Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi dissolves parliament, calling a snap election for 8 February. She aims to capitalise on high approval ratings and reverse the LDP's electoral fortunes. Read the full analysis.
Japan prepares to restart the colossal Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear plant, sparking fierce local opposition over safety fears and evacuation plans 15 years after the Fukushima disaster.
Italian PM Giorgia Meloni celebrated her 49th birthday in Tokyo with Japan's leader Sanae Takaichi. The pair shared an anime selfie and pledged a 'special strategic partnership'. Read more on this budding political friendship.
A major power outage crippled Tokyo's rail network, stranding commuters and causing scenes far beyond a typical London rush hour. Read the full story of the disruption.
The release date for Forza Horizon 6 appears to have leaked via an in-game pop-up, pointing to a May 2026 launch. Get all the details on the Japan-set racer ahead of the Xbox Developer Direct.
After summit talks, Japanese PM Sanae Takaichi and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung played K-pop hits on drums, signalling a new, future-oriented relationship. Discover the symbolism behind the beat.
Japan Airlines has been crowned the world's best for economy class seats by SKYTRAX for the sixth consecutive year. Discover the secrets behind their spacious 34-inch pitch and passenger-friendly design.
Forbes Top 10 Travel Influencer Kate McCulley, who's visited 96 countries, reveals her three must-visit destinations for 2026. Discover why Italy, Japan's Hokkaido, and Madagascar should be on your list.
Yamagata, Japan's self-proclaimed ramen kingdom, battles Niigata for culinary supremacy. Discover the city's noodle obsession, its historic roots, and the surprising health risks behind the beloved comfort food.
A powerful 6.2 magnitude earthquake struck the Shimane Nuclear Power Station in western Japan. Officials report the plant is operating normally with no irregularities detected. Read the latest updates.
A 243kg bluefin tuna sells for a record £2.4m at Tokyo's New Year auction. The 'Tuna King' Kiyoshi Kimura broke his own 2019 record. Read the full story.
South Korea reports North Korean ballistic missile launch towards the East Sea. The test follows Kim Jong-un's call to double tactical weapons production ahead of key party congress.
Okunoshima, a Japanese island once home to a secret poison gas factory, is now overrun by rabbits. But its Instagram fame hides a precarious reality for the animals and a forgotten history. Discover the island's dual legacy.
As the 2026 political landscape takes shape, we examine the enduring influence of Donald Trump and the potential rise of a Trump political dynasty. Explore the key figures and future implications.
The anime film 'Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle' earns over $70m in its US debut, highlighting the genre's rise from niche art to a global economic powerhouse. Discover how anime is reshaping entertainment.
Japan, the world's fifth-largest emitter, pivots its energy strategy towards nuclear power 'maximisation' alongside renewables, aiming for net zero by 2050. Explore Fukushima's renewable transformation.
As Japan faces a record year of bear encounters, our reporter visits the hotspot town of Osaki, armed with bells and whistles for safety. Explore the growing human-wildlife conflict in Asia Pacific.
China conducts large-scale military exercises around Taiwan, deploying air, sea, and rocket forces. Taiwan places its military on high alert. Read the latest on the escalating tensions.
A Japanese town reels from a year of unprecedented bear attacks as hungry animals invade urban areas. Discover the causes, the human toll, and the desperate search for a solution.
A dramatic US weather shift sees spring-like warmth replaced by polar air and snow risk. Meanwhile, Japan battles deadly snow and New Zealand faces severe summer storms.
A five-year-old boy has died after his arm was trapped in a moving walkway at a Japanese ski resort. The incident in Hokkaido has raised serious safety concerns.
Fifteen people have been injured in a violent attack involving a knife and bleach at a Yokohama Rubber factory in Japan. The suspect, a former employee, has been arrested. Read the latest details.
A 38-year-old man has been arrested after a violent assault at a Yokohama Rubber plant near Tokyo left multiple people with stab wounds and chemical injuries. Read the latest 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.
Japan is restarting its largest nuclear power plant, Kashiwazaki-Kariwa, nearly 15 years after the Fukushima disaster. Local residents and experts voice deep concerns over safety and fairness. Read the full story.
A leak of water containing radioactive tritium occurred at the decommissioned Fugen plant in Japan. Authorities confirm no external release, but worker exposure is being investigated. Get the latest updates.
A husband and wife died in a Tokyo sauna after a fire broke out and a faulty door handle trapped them inside. The emergency alarm was switched off. Read the full investigation.
As Parliament closes for 2025, the 'Politics at Sam and Anne's' podcast reflects on a tumultuous year, rating which politicians can look forward to 2026. Listen now.
John Harris, Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey dissect the biggest political events of 2025 and forecast the challenges for 2026. Listen to the full Politics Weekly UK podcast.
Katy Perry and former Canadian PM Justin Trudeau have seemingly confirmed their romance with a series of intimate Instagram posts from Japan. Get all the details on their public debut.