The 20th Asian Games opened on September 19 with a ceremony at Paloma Mizuho Stadium in Nagoya, launching competition across venues in five prefectures through October 4. (News On Japan)

The Bank of Japan raised its policy rate from 1.0% to 1.25% on September 18, taking borrowing costs to their highest level in 31 years and accelerating the pace of monetary tightening as persistent inflation and concerns over fiscal expansion put upward pressure on interest rates. (News On Japan)

Drinking parties remain a lively part of social life in Kansai even as younger generations increasingly turn away from alcohol and izakaya bankruptcies rise at a record pace, with customers describing the gatherings less as occasions to drink heavily and more as opportunities to maintain friendships, meet new people and build connections across generations. (News On Japan)