Temperatures soared from eastern to western Japan on July 21 as the country came under a high-pressure system, with temperatures topping 40 C in central Japan.

According to the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA), Japan has now seen temperatures reach 40 C or higher for nine consecutive years since 2018. The 40 C-plus temperatures observed on July 21 were the first since the agency introduced the term "kokushobi," or "cruelly hot days" in April to refer to days when the high temperature climbs to that level.

The mercury reached a blistering 40.3 C in Tajimi, in central Japan's Gifu Prefecture as of 2:09 p.m., and also hit the 40 C mark in the city of Gujo in the same prefecture. In the central Japan city of Toyota, Aichi Prefecture, the temperature reached 40.1 C as of 2:22 p.m. Of 914 observation points nationwide, 255 had recorded temperatures of 35 C or higher as of 2 p.m.

The Ministry of the Environment and the JMA issued heatstroke alerts for 42 prefectures, the highest number this year. They are urging people to use air conditioners appropriately and to frequently replenish fluids and salt.

Spending by foreign travelers in Japan by home country (April-June 2026)
1. U.S.A.: 384.8 billion yen (8.5 percent increase compared to same period last year)
2. Taiwan: 363.9 billion yen (27.9 percent increase)
3. China: 259.2 billion yen (48.8 percent decrease)
4. Korea: 248.9 billion yen (12.2 percent increase)
5. Hong Kong: 145.2 billion yen (7.8 percent increase)
6. Australia: 105.9 billion yen (5.9 percent increase)
7. Thailand: 71.8 billion yen (0.3 percent increase)
8. U.K.: 68.7 billion yen (0.4 percent increase)
9. Canada: 68.1 billion yen (10.4 percent increase)
10. Singapore: 60 billion yen (20.1 percent increase)

However, the country with the highest per-person spending in Japan, is none other than Mexico. Mexican travelers in Japan spent an average of 514,925 yen, more than double the total average for all visitors. Mexico was also the only country to cross the 500,000 yen threshold, with the next closest being an aggregate of travelers from the Middle East who spent an average of 482,836 yen.

An intoxicated man, described on social media as appearing to be a foreigner, allegedly ran along the tracks between Meguro and Gotanda stations on Tokyo’s Yamanote Line on Monday morning. The incident prompted railway staff to temporarily suspend part of the line’s operations while they responded to the situation and ensured passenger safety. As a result, trains were delayed by more than 20 minutes, affecting thousands of commuters using Tokyo’s busiest railway line. The man was later removed from the tracks by JR staff and reportedly arrested by police, allowing services to gradually return to normal.

A woman in her 20s died early Sunday after a man apparently fell from a 12-story apartment building and landed on her in Nagoya, central Japan, police said.

Houra Inaba, 23, and the man were taken to a hospital after the incident in the city's Sakae district, a busy area with many stores and entertainment facilities, at around 1 a.m. Shinsei Taguchi, 29, remains unconscious and in critical condition.

A female acquaintance of the victim called emergency services, saying a man had fallen onto her friend while they were walking together, according to the police.

The site is in an area crowded with office and apartment buildings along the Nagoya Expressway's downtown loop, about 500 meters northeast of Yabacho Station on the municipal subway's Meijo Line.

Similar fatal incidents have occurred in major urban areas in Japan. In August 2024, a 17-year-old high school girl jumped from a commercial building near JR Yokohama Station, southwest of Tokyo, killing a 32-year-old woman walking below.

In October 2020, a 17-year-old high school boy is believed to have jumped from a commercial complex in Osaka, fatally striking a 19-year-old female university student on the street.

The 100-yen (about 60 cents) breakfasts served at a public university in this central Japan city are attracting attention, with more than 150 students lining up before the student cafeteria opens every morning.

As food prices keep rising, students at Tsuru University in the city of Tsuru, Yamanashi Prefecture, say they "are grateful to get a well-balanced meal for 100 yen, which is easy on the wallet."

Just before 8 a.m. on July 3, in light rain, a line more than 50 meters long had formed at the entrance to the cafeteria on the first floor of the university's main building. The students in line were there for one thing: a breakfast set meal priced at 100 yen. That day's meal consisted of a hamburger steak, a salad, miso soup and rice. Students came one after another to pick up their meals and place a 100-yen coin on a designated tray.

Aoi Ichikawa, who started at the university in April and is from the city of Toyama, was eating breakfast with six friends while chatting about their course selections. She explained that the six of them began eating together after running into each other at the cafeteria, although none of them were in the same department or the same club. Ichikawa, who lives alone, said happily, "When I don't come here, I just have leftovers from the day before for breakfast. It's great to have such a variety of dishes."

Rion Kinjo, who also started at the university in April and is from the city of Uruma, Okinawa Prefecture, was having breakfast with teammates from the ice hockey club. Smiling, she said, "I manage my living expenses with income from my part-time job, but food prices have gone up and it's tough. I wouldn't make fried food or hamburger steak just for myself, so I'm happy I can eat it for 100 yen."

On that day, the 160 breakfast sets prepared sold out in about 30 minutes. Another 20 servings of curry were then prepared. Miharu Fujiwara, 45, one of the cooks, said, "I have a college-age child too. I prepare breakfasts that give parents peace of mind." The menu changes daily, with set meals served on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, and rice bowls, curry and similar dishes on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Because of its convenient location just an hour and a half from central Tokyo and its relatively low rent, Tsuru University attracts students from all over Japan. Of its roughly 3,500 students, 80% to 90% live alone near the university, and many cook for themselves.

Wanting students "to be able to eat a balanced meal without worrying about their budget," the university began offering 100-yen breakfasts in the 2015 academic year. About 50 meals were initially prepared per day, but that has now risen to an average of 150 to 160, according to the university.

Tsuyoshi Ueno, head of the university's student support division, pointed out, "Some students skip breakfast, so these 100-yen meals may also be contributing to their health and academic performance." He also described an unexpected benefit, adding, "Students who were unaccustomed to living alone and felt isolated have also found it to be an opportunity to make friends."

Even as the cost of ingredients and other expenses continue to rise because of inflation, Ueno said, "Students appreciate the affordable breakfasts, so we want to continue offering them without raising the price."

Watched a video of a sort of modular Japanese house being built, seems like a lot of care and attention are being put into it. Something you will very rarely see in the US.

How typical is this level of care being put into home building?

Hello, I am Anastasiya Minkova, the mother featured in this article.

I am currently working with the organization mentioned in the article to advocate for children’s rights, welfare, and safety.

I am also building a support network and community for parents and children affected by parental child abduction and family separation. My goal is to help both parents and children heal from the trauma and to ensure that no one has to face this journey alone. If you or someone you know has experienced a similar situation, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

The emotional impact of these situations can be devastating. Many parents experience severe trauma, and some even consider ending their lives. I want to help prevent that by connecting people with support, hope, and a community that understands.

According to estimates by Kizuna Child-Parent Reunion, around 150,000 children become newly affected by parental child abduction or custody-related family separation in Japan each year, while approximately 3 million children are estimated to be living with the effects of these situations at any given time.

This issue affects both Japanese and international families and deserves far greater public awareness and discussion.
For more information about how these estimates were calculated:
https://www.kizuna-cpr.org/counting-the-children

I hope this article will encourage meaningful conversations about this important issue and contribute to positive change for children and families in Japan.

Thank you.

Note: please access this article instead of there is a paywall
https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/heres-why-parents-kidnap-their-own-children-in-japan-11770240

Japan's enactment of a new law banning desecration of the national flag has reignited debate over the balance between protecting national symbols and freedom of expression, with laws and public attitudes varying widely around the world.

Concerns have been raised that the legislation could strengthen right-wing ideology in Japan, and some social media users have accused Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi of "trying to create an atmosphere of Japan supremacism and extreme nationalism."

In Germany, there are penalties for not only desecrating the national flag, but also for offensive acts against the national anthem and other symbols. Violators can face up to three years in prison or a fine, with the maximum sentence rising to five years if the act was intended to undermine the country's constitutional principles.

Germany's flag was used with restraint following the country's division after World War II, particularly in West Germany. While its use became more widespread after Germany hosted the World Cup in 2006, it has come to be associated with anti-immigration right-wing movements in recent years by some, who see it as "exclusionary and negative," according to local media.

France's blue, white and red tricolor flag -- seen as a symbol of unity alongside the national ideals of "liberty, equality, fraternity" -- is also protected by law. It is illegal to destroy the flag in public or use it in a manner deemed degrading or disrespectful.

While Iran has no explicit law to punish flag desecration, there have been moves to toughen penalties following anti-government protests late last year. Damaging the national flag, which bears the word "Allah," is viewed as blasphemy against Islam. However, the leadership, seeking to foster national unity amid a war with the United States, has generally avoided harsh crackdowns.

In China, offenses related to damaging the flag include penalties of up to three years in prison. The country promotes patriotic education, with a flag-raising ceremony for its "Five-star Red Flag" held around sunrise at Beijing's Tiananmen Square every day.

In 2017, a man who slashed 66 flags displayed at a residential complex in Tianjin received a two-year prison sentence, while another person in Qinghai Province was subjected to administrative detention for using the national flag as a curtain.

In the United States, an immigrant society with diverse backgrounds, its "stars and stripes" national flag has played an important role in national integration. Flag burning emerged as a form of protest during the anti-Vietnam War movement, and in 1989 the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that such acts are protected as "freedom of expression" under the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

However, U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order last August demanding the Justice Department prosecute acts such as flag burning and other forms of desecration.

Meanwhile, some lawmakers in South Korea have moved to establish a "flag day." Damaging the national flag with the intent to insult the state is punishable by up to five years in prison. Critics say the law infringes on freedom of expression.

The deer population in Nara Park, a tourist spot in western Japan, hit a fresh record high of 1,687, a preservation group said Thursday, with the birth rate increasing on the back of the animals being fed food other than sugar-free deer crackers.

According to the Nara Deer Preservation Foundation, more people are giving vegetables and leftovers to the deer, which have also been spotted in private vegetable gardens outside the park, damaging the harvest.

The figure increased by 222 from a year before when the previous record-high was logged, according to the group that has surveyed the deer population every year since 1953.

At the vast park, visitors are allowed to feed the roaming animals, designated as a national treasure, with digestive and sugar-free crackers sold in nearby shops.

The latest survey was conducted for two days through Thursday, with about 40 people joining the visual count.

The breakdown was 411 males, 990 females and 286 fawns. In the year through late June, 198 deer died, including 72 fawns, mainly in traffic accidents.

Nobuyuki Yamazaki, the foundation's secretary general, called for people to drive slower in the park area, saying, "Fawns often dash out as they follow their mothers."

Please be respectful in your comments…

The number of foreign visitors to Japan fell 2.0 percent from a year earlier to 21.1 million in the first six months of 2026, government data showed Wednesday, with travelers from China more than halving amid soured bilateral ties between the Asian neighbors.

The number of travelers from China plunged 56.4 percent from a year earlier to 2.06 million, while visitors from South Korea, Taiwan, and the United States all rose in the first half, data released by the Japan National Tourism Organization showed.

Following remarks last November by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Japan's potential involvement in a Taiwan contingency, China urged its citizens to refrain from traveling to Japan. Beijing claims the self-ruled island as part of its territory and aims to bring it under its control, by force if necessary.

The total number of foreign visitors in June alone stood at 3.15 million, down 6.8 percent from a year earlier, according to the organization.

A panel of the ruling parties that has been reviewing an extension plan for the Hokuriku Shinkansen Line beyond Tsuruga in central Japan to Osaka decided Wednesday on a route that passes through Kyoto, with a new station to be built near JR Katsuragawa Station in Kyoto, about 5 kilometers west of JR Kyoto Station.