Japan

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Panic at Tokyo luxury mall after man sprays unidentified substance

Firefighters, police and hazmat crews surrounded a luxury shopping mall in Tokyo’s Ginza district after a man sprayed an unidentified substance inside, with 19 people taken to hospital.

25/05/2026

Japan

Around 20 people injured after spraying incident in Tokyo mall

Roads around the building in the shopping district of Ginza, where the mall is located, were blocked off following the incident, and fire trucks lined the street.

25/05/2026

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Ancient Buddhist hall with 1,000-year-old ‘eternal flame’ burns in Japan

A Buddhist hall on Japan’s Miyajima Island that housed an “eternal flame” believed to have burned for more than 1,000 years was destroyed in a fire, with aerial footage showing the building engulfed in flames.

21/05/2026

Japan

Japan arrests Americans over stunt at baby monkey Punch's zoo

The baby monkey became an internet star this year after the zoo posted photos of Punch clutching an IKEA plush orangutan for comfort after being rejected by his mother.

18/05/2026

Travel News

Japan’s Pokémon travel trend flies high with new themed airport

A regional airport in Japan is getting a Pokémon-inspired makeover as part of post-earthquake recovery efforts.

17/05/2026

Health news

Finding the right words for feelings could help ease anxiety, study

People with higher levels of autistic traits may be more likely to cope with anxiety caused by uncertainty by putting their emotions into words, a new study finds.

13/05/2026

Japan

Japanese man arrested after wife's remains found in zoo incinerator

The victim once told her relatives that her husband was threatening to "burn you until no trace of you will be left," public broadcaster NHK said, citing investigative sources.

01/05/2026

Mobility

Inside Japan’s real-life sci-fi town where robots coexist with humans

Developers say the aim of Woven City is to gather real-world data on how people and machines interact, helping improve safety and shape future regulations.

28/04/2026

Residences

See inside this Japanese hotel brand’s expanded Pokémon room range

Every stay includes special-edition MIMARU-original merchandise, such as themed fabric bags and collectable items.

27/04/2026

Residences

New hotels in Japan: The standout openings to book in 2026

From Kyoto heritage stays to a converted prison in Nara, Japan’s newest hotels reflect a shift towards design, identity and experience-led travel.

26/04/2026

Nature

Giant 19-metre-long octopuses may have ruled the ancient seas

Researchers studied the jaws of 15 ancient octopus fossils to determine how big the creatures may have been.

24/04/2026

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A robot Sony built with AI is defeating human pros at table tennis

Japanese electronics giant Sony built the robotic arm it calls Project Ace and pitted it against professional athletes.

23/04/2026

Earth News

Japan reveals a new official name for ‘cruelly hot’ days

‘Kokushobi’ will be used in weather forecasts to warn that extreme heat is on the way.

20/04/2026

Japan

Japan issues tsunami warning after powerful 7.4 magnitude earthquake

Authorities have urged residents of the affected areas to seek higher ground, heed safety instructions and exercise caution.

20/04/2026

Tech News

Japan targets AI robot brains as China dominates humanoid race

At Japan’s first robotics expo, Tokyo turns to ‘physical AI’ as China and the US dominate robot manufacturing

18/04/2026

Travel News

Travelling to Japan? All the changes to tourist taxes and fees in 2026

Some of the increased fees apply to all travellers, but some can be avoided depending on when you visit and where you stay.

15/04/2026

Economy

Japan passes biggest ever budget at €664bn amid spending push

The upper house of the Japanese parliament has enacted a state budget of ¥122.3 trillion (€664bn), the largest allocation in the country's history. The move reflects PM Takaichi's goal of an expansionary fiscal policy.

07/04/2026

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Revellers parade giant phalluses at Japan’s fertility festival

Crowds pack Kawasaki for Kanamara Matsuri, Japan’s colourful fertility festival using phallic shrines to celebrate life and challenge sex taboos.

06/04/2026

Japan

Macron lauds Europe's 'predictability' in apparent swipe at Trump

Macron's office had expressed surprise at Trump's criticism of France for not letting planes carrying military supplies for the conflict fly over its territory.

01/04/2026

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Office chair Grand Prix rolls through Japanese streets

The ISU-1 Grand Prix in Japan is a two-hour office chair race where teams rotate riders, entertain crowds and compete for a grand prize of 90 kilos of rice.

30/03/2026

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Japan: Tokyo sakura season begins with Ueno Park picnics

Japan officially entered cherry blossom season in Tokyo on Thursday after the Japan Meteorological Agency confirmed the first blooming of Somei Yoshino trees at Yasukuni Shrine.

27/03/2026

Residences

Luxury farm resort from the founder of Aman to open in Japan

Azuma Farm Koiwai, which has just 24 guest rooms, was created in collaboration with Adrian Zecha’s Azumi brand and East Japan Railway Company (JR East).

20/03/2026

Japan

Rattled by Trump, Japan seeks closer ties with Europe

Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi meets US President Donald Trump this Thursday in Washington. A long-planned visit upended by the Iran war. It's a tricky moment for the Japanese leader who needs to balance Trump's unpredictability with Tokyo's security needs.

18/03/2026

Destinations

Japan tourism is booming as travellers look beyond Tokyo and Kyoto

Authentic experiences and adventure are driving growth in Japan, while next year’s Green Expo in Yokohama will bring natural and cultural sites to the fore.

12/03/2026

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Japan marks 15th anniversary of earthquake, tsunami and Fukushima nuclear disaster

Japan marked the 15th anniversary of the 2011 earthquake, tsunami and Fukushima nuclear disaster with ceremonies and a nationwide moment of silence.

11/03/2026

Japan

Fukushima reflects on recovery 15 years after nuclear plant disaster

On 11 March 2011, a magnitude 9.0 earthquake struck northeastern Japan, triggering a tsunami that devastated coastal communities in Tohoku and caused the Fukushima nuclear plant disaster. Fifteen years on, rebuilding continues.

11/03/2026