Japan This Week

When Sanae Takaichi became Japan’s first female prime minister on Oct. 21, one of her new cabinet pick's stood out. Kimi Onoda was appointed minister for economic security and the “Cool Japan” strategy — but also given a new title: Minister for Promoting an Orderly Coexistent Society with Foreigners. It’s a phrase that says a lot about how Japan sees outsiders. In this week’s Japan Today Spotlight...

The trial of Tetsuya Yamagami — the man who assassinated former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe — has begun in Japan. But this case is about more than guilt or innocence. It exposed disturbing ties between Japan’s ruling party and a controversial church, triggered public sympathy for the killer and forced the country to confront deeper questions about justice, trauma and political power. 🎥 Watch the fu...

Stalking cases in Japan are becoming harder to ignore. Women are being targeted, threatened and, in too many cases, killed — even after going to the police for help. In this edition of Japan Today Spotlight, we examine why stalking cases so often end in tragedy, what reforms are being proposed and what experts say women can do to stay safe. ▶ Watch the full video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/9Dnv7...

A rise in obnoxious and aggressive content creators is sparking outrage across Japan — from graveyard stunts and sushi sabotage to harassment on public trains. Japanese media now calls them “nuisance YouTubers.” In this episode of Japan Today Spotlight, we dig into what’s really going on. Why are some influencers acting this way in Japan? Would they pull the same stunts in cities like London or Ne...

Japan’s “lost generation” came of age during the employment ice age of the 1990s and early 2000s. Promised stable jobs after graduation, they instead faced hiring freezes, temporary contracts and decades of low wages. Now in their 50s, many are still struggling with low pensions, limited savings and social isolation. The government has pledged new support through reskilling programs and pension re...

Bears are showing up in Japanese towns, supermarkets, even airport runways — and the number of bear attacks is now higher than anywhere else in the world. In this episode of Japan Today Spotlight, we explore the reasons behind the dramatic surge: climate change, depopulated rural areas, rewilded landscapes and a younger generation of fearless bears. We also look at how Japan is responding — from h...

Japan’s missing persons: Who disappears and why Every year, around 90,000 people are reported missing in Japan. Most are found quickly, but many vanish by choice — some turning to resignation agencies and the “fly-by-night” industry to help them disappear. This episode of Japan Today Spotlight looks at who goes missing, why, and what it reveals about Japanese society. Watch the full video on YouTu...

Japan’s justice system has a conviction rate of 99.9%. Critics say that figure isn’t proof of prosecutorial skill but the result of a system known as “hostage justice” — prolonged detention, repeated interrogations and confessions forced under pressure. In this episode of Japan Today Spotlight, we look at how hostage justice works, the cases of Carlos Ghosn and Iwao Hakamata, and whether recent re...

Younger people in Japan aren’t avoiding the news — they’re consuming it differently. In this episode, we look at how platforms like TikTok, LINE, and Instagram have replaced the front page and the evening news for many under 30. But does this shift come at the cost of trust, depth, and real journalism? We speak with journalist and researcher Nithin Coca, whose work focuses on disinformation, platf...

August 2025 marks 80 years since Japan surrendered in World War II, ending the Pacific War. In this episode of Japan Today Spotlight, we look at how Japan is commemorating the anniversary — from the Hiroshima and Nagasaki memorials to the emperor’s visits, the comfort women issue, and the controversy around Yasukuni Shrine. We also explore how Japan’s relationships with its neighbors are shaped by...

Would you live in a house where someone died? In this episode of Japan Today Spotlight, we explore the world of jiko bukken — Japan’s so-called “stigmatized properties.” These are homes where someone died by suicide, accident or murder, and they often sell or rent for 30% to 50% below market value. We look at what the law requires real estate agents to disclose, why so many Japanese still avoid th...

In this episode of Japan Today Spotlight, we examine the rise of Sanseito, a new political party gaining traction with Japan’s disillusioned voters. Is it a grassroots call for reform — or something more dangerous? With echoes of nationalist rhetoric, anti-immigrant sentiment and conspiracy-driven messaging, we look at why this “common sense” party is raising concerns both at home and abroad. 📺 W...

In this episode, we look at rising tensions between President Trump and Japan. From the on again-off again-on again 25% auto tariffs and pressure to buy more U.S. rice, oil and weapons, to a national election just weeks away, Japan’s leadership is under pressure on all fronts. Prime Minister Ishiba is struggling to hold on — but is anyone really steering this alliance? Just another rough patch, or...

Japan’s newspaper crisis: Losing readers, relevance and the next generation. Circulation is down, trust is fading and younger readers have moved on to digital platforms like LINE and YouTube. What does that mean for journalism in Japan? Read the full article at: https://japantoday.com/category/features/opinions/the-slow-fade-of-japans-once-powerful-daily-newspapers-1 Watch the video version: https...

Japan’s Big Heat: June’s Deadly Start to Summer It’s only June, but heatstroke deaths are already being reported across Japan. In this episode of Japan Today Spotlight, we look at why the extreme heat is hitting so early, who’s most at risk, and what’s being done — or not done — to help people cope. 🎙️ Hosted byJeff Richards 📍 Produced in Tokyo by Japan Today and GPlusMedia 📺 This episode first...

Japan’s imperial family: Too old to modernize? Japan’s imperial family is the world’s oldest monarchy — but is it still relevant in 2025? With just three heirs, no reigning empress allowed and billions of yen in taxpayer support, the future of the institution is far from secure. In this episode of Japan Today Spotlight, we look at the gender rules, political silence and shrinking lineup facing Jap...

What really goes on inside Japan’s idol industry? In this episode of Japan Today Spotlight, we explore the strict no-dating and no-sex rules placed on J-pop idols — especially young women and girls. From public punishments and emotional control to the rise of AI-generated performers, we look deeper at the power dynamics, mental health impact and troubling double standards behind the glossy image o...

Japan’s rice crisis isn’t just about food — it’s about identity, politics and a decades-old system that’s now under pressure. In this extended episode of Japan Today Spotlight, we look at what’s really driving rice prices through the roof. From delayed stockpiles and 700% tariffs to political fallout and consumer frustration, this deep dive explains how Japan’s most sacred crop became a national f...

Nissan is planning to cut 20,000 jobs and may shut down factories in Japan. What’s behind the crisis at Japan’s No. 3 automaker — and can a new CEO turn things around? This episode explores the failed merger with Honda, ongoing financial trouble and how U.S. auto tariffs are adding to the pressure. Originally released as a video on the Japan Today Spotlight YouTube channel. 🎥 Watch the video vers...

Japan’s tourism boom is fueling more than just hotels and souvenir shops. In this episode of Japan Today Spotlight, we explore the rise in sex work targeting foreign visitors — a shift driven by demand, a weak yen, and disappearing restrictions. Originally released as a video on the Japan Today Spotlight YouTube channel. 🎥 Watch the video version: https://youtu.be/NlNIf-yAevc 🎙️ Hosted by Jeff Ri...

End of the Yakuza? Inside Japan’s Vanishing Underworld The yakuza once ruled Japan’s streets — now their numbers are at a record low. But what’s replacing them might be harder to see… and harder to stop. In this episode of Japan Today Spotlight, we look at the fall of Japan’s traditional crime syndicates, the rise of encrypted “tokuryu” groups and the lasting social impact of tattoo stigma, front...

🎙️ Japan Today Spotlight: Is Japan’s media stuck in the past? Legacy broadcasters like NHK, Fuji TV and TBS once defined Japan’s national conversation. But in the digital age, they’re struggling to adapt — weighed down by rigid hierarchies, aging audiences and slow innovation. This episode explores why Japan’s biggest media outlets are falling behind, what’s keeping them from modernizing, and what...

Why does "chikan" behavior — public groping on Japan’s trains — continue, even after decades of awareness campaigns? In this episode of Japan Today Spotlight, we explore how offenders operate, what train companies and police are doing, and what victims — and the falsely accused — need to know. We also take a closer look at how Japan’s objectification of women plays into the larger issue. 👉 This o...

Japan’s Expo 2025 has opened in Osaka — but not without controversy. Ballooning costs, delayed pavilions, confusing ticketing, and a sweltering summer ahead have raised questions about whether the ¥235 billion (approx. $2.1 billion CAD) price tag is really worth it. And when it’s all over? Yumeshima Island becomes the site of Japan’s first casino resort — projected to cost ¥1.27 trillion (approx....

*This episode originally appeared as part of our Japan Today Spotlight series on YouTube. In this episode of Japan Today Spotlight, we dive into the bizarre and uniquely Japanese phenomenon of taishokudaiko—resignation agencies that handle the quitting process for employees. What does this say about Japan’s evolving work culture? Is it a sign of progress, or a deeper reflection of the country’s re...