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A millennium ago, (almost) everyone in Japan was a poet
Japan's oldest poetry anthology captures a world of beauty, humor, love and sorrow that feels remarkably familiar.
Local
Japan data leaks mount as experts point to AI misuse
TOKYO -- Japanese companies and local governments have recently disclosed a series of personal data leaks. A white-hat hacker who monitors malicious c
business
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.
News
Japan to restart accepting foreign workers for meal services at some facilities
The government aims to adopt the plan at a Cabinet meeting in December.
News
Young priests in rural Japan struggle as temples face dwindling parishioners
TSUYAMA, Okayama -- In a mountainous area of Okayama Prefecture in western Japan, young Buddhist priests are struggling with shrinking congregations,
Local
Baseball gradually taking root in Sri Lanka with Japanese aid
TOKYO (Kyodo) -- With the help of Japan, home to legendary players Ichiro Suzuki and Shohei Ohtani, baseball has gradually gained a foothold in Sri La
News
New species of sperm whale identified from fossils found in Gunma
The species combines traits of ancient and modern sperm whales, and is the third new sperm whale species identified from fossils in Japan.
News
Tensions overshadow 70th anniversary of key Japan-Soviet declaration
In response to Japanese sanctions, Russia has suspended peace treaty talks and asserted that a territorial dispute has been settled.
government
Harasawa wins Yokohama election, defeats ex-mayor accused of abuse
YOKOHAMA (Kyodo) -- Lawyer Atsumi Harasawa, backed by the ruling Liberal Democratic Party and some other parties, won the Yokohama mayoral election Su
safety
Japan's Defense Minister Koizumi hails troops back from Indonesia fires
TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi on Sunday praised Self-Defense Forces personnel who had returned from fighting forest fire
Local
Japan to launch spacecraft on a mission to get samples from a Martian moon
TOKYO (AP) -- Japan is set to launch a spacecraft on the world's first mission to bring back samples from Phobos, one of the two small, potato-shaped
News
Asian Para Games officially open in Nagoya
About 3,000 athletes from 45 countries and regions are scheduled to participate. The Japanese delegation has entered about 280 athletes.
government
Why harassment scandals continue engulfing Japan’s local leaders
The former mayor of Yokohama lost his reelection bid following a harassment scandal, in a case that highlights an ongoing problem in the nation.
Local
[Update 2] Report on Unauthorized Access to Group Managed Server and Potential Data Leak
The Japan Times, Ltd. and News2u Holdings, Inc. (Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; hereinafter "our Group") hereby provide an update on the progress of the investigation and monitoring being conducted in cooperation with external specialized organizations regarding the unauthorized access to ou...
business
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."
News
Daiichi Life offers $4.4 billion to buy rest of Challenger
A deal would give the Japanese insurer control of Australia's largest provider of annuities in the nation's fast-growing retirement market.
News
The Girl Who Leapt Through Time: 20 Years Later
On July 15, 2006, director Mamoru Hosoda released his technically second but spiritually first anime film: The Girl Who Leapt Through Time. His debut was a One Piece feature from a year prior, but with its follow-up, Hosoda got the creative freedom to explore his emerging, unique...
Local
Missing records cloud whether ousted farm minister pressed for road cuts
TOKYO (Kyodo) -- A lack of official records is making it difficult to determine whether ousted farm minister Kazuo Yana pressured the land ministry to
News
Japan Series matchup puts surprising trade back in spotlight
Three players from the biggest trade of the year will line up against their former teams.
News
Japan aims to soothe world traders’ fiscal anxiety with outreach in English
Foreign investors held 13% of Japanese Government Bonds at the end of June, up from about 8% in 2012.
Local
Kioxia shares face headwinds from margin-buying gone wrong
Outstanding leveraged long positions in the stock was the largest as of Oct. 15 among all companies listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange.
government
Japan’s Agriculture Ministers: A Troubled History of Scandals and Resignations
Arata Takebe was appointed as the new Japanese agriculture minister on October 15 after Kazuo Yana resigned. Yana became the first member of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s Cabinet to step down following criticism over remarks suggesting he would cut road funding for municipaliti...
schools
Japan to expand language education for foreign residents
The education ministry plans to help local governments strengthen their teaching programs through subsidies and expert guidance.
safety
Japan to boost police investigations with advanced technology
"We can't keep up with attacks using the latest AI if police equipment lags behind," said the National Public Safety Commission chairperson.
business
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.
News
Two koalas debut at Saitama zoo, marking first arrivals from Australia in a decade
Bringing in koalas from overseas is considered important for maintaining genetic diversity among koalas in Japan.
News
Japan moves to improve conditions for SDF personnel amid staff shortage
Government and LDP officials are concerned that a shortage of staff could make it harder for Japan to strengthen its defense capabilities.
News
Over 100 mascots gather in western Japan to pitch local charms
OTSU, Japan (Kyodo) -- More than 100 mascots promoting the charms of their local regions gathered on Saturday for a festival in the western Japan pref
Local
Princess Aiko visits Tottori Prefecture, tours 'Case Closed' exhibition
TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Princess Aiko, the daughter of Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako, traveled to Tottori Prefecture in western Japan on Saturday to at
News
Japan artisan aims to keep fishermen's festive coats a living culture
KAMOGAWA, Chiba -- Maiwai is a type of festive clothing traditionally worn by fishermen in Japan. It is believed to have originated along the Pacific
Local
Cybersecurity flaw discoveries soar to record high with use of AI: data
TOKYO (Kyodo) -- The number of publicly disclosed cybersecurity vulnerabilities hit a record high in 2025 and continued rising rapidly in the first ha
government
Yokohama elects new mayor after power harassment controversy
The poll was held after former Mayor Takeharu Yamanaka's resignation in September over a workplace harassment scandal.
safety
Parents of Okinawa boat accident victim urge safer school trips
NAHA, Japan (Kyodo) -- The parents of a 17-year-old high school girl killed in a boat accident off Okinawa in March urged the prefecture's governor Sa
News
Pro-relocation Okinawa gov. visits US Futenma base transfer site
NAGO, Japan (Kyodo) -- Genta Koja, who became Okinawa governor late last month and supports a contentious U.S. base relocation plan, on Saturday visit
News
Nuclear reactor in northeastern Japan shut down to replace leaking valve
SENDAI (Kyodo) -- The No. 2 reactor at the Onagawa nuclear plant in northeastern Japan was shut down on Saturday so a valve in a piece of equipment re
News
Japan’s Rising Bear Attacks Drive Surge in Demand for Deterrent Products
As bear attacks rise across Japan, demand is surging for sprays, bells, and other deterrents. Here are some of the most popular products and services available....
library
A Downward Trend: Vertical Writing Usage Waning in Japan
Japan’s traditional system of reading and writing text vertically is on the decline.
News
Japan ex-volunteer soldier, 96, recalls being 'trained as an expendable'
ITOSHIMA, Fukuoka -- Former Imperial Japanese Navy volunteer Muneharu Yamaguchi, 96, recently spoke about the harsh training he underwent during World
business
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