A recent in-depth report captured the crucial moment when illegal drug smuggling was foiled at Haneda Airport, Japan’s primary international gateway. With the rise of inbound foreign visitors, airport customs has become an important line of defense against smuggling. (News On Japan)

The Ainu, an indigenous group native to Hokkaido and other areas, were conscripted to serve as Japanese soldiers during WWII. Despite enduring severe discrimination, their complex feelings toward this reality are still felt today. (News On Japan)

Astronaut Takoya Onishi, who had been on a long-term stay aboard the International Space Station (ISS), successfully returned to Earth on August 10th at around 12:30 AM Japan time, when the SpaceX spacecraft "Crew Dragon," carrying Onishi and three other astronauts, descended using parachutes and splashed down off the coast of California. (News On Japan)

Hop aboard the brand-new Uwajima Unyu Ferry – Reimei Maru for a brilliant 3-hour cruise from Beppu Port to Yawatahama Port. (ITSUKA JAPAN)

Many families struggle to maintain a regular diary of their daily lives, especially during the summer break, which is a particularly challenging time. Support organizations like Kids Door, which deliver food to children in need, are seeing an increase in requests for help. (News On Japan)

Tesla has opened its first direct store in Okinawa, located in the city of Tomigusuku. (News On Japan)

As Japan faces an ongoing decline in its birthrate and aging population, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications has released data showing the country’s total population. (News On Japan)

Around 50,000 hybrid sunflowers, growing up to two meters tall, are in full bloom at Awaji Farm Park England Hill in Minami-Awaji City, Hyogo Prefecture, creating a vast, vibrant yellow flower field. (News On Japan)

Ahead of the Obon holiday period beginning on August 9th, Kansai International Airport is already seeing a wave of travelers heading overseas. The international departures lobby was crowded from the morning, with families and other travelers carrying large suitcases. (News On Japan)

Tokyo, which is a world within a whirl of activity, presents a unique mix of old and new. The city has here the serene shrines that have stood for centuries and the modern skyscrapers that shoot up to the sky; also, it has traditional culture and high-tech trends. (News On Japan)

The iconic stick-shaped chocolate snack Pocky has been officially registered as a three-dimensional trademark, marking a major milestone for manufacturer Ezaki Glico. (News On Japan)

A groundbreaking study by Toshitaka Suzuki, a leading figure in animal linguistics, has revealed that birds use their songs not merely to chirp but to communicate specific information, such as the presence of predators or the location of food—functioning as a true form of language. (News On Japan)

An increasing number of South Korean men are traveling to Japan to find Japanese wives, with some making repeated trips each year until they meet a potential partner. Behind this trend lies a mix of cultural expectations and economic pressures. (News On Japan)

Seven & i Holdings has announced a new mid-term strategy targeting the addition of 2,300 stores globally by 2030—1,000 in Japan and 1,300 overseas—amid concerns that the company has grown complacent in its dominant market position. (News On Japan)

A severe and prolonged heatwave is taking a widespread toll across Japan, affecting everything from traditional summer events to vegetable harvests and dairy farms. (News On Japan)

Japan’s population of Japanese nationals has decreased for the 16th consecutive year, according to demographic data released by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications. As of January 1st, 2025, the Japanese population stood at 120.65 million, a drop of roughly 910,000 from the previous year—marking the largest annual decline on record. (News On Japan)

Authorities have launched a full investigation into the fire that broke out during the Minato Mirai fireworks festival in Yokohama, where five workers had to be rescue from an exploding barge. (News On Japan)

August 6th marks 80 years since the atomic bombing of Hiroshima. At Yakushiji Temple in Nara, a bell rang out with prayers for peace. (News On Japan)

The impact of Trump-era tariffs is being strongly felt. Mazda has announced its financial forecast for the fiscal year through March 2026, which had previously been left undecided due to the uncertainty surrounding the tariffs. (News On Japan)

A centuries-old temple in Osaka has become a hotspot for trespassing and online ghost-hunting rumors, following the absence of its head priest and the fallout from a criminal case involving its former leader. (News On Japan)