A 31-year-old Japanese researcher who moved to an indigenous village in eastern Taiwan four years ago to study the Rukai people has become an active member of the community, helping preserve traditional ceremonies and customs while learning the importance of protecting cultural values that remain unchanged across generations. (News On Japan)

Northern Japan experienced record-breaking cold on the morning of November 11th, with temperatures plunging to minus 20.2 degrees Celsius in Horokanai, Hokkaido, marking the first time in Japan's recorded history that temperatures have fallen below minus 20 degrees during the first half of November. (News On Japan)

Tokyo stocks extended their recovery on Wednesday, November 11th, with the Nikkei 225 closing at 61,248.59 points as of 3:30 p.m., up 789.01 points, or 1.31%, from Tuesday, marking a third consecutive session of gains as investors bought semiconductor and artificial intelligence-related shares despite renewed concerns over US inflation and interest rates. (News On Japan)

Japan's autumn foliage season is entering one of its most colorful periods, with spectacular displays of red and golden leaves attracting visitors to lakes, mountain valleys and historic temples across the country, while the latest forecasts suggest that Tokyo, Kyoto and other major cities will see some of their best autumn scenery later than usual this year. (News On Japan)

A 26-year-old woman from Nagoya has been arrested on suspicion of defrauding men by encouraging them to develop romantic feelings for her before repeatedly requesting money, with 13 men reporting losses totaling approximately 30 million yen in a scheme resembling the notorious "Itadaki Joshi" romance fraud case. (News On Japan)

A rare red Coca-Cola bench was stolen from outside a prepared-food shop in Nagareyama, Chiba Prefecture, in the early hours of October 24th, with the owner suspecting the thieves intended to resell the collectible item to enthusiasts after similar benches were found listed online for as much as 180,000 yen. (News On Japan)

The mayor of Awa City in Tokushima Prefecture and two other people have been arrested on suspicion of defrauding the municipal government of 3.5 million yen by inflating the cost of a city contract to cover vehicle repair expenses arising from an accident caused by the mayor, prompting police to search city hall on November 10th. (News On Japan)

Japan's Children and Families Agency unveiled its first national guidelines on November 10th for parental involvement in children's internet use, dividing those aged 0 to 18 into six developmental stages as the government considers tighter regulations on social media platforms to protect young people from online bullying, exploitation, and other growing risks. (News On Japan)

East Japan Railway (JR East) announced on November 10th that it will introduce touch-free ticket gates at 40 stations, including every station on Tokyo's Yamanote Line, from spring 2028, allowing passengers using Mobile Suica to pass through without taking their smartphones out of their pockets or bags. (News On Japan)

SoftBank Group reported a net loss of 768 billion yen for the six months from April to September, largely due to losses associated with a review of its artificial intelligence data center plans in the United States, but the Japanese technology investment giant said it would continue pursuing its long-term AI strategy despite the financial setback. (News On Japan)

The card worked on the subway, paid for a convenience-store coffee and still has plenty of yen left. Then the Shinkansen gate refuses to open. Another top-up seems the obvious fix, especially with a departure time creeping closer. But the balance may be perfectly healthy. (News On Japan)

Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 Stock Average surged 1,684.08 points, or 2.87%, to close at 60,459.58 on Tuesday, November 10, 2026, at 3:30 p.m. Japan time, recovering the psychologically important 60,000 level for the first time in three trading sessions as investors bought back artificial intelligence and semiconductor shares following a sharp rebound on Wall Street. (News On Japan)

Household spending in Japan fell 6.8% in September from a year earlier, marking the 10th consecutive month of decline and the sharpest drop since September 2020, when consumer activity was severely disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, according to government data released on November 10. (News On Japan)

Emperor Naruhito presented prestigious Grand Cordon decorations to Toyota Motor Chairman Akio Toyoda and other recipients of Japan's autumn honors at a ceremony held at the Imperial Palace on November 10th, recognizing their longstanding contributions to the country and society. (News On Japan)

A 26-year-old yakuza member suspected of sending young women he met in Tokyo's Kabukicho entertainment district to Cambodia to work as telephone scammers has been arrested for the eighth time, this time on suspicion of conspiring with two women to defraud a man in his 30s of 9.5 million yen. (News On Japan)

Japan's tofu industry is facing mounting financial pressure, with 39 producers going bankrupt, suspending or closing operations, or dissolving their businesses between January and October 2026, as rising soybean prices and sluggish sales leave nearly 40% of manufacturers operating at a loss. (News On Japan)

Odakyu Electric Railway unveiled images of its next-generation Romancecar limited express train on November 10, revealing a striking blue-green design featuring enormous circular windows that will allow passengers to enjoy panoramic views from ceiling to floor when the new trains enter service in March 2029. (News On Japan)

Heavy snow, freezing temperatures and strong winds are threatening transportation across Hokkaido on Tuesday, November 10, with Japan Airlines and All Nippon Airways warning of possible flight disruptions at several airports and JR Hokkaido reporting train cancellations and delays across parts of its northern network as of 6 a.m. (News On Japan)

A powerful cold air mass brought the lowest temperatures of the season to much of Japan on Tuesday, November 10, with Hokkaido recording a nationwide seasonal low of minus 11.8 degrees Celsius, heavy snowfall covering northern communities, and Tokyo experiencing midwinter conditions as temperatures fell sharply across the country. (News On Japan)

Shizuoka City, which promotes itself as the "World Capital of Models," is using plastic model kits as teaching materials in junior high schools, hoping to cultivate future leaders in the model industry. (News On Japan)