Japan’s Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi has agreed with the Philippines to establish a bilateral framework to begin discussions on the export of Japanese destroyers and other defense equipment. (News On Japan)

A Japanese man believed to have been confined at a scam operation site in Phnom Penh was rescued following a police raid on May 4th, with local authorities identifying him as a victim of human trafficking. (News On Japan)

The number of vacant homes across Japan has surpassed 9 million—roughly double the figure from 30 years ago—yet efforts to address the issue are being held back by increasingly complex inheritance cases that make resolution difficult. (News On Japan)

A cruise ship sailing in the Atlantic Ocean with a Japanese passenger on board has become the center of a widening international health response, as multiple countries confirm infections linked to a rare strain of hantavirus capable of limited human-to-human transmission. (News On Japan)

A total of 58 gravestones at a cemetery in Tsukigata, Hokkaido, were found toppled on May 4th in what police suspect was a deliberate act of vandalism targeting a burial site for former prisoners dating back to the Meiji era. (News On Japan)

The rapid spread of artificial intelligence into classrooms is transforming how students learn and how teachers work, with pilot programs across Japan highlighting that the key lies not in relying entirely on AI but in using it effectively. (News On Japan)

A large number of families gathered at Oigawa Railway in Shimada, Shizuoka Prefecture, on May 5th for Children’s Day, where the popular “Percy” steam locomotive from the Thomas the Tank Engine series drew enthusiastic crowds. (News On Japan)

A police officer was seriously injured after being struck and dragged by a vehicle while conducting a traffic enforcement operation in Shibukawa, Gunma Prefecture, on May 4th, with a suspect later arrested on suspicion of attempted murder. (News On Japan)

A Japanese lawmaker visiting Russia said on May 4 that Moscow has indicated its readiness to hold a foreign ministers’ meeting with Japan if Tokyo expresses interest, raising the possibility of renewed high-level dialogue between the two countries. (News On Japan)

A proposal to eliminate Japan’s consumption tax on food for two years, long promoted by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, is facing complications, with a reduced 1% tax option now gaining traction within the government due to technical constraints that could delay full implementation. (News On Japan)

The issue surrounding rules related to pregnancy and childbirth in professional shogi has drawn renewed attention, with leading female player Kana Fukuma expressing lingering concerns over newly proposed revisions despite acknowledging some progress. (News On Japan)

Sales of the "Dream Jumbo Lottery," offering a combined top prize of 500 million yen including adjacent number bonuses, began nationwide on May 1st. (News On Japan)

The number of children in Japan continued its long-term decline, with those aged 15 and under falling by 350,000 from a year earlier to a record low of 13.29 million as of May 4th, just ahead of Children’s Day, according to data released by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications. (News On Japan)

A children’s book sales event held in a park in Tokyo’s Ueno area on May 4th drew 18,300 visitors including families, highlighting the resilience of the children’s book segment even as overall print publishing continues to decline. (News On Japan)

A tanker carrying Russian crude oil arrived off the coast of Imabari in Ehime Prefecture on the morning of May 4th, marking the first such import since the United States launched an attack on Iran and reflecting a government-led effort to diversify energy procurement sources. (News On Japan)

A purification ritual known as the "Misogi no Gi" was held ahead of the Aoi Festival, one of Kyoto’s three major festivals, as the Saio-dai and other participants underwent a traditional cleansing ceremony at Shimogamo Shrine. (News On Japan)

As Japan’s Cabinet ministers fan out across the globe during the Golden Week holiday period, Prime Minister Takaichi’s visits to Vietnam and Australia have drawn attention for their carefully calculated strategic significance, revealing a diplomatic push centered on securing resources, strengthening supply chains, and expanding human capital ties. (News On Japan)

A Brazilian man armed with scissors barricaded himself inside an apartment in Toyohashi, Aichi Prefecture, on May 4th before being subdued by police after a tense standoff lasting around two and a half hours. (News On Japan)

More than 20 vehicles parked at a highway rest area in Myoko, Niigata Prefecture, had their windows shattered in quick succession on May 4th afternoon, with strong winds believed to have caused the damage and left two people with minor injuries. (News On Japan)

The Japan Ground Self-Defense Force’s 1st Infantry Regiment halted use of a newly created logo just four days after its release, following a wave of criticism over its design and the use of generative AI. (News On Japan)