The Osaka-Kansai Expo, set to open next April, will now allow attendees to bring food into the venue, a reversal from its previous stance of prohibiting food and drink carry-ins due to security and time concerns. (News On Japan)

A surge in prohibited imports at Japan's border has become a pressing concern. At the forefront of this battle is the Narita Airport Animal and Plant Quarantine Counter, where the inspection of meat, vegetables, and fruits is conducted to prevent the entry of infectious diseases and plant pests into Japan. (News On Japan)

Two of shogi's most formidable young talents are pitted against each other in the highly anticipated Eioh-sen Shogi Championship to be held in Nagoya on April 7. (News On Japan)

When couples invest time in shared activities, they're not just filling a slot in their schedules; they're setting the stage for better communication and understanding. (News On Japan)

A woman in her 20s who was wrongfully arrested for biting her one-month-old baby after police mistakenly identified a piece of dental evidence as hers, has won damages against the state. (News On Japan)

This weekend, Tokyo boasts a hidden cherry blossom spot you'll definitely want to visit: Ukima Park, near the Arakawa River, with around 150 Somei Yoshino trees lining the embankment, and a windmill to boot. (News On Japan)

The legacy of the Bank of Japan's (BoJ) aggressive monetary easing policy -- often described as "unprecedented easing" -- has swelled to a record high as the fiscal year comes to a close. (News On Japan)

A municipal employee from Hitachi City has been arrested for sending messages threatening to kill Nintendo employees and participants of a gaming event. (News On Japan)

McDonald's Japan has started charging 5 yen for a plastic bag, regardless of size, across all 23 stores in Nagasaki Prefecture, ahead of a nationwide rollout. (News On Japan)

A young female bank employee in her third year at Mizuho Bank's Kobe branch, Naho Takahara, 24, is setting her sights on a solo transatlantic yacht race. (News On Japan)

Analysis of a nationwide survey on the working conditions of teachers, conducted for the first time in six years, has revealed that younger teachers and those responsible for larger classes tend to work longer hours. (News On Japan)

The "2024 Problem" in logistics has been affecting bookstores in Akita Prefecture since April, causing delays in the arrival of paperbacks and literary books, which now reach stores a day after their release date. (News On Japan)

An educational version of "Momotaro Dentetsu," a popular Japanese board game where players compete as railway company presidents to amass wealth by acquiring properties across Japan, has been rolled out to educational institutions since 2023. (News On Japan)

Rakuten Group has announced its decision to issue new dollar-denominated bonds worth approximately 300 billion yen ($2.7 billion), aiming to refinance the debt incurred from previous investments in mobile telecommunications infrastructure. (News On Japan)

Tokyo's cherry blossoms have officially reached their peak bloom, 13 days later than last year. (News On Japan)

A white Toyota Land Cruiser belonging to Junco Mihara, a member of the Liberal Democratic Party in the House of Councillors, was stolen from her home on Wednesday night. (News On Japan)

JR Central has announced that the completion of some sections of the construction for the "Linear Chuo Shinkansen" in Yamanashi and Nagano prefectures is expected to be delayed until 2031. (News On Japan)

Four men have been arrested by Tokyo police for allegedly recruiting women for prostitution in the United States via a website, promising encounters with affluent clients and high earnings. (News On Japan)

Uniqlo, a leading clothing retailer, has announced the start of used clothing sales at its Tenjin store in Fukuoka City, a first for the brand in Kyushu. (News On Japan)

In the bustling Gion district of Kyoto, a private road called "Kosode Koji" known for its historical ambiance is set to be off-limits to tourists. (News On Japan)