JAPAN

Jun 22 2026CRIME

Kids Turning Into Voyeurs: A Growing Shock in Japan

Japan has long struggled with the problem of upskirting, but a new twist is making headlines: children themselves are now taking part in the crime. A six‑year‑old girl, later known only as Ayaka, was secretly filmed by her swimming teacher, a man who had been preying on children for more than ten ye

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Jun 07 2026CRIME

Tragic End of a Young Traveler in Japan

A 20‑year‑old American student vanished during a family trip to Japan. He was last seen leaving a train station in Kyoto on May 29, after which his phone stopped working and its location was disabled. The family had been able to follow his steps through a tracking app until that evening. The search

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May 31 2026POLITICS

Japan challenges labels of rising military power

Japan’s defense chief recently spoke clearly at a major Asian security meeting in Singapore. He pushed back against claims that Japan is becoming more aggressive in military matters. His comments came after repeated accusations from China about Japan’s supposed "new militarism. " Yet the defense min

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May 26 2026POLITICS

How Japan and South Korea Balance Old Wounds with Modern Needs

Japan and South Korea share a bond that’s hard to ignore. On one side, they’re economic allies, trading technology, cars, and pop culture like K-pop. On the other, they’re stuck in arguments over history—especially Japan’s rule over Korea in the early 1900s. These fights pop up in trade disputes, co

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May 26 2026FINANCE

Japan’s overseas wealth grows, but global rank drops as rivals surge ahead

Japan still holds the biggest pile of money invested abroad, but its spot in the global ranking just slipped—again. In 2025, the country’s net external assets, which include everything from stocks and bonds to property overseas, hit a new high of 561. 75 trillion yen ($3. 53 trillion). That’s up 4.

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May 19 2026TECHNOLOGY

Japan's quiet chip powerhouse steps into the AI spotlight

For four decades, Toto has quietly supplied essential parts for the world's chipmakers. Known mostly for high-tech toilets, the Japanese giant operates a lesser-known division that produces the tiny ceramic holders used in memory chip production. When Allbirds shocked markets by rebranding as an AI

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May 17 2026ENTERTAINMENT

K2 Pictures Launches Big Film Fund and New Projects

K2 Pictures, a Japanese film company, has finished its first fund and raised $33 million from banks and investors. The firm also secured an extra $67 million in loans, bringing its total resources to $100 million. Founded by former Toei boss Muneyuki Kii, the company wants to change how Japane

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May 17 2026TECHNOLOGY

Japan’s robot wolves: a clever fix running short on supply

Bears have long been a headache for people living near forests in Japan. One unusual solution has been the “Monster Wolf, ” a solar-powered robot designed to scare off bears with flashing lights and loud sounds. Farmers and villagers have relied on these mechanical wolves for over ten years, but now

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May 11 2026CRIME

DNA Evidence in Japan: How Judges and Public Courts Changed Its Power

Japan started using DNA tests in court cases back in 1989, the first year such science was allowed as evidence. Researchers looked at every criminal case in a major legal database from that year up until 2024, focusing on how often DNA was accepted, how many people were found guilty, and what senten

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May 10 2026ENTERTAINMENT

Stray Dog: A Classic Reimagined in 4K

"The film opens on a sweltering day in Tokyo, where a newly promoted detective named Murakami finds his gun stolen on a packed bus. He chases the thief but fails to recover it, setting the stage for a deeper investigation. Rather than simply accept defeat, Murakami slips into Tokyo’s darker corners

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