The Japan Times
@japantimes.co.jp
News, features and commentary from the oldest (est. 1897) and most widely read English-language media outlet in Japan.
JT staff on Bluesky: https://jtim.es/bskysp
Our newsletters: https://jtime.es/newsletters
Elsewhere: jtim.es/m/social
JT staff on Bluesky: https://jtim.es/bskysp
Our newsletters: https://jtime.es/newsletters
Elsewhere: jtim.es/m/social
Today's top headlines:
January 8, 2026 at 2:55 AM
Today's top headlines:
Bump up the umami factor in your hot chocolate with soy sauce and milk. 👉 ebx.sh/v5sf2o
January 8, 2026 at 1:19 AM
Bump up the umami factor in your hot chocolate with soy sauce and milk. 👉 ebx.sh/v5sf2o
Akutagawa Prize-winning author Jose Ando’s explosive debut “Jackson Alone” centers around mixed-race queer men and cuts through layers of racism and the underbelly of Japan’s sex industry. 👉 ebx.sh/9iuJF7
January 8, 2026 at 12:53 AM
Akutagawa Prize-winning author Jose Ando’s explosive debut “Jackson Alone” centers around mixed-race queer men and cuts through layers of racism and the underbelly of Japan’s sex industry. 👉 ebx.sh/9iuJF7
2025 saw an incredible amount of change at the top of Japan’s national sport. That kind of sea change is almost certainly not going to be repeated in 2026, though some promising young talents could emerge. 👉 ebx.sh/XhidR1
January 8, 2026 at 12:27 AM
2025 saw an incredible amount of change at the top of Japan’s national sport. That kind of sea change is almost certainly not going to be repeated in 2026, though some promising young talents could emerge. 👉 ebx.sh/XhidR1
Using artificial intelligence, an app called Loverse aims to give users the closest thing to real-life romance — complete with all its unpredictability. 👉 ebx.sh/i6jnFa
January 7, 2026 at 11:56 PM
Using artificial intelligence, an app called Loverse aims to give users the closest thing to real-life romance — complete with all its unpredictability. 👉 ebx.sh/i6jnFa
Nagasaki placed 17th and Okinawa 46th on The New York Times' list of "52 places to go in 2026." 👉 ebx.sh/Geb3NJ
January 7, 2026 at 11:03 PM
Nagasaki placed 17th and Okinawa 46th on The New York Times' list of "52 places to go in 2026." 👉 ebx.sh/Geb3NJ
Many victims have discovered the tags, which are supposed to be attached to wallets and keys by the owners, affixed to their cars without their knowledge, or hidden in their belongings, the National Police Agency reported. 👉 ebx.sh/yKJTFd
January 7, 2026 at 12:29 PM
Many victims have discovered the tags, which are supposed to be attached to wallets and keys by the owners, affixed to their cars without their knowledge, or hidden in their belongings, the National Police Agency reported. 👉 ebx.sh/yKJTFd
Today's top headlines:
January 7, 2026 at 3:28 AM
Today's top headlines:
China imposed controls on exports to Japan with any military use, intensifying a dispute between Asia’s top economies over remarks Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi made last year on Taiwan. 👉 ebx.sh/JslCJR
January 7, 2026 at 3:21 AM
China imposed controls on exports to Japan with any military use, intensifying a dispute between Asia’s top economies over remarks Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi made last year on Taiwan. 👉 ebx.sh/JslCJR
Some medical institutions in Japan have begun introducing facility dogs to accompany hospitalized children during treatment and rehabilitation. 👉 ebx.sh/UCWE7o
January 7, 2026 at 1:19 AM
Some medical institutions in Japan have begun introducing facility dogs to accompany hospitalized children during treatment and rehabilitation. 👉 ebx.sh/UCWE7o
Japanese ingredients, particularly eggs and milk, are increasingly being promoted to meet growing demand from foreign visitors. 👉 ebx.sh/iyBExg
January 7, 2026 at 12:40 AM
Japanese ingredients, particularly eggs and milk, are increasingly being promoted to meet growing demand from foreign visitors. 👉 ebx.sh/iyBExg
A few years ago, Coach began work on what Gen Zers might call “a glow up,” shaking off its image as home of the “mom bag” and leaning into initiatives that invoke the thrill and curiosity of a good “first date.” 👉 ebx.sh/fNvzrK
January 7, 2026 at 12:05 AM
A few years ago, Coach began work on what Gen Zers might call “a glow up,” shaking off its image as home of the “mom bag” and leaning into initiatives that invoke the thrill and curiosity of a good “first date.” 👉 ebx.sh/fNvzrK
Japanese startups have designed chatbot-powered prescription-only apps to help treat a range of medical conditions, such as hypertension, alcohol addiction and insomnia. 👉 ebx.sh/2Fsdsn
January 6, 2026 at 11:45 PM
Japanese startups have designed chatbot-powered prescription-only apps to help treat a range of medical conditions, such as hypertension, alcohol addiction and insomnia. 👉 ebx.sh/2Fsdsn
Business travelers land in Japan with high expectations and a big budget, and travel agencies and hotel operators are on hand to give them everything they want — for a price. 👉 ebx.sh/9iynMH
January 6, 2026 at 9:06 AM
Business travelers land in Japan with high expectations and a big budget, and travel agencies and hotel operators are on hand to give them everything they want — for a price. 👉 ebx.sh/9iynMH
Mercari wants to be the go-to marketplace for international customers seeking high-quality Japanese entertainment products, especially anime and manga. 👉 ebx.sh/HJFaMp
January 6, 2026 at 8:07 AM
Mercari wants to be the go-to marketplace for international customers seeking high-quality Japanese entertainment products, especially anime and manga. 👉 ebx.sh/HJFaMp
Today's top headlines:
January 6, 2026 at 12:47 AM
Today's top headlines:
For many athletes in Japan, the sporting year starts long before the first whistle and much as it does for everyone else — with "hatsumōde," the custom of visiting a shrine or temple to offer the year’s first prayers. 👉 ebx.sh/PbG8T3
January 6, 2026 at 12:20 AM
For many athletes in Japan, the sporting year starts long before the first whistle and much as it does for everyone else — with "hatsumōde," the custom of visiting a shrine or temple to offer the year’s first prayers. 👉 ebx.sh/PbG8T3
Two large-scale studies have linked poor oral health among older adults to higher mortality rates and a higher risk of requiring long-term care. 👉 ebx.sh/2XQ7S3
January 6, 2026 at 12:03 AM
Two large-scale studies have linked poor oral health among older adults to higher mortality rates and a higher risk of requiring long-term care. 👉 ebx.sh/2XQ7S3
As Japan continues to struggle to curb online gambling, a U.K.-developed app, which was recently translated into Japanese, may offer a lifeline. 👉 ebx.sh/dIFgHG
January 5, 2026 at 11:37 PM
As Japan continues to struggle to curb online gambling, a U.K.-developed app, which was recently translated into Japanese, may offer a lifeline. 👉 ebx.sh/dIFgHG
After a successful 2025, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is hopeful that 2026 will be a year of positive energy and vitality, much like its namesake as the Year of the Fire Horse. 👉 ebx.sh/j8MpXZ
January 5, 2026 at 9:28 PM
After a successful 2025, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is hopeful that 2026 will be a year of positive energy and vitality, much like its namesake as the Year of the Fire Horse. 👉 ebx.sh/j8MpXZ
Astrologers say 2026, the Year of the Fire Horse, favors bold action, visibility and growth — but only for those who can avoid burnout. 👉 ebx.sh/hkHLfx
January 5, 2026 at 1:48 PM
Astrologers say 2026, the Year of the Fire Horse, favors bold action, visibility and growth — but only for those who can avoid burnout. 👉 ebx.sh/hkHLfx
While going all in on excess, the 76th edition of NHK’s “Kohaku Uta Gassen” reminded viewers why the New Year’s Eve musical bonanza still matters. 👉 ebx.sh/QXX6pp
January 5, 2026 at 8:57 AM
While going all in on excess, the 76th edition of NHK’s “Kohaku Uta Gassen” reminded viewers why the New Year’s Eve musical bonanza still matters. 👉 ebx.sh/QXX6pp
While the number of users of the unprofitable local lines is unlikely to recover amid population decline in rural Japan, people living near the lines want the railroad services to be maintained. 👉 ebx.sh/Kw1SQX
January 5, 2026 at 8:23 AM
While the number of users of the unprofitable local lines is unlikely to recover amid population decline in rural Japan, people living near the lines want the railroad services to be maintained. 👉 ebx.sh/Kw1SQX
A growing number of tourists are visiting Japan, seeking answers about their heritage and to “embrace that other side of us.” 👉 ebx.sh/dBotqg
January 5, 2026 at 7:51 AM
A growing number of tourists are visiting Japan, seeking answers about their heritage and to “embrace that other side of us.” 👉 ebx.sh/dBotqg
Self-styled “Tuna King” Kiyoshi Kimura, the boss of sushi restaurant chain Sushizanmai, paid a record ¥510.3 million at an annual new year auction for a 243-kilogram bluefin caught off Japan’s northern coast. 👉 ebx.sh/gwXRXr
January 5, 2026 at 7:32 AM
Self-styled “Tuna King” Kiyoshi Kimura, the boss of sushi restaurant chain Sushizanmai, paid a record ¥510.3 million at an annual new year auction for a 243-kilogram bluefin caught off Japan’s northern coast. 👉 ebx.sh/gwXRXr