Nintendo and The Pokémon Company's US patent for a 'sub-character summoning and battle system' has been rejected by the USPTO after a rare director-ordered reexamination. All 26 claims were denied based on prior art from Konami and Bandai Namco. Analysis of implications for the Palworld lawsuit and the gaming industry.
Japan's Forum for the Future We Choose has published its first-ever Population Problem White Paper. A nationwide survey reveals 70% of people over 50 feel a sense of crisis about population decline, while 2025 births fell to a record low of 705,809 for the tenth consecutive year. We explore Japan's dual strategy of adapting to population decline while trying to reverse the birthrate trend, with comparisons to South Korea, China, and Europe.
Kyoto announces Japan's first dual pricing system for city buses: residents will pay ¥200 ($1.30) while tourists face fares up to ¥400 ($2.60). With 56 million annual visitors overwhelming a city of 1.43 million, this bold overtourism measure follows global models from Venice to Bali. How do locals and the world react?
Around 420,000 Muslims in Japan face a growing burial crisis. Islamic faith requires burial rather than cremation, but in a country where 99.97% of the deceased are cremated, only about 10 burial-capable cemeteries exist. Plans to build new Muslim cemeteries in Oita and Miyagi prefectures have been blocked by resident opposition, exposing the gap between Japan's push for foreign workers and its readiness for multicultural coexistence.
Kagawa Prefecture becomes Japan's first local government to sign a partnership with NVIDIA. From GPU data center development to AI talent cultivation with University of Tokyo's Professor Yutaka Matsuo, discover how this small prefecture is pioneering a bold "Sovereign AI" strategy for regional revitalization.
Japan has only three roads that are 100 meters (328 feet) wide. Born from post-WWII reconstruction plans, these massive boulevards in Nagoya and Hiroshima serve as firebreaks, parks, and symbols of resilience. Discover the fascinating history behind these engineering marvels.
From Ito-Yokado to Parco and Meitetsu Department Store, commercial facilities across Japan are shutting down at an alarming rate. With e-commerce growth, population decline, and aging buildings converging, redevelopment plans remain uncertain. We explore the impact on local economies and what comes next.
Backcountry skiing accidents involving foreign tourists have surged at Japanese ski resorts. In just 3 weeks, 29 people were rescued—90% foreign nationals. From Niseko to Furano, powder-chasing tourists venturing off-piste face unique risks. Exploring Japan's safety measures, local rules, and cultural differences in mountain safety.
Under Mitsui Fudosan's &CRUISE project, Japan's first fully electric passenger boats, the Nihonbashi e-LINER, began scheduled service between Nihonbashi and Toyosu on April 26, 2026. A look at zero-emission, quiet urban water transport that can also carry people and supply power in disasters.
In 2025, Japanese agricultural corporation bankruptcies hit a record 103 cases. Learn about the structural challenges facing Japan's farming industry: weak yen, soaring material costs, labor shortages, and succession crisis, all while food self-sufficiency remains at just 38%.
Ogaki City's digital regional currency "Gaki Pay" has gone viral on Japanese social media due to its quirky name. Learn about Japan's innovative approach to combating inflation through digital local currencies, the story behind the unusual name, and how regional currencies are transforming local economies across the country.