Why you should experience Japan’s busiest city by bike - Away from Tokyo’s city centre crowds, Annabel Grossman slows down to discover Japan’s quiet backstreets, hipster neighbourhoods and crowd-free ( read original story ...)
Tokyo to waive day care fee for firstborns from Sept. 2025
Gov. Yuriko Koike announced in a Dec. 10 Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly meeting a plan to make day care services free of charge for firstborn ch ( read original story ...)
Nagoya city undertakes initiative to encourage people not to walk on escalators
A city in central Japan is collaborating with university students in an initiative to encourage people to stop walking on escalators. ( read original story ...)
Organizers say 2026 Asian Games on track
Japanese media said the Olympic Council of Asia was not happy with preparations for the event in Nagoya and the wider Aichi Prefecture area. ( read original story ...)
Tokyo named the world’s most stressful city
A new survey analysing more than 97,000 reviews of popular tourist destinations reveals that Tokyo, Japan is the most stressful for tourists. ( read original story ...)
Japan auto unions group sets pay hike target for first time in 7 years
Labour unions at major Japanese auto manufacturers have set a specific target for pay hikes for wage negotiations for the first time in seven years, as they aim to spread wage growth momentum to ... ( read original story ...)
Japan’s ruling camp yields to opposition demand for hike in tax exemptions
Japan's minority ruling coalition on Wednesday gave into a key opposition party's demand to increase tax exemptions for some households, a move that may underpin consumption but strain the country's ... ( read original story ...)
Japan organizers say 2026 Asian Games on track after reports
Preparations for the 2026 Asian Games in Japan are going "smoothly," its chairman said Wednesday, after reports the governing body told organisers to make significant improvements. Japanese media said ... ( read original story ...)
Japan auto unions group revives wage hike target for 1st time in 7 years
TOKYO (Reuters) -Labour unions at major Japanese auto manufacturers will seek monthly pay hikes of 12,000 yen ($79.15) or more in annual spring wage negotiations next year, the unions' group said on ... ( read original story ...)
Japan organisers say 2026 Asian Games preparation on track after reports of governing body asking for improvements
Japanese media said the Olympic Council of Asia is not happy with preparations for the event in Nagoya and the wider Aichi Prefecture area and has accused organisers of not sticking to the host city ... ( read original story ...)
City in Osaka Prefecture looks for new mayor using job search site
The idea is to encourage more people to get involved in local government in Japan, but questions have emerged about the project and its implications. ( read original story ...)
Japanese airline announces baggage delivery service to combat overcrowding in Tokyo
Japan Airlines is now offering to drop passengers’ luggage off at their hotels for them for a fee. But the program isn’t just about providing good customer service – it’s aimed at alleviating the burden on Tokyo’s overcrowded mass transit system. ( read original story ...)
Japan to propose defence spending tax increases starting in 2026, Kyodo says
Japan's government is planning to propose raising the country's corporate tax starting in April 2026 to fund more defence spending, Kyodo News reported on Wednesday, aiming to double its defence ... ( read original story ...)
US defense chief observes drills with Japan, Australia, says he’s confident about greater capability
U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin has expressed confidence about enhanced military capabilities among the United States, Australia and Japan as he observed joint exercises showcasing their closer ... ( read original story ...)
Tokyo remains 3rd in global city index for ninth consecutive year
While Tokyo notched improvements in research and development, cultural interaction, livability, and accessibility, its score declined in the economy category. ( read original story ...)
Analysis-Rival LNG supplies, Sakhalin’s depleting fields give Japan an exit from Russian gas
As Japan's long-term contracts to secure liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Russia's Sakhalin-2 project near expiration, rival producers see opportunity to fill the supply gap, even as Tokyo looks to ... ( read original story ...)