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April 22, 2026
 

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Kanako Takahara

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Kanako Takahara
Kanako Takahara is a staff writer who has covered national politics, diplomacy, business and the economy at The Japan Times. A graduate of Sophia University, she is currently a national news editor.
A medical vehicle enters the Ground Self-Defense Force's Hijudai maneuver area in Kusu, Oita Prefecture, on Tuesday after three GSDF members died and one other was seriously injured in an explosion involving a tank during training.
JAPAN
Apr 21, 2026
Three GSDF members die after tank explosion during training in Oita Prefecture
The incident occurred at the Ground Self-Defense Force's tank unit at the Hijudai maneuver area in Kusu, Oita Prefecture.
An official from the Japan Meteorological Agency speaks about the powerful quake that hit northern Japan at a news conference in Tokyo Monday evening.
JAPAN
Apr 20, 2026
Japan issues rare special advisory over chance of more powerful quake
The government issued the advisory to residents of 182 municipalities from Hokkaido to Chiba, urging them to be ready to evacuate at any moment.
Police investigate a public bathroom in Nantan, Kyoto Prefecture, on Saturday where they suspect 11-year-old Yuki Adachi's body might have been temporarily placed.
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Apr 20, 2026
Kyoto suspect told others son was missing before school called home, police say
The suspect was arrested last week after admitting to killing his son in the high-profile investigation.
When the family planned a trip to Japan, Lily Romero was determined to visit a salon in the country well-known for its expertise in straightening treatments.
JAPAN / FOCUS
Apr 19, 2026
Japan¡¯s latest tourist destination: hair salons
Travelers cite high skill levels, excellent service and attention to hygiene as top reasons for having their hair treatments done in the country.
Princess Aiko¡¯s popularity is triggering expectations that one day she could become the reigning emperor of Japan like her father, Emperor Naruhito.
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Apr 15, 2026
Why Princess Aiko won't ascend the chrysanthemum throne
The princess has proven to be popular in Japan, but politicians, including Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, are dragging their feet when it comes to changing the succession law.
Men hiding their marital status to get women into a sexual relationship is nothing new. But a growing number of victims are speaking out on the men who deceived them for feigning singlehood ¡ª or dokushin gisš­.
JAPAN / Crime & Legal / FOCUS
Mar 31, 2026
Deceived women seek criminal penalty for married men pretending to be single
As it stands, men feigning singlehood to enter into sexual relationships can only be sued in the civil courts.
Beverage companies have been forced to rethink the vending machine business.
BUSINESS / Companies / FOCUS
Mar 12, 2026
Is Japan pulling the plug on vending machines?
Competition and cost-consciousness conspire against the ubiquitous, and legendary, beverage sales channel.
Mitsui OSK Lines headquarters in Tokyo
JAPAN
Mar 11, 2026
Japanese-flagged container ship sustains damage in the Persian Gulf
The news comes as reports emerged that Iran had begun laying mines in the Strait of Hormuz, a key passage for oil shipments.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks during a joint news conference with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on Friday in Tokyo.
JAPAN / Politics
Mar 6, 2026
Japan and Canada to establish economic security dialogue
The leaders of the two nations also agreed to establish a dialogue covering cyber policy to discuss growing threats in cyberspace.
The Chinese embassy in Tokyo in November
JAPAN / Society
Mar 4, 2026
Chinese Embassy in Japan issues warning against ¡®bumpers¡¯ after viral video
The call for vigilance comes as Tokyo was pushing back against Beijing¡¯s claims that Japan¡¯s safety environment is deteriorating.
Fans watching from Tokyo react after Japan beat the U.S. in the World Baseball Classic in March 2023.
JAPAN
Mar 4, 2026
Netflix deal shuts out Japan¡¯s sports bars from freely showing WBC
For fans, the Netflix deal will mean a completely different experience from the past, when WBC games were aired for free, allowing sports bars to easily air them at their venues.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks in a news conference Wednesday night at the Prime Minister¡¯s Office.
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Feb 19, 2026
Takaichi¡¯s rocky road ahead to eliminate consumption tax on groceries
Before the Feb. 8 Lower House election, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi pledged to eliminate consumption tax on groceries for two years. How will she deliver?
Sanae Takaichi, prime minister and leader of the Liberal Democratic Party, at the party¡¯s headquarters in Tokyo on Sunday
JAPAN / Politics / ANALYSIS
Feb 9, 2026
Is Takaichi on course for a long-term reign?
The resounding win for the Liberal Democratic Party in Sunday¡¯s Lower House election might be the start of an enduring administration for Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi at the Liberal Democratic Party headquarters in Tokyo on Sunday night
JAPAN / Politics
Feb 9, 2026
LDP secures two-thirds supermajority in Lower House election victory
Results early Monday showed the LDP had won 316 seats, giving it a higher proportion of representatives in the body than any other party in postwar Japan.
On a board for election posters in Tokyo's Edogawa Ward in June 2024, duplicates of one featuring a female kickboxer who is not running in the gubernatorial race take up half of all the spots.
JAPAN / Politics
Feb 8, 2026
Where have 91²Ö¿â oddball candidates gone?
Japan has a history of candidates who are less interested in being elected, but instead hope to get their own messages out to the public through campaigning.
Then-Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan leader Yukio Edano in October 2021
JAPAN / Politics
Feb 4, 2026
CRA heavyweights¡¯ heated contests allude to party¡¯s uphill struggle in Sunday¡¯s vote
Yukio Edano, Jun Azumi and Ichiro Ozawa are among candidates facing neck-and-neck races in their home turfs.
A Vietnamese worker picks tomatoes at a farm in Asahi, Chiba Prefecture, in 2018. Vietnamese comprised the largest percentage of foreign workers in Japan in 2025.
JAPAN
Jan 30, 2026
Foreign workers in Japan reach a record 2.57 million in 2025
The total was up 11.7% from a year earlier and comes amid an acute labor shortage in the rapidly aging country.
Then-Fukui Gov. Tatsuji Sugimoto speaks during a news conference in November.
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Jan 7, 2026
Former Fukui governor¡¯s actions could be seen as sexual assault, lawyers say
Former Gov. Tatsuji Sugimoto even messaged four female prefectural workers to the point they feared checking their phones, according to a government report.
Masashi Ozaki hits a tee shot during a Japan Golf Tour championship in June 2013 in Ibaraki Prefecture.
SPORTS / Golf
Dec 24, 2025
Golf legend Masashi ¡®Jumbo¡¯ Ozaki dies at 78
Ozaki won 113 tournaments in his career and became the first Japanese golfer to rank in the top 10 at the Masters.
Women hold toys depicting Myaku-Myaku, the official character for the 2025 Osaka Expo, during a media day ahead of the event's public opening day in Osaka in April.
JAPAN / Society
Nov 5, 2025
ChatGPT nickname and Trump tariffs nominated for Japan¡¯s buzzword of 2025
Words and phrases related to the election of Japan¡¯s first female prime minister and the country¡¯s bear problem also made the list of nominations.
Japan issues rare special advisory over chance of more powerful quake
An official from the Japan Meteorological Agency speaks about the powerful quake that hit northern Japan at a news conference in Tokyo Monday evening.
91²Ö¿â tourism industry begins to feel pain of Iran war
Buildings in the historic area of Takayama, Gifu Prefecture
Chinese military warships train in western Pacific after MSDF Taiwan Strait transit
Chinese naval vessels participate in a drill in the East China Sea in August 2016.
In major policy shift, Japan scraps limits on lethal arms exports
The Ground Self-Defense Force's Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade takes part in exercises in Tokunoshima, Kagoshima Prefecture, in November 2023. The Japanese government moved Tuesday to allow the sale of more weapons abroad as it grapples with rising security threats from China and a rapidly changing global order.
Japan seals largest-ever defense contract with frigate sale to Australia
Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles and Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi pose for a photo after the signing of the contract for Japan to deliver the first three Mogami-class warships to Australia, in Melbourne on Saturday.
Stars aligning for Japan as World Cup approaches
Japan defender Shogo Taniguchi (left) heads the ball from a corner kick during Japan's match against Scotland in Glasgow on March 28.
Counseling and community for foreign cancer patients in Japan
Navigating cancer treatment as a foreign resident of Japan can be an added layer of stress, but nonprofit organizations and community resources are available to support those with a diagnosis.
91²Ö¿â tourism industry begins to feel pain of Iran war
Buildings in the historic area of Takayama, Gifu Prefecture
After years away, BTS and its fans reunite at full volume
BTS kicked off the international leg of its Arirang World Tour at Tokyo Dome on Friday.
Japan¡¯s latest tourist destination: hair salons
When the family planned a trip to Japan, Lily Romero was determined to visit a salon in the country well-known for its expertise in straightening treatments.

Podcast

One of the many entrances to the Kabukicho neighborhood in Tokyo¡¯s Shinjuku Ward.
Kabukicho: Tokyo¡¯s ¡®stadium of desire¡¯

Longform

Projects like the BuddhaBot aim to re-create dialogue once lost to time, raising questions about whether AI can extend the teachings of Buddha or merely simulate them.
Can AI replace a priest? Japan¡¯s temples and shrines are testing the limits.
By Alex K.T. Martin

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