Materials presented at a Cabinet Office meeting to discuss renewable energy inadvertently included a logo of a Chinese state-owned enterprise, sparking concern among opposition parties and officials about the possibility of foreign influence on Japan's energy policies. (News On Japan)

A potentially lethal toxin, known as "Pulegone," has emerged as a suspect in the controversy surrounding Kobayashi Pharmaceutical's red yeast rice supplements. (News On Japan)

As city life rebounds post-pandemic, there's been a noticeable increase in people smoking on the streets. In Tokyo's Chiyoda Ward, the number of street smoking violations has doubled from the previous year. (News On Japan)

The Ninomaru Shozokan Museum within the Imperial Palace has refreshed its exhibit this month, which also allows visitors the opportunity to explore the Outer Garden. (News On Japan)

Japan's Meteorological Agency announced the blooming of the Somei Yoshino cherry blossoms in Tokyo at 2 p.m. on Friday, five days later than average. (News On Japan)

LINE Corporation, in response to a major data breach affecting its users, has decided to reconsider its business outsourcing to the Korean company responsible for the leak. (News On Japan)

World Heritage Site Himeji Castle has confirmed the blooming of cherry blossoms since Friday morning, with enough of the pink petals to satisfy lucky visitors. (News On Japan)

The consumer price index (CPI) for Tokyo's 23 wards, which tracks the price movements of goods and services consumed by households, reported a preliminary increase of 2.4% in mid-March. (News On Japan)

Japan's Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications announced on Friday that the nationwide unemployment rate for February rose by 0.2 points from the previous month, reaching 2.6%. (News On Japan)

As the new school year approaches, the methods of conducting "school health checks" vary by municipality, raising questions about their appropriateness. (News On Japan)

A fire chief in Shiga Prefecture has been disciplined for "vaccine harassment," after a staff member who chose not to receive the COVID-19 jab was made to work in the office hallway. (News On Japan)

Major paper manufacturers in Japan are set to raise prices on tissue and toilet paper by approximately 5% to 15% from April. (News On Japan)

Students from Kanagawa Prefecture's Kanto Gakuin Rokura High School, as part of their school project, have created a promotional video for Toyama Prefecture! The story, told through a cinematic lens, follows two high school students on a journey across Toyama, featuring the prefecture's breathtaking nature and recommended spots. (News On Japan)

As more people keep pets indoors, there has been a call for caution regarding unexpected pet behavior leading to fire accidents. (News On Japan)

JAXA has announced the revival of the unmanned explorer "SLIM" following its successful hibernation after making Japan's first moon landing. The probe successfully endured a second lunar night, a period during which temperatures can drop to as low as minus 170 degrees Celsius. (News On Japan)

Last year saw a record-breaking 1,963 prohibition orders issued in Japan under the Stalking Control Law, marking the highest number to date. (News On Japan)

To address the anticipated logistics challenges of 2024, Mercari, a leading flea market app company, has initiated a new delivery service predicated on drop-off delivery. (News On Japan)

Currently, there's a rapid increase in individuals suffering from "spring fatigue." You might be affected without even realizing it. (News On Japan)

In response to the continued surge in energy prices due to the weakening yen and the rise in consumer prices, the Japanese government has decided to extend the subsidy for gasoline and other fuels beyond its April deadline. (News On Japan)

The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) estimates the economic loss due to health issues unique to women, such as menstruation and menopause, at approximately 3.4 trillion yen. (News On Japan)