In the first game of the best-of-seven title match for the prestigious "Meijin" title, the most historical of the eight major shogi titles, titleholder Sota Fujii, holding eight crowns at the age of 21, claimed victory over challenger Yoshiharu Toyoshima, a 33-year-old 9-dan player. (News On Japan)

Fast Retailing, the company behind Uniqlo, reported record half-year sales for the period ending in February this year, buoyed by strong overseas performance in Europe and America, with revenues exceeding 1.59 trillion yen. (News On Japan)

Police across Japan cracked down on a record number of animal cruelty cases last year. (News On Japan)

Along Philosopher's Path, Kyoto's renowned cherry blossom viewing spot, flower rafts have formed where fallen petals have blanketed the surface of the waterway. (News On Japan)

Landslides continue to wreak havoc in the southern part of Nara Prefecture, blocking major roadways and threatening lives. (News On Japan)

A tea bowl made of pure gold, valued at 10 million yen, was stolen at around noon Thursday from the "Great Gold Exhibition" held at the busy Nihonbashi Takashimaya department store in Tokyo's Chuo district, leaving patrons and staff stunned. (News On Japan)

Akebono Tarō, the first foreign-born wrestler to reach the rank of Yokozuna in the history of professional sumo wrestling, has passed away. He was 54 years old. (News On Japan)

A 69-year-old roofing worker with a broken leg, dying to escape hospital, has been caught stealing an ambulance to avoid prolonged treatment. (News On Japan)

Shohei Ohtani's former interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, has admitted to committing theft, with American media outlets reporting that the investigation is expected to conclude shortly. Mizuhara is accused of tampering with the settings of Ohtani's bank account. (News On Japan)

A Buddhist monk from Niigata Prefecture has gained attention for creating unique "eraser stamps" of Jizo figures, shared on social media with over 4 million views in a month. (News On Japan)

Abe no Seimei, a charismatic onmyoji from the Heian period, continues to captivate through novels, manga, and films, though shrouded in mystery. (News On Japan)

The sexual abuse controversy involving former staff members at the erstwhile Johnny's agency continues, as journalists from the BBC advocating for the agency to report the incidents to the police. (News On Japan)

Panasonic has announced its full-scale entry into the second-hand home appliances business, a move driven by rising prices and a growing thrift-conscious consumer base. Here's a closer look at the initiative. (News On Japan)

The State Guest House in Moto-Akasaka, Tokyo, a venue for numerous diplomatic events, is celebrating its 50th anniversary on April 11. In commemoration, areas previously closed to the public, such as the "West Room," will be specially opened. (News On Japan)

The has yen weakened to 152 yen to the dollar, the lowest level since July 1990, in reaction to the latest U.S. consumer price index, fueling speculation that the Federal Reserve Board (FRB) might delay the timing of interest rate cuts. (News On Japan)

NTT DoCoMo and Amazon have announced a collaboration in payment and point systems. (News On Japan)

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida attended an informal dinner with President Joe Biden and the First Lady at a restaurant in Washington, D.C. (News On Japan)

The iGaming market spans globally. As a result, many casino brands are looking to cater to their players. (News On Japan)

A precious rodent species, classified as endangered and a national natural monument, has been put on display for the first time. (News On Japan)

The Corporate Goods Price Index, which reflects the prices of goods traded between companies, reached an all-time high in both March and the fiscal year of 2023. (News On Japan)