Japanese News

Serious concerns about data privacy are behind the fact that 40% of ChatGPT users are leaving the platform. As the “convenience vs. personal information” dichotomy begins to crumble, we’ll explain the “privacy-first innovation” that companies and products must embrace, along with the key to earning trust.

This article provides an easy-to-understand explanation of the “Social Insurance Tax on Financial Income from Designated Accounts,” a policy decided in May 2024. It thoroughly covers everything from the mechanism behind this “stealth tax hike” that begins for those aged 75 and older, to the extent of the increase in social insurance premiums, the impact on NISA, and four practical steps individuals can take to mitigate the effects.

In this era of extreme yen weakness—with the dollar trading at 163 yen—we explain three key points ordinary people should understand to protect their livelihoods from rising prices. We’ll clearly explain why you should steadfastly continue index investing during periods of yen weakness, the importance of holding foreign-currency-denominated assets, and how to optimize your spending right now.

Akira Toriyama and Go Nagai have been inducted into the Hall of Fame of the Eisner Awards, the most prestigious comic book awards in the United States! We’ll explain the details of these awards—often referred to as the “Academy Awards of the comic book world”—as well as the overwhelming impact that the global hits *Dragon Ball* and *Mazinger Z* have had on overseas pop culture, and highlight past Japanese winners.

A thorough explanation of why Saizeriya continues to close stores in central Tokyo. We’ll take a detailed look at the background behind this strategy—including soaring rent, the company’s unique business philosophy of “not raising prices,” and the decision to withdraw from the market even amid strong performance.

Why did Issue 33 of *Jump*—which came with a “One Piece” card (Meat Luffy) and was supposed to be less rare due to a 500,000-copy reprint—get snapped up and sell out everywhere? We’ll provide a thorough breakdown of what’s happening behind the scenes in the market—including the card’s strength in actual play, low procurement costs, and the psychology of resellers targeting early sales—as well as the countermeasures taken by retailers.

One Pacific saury for 216,000 yen! We provide a thorough explanation of the surprising reason behind this record-high price at the first auction of the season and the identity of the winning bidder. From the backdrop of recent severe fishing shortages and historical price trends to the much-discussed “impact on this year’s supermarket prices,” we bring you an easy-to-understand look at the latest developments surrounding Pacific saury, a fall delicacy.Translated with DeepL.com (free version)

[Latest for 2026] A Comprehensive Breakdown of Today’s Japanese News! From the background behind the Nikkei 225’s first-ever breach of the 70,000-yen mark to the government’s “Children’s Basic Policy,” diplomatic tensions with China following the conclusion of the G7 Summit, and updates to the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry’s RESAS system—we’ve compiled key business trends in an easy-to-understand format.

The 2024 legislative reforms will bring significant changes to the way sole proprietors and freelancers work. We provide a clear explanation of the risks of reduced income and fewer projects, the obligations of employers, and the steps you should take immediately.

[Updated June 11, 2026] A comprehensive breakdown of today’s major news from Japan and around the world. Learn about the latest topics directly relevant to business and daily life in just one minute, including the escalating tensions in the Middle East following the U.S. military’s attack on Iran and its impact on the Japanese economy and stock prices; follow-up reports on the attempted robbery and murder in Tennoji, Osaka; and Ricoh’s latest AI applications.