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)