Article Archive
Browse all published articles about living in Japan
XG Producer and Music Company Staff Arrested in Major Cocaine Bust
Four music industry professionals, including XG's producer, were arrested for cocaine possession. The case highlights Japan's strict drug laws and sev...
Tokyo Skytree Elevator Emergency Traps 20 Visitors for Over 5 Hours
Twenty people, including children, were trapped in a Tokyo Skytree elevator for over 5.5 hours on February 22. The facility remains closed for inspect...
Trump Administration Launches 10% Tariff After Court Blocks Reciprocal System
Trump administration replaced court-blocked reciprocal tariffs with new 10% import duties on February 24th, with plans to potentially increase to 15%,...
Tokyo Skytree Elevator Malfunction Traps 20 Visitors for Over Five Hours
Twenty people, including children, were trapped in a Tokyo Skytree elevator for over five hours on February 22. All were rescued safely without injuri...
Fatal Boat Collision Off Mie Coast Claims Two Lives, Navigator Arrested
A cargo ship collision off Mie Prefecture killed two and injured ten on a fishing boat. The 21-year-old navigator was arrested for professional neglig...
Police Misconduct Scandals Rock Japan: Career Officer and Traffic Fraud
A National Police Agency career officer faces sexual assault charges while seven Kanagawa officers were charged with traffic violation fraud affecting...
National Democratic Party Candidate Arrested for Vote Buying in Tokyo
A National Democratic Party candidate was arrested for vote buying in Tokyo's 7th district, allegedly paying a student for campaign work. The case hig...
Prince Andrew Arrested: Royal Crisis Unfolds as King's Brother Detained
Prince Andrew arrested by UK police in unprecedented royal crisis. King Charles expresses deep concern as details remain undisclosed. British expats s...
Fukuoka Library Stabbing: Three Injured in Random Attack
A 61-year-old man stabbed three strangers at Fukuoka City General Library on February 19th, seriously injuring one. Police arrested the suspect immedi...
Second Takaichi Cabinet Launches with Consumption Tax Cuts on Agenda
Prime Minister Takaichi's new cabinet prioritizes eliminating consumption tax on food for two years and passing the FY2026 budget by March 31. All cab...
Fatal Arson Attack in Higashihiroshima Highlights Home Security Concerns
A fatal arson attack in Higashihiroshima on February 16 resulted in one death after an intruder forced entry, attacked residents, and set fire to the ...
Kashiwazaki-Kariwa Nuclear Plant Resumes Power Generation After 14 Years
TEPCO resumed power generation at Kashiwazaki-Kariwa Nuclear Plant Unit 6 on February 16, 2026, after 14 years. The reactor will enter commercial oper...
Police Search Former Ito Mayor's Home Over Academic Fraud Claims
Police searched former Ito City Mayor Maki Takubo's home for over seven hours on February 14, investigating academic fraud allegations and potential e...
Fatal Stabbing in Osaka's Dotonbori: Teen Killed, Suspect at Large
A 17-year-old boy was killed and two teens injured in a stabbing in Osaka's Dotonbori district on February 14. Police are searching for a suspect in h...
Japan Approves ¥300 Million Gene Therapy and Expands Palliative Care Coverage
Japan approves ¥300 million gene therapy under public insurance and expands palliative care beyond cancer patients, affecting all insured residents in...
Rakuten Reports Record Sales But 7th Straight Annual Loss
Rakuten Group posted a 177.8 billion yen loss for its seventh straight year despite record sales, driven by mobile network investments. Core services ...
Seven-Eleven Raises Prices on Rice Balls and Bento Amid Rice Crisis
Seven-Eleven raises prices on 30 rice-based products including onigiri and bento from February 12, 2025, due to Japan's ongoing rice shortage. The inc...
JAL Luggage Delivery Service Breached: 28,000 Customers Affected
JAL's same-day luggage delivery service suffered a data breach exposing names and phone numbers of up to 28,000 customers. Expats who used the service...
Sony Ends Blu-ray Recorder Production as Streaming Dominates Japan
Sony will stop producing Blu-ray disc recorders due to declining demand from streaming services. Other manufacturers continue production, but the move...
JR Utsunomiya Line Overhead Wire Failure Disrupts 190,000 Commuters
An overhead wire failure on JR's Utsunomiya Line disrupted service for 20 hours, affecting 190,000 passengers. Damage occurred across 100+ locations o...