Justin Mccurry

Cats have become deeply embedded in Japanese culture and commerce, outnumbering dogs as household pets and inspiring tourism, literature, merchandise and cat cafés. A study by Kansai University economist Katsuhiro Miyamoto estimates that cat-related activity will contribute nearly ¥3tn ($18.8bn) to Japan’s economy in 2026, approaching the impact of the Osaka World Expo. Tokyo’s Yanaka Ginza district illustrates the tourism boom, while traditional beliefs such as the maneki-neko reinforce cats’ symbolic appeal. Japan’s ageing and shrinking population may eventually reduce the number of pet cats, but feline-related spending remains a major economic force for now.

Navy curry, a mild Japanese adaptation of curry and rice believed to have been influenced by Anglo-Indian food in the Royal Navy, has become a cherished national dish and a source of pride within Japan’s Maritime Self-Defense Force. Sailors traditionally eat curry on Fridays, a practice that once helped them track time during long voyages, while naval vessels compete informally to create the best recipe. The dish also helped address beriberi among Japanese military personnel by supplementing a diet based heavily on white rice. Yokosuka has developed the strongest public identity around navy curry, with a dedicated mascot, restaurants, packaged versions and an annual festival. The tradition has also generated controversy, including disciplinary action against sailors who took curry without paying and diplomatic tensions over curry rice shaped to resemble disputed islands.

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is urging accelerated debate on revising Japan’s pacifist constitution, particularly Article 9, arguing that it no longer reflects current security threats from China and North Korea. An estimated 50,000 people gathered in Tokyo and demonstrations took place nationwide to defend the existing constitution, with protesters warning that revision would enable a conventional military and divert spending from social priorities. Public opinion is divided, while constitutional changes would require a two-thirds parliamentary majority and approval in a referendum. The debate is also shaped by US pressure for greater Japanese military involvement and by Takaichi’s refusal to deploy Japan’s maritime forces to the Strait of Hormuz.

Japan Airlines plans to trial Chinese-made Unitree humanoid robots at Tokyo’s Haneda airport from May 2026 through 2028. The robots will move luggage and cargo on the tarmac and may later be used for tasks such as aircraft-cabin cleaning. The experiment aims to ease the workload of baggage handlers and address Japan’s worsening labour shortages amid record inbound tourism and an ageing, shrinking population. Human workers will continue to manage safety-critical operations, while the robots currently operate for only two to three hours before recharging.

A Transitional Justice Working Group report says North Korea’s documented executions and death sentences rose 117% in the nearly five years after the country closed its borders in January 2020. Based on testimony from 265 defectors and other sources, the report identifies 144 cases involving at least 358 people from 2011 to 2024, with about 70% of executions conducted publicly. Capital punishment increasingly targeted people accused of distributing foreign culture, including South Korean media and K-pop, while political executions also rose sharply. The report alleges that executions expanded geographically and fluctuated with international scrutiny, prompting calls for accountability under international law and warnings that repression could intensify amid preparations for hereditary succession.

Bear sightings in north-eastern Japan have increased soon after hibernation ended, raising concerns following a record 238 attacks and 13 deaths in the previous 12-month period. Authorities in Aomori, Iwate and Fukushima have issued warnings as bears appear in populated areas, including near homes, transport facilities and workplaces. A better beechnut crop could reduce food-driven incursions, but ecologist Shinsuke Koike cautions that bears previously rewarded by finding food near humans may continue returning to settlements.

Tokyo metropolitan government employees are being encouraged to wear shorts, T-shirts, polo shirts and sneakers during summer to reduce reliance on air conditioning and cope with extreme heat. The initiative expands Japan’s Cool Biz campaign, while rising oil prices and fuel shortages linked to the war involving the US and Israel and Iran add urgency because Japan imports most of its oil from the Middle East. Japan has begun using strategic oil reserves and seeking alternative suppliers, but prolonged disruption around the Strait of Hormuz could lead to wider fuel and electricity restrictions. The policy also reflects broader changes to workplace norms as Japan experiences increasingly severe heat, including temperatures of 40C or higher.

Young Japanese protesters are mounting increasingly large demonstrations to defend Article 9 and oppose constitutional changes that could expand the country’s military role. The movement has gained momentum from the Iran war, concerns about US pressure, and the government’s decision to end its ban on lethal-weapons exports. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and the Liberal Democratic Party argue that Japan needs greater freedom to defend itself against threats including North Korea and China, while critics fear recognising the Self-Defense Forces constitutionally could lead to the abandonment of postwar pacifism. Although the LDP has a strong lower-house majority, constitutional revision still faces obstacles in the upper house and among a divided public.

Japan’s shutdown of legacy mobile networks is forcing many older people to replace familiar flip phones with smartphones or risk losing voice, email and phone-number services. In Tokyo, a beginner class led by retired programmer Yasushi Nishioka helps participants learn basic functions, cashless payments, QR codes, health trackers and weather apps while addressing fears about scams and security. Carriers including NTT Docomo, au and SoftBank are offering training as part of the transition, which has affected roughly half a million people and more than 400 phone models. Despite frustration with apps, passwords and device settings, participants are motivated by practical benefits such as travel planning, ticket reservations, messaging and language learning.

IAEA director Rafael Grossi warned that North Korea is making very serious progress in expanding its nuclear weapons production, citing increased activity at the Yongbyon complex. The country is believed to possess about 50 warheads and may be developing additional uranium-enrichment capacity at Yongbyon and Kangson, potentially increasing its ability to produce weapons-grade material. North Korea has continued advancing its missile program despite UN sanctions, while diplomatic efforts involving the United States and South Korea have stalled. Officials and analysts warn that a larger arsenal combined with intercontinental ballistic missile capabilities could pose a broader global security threat.

Japan will release an additional 20 days’ worth of crude oil from national reserves beginning in early May, following a record 50-day release approved the previous month. The move aims to protect supplies and contain prices as the country, which obtains 95% of its crude from the Middle East, faces disruption risks around the Strait of Hormuz. Japan is seeking alternative supplies from routes including Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea coast, the United Arab Emirates, the US and Malaysia, while prioritizing fuel for healthcare, transport and agriculture. The decision comes amid domestic protests against Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi becoming militarily involved in the Iran conflict and pressure from Donald Trump for Japan to support the US-Israel war effort.