Record-breaking snowfall fell on Japan 's northern main island of Hokkaido, disrupting traffic, causing airport closures and delaying deliveries on Tuesday. The Hokkaido prefectural government said record-breaking snowfall has been observed especially in the eastern regions of the island, including Obihiro and Kushiro, whose city offices received dozens of calls for help… Read
Former passengers of the Diamond Princess liner laid flowers Monday at Yokohama port in remembrance of the 13 people who died following the mass COVID-19 outbreak onboard five years ago. The outbreak of infections on the ship in February 2020 led to thousands being quarantined after it docked at the… Read
Many manufacturers of food and household products are joining Japan's growing luxury pet product market, catering to the owners wishing to pamper their "cherished family" members with special treats and comfortable furniture. Aeon Pet Co, owned by shopping mall operator Aeon Co, sold Christmas cakes and Japanese traditional New Year's… Read
The Japanese government on Monday warned of heavy snowfall across a wide swathe along the Sea of Japan coast due to this season's strongest cold front, with residents urged to avoid nonessential outings due to potential traffic disruptions. The Japan Meteorological Agency said snow is expected to fall in regions… Read
Five households in the immediate vicinity of a massive, ever-widening sinkhole in Yashio, Saitama Prefecture, were urged to evacuate Sunday, with efforts to rescue a man stuck inside reportedly halted. A 74-year-old truck driver was swallowed Tuesday by the cavity which has since expanded to 40 meters across -- almost… Read
Japan's space agency said on Sunday it successfully launched a navigation satellite on its new flagship H3 rocket as the country seeks to have a more precise location positioning system of its own. The H3 rocket carrying the Michibiki 6 satellite lifted off from the Tanegashima Space Center on a southwestern Japanese… Read
For the past two decades, a traditional "ryokan" inn in southwestern Japan has been spreading its hospitality more broadly than most, dedicating more than half of its rooms to give shelter to stray cats. The century-old Aratama ryokan in Beppu, Oita Prefecture has around 80 cats and has rescued over… Read
Events marking Setsubun, also known as the bean-throwing festival, were held across Japan on Sunday. Setsubun marks the day before the beginning of spring, according to the lunar calendar. The festival involves a ritual called mamemaki, traditionally intended to drive away the evil and wish for good health for the… Read
Tokyo continued to be a magnet for people in 2024, with a net influx of around 80,000 nearing the pre-pandemic 2019 level and highlighting the longstanding population concentration in the capital, according to government data. People moving into Tokyo outnumbered those leaving by 79,285 in 2024, up 11,000 from a… Read
Japanese homemaker Kirina Mochizuki has always considered okonomiyaki savory pancakes the ultimate comfort food: simple, satisfying and cheap. These days, though, it's a struggle to get the dish, a favorite among Hiroshima natives like herself, on the table. With the price of cabbage - a key ingredient - tripling recently,… Read