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June 28, 2026
 

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PHONES

In Tokyo and other major Japanese cities, <i>aruki-sumaho</i> ¡ª walking while using a smartphone ¡ª has become a persistent safety concern as commuters navigate crowded stations and sidewalks while focused on their devices.
JAPAN / Society / First person
Jun 21, 2026
Distracted walkers in Japan are a real safety risk. My mother knows firsthand.
Despite years of awareness campaigns, aruki-sumaho ¡ª walking while using a smartphone ¡ª remains widespread and difficult to stop.
Apple CEO Tim Cook applauds as the iPhone 17 series goes on sale at the Apple Store in New York City last September.
COMMENTARY / World
May 20, 2026
Apple grandmaster Tim Cook is playing 3D chess with AI
The smartphone is the most valuable choke point in the modern economy. It¡¯s the primary entry to the electronic world ¡ª and Apple dominates.
Japan implemented a new system in April that penalizes minor bicycle traffic rule violators with a "blue ticket" that carries a fine of up to ?12,000.
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
May 14, 2026
Cyclists issued ¡®blue tickets¡¯ in over 2,000 cases since April 1 rollout
The new tickets incur fines of up to ?12,000 for traffic rule violations, with the aim of improving cycling safety and preventing accidents.
Domestically produced Jindallae mobile phones are displayed at a stall during the opening of the 24th Pyongyang Spring International Trade Fair at the Central Youth Hall in Pyongyang on Monday.
ASIA PACIFIC
May 6, 2026
Pyongyang calling: North Korea shows off its own brand of phones
Diplomatically isolated and under sanctions over its weapons programs, North Korea has an aging manufacturing base that analysts doubt can make high-quality consumer technology.
John Ternus, Apple¡¯s vice president of hardware engineering at the time, speaks during the Apple World Wide Developers Conference in San Jose, California, in June 2017. Ternus will take over the top job at Apple after CEO Tim Cook steps down in September.
BUSINESS / Tech
Apr 21, 2026
Apple¡¯s Tim Cook to step down as CEO in September
Cook is credited with expanding Apple¡¯s product line and ramping up the company¡¯s value to some $4 trillion based on the value of its shares.
Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Ryosei Akazawa holds a news conference after a Cabinet meeting at the Diet building on Friday.
BUSINESS / Companies
Apr 17, 2026
Sony to receive up to ?60 billion in state subsidies for image sensor plant
The state aid is intended to help ensure a stable supply of semiconductors, designated as a specified important item under the economic security promotion law.
An experiment by a small city in Aichi Prefecture suggests that smartphone restrictions targeting only children are less effective than those targeting the entire family, as children¡¯s screen habits closely mirror their parents.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Apr 17, 2026
The parent problem: When smartphone rules end at the school gate
Children who exceeded two hours of daily screen time tended to have parents with similarly high usage. The relationship held across age groups.
Japan was the first country in the world to adopt 3G, but this month, it cuts off access to the obsolete wireless network for good.
LIFE / Lifestyle
Mar 28, 2026
With the end of 3G, Japan¡¯s beloved flip phones go dark
More than 500,000 users and their retro phones will lose access to the network from March 31.
Starting April 1, cyclists in Japan will be subject to new traffic rules.
JAPAN / Crime & Legal / EXPLAINER
Mar 25, 2026
What to know about Japan¡¯s new traffic rules for cyclists
Starting April 1, the ¡°blue ticket¡± system aims to reduce violations by issuing fines for minor offenses such as using a phone while cycling or ignoring stoplights.
Russia is pushing its Max social media platform in a heavy-handed rollout that has raised concerns that Moscow will use the app to surveil its citizens and further cut digital links to the West.
WORLD / Politics
Mar 24, 2026
Russia¡¯s Max: The unencrypted super-app being forced on citizens
Max is being rolled out with a massive promotion campaign and the simultaneous blocking of Whatsapp and Telegram, the country¡¯s two most popular messenger apps.
The new service starting April 1 that aims to keep communication infrastructure operational following emergencies such as disasters will be free to use and not require prior registration.
JAPAN
Mar 20, 2026
Major phone carriers to launch ¡®Japan Roaming¡¯ for use in disasters
The aim of the new service is to ensure the communication infrastructure essential for life and economic activities remains operational during emergencies such as disasters.
Researchers have uncovered spyware that is capable of penetrating millions of iPhones.
BUSINESS / Tech
Mar 19, 2026
Researchers find iPhone spyware that could compromise millions of devices
The second discovery this month of hacking tools targeting iPhones and other Apple devices shows the market for sophisticated malware is flourishing.
A customer holds newly purchased iPhone 17 Pro at one of the Apple¡¯s stores in Mumbai, India.
BUSINESS
Mar 10, 2026
Apple now makes about 25% of iPhones in India after China pivot
Even though the gap has narrowed, electronics assembly and component manufacturing still costs more in India than in countries including China and Vietnam.
Nojima President Hiroshi Nojima speaks during an interview in the city of Yokohama on Friday.
BUSINESS / Companies
Feb 17, 2026
Nojima eyes mergers and acquisitions deals worth up to ?300 billion
Nojima is known for its aggressive M&A activities, with its largest deal being the ?85.4 billion?purchase of mobile phone distributor Conexio in 2023.
Smartphone apps that help prevent fraud by blocking international calls and alerting users to potential scams could be endorsed by the National Police Agency under new plans.
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Jan 15, 2026
Police in Japan to endorse fraud prevention apps
As of the end of November, losses from so-called special fraud cases, including telephone scams, had reached about ?121.3 billion, the worst on record.
As part of efforts to boost security of user data as ?online fraud and data breaches increase in the world¡¯s second-largest smartphone market, India is proposing requiring smartphone makers to share their source codes with the government, prompting behind-the-scenes opposition.
BUSINESS / Tech
Jan 12, 2026
India mulls forcing smartphone makers to give source code in security overhaul
The plan is part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi¡¯s efforts to boost security of user data as ?online fraud and data breaches increase in the country.
The Nuclear Regulation Authority has reported the loss of a work-issued smartphone containing highly sensitive contact information after an employee misplaced the device while traveling in China late last year.
JAPAN
Jan 7, 2026
Nuclear regulator employee loses phone containing sensitive info in China
The device, which has not been recovered, contained the names and contact details of staff in charge of nuclear security, all of which is highly confidential.
An image of an app for insomnia treatment. For Taro Ueno, a psychiatrist and president of Susmed, the idea to develop an app for insomnia came from observing how doctors in Japan overprescribe sleeping pills.
JAPAN / Science & Health
Jan 6, 2026
Japanese startups tout chatbot-powered apps as treatment for medical conditions
These prescription-only apps are designed to help treat a range of conditions, such as hypertension, alcohol addiction and insomnia.
Documented evidence shows schools that implement smartphone-free policies see measurable improvements in academic performance and student well-being, even within a single semester.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Dec 19, 2025
It¡¯s time for Japan to ban smartphones in schools
Excessive screen time creates addiction comparable to substance abuse, but it is more nefarious in that it impacts people in unseen ways, unlike tobacco or alcohol.
Members of staff greet customers at the Apple Store in Tokyo's Omotesando shopping district.
BUSINESS / Tech
Dec 18, 2025
Apple opens iPhones to alternative app stores in Japan
Under Apple¡¯s new rules, Japanese developers can launch their own app marketplaces on iPhones and pay Apple as little as 5% of sales.
Strong earthquake jolts Yamanashi and Kanagawa amid landslide fears
A Japan Meteorological Agency map shows the seismic intensity of Friday night&#039;s earthquake centered in Yamanashi.
Ghosn says calls for his Nissan return show investor anger over results
Former Nissan Chairman Carlos Ghosn at an event in Beirut in May 2024
Two tropical storms bring heavy rains to parts of Japan
A map depicting rainfall brought by Tropical Storm Mekkhala and Tropical Storm Higos
Magnitude 7.2 quake hits northern Japan
A screenshot of the Japan Meteorological Agency website shows the seismic intensity of Thursday morning&#039;s earthquake.
U.S. missile moves in Japan send China clear message: A new era has arrived
Soldiers conduct the first Typhon midrange capability live-fire exercise outside of the continental United States, firing an SM-6 missile in July last year in Australia&#039;s Northern Territory during Exercise Talisman Sabre.
Takaichi¡¯s blueprint of women¡¯s policies focuses on menopause, education and housekeepers
A female technician maintaining and inspecting machinery
Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu relishes chance to face ¡®serious Brazil¡¯ in knockout stage
Japan&#039;s Daizen Maeda celebrates after scoring against Sweden during a Group F match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Arlington, Texas, on Thursday.
Takaichi¡¯s social media strategy tests old political norms
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has, in addition to traditional media appearances, focused more on direct communication through social media, official messaging and rapid online rebuttals since taking office.
Fans take over iconic Shibuya Crossing as Japan reaches World Cup knockout round
Fans celebrate at the Shibuya Crossing in Tokyo on Friday as Japan advanced to the knockout round in the World Cup.
¡®All the Lovers in the Night¡¯ film adaptation brings ¡®unstable beauty¡¯ to the screen
Director Yukiko Sode (center) poses with her lead actors Tadanobu Asano (left) and Yukino Kichii (right) at the 79th Cannes Film Festival.

Podcast

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

Longform

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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