Japan’s northern island and largest prefectural region
Japan faces a surge in bear encounters, with urban sightings and attacks prompting authorities to accelerate population-management measures after a year of record bear-related casualties. Utsunomiya has closed schools while officials assess whether to tranquilize, trap, or relocate the animal.
As buyers increasingly seek wellness features—saunas, cold plunges and spa-like rooms—home tech and design trend toward health and longevity upgrades. The trend spans affordable upgrades to ultra-luxury builds, with Zillow data showing rising mentions of wellness.
Japan's parliament has approved revisions to the Imperial House Law to admit distant male relatives into the line of succession and to allow princesses to retain royal status after marrying outside the family. The government maintains the male-only principle for the throne, leaving Princess Aiko ineligible to ascend, amid broad public support for a female emperor.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has visited the Kuril Islands, including Etorofu (Iturup) and Iturup’s fish-processing sites, amid ongoing disputes over the Northern Territories with Japan. Tokyo protests cite historical sovereignty and international law, while Moscow maintains security and strategic interests on the archipelago.