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.
Submarine communication cable to connect Japan, other Asian nations
World 17:54 14/01/2026TOKYO -- NTT Data Group Corp., Sumitomo Corp. and JA Mitsui Leasing Ltd. said Tuesday they have established a company to construct and operate a submarine communication cable connecting Japan, Malaysia and Singapore.
Bear sightings in Japan continue into 2026
World 17:30 14/01/2026TOKYO -- Bears continue to be spotted near people in Japan after the turn of the year, even though they are usually in hibernation at this time of the winter season.
Japan to boost aid for games, anime as new pillar of growth
World 17:26 13/01/2026TOKYO -- The Japanese government will step up support for the overseas expansion of content industries such as games and anime, while also investing further in related human resources development.
Amphipod species with panda-like coloring discovered in Wakayama
World 17:11 13/01/2026WAKAYAMA -- Two new amphipod species with black-and-white coloring patterns like a giant panda have been found in the town of Shirahama, Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan.
Japan's Saga University to launch cosmetics faculty
World 16:56 13/01/2026SAGA -- Saga University will launch a new faculty in April to study the science of cosmetics comprehensively, the first such faculty by a Japanese national or public university.
Record 15 nations join GSDF's New Year jump drill
World 19:59 12/01/2026FUNABASHI, CHIBA PREF. -- A record 15 countries took part in a New Year's jump training simulating island defense that was conducted at a Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force facility in Chiba Prefecture, east of Tokyo, on Sunday.
Tokyo audio firm head murder possibly linked to bonus cut
World 16:23 12/01/2026TOKYO -- The suspect in the murder of the president of an audio equipment-related company in Tokyo suggested that a bonus cut had led him to attack the victim, investigative sources told Jiji Press on Sunday.
Japan sets sail on rare earth hunt as China tightens supplies
World 10:10 12/01/2026SHIZUOKA, Japan - A Japanese mining ship departed on Monday for a remote coral atoll to probe mud rich in rare earths, part of Tokyo's drive to curb its reliance on China for critical minerals as Beijing tightens supply.
Japan's Suwa to go on 1st space mission around 2027
World 17:14 09/01/2026TOKYO -- Japanese astronaut Makoto Suwa will make a long-term stay at the International Space Station around 2027, marking his first space mission, science minister Yohei Matsumoto told a press conference Friday.