A steam locomotive derailed during a test run on the JR Joetsu Line in Gunma Prefecture late on Thursday morning. (News On Japan)

Prince Hisahito, the eldest son of Crown Prince Akishino, will celebrate his 19th birthday on September 6th, when he formally marks his coming-of-age. On the eve of the milestone, the Imperial Household Agency released footage of Hisahito’s daily life at the University of Tsukuba, where he is currently enrolled. (News On Japan)

The White House announced that President Trump has signed an executive order to formally implement the US-Japan trade agreement. (News On Japan)

Construction of a large-scale solar power facility near the Kushiro Wetland, Japan’s largest marshland, has come under fire for unauthorized work. (News On Japan)

The Southern Alps are a treasure trove of alpine flora, but their delicate ecosystem is now under threat. Rising deer populations and the spread of invasive species carried by climbers are quietly eroding this natural heritage. On-site conservation efforts are underway to preserve the fragile environment. (News On Japan)

A woman was fatally stabbed multiple times by a stranger in the elevator of an apartment building in Kobe in August, triggering a surge of discussion online about personal self-defense products. (News On Japan)

Japan Post is facing new sanctions after the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism issued notices of administrative action against about 100 post offices nationwide for failing to properly conduct roll calls to confirm delivery staff readiness. (News On Japan)

Telework, which spread rapidly during the COVID-19 crisis, gave rise to the concept of “workation,” where employees worked remotely not only from home but also from tourist destinations. However, as pandemic restrictions ease, a clear shift back to office-based work is underway. (News On Japan)

Typhoon No. 15 made landfall near Sukumo City in Kochi Prefecture in the early hours of September 5th before re-entering northern Wakayama Prefecture around 9 a.m. The storm then tracked eastward along the Pacific coast, unleashing record rainfall, tornado-like winds, and severe damage across wide areas of Japan. (News On Japan)

ELENTO LLC will host TADAIMA 2025, a one-month co-living and co-creating residency program inviting digital nomads, local changemakers, and community leaders to explore new models of revitalization in rural regions. (News On Japan)

A high school student was injured in a bear attack on the evening of October 3rd in Nakatsugawa, Gifu Prefecture, while walking home. The bear has not yet been located, and nearby schools and residents remain on high alert. (News On Japan)

TELL, Japan’s leading mental health NPO supporting the international community, will launch its annual Step-Up Challenge on Wednesday, September 10th, World Suicide Prevention Day. (News On Japan)

The Tokyo Tatsumi International Swimming Center, which served as a venue during the Tokyo Olympics and has been familiar to residents for 30 years, has been converted into an ice rink and will open on Saturday, September 6. (News On Japan)

A ranking has been released evaluating the attractiveness of cities across Japan, based on 87 indicators across six categories including economy, lifestyle, and transportation. (News On Japan)

The Liberal Democratic Party held a joint meeting of both houses on Tuesday to review its crushing defeat in the Upper House election, where it was revealed that all three top executives, including Secretary-General Moriyama, intend to resign. (News On Japan)

A video showing a foreign man desecrating a cemetery in Japan has triggered widespread criticism on social media and led the Australian Embassy in Tokyo to issue a rare warning. (News On Japan)

Gold prices reached an all-time high in Japan, with the announcement on Tuesday that the retail price had hit 18,211 yen per gram, exceeding the 18,000 yen mark for the first time. (News On Japan)

At a regular press conference of the Japan Association of Corporate Executives, Takeshi Niinami, who stepped down as chairman of Suntory Holdings, appeared with a calm demeanor and used the opportunity to deny wrongdoing over his alleged involvement in the import of illegal supplements. (News On Japan)

Adding even the smallest figure can completely transform a watercolor landscape.In this video, I’ll show you the essential and surprisingly simple way to draw figures that bring your scenes to life. (Watercolor by Shibasaki)

The number of foreign workers in Japan has reached a record high, but illegal employment is also rising sharply. Last year alone, more than 6,500 foreign nationals disappeared after arriving in Japan to work, often caught between exploitative brokers, low wages, and harassment in the workplace. (News On Japan)