Foreign visitors to Japan top 40 million for 1st time in 2025
World 17:15 20/01/2026TOKYO -- The annual number of foreign visitors to Japan came to some 42.7 million in 2025, up from 36,870,148 in the previous year, exceeding 40 million for the first time, tourism minister Yasushi Kaneko said at a press conference on Tuesday.
Inside Rishiri, the remote island quietly redefining tourism
World 16:15 20/01/2026Rishiri Island, perched at Japan’s northern edge, has long been defined by its remoteness. That isolation is precisely what now places it at the heart of a shift: as travelers increasingly seek quieter, low-impact destinations, small communities like Rishiri are compelled to rethink how they open up—without losing what made them unique in the first place.
Japanese prefectures asked to secure hotels as shelters
World 16:41 19/01/2026TOKYO -- The Japanese government has asked prefectures to lead efforts to secure hotels as shelters during large-scale disasters.
TEPCO postpones restart of Kashiwazaki-Kariwa N-reactor
World 16:27 19/01/2026NIIGATA -- Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings Inc. said Monday that it has postponed the restart scheduled for Tuesday of the No. 6 reactor at its Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear plant in Niigata Prefecture, central Japan.
CEO fraud up sharply in Japan
World 16:26 19/01/2026TOKYO -- Japanese companies are facing quickly growing threats of so-called business executive scams, or CEO fraud, in which email directives are issued by those pretending to be top executives of target companies.
Japan households expect prices to keep rising, survey shows
World 15:50 19/01/2026TOKYO -- Most Japanese households expect prices to keep rising for the next few years, a central bank survey showed on Monday, reinforcing expectations the country was seeing conditions fall into place for further increases in still-low interest rates.
Vietnam to face China in AFC U23 Asian Cup semifinals
Vietnam News 10:17 18/01/2026Following the conclusion of the final two quarterfinal matches on Saturday, the 2026 AFC U23 Asian Cup confirmed its four semifinalists, with Vietnam’s U23 team set to face China next Tuesday.
Japan, ASEAN agree to cooperate on AI development
World 17:16 16/01/2026HANOI -- Japan and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations have agreed to work together on developing new artificial intelligence models and preparing related laws.
Anime therapy trial launched in Japan
World 17:13 16/01/2026YOKOHAMA -- A Japanese research team has launched a trial of 'anime therapy,' a method in which animated characters provide counseling to young people facing social challenges.
Japan panel seeks rationale for curbing foreigners' land purchases
World 17:24 15/01/2026TOKYO -- A Japanese government panel proposed in an opinion statement Wednesday that the government further discuss legislative facts to explain why acquisitions and use of domestic land by foreigners should be regulated in light of national security.
Japan police to endorse fraud prevention apps
World 17:21 15/01/2026TOKYO -- Japan's National Police Agency plans to endorse smartphone applications designed to help combat fraud, featuring functions such as blocking international calls and alerting users to potential scams.
Japan shows 5-yr cancer survival rates using national registry
World 17:11 15/01/2026TOKYO -- The health ministry has released for the first time five-year survival rates for new cancer patients by cancer site that are based on data from Japan's national registry.
