after allegedly using a social media account called Shorinji Racing to post messages suggesting plans for reckless driving, prompting officers to increase patrols and security measures. (News On Japan)

Most conversations about depression care in Japan stop at stigma. That's a real barrier, and it keeps a great many people from ever naming what they're experiencing, let alone booking an appointment. But there's a second barrier, and it sits on the other side of the door. (News On Japan)

Two cars collided at an intersection near the popular Otaru Canal tourist attraction in Hokkaido on November 3rd, leaving one person with minor injuries after one of the vehicles overturned. (News On Japan)

Mountains of discarded tires and other waste have accumulated in residential neighborhoods in Tatebayashi, Gunma Prefecture, for more than a decade, prompting authorities to issue cleanup orders after detecting fluoride concentrations up to three times the permitted level, with the prefectural government setting aside 964 million yen for their removal. (News On Japan)

Kyoto's popular Sagano Romantic Train is attracting large numbers of foreign tourists for its final autumn season, with the familiar red-and-black carriages set to retire at the end of 2026 after carrying a cumulative 30 million passengers, making way for new trains scheduled to enter service in 2027. (News On Japan)

Tokyo's historic Sensoji Temple in Taito Ward was transformed into a dazzling nighttime spectacle on October 30th as a projection mapping event began, bringing 1,400 years of history and culture to life across the temple's main hall and Hozomon Gate. (News On Japan)

Japan marked the 80th anniversary of the promulgation of its Constitution on November 3rd, with demonstrators gathering outside the National Diet to defend its pacifist principles as Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi pushes for constitutional revision and an early parliamentary proposal. (News On Japan)

Emperor Naruhito presented the Order of Culture to seven recipients at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on November 3rd, Japan's Culture Day, honoring their outstanding achievements and contributions to the country's cultural development. (News On Japan)

A new rest facility featuring the first cafe inside the Imperial Palace opened in Tokyo's East Gardens on November 3, offering visitors a rooftop terrace with panoramic views, exhibits on the Imperial Family, and exclusive souvenirs. (News On Japan)

Shrines and temples across Kyoto are offering visitors rare access to normally restricted sacred areas and valuable cultural treasures, including historic documents connected to Toyotomi Hideyoshi, the powerful 16th-century warlord who helped unify Japan. (News On Japan)