Curated Japan Coverage
Curated English coverage of Japan from local and Japan-focused sources.
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Asahi.com · Jul 9, 09:32 AM
NTT Docomo announced on the 9th that it will begin supporting financial services at Docomo Shops nationwide, such as opening bank accounts and applying for housing loans. By offering financial services as well as telecommunications, the company aims to increase points of contact with customers.
Togetter.com · Jul 9, 09:31 AM
The Japan Rail Pass, considered essential for tourism in Japan, is a pass jointly offered by the six JR Group companies. A social post reports finding a ticket on a station platform that turned out to be a JAPAN RAIL PASS offering unlimited JR travel, including Shinkansen, for two weeks for ¥80,000. Users note that reserved seats are included with no extra charge except on Nozomi and Mizuho services.
Togetter.com · Jul 9, 09:31 AM
I got the best book. It really covers all 47 prefectures — Satsuma dialect, Tosa dialect, Saga dialect, even uchinaa-guchi (Okinawan). With this I can make all the Touken Danshi speak in their local dialects and get them enraged!! Best purchase ever. I haven't read it cover to cover yet, but the standard example sentences are the same across entries: “There isn't enough alcohol,” “I'll punch you,” “I'll kill you,” “Shut up, be quiet,” “You filthy pervert,” and similar lines — and each prefecture gives its own local phrasing. That makes it extremely versatile and useful forever.
Asahi.com · Jul 9, 09:30 AM
As expectations of surplus rice and a drop in rice prices grow, voices within the government and ruling party are calling for an early buyback of reserve rice. Behind the scenes, Agriculture Minister Suzuki and others have approached the Prime Minister's office about a buyback. However, if rice prices remain elevated, it could run counter to efforts to curb inflation.
Asahi.com · Jul 9, 09:30 AM
The hoko-tate (assembly of the hoko float) to build the Naginata Hoko — which will lead the Saki Matsuri (front procession) of the Gion Festival, one of Japan's three major festivals — began on July 9. A "test run" pulling (hiki-zome) was also conducted ahead of the main procession scheduled for the 17th.
Anime News Network · Jul 9, 09:25 AM
New Anpanman film stays at #5, Kiki's Delivery Service 4K restoration back at #8
Togetter.com · Jul 9, 09:24 AM
I really don't get young people these days. Someone said, "I love Mamoru Hosoda! From the bottom of my heart! I'm going to use my paid leave to go see the Mamoru Hosoda exhibition in Tokyo!" I was impressed and asked, "Compared to others, what did you think of Hatenaki Scarlet?" and they replied, "Huh? Scarlet? What's that?" Poster visual now revealed — "I want to know love." Two people who cross time: do they reach an "endless place"? A beautiful new visual depicting Scarlet and Sei drawing swords in a fantastical world has been released...
Asahi.com · Jul 9, 09:17 AM
The Fair Trade Commission on July 9 recommended action against major construction crane maker Tadano (Takamatsu) for violating the Subcontract Act (now the Act on Proper Transactions in Small and Medium-sized Enterprise Subcontracting), saying it had, among other things, required subcontractors to store molds used in parts manufacturing free of charge...
Asahi.com · Jul 9, 09:15 AM
On the amendment to the Imperial Household Law aimed at securing the number of imperial family members, the Liberal Democratic Party told Chudo on the 9th that it would not accept the revisions to the accompanying resolution requested by Chudo. At an extraordinary standing executive meeting, Chudo said it would “withhold its position” on whether to support the amendment, and House of Representatives deliberations on the 10th...
Asahi.com · Jul 9, 09:12 AM
In the case of credit-card payment processor Zentoshin (Osaka), whose bankruptcy proceedings began on the 6th and which had been under suspicion for falsifying accounts, a bankruptcy petition submitted by the representative director stated the reason for the accounting fraud was that "there was a need to show a healthy financial condition to financial institutions..."
Togetter.com · Jul 9, 09:11 AM
Kyoto is the city with the worst public transportation in Japan. It's understandable there are few buses because of the small population, and even when buses exist few people ride them. But Kyoto forces too much on buses despite them being insufficient, making riding unpleasant; the overly complex route network makes it hard to know how to get where you want to go, which is frustrating.
Kai-you.net · Jul 9, 09:11 AM
Virtual singer Hatsune Miku and VTuber Hoshimachi Suisei will appear in the first-pitch ceremony at the professional baseball game “Chiba Lotte Marines vs Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks” to be held at ZOZO Marine Stadium on July 20 (Mon, public holiday). The game is being held as Lotte Co., Ltd.'s sponsored match “Cold and Blue — Summer Has Come: COOLISH & Sou DAY.” Gates open at 15:00, and the first-pitch ceremony is scheduled to begin around 16:40. Hoshimachi Suisei will stand on the mound, while Hatsune Miku will cheer from the stadium vision screens to enliven the ceremony.
Huffingtonpost.jp · Jul 9, 09:02 AM
Western-style cold shabu salad A special cold shabu that pairs shiso leaves (oba), myoga, and kaiware daikon as refreshing aromatic vegetables with cherry tomatoes and pork loin. Using olive oil and lemon juice gives it a fruity, light, carpaccio-like flavor. It can be made easily in about 10 minutes, making it perfect as a daily side dish or as a snack with drinks. Recipe basics Cooking time: about 10 minutes Storage: refrigerate and eat the same day (best to eat as soon as possible) Ingredients (for 2) Pork loin 200 g Shiso (oba) 5 leaves Myoga 1 Kaiware daikon 1…
Eiga.com · Jul 9, 09:00 AM
Hulu has adapted Akio Fukamachi's popular police novel series into a serial drama starring Meisa Kuroki. Titled the Hulu original 'Eiko Yagami: Ueno Central Police Station Organized Crime Unit', episodes 1 and 2 will stream exclusively on July 24; roughly two weeks remain until the premiere.
Livedoor.com · Jul 9, 08:08 AM
Niigata Albirex BB announced it has signed Justin Burrell for the 2026–27 season. Justin Burrell — jersey number 24, position C/PF, born April 18, 1988 in the United States, height 204 cm, weight 115 kg, attended St. John's University. Career includes: 2011–12 Yokohama B-Corsairs; 2012–13 Champagne Basket (FRA-2); 2013–14 Cholet (FRA1-LNB); additional career history follows in the original report.
Livedoor.com · Jul 9, 08:07 AM
Extreme heat will continue on the 10th, and the Sakishima Islands should be on alert for a possible approach by Typhoon No. 9. (5 PM updated forecast) On Friday the 10th, a wide area from Tohoku to Kyushu is expected to see sunshine and summerlike heat. Many locations are forecast to have highs above 30°C; central Tokyo may reach about 32°C, the highest this year so far, and inland areas such as Kumagaya and Maebashi could reach the “mousho” level (over 35°C). Kurume in Fukuoka Prefecture and parts of Saga are forecast to rise to around 37°C, potentially exceeding normal body temperature and posing dangerous heat risks.
Livedoor.com · Jul 9, 07:35 AM
As of 3:40 p.m. on the 9th, Kurume City in Fukuoka Prefecture recorded a maximum temperature of 35.5°C, marking an extremely hot day. Kurume and Hita City in Oita Prefecture were the hottest in the country. Preliminary maximum temperatures as of 3:40 p.m. (select locations): Kurume City, Fukuoka 35.5°C; Hita City, Oita 35.5°C; Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto 35.3°C; Akiha Ward, Niigata City, Niigata 35.0°C; Obama City, Fukui 34.9°C; Chuo Ward, Kumamoto City 34.9°C; Maizuru, Kyoto 34.9°C; Toyooka, Hyogo 34.9°C; Yamaga City, Kumamoto 34.8°C; Aga Town, Niigata 34.8°C. The source text is truncated; the original article also references warnings from the Ministry of the Environment and the Japan Meteorological Agency about the unusually high temperatures in Fukuoka on the 9th.
Fashionsnap.com · Jul 9, 07:32 AM
The Starbucks Reserve Cafe (STARBUCKS RESERVE CAFE) will open its first Kyushu-area location in Fukuoka’s Tenjin area at the new Tenjin Business Center II. The opening day is August 4. The new shop, the sixth in Japan, will operate as a cafe-bakery offering espresso-based lattes and cornetti from Italian bakery Princi...
Livedoor.com · Jul 9, 06:07 AM
On the 9th, wide areas were sunny and experienced intense heat. Hita City in Oita Prefecture recorded a high of 35.5 degrees Celsius, marking a second consecutive extremely hot day, and Niitsu (Akiha Ward) in Niigata City recorded 35.0 degrees Celsius, the first extremely hot day of the year in Hokuriku. Midsummer-like heat is forecast to continue: Kyushu may approach 37 degrees Celsius, and the Tokai, Kinki, and Kanto-Koshin regions could see 35 degrees Celsius or higher on some days. With heightened heatstroke risk, people are advised to drink water frequently and use air conditioning.
Matometanews.com · Jul 9, 05:45 AM
A forum thread debates Japan's "three great ramen." One poster asks who decided the list and writes, "Having eaten ramen all over Japan, I'd recommend Tokushima ramen over Kitakata ramen." The post sparked replies about which regional ramen deserve the top-three spots.
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