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From Buenos Aires to Colombo, discontent simmers under the surface of rebounding economies
Reforms that restored investor confidence and stabilized public finances have yet to improve living standards for many.
Japan dept. stores see record duty-free sales, shoppers in Sept.
TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Department stores in Japan posted record September duty-free sales and shopper numbers, driven by an increase in inbound tourists and
Japan's Sagawa Express says up to 53 mil. customer records may have leaked
TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Sagawa Express Co., a major Japanese parcel delivery company, said Friday that personal information, including names and addresses, a
Japan minister urges caution on declaring end to deflation
TOKYO (Kyodo) -- The government must make a "careful judgment" on declaring an end to deflation, economic and fiscal policy minister Minoru Kiuchi sai
Prankster pays heavy price for Japan sushi chain nuisance videos
SAITAMA -- A 43-year-old man who filmed nuisance acts at a major Japanese conveyor-belt sushi restaurant chain and posted the videos on social media r
[Update 3] Notice and Advisory for Business Partners and Former Employees Regarding Unauthorized Access to Group Managed Server and Potential Data Exposure
The Japan Times, Ltd. and News2u Holdings, Inc. (Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; hereinafter "our Group") hereby provide an update on the current status and response for our business partners and former employees regarding unauthorized access to our Group managed server and the potential expo...
Visitors to Japan will soon have to wait for consumption tax refunds
The process will no longer be completed at store counters but handled at airports at the time of departure.
SoftBank market value halves from peak as AI fears grow
After briefly overtaking Toyota as Japan's biggest company, SoftBank's market capitalization is now smaller than that of Hitachi and Recruit.
Where to Buy Pokémon Cards in Tokyo
The best shops in the city, with map links to find them The post Where to Buy Pokémon Cards in Tokyo appeared first on Metropolis Japan .
Japan makes ED drugs easier to buy as men face sex-related fears
TOKYO -- Drugstores across Japan began selling an over-the-counter erectile dysfunction (ED) medication in late August, making treatment easier to obt
Japan to introduce cashless traffic fine payments from July
Fines are currently payable only at bank or post office counters, which are unavailable outside business hours.
Buoyed by community support, flood-hit ramen shop in Chiba reopens
Messages of encouragement from customers and people in the neighborhood helped the owner of Ramen Mitake to find the strength to start over.
Tokyo stocks up on SpaceX results but shy ahead of earnings releases
TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Tokyo stocks rose Wednesday after U.S. company SpaceX released robust earnings results, although gains were limited compared with rec
Japan convenience store Sept. sales up 0.5% on electronic cigarette demand
TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Convenience store sales in Japan rose 0.5 percent in September from a year earlier, marking the third straight month of increase, par
Flour power: Nina Metayer brings her ‘world’s best’ pastries to Tokyo
The award-winning patissier's shop showcases the gorgeous creations that carved her reputation as one of France's top pastry talents.
Japan PM says consumption tax cut will not be extended for economic reasons
TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said Tuesday her government will not extend a cut in consumption tax on food and beverages beyond the p
News in Easy English: Many malatang shops open in Japan. But will they stay popular?
TOKYO -- "We are opening a malatang restaurant in Japan. We want to hear honest opinions from Japanese people. Do you want to join a discussion group?
Natixis buys Japanese advisory firm to join M&A dealmaking boom
Natixis has been working to expand in Japan, growing its sales and trading team, strengthening its lending business and opening a bank branch.
Japan’s Ramen Shops Have a Bean Sprout Problem
If you’ve ever eaten Jiro-style ramen, you know the vegetables are a serious part of the experience. A typical bowl arrives with thick noodles, fatty pork and a mountain of bean sprouts so tall it can obscure the broth entirely. Customers can often request even more for free, usi...
New Japan snack highlights appeal of rarely used shark meat in waste-cutting initiative
TOKYO -- The Oyatsu Company Ltd., known for its Baby Star Ramen snack brand, has launched a tartar sauce-flavored version of its "Sozai Ichiba: Same n
Over 16% of Japanese companies experience data breaches
According to the survey, 30.2% of large companies suffered or potentially suffered breaches, significantly higher than 14.3% among small businesses.
Legacy of Japanese woman’s apple pie store lives on in California
Locals in California have loved the Nagoya native's apple pie shop for more than 40 years, with some having simply referred to her as "Mom."
Japan’s brewery ‘cartel’ didn’t collude enough
If the beer company collusion allegations are true, customers have been paying more than needed for years.
Japan sees malatang boom, but will the Chinese soup dish catch on for good?
TOKYO -- "We are opening a malatang restaurant in Japan and would like to hear honest opinions from Japanese people. Would you be willing to join a di
Japan economy broadly in line with outlook since Sept. meeting: BOJ chief
BANGKOK (Kyodo) -- Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda said Friday that Japan's economic activity has developed broadly in line with the central bank's
Japan's Yamato Transport confirms 5.31 mil. customer records leaked
TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Major Japanese parcel delivery company Yamato Transport Co. said Friday about 5.31 million customer data records, including names and
Yakuza acquitted of 2013 murder of Gyoza no Ohsho chain head
KYOTO (Kyodo) -- A Japanese court on Friday acquitted a yakuza gangster of the murder of the president of the company operating the Gyoza no Ohsho res
In reversal of 2025 fortunes, Japan rice farmers face falling prices as new harvest arrives
SAKURA, Tochigi -- New rice is arriving on supermarket and rice shop shelves across Japan as the harvest continues. But with last year's rice still li
Burger King's Japan operator says 11.18 mil. customer records exposed
TOKYO (Kyodo) -- The operator of the Burger King hamburger chain in Japan on Thursday became the latest company to report a data breach, with 11.18 mi
Japan, US launch $21 bil. chip project to boost economic security
TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Japan has agreed with the United States on a semiconductor production project worth up to roughly $21 billion in the state of New Yor
SmartNews said to plan December Tokyo IPO as valuation craters
The Tokyo-based company is said to be seeking a market value of about ¥50 billion ($317 million) in the potential IPO.
China to accept bigger Japan business delegation in Nov. amid tensions
TOKYO (Kyodo) -- China has told Japan's most powerful business lobby it will accept a bigger delegation than originally intended in mid-November, sour
This Tokyo Barbershop Cut the Emperor’s Hair for Three Generations
A historic Japanese grooming enterprise recently filed for bankruptcy, marking the end of a 144-year legacy with ties to the Japanese imperial family. Founded in 1882, “Ohba” was far more than a high-end Tokyo salon; it was best known for its connection to gorihatsu-gakari — the ...
The University of Tokyo’s first female president, then the backlash
Japan is ranked 117th among 145 countries in the World Economic Forum's 2026 Global Gender Gap Index.
The Tokyo Shop Selling Antique Kimono by the Gram
If you’ve ever wanted to explore the world of traditional Japanese fashion but found the price tags intimidating, a new store in Tokyo is changing the game by selling antique kimono in the same way you’d buy bulk candy or produce — by weight. 1 Yen Kimono Wargo opened its doors o...
Japan firms offer bathing options to suit individual preferences
TOKYO (Kyodo) -- As colder weather sets in, taking a warm bath is an important way to ward off the chill and relax both body and mind.In Japan, a shop
Chinese delegation travels to Etorofu, island at center of Japan-Russia row
The visit by local officials and business representatives from China's Heilongjiang province came as part of efforts to attract investment to Etorofu.
Ready, set, snooze: Sleep-deprived Japanese compete for best-rested
Self-described elite "competitive sleepers" vied to nap the fastest and deepest in a Tokyo contest organized by a mattress company.
Biggest US 'sushi' expo draws crowds in New York
NEW YORK (Kyodo) -- A sushi expo in New York, touted to be the biggest of its kind in the United States, drew many Japanese-food fans and businesspeop