A series of cyberattacks has exposed millions of personal records belonging to customers of major Japanese companies, including Muji, Matsuya and All Nippon Airways, as well as individuals connected to the Foreign Ministry, while cybersecurity experts investigating a separate attack involving GMO say a serious mistake by the hackers may provide crucial clues to their identities. (News On Japan)

Japan's furniture and home goods retailer Nitori opened what it describes as its largest store in the world on October 30th in Osaka's Chayamachi district, bringing a major new retail destination to an area east of Hankyu Osaka-Umeda Station known for its youth culture, fashion boutiques, and specialty shops. (News On Japan)

Japan's Nikkei 225 Stock Average plunged 1,369.36 points, or 2.12%, to close at 63,290.11 at 3:30 p.m. on Friday, October 30, ending a three-day winning streak as a sharp selloff in semiconductor and artificial intelligence-related shares swept through the Tokyo market, while the Bank of Japan's decision to leave interest rates unchanged failed to restore investor confidence. (News On Japan)

The Bank of Japan announced on October 30th that underlying inflation has effectively reached its 2% target for the first time since the goal was introduced in 2013, marking a major milestone in the country's efforts to achieve sustained price growth, while keeping its benchmark interest rate unchanged at 1.25% as policymakers assess the impact of last month's rate increase. (News On Japan)

Halloween celebrations across Japan are becoming increasingly expensive as October 31 approaches, with costume prices nearly doubling over the past five years and the average spending budget rising to 8,148 yen, prompting more people to find creative ways to enjoy the annual event without stretching their finances. (News On Japan)

Tokyo stocks extended their recovery on Thursday, October 29, with the Nikkei 225 closing at 64,659.47 points at 3:30 p.m., up 705.28 points, or 1.10%, from the previous session, as renewed buying of semiconductor and artificial intelligence-related shares helped the benchmark record its third consecutive daily gain ahead of the Bank of Japan's monetary policy decision. (News On Japan)

Hands Shibuya, one of Tokyo's best-known variety stores, will close on November 15 after 48 years in business, bringing an end to a shopping destination famous for its enormous selection of innovative household goods, stationery and unusual gadgets, with around 100,000 products still filling its shelves in the final weeks before closure. (News On Japan)

Japanese stocks extended their recovery on October 28, with the Nikkei 225 closing at 63,954.19 at 3:30 p.m. Tokyo time, up 685.82 points, or 1.08%, from the previous session, as strong demand for artificial intelligence-related semiconductor shares lifted the benchmark for a second consecutive day, even as the broader market weakened ahead of major interest rate decisions in Japan and the United States. (News On Japan)

Japan has begun replenishing its national oil reserves following the release of approximately 90 million barrels in response to worsening tensions in the Middle East, with trading house Mitsui & Co. winning the first procurement contract for 2 million barrels of crude oil from the United Arab Emirates, expected to arrive in November. (News On Japan)

GMO has announced a reward totaling approximately 150 million yen for information leading to the identification of hackers responsible for a cyberattack on its systems, while also pledging compensation to customers whose personal information has been exposed, as Japan faces a growing wave of cyberattacks targeting major companies. (News On Japan)

Japan's benchmark Nikkei Stock Average rebounded sharply on October 27, 2026, closing at 63,232.37, up 1,042.72 points, or 1.68%, at 3 p.m. Japan time, as semiconductor-related shares rallied following gains on Wall Street and renewed optimism about artificial intelligence investment, ending a three-session losing streak that had pushed the index to its lowest level in nearly three months. (News On Japan)

GMO Internet Group President Masatoshi Kumagai revealed that attackers responsible for unauthorized access to servers used for foreign exchange trading and other services had demanded $50 million, equivalent to approximately 7.9 billion yen, with the company refusing to comply. (News On Japan)

Japan's Nikkei 225 Stock Average extended its decline for a third consecutive trading session on Monday, October 26, as selling in semiconductor and artificial intelligence-related shares continued to weigh on the market, while energy companies attracted buying interest following a surge in global oil prices. (News On Japan)

Japan's major retailers are experimenting with new store formats as rising living costs drive demand for cheaper groceries and changing consumer habits force companies to seek new sources of growth, with Don Quijote launching its food-focused Robin Hood discount chain and FamilyMart opening a next-generation flagship store combining convenience shopping with fashion, lifestyle goods and exclusive products. (News On Japan)

Japan's financial markets suffered another sharp setback on October 22 as heavy selling in semiconductor and artificial intelligence-related stocks sent the Nikkei 225 down 1,713.40 points, or 2.65%, to 62,907.84, its lowest closing level since July 30. (News On Japan)

Japan's trade deficit nearly doubled in the first half of fiscal 2026 to 2.8184 trillion yen, driven largely by surging crude oil prices following turmoil in the Middle East, while the value of oil imports from the United States increased nearly ninefold as Japan sought alternative sources of supply. (News On Japan)

A growing wave of cyberattacks across Japan has raised concerns over the possible use of Chinese-developed artificial intelligence in hacking operations, with personal information belonging to tens of thousands of police employees potentially exposed and major companies forced to suspend online services, while cybersecurity experts warn that slow decision-making within Japanese organizations is allowing damage to spread. (News On Japan)

Tokyo stocks rebounded on October 21, with the Nikkei 225 closing 545.82 points higher at 64,621.24, a gain of 0.85%, as stronger U.S. equities, renewed buying in technology shares and encouraging Japanese export figures helped the market recover from two consecutive sessions of losses. (News On Japan)

Japanese banks and securities firms are moving to stop using facial photographs from driver's licenses to verify customers opening accounts online, following a series of personal information leaks that have raised concerns about fraudulent account applications. (News On Japan)

Japan's Nikkei 225 Stock Average closed at 64,075.42 on October 20th, falling 841.28 points, or 1.30%, as renewed selling in semiconductor and artificial intelligence-related shares, rising oil prices and concerns over inflation pushed Tokyo stocks lower for a second consecutive session. (News On Japan)