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.
President Macron's government will propose a law to ban social media for under-15s and mobile phones in high schools from 2026, following Australia's lead. Read the full details.
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.
Sydney Fish Market's last 36-hour Christmas seafood marathon at Pyrmont saw record crowds and traffic gridlock. Over 100,000 visitors bought 350 tonnes of seafood ahead of the 2026 relocation. Read more.
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.
Spain's Balearic Islands ruling party submits a parliamentary proposal to ban the burka and niqab, citing women's equality and following other European nations. Read the full story.
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.
Russia threatens retaliatory measures after the Faroe Islands authorise a ban on two major Russian fishing companies, escalating tensions over alleged espionage. Read the latest on this diplomatic row.
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.
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.
China imposes a blanket ban on Japanese seafood imports and advises against travel to Japan. Explore the economic fallout and diplomatic crisis.
Beijing suspends all Japanese seafood imports in escalating diplomatic row over Taiwan remarks. Trade worth over 20% of Japan's exports affected as tensions mount.
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.
Japan's Sakurajima volcano erupted dramatically before dawn on Sunday, sending ash and smoke 14,400 feet into the air and prompting ashfall warnings for local residents.
Japan records its highest-ever bear attack fatalities, prompting a police and military response. Discover the reasons behind the crisis and the new measures in place.
Beijing launches immediate seafood import ban and condemns Tokyo's 'selfish' decision to discharge treated radioactive water from Fukushima nuclear plant, escalating regional tensions.
Japanese military forces have been called into the northern Akita region following an unprecedented wave of bear attacks, with incidents reaching their highest level in decades.
Japan faces an unprecedented wildlife crisis as bear encounters reach record highs, with experts warning of growing human-wildlife conflict in urbanising landscapes. Discover why these dangerous incidents are surging and what authorities are doing to prot