Japan reverses rice output boost policy; prices still high
World 17:54 08/01/2026The government of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has effectively walked back the previous administration's policy of expanding production of rice, Japan's staple food, under pressure from farming groups.
Tuition elimination program fuels fears for public high schools
World 17:41 08/01/2026TOKYO -- Japan's program to effectively eliminate high school tuition from fiscal 2026 is heightening concerns among public high schools that a shift toward private education will increase further.
Japan sees record 47,000 Asian black bear sightings in April-November
World 17:35 08/01/2026TOKYO -- Asian black bear sightings in Japan from April to November 2025 totaled 47,038, marking the highest figure since comparable data became available in fiscal 2009, according to the Environment Ministry.
Japan launches campaign to encourage children to talk about problems
World 17:10 07/01/2026TOKYO -- Volunteers from Japan's Children and Families Agency have launched an awareness-raising campaign to alleviate the anxiety of children who struggle to talk about their problems with adults.
Japan traffic deaths hit record low in 2025
World 17:01 07/01/2026TOKYO -- Traffic accident deaths in Japan fell to a record low in 2025, dropping 116, or 4.4 pct, from the previous year to 2,547, the National Police Agency said Tuesday.
Facility dogs comfort hospitalized children in Japan
World 18:42 06/01/2026TOKYO -- Some medical institutions in Japan have begun introducing facility dogs to accompany hospitalized children during treatment and rehabilitation, easing the anxiety of being away from their families.
Japan to tackle problematic 'minpaku' lodgings
World 18:41 06/01/2026TOKYO -- Japan aims to step up actions against the operators of 'minpaku' private lodging services found to be causing disturbances in surrounding areas, Jiji Press has learned.
Japan to draw up action plan to reduce clothing waste
World 17:59 05/01/2026TOKYO -- Japan's Environment Ministry plans to compile by March an action plan aimed at reducing large amounts of clothing waste from households.
Matcha in short supply amid global boom
World 17:49 05/01/2026BERLIN -- Matcha is in short supply as the Japanese green tea is at the center of a global boom.
Rural municipalities working with students from urban areas
World 17:47 02/01/2026TOKYO -- In a model project by Japan's internal affairs ministry, municipalities in the countryside are collaborating with university students from urban areas, in order to leverage young people's ideas for regional revitalization.
Japan retailers racing with low-priced goods amid inflation
World 17:51 01/01/2026TOKYO -- Japanese retailers are competing to offer low-priced goods as consumers continue to keep their purse strings tight amid inflation.
Over 900 graves closed in Japan's Noto quake area
World 17:30 01/01/2026KANAZAWA, ISHIKAWA PREF. -- More than 900 applications needed to close family graves have been filed in the Okunoto area of central Japan since it was hit by the January 2024 Noto Peninsula earthquake.
