Japan doesn’t just offer a glimpse of its own culture, it holds up a mirror to ours - subtly exposing how much we long for coherence, respect, and a sense of shared responsibility. (Retro Japan)

Four elementary school boys were injured in a hit-and-run incident in Misato City, Saitama Prefecture, and police have arrested a Chinese national who was riding in the vehicle, suspecting he knowingly accompanied a drunk driver. (News On Japan)

U.S. investment fund Dalton Investments has issued a statement criticizing Fuji Media Holdings for rejecting its proposed board nominees, calling the move "regrettable" and stating it "does not appear to have been seriously considered." (News On Japan)

Visitors to the Osaka-Kansai Expo may be surprised to learn that one of the most popular attractions—moon and Mars rocks—can be seen and touched without waiting in long lines, thanks to a lesser-known exhibit at the far western end of the venue. (News On Japan)

The Sanja Festival at Asakusa Shrine in Tokyo, a signature early-summer tradition of the downtown area, reached its peak on Saturday as groups of local carried mikoshi through the streets in the main 'Rengo Togyo' procession despite the rain. (News On Japan)

A peace march calling for the reduction of the burden caused by U.S. military bases was held in Okinawa on May 17th, marking 53 years since the prefecture's reversion to Japan. (News On Japan)

The "Red Bull 400," billed as the world's toughest 400-meter race, was held on May 17th at the Okurayama Ski Jump Stadium in Sapporo. The venue, known for hosting international ski jumping competitions, challenged participants to climb a 37-degree slope under intense physical strain. (News On Japan)

JR Central will launch a new remote customer assistance service at eight stations on the Tokaido Line in Shizuoka Prefecture starting June 1st. This initiative aims to support passengers at stations that are unstaffed during early morning and late-night hours, improving convenience for travelers. (News On Japan)

Spring has brought a wave of newborn animals to North Safari Sapporo, a privately run zoo in Minami Ward, Sapporo City, even as the facility remains under pressure to remove illegal structures and relocate its animals. (News On Japan)

A soft drink vending machine caught fire late Saturday night in Asahikawa City, Hokkaido, with no clear cause found in the surrounding area. (News On Japan)

Toyota Group unions have secured the highest average wage increase since 2000, with 123 manufacturing unions achieving pay hikes averaging 16,430 yen and a 5.72% increase, according to the All Toyota Labor Federation, which represents about 362,000 members across 307 unions. (News On Japan)

A senior member of the Kudo-kai crime syndicate, designated as a particularly dangerous group, was arrested on Friday in Kitakyushu for allegedly operating an illegal dice gambling den known as 'Tabusai,' which reportedly generated over one million yen in a single night. (News On Japan)

Japan’s policy to provide free high school tuition for both public and private schools is expanding options for families who once gave up on private education due to cost. However, in Osaka, where this policy was implemented ahead of other regions, even prestigious public high schools are now struggling to fill seats. (News On Japan)

A canal built more than 130 years ago to carry water from Lake Biwa to Kyoto is set to become the first modern civil engineering structure in Japan to be designated a National Treasure. (News On Japan)

A sightseeing boat carrying 25 people caught fire off the coast of Ogijima Island in Takamatsu, Kagawa Prefecture on the evening of May 16th. All passengers and crew were safely rescued by a nearby fishing boat, and no injuries were reported. (News On Japan)