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Russia detains Swedish citizen as Moscow eyes future prisoner swaps

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Tokyo sleep competition offers 2 million yen prize to best sleeper

A Tokyo sleep competition organised by Koala offered ¥2 million to the best sleeper, highlighting Japan’s long-hours work culture and sleep deprivation.

Moments

This new Japanese walking trail connects six cities across 320km

Japan’s longest loop trail is now fully open. Spread across 320 kilometres, the Hitachinokuni Long Trail takes hikers through mountains, rural villages, waterfalls, beaches and historic ruins.

North Korea

North Korea fires intermediate-range missile, claiming evasive flight

Japan’s military said the missile landed in waters outside its exclusive economic zone, while South Korea's military, which often accuses the North of exaggerating its capabilities, said it travelled more than 700 kilometres.

World News

Video shows bear slamming into car in northern Japan

A brown bear slammed its body against a car in northern Japan after two bears were spotted on a road in Hokkaido. The larger bear, believed to be the mother, approached the vehicle before running away with its cub. The driver was unharmed, and police have released dashcam footage of the encounter.

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Tech News

Gimmick or recipe for success? Japan's convenience stores test AI flavours

Japanese convenience store chains are turning to AI for dessert ideas. Some are unexpected mashups.

Japan

Takaichi tightens rules for foreigners seeking permanent residency

The measures come as the country’s conservative leader Sanae Takaichi looks to deliver on election promises, which were spearheaded by vast immigration reforms, in her historic supermajority election victory in February.

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Tokyo records longest rainy streak on record with 34 consecutive days

Tokyo has recorded 34 consecutive days of rain, marking the longest such streak on record, according to Japan's weather agency.

Travel News

Revealed: The top 10 countries for travel and tourism in 2026

While Japan claimed the top spot overall, Albania was named as the fastest improver in the World Economic Forum’s Travel & Tourism Development Index.

Destinations

Tokyo vs Seoul: Which trendy Asian capital city should you visit?

Tourism in both Tokyo and Seoul has been booming for a while now and there’s no sign of this slowing down just yet. Here we take a look at two of Asia's trending capital cities.

Earth News

Meet the photographer who lives at the top of Mount Fuji

For most people, Mount Fuji is a destination. For Megumi Ueda, it has been a workplace and home for much of the past 17 years.

Japan

At least four dead, six missing in Japan day after Typhoon Dujuan hit

Authorities announced a revised, higher death toll on Tuesday after search and rescue crews located the bodies of two more people. Six others are still reported missing.

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Flooded streets and rescues as Typhoon Dujuan hits Japan

Footage shows flooded streets in Japan after Typhoon Dujuan brings record rain near Tokyo, killing at least four, leaving six missing and thousands without power.

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Japan tests mobile robotic rubbish bins at Shinjuku Station

Japan's busiest railway station is testing mobile robotic rubbish bins in Tokyo, with the aim of easing the workload of sanitation workers.

Economy

Japan's central bank raises benchmark interest rate to 1.25%

Japan’s central bank on Friday raised the benchmark interest rate to 1.25% from 1.0%, a 31-year-high.

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From nail hammering to drilling, Japan’s new robots push physical AI forward

Technology companies gathered in Tokyo on 16 September 2026 for a one-day summit focused on physical AI, showcasing robots designed to perform tasks in the real world.

Travel News

A Poké Ball-shaped hotel just opened in Japan

The new hotel concept in Tomakomai City, Hokkaido, was designed by NOT A HOTEL and is just three metres wide.