An electric school bus has been introduced for a special needs school in Kitakyushu, with the city holding an unveiling ceremony at city hall to mark the occasion. (News On Japan)

The redevelopment plan for the former Nakano Sunplaza site has been formally scrapped, raising concerns among local residents about the area potentially becoming a neglected eyesore. (News On Japan)

Many employees received their paychecks on May 23rd, but for a growing number, those paychecks now include a portion that used to be paid as bonuses. A new compensation trend is emerging among Japan's major corporations: splitting up bonuses and distributing them as part of monthly salaries. (News On Japan)

“You have cancer and need to undergo surgery immediately.” Cathy Allen will never forget the look on the doctor’s face when he marked the distribution of a “tumor” on her chest CT scan. (News On Japan)

As ultraviolet radiation reaches stronger levels with the onset of summer, the number of days with intense UV readings has doubled over the past 30 years. While people often remember to protect their skin, experts are warning that protection for the eyes is equally essential—and often forgotten. (News On Japan)

A sweeping change to Japan’s penal system is set to take place in June with the abolition of the dual sentencing system of prison labor (chōeki) and imprisonment without labor (kinko), which will be replaced by a unified custodial sentence known as kōkin-kei. (News On Japan)

Panasonic Holdings has unveiled for the first time its research facility at its Kadoma, Osaka headquarters, where it is developing technologies that stimulate the five senses—sound, lighting, and scent—to enhance comfort, particularly in sleep environments, with applications aimed at improving daily life. (News On Japan)

The Expo pavilion known as the "Nordic Circle" showcases five Nordic countries—Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland, and Iceland—collaborating under a shared structure built from recyclable materials and modeled after traditional Nordic dwellings. (News On Japan)

In a dramatic reversal from past resistance to foreign ownership of U.S. Steel, President Donald Trump has now announced his approval of what he is calling a partnership between U.S. Steel and Japan’s Nippon Steel. (News On Japan)

Japanese women are often admired internationally for their beauty and kindness, particularly during the dating phase, when many present themselves as sweet, supportive, and attentive partners. Foreign men are often captivated by this image, but many are unprepared for the transformation that can occur after marriage and especially after children. (Japanese Comedian Meshida)

A 61-year-old woman from Togo Town, Aichi Prefecture, who had been arrested on suspicion of illegally discarding a bird carcass in the yard of a neighboring house, has not been prosecuted. (News On Japan)

As workplaces reopen following the Golden Week holidays in Japan, agencies offering "retirement代行" (job-quitting proxy) services are reporting a surge in requests. These services, which inform employers of a worker's resignation on their behalf, are increasingly used by new employees—many of whom find themselves overwhelmed in their first year of work due to power harassment, excessive unpaid overtime, or discrepancies between job listings and actual duties. (News On Japan)

A gang leader arrested in connection with the theft of 172 Rolex watches valued at approximately 280 million yen has been released without indictment, Osaka prosecutors announced. (News On Japan)

A 22-year-old man known for repeatedly posting nuisance videos on TikTok, was arrested by Osaka police on suspicion of confining a female gas station employee in a car on May 19th in Hirano Ward after he and an accomplice allegedly lured her into the vehicle under false pretenses as part of another stunt. (News On Japan)

The 2025 Tour of Japan, one of the world’s top-tier international cycling races, has started in Sakai, Osaka. This city, historically known for its skilled gunsmiths, later became a major hub for Japan’s bicycle industry. (News On Japan)

All four giant pandas at Adventure World in Wakayama Prefecture will be returned to China on June 28th, the park announced. The pandas—Rauhin, born in 2000, and her three daughters Yuihin, Saihin, and Fuhin—will be sent back as the breeding and loan agreement with China nears its end this August. (News On Japan)

Japan’s consumer inflation continued its upward trajectory in April, marking the 44th consecutive month of increase, with rice in particular climbing 98.4% year-on-year. (News On Japan)

A growing number of foreign nationals are converting their overseas driver's licenses into Japanese licenses through a process known as gaimen kirikae—a system that has come under scrutiny due to apparent loopholes and increasingly lax enforcement. (News On Japan)

A growing number of so-called men’s concept cafes in Osaka are drawing scrutiny for blurring the line between themed entertainment and unlicensed adult services. In one case, a cafe was found offering a single drink for 1.65 million yen, underscoring the escalating concerns around financial exploitation and regulatory loopholes. (News On Japan)

Refund troubles are mounting across Japan over a now-defunct English camp program promoted through elementary schools, with a former staff member revealing that unpaid debts linked to the operation could total billions of yen. Run by a general incorporated association based in Sendai called the Miyagi Reconstruction Support Center, the international exchange program—where local children interacted with foreign students—was abruptly canceled without refunding participation fees. (News On Japan)