Real wages in Japan declined for the third consecutive year, as rising prices continued to outpace wage growth. According to the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare’s Monthly Labour Survey for fiscal 2024, inflation-adjusted wages fell by 0.5% compared to the previous year. (News On Japan)

A massive outbreak of insects is causing serious problems at the Osaka-Kansai Expo site, prompting alarm both on the ground and online. (News On Japan)

FamilyMart has unveiled a new retail strategy dubbed the "Apollo Plan," aiming to expand its sales space by attaching small, three-tsubo (about 10 square meters) white containers to existing stores. At a location in Kanagawa Prefecture, curious customers noticed the unfamiliar structure next to the usual storefront, wondering aloud what it might contain. (News On Japan)

The Japan Meteorological Agency announced that the Okinawa region is believed to have entered the rainy season on May 22nd, marking the fourth-latest start since records began in 1951. The onset is 12 days later than the average year and one day later than in 2024. (News On Japan)

A man walked straight out of the building, eyes fixed ahead. He was identified as 54-year-old Taniguchi, the manager of a private massage parlor, and is among nine people arrested on suspicion of illegally soliciting customers for prostitution on the streets of Gotanda, Tokyo. (News On Japan)

A passenger jet arriving from Hokkaido made an unexpected stop on Wednesday after entering a restricted construction area at Hiroshima Airport, running over a concrete base and coming to a halt on the taxiway. (News On Japan)

"I was stabbed in the chest with cooking chopsticks." That’s how A, a man in his 40s living in Shikoku, describes the abuse he endured from his ex-wife about 15 years ago. "Things like that happened all the time. It felt like hell," he recalls. (News On Japan)

The Israeli military has fired warning shots at a diplomatic delegation visiting the West Bank, including a Japanese official, during a tour of the Jenin refugee camp on May 21st. Although no one was injured in the incident, the move has drawn sharp criticism from several countries. (News On Japan)

Japan and South Korea will introduce priority immigration lanes for each other’s citizens at four major airports for one month starting next month, in a move aimed at shortening entry procedures and improving travel convenience between the two countries. (News On Japan)

Japan is facing a growing crisis not just with rice, but also with seafood, as supply shortages and rising prices begin to hit the consumer's dinner table. (News On Japan)

A bronze mirror kept at Atori Shrine in the village of Atori has been identified as the largest seidōkyō, or ancient bronze mirror, ever found in Japan, according to a recent joint announcement by the Nara National Research Institute for Cultural Properties and the Nara National Museum. (News On Japan)

Fukuoka Airport has became the first in Japan to introduce biofuel-powered ground vehicles, as Japan Airlines began fueling some of its service vehicles with plant-based biofuel refined from used cooking oil. (News On Japan)

Former professional soccer player Shiho Shimoyamada, who once played in Japan’s Nadeshiko League and for international teams, is turning her personal struggles with menstruation during sports into a push for change. (News On Japan)

A seven-year-old mare named Padmarwat, based at Saga Racecourse, extended her losing streak to 114 races on May 18th, setting a new national record for consecutive defeats in Japanese horse racing. (News On Japan)

A first-year female student at a correspondence high school in Fukuyama City, Hiroshima Prefecture, was arrested on Wednesday morning after stabbing three of her classmates with a kitchen knife during a break between classes. (News On Japan)

Following what appears to be a violent domestic incident, the bodies of a man and a woman were found inside a residence in Ikeda City, Osaka Prefecture, with a five-year-old girl discovered alive but suffering from stab wounds to her back. Authorities believe the two adults had been dead for several days by the time police arrived. (News On Japan)

With its vivid petals and delicate appearance, the Atsumigesi poppy may seem like a beautiful addition to the landscape—but beneath its beauty lies a serious danger. Known for its exceptionally strong reproductive capabilities, the plant is now being discovered in various parts of Japan during its blooming season. (News On Japan)

Following the Osaka-Kansai Expo, the Dutch Pavilion will be relocated to Awaji Island in Hyogo Prefecture, organizers announced. Built using reusable materials with relocation in mind, the structure will be reconstructed by the Pasona Group in cooperation with the Dutch government. (News On Japan)

The average price of a newly built condominium in the Greater Tokyo area in April dropped 8.7% from a year earlier to 69.99 million yen, falling below the 70 million yen mark for the first time in 16 months, according to a report by the Real Estate Economic Institute. (News On Japan)

Following intense criticism over a delayed response to growing political pressure, Prime Minister Ishiba dismissed Agriculture Minister Eto and appointed Koizumi as his successor in an effort to regain control of his administration. (News On Japan)