Japan’s ancient capital, cultural anchor of Kansai
Kyoto's Gion Matsuri festival, one of Japan's oldest rites, draws crowds for a centuries-old parade of 12-ton floats. Scholars describe it as an offering to deities, rooted in epidemic protection, while the Meiji-era split of Shinto and Buddhism reshaped its religious practices.
A coordinated U.S.-Japan intervention in late July has only temporarily strengthened the yen. The currency has given back roughly half the gains from the operation and is trading near ¥159–¥160 to the dollar as of mid-August. Analysts say the yield gap between U.S. and Japanese debt and Japan's domestic policy mix are keeping downward pressure on the yen.
A wave of Japanese milk bread, known for its soft crumb, is becoming a viral phenomenon in UK supermarkets. Newsrooms report rising social media interest and higher sales for related bakery items, with Waitrose noting specific boosts in miso ramen and soup pastes as milk bread gains traction.
Yayoi Kusama has died at 97 in Tokyo, with a life spanning seven decades of radical art. Born in Matsumoto in 1929, she rose from early visions to international fame, with Infinity Mirror Rooms and pumpkin motifs shaping modern sculpture and installation art.
Japan’s Earthquake Research Committee has updated risk projections for the Kinki region, including Osaka and Kobe, citing a 50–60% chance of a magnitude 6.8+ quake over the forecast period. The assessment, based on 45 active faults, places Kinki’s risk on par with Tokyo’s region, amid broader concerns about a Nankai Trough megathrust event that could devastate coastal areas.
State and federal records show a pattern of environmental and safety violations at Nippon Dynawave Packaging in Longview, WA, ahead of a deadly tank failure that released caustic liquid. Investigations are ongoing as workers seek accountability and safety reforms.
Shinjuku ward will bar private lodgings in residential areas and near schools, reducing days available for rental from 180 to 120. The move follows growing resident complaints about noise, rubbish and trespassing amid Japan’s tourism push toward 2030 targets.
Tributes pour in for Isao Harimoto, the Hit Machine, as his legacy of 3,085 hits, 504 home runs and 319 stolen bases is remembered. The Golden Players Club confirms his passing at 86, reflecting a career that shaped Nippon Professional Baseball.
Japan has 107,677 centenarians, the highest global figure, with 88% women. The country’s aging population coexists with a shrinking birth rate, pressuring social security and the economy. Officials cite medicine, diet, and active living as key factors, while authorities warn of fiscal strain as the population declines.
Nidec has reported significant writedowns and accounting irregularities, sending its bonds and shares lower amid leadership shake-ups and a delayed filing. PwC Japan has refused to sign off on its statements, prompting questions about the company’s financial stability and future reporting.