In this episode: Cosmetics giant reports huge losses for 2025; Upcoming fluorescent light ban not bothering consumers; Tokyo school board seeks to control ‘Monster Parents’; NYC doctor defiles place of worship, cries Christian persecution; Kyocera improves underwater data transmission using lasers; Hokusai art piece goes for record auction price

In this episode: Publishing watchdog estimates manga publishers’ losses at 8.5T yen; Okayama hopeful to boost image with new local grape hybrid; Gray hair linked to protection from cancer: study; PM’s handbag highly popular with working Japanese women; New bioluminescent coral discovered in deep-water cave; Fake bear videos causing legal concerns; High no. of Japan security cameras freely viewable online

In this episode: Japan sending demining soldiers to Lithuania; Ringleader of Japanese scam call center arrested; Student sues restaurants for spot-work cancellations; Luup obliging users to share accident data; Bookworm spread in Japan threatening paper archives

In this episode: European Space Agency opens Tokyo office; Japan’s new cargo craft reaches ISS; 1st yen-backed stablecoin launched this week; Bear hunters seeing higher pay rates; ‘Power Rangers’ series coming to an end next year; New U.S. tariffs on Japanese trucks and buses

In this episode: English international schools gaining support in Tokyo; Nara entrepreneur promoting insects-as-food; Study: family names early in alphabet leads to greater societal success; Tokyo court supports woman’s sexual harassment claims; Shiori Ito apologizes for using footage without consent in documentary; Chinese province pushing to meet global matcha demand

In this episode: Discipline? Harassment? Japan Post worker treatment sparks online debate; Shibuya setting out Halloween restrictions again; Job-quitting agency in legal hot water; TOIEC test cheating investigation deepens; Study: benefits of samurai exercises; More animals making trouble; New Zealand eyeing up Japanese frigates; Kirin selling off Four Roses bourbon business

In this episode: 2011 tsunami victim’s remains found, returned to family; Foreign farm worker wrongfully arrested for not having passport; Japan moving ahead with space-based energy transmission project; Government planning to milk visitors more by raising airport fees; Guinness record attempt by the Tanakas fails; Sanae Takaichi, first female PM; Askul latest ransomware attack victim; New Zealand expat recovering from bear attack

In this episode: Former PM Tomiichi Murayama passes; Death penalty sought for crossbow killer; Immigration cracking down on dodgy applications; Sumo stars in London for grand tournament; Princess Aiko to visit Laos for 1st official overseas trip; Researchers discover new earthquake zone using AI

In this episode: Osaka Expo concludes; Japan sees record number of foreign residents; Record hot summer drives men to use parasols; Nara Prison? Nah: Nara Inn!; China’s dominance in rare metals making Japan nervous; Alcohol-free sauce opens eel export market; Isekado to brew beer on board ISS

In this episode: Nobel Prize in Chemistry shared by Japanese scientist; Mercari making changes to combat abusive resellers; Hokkaido schools to install camera detectors to protect students; Objects flying around nuclear power station remain unidentified; Farmers moving to new crops due to climate change; Reports of poor sanitation practices at animal cafes

In this episode: Flying car now up at Osaka Expo; Asahi reverts to manual methods following cyberattack; Minerva University’s global program opens in Tokyo; Sanae Takaichi takes charge of LDP; Yamanote line celebrates 100th year of operation; Sunglasses (maybe) gaining popularity; Nobel prize in medicine awarded to Japanese scientist; Study establishes sleep effects of cardio vs. weight-training exercise

In this episode: Frequent ramen eating indicates health risks; Foreign driver’s license conversions under restrictions; U.S. Embassy in Tokyo limiting services due to gov’t shutdown; Founders of Japanese essay contest retiring; JAL addressing drunk pilot issues; Ajinomoto promoting frozen gyoza in U.S. market

In this episode: Oshikatsu culture boosts company sales; AI used by over half of Japan’s gaming companies; To tip or not to tip…what is Japan to do?; Japan city reduces ‘congratulations money’ for seniors; Asahi victim of major cyberattack; Removal of flooded cars from underground car park begins

In this episode: Nissan ends deal with UK football club; Clothing spending half of that in 90s; Apple CEO Tim Cook in Tokyo ahead of new tech law; Kyushu city bombarded with complaints about ‘Muslim-friendly’ school meals; Unpopular JICA Africa Hometown program cut short; Fans livid about US Dept. of Homeland Security usage of Pokemon themes; Russian ballistic missile spotted near Japan coast; Japanese man sets new speed record for 4-limbed sprint

In this episode: Cialis approved for OTC sales in Japan; Research breakthrough in non-lithium battery tech; Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh end 3-day visit to Japan; Monday sees start of LDP leadership race; Mobile app alerts hikers of nearby bears; Toyoaki City encouraging residents to cut down mobile phone use; SoftBank advancing 5G tech with HAPS satellite system; Like eel? You may be eating an endangered species

In this episode: Age no object to 66-yr old beauty pageant winner; Taiwan responds to Chinese ambassador’s aggression following Danish news report; Japanese researchers win Ig Nobel prize for biology; Driving schools shifting towards drone pilot training; Phishing incidences continue to rise; Increasing number of clinics, hospitals operating in the red

In this episode: Scottish urban lands being reforested thanks to Japanese method; Japan restaurants bothered by invasive U.S. cockroaches; New bicycle road rules beginning their roll-out; Service workers adopting pseudonyms to protect safety; Sake-maker changes official name to Dassai; JASDF F-15Js flying to Europe for first time; Insect egg shape reflects co-evolution with parental care

In this episode: Pressure on banks to shorten operating hours; Tracking dog commended for locating missing elderly woman; Chinese woman sues hospital for discriminatory pricing; Prime Minister Ishiba announces he’ll step down; New tableware gives sensation of saltiness to food; China’s newest carrier seen for first time in East China Sea; Centenarians in Japan rise to nearly 100,000; Animal protection group protests Japan’s dolphin hunt season opening

In this episode: 106-year old makes record Fuji climb; Strong tornado hits Shizuoka during typhoon; Study finds link between mothers’ calcium intake and children’s mental health; Customer letter to Saizeriya on pricing finds rapid response; Vegan sushi chef caters to foreign tastes; Overseas demand impacting green tea price, availability; South Korea boycotting gold mine ceremony for second year

In this episode: Another disrespectful tourist angers Japan; Morning-after pill usage approved by LDP; Asahi Shimbun wins news coverage award; New ammonia-fueled engine set to revolutionize maritime transport; Rising incidence of bear attacks sees relaxing of bear shooting regulations; Convenience store giant Family Mart opens dedicated fashion outlet; Prince Hisahito to participate in Imperial Coming-of-Age ceremonies Saturday