Japan is preparing for one of the most significant changes to its foreign labour policy in decades as the country struggles with a rapidly ageing population and a shrinking workforce. According to government plans currently under review, Japan is expected to accept more than 1.2 million foreign workers by March 2029 through a restructured visa and skill development framework. The move reflects a gro

Japan’s central bank on Thursday began its final policy meeting of the year, with markets widely expecting a further increase in benchmark interest rates as officials continue the gradual shift away from years of ultra-loose monetary policy. The decision, scheduled to be announced on Friday, could mark the highest borrowing costs Japan has seen in three decades, underscoring the Bank of Japan’s determination to normalize policy amid persistent inflation pressures. Market pricing

Tensions between Japan and China intensified further after a coordinated air patrol by Chinese and Russian military aircraft passed close to Japan and South Korea, prompting both Tokyo and Seoul to scramble fighter jets. According to Japan’s defence authorities, seven Russian aircraft and two Chinese aircraft briefly entered South Korea’s Air Defence Identification Zone, raising fresh concerns over the scale and frequency of joint operations by Beijing and Moscow in the Asia Pacific regio

Prabhas fans were left anxious on Monday after reports of a powerful earthquake in Japan created panic across social media. The quake, measured at 7.6 magnitude, hit the northern coastal region near Hokkaido and Aomori, triggering tsunami alerts through the night. As soon as the news surfaced, thousands of fans began posting online, worried about Prabhas’ safety, since the actor is currently in Japan for the promotion of Baahubali The Epic. Hashtags and concern-filled messages flooded timel

A powerful 7.5 magnitude earthquake shook northern Japan late Monday night, triggering a tsunami and leaving over 23 people injured across coastal regions. The late-night tremor struck around 11:15 p.m. local time off the coast of Aomori, sending seismic waves across the Pacific shoreline. The Japan Meteorological Agency reported tsunami waves reaching up to 70 centimeters at Kuji port in Iwate, while other towns recorded waves near 50 centimeters. The quake struck about 80 kilometers off the

Japan issued a tsunami alert on Monday evening after a powerful 7.6-magnitude earthquake struck off the northeastern coast, underscoring once again the intense seismic activity that defines the region. According to the United States Geological Survey, the earthquake was recorded 73 kilometres east-northeast of Misawa city. The tremor occurred at 7:45 pm local time and was measured at a depth of 53.1 kilometres, placing it within the shallow earthquake category that often results in stronger g

China has firmly rejected Japan’s claims regarding recent aerial encounters, escalating a diplomatic dispute that has widened to include political, economic, and regional security dimensions. A spokesperson for the Chinese navy, Colonel Wang Xuemeng, stated that Japanese aircraft had repeatedly approached Chinese vessels as they carried out previously announced carrier-based flight training east of the Miyako Strait. According to Wang, the operations were routine and transparent, and China

India’s seafood industry is witnessing a sharp rise in demand from China after Beijing imposed a complete ban on Japanese seafood imports. The move comes amid escalating geopolitical tensions between China and Japan, triggered by remarks linking the Taiwan conflict to Japan’s national security. As China halted all Japanese seafood imports, Indian seafood exporters experienced a significant surge in interest, marking a major shift in Asian trade patterns. Indian seafood stocks re

Tensions between China and Japan escalated sharply this week after Beijing delivered a series of unusually forceful warnings against any potential Japanese involvement in the Taiwan Strait. China’s defence ministry declared that Japan would face what it called a crushing defeat at the hands of the People’s Liberation Army if Tokyo attempted to intervene militarily in a Taiwan conflict. The warning, issued on Friday, followed a similar statement from China’s foreign ministry a day earlie

During his official visit to Japan on Tuesday, United States President Donald Trump met with the families of Japanese citizens who were abducted by North Korea several decades ago. The emotional meeting took place in Tokyo, where relatives of the victims shared their ongoing struggle for answers and appealed for international cooperation to bring their loved ones home. President Trump expressed deep sympathy and reaffirmed Washington’s full and unwavering support for Japan’s efforts to re

US President Donald Trump received a royal welcome in Japan on Monday, marking the beginning of a major diplomatic visit focused on strengthening relations between Washington and Tokyo. Upon his arrival in Tokyo, Trump was greeted by Japanese officials before proceeding to meet Emperor Naruhito at the Imperial Palace. The ceremony was conducted with traditional formality, symbolizing the respect and deep ties that have defined the United States–Japan partnership for decades. Followi

Japan made history on Tuesday as Sanae Takaichi was appointed the country’s first woman prime minister after a decisive vote in the lower house of parliament. Her elevation marks a groundbreaking moment in a nation where political and corporate leadership remains overwhelmingly male. Takaichi, a prominent conservative and known China hawk, secured 237 votes in the 465-member House of Representatives, crossing the majority threshold in the first round itself. She is expected to formally assu

Chubby Cattle BBQ has officially brought its unique dining experience to Pleasanton, opening its first Bay Area location at Pacific Pearl Pleasanton on Stoneridge Drive. Known for blending Japanese barbecue traditions with modern, high-tech dining, the restaurant offers an immersive all-you-can-eat format that has quickly gained popularity in other U.S. cities. Guests can expect more than just steakhouse dining—th

For many NRI families, international travel is a regular part of life. Whether it’s visiting relatives in India, exploring new destinations, or moving between countries for work, travel brings both opportunities and responsibilities. One area that often raises questions is vaccination, especially when it comes to vaccines that are not part of the standard childhood immunization schedule. Yellow fever and a few other rare vaccines fall into this category, and understanding when they are

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has begun his two-day Japan visit with a packed agenda that includes strengthening economic ties, advancing technology partnerships, and reinforcing India’s role in the Quad grouping. The visit comes at a time of rising trade tensions with the United States following President Donald Trump’s imposition of a 50 per cent tariff on Indian goods. Against this backdrop, Tokyo is positioning itself as a stronger ally for New

Kyoto, a city that beautifully blends history with modernity, has just unveiled one of its most unique attractions the Future Train Restaurant. Built on an abandoned elevated railway line in the Umekoji district, this vibrant dining spot transforms three upcycled train carriages into a creative hub of food, art, and nostalgia. Designed by Sebastian Masuda, a celebrated Japanese artist known for his colorful “kawaii” world, the project is being haile

Australia and Japan have become the latest countries to suspend some parcel shipments to the United States after Washington ended its de minimis exemption that allowed packages valued under $800 to enter duty-free. The rule change, set to take effect Friday, has disrupted global postal services already struggling with rising tariffs and complex customs procedures. On Tuesday, Australia Post announced a temporary

Asia-Pacific markets moved lower on Wednesday as investors reacted to disappointing trade data from Japan and awaited China’s loan prime rate decision. The trend followed overnight losses in the United States, where a broad decline in technology stocks put pressure on indices. The movement across regional exchanges highlighted a cautious mood among global investors balancing weak export demand in Japan with uncertainty around Chinese policy actions.

Central Ohio’s dining scene is set to grow once again with the opening of a new ramen restaurant on Bethel Road. The upcoming location will be at 784 Bethel Road inside the Olentangy Square retail center. While an exact opening date has not yet been confirmed, signage displaying the restaurant’s branding has already been placed at the site, signaling that preparations are well underway. This will be the chain’s third location in the region following its debut in

A powerful magnitude 8.7 earthquake struck off the eastern coast of Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula early Tuesday, sending shockwaves across the Pacific region and prompting immediate tsunami alerts. The epicenter was located approximately 136 kilometers east of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky at a shallow depth of 19 kilometers, a geological setup known to heighten the risk of tsunami generation due to the potential for significant sea-floor displacement. Following the earthquake, ts