JAPAN TODAY
 
A towering wooden "Grand Ring" built for Expo 2025 in Osaka pays homage to Japan's architectural history and is a symbol of unity despite criticism over costs, its creator says.
The two-kilometer circumference of Sou Fujimoto's striking structure will surround dozens of national pav...

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NIPPON
 
This year could be a turning point in the family law system in Japan. Calls for introducing a dual surname option for spouses have been growing among politicians, even members of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party.
The focus is on how Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba will handle the matter...

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AVIATION SOURCE NEWS
 
Passengers flying in and out of Japan are being advised to take extra precautions with their belongings following a recent surge in inflight thefts.
Both the Japanese police and airline staff are urging travelers to be vigilant and to secure their valuables at all times.
Wh...

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KYODO NEWS
 
Emperor Naruhito offered greetings Thursday in his New Year's address, expressing hope for a peaceful year while voicing concern for people affected by natural disasters.
Accompanied by his wife Empress Masako and other members of the imperial family, the 64-year-old emperor waved to...

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JAPAN TODAY
 
Japan on Wednesday marked one year since a powerful earthquake struck the Noto Peninsula in central Japan, leaving at least 500 dead, including those who succumbed to health issues afterward, as efforts toward full recovery continue in the hardest-hit areas.
Some 21,000 residents in...

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JAPAN NEWS
 
The Japanese icebreaker Shirase arrived at Showa Station, Japan’s Antarctic research base, on Tuesday.
The Shirase berthed at a point about 120 meters off East Ongul Island, where Showa Station is located, at 9:44 a.m. local time.
The voyage took about 40 days. The ship left the Japa...

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KYODO NEWS
 
A growing number of Japanese people appear to be breaking with the country's tradition of sending New Year's greeting cards, as rising prices of daily goods are forcing them to cut back on spending.
Japanese businesses, too, are switching to digital format and doing away with the dru...

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NIPPON
 
While bookstores are increasingly closing in Japan due to the expansion of online shopping, some have started to work with libraries for survival.
The government plans to support such collaboration by starting a survey in fiscal 2025 from April in response to concerns over the current si...

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CNA
 
Heavy snow in Japan's northern region cancelled dozens of flights on Tuesday (Dec 31) as millions of families were returning home to spend the New Year holiday with their loved ones.
Japan Airlines said it scrapped 42 flights, affecting 6,398 passengers, by early afternoon, all of them serv...

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BBC
 
Japanese toilets - equipped with music players, automatic flushes, and heated seats - are clearly not afraid of making a splash with their innovative designs.
But these cutting edge seats have an unlikely nemesis: toilet paper.
Toto, a top Japanese toilet bowl maker, said last week that use...

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