A temple in South Korea says it will return a Buddhist statue stolen from a Japanese temple after holding a memorial service for it next year. (NHK)

Japan is set to shoulder over 6.9 percent of the total financial contributions by member countries to support the United Nations from 2025 to 2027. It remains the third largest contributor following the United States and China, with the latter's share rising to almost on par with the US. (NHK)

A small dog-shaped robot capable of inspecting factory equipment in place of skilled workers was unveiled to address severe labor shortages. (News On Japan)

The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare announced finalized data from its Monthly Labour Survey, revealing that real wages, adjusted for inflation, decreased by 0.4% in October compared to the same month last year. This marks the third consecutive month of decline. (News On Japan)

Public school teachers currently receive an additional 4% of their salary as a "teaching adjustment allowance" in lieu of overtime pay. (News On Japan)

Abandoned hotels in Shizuoka’s Izu Peninsula are becoming an increasing concern for local authorities. Once bustling with tourists during Japan’s economic boom, many hot spring resorts in Higashi-Izu Town have been left derelict, their structures crumbling and ownership unclear. (News On Japan)

A Chinese national was sentenced to eight months in prison by the Tokyo District Court for defacing a stone pillar at Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo's Chiyoda Ward, an act deemed disrespectful to the worship site. (News On Japan)

Tourists crossing the roadway despite warnings have long been a challenge for local authorities. Despite attempts such as installing barriers and banners, the problem has persisted. (News On Japan)

Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced a decision to ease visa requirements for Chinese nationals visiting Japan. (News On Japan)

The individual-type defined contribution pension system, known as iDeCo, which offers tax-saving benefits, has sparked controversy online, with the phrase "iDeCo reform" trending on social media. (News On Japan)

Temperatures are expected to remain unusually cold in January next year, with the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) predicting colder-than-average conditions nationwide for the start of the year. (News On Japan)

JR Kyushu High-Speed Ferry announced on December 23rd that it will permanently withdraw from the Japan-South Korea high-speed ferry route connecting Hakata and Busan. The decision follows a scandal involving the company concealing water leakage on its high-speed ferry, the 'Queen Beetle,' while continuing operations. (News On Japan)

Nearly a year has passed since the Noto Peninsula earthquake struck on New Year’s Day, leaving the region grappling with recovery efforts and compounding challenges. In Suzu City’s Otani district, residents began moving into temporary housing earlier this month, following 11 months of hardship, including additional damage from September’s torrential rains. (News On Japan)

Former Nissan Motor Chairman Carlos Ghosn says if Nissan and Honda Motor integrate their businesses, the outcome would not be successful. (NHK)

An expert panel of Japan's education ministry has put together new draft guidelines for expanding the use of generative artificial intelligence at schools. (NHK)

The former head of Japanese precision equipment maker Olympus has admitted to purchasing illegal drugs on the first day of his trial in Tokyo. (NHK)

Why should you never teach English in Japan? After teaching for 5 years, this is my advice on why Japan is far from your best choice for an English teaching job. (Oriental Pearl)

A Lawson convenience store has opened in Ryujin Village, Wakayama Prefecture, bringing a much-needed lifeline to a rural community left without a supermarket. The store, which operates 24/7, was established through the passion of its owner, Atsushi Yamada, who sought to give back to the village where his grandfather was born. (News On Japan)

Winter break will begin on December 24th. On December 23rd, many public elementary schools in Osaka City held their closing ceremonies. (News On Japan)

Two men gracefully maneuver a towering robot much larger than their own bodies. This three-meter-tall exoskeleton robot, known as "Skeletonics," was developed by a small manufacturing workshop in Hachioji, Tokyo. (News On Japan)