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Explainer

Science & Health

Chinese leader Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi

JAPAN / Explainer

Dec 3, 2025

Takaichi’s Taiwan tumult: A closer look at the Japanese leader’s contentious remarks

By Gabriele Ninivaggi

The prime minister’s remarks about a Taiwan emergency have caused a diplomatic uproar, sending Japan-China ties to new lows.

With the government's integration of health insurance with My Number cards, conventional health insurance cards will no longer be accepted at clinics and hospitals across Japan from Dec. 2.

JAPAN / Explainer

Nov 17, 2025

What you need to know about the shift to My Number health insurance cards

By Jessica Speed

By integrating health insurance with My Number cards, the government hopes to streamline administration processes, reduce paperwork and make it easier to treat patients.

Police cars leave the Akita Prefectural Police headquarters to cull bears, in the city of Akita on Thursday.

JAPAN / Explainer

Nov 13, 2025

As attacks surge, who can cull bears in Japan?

By Yukana Inoue

In Japan, few people typically own guns, and the process to qualify for a license to hunt the animals takes time and effort.

Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba waits for a session of the House of Councillors Budget Committee to begin in Tokyo on Friday.

JAPAN / Explainer

Mar 19, 2025

What’s the fuss over Ishiba’s gift vouchers?

By Himari Semans and Gabriele Ninivaggi

The prime minister’s standing has worsened following reports that he handed out gift vouchers worth ?100,000 ($668) each to rookie lawmakers from his party.

Members of the media raise their hands for questions as outgoing Fuji TV President Koichi Minato attends a news conference in Tokyo on Monday.

JAPAN / Explainer

Jan 28, 2025

What we learned at Fuji TV’s marathon Nakai scandal news conference

By Yukana Inoue

Longtime executive of Fuji TV Hisashi Hieda, who has been dubbed the “emperor” of the broadcaster, was not present at the news conference and did not resign.

A mirror reflects a collapsed house in the city of Suzu, Ishikawa Prefecture, on Dec. 10, nearly one year after a major earthquake struck nearby on New Year's Day in 2024.

JAPAN / Explainer

Jan 14, 2025

Miyazaki quake falls short of triggering Nankai Trough megaquake advisory

By Yukana Inoue

Though Monday’s temblor struck a similar area to one in August that sparked the first advisory, no such alert was issued.

A health ministry survey showed that 5,824 people age 65 and older died in a bathtub in their home or other residential facilities in 2022, more than double the number of people who died in a traffic accident.

JAPAN / Explainer

Dec 10, 2024

Winter chill, hot baths and the risk of heat shock: How to stay safe

By Kathleen Benoza

Heat shock has come under the spotlight after popular actor and singer Miho Nakayama was found dead at her home last week.

One of the many entrances to the Kabukicho neighborhood in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward.

Kabukicho: Tokyo’s ‘stadium of desire’

Social camouflaging can help neurodivergent people navigate social situations, but researchers say the effort often comes with significant emotional and mental strain.

The challenge of being neurodivergent in Japan’s culture of conformity

By Tomoko Otake

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