Japan's Empress Masako turned 61 on Monday. She issued a statement, saying 2024 began in a deeply painful manner due to a major earthquake that struck the Noto Peninsula of Ishikawa Prefecture on New Year's Day. (NHK)

Shipment operations for 'Sukumo,' the dye used in Tokushima Prefecture's renowned indigo dyeing, have begun. (News On Japan)

The supermarket reopened its doors after a week, regaining its usual bustle as customers streamed in. (News On Japan)

Popular Japanese actor and singer Nakayama Miho has been found dead at her home in Tokyo. She was 54. Police in the capital reportedly rushed to Nakayama's home in Shibuya Ward after receiving a call from her management agency on Friday afternoon. She was reportedly found dead in the bathroom. (NHK)

The operator of an expressway network in the Tokyo metropolitan area is calling for caution after a person was spotted on an electric stand-up scooter on the expressway at nighttime. (NHK)

In an incident at a theme park in Kato City, Hyogo Prefecture, where the floor of a 3D maze collapsed, injuring six people, police have decided to send case files for three related officials to prosecutors. (News On Japan)

A man believed to be behind the X account 'Z Lee' and a rapper have been arrested by Tokyo Metropolitan Police on suspicion of trespassing at a club in Shibuya Ward, Tokyo. (News On Japan)

A two-year legal battle has ended with an Australian grandmother being found guilty of smuggling drugs into Japan, but her family say their fight is far from over. (ABC News)

Osaka City is taking steps to provide accommodations for young people with nowhere to stay. (News On Japan)

What happens a gullible country gets tricked by an overproduced TV show? Fake experiments, absurd health claims... this is the story of how they fell for one of the biggest broadcast scandals ever. (Japanalysis)

Tokyo's Kabukicho district has seen a concentrated police crackdown on women soliciting customers for prostitution near Okubo Park, resulting in 50 arrests over approximately two months. (News On Japan)

A passerby has pledged a generous donation of 600 million yen to restore an aging community pool. Who is behind this remarkable gesture? (News On Japan)

A man has been arrested for allegedly cutting a middle school girl’s coat and hair with scissors while passing her on a bicycle. (News On Japan)