In Zama, Kanagawa Prefecture, a family of ducks swimming peacefully at dusk drew the attention of five raccoons emerging from a canal and nearby brush, raising concerns among onlookers about a possible attack—though experts later explained the raccoons were likely more curious than predatory. (News On Japan)
A seismic swarm continues to rattle the Tokara Islands off Kagoshima Prefecture, where more than 1,000 earthquakes have been recorded since June 21st. A magnitude 5.5 quake reaching a seismic intensity of 6-lower struck the region at around 4:13 p.m. on July 3rd. (News On Japan)
Tokyo Gas Engineering Solutions announced on July 2nd that it will promote the adoption of power generation systems using city gas for data centers. Unlike traditional systems, these generators can be installed directly within data center premises, eliminating the need to wait for power grid development and enabling quicker startup. (News On Japan)
The Yoshida Trail on the Yamanashi side of Mount Fuji (3,776 meters) officially opened to climbers on July 1st. Under clear skies, hikers welcomed the season with cheers as the rising sun cast a glowing orange hue through the summit clouds. (News On Japan)
A synthetic opioid so powerful it can kill with a single tablet is threatening to strain relations between Japan and the United States. Fentanyl, a drug originally developed as a medical anesthetic, has become a national crisis in the U.S. due to its high potency and addictive nature. Now, reports suggest it may be making its way into the country via Japan. (News On Japan)
U.S. President Donald Trump has expressed doubts about reaching a trade agreement with Japan and hinted at the possibility of imposing tariffs of 30% to 35%. (News On Japan)
Hokkaido's land price growth rankings have revealed Furano City as the top performer in the region, driven by a surge in foreign tourists. According to roadside land value data released on July 1st, Furano’s Kitanomine district saw a 30.2% increase over 2024 levels, reaching 82,000 yen per square meter. (News On Japan)
Japan’s first fully unmanned mini store operated by major discount retailer Don Quijote opened on July 1st inside Osaka Electro-Communication University in Neyagawa City, Osaka Prefecture. (News On Japan)
In Toyooka City, Hyogo Prefecture, a rice field artwork featuring Decopin—the pet dog of Shohei Ohtani from Major League Baseball’s Los Angeles Dodgers—has drawn attention, with the image created using green rice plants and ornamental varieties that turn white and red. (News On Japan)
A man being held in detention has filed a lawsuit against Osaka Prefecture, claiming police violated his right to remain silent by confiscating a T-shirt bearing the phrase "I refuse to be interrogated." (News On Japan)
Japan’s land values have risen nationwide for the fourth consecutive year, with the National Tax Agency releasing new roadside land prices on July 1st that show a continued upward trend driven by suburbanization and redevelopment. (News On Japan)
The Gion Festival, one of Japan’s three major festivals, officially began in Kyoto on July 1st with the ceremonial ritual known as the Osendono Gi at Yasaka Shrine. (News On Japan)
Japan’s ambitions to become a rare earth powerhouse are gaining attention as China tightens its grip on global supply chains. Despite a mid-June agreement between the U.S. and China, rare earth supplies remain constrained, and Japan’s enterprises—alongside global manufacturers—continue to face uncertainty. (News On Japan)
China has announced the partial resumption of Japanese seafood imports for the first time in nearly two years, following a suspension imposed in response to the discharge of treated water from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant. (News On Japan)
Japan is home to a thriving language services industry, with companies offering world-class translation and interpretation solutions across diverse fields such as business, academia, gaming, and government. From innovative AI-driven platforms to long-established localization experts, these firms support global communication in one of the world’s most demanding linguistic markets. (News On Japan)
U.S. President Donald Trump has once again voiced strong dissatisfaction with Japan over automobile tariffs, a key issue in ongoing trade talks between the two countries, criticizing Japan for not importing American cars and calling the situation unfair. (News On Japan)
This episode of Sengoku Jidai explores Tokugawa Ieyasu’s rise during Japan’s chaotic Warring States era, focusing on his conquest of Totomi Province, alliance with and betrayal of the Takeda clan, and the climactic Battle of Mikatagahara. (Kings and Generals)
A next-generation neutrino observation facility, the Hyper-Kamiokande, was unveiled to the media on June 28th in Hida City, Gifu Prefecture. Located 600 meters underground in the Kamioka area, it is a new experimental facility of the University of Tokyo's Institute for Cosmic Ray Research, designed to detect neutrinos emitted from a research center 295 kilometers away in Ibaraki Prefecture. (News On Japan)
As Japan enters a full-fledged "mass-death society," even cremation may be delayed by days. In Sapporo, the number of annual cremations is expected to reach approximately 32,800 by fiscal 2054. Meanwhile, demand is growing for easier-to-manage burial methods such as tree burials at cemeteries. (News On Japan)
A growing wave of fraudulent restaurant bookings is raising alarm among small eateries across Japan, with multiple cases now reported beyond Tokyo. The scam involves a man falsely claiming to be a school employee and reserving tables under the name "Koga," before canceling at the last minute and demanding that restaurants pay for expensive wine. (News On Japan)
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