Learn about "Kani-Kani Scam," a rising telephone fraud in Japan where scammers impersonate Hokkaido seafood vendors to sell overpriced, low-quality crab via cash-on-delivery. Discover how to protect yourself from this growing threat.
Japan's JAMSTEC will conduct the world's first rare earth mud mining test from 6,000m deep ocean off Minamitorishima in January 2026. A historic project key to Japan's economic security strategy to reduce dependence on China for critical minerals.
Japan's Fair Trade Commission launches investigation into unauthorized use of news articles by AI search services. Major newspapers sue Perplexity for copyright infringement. Analysis of antitrust concerns and market dominance issues in generative AI industry.
Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry allocates approximately 300 billion yen for generative AI in its 2026 budget proposal. Supporting domestic AI development with 1 trillion yen over 5 years in partnership with private companies like SoftBank. Also advancing next-generation nuclear reactor development to strengthen Japan's industrial competitiveness.
On December 22, 2025, MEXT presented a plan to a Central Council for Education working group: fold AI and data science fundamentals into Mathematics I, the mandatory high school course, via two new units, and dissolve the Mathematics A/B/C split into a single subject. From the 2032 curriculum, every student takes it, humanities track included.
Japan's 2025 Buzzword of the Year went to PM Sanae Takaichi's "Work, Work, Work, Work, Work" quote, sparking debate on work-life balance. Explore reactions to Japan's first female Prime Minister's controversial statement and the awards' selection process.
Rocket fireworks were fired at a Pakistani-run used car business in Ebetsu, Hokkaido. It began with misinformation about 76 illegal structures in an urbanization control area, amplified by YouTuber videos. Most of those 76 were built by Japanese citizens.
Japan's foreign workforce topped 2.3 million at the end of October 2024, a record, as shortages bit in logistics, nursing care, and construction. The government doubled the Specified Skilled Worker cap to 820,000, against a projected shortfall of 3.84 million workers by 2035.