An outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza has been confirmed at a poultry farm in Eniwa City, Hokkaido, prompting authorities to begin culling operations on Sunday afternoon. (News On Japan)

Condominium prices show little sign of cooling as even secondhand units in central Tokyo are routinely listed above 100 million yen, with a recent survey indicating the average price of new condominiums launched in the 23 wards in the first half of this fiscal year reached about 133.09 million yen and resale units have exceeded 100 million yen for five consecutive months, underscoring a market in which construction and labor costs have jumped, demand has spilled over into used stock, and buyers are being urged to scrutinize properties more carefully. (News On Japan)

The Nikkei Stock Average closed at a record high of 52,411 yen on October 31st, up 1,085 yen from the previous day, marking the first time in history it has ended above the 52,000-yen level. This is the third consecutive day the index has reached a new all-time closing high. (News On Japan)

In a quiet neighborhood of Osaka stands a four-story building with around 40 rooms. Yet more than 100 companies are registered there, despite the absence of any visible workers. (News On Japan)

Two tea buyers from London arrived in Fukuoka on October 28th to explore the unique appeal of Yame tea, one of Japan’s most celebrated green teas. The visit, organized by Fukuoka Prefecture as part of efforts to expand agricultural exports, aimed to introduce the rich aroma and depth of Yame tea to the United Kingdom, a nation long associated with black tea culture. (News On Japan)

The Japan Mobility Show opened on October 29th, marking the start of Japan’s premier automotive exhibition, where foreign manufacturers are stepping up their entry into the country’s growing electric vehicle (EV) market. (News On Japan)

The Nikkei Stock Average closed at 50,512 yen on October 27th, surpassing the 50,000 mark for the first time in history and setting a new all-time high. The benchmark index rose 1,212 yen from the previous trading day, driven by strong gains across sectors. (News On Japan)

McDonald's Japan announced it will phase out the use of paper straws and introduce new lids that allow customers to drink directly from the cup without a straw starting on November 19th. (News On Japan)

More homebuyers in Japan are turning to ultra-long housing loans, with some mortgages now stretching as long as 50 years as buyers try to keep monthly payments down in the face of sharply higher construction costs. (News On Japan)

A subsidiary of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC), a leading chipmaker, signed a location agreement with Kikuyo Town in Kumamoto Prefecture on October 24th for the construction of its second factory in Japan. (News On Japan)

As anticipation builds for the Japan Mobility Show 2025, set to open at Tokyo Big Sight from October 30th to November 9th, Toyota Chairman Akio Toyoda has announced a sweeping reorganization of the automaker’s brand strategy. The company will redefine its group structure, including Daihatsu, into five distinct brands, with its flagship luxury car, the Century, becoming a fully independent marque. (News On Japan)

The Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association (JAMA) issued a statement on October 23rd warning that tensions between China and the Netherlands over semiconductor firms are having a serious impact on global automobile production. (News On Japan)

Japan's nationwide consumer price index excluding volatile fresh food rose 2.9% in September from a year earlier, the Internal Affairs and Communications Ministry announced on October 23rd. The pace of increase slightly expanded from August’s 2.7%, maintaining close to a 3% growth rate amid continued price hikes in food and other daily necessities. (News On Japan)

Uniqlo will open a new type of store on October 24th designed specifically for children, offering an interactive shopping experience that encourages them to choose their own clothes. (News On Japan)

Once considered the “model of price stability” at the Japanese table, eggs are now facing another crisis. The price of eggs, a staple ingredient used daily across the country, has surged once again, prompting concern among both businesses and consumers. (News On Japan)

After nearly a decade of construction, the newly rebuilt Haneda Line of the Metropolitan Expressway, one of Tokyo’s key arteries linking the city center with Haneda Airport, has been unveiled to the media ahead of its official switch to a new road on October 29th. (News On Japan)

Automakers are ramping up a fierce price war in the electric vehicle (EV) market as sales growth slows, with Chinese manufacturer BYD leading the charge by introducing EVs priced around 2 million yen at Aeon stores. U.S. rival Tesla is also pushing price cuts for its core models, while Japanese giants Toyota and Nissan are responding by lowering prices on improved models with extended driving range. (News On Japan)

A prolonged system failure caused by a cyberattack at Asahi Group Holdings is now rippling into Japan’s year-end gift season, forcing major brewers to scale back their offerings. (News On Japan)

Amazon’s cloud computing platform Amazon Web Services (AWS) suffered a major system failure on October 20th, disrupting services across the globe, including online games and web conferencing tools. (News On Japan)

The wholesale price of rice traded between businesses is expected to reach an unprecedented level of over 36,000 yen per 60 kilograms despite a bumper harvest this year, according to interviews conducted by JNN, highlighting the intense competition among buyers and the distorted dynamics of Japan’s rice market. (News On Japan)