Japan's former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba is set to become the country's new prime minister. He replaces current Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, who said he would not stand again after a series of financial and political scandals rocked the LDP party. (DW News)

JR West's new tourist train, 'Hana Akari,' is set to begin service in October. Before its official launch, a special trial run was held for the media on September 28. (News On Japan)

A 25-hour ferry trip is long. Yoron Island is one of the best islands in Japan. (OFF TO JAPAN)

A large dog was caught on camera running down a road in Yoshioka, Gunma Prefecture, as police officers wielding nets were in hot pusuit. (News On Japan)

A pair of giant pandas at Tokyo's Ueno Zoological Gardens have departed for China to spend the rest of their life in their motherland. (NHK)

Toyota's global production has seen a decline for the seventh consecutive month. In August, Toyota Motor Corporation announced that its worldwide production totaled 709,571 units, an 11.2% decrease from the same period last year. (News On Japan)

Autumn foliage is advancing early in the Tateyama region of the Northern Alps in Toyama Prefecture, with vibrant red and yellow hues starting to appear. (News On Japan)

Projection mapping of the iconic arcade game 'Pac-Man' has begun at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building. (News On Japan)

A 17-year-old girl was found dead in a hotel in Osaka on Saturday at around 11 p.m., when a hotel employee in Osaka City reported, 'A woman is wrapped in bedding and not breathing.' (News On Japan)

A research team in Japan says it has developed an ultra-thin wearable sensor, which they hope will have applications for sports and other fields. (News On Japan)

Three men broke into the Paris home of renowned chef Kei Kobayashi, 47, who has earned three Michelin stars, on September 26th, assaulting Kobayashi's wife who suffered severe injuries. Kobayashi commented, saying, 'This is unforgivable.' (News On Japan)

The new leader of Japan's main ruling Liberal Democratic Party has officially announced his executive lineup. LDP President Ishiba Shigeru is set to become prime minister on Tuesday. (NHK)

NHK surveyed the education boards of local governments across the country to find out more about the teacher shortage at elementary, junior high and senior high schools as well as special needs schools. (NHK)

From futuristic to themed, these are the best capsule hotels I could find.. & it doesn't get too much smaller or compact than this... (seerasan)

Ishiba Shigeru has been elected leader of Japan's main ruling Liberal Democratic Party. The former LDP Secretary-General is now virtually assured of becoming the next prime minister. (NHK)

Voting is underway in Japan to choose a new president of the governing Liberal Democratic Party, who is certain to become the new Prime Minister. A record nine candidates are vying for the top job with the winner being announced on Friday. (Al Jazeera)

Suzuki plans to increase its car dealerships in India by 70% to around 6,800 stores by the fiscal year 2030, according to a report by the Nikkei. The automaker has been contracting with local companies to expand its network, adding approximately 200 dealerships annually in recent years. (News On Japan)

Nintendo unveiled its 'Nintendo Museum,' which will open in Uji City, Kyoto Prefecture, on the 2nd of October, to members of the media. The museum, created by renovating a factory that previously produced Nintendo’s original playing cards (Hanafuda), showcases various historical game consoles and software, starting with the Family Computer. (News On Japan)

The president of Nippon Steel says he cannot be optimistic about its takeover of US Steel due to opposition from the United Steelworkers union, or USW. (NHK)

The governor of Japan's Hyogo Prefecture has opted to lose his seat after a no-confidence vote last week. Saito Motohiko says he will not dissolve the assembly and accepts that on Monday he will lose his job. (NHK)