Japan ranked 55th in the latest World Happiness Report, released on March 20th to coincide with the International Day of Happiness. Finland secured the top position for the eighth consecutive year, followed by Denmark and Iceland, with Nordic countries dominating the upper ranks due to strong welfare and education systems. (News On Japan)

Today marks 30 years since the Tokyo subway sarin attack carried out by Aum Shinrikyo. Newly discovered photographs believed to be among the earliest taken after Chizuo Matsumoto, also known as Shoko Asahara, was found in a concealed space have come to light. (News On Japan)

The risk of having personal information exposed online is something nearly everyone now faces. An investigation revealed that even a seemingly harmless photo can contain hidden risks, and that there are people who specialize in "identification" as a profession. (News On Japan)

A foreign man was caught trespassing on the Imperial Palace grounds early on March 16th and was arrested on the spot. (News On Japan)

Six teenagers have been caught for repeated reckless motorbike riding in Tokyo’s Hino and Hachioji, ignoring traffic signals and weaving through the streets. (News On Japan)

In Japan, one in every 24 babies is born to foreign parents. For many of these parents, giving birth and raising a child in an unfamiliar country can be daunting. Language barriers and cultural differences often lead to isolation, sometimes resulting in prenatal or postnatal depression. (News On Japan)

"The Human Face of Japan" (1982), directed and written by Oliver Howes and narrated by Peter Gwynne, is an insightful documentary produced by Film Australia in collaboration with the Australia-Japan Foundation. This compelling documentary series offers an intimate exploration of Japan during the early 1980s, revealing the complex interplay between rapid industrialization and enduring traditional values. (TRNGL)

Mysterious circular patterns resembling crop circles have appeared at a shrine in Tosu City, Saga Prefecture, where traditional rituals for health and well-being are performed. A notice posted at the shrine reads: “Visitors are finding this unsettling. Please stop making these markings.” (News On Japan)

The Japanese city of Kamaishi was almost entirely destroyed in the earthquake and ensuing tsunami of 2011. It was the biggest natural disaster to hit Japan, killing nearly 20,000 people. (Al Jazeera)

For over half a century, Nagasaki Prefecture has waged a relentless battle against biker gangs, groups known for their reckless, illegal street racing that disturbed public order and endangered lives. Now, after years of intensified crackdowns, Nagasaki police have announced the virtual eradication of biker gangs, culminating in the recent disbandment of the last remaining group in January 2025. (News On Japan)

People across Japan are remembering tens of thousands of lives lost 14 years ago. (News On Japan)

North Safari Sapporo, which brands itself as 'Japan's most dangerous zoo,' has announced it will close at the end of September, after operating for two decades despite being in an urban planning control zone where development is restricted. (News On Japan)

The 17th World Scallop Fishing Championship took place in Toyoura, Hokkaido, a town known for its thriving scallop farming industry. (News On Japan)

A car carrying two people mounted a utility pole support in Tokyo’s Shinagawa Ward’s Osaki area on Saturday afternoon. (News On Japan)

A 28-year-old unemployed man has been arrested for attacking a man from behind with a jump kick and stealing his bag on a street in Takatsuki, Osaka. A security camera captured the entire incident. (News On Japan)

The Nagoya High Court has ruled that Japan’s ban on same-sex marriage is unconstitutional, upholding a lower court decision in a case filed by a same-sex couple from Aichi Prefecture. (News On Japan)

A surge in the resale of 'Manhole Cards,' collectible cards featuring designs of local manhole covers distributed for free by municipalities, has angered collectors and local governments. Some cards are being resold for as much as 100,000 yen, prompting concerns over fairness and the original intent behind the initiative. (News On Japan)

An abandoned hospital in Itoigawa City, Niigata Prefecture, has become a well-known "haunted spot," drawing unwanted attention and raising concerns among local residents. Fresh footprints in the snow indicate frequent trespassing, despite the lack of any official visitors. (News On Japan)

A wildfire that erupted in Ofunato, Iwate Prefecture, on February 26th has now entered its second week, with firefighters struggling to contain the flames. (News On Japan)

Japan has renewed its bid to have calligraphy recognized as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, following a decision by the Cultural Affairs Council. If accepted, it would become Japan’s 24th registered cultural heritage. (News On Japan)