Fukuoka Prefectural Assembly decided on October 14th to replace its traditional 18-karat gold member badges with gold-plated ones, in response to soaring gold prices that recently hit a record high. (News On Japan)

More than 450 cars — from sleek red Ferraris celebrating 20 years of Nagoya’s sister-city ties with Turin to world-class rally machines — attracted a wide range of petrol heads in Hisaya Odori Park over the weekend. (News On Japan)

Authorities in Sapporo’s Nishi Ward killed a mother bear and her cub on October 14th after the pair were caught in a box trap, marking the latest incident in a string of bear encounters in the city’s Nishino district. (News On Japan)

Loose socks and instant cameras — once symbols of 1990s youth culture — are making a comeback as part of a growing “Heisei retro” trend that blends nostalgia with a fresh appeal among Japan’s younger generation. (News On Japan)

A 14-year-old junior high school student died after falling from a building in Tokyo’s Kabukicho district, and a man standing nearby was injured when she struck him as she fell. Police say the girl may have overdosed on over-the-counter medication before the incident. (News On Japan)

Kinki University’s new Osaka Medical Campus, set to open in Sakai in November, has been unveiled as part of a major relocation project aimed at revitalizing the university’s medical education and healthcare services in southern Osaka. (News On Japan)

Yakult has been officially recognized by Guinness World Records as the world’s best-selling lactic acid beverage brand in 2024, marking a new milestone for the iconic probiotic drink. The certification, announced at a presentation ceremony, celebrates the brand’s success across domestic and international markets. (News On Japan)

A man accused of murdering four people in a brutal 2022 incident in the city of Nakano, Nagano Prefecture, was sentenced to death on October 14th, with the court rejecting arguments over his diminished mental capacity. (News On Japan)