Students carry on wish of hibakusha teacher
Hibakusha is a Japanese word for people affected by the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Read more
Focus on Japan
The latest news, trends and photo galleries from Japan by Japan News and Yomiuri Shimbun, a Japanese newspaper founded in 1874.
Processing of radioactive sandbags at Fukushima power plant set to begin
Following the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami, there were meltdowns in three reactors. Read more
Researchers capture electricity generated by orchard microbes
Shikoku Electric Power Co., researchers from Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, and other organizations have begun tests to explore the possibility of “microbial power generation” in mikan (mandarin orange) orchards in Yawatahama and Ikata in Ehime prefecture. Read more
‘Distracted cyclists’ could now face time in prison
Tougher penalties will be levied against anyone who uses a mobile phone while riding a bicycle, under the revised Road Traffic Law that went into effect Nov. 1. Read more
A new plan proposes the use of a trackless tram to transport hikers
Japanese authorities seeking to reduce the carbon footprint and overcrowding at Mount Fuji will propose a trackless, rubber-tire tram system made by China’s CRRC to transport climbers, a person with direct knowledge of the plan said. Read more
Tourists who fund Kyoto preservation efforts receive gifts
Kyoto City has launched the nation’s first initiative to solicit donations from international tourists, aiming to preserve the city’s traditional beauty, culture and crafts. In exchange for their contributions, donors will receive electronic gift certificates. Read more
Expediting Japanese travel part of bigger push for visitors
Japanese travel to Hawaii will now be easier as Gov. Josh Green and the visitor industry continue to work to encourage more Japanese travel despite the weakness of the yen. Read more
Japan flavors trending, drawing global visitors
Japanese mayonnaise, sauces, curry and other liquid seasonings are taking off abroad, with exports doubling in the past 10 years. Read more
Nintendo releases smartphone app for game music
Nintendo Co. has released Nintendo Music, a smartphone app that allows users to listen to video game music. Read more
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Dried persimmons, an autumn jewel, arrive again in Shika
The production of koro-gaki specialty dried persimmons is reaching its peak in Shika, Ishikawa prefecture. Read more
Couple depicted horror of bombings in ‘Hiroshima Panels’
Hopes are rising that more attention will be paid to a couple who created a series of large paintings depicting the aftermath of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, following Nihon Hidankyo’s 2024 Nobel Peace Prize. Read more
Tokyo students charged, fined in boulder incident
A male university student was charged in October for altering a massive boulder — known for its instability at the top of a cliff — so that it no longer sways when pushed. Read more
Remote village finds new identity as ‘manga island’
Murals of popular manga on vacant houses and public facilities have turned a remote island with a population of 11 in the Seto Inland Sea into a new tourist destination as a manga island. Read more
Studs add character to ceramic artwork
Maneki neko, or beckoning cats, come in various colors and poses, but no one had ever heard of a studded maneki neko before. Read more
Discrimination haunts atomic bomb survivors
Having survived the atomic bomb that flattened his hometown of Hiroshima when he was nine months old, Kunihiko Sakuma has never forgotten the stain it left on him in the eyes of some of his fellow Japanese. Read more
Life-size robotic dinosaurs populate Fukui train station
A project to install 23 dinosaur monuments in front of JR Fukui Station was completed last month. Read more
High rice prices strain budgets
A stay-at-home mom could not help but sigh when she saw the rice prices at a Benny supermarket in Adachi ward, Tokyo, in late September. Read more
Atomic bomb survivors’ group wins the Nobel Peace Prize
Japanese organization Nihon Hidankyo, a grassroots movement of atomic bomb survivors from Hiroshima and Nagasaki, won the Nobel Peace Prize on Friday, in a warning to countries that have nuclear weapons not to use them. Read more
Tokyo expands complex to counter flooding from climate change
Just after 5 a.m. on Aug. 30, water began flooding a vast underground chamber, called “the cathedral,” just north of Tokyo. Read more
‘Universal tourism’ ensures all travelers can enjoy Japan
Various programs to certify helpers for travelers with disabilities visiting Japan have been established to help promote “universal tourism,” which enables everyone to travel. Read more
Smartphones drawing Japanese away from books
A recent survey by Japan’s Cultural Affairs Agency showed that people have moved away from reading books, and most respondents said it was due to spending long hours looking at their smartphones. Read more
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More Focus on Japan
Students carry on wish of hibakusha teacher
Processing of radioactive sandbags at Fukushima power plant set to begin
