Stories from Japan

An electrical construction contract worth 44 million yen for the Osaka-Kansai Expo's Thai pavilion is under investigation for alleged unlicensed subcontracting.

A bear cub was seen crossing a road on National Route 396 in Teshiromori, Morioka City, Iwate Prefecture.

Japan's leader has called for further expansion of its nuclear arsenal, citing potential threats. The specific statements or actions prompting this concern are not detailed, but they suggest a shift in Japan's long-standing policy on nuclear weapons. Rhetoric from Japan regarding a potential nuclear arsenal has sparked international concern.

Kochi City's Kanda Elementary School may have leaked personal information of approximately 1,850 students and guardians in May.

Japan's Ground Self-Defense Force has signed an agreement with a national funeral directors' association to handle potential war casualties.

A model of the Grand Fleet 'Brunnerhilde' from the anime 'Legend of the Galactic Heroes' is scheduled for release in October 2026.

Japan's Ministry of Defense plans to significantly increase hospital beds at major Self-Defense Forces hospitals nationwide. The move indicates a shift in national defense strategy.

An earthquake with a magnitude of 3.2 and a depth of 50,000 meters struck the adjacent sea of Okinawa Main Island. A magnitude 3 earthquake struck the adjacent sea of Amami-Oshima Island at 12:34:56 JST on June 4, 2026. The tremor had a depth of 30,000 meters.

Medtronic Japan will begin selling its newly developed, thinner defibrillator lead, the OmniaSecure MRI lead, on June 1, 2026.

Yokohama city has started accepting phone applications for its "Yokohama Life Support Coupon" program.