A procession of elaborately decorated yamahoko floats took place on July 24th in central Kyoto as part of the latter half of the Gion Festival, known as the Ato-matsuri. The parade featured 11 floats, each adorned with luxurious decorations, making their way through the streets on a route opposite to that of the earlier procession held on July 17th. (News On Japan)

Isawa Onsen in Yamanashi Prefecture, once known as the "inner sanctum" of the Tokyo metropolitan area for its popularity among group travelers from the capital, is undergoing a quiet transformation. Easily accessible from Tokyo in about 90 minutes by express train, the area has long been home to traditional ryokan inns with Japanese-style architecture and koi-filled courtyards. However, many of these ryokan are now under new ownership, with a significant portion—an estimated one-fourth—believed to be controlled by foreign capital, mainly from China. (News On Japan)

Four women have been arrested by the Tokyo Metropolitan Police for allegedly engaging in prostitution solicitation, known as "tachinbo" or street soliciting, near Okubo Park in Shinjuku's Kabukicho district, targeting foreign tourists. (News On Japan)

Japan’s impact on Major League Baseball is no longer a budding phenomenon—it is a thriving pipeline of world-class talent that continues to evolve and impress. (News On Japan)

The world's relationship with fossil fuels is changing rapidly, and carbon taxes are increasingly crucial in reshaping how we consume energy. (News On Japan)

The Nana-chan mannequin, a beloved symbol of Nagoya Station, has moved for the first time since its debut in 1973. From 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., the mannequin now raises its arms in a motion pose every time the clock hits a time ending in the number 7. This marks the first time the figure has shown any movement in its 51-year history. (News On Japan)

A fire broke out in a 10-story apartment building in Higashi-Shinagawa, Tokyo, on the morning of July 24th, leaving six people with minor injuries. Authorities believe the blaze was triggered by a handheld fan that was charging at the time. (News On Japan)

Japan's tallest wooden office building has been unveiled in Tokyo's Kyobashi district, jointly developed by Dai-ichi Life Insurance and Shimizu Corporation. The newly completed Dai-ichi Life Kyobashi Kino Terrace stands 12 stories tall at 56 meters and features a hybrid structure that combines timber and steel. (News On Japan)

Japan continues to face a prolonged heatwave, and the lack of rainfall is severely impacting the country's rice production, including the renowned Uonuma Koshihikari variety in Niigata Prefecture. (News On Japan)

Osaka Prefecture is introducing new AI-powered surveillance systems at ATMs to combat a surge in special fraud cases targeting the elderly. Beginning in August, residents aged 65 and over will be prohibited from using their mobile phones while operating ATMs under a new local ordinance—the first of its kind in Japan. (News On Japan)