Japan

Japan's snap election lifts Nikkei as yen weakens

1 Mwezi wa pili, 2026 Imeripotiwa na AI Picha iliyoundwa na AI

Japan's Nikkei share average rallied ahead of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's snap lower house election on February 8, driven by a weaker yen and positive polls for her Liberal Democratic Party. Voters are prioritizing inflation countermeasures, while an AI-doctored campaign video has raised concerns over electoral fairness.

Foreign companies increasingly adopt anime and manga as PR tools

Global companies from McDonald’s to Lego, Gucci, and Amtrak are increasingly using anime and manga to promote products and convey corporate messages, drawn to the global appeal and low-risk nature of the Japanese art form.

Indonesian women honored with certificates for rescuing elderly woman in Kumamoto

3 Mwezi wa pili, 2026 Imeripotiwa na AI

Five Indonesian women working as technical interns in Kumamoto received certificates of appreciation from the Kumamoto Minami Police Station chief for rescuing an elderly woman in her 80s. The incident occurred on January 15 in Minami Ward, where the women pulled the victim from a waterway and ensured her warmth before calling emergency services.

Asia

Kamakura's historic farmers' market sells Showa-era charm and fresh produce

Siasa

Japan weighs stricter foreign national policies against coexistence

Asia

High blood sugar raises tooth decay risk, Osaka study finds

Journalist Morley Robertson dies of esophageal cancer at 63

International journalist and media personality Morley Robertson has died from esophageal cancer at age 63, his talent agency announced. The U.S.-born figure gained fame in Japan for his sophisticated speaking style on radio and television programs.

Aging Japanese farmers quit rice production amid rising costs

1 Mwezi wa pili, 2026 Imeripotiwa na AI

In Hiroshima Prefecture, 81-year-old farmer Takeyuki Satokawa and his wife Masako, 77, ceased rice farming on their family paddies in 2024 due to advancing age and escalating costs. This past autumn marked their first time purchasing rice from another grower. A member of an agricultural cooperative noted that while training successors is crucial, many farmers have been too preoccupied with mere survival to do so.

Shoigu supports China's Taiwan stance and watches Japan's militarization

Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu told Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi that Moscow continues to support Beijing's position on Taiwan, while keeping a close eye on Japan's accelerated militarization. The remarks, reported by the TASS news agency, underscore the strengthening alliance between Russia and China. This comes as tensions persist over regional security issues.

Hakuba village weighs tourism surge against community balance

1 Mwezi wa pili, 2026 Imeripotiwa na AI

In Nagano Prefecture's Hakuba village, a post-COVID tourism boom drew 2.9 million visitors in 2025, revitalizing the economy. Yet rising costs, crowds, and cultural clashes have sparked resident unease. Local officials are introducing measures to manage the influx without overwhelming the community.

Jumatatu, 2. Mwezi wa pili 2026, 18:38:14