Japan's imperial family is facing one of its biggest challenges in decades. With the number of male heirs shrinking, lawmakers are considering a proposal to allow distant male relatives to join the royal family and help preserve the world's oldest hereditary monarchy. The move aims to prevent a future succession crisis, but it has also reignited a national debate over whether Japan should finally allow a woman to ascend the Chrysanthemum Throne. Can tradition and modern realities find common ground?


Tokyo Moves to Save 'Male-Only' Monarchy

Japan is accelerating efforts to convert used cooking oil into sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) to meet its target of sourcing 10% of jet fuel from SAF by 2030. Syakir Jasnee reports.


'Fry To Fly': Japan Turns Kitchen Oil Into Jet Fuel

#Gravitas Japan has moved to criminalise the desecration of its national flag. The bill, backed by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, is now advancing through Japan’s parliament but has also sparked concerns over freedom of expression. 


Japan Plans to Jail People Who Desecrate National Flag

Tropical Storm Jangmi has slammed into Japan, bringing torrential rain, powerful winds, and widespread disruption.
Authorities said at least 15 people were injured as strong winds toppled trees and debris struck vehicles.

Japan Storm Jangmi: Mudslide Buries Rail Line Amid Widespread Disruption

Japan is facing growing concerns over discrimination against its Muslim community. According to reports, mosques are receiving abusive calls and threatening emails, while misinformation on social media is fueling fear and hostility. With Japan's Muslim population nearly doubling in recent years and more than 160 mosques now operating nationwide, incidents involving harassment, protests against mosque construction, and suspicious attacks have sparked debate over immigration, diversity, and religious tolerance. Here's a detailed look at the issue and why community leaders are sounding the alarm.


Why Japan's Muslim Community Says It Is Facing Rising Harassment And Discrimination |

Debate over immigration, religion, and community tensions has intensified in Japan after controversy surrounding an allegedly illegal mosque triggered widespread public backlash online and in local communities. The issue has sparked concerns over rising anti-Muslim sentiment, social polarization, and the treatment of minority groups in the country.


Japan Sees Surge in Anti-Muslim Sentiment | Illegal Mosque Sparks Japan Outcry 

Japan has unveiled a massive $19 billion emergency fund to cushion the economy against rising oil prices and global energy shocks. The package aims to support households, businesses, and fuel-intensive sectors as geopolitical tensions continue to impact global crude markets.


Japan Unveils $19 Billion Emergency Fund to Fight Oil Shock 

Tropical Storm Jangmi is pushing northeast through Japan,
Leaving a trail of disruption in the southwest and raising concerns over flooding, landslides and transport delays across some of the country's most heavily populated regions

Typhoon Jangmi: Authorities Warn of Floods & High Waves 

In an increasingly digital world, Japan is witnessing a resurgence of zines: self-published, independently created magazines that celebrate creativity, personal expression and community. From artists and writers to hobbyists and activists, more people are turning to DIY publishing as a way to share ideas beyond the algorithms of social media.

The growing zine movement reflects a broader desire for tangible, personal and authentic forms of communication in the digital age.

Japan Embraces Zine Trend: A Quiet DIY Revolution In The Digital Age

Japan's Okinawa prefecture is bracing for severe tropical storm Jangmi, with authorities warning of heavy rain, damaging winds and transport disruptions. Flights and ferry services have been cancelled as the storm moves north towards the island chain.

Storm Jangmi Bears Down On Japan, Transport Disrupted In Okinawa 

Under Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, Japan is accelerating a historic shift away from its post-war pacifist stance, boosting defense spending, modernizing the Self-Defense Forces, and revising Article 9 of the constitution. While the government defends these changes as necessary regional deterrence, they have sparked widespread public dissent and massive anti-war protests across Tokyo.


Tokyo Defends Military Reforms, Faces Public Dissent

Japan's demographic crisis is becoming harder to ignore. The country's population has fallen by nearly 3 million people in just five years, while major cities such as Yokohama are recording historic population declines. Hiroshima is seeing young residents move to Tokyo in search of opportunities, leaving regional areas struggling to maintain growth. Meanwhile, Estonia is confronting similar challenges, with experts warning its population could halve by the end of the century. As birth rates fall and households become smaller, both nations are searching for answers to a rapidly changing demographic reality.


Japan's Population Decline Deepens, Estonia Faces Similar Challenge

A security scare unfolded at a shopping mall in Tokyo, Japan, after a man reportedly sprayed a mysterious substance inside the premises. The incident triggered panic among visitors and prompted a swift response from mall security and local authorities.

Investigations are underway to determine the nature of the substance and the motive behind the act, as officials continue to assess the situation and ensure public safety.

Bizarre Attack in Japan: A Dangerous Substance Sprayed in Tokyo's Mall Causes Chaos

From cat cafés and themed neighbourhoods to bestselling novels and tourism hotspots, Japan’s obsession with cats has evolved into a multi-billion-dollar economic phenomenon now being called “Catnomics.” Experts estimate feline culture could generate nearly ¥3 trillion for Japan’s economy this year alone.

In Tokyo’s famous “cat town” Yanaka Ginza, tourists flock to buy cat-themed souvenirs, sweets, and collectibles, while Japanese literature, fashion, and pop culture continue to fuel the country’s deep fascination with felines. In Japan today, cats are not just pets — they are a cultural and economic powerhouse.

Japan’s ‘Catnomics’ Boom: How Cats Became A Multi-Billion Dollar Industry

India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said QUAD foreign ministers held a “very good meeting” in New Delhi with a shared goal of intensified Indo-Pacific cooperation. Australia’s Foreign Minister Penny Wong announced new QUAD initiatives, including a port infrastructure project in Fiji and stronger collaboration on critical minerals. The discussions highlighted the group’s growing focus on regional connectivity, supply chains, maritime security, and strategic partnerships across the Indo-Pacific.


QUAD Foreign Ministers Hold High-Stakes Delhi Talks | Indo-Pacific Stability Tops Agenda

QUAD Summit: Indo-Pacific Stability Dominates QUAD Discussions

QUAD Leaders Push Stronger Indo-Pacific Cooperation 

Foreign ministers from India, United States, Japan and Australia came together in New Delhi for crucial QUAD discussions focused on Indo-Pacific cooperation and regional security. India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar hosted the meeting alongside U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and counterparts from Japan and Australia. The joint briefing highlighted efforts to strengthen strategic coordination, maritime security, economic resilience, and diplomatic ties amid growing geopolitical challenges in the region.


QUAD Summit: Jaishankar Leads Key QUAD Briefing In New Delhi 

India is set to host an important QUAD meeting led by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, bringing together top diplomats from the United States, Australia, and Japan. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Australia’s Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Japan’s Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi are expected to join discussions focused on regional security, Indo-Pacific cooperation, trade, and strategic coordination. The meeting is also seen as a major push to strengthen the QUAD alliance amid rising geopolitical tensions in Asia.


QUAD Foreign Ministers Gather in India for Strategic Security Talks

China’s exports of rare earth permanent magnets to Japan showed a marginal recovery in April, but the 2.5 percent increase comes after exports plunged 17.3 percent in March.

China-Japan Tensions Spill Into 'Magnets' Trade 

Hay fever in Japan, known locally as kafunshō, has become one of the country’s most widespread seasonal health problems, affecting more than 40% of the population. The allergy is mainly triggered by huge waves of pollen released by Japanese cedar (sugi) and cypress (hinoki) trees planted extensively after World War II.

Cedar pollen season typically begins in mid-February and peaks in March, while cypress pollen follows from mid-March through May. The annual allergy wave causes severe discomfort for millions, impacting daily life, productivity and public health across Japan.

Japan’s Massive Pollen Crisis: Why Millions Suffer From Hay Fever Every Spring

Japan is accelerating its push into AI-powered robotics as the country struggles with a shrinking workforce and rapidly ageing population. The Japanese government sees “physical AI” — intelligent robots capable of performing real-world tasks — as a major solution to labour shortages across industries like healthcare, logistics and manufacturing.


Japanese Government Sees Physical AI as Key to Labour Crisis

A magnitude 6.6 earthquake, measuring a lower 5 on Japan’s seismic intensity scale, struck the Tohoku region. There was no threat of a tsunami. Earlier in April, an earthquake registering a magnitude of 7.7 off northern Japan prompted advisory of a higher risk of a possible mega-quake for coastal areas there. The events were a reminder to the quake-prone area of the March 2011 disaster that ravaged large swaths of the northern coast, triggering a nuclear crisis in Fukushima.


Japan Earthquake: 6.6 Magnitude Quake Struck Off the Coast of Miyagi Prefecture

Japan is turning to futuristic “robot wolves” to protect rural communities from rising bear attacks. The robotic devices, designed with glowing eyes and loud warning sounds, are being used to scare wild bears away from towns and farms. Officials say climate change, shrinking food sources, and changing wildlife patterns are pushing more bears into populated areas. Japan recorded a record number of bear attacks last year, prompting authorities to adopt unusual but innovative solutions to improve public safety.


Japan Deploys Robot Wolves to Protect Rural Towns as Bear Attacks Surge

#Gravitas Japan is preparing for its biggest intelligence overhaul since the Second World War.  Japan’s government is moving to create a powerful new central spy agency, a body designed to unify intelligence that has long been split across different ministries, police units and security offices.  


Japan Moves to Create First Central Spy Agency Since World War II

Tokyo-based Calbee which makes potato chips announced that 14 of its products will have a black-and-white packaging from May 25 onwards. This is owing to the shortage of 'Naphtha', a key ingredient in ink. This is seen as a fallout of the ongoing West Asia crisis.


Japan's Famous Snack Bags Lose Their Colour Due to War-Induced Ink Shortage

As oil stays above 100 dollars a barrel, bond yields and inflation expectations around the world are rising as well.
Few advanced economies are feeling the pain more than Japan, and fewer still are as poorly equipped to handle it.

Will Japan Be Forced to Intervene in FX Markets?

Japan’s beauty salon industry is facing an unprecedented crisis, with a record 235 salons shutting down in 2025, up from 215 bankruptcies the previous year. Reports suggest the average lifespan of a salon has now dropped to just around one year, reflecting rising costs, stiff competition, and changing consumer habits. The trend highlights deeper challenges in small businesses across Japan, raising concerns about sustainability in the sector.


Japan’s Salon Industry In Crisis: Record 235 Closures In 2025

Japan’s Iwate region is once again grappling with large-scale wildfires, triggering emergency response operations and evacuation alerts in affected areas. Firefighters are battling challenging terrain and weather conditions as authorities work to contain the rapidly spreading flames. Officials are monitoring the situation closely as concerns grow over repeated fire outbreaks in the region.


Japan Wildfires: Iwate Region Faces Repeat Large-Scale Fire Emergencies

A growing concern over AI-driven disinformation has surfaced in Japan, where creators allegedly used artificial intelligence to mass-produce anti-China videos. Reports suggest freelancers were recruited via platforms like CrowdWorks, with higher pay incentives fueling the spread of negative content. The revelations highlight how AI tools are being leveraged to shape narratives online, raising questions about regulation and the future of digital information.


Japanese Creators Used AI to Mass-Produce Anti-China Videos 

A massive wildfire in Japan has forced evacuation orders in Otsuchi as flames spread rapidly through affected areas. Authorities are working to contain the blaze while residents are being moved to safety. Emergency response teams remain on high alert as weather conditions challenge firefighting efforts.


Japan Wildfire: Thousands Forced To Flee After Fire Nears Residential Areas

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