A prized early-season melon from Hokkaido's Iburi region fetched 300,000 yen for five pieces at the season's first auction held on the morning of May 13th in Sapporo. (News On Japan)

A new matcha product priced at 4,320 yen for just 30 grams is drawing attention amid a global boom in Japanese green tea, as surging demand has made matcha increasingly difficult to procure even within Japan. (News On Japan)

Nissan Motor has decided to cut nearly 20,000 jobs globally as it struggles with worsening business performance. (News On Japan)

Japan recorded a current account surplus of 30.3771 trillion yen in fiscal 2024, according to the Ministry of Finance, continuing a long-standing trend of strong income from trade and overseas investment. (News On Japan)

Toyota Motor announced on May 8th its earnings forecast for the fiscal year ending March 2026, projecting a 1.0% year-on-year increase in revenue to 48.5 trillion yen, but a 34.9% decline in net profit to 3.1 trillion yen. (News On Japan)

Nissan announced on May 9th that it has withdrawn its plan to build a new electric vehicle battery plant in Kitakyushu City, Fukuoka Prefecture. Executives from the company visited the Fukuoka Prefectural Government to deliver the news directly. (News On Japan)

Nagoya is on the verge of a major transformation. Over the next decade, the cityscape is expected to undergo a dramatic shift as large-scale redevelopment projects reshape its urban core. The focus is on three key districts—Meieki, Sakae, and Kanayama—each developing in a way that highlights its own unique strengths. (News On Japan)

Panasonic Holdings announced on May 9th that it will cut around 10,000 jobs globally as part of a major restructuring effort aimed at strengthening its management foundation for long-term growth. (News On Japan)

As the U.S.-China trade tensions escalate, 151 companies from Shanghai gathered in Osaka for a business fair, with some shifting their focus to Japan by planning store openings and relocating their families. (News On Japan)

Nintendo has announced that it expects a significant boost in revenue for the fiscal year ending March 2026, projecting a 63.1% increase from the previous year to reach 1.9 trillion yen. The strong outlook is driven by the launch of the company’s new home gaming console, the Nintendo Switch 2, set for release in June. (News On Japan)

As NTT Docomo and KDDI move to raise their mobile phone fees, SoftBank has also revealed it is considering a similar hike. (News On Japan)

Mitsubishi Motors has announced that it will procure electric vehicles from Taiwan's Hon Hai Precision Industry, marking the first time a major Japanese automaker will receive EVs from the Taiwanese electronics manufacturing giant. (News On Japan)

Kansai Electric Power announced plans to construct one of Japan's largest battery storage facilities on the former site of the Tanagawa Power Station in Misaki Town, Osaka Prefecture, in an effort to stabilize the supply of renewable energy. (News On Japan)

Japan's creative sectors—spanning anime, gaming, architecture, and advertising—are globally renowned for their innovation and quality. (News On Japan)

Police have launched a public awareness campaign to warn local rice farmers about rampant thefts driven by soaring prices. (News On Japan)

The newly established Hokkaido Valley Vision Council aims to create a 'Hokkaido version of Silicon Valley' by promoting development around next-generation semiconductor firm Rapidus and transforming the region from Tomakomai to Ishikari into a hub for advanced technology. (News On Japan)

Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group plans to establish a new online-only bank by the end of the next fiscal year, aiming to attract younger customers in an environment where interest-bearing deposits are gaining renewed importance. (News On Japan)

As Golden Week reaches its final day on May 6th, the Expo site is bustling with visitors debating what souvenirs to take home. To help those unsure of what to buy, a full investigation was launched into the most popular items. (News On Japan)

Losing a loved one is one of the most painful experiences anyone can go through. When that loss happens because of someone else's carelessness or wrongful actions, it adds another layer of hurt and confusion. (News On Japan)

A traditional tea maker in Kyoto is raising concerns over Chinese-made products being sold under the name "Uji matcha," a term long associated with premium green tea grown and produced in parts of Kyoto Prefecture. (News On Japan)