Nearly 90% of people are considering "perpetual memorial services," entrusting the management and memorialization of remains to temples or cemeteries, due to reasons such as the absence of someone to inherit graves. (News On Japan)

As Japan's summer festival season begins, a growing controversy surrounds the introduction of paid premium seating at traditional events like the Awa Odori and Gion Matsuri. These high-priced seats, intended to generate revenue and support festival sustainability, have sparked debates over the commercialization of cultural traditions. (News On Japan)

Japan has issued its first-ever advisory on higher-than-usual risks of a megaquake after an earthquake of magnitude 7.1 jolted on Thursday at the edge of a tremulous seabed zone along the Pacific coast known as the Nankai Trough. A possible Nankai megaquake and tsunami disaster could kill hundreds of thousands of people and cause a trillion-dollar damage to Japan. (WION)

Japan is grappling with a significant issue as approximately 9 million houses have been left empty across the country. The nation's aging population, coupled with a declining birth rate, has led to a mass exodus of younger generations to urban areas, leaving many rural villages deserted. (Al Jazeera)

Two men were injured Monday after being bitten by wild dolphins at Suishohama Beach in Mihama, Fukui Prefecture. (News On Japan)

Approximately 30% of people tested showed levels of concern in blood tests for the carcinogenic organic fluorine compounds known as PFAS, according to experts. (News On Japan)

A South Korean vessel was spotted conducting an unauthorized maritime survey near Takeshima in Japan’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) around noon on August 11th. The Japan Coast Guard’s patrol boat confirmed that the South Korean research ship was lowering what appeared to be a wire-like device into the sea. (News On Japan)

A bear was spotted swimming slowly in Lake Chuzenji, located in Nikko National Park, Tochigi Prefecture, on Sunday. (News On Japan)

Minamidaitojima, the largest island in the Daitō Islands group 360 kilometers east of Okinawa's main island, is experiencing a gasoline shortage. On August 11th, a sign reading 'No gasoline available' was posted at the island's only gas station, which serves a population of about 1,200. (News On Japan)

Kiyoka Kōtarō claimed the gold medal in the men's freestyle wrestling 65kg category at the Paris Olympics, defeating an Iranian opponent in the final match. (News On Japan)

Yusho Kagami claimed victory in the women's 76kg wrestling final at the Paris Olympics, defeating her American opponent to secure the gold medal. This marks the first time a Japanese wrestler has won in the heaviest women's category. (News On Japan)