MUFG Bank will open its first new branch in roughly two decades, positioning the outlet for individual customers and emphasizing easy access to asset-management consultations. (News On Japan)

I often wander Tokyo’s streets at night, just as a quiet observer. The city feels alive, transient, and full of hidden stories, all of which are often washed away by daybreak. (Retro Japan)

Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party is entering a leadership contest as factional infighting deepens, with the outcome set to shape responses to inflation and the realities of minority governance. Opposition parties are preparing to invoke Article 53 of the Constitution to demand an extraordinary Diet session, arguing that a prolonged political vacuum is unacceptable. (News On Japan)

Kyoto University said it has developed a world-first method for generating induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells from blood cells, an advance expected to make patient-specific cell lines faster and safer to produce. (News On Japan)

Emperor Naruhito harvested rice on September 10th in a paddy field within the Imperial Palace grounds. (News On Japan)

Hitachi has begun full-scale operations at a new railcar factory in Maryland in the United States after investing $100 million (approximately 15 billion yen), positioning the site as a core hub to build trains that run across the country, notably in Baltimore, Washington and Pennsylvania. (News On Japan)

McDonald’s Japan said on September 9th that for the Happy Meal sets to be released on September 12th, sales on the first day will be limited to in-store counters and drive-thru only. (News On Japan)

Shinjuku’s Kabukicho -- Tokyo’s busiest nightlife district -- saw a steady stream of disturbances through the night, from fistfights and fare disputes to intoxicated individuals collapsing on the street, as officers at the Shinjuku Police Box maintained round-the-clock patrols to keep order. (News On Japan)

The Liberal Democratic Party’s presidential election to choose a successor to Prime Minister Ishiba will be held on October 4th. The party’s election management committee decided on September 9th to officially announce the race on September 22nd, with lawmakers casting their votes in early October. (News On Japan)

Kirin has introduced a new piece of tableware designed to make low-salt meals taste stronger, addressing growing health concerns about excessive salt consumption in Japan. (News On Japan)

In today’s fast-paced world, the ability to manage your time and stay organized isn’t just helpful — it’s critical. (News On Japan)

Let’s be honest: making friends as an adult often feels more complicated than it should be. In childhood and even during college years, friendships seemed to form naturally — on the playground, in class, through shared hobbies or group activities. (News On Japan)

A bear was seen crossing railway tracks in Sunagawa, Hokkaido, on Monday morning, marking the ninth consecutive day of bear appearances in the area, prompting nearby schools to take extra precautions for children. (News On Japan)

Sapporo announced plans to open a new large-scale MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) facility in fiscal 2033, positioning the city to attract international conferences and exhibitions. (News On Japan)