Rice harvesting has already begun in Kushimoto, Wakayama Prefecture, the southernmost town on Japan’s main island of Honshu. In some areas of Kushimoto, early harvesting is carried out around this time of year to avoid damage from typhoons, which tend to approach during the late summer season. (News On Japan)

VIRTU Financial Inc., a global leader in electronic trading and liquidity provision headquartered in New York, has officially announced the launch of its new intelligent investment strategy initiative in the Japanese market — the Future Savings Project. (News On Japan)

The Akita Kanto Festival, one of the Tohoku region’s major summer events and designated as an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Asset by the national government, opened on August 3rd. (News On Japan)

Four male workers in their 50s died after falling into a manhole during a sewer inspection in Gyoda City, Saitama Prefecture, and none of them were wearing fall-prevention safety harnesses, it has been revealed. (News On Japan)

JR East has received government approval to revise fares, including a 10-yen increase in the base fare for the Yamanote Line, raising it from 150 yen to 160 yen. (News On Japan)

Two high school boys drowned in a pond in Numazu, Shizuoka Prefecture, after playing in the water with their friends and reportedly stepping into a deep section where they went under. (News On Japan)

In Kyoto’s historic Gion district, geisha and maiko made their annual rounds on August 1st—known in the old lunar calendar as "Hassaku"—to express gratitude to their mentors and local teahouse proprietresses, even as temperatures soared to a predicted high of 37°C. (News On Japan)

Japan experienced its hottest July on record, with the nationwide average temperature exceeding the standard by 2.89°C, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency. This marks the third consecutive year of record-breaking July temperatures, and the second straight month of record highs following June. (News On Japan)

On August 1st, a special session of the Diet convened, marking the first appearance of Ishin lawmaker Tai Okazaki, who was elected for the first time in July's House of Councillors election. Okazaki spoke with reporters about his determination for his new role. (News On Japan)

"I think this is the biggest deal ever," said U.S. President Donald Trump excitedly in front of reporters. (News On Japan)

As of July, high school students across Japan have effectively begun their job hunt, entering a job market where demand far exceeds supply. With a record-high job-offer-to-applicant ratio of 4.1, companies are fiercely competing to secure these “golden eggs”—young workers straight out of high school—who are seen as a valuable alternative to university graduates. (News On Japan)

US President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Thursday, increasing tariffs on imports from dozens of countries, including Japan. The administration says the new rates will go into effect from midnight Aug. 7. (NHK)

Peach Aviation has opened a new multi-purpose training facility in Kansai, its first of its kind in the region, as part of efforts to enhance operational quality and evolve as a low-cost carrier. (News On Japan)

Osaka's iconic Glico sign, known for its triumphant runner against a backdrop of blue, red, and white, has taken on a new design this month. On July 18th, the display briefly transformed into a massive QR code—an initiative aimed at supporting vulnerable youth who gather beneath the sign, an area commonly known as "Guri-shita" (under the Glico sign). (News On Japan)

Aeon has announced its 2026 New Year osechi offerings on July 31st, with reservations beginning on August 1st. Among the lineup is its most popular product, the "Kyoen" osechi, which maintains its price while expanding to a record 75 items under the Topvalu brand. The assortment includes a colorful mix of Japanese, Western, and Chinese dishes designed to appeal to all age groups. (News On Japan)

Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings reported a net loss of 857.6 billion yen for the April to June 2025 quarter, driven by newly booked special losses totaling 903 billion yen. (News On Japan)

A demonstration flight of a "flying car" developed by SkyDrive was held on Thursday at the Osaka-Kansai Expo, ascending to a height of about four meters and hovered for approximately three minutes. (News On Japan)

A bear that broke into a home and rummaged through food in the kitchen has been captured in Hanamaki, Iwate Prefecture. (News On Japan)

Lawson has launched a trial service at select stores in Chiba Prefecture, allowing overnight stays in its parking lots for travelers sleeping in their cars for 2,500 to 3,000 yen per night. (News On Japan)

A 35-year-old Chinese woman living in Kawasaki has been arrested in connection with a stabbing incident that occurred on July 28th on the JR Tokaido Line, where a female passenger was slashed and the suspect fled the scene. (News On Japan)