JAPAN

Apr 15 2026SPORTS

Pitcher from Japan tests his skills in America

A new pitcher from Japan is finding the move to Major League Baseball harder than expected. Tatsuya Imai, 27, joined the Houston Astros this season after a strong career in Japan’s top baseball league. He pitched well there, with a low earned run average and impressive strikeout numbers. But once in

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Apr 09 2026LIFESTYLE

Akiko Freeman: A Winemaker Making Waves Locally and Globally

Akiko Freeman isn’t just a name on a bottle of wine—she’s a bridge between cultures. The co-owner of Freeman Winery in Sebastopol has spent years blending her Japanese heritage with California’s winemaking traditions. A major recognition is coming her way on April 23 in San Francisco, where she’ll a

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Apr 02 2026TECHNOLOGY

French Plan to Boost Data Centers

The French government is preparing new policies that will make it easier for companies to build data centers across the country. Finance Minister Roland Lescure announced that these measures will be revealed in the coming weeks, aiming to attract more investment and support France’s digital infrastr

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Mar 22 2026POLITICS

Japan Mulls Clearing Mines in Hormuz if War Stops

Japan’s foreign minister said the country might send its forces to sweep naval mines in the Strait of Hormuz if a ceasefire ends the U. S. -Israeli conflict with Iran. The minister explained that such an operation would only happen after a complete stop to fighting and if mines were blocking shippin

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Mar 19 2026POLITICS

Japan Leader Heads to Washington Amid Middle East Tensions

The Japanese prime minister will visit the White House for the first time since a former U. S. president asked Japan to help patrol a vital sea route in the Middle East. She arrives as the U. S. faces a new conflict involving Iran, and her trip is meant to strengthen ties with Washington while ke

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Mar 14 2026HEALTH

Peaceful Ways: How Japanese YouTube Shapes Views on Death

The topic of death often feels too heavy to talk about, yet it offers a window into how people think today. In Japan, the way folks view a calm passing has shifted, especially after COVID‑19 hit. Recent research digs into videos on YouTube that discuss dying. These clips are not just personal stori

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Feb 28 2026HEALTH

Deep Connections in Japanese Hospital Care

In many hospitals, doctors and patients often share moments that feel almost holy. These “sacred moments” happen when people feel a strong bond and a sense of calm or hope. Studies from North America have shown that such encounters can hint at how healthy a person will feel later, both for the patie

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Feb 24 2026POLITICS

China Blocks 20 Japanese Firms From Exporting Dual‑Use Goods

The Commerce Ministry of China has announced a new set of restrictions targeting twenty Japanese companies and institutions. These entities are said to be involved in boosting Japan’s military strength, so any trade of dual‑use products—goods that can serve both civilian and defense purposes—must no

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Feb 24 2026ENTERTAINMENT

Celebrating 30 Years: Every Pokémon Gets a New Logo

The long‑running franchise is marking three decades with fresh ideas. After a Super Bowl spot and a cute partnership with BoxLunch, the creators have given each of more than 1, 000 Pokémon its own custom emblem. Each logo shows a different character leaping out of a zero that looks like a Poké Ball,

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Feb 16 2026HEALTH

Is the Oncotype DX Test Worth It for Japanese Breast Cancer Patients?

In Japan, a big question is being asked about the Oncotype DX Breast Recurrence Score test. This test helps figure out if early-stage breast cancer patients, who don't have cancer in their lymph nodes, might benefit from chemotherapy. But is it really worth the cost? First, let's talk about what th

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