PayPay, a major smartphone payment service under SoftBank Group, was listed on the Nasdaq market in the United States on March 12th, marking the largest U.S. listing ever by a Japanese company. (News On Japan)

JR East raised fares across all of its service areas on March 14th, marking the first fare hike since the company’s privatization and the first major increase in about 40 years, excluding adjustments tied to consumption tax increases. (News On Japan)

Kyoto Prefecture recorded more than 30 million overnight visitors last year, reinforcing its status as one of Japan’s most popular travel destinations. (News On Japan)

A rapidly advancing technology known as remote sensing—used to observe and analyze Earth from space—is opening new possibilities for predicting disasters and understanding environmental changes. (News On Japan)

Nissan Motor, U.S. ride-hailing giant Uber Technologies, and autonomous driving developer Wayve announced on March 12th that they will collaborate on a self-driving taxi business. (News On Japan)

A fierce debate has erupted in western Japan over plans to extend the Hokuriku Shinkansen from Tsuruga in Fukui Prefecture to Shin-Osaka, as competing route proposals, political rivalries, and local opposition have thrown the decades-long project back into uncertainty. (News On Japan)

In the vertical cities of Tokyo and Osaka, your visual presentation is more than just a personal choice; it is a non-verbal form of omotenashi—the Japanese art of hospitality and respect. (News On Japan)

A massive steel pipe buried underground suddenly protruded from the ground in Osaka’s Umeda district on March 11th, prompting ongoing road closures and emergency response efforts as authorities consider cutting the exposed section. (News On Japan)

More than a decade after the nuclear disaster forced all residents of Futaba in Fukushima Prefecture to evacuate, solar panels are now spreading across the town, creating both opportunities and unease as reconstruction tax incentives attract energy projects to the area. (News On Japan)

Fifteen years after the accident at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, daily life has gradually returned to areas where evacuation orders have been lifted, but in zones still aiming for their removal and in designated difficult-to-return areas, human activity has yet to resume. (News On Japan)

A container ship owned by Mitsui O.S.K. Lines that had remained in the Persian Gulf following the closure of the Strait of Hormuz was found to have sustained damage, although no injuries were reported among the crew. (News On Japan)

The Japanese government approved a bill on March 10th to revise the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act to establish an electronic travel authorization system called JESTA that would screen foreign visitors before they arrive in Japan. (News On Japan)

Asahi Group Holdings announced its financial results for January through September 2025 on March 10th after delaying the release due to a system failure, reporting a 26.2% year-on-year decline in net profit to 102.8 billion yen. (News On Japan)

Concerns are growing over a new system being considered by Ibaraki Prefecture that would offer rewards to people who report information leading to the arrest of foreign nationals working illegally, with critics warning the measure could deepen social divisions and encourage discrimination. (News On Japan)

The government has instructed domestic oil reserve bases to prepare for a possible release of stockpiled crude as tensions surrounding the Middle East raise concerns about energy supply and the broader industrial impact, including disruptions to ethylene production used in food packaging. (News On Japan)

This late 80s documentary explores the experiences of Irish people living in Japan. It delves into cultural differences, from language barriers and social customs to the education system and daily life. Expect insightful commentary on work, leisure, and navigating a distinctly different society. (TRNGL)

The Japanese government has approved a bill to revise the Immigration Control Act that would raise the maximum fee for foreigners applying for permanent residency from 10,000 yen to 300,000 yen, while under the current law the maximum fee charged for residence-related procedures is capped at 10,000 yen. (News On Japan)

Japan posted a current account surplus of 941.6 billion yen in January, marking the 12th consecutive month in the black, according to preliminary balance of payments data released by the Finance Ministry on March 9th. (News On Japan)

Real wages in Japan turned positive for the first time in 13 months in January, rising 1.4% from a year earlier after accounting for inflation, according to data released by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. (News On Japan)

Customs authorities in Osaka strengthened border controls on March 9th in response to a continued influx of counterfeit goods entering Japan, including fake merchandise linked to popular characters and events. (News On Japan)