A calico cat named Yontama has been officially appointed as the third feline stationmaster at Kishi Station in Japan, continuing a quirky tradition that boosts tourism and revives local railways. Discover how cats are saving train lines.
A father-of-three faces a four-month wait after his 285-mile trip for a driving test was cancelled due to a damp passenger seat. Read his story and the DVSA's response.
Jacob Carroll's driving test was cancelled before he even started because of raindrops on the passenger seat. He had driven 285 miles to Scarborough for the test. Read his story.
Jacob Carroll's 285-mile trip to take his driving test ended before it began when the examiner refused to sit on a seat with 'a few raindrops'. Discover the full story and the DVSA's response.
A father's 285-mile journey for a driving test was wasted after an examiner refused to sit on a seat with 'a few raindrops'. Read his story and the DVSA's response.
A father's 285-mile journey for a driving test was wasted when an examiner refused to sit on a seat with 'a few raindrops'. Read his story and the DVSA's response.
Nearly 60 Japanese women legislators, including PM Sanae Takaichi, petition for more women's toilets in the historic Diet building, highlighting a stark gender infrastructure gap. Read more on this cross-party push for equality.
The village of Miskin in Glamorgan is being swamped by learner drivers from across the UK, drawn by its test route reputation. Locals describe 'hell' as roads become congested. Read the full story.
Japan is rapidly transforming its defence posture, aiming to double annual arms spending to counter China. This historic shift raises questions about its pacifist constitution. Read the full analysis.
A Guardian reporter ventures into a Japanese bear hotspot, revealing the escalating human-wildlife conflict. Discover the shocking encounters and community fears.
A man wearing a gas mask launched a violent attack at a Japanese rubber factory, stabbing eight people and injuring seven others with bleach. Police have arrested a 38-year-old suspect.
Eight people rushed to hospital after a reported mass stabbing and chemical incident at the Yokohama Rubber plant in Mishima, Japan. Follow for breaking updates.
Japan's cabinet approves a historic ¥9tn defence budget, boosting strike-back capabilities as tensions with China escalate over Taiwan and space militarisation. Read the full analysis.
Discover why fried chicken is Japan's festive staple. A traveller explores Tokyo's halal alternatives to the KFC queues, unravelling a unique cultural tradition.
UK learner drivers face a 22-week average wait for tests, with a backlog of 638,000. Many are travelling hundreds of miles to secure a slot. Read the DVSA's plan to fix the crisis.
Japan faces its first panda-free era in five decades as its last two giant pandas, Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei, depart Tokyo's Ueno Zoo for China, marking a symbolic moment amid diplomatic tensions.
Japan has ended its megaquake advisory for the northeast coast one week after a magnitude 7.5 quake. Officials warn the risk remains. Stay prepared with the latest updates.
American playwright Jeremy O Harris detained in Okinawa after customs allegedly found MDMA in his bag. Learn about Japan's strict drug laws and the case details.
Kyoto posts urgent multilingual signs after record bear attacks across Japan. Learn the safety advice and why encounters have surged to unprecedented levels.
A 69-year-old security guard fought off a bear in a Japanese public toilet. This incident is part of a record-breaking surge in bear attacks across Japan, prompting military deployment and new insurance policies.
A Tokyo court ruled Japan's same-sex marriage ban constitutional, reversing an earlier decision. The case now heads to the Supreme Court for a final ruling on LGBTQ+ rights in the G7's only holdout.
All Nippon Airways launches free domestic flights for UK travellers to explore Japan's hidden gems and reduce overtourism. Find out how to book.
British tourists can now book complimentary internal flights in Japan with ANA to ease overtourism in Tokyo and Kyoto. Discover lesser-visited regions until 31 Jan 2026.
Japan confirms missile deployment on Yonaguni island near Taiwan, triggering a furious response from Beijing which calls it a 'red line' crossing. Read the latest on this major defence escalation.
Travis Head's explosive batting ends Adelaide Test in just two days, leaving Cricket Australia facing massive revenue losses from abandoned days. Analysis of financial impact.
Discover the real Japanese businesses offering rented relatives and friends, a service spotlighted in the new film 'Rental Family' starring Brendan Fraser. Explore the loneliness epidemic driving this unique industry.
Major changes to the UK driving test begin November 24, 2025. Learn how fewer stops, reduced emergency stops and flexible independent driving affect your test.
China imposes a blanket ban on Japanese seafood imports and advises against travel to Japan. Explore the economic fallout and diplomatic crisis.
The UK Foreign Office updates Japan travel advice following a record number of wildlife-related deaths. Stay informed and learn essential safety precautions for your trip.
The UK Foreign Office has issued a travel warning for Japan due to a surge in bear attacks. Learn about the safety precautions and the military response.