The Japanese government on March 21st released a report outlining countermeasures for volcanic ash in the event of a Mount Fuji eruption, including a four-stage evacuation plan based on ashfall volume. (News On Japan)

Japan's household financial assets reached a record 2,230 trillion yen ($15 trillion) at the end of December last year, driven by growing use of the tax-free NISA investment accounts and rising stock prices. (News On Japan)

Police uniforms in Japan will undergo their first major redesign in 31 years, with changes including the abolition of skirts for female officers and the introduction of polo shirts to help cope with rising temperatures. (News On Japan)

Japan ranked 55th in the latest World Happiness Report, released on March 20th to coincide with the International Day of Happiness. Finland secured the top position for the eighth consecutive year, followed by Denmark and Iceland, with Nordic countries dominating the upper ranks due to strong welfare and education systems. (News On Japan)

Today marks 30 years since the Tokyo subway sarin attack carried out by Aum Shinrikyo. Newly discovered photographs believed to be among the earliest taken after Chizuo Matsumoto, also known as Shoko Asahara, was found in a concealed space have come to light. (News On Japan)

A third-party panel investigating allegations of power harassment against Hyogo Governor Motohiko Saito submitted its findings to the prefectural government on March 19th, concluding that ten instances of his conduct constituted workplace harassment. (News On Japan)

People usually prefer that they enhance their beauty by natural supplements rather than going for unnecessary dermatological procedures. (News On Japan)

JR Hokkaido announced on March 19th that the JR Sapporo Station redevelopment, linked to the Hokkaido Shinkansen extension, will be delayed by six years, with full operations now set for fiscal 2034. (News On Japan)

A new facility for the research and production of induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells has been completed in Osaka's Nakanoshima district and was unveiled to the press on March 19th. (News On Japan)

On this two-day trip, we will explore the historic port town of Obama in Fukui Prefecture, and delve into the rich history of the ‘Mackerel Road,’ an ancient trade route where merchants once carried salted mackerel to Kyoto during Japan’s feudal era. (japan-guide.com)

JR Tokai plans to introduce a new high-end seating class on the Tokaido Shinkansen, offering semi-private compartments that surpass the comfort of Green Car seats. (News On Japan)