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US-based Japanese doctor arrested for allegedly vandalizing shrine

https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20260304/p2g/00m/0na/028000c

Published: March 4, 2026 13:30

CHIBA, Japan (Kyodo) -- A Japanese doctor based in the United States was arrested Wednesday upon his extradition for allegedly defacing a shrine near

Nikkei plunges over 4% on Middle East concerns, oil price surge

https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20260304/p2g/00m/0bu/010000c

Published: March 4, 2026 13:21

TOKYO (Kyodo) -- The Nikkei stock index dropped over 4 percent Wednesday afternoon, dragged down by growing concern about the conflict in the Middle E

US shows offensive muscle in 15-1 win over Giants in exhibition before World Baseball Classic

https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20260304/p2g/00m/0sp/015000c

Published: March 4, 2026 12:30

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) -- The United States wasted little time showing how potent its roster could be at the upcoming World Baseball Classic.The Ameri

Japan high court upholds dissolution order for Unification Church

https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20260304/p2g/00m/0na/019000c

Published: March 4, 2026 11:36

TOKYO (Kyodo) -- A Japanese high court on Wednesday upheld a dissolution order for the Unification Church as requested by the central government on th

Speed skating: Japanese 10-time Olympic medalist Takagi to retire

https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20260304/p2g/00m/0sp/012000c

Published: March 4, 2026 11:00

TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Japan's 10-time Olympic speed skating medalist Miho Takagi, the most decorated female Olympian in the country's history, said Wednesd

Bullet train services resume between Tokyo, Morioka after blackout

https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20260304/p2g/00m/0na/004000c

Published: March 4, 2026 10:34

TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Tohoku shinkansen bullet train services resumed Wednesday morning after a suspension between Morioka in northeastern Japan and Tokyo

Trump says US to offer insurance, navy escorts to tankers in Persian Gulf

https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20260304/p2g/00m/0in/006000c

Published: March 4, 2026 10:14

WASHINGTON (Kyodo) -- The United States will offer insurance and naval escorts to energy tankers transiting the Persian Gulf region, President Donald

Japanese nationals begin to evacuate Iran as US-Israeli strikes escalate

https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20260304/p2g/00m/0na/009000c

Published: March 4, 2026 09:30

TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Several Japanese nationals left Iran's capital of Tehran by bus Tuesday for a neighboring country amid the escalating U.S.-Israel mil

Trump threatens to cut off trade with Spain after it disallowed US use of joint bases in Iran war

https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20260304/p2g/00m/0in/008000c

Published: March 4, 2026 08:34

WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Donald Trump on Tuesday threatened to end trade with Spain, citing a lack of support over the U.S. and Israeli attacks on

Joichi Ito, named in Epstein files, to quit as government project adviser

https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20260304/p2g/00m/0na/005000c

Published: March 4, 2026 08:14

TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Joichi Ito, the Japanese whose ties with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein are being re-examined following a recent document dump

Iranian strikes on Amazon data centers highlight industry's vulnerability to physical disasters

https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20260304/p2g/00m/0in/001000c

Published: March 4, 2026 07:36

LONDON (AP) -- Damage to three Amazon Web Services facilities in the Middle East from Iranian drone strikes highlights the rapid growth of data center

40% of low-income families in Japan take on debt for children's new school life: survey

https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20260303/p2a/00m/0na/004000c

Published: March 4, 2026 07:00

TOKYO -- Around 40% of low-income households in Japan go into debt to cover costs for their children's new school life, according to a survey by a pub

90% of people believed fake info about Japan general election: survey

https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20260303/p2a/00m/0na/009000c

Published: March 4, 2026 07:00

TOKYO -- Nearly 90% of people who saw fake or false information during the campaign period for Japan's recent House of Representatives election believ

Haiku in English: March 4, 2026

https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20260227/p2g/00m/0su/017000c

Published: March 4, 2026 06:00

young figure skatersstill don't know how to fallfirst snowflakes--Irina Guliaeva (Moscow region, Russia)Selected by Dhugal J. Lindsay

Iranian Red Crescent Society says at least 787 people in Iran killed in US-Israeli airstrikes

https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20260303/p2g/00m/0in/028000c

Published: March 3, 2026 19:30

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) -- Iran struck the U.S. Embassy in Saudi Arabia's capital with a drone early Tuesday as it kept hitting targets aroun

Exhibit honors Japanese American who fought for US in WWII while their families were locked up

https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20260303/p2g/00m/0in/025000c

Published: March 3, 2026 18:30

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- After the bombing of Pearl Harbor, second-generation Japanese American soldiers signed up to fight for the United States in Worl

Wild West meets Far East: Japan cowboy video promotes Shizuoka Pref.'s Enshu region

https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20260303/p2a/00m/0na/007000c

Published: March 3, 2026 18:10

HAMAMATSU, Shizuoka -- A cowboy from the Wild West rides into the Enshu area, the western part of Shizuoka Prefecture, in a new promotional video that

Japan gov't taps Minamitori Isl. for nuclear waste disposal candidate site survey

https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20260303/p2g/00m/0na/021000c

Published: March 3, 2026 17:30

TOKYO (Kyodo) -- The Japanese government on Tuesday asked a Tokyo municipality for consent to conduct a survey to determine the suitability of Minamit

Editorial: Japan gov't must explain why separate surnames for married couples unacceptable

https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20260303/p2a/00m/0op/002000c

Published: March 3, 2026 17:13

A person's name is the foundation upon which they are respected as an individual and a crucial element symbolizing their identity. Is it really accept

As Mideast conflict widens, US says attacks on Iran will last weeks and intensify

https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20260303/p2g/00m/0in/019000c

Published: March 3, 2026 16:30

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) -- Israeli and U.S. airstrikes pounded Iran in an escalating campaign that U.S. President Donald Trump said Monday wo

Japan PM to hold 'candid talks' on Iran at March summit with Trump

https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20260303/p2g/00m/0na/017000c

Published: March 3, 2026 15:30

TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said Tuesday she will hold "candid talks" with U.S. President Donald Trump on the strikes cond

Nikkei stock index extends losses, plunges over 3%

https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20260303/p2g/00m/0bu/023000c

Published: March 3, 2026 15:10

TOKYO (Kyodo) -- The Nikkei stock index extended its losses in afternoon trading on Tuesday to stand over 3 percent down on surging oil prices amid th

Macron says France will allow temporary deployment of nuclear-armed jets to European allies

https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20260303/p2g/00m/0in/009000c

Published: March 3, 2026 14:00

L'ILE LONGUE, France (AP) -- French President Emmanuel Macron announced Monday that France will increase its nuclear arsenal and, for the first time,

Pass rate falls to 40% after Japan tightens foreign driver's license conversions

https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20260302/p2g/00m/0na/028000c

Published: March 3, 2026 13:08

TOKYO -- The National Police Agency (NPA) on March 2 announced the implementation status of the switching of foreign driver's licenses to Japanese one

Energy prices surge as tanker disruptions and facility shutdowns rattle global supply

https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20260303/p2g/00m/0bu/007000c

Published: March 3, 2026 13:00

FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) -- Energy prices rose sharply Monday as disruptions to tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz and damage to production fa

Nikkei index falls over 2% in morning on concern over surging oil prices

https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20260303/p2g/00m/0bu/014000c

Published: March 3, 2026 12:28

TOKYO (Kyodo) -- The Nikkei stock index plunged over 2 percent Tuesday morning on concern over the economic impact of surging oil prices amid the esca

Japan's January jobless rate rises to 2.7% from 2.6% in December

https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20260303/p2g/00m/0bu/011000c

Published: March 3, 2026 12:12

TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Japan's unemployment rate in January rose to 2.7 percent from 2.6 percent in the previous month, climbing for the first time in five

Japan's capital spending in Oct.-Dec. rises 6.5% on year

https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20260303/p2g/00m/0bu/013000c

Published: March 3, 2026 12:10

TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Capital spending by Japanese companies in the October-December quarter increased 6.5 percent from a year earlier, rising for the four

The Mainichi News Quiz: What did Japan PM Takaichi give LDP lawmakers after election win?

https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20260227/p2a/00m/0et/023000c

Published: March 3, 2026 12:00

How closely have you been following events in Japan? Try The Mainichi News Quiz for March 3 to test your news knowledge. Ready?What did Prime Minister

News in Easy English: Man helps people in Japan by writing their love letters

https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20260227/p2a/00m/0na/020000c

Published: March 3, 2026 11:00

TOKYO -- In Japan, a man named Shintaro Kobayashi helps people writes love letters for other people. He runs a "love letter ghostwriting" service, mea

Japan shippers halt Strait of Hormuz passage amid Iran conflict

https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20260302/p2g/00m/0bu/026000c

Published: March 3, 2026 10:30

TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Japan's shipping and aviation industry was left reeling on Monday from the repercussions of the U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran over the

Trump says US attacks on Iran could go beyond previous 5-week estimate

https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20260303/p2g/00m/0in/005000c

Published: March 3, 2026 09:00

WASHINGTON (Kyodo) -- U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday did not rule out the idea of extending the attacks on Iran beyond the four to five weeks h

Baseball: Kikuchi roughed up early, Ohtani hitless as Japan loses to Orix

https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20260303/p2g/00m/0sp/002000c

Published: March 3, 2026 08:00

OSAKA (Kyodo) -- Starting pitcher Yusei Kikuchi ran into early trouble and Shohei Ohtani went hitless as Samurai Japan was beaten 4-3 by the Orix Buff

Is there a megaquake coming along the Kuril Trench off Japan's Hokkaido?

https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20260302/p2a/00m/0op/009000c

Published: March 3, 2026 07:00

A research team from Tohoku University and other institutions has found evidence suggesting that enough energy may now be stored in the rock along the

Saitama governor says no evidence foreign population has hurt Kawaguchi's public safety

https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20260302/p2a/00m/0na/007000c

Published: March 3, 2026 07:00

SAITAMA -- Saitama Gov. Motohiro Ono said there is "no clear evidence" that the growing number of foreign residents has had any impact on public safet

Haiku in English: March 3, 2026

https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20260227/p2g/00m/0su/016000c

Published: March 3, 2026 06:00

blizzardthe pile of notes on the pianosubtly growing--Lyudmila Hristova (Sofia, Bulgaria)Selected by Dhugal J. Lindsay

Record 4.5 billion yen in lost cash turned in to Tokyo police in 2025

https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20260302/p2g/00m/0na/030000c

Published: March 2, 2026 22:30

TOKYO (Kyodo) -- A record 4.5 billion yen ($29 million) in cash was turned in to Tokyo police as lost property in 2025, up 0.5 percent from the previo

Tokyo stocks end down on Iran conflict, Nikkei index temporarily loses 2%

https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20260302/p2g/00m/0bu/024000c

Published: March 2, 2026 18:57

TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Tokyo stocks ended down Monday, with the Nikkei index plunging over 2 percent at one point, as concerns grew over the global economic

Editorial: Global community needs to stop reckless actions like killing of Iran's Khamenei

https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20260302/p2a/00m/0op/015000c

Published: March 2, 2026 17:43

Killing the head of a state just because the leader is from an adversarial nation is not justifiable. It is a barbaric act that defies the rule of law

Men embracing makeup and Kyoto's dual bus fare plan: Our 5 most-read stories from last week

https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20260302/p2a/00m/0na/001000c

Published: March 2, 2026 17:00

We've listed our five most read stories on The Mainichi news site, from top to bottom, that were published between Feb. 21 and March 1. The first stor

Kazumasa Nagai, prize-winning Japanese graphic designer, dies at 96

https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20260302/p2g/00m/0na/023000c

Published: March 2, 2026 16:55

TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Kazumasa Nagai, a prize-winning Japanese graphic designer who created the official logo for the Sapporo Winter Olympics, died of acut

Japan's Himeji Castle raises admission fee to 2,500 yen for nonresidents

https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20260302/p2a/00m/0na/013000c

Published: March 2, 2026 16:37

HIMEJI, Hyogo -- The price of an entry ticket to the popular Himeji Castle here increased 2.5 times from March 1 to 2,500 yen (about $16) for people l

Easy Japanese news in translation: Kawazu cherry blossoms at their best in Shizuoka Pref.

https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20260226/p2a/00m/0na/006000c

Published: March 2, 2026 16:00

The Kawazu cherry blossoms are now at their best in the town of Kawazu, Shizuoka Prefecture. This is the early-blooming pink cherry blossom variety or

Japan retains 254 days' worth of oil reserves amid Strait of Hormuz closure: PM Takaichi

https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20260302/p2a/00m/0na/011000c

Published: March 2, 2026 15:46

TOKYO -- Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi told the Diet on March 2 that Japan has 254 days' worth of oil reserves, adding that the government wi

BOJ deputy chief watching economic impact of US-Israeli attack on Iran

https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20260302/p2g/00m/0bu/018000c

Published: March 2, 2026 15:30

WAKAYAMA, Japan (Kyodo) -- Bank of Japan Deputy Governor Ryozo Himino said Monday he is "closely watching" the situation following the launch of U.S.

Calls for peace and flashes of anger after US and Israeli attacks kill Iran's Khamenei

https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20260302/p2g/00m/0in/008000c

Published: March 2, 2026 14:30

PARIS (AP) -- Three close allies of the United States said Sunday they are ready to join forces to defend their interests in the Middle East and stop

Japan PM urges Iran to solve conflict with US, Israel diplomatically

https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20260302/p2g/00m/0na/016000c

Published: March 2, 2026 13:05

TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Monday urged Iran to seek a "diplomatic solution" amid an escalation in the Middle East con

KDDI to introduce humanoid robot in retail shops to serve customers

https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20260302/p2g/00m/0bu/020000c

Published: March 2, 2026 12:54

BARCELONA, Spain (Kyodo) -- KDDI Corp. will introduce a humanoid robot controlled by physical artificial intelligence technology to serve customers at

What to know about the latest US-Israeli attacks on Iran

https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20260302/p2g/00m/0in/006000c

Published: March 2, 2026 12:30

(AP) -- The U.S. and Israeli attack on Iran killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, triggered retaliatory strikes on multiple countries in the r

Japan mulls evacuation of nationals from Israel amid Iran conflict

https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20260302/p2g/00m/0na/013000c

Published: March 2, 2026 11:55

TOKYO (Kyodo) -- The Japanese government is considering evacuating its nationals residing in Israel following U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran, accord

Nikkei index plunges over 2% at outset after US-Israeli strikes on Iran

https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20260302/p2g/00m/0bu/011000c

Published: March 2, 2026 11:43

TOKYO (Kyodo) -- The Nikkei stock index plunged over 2 percent at the outset of trading Monday as concern grew over the global economic outlook follow

Oil prices rise sharply in market trading after attacks in Middle East disrupt global energy supply

https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20260302/p2g/00m/0bu/010000c

Published: March 2, 2026 11:30

NEW YORK (AP) -- Oil prices rose sharply when market trading began Sunday, as U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran and retaliatory strikes against Israel

US, Israel pound Iran as Trump signals willingness to talk to new leadership after Khamenei's death

https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20260302/p2g/00m/0in/004000c

Published: March 2, 2026 10:30

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) -- The U.S. and Israel pounded targets across Iran on Sunday, dropping massive bombs on the country's ballistic missi

No prefectures ready to accept soil from Fukushima accident cleanup: survey

https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20260301/p2g/00m/0na/038000c

Published: March 2, 2026 09:00

TOKYO (Kyodo) -- None of Japan's prefectural governors said they are willing to accept soil collected in decontamination work near the disaster-strick

Trump goes to war despite professed aversion to foreign entanglements, particularly in the Mideast

https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20260302/p2g/00m/0in/002000c

Published: March 2, 2026 08:00

WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Donald Trump has taken the United States into war with Iran despite decades of self-professed aversion to foreign entangl

Tearless onion production in Hokkaido set to rise fivefold by 2029

https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20260227/p2a/00m/0bu/005000c

Published: March 2, 2026 07:00

KURIYAMA, Hokkaido -- Onions that don't cause tears when cut, lack pungency even when eaten raw, and can be used in salads without soaking in water ar

Wide range of dog and cat food in Japan found to contain toxic PFAS: research

https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20260226/p2a/00m/0li/038000c

Published: March 2, 2026 07:00

MATSUYAMA -- An overwhelming majority of 100 dog and cat foods distributed in Japan and analyzed in a recent study were found to contain toxic per- an

What to know about the total lunar eclipse visible in Japan on March 3

https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20260227/p2a/00m/0op/022000c

Published: March 2, 2026 07:00

A total lunar eclipse, where the full moon completely enters Earth's shadow, is expected to be visible across Japan on March 3. The Mainichi Shimbun b

Haiku in English: March 2, 2026

https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20260227/p2g/00m/0su/015000c

Published: March 2, 2026 06:00

clear skiesin the bird bathbubbles trapped in ice--Melissa Dennison (Bradford, England)Selected by Dhugal J. Lindsay

Japan's rocket startup postpones launch again due to weather

https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20260301/p2g/00m/0bu/036000c

Published: March 1, 2026 21:00

WAKAYAMA (Kyodo) -- Japan's space startup postponed its rocket launch scheduled for Sunday due to unfavorable weather conditions, the company said.The

Madonna steals the spotlight at Dolce & Gabbana's Milan Fashion Week runway show

https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20260301/p2g/00m/0et/032000c

Published: March 1, 2026 20:00

MILAN (AP) -- Madonna made a star appearance in Dolce & Gabbana's front row during Milan Fashion Week on Saturday for a collection that felt like a co

S. Korea's Lee hopes to improve ties with Japan for 'friendly new world'

https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20260301/p2g/00m/0in/023000c

Published: March 1, 2026 19:00

SEOUL (Kyodo) -- South Korean President Lee Jae Myung on Sunday called on Japan to maintain the recent thaw in ties to help usher in a "friendly new w

Competition heats up for Japan burger chains, Zetteria aims for top spot

https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20260301/p2g/00m/0bu/021000c

Published: March 1, 2026 18:00

TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Competition among fast-food hamburger chains in Japan is heating up, with the former Lotteria, a household name that is in the proces

Explosion rocks Iran's capital as Israel says it is targeting city after strikes kill Khamenei

https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20260301/p2g/00m/0in/034000c

Published: March 1, 2026 17:52

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) -- An enormous explosion rocked Iran's capital Sunday as the Israeli military said it was targeting the heart of the

Athletics: Ethiopia's Takele wins back-to-back Tokyo Marathon titles

https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20260301/p2g/00m/0sp/027000c

Published: March 1, 2026 17:10

TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Ethiopia's Tadese Takele won back-to-back men's titles at the Tokyo Marathon on Sunday, while Kenya's Brigid Kosgei clocked a course

Hundreds of thousands of travelers stranded by flight disruptions after attack on Iran

https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20260301/p2g/00m/0in/019000c

Published: March 1, 2026 17:00

LONDON (AP) -- America and Israel's attack on Iran disrupted flights across the Middle East and beyond Saturday as countries around the region closed

Western Japan cities hike tourism-linked fees to deal with overtourism

https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20260301/p2g/00m/0na/029000c

Published: March 1, 2026 16:30

KYOTO (Kyodo) -- The city government of Kyoto raised its lodging tax for people staying at hotels and other accommodations from Sunday, collecting up

Death toll rises to 22 after cargo plane carrying money crashes near Bolivia's capital

https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20260301/p2g/00m/0in/017000c

Published: March 1, 2026 16:00

LA PAZ, Bolivia (AP) -- The death toll rose to 22 on Saturday from the crash of a military plane carrying 18 tons of new banknotes a day earlier near

Japan refrains from outright support of US, Israeli attacks on Iran

https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20260301/p2g/00m/0na/030000c

Published: March 1, 2026 15:51

TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Japan has refrained from expressing outright support for the weekend launch of U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran as Tokyo continued Su

10,000-year-old mummies discovered in Asia, older than previously known

https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20260301/p2g/00m/0sc/015000c

Published: March 1, 2026 15:00

SAPPORO (Kyodo) -- Human bones discovered across southern China and Southeast Asia were intentionally smoke-dried over fire, with some dating back mor

Oil prices set for swings next week as US-Israel strikes raise supply uncertainty

https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20260301/p2g/00m/0bu/013000c

Published: March 1, 2026 14:00

FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) -- Oil markets currently closed for the weekend are set to see price swings next week as the impact from the U.S. and Israeli

What to know about the spread of 'fair' AI job interviews in Japan

https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20260226/p2a/00m/0op/031000c

Published: March 1, 2026 13:00

An increasing number of companies in Japan are using artificial intelligence (AI) for job interviews, considering it "fairer" than human vetting. The

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who led the Islamic Republic since 1989, is dead at 86

https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20260301/p2g/00m/0in/025000c

Published: March 1, 2026 12:42

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) -- Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who assembled theocratic power in Iran over the decades as its supreme leader and sought t

New Japanese visa centers open in Russia to meet high travel demand

https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20260301/p2g/00m/0bu/011000c

Published: March 1, 2026 12:30

MOSCOW (Kyodo)-- The Japanese Embassy in Russia recently opened one visa application center each in Moscow and St. Petersburg to cope with the rapidly

World leaders react cautiously to US and Israeli strikes, death of Iran Ali Khamenei

https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20260301/p2g/00m/0in/009000c

Published: March 1, 2026 11:45

BRUSSELS (AP) -- How long will it last? Will it grow? What will the conflict and the reported death of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. m

Baseball: Samurai Japan comes back to beat Dragons 7-3 in WBC warm-up

https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20260301/p2g/00m/0sp/007000c

Published: March 1, 2026 10:45

NAGOYA (Kyodo) -- Shugo Maki and Shota Morishita delivered solo home runs for Samurai Japan in a 7-3 comeback win over the Chunichi Dragons on Saturda

Number of foreigners detained in Japan down 40% from 20 yrs ago

https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20260301/p2g/00m/0na/005000c

Published: March 1, 2026 10:35

TOKYO (Kyodo) -- The number of foreigners detained in Japan in the five years through 2025 fell 40 percent from the peak recorded 20 years earlier, an

Iran's supreme leader has been killed during major attack by US and Israel, Trump says

https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20260301/p2g/00m/0in/002000c

Published: March 1, 2026 10:30

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) -- A major attack launched by Israel and the United States killed Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Pres

Retro Japan: Nihon Univ. library in Chiba Pref. a mix of expressions and techniques

https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20260226/p2a/00m/0et/021000c

Published: March 1, 2026 09:00

NARASHINO, Chiba -- The designer of a university library in this eastern Japan city apparently believed that architecture is a culmination of expressi

Japan stationery firm's pale color highlighters a global hit despite 3 discontinuations

https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20260226/p2a/00m/0bu/025000c

Published: March 1, 2026 09:00

TOKYO -- A new trend is sweeping through the market for line markers, often called highlighters, as a product with calm, pale colors is rapidly gainin

Economic loss from hay fever in Japan estimated at $1.6 billion per day

https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20260226/p2a/00m/0bu/029000c

Published: March 1, 2026 09:00

TOKYO -- As spring approaches and warmer days increase, a challenging period begins for hay fever sufferers, which comes at a cost to businesses too:

Retro Japan in Photos: With symbolic tower, univ. library in Chiba Pref. aids deep learning

https://mainichi.jp/english/graphs/20260226/hpe/00m/0et/001000g

Published: March 1, 2026 09:00

Haiku Classic: March 1, 2026 -- A momentary lapse

https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20260227/p2g/00m/0su/014000c

Published: March 1, 2026 06:00

distracted by onered cardinal in the snowI prick my finger--Anita Wintz. From "Frogpond" Issue 20:3, Winter 1997, Haiku Society of America, USA.This p

Japan's consumption tax suspension may not result in lower food prices

https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20260228/p2g/00m/0na/022000c

Published: February 28, 2026 19:06

TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi aims to suspend the country's consumption tax on food to alleviate the pain of persistent inflation, bu

US and Israel launch an attack on Iran with tensions high over nuclear talks

https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20260228/p2g/00m/0in/020000c

Published: February 28, 2026 19:05

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) -- The U.S. and Israel launched a major attack on targets across Iran on Saturday, and U.S. President Donald Trump ca

Witnesses say more explosions rock Iran's capital, Tehran

https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20260228/p2g/00m/0in/018000c

Published: February 28, 2026 15:56

TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) -- More explosion struck Iran's capital Saturday after Israel said it was attacking the country.The blasts happened after an ear

As Europe readies tougher migration measures, a Greek island sees illegal crossings spike

https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20260228/p2g/00m/0in/016000c

Published: February 28, 2026 14:30

TYMPAKI, Greece (AP) -- An Israeli-built Heron 2 drone whirs off the tarmac on a new surveillance mission.The aircraft's sensors scan for boats along

Japan research institute, university develop melons that ripen on demand

https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20260228/p2g/00m/0na/014000c

Published: February 28, 2026 14:09

TOKYO (Kyodo) -- A national agricultural research institute and the University of Tsukuba have developed a muskmelon that can be ripened on demand, ai

Argentine lawmakers approve historic labor reform promoted by President Javier Milei

https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20260228/p2g/00m/0in/012000c

Published: February 28, 2026 13:05

BUENOS AIRES (AP) -- Argentine President Javier Milei scored a crucial victory in congress Friday with the approval of a sweeping labor reform aimed a

Kyoto Pref. security firm converts storage facility into gym to pump up recruitment

https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20260226/p2a/00m/0bu/017000c

Published: February 28, 2026 13:00

SEIKA, Kyoto -- A security company in Kyoto Prefecture has launched a recruitment campaign under a bold slogan: "Japan's most worker-friendly company

Cyber sutras: Japan research team unveils humanoid robot capable of Buddhist dialogue

https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20260226/p2a/00m/0sc/011000c

Published: February 28, 2026 13:00

KYOTO -- A Kyoto University professor and the artificial intelligence (AI) startup Teraverse have developed a "Buddharoid" humanoid robot equipped wit

TEPCO removing empty tanks to advance Fukushima plant decommissioning work

https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20260228/p2g/00m/0na/010000c

Published: February 28, 2026 12:08

TOKYO (Kyodo) -- The operator of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant continues to demolish tanks emptied by the release of treated radioactive w

The Mainichi News Quiz: People want to move where in Japan?

https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20260227/p2a/00m/0et/008000c

Published: February 28, 2026 12:00

How closely have you been following events in Japan? Try The Mainichi News Quiz for Feb. 28 to test your news knowledge. Ready?Which prefecture was ra

Japan publisher lets sex offender author produce manga under different name

https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20260228/p2g/00m/0na/008000c

Published: February 28, 2026 11:44

TOKYO (Kyodo) -- A manga platform run by the major Japanese publisher Shogakukan Inc. allowed an author to produce works under a different name despit

Bell symbolizing Japan-New Zealand ties stolen, NZ police lack clues

https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20260228/p2g/00m/0in/006000c

Published: February 28, 2026 11:17

AUCKLAND, New Zealand (Kyodo) -- A bell regarded as a symbol of friendship between New Zealand and Japan was stolen from a Japanese-style garden in Au

News in Easy English: Kyoto plans different bus fares for locals, tourists

https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20260226/p2a/00m/0na/042000c

Published: February 28, 2026 11:00

KYOTO -- The city of Kyoto plans to start a new bus fare system with lower prices for local people and higher prices for tourists. This would be the f

Japanese ex-mayor referred to prosecutors over falsifying educational record

https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20260228/p2g/00m/0na/004000c

Published: February 28, 2026 10:59

SHIZUOKA (Kyodo) --The former mayor of a seaside city southwest of Tokyo has been referred to prosecutors for violating Japan's local autonomy act aft

Daiei's 70-yr-old supermarket brand name to be phased out

https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20260228/p2g/00m/0bu/002000c

Published: February 28, 2026 10:38

TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Japanese supermarket chain Daiei Inc. said Friday it will change its brand name of all its stores in the greater Tokyo area to "Food

Kyoto Univ. students display signs, art in defiant bid to keep up tradition

https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20260227/p2g/00m/0na/008000c

Published: February 28, 2026 10:00

KYOTO (Kyodo) -- A group of Kyoto University students defied university rules this week to display their signs and works of visual art just outside th

Fukushima police to use psychology-based audio messages in stores to curb shoplifting

https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20260226/p2a/00m/0na/014000c

Published: February 28, 2026 09:00

FUKUSHIMA -- Fukushima Prefectural Police will launch a program in fiscal 2026 to play specific recorded messages inside supermarkets and other retail