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Destinations

I found crowd-free onsen and artisan masters in Japan’s Gifu province

It is now easier to reach Gifu prefecture from Europe with direct flights from Helsinki to Nagoya.

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Beauty knows no age: Japan's seniors embrace glamour in a growing mark

In Japan, seniors are embracing beauty routines through Shiseido’s makeup courses, as the country's ageing population becomes a key market for fashion and wellness.

Moments

I was won over by rural Japan at cosy inns and traditional teahouses

The Nakasendo road still exists in its entirety - as do dozens of the post towns it weaves between - and can form an epic walking itinerary across central Japan.

North Korea

North Korea to expand nuclear weapons programme, says Kim Jong-un

The warning came after Kim accused the US of escalating tensions on the Korean Peninsula through its alliance with South Korea and Japan.

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Record crowds at Japan’s hot springs cause worries about macaques

Japan's hot spring macaques in Jigokudani Park draw record crowds, with 257,000 visitors last year, 60% of them international.

Global Japan

Japan’s Brewed Protein textile leads the future of circular fashion

In partnership with The Government of Japan

In this episode of Green Japan we report on a groundbreaking Japanese innovation called Brewed Protein, which can be used to make infinitely recyclable clothes. The fabric is made by microbes, and offers a sustainable solution to tackle the millions of tonnes of textile waste generated every year.

Business

SoftBank and OpenAI seize the moment with new Stargate AI initiative

The newly set up company, SB OpenAI Japan, aims to take maximum advantage of President Trump's Stargate initiative and will be owned jointly by Japanese technology giant SoftBank Group and OpenAI.

Japan

Rescuers in Japan struggle to save truck driver trapped in sinkhole

Officials in Yashio city, located north of Tokyo, are trying to rescue a 74-year-old man whose truck was swallowed by a massive sinkhole on Tuesday.

Destinations

Japanese city hires security guards to control selfie-taking tourists

Otaru is stepping up measures to manage tourists as overcrowding continues in Japan.

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Truck swallowed by sinkhole in Japan, with rescue efforts complicated by second hole

A truck was swallowed b a sinkhole in Japan's Yashio City on Tuesday morning.

World News

Japan: Expo 2025 Osaka gears up to take the world by surprise

Expo 2025 in Japan is set to take the world by surprise with its innovations and focus on humanity at a time of sombre global challenges.

Economy

Bank of Japan raises interest rates to highest level in 17 years

Stronger wages have contributed to the decision by Japan's central bank to raise rates to about 0.5%. The BOJ reiterated that it may in the future raise interest rates again, if required.

Culture news

TV host and former pop star Masahiro Nakai quits after sexual assault

Former star of J-pop band SMAP Masahiro Nakai resigned after several damning reports and suspicions that broadcasting giant Fuji TV covered up the assault case. The scandal is part of a wave of sexual assault cases hitting the Japanese entertainment industry.

Qatar 365

Tantalising the taste buds: Qatar’s Culinary Scene

In partnership with Media City

The Qatar 365 team goes on a mouthwatering journey to explore the country’s diverse culinary scene. We sit down with renowned Chef Nobu Matsuhisa, learn about the traditional Japanese art of tuna cutting, and visit some of the best Middle Eastern breakfast spots off Doha’s beaten track.

Culture news

Explained: The alleged sex scandal impacting Japanese TV network Fuji

This alleged sex scandal is another dark chapter for Japan’s entertainment industry, which has not recovered from the Johnny & Associates abuse revelations in 2023.

World News

Japan formally inaugurates independent mission to NATO

NATO has deepened its links with Japan and three other Indo-Pacific partners, Australia, New Zealand and South Korea, though not as part of the military alliance.

Space

SpaceX launches two lunar landers headed toward the Moon

SpaceX launched a pair of lunar landers on Wednesday for private US and Japanese companies.

Japan

Magnitude 6.9 earthquake hits Japan

Tsunami warnings were issued after the earthquake rattled the southwest of the country on Monday.

Markets

US Steel and Nippon file lawsuit after Biden blocks merger deal

The firms accuse the Biden administration of blocking the merger for "purely political reasons".

Japan

Blinken seeks to strengthen relations with Japan in final visit

There have been tensions in the Pacific region recently, with Russia allegedly providing North Korea with military equipment and training.