Japanese News

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.

A curated selection of the latest Japanese news for 2026, complete with in-depth analysis. From the impact of the flat-rate tax cut on take-home pay and the latest trends in AI—including ChatGPT—to heatstroke prevention tips for surviving June’s record-breaking heatwave, this guide clearly covers trending topics that will be useful right away.

In April 2026, the public release of “Claude Mythos,” the latest AI developed by Anthropic, was postponed, sparking widespread debate. We explain why it is being called “uncontrollable,” covering the “sandwich incident,” the discovery of vulnerabilities, the responses from various countries—including Japan—and the security measures you should take immediately.

[Updated May 18] A comprehensive roundup of today’s domestic news in Japan. We provide clear explanations of the most important topics you need to know right now, including the reasons behind the Nikkei Stock Average’s temporary drop of over 1,000 yen, the objectives of the supplementary budget Prime Minister Takaichi has ordered to be considered, the High-Performance AI Risk Countermeasures Conference, and the recent spate of incidents involving mobile battery fires.

Check today’s news in just 3 minutes! How will the government and the Bank of Japan’s efforts to curb the yen’s depreciation affect household budgets? We’ve rounded up useful trend information for your long weekend, including traffic peaks during the latter half of Golden Week, must-visit spots, and the “Koguma Pan” that’s trending on social media.

Tougher penalties following the introduction of traffic tickets for bicycles. Is the true purpose safety, or is it about vested interests? Former Daio Paper Chairman Yoshitaka Igawa offers a sharp analysis of the dark underbelly of enforcement—namely, the “system of retired police officers taking cushy jobs” and the “stable revenue stream provided by traffic fines.” He details the inconvenient truths facing the Japanese police and the actual enforcement practices we should be closely monitoring.