{
  "generated_at": "2026-09-16T13:11:32+00:00",
  "guides": [
    {
      "title": "Drone no-fly zones in Japan: the 1,000 m rule and the eight designated airports",
      "url": "https://japan.briefpulse.com/guides/japan-drone-no-fly-zones"
    },
    {
      "title": "Bringing medicines into Japan: what to check before you fly",
      "url": "https://japan.briefpulse.com/guides/japan-medicine-rules"
    },
    {
      "title": "Flying a drone in Japan: registration, zones and permissions",
      "url": "https://japan.briefpulse.com/guides/drone-rules-in-japan"
    },
    {
      "title": "First steps when an earthquake, tsunami or typhoon hits Japan",
      "url": "https://japan.briefpulse.com/guides/japan-disaster-first-steps"
    },
    {
      "title": "Japan customs and duty-free: what you can bring in",
      "url": "https://japan.briefpulse.com/guides/japan-customs-duty-free"
    }
  ],
  "publication": "japan",
  "stories": [
    {
      "format": "brief",
      "headline": "Japan Records Fifth Hottest Summer in 2026",
      "published_at": "2026-09-16T09:26:58+00:00",
      "standfirst": "Japan experienced its fifth warmest summer on record in 2026, with a record 36 instances of temperatures reaching 40°C or higher. The west saw intense heatwaves, while the east faced heavy rainfall and typhoons.",
      "url": "https://japan.briefpulse.com/stories/japan-records-fifth-hottest-summer-2026"
    },
    {
      "format": "brief",
      "headline": "Woodblock printing activity in Tokyo at Takahashi Kobo",
      "published_at": "2026-09-16T09:17:07+00:00",
      "standfirst": "A source page describes a woodblock printing activity in Tokyo at the historic Takahashi Kobo studio, where visitors can learn ukiyo-e techniques and make a fan. The description is brief, with no practical details such as hours, prices or booking.",
      "url": "https://japan.briefpulse.com/stories/japan-woodblock-printing-activity-tokyo-takahashi"
    },
    {
      "format": "brief",
      "headline": "Tokyo plans an Edo-themed autumn campaign for 2026",
      "published_at": "2026-09-16T08:41:10+00:00",
      "standfirst": "The Tokyo Metropolitan Government has announced an 'Edo Tokyo Campaign 2026 Autumn', the seasonal instalment of a programme it says it has run since the current fiscal year to spotlight the culture of Edo, the city that preceded modern Tokyo.",
      "url": "https://japan.briefpulse.com/stories/japan-tokyo-plans-edo-themed-autumn-campaign"
    },
    {
      "format": "brief",
      "headline": "Maebashi Biennale 2026: A Compact, Walkable Art Festival Debuts in Japan",
      "published_at": "2026-09-16T08:31:41+00:00",
      "standfirst": "The inaugural Maebashi Biennale is set for 2026. The event is described as a compact art festival that guides visitors through a walkable concentration of art and installations.",
      "url": "https://japan.briefpulse.com/stories/japan-maebashi-biennale-2026-compact-walkable"
    },
    {
      "format": "brief",
      "headline": "Japan’s convenience stores turn to AI for new snack flavors",
      "published_at": "2026-09-16T08:10:51+00:00",
      "standfirst": "Major convenience store chains in Japan are using AI to develop products, including unexpected flavors, according to a report. One example mentioned is a pickle-flavored tart.",
      "url": "https://japan.briefpulse.com/stories/japan-convenience-stores-turn-snack-flavors"
    },
    {
      "format": "brief",
      "headline": "Tokyo Moon-Viewing Guide Highlights 2026 Harvest Moon Spots",
      "published_at": "2026-09-16T05:19:10+00:00",
      "standfirst": "A guide to Tokyo's best moon-viewing spots for the 2026 Harvest Moon has been published, though the available excerpt does not name specific spots or dates. It notes that tsukimi has been a cherished autumnal tradition in Japan since the Heian period.",
      "url": "https://japan.briefpulse.com/stories/japan-tokyo-moon-viewing-guide-highlights-2026"
    },
    {
      "format": "brief",
      "headline": "Ueno Station guide: retro charm and practical basics for Tokyo travelers",
      "published_at": "2026-09-16T04:39:23+00:00",
      "standfirst": "A guide to Ueno Station describes it as one of Tokyo's most important stations and urges travelers to get familiar with it. It points to sections on facilities and things to do in and around the station.",
      "url": "https://japan.briefpulse.com/stories/japan-ueno-station-guide-retro-charm"
    },
    {
      "format": "brief",
      "headline": "Poké Ball hotel in Japan reveals new details and free-stay giveaway",
      "published_at": "2026-09-16T04:26:20+00:00",
      "standfirst": "A new Pokémon-themed hotel in Japan, where guests can spend the night in Poké Balls, has released some new details and is giving away free stays. The available information remains partial.",
      "url": "https://japan.briefpulse.com/stories/japan-pok-ball-hotel-japan-reveals"
    },
    {
      "format": "brief",
      "headline": "Tadao Ando donates floating library to deliver books to children on remote Seto Inland Sea islands",
      "published_at": "2026-09-16T04:26:04+00:00",
      "standfirst": "Architect Tadao Ando has designed and donated a floating library, Hon no Mori-go, which carries 2,000 books to children living on remote islands in the Seto Inland Sea. The source gives no schedule, route or public access details.",
      "url": "https://japan.briefpulse.com/stories/japan-tadao-ando-donates-floating-library"
    },
    {
      "format": "brief",
      "headline": "Third teamLab Museum Planned for Ariake, Tentatively Opening in 2032",
      "published_at": "2026-09-16T04:15:56+00:00",
      "standfirst": "A new teamLab museum is planned for Ariake on Tokyo's waterfront, with a tentative 2032 opening. The venue is expected to cover about 30,000 sqm, roughly three times the size of teamLab Biovortex Kyoto.",
      "url": "https://japan.briefpulse.com/stories/japan-third-teamlab-museum-planned-ariake"
    },
    {
      "format": "brief",
      "headline": "Tokyo to repaint streets over rule that makes it impossible for cars to pass bicycles",
      "published_at": "2026-09-16T04:14:49+00:00",
      "standfirst": "Tokyo is to repaint streets because a rule makes it impossible for cars to pass bicycles, according to the source. The same source notes that a few months earlier Japan introduced 'blue tickets' for certain bicycle infractions, but it does not detail the repainting plan.",
      "url": "https://japan.briefpulse.com/stories/japan-tokyo-repaint-streets-rule-makes"
    },
    {
      "format": "article",
      "headline": "Foreign residents in Japan weigh whether to stay as visa rules tighten and the yen stays weak",
      "published_at": "2026-09-15T22:21:26+00:00",
      "standfirst": "A Japan Times report says foreign residents are asking whether to remain in the country, citing tighter visa rules and a weak yen. The report frames the question rather than answering it, and the evidence available here is thin on specifics.",
      "url": "https://japan.briefpulse.com/stories/japan-foreign-residents-japan-weigh-whether"
    },
    {
      "format": "brief",
      "headline": "Book review: Words By Baye, Art by Miki, a life in Japan",
      "published_at": "2026-09-15T20:07:25+00:00",
      "standfirst": "Kyoto Journal has reviewed a book by Baye McNeil and Miki Hayashi McNeil about crafting a life together in Japan. The evidence is limited to the review's framing, so practical takeaways for visitors or workers are not detailed.",
      "url": "https://japan.briefpulse.com/stories/japan-book-review-words-baye-art"
    },
    {
      "format": "brief",
      "headline": "FamilyMart Launches New FAMIMA Concept, a Rethink of the Conbini",
      "published_at": "2026-09-15T19:56:32+00:00",
      "standfirst": "FamilyMart has launched a new FAMIMA concept, described by the source as a hipster reimagining of the convenience store. The report is short on specifics.",
      "url": "https://japan.briefpulse.com/stories/japan-familymart-launches-famima-concept-rethink"
    },
    {
      "format": "brief",
      "headline": "Kokuyo's Transparent Mechanism Collection Shows Desk-Tool Engineering",
      "published_at": "2026-09-15T19:56:06+00:00",
      "standfirst": "Kokuyo, the Osaka-based stationery maker, has a new 'Transparent Mechanism' collection that reveals its engineering rather than adding functions, according to a design blog. The source does not give release dates, prices or availability.",
      "url": "https://japan.briefpulse.com/stories/japan-kokuyo-transparent-mechanism-collection-shows"
    },
    {
      "format": "brief",
      "headline": "Sou Fujimoto's Meiji Park Opens in Fukuoka Near Hakata Station",
      "published_at": "2026-09-15T19:45:41+00:00",
      "standfirst": "Sou Fujimoto's Meiji Park, a 3,572-square-meter urban park, opened on August 7 in Fukuoka, just steps from Hakata Station. The source offers limited practical details.",
      "url": "https://japan.briefpulse.com/stories/japan-sou-fujimoto-meiji-park-opens"
    },
    {
      "format": "brief",
      "headline": "Harajuku Group Dining Guide Names Sakura Tei as Editor’s Pick",
      "published_at": "2026-09-15T19:45:12+00:00",
      "standfirst": "A guide to Harajuku restaurants for groups has been published, listing options for sit-down meals in the area. It names Sakura Tei as the editor’s pick.",
      "url": "https://japan.briefpulse.com/stories/japan-harajuku-group-dining-guide-names"
    },
    {
      "format": "brief",
      "headline": "Ginza 300BAR: Standing Bar Known for Mojito and Affordable Cocktails",
      "published_at": "2026-09-15T19:44:45+00:00",
      "standfirst": "Ginza 300BAR, a standing bar with three locations, is known for serving the 'world's most delicious mojito' and offering affordable cocktails in Ginza.",
      "url": "https://japan.briefpulse.com/stories/japan-ginza-300bar-standing-bar-known"
    },
    {
      "format": "brief",
      "headline": "September 2026 Tokyo Events Guide Highlights Sumo and Game Show",
      "published_at": "2026-09-15T19:32:42+00:00",
      "standfirst": "An events page lists eight things not to miss in Tokyo in September 2026, including seasonal flowers, parades, the September Grand Sumo Tournament and the Tokyo Game Show.",
      "url": "https://japan.briefpulse.com/stories/japan-september-2026-tokyo-events-guide"
    },
    {
      "format": "brief",
      "headline": "Tokyo Cheapo Lists International Concerts and Festivals in Japan for 2026–27",
      "published_at": "2026-09-15T19:32:05+00:00",
      "standfirst": "Tokyo Cheapo has published a guide to international musicians touring Japan in 2026–27, including Bruno Mars and Die Spitz, plus music festivals. The excerpt is brief and lacks specific dates or venues.",
      "url": "https://japan.briefpulse.com/stories/japan-tokyo-cheapo-lists-international-concerts"
    },
    {
      "format": "brief",
      "headline": "Tokyo to Osaka in 2026: Nozomi Shinkansen vs overnight bus",
      "published_at": "2026-09-15T19:31:43+00:00",
      "standfirst": "A 2026 guide lays out the fastest and cheapest ways to travel between Tokyo and Osaka. It lists a reserved Nozomi Shinkansen at ¥14,720 and an overnight highway bus from ¥3,000.",
      "url": "https://japan.briefpulse.com/stories/japan-tokyo-osaka-2026-nozomi-shinkansen"
    },
    {
      "format": "brief",
      "headline": "teamLab Planets vs Borderless: How to Choose Between Tokyo's Two teamLab Museums",
      "published_at": "2026-09-15T19:20:35+00:00",
      "standfirst": "Tokyo has two teamLab museums with very different experiences. A comparison guide aims to help visitors decide which one to book.",
      "url": "https://japan.briefpulse.com/stories/japan-teamlab-planets-borderless-choose-between"
    },
    {
      "format": "brief",
      "headline": "Kawaii Buildings Photobook Highlights Ken Ohyama's Urban Photography",
      "published_at": "2026-09-15T19:20:26+00:00",
      "standfirst": "A photobook titled Kawaii Buildings presents urban photographer Ken Ohyama's series on overlooked city structures. The source offers no publication date, price or availability details.",
      "url": "https://japan.briefpulse.com/stories/japan-kawaii-buildings-photobook-highlights-ken"
    },
    {
      "format": "brief",
      "headline": "Tokyo Cheapo releases video on 15 things not to miss at Tokyo Station",
      "published_at": "2026-09-15T19:19:57+00:00",
      "standfirst": "Tokyo Cheapo has published a new video titled 'Tokyo Station Is MASSIVE: 15 Things You Shouldn’t Miss.' The announcement post repeats the title and offers no further detail.",
      "url": "https://japan.briefpulse.com/stories/japan-tokyo-cheapo-releases-video-things"
    },
    {
      "format": "brief",
      "headline": "Godzilla Minus Zero to headline 39th Tokyo International Film Festival",
      "published_at": "2026-09-15T19:07:27+00:00",
      "standfirst": "The sequel to the Oscar-winning Godzilla Minus One will be the centerpiece of this year's Tokyo International Film Festival, according to the festival's announced program.",
      "url": "https://japan.briefpulse.com/stories/japan-godzilla-minus-zero-headline-39th"
    },
    {
      "format": "article",
      "headline": "‘Backrooms’ Reaches Japanese Theaters, Where Vocaloid Had Already Mapped the Uncanny",
      "published_at": "2026-09-15T19:07:20+00:00",
      "standfirst": "An American horror film built on a 2019 internet meme is now in Japanese cinemas, and The Japan Times connects its mood to Vocaloid, the singing-synthesizer software behind Hatsune Miku. The evidence here is a single culture article, so treat this as context rather than a viewing guide.",
      "url": "https://japan.briefpulse.com/stories/japan-backrooms-reaches-japanese-theaters-where"
    },
    {
      "format": "brief",
      "headline": "Tokyo Prepares an Art-Filled Autumn With Extended Museum Hours",
      "published_at": "2026-09-15T19:07:01+00:00",
      "standfirst": "Tokyo is gearing up for an art-filled fall, with the city sponsoring the season, according to the source. Museums are extending hours and all-night art exhibitions are part of the offering.",
      "url": "https://japan.briefpulse.com/stories/japan-tokyo-prepares-art-filled-autumn-extended"
    },
    {
      "format": "brief",
      "headline": "Japan's Municipal Waste Rules Vary Widely; Local Governments Seek to Inform Foreign Residents",
      "published_at": "2026-09-15T18:59:49+00:00",
      "standfirst": "Municipalities across Japan have a wide range of rules for separating and disposing of household waste, and as the foreign population grows, local governments are looking for ways to ensure everyone knows the correct procedures. The source offers no specifics on the rules themselves.",
      "url": "https://japan.briefpulse.com/stories/japan-municipal-waste-rules-vary-widely"
    },
    {
      "format": "brief",
      "headline": "JR East Unveils Three Candidates to Succeed Suica Penguin",
      "published_at": "2026-09-15T18:59:31+00:00",
      "standfirst": "JR East has announced three candidate designs to replace the Suica penguin, the IC card mascot retiring after 25 years. A public vote will decide which design succeeds it.",
      "url": "https://japan.briefpulse.com/stories/japan-east-unveils-three-candidates-succeed"
    },
    {
      "format": "article",
      "headline": "Bank of Japan warns of scams using its name",
      "published_at": "2026-09-15T18:44:36+00:00",
      "standfirst": "The Bank of Japan has issued a warning about scams that use its name or claim to be from its staff to fraudulently obtain money, property, or personal financial information.",
      "url": "https://japan.briefpulse.com/stories/japan-bank-japan-warns-scams-using"
    },
    {
      "format": "brief",
      "headline": "Guide to 2026 Tsukimi in Tokyo Lists Garden Openings, Shrine Festivals and Street Art",
      "published_at": "2026-09-15T18:43:44+00:00",
      "standfirst": "A Tokyo guide has published a 2026 tsukimi (moon-viewing) roundup, covering when the harvest moon rises and where to see it in the city.",
      "url": "https://japan.briefpulse.com/stories/japan-guide-2026-tsukimi-tokyo-lists"
    },
    {
      "format": "brief",
      "headline": "Hakushu in Yamanashi: A Two-Hour Autumn Foliage Drive from Tokyo",
      "published_at": "2026-09-15T18:43:16+00:00",
      "standfirst": "A travel article highlights a scenic autumn foliage drive in Hakushu, Hokuto City, Yamanashi, two hours from Tokyo. The evidence is thin on practical details such as route, timing, or transport.",
      "url": "https://japan.briefpulse.com/stories/japan-hakushu-yamanashi-two-hour-autumn-foliage"
    },
    {
      "format": "brief",
      "headline": "Roppongi’s Sauna Mother to open in late October as one-room private sauna",
      "published_at": "2026-09-15T18:31:05+00:00",
      "standfirst": "A one-room private sauna called Sauna Mother is scheduled to open in late October in the basement of Keepers Roppongi. The source gives few practical details beyond the location and creator.",
      "url": "https://japan.briefpulse.com/stories/japan-roppongi-sauna-mother-open-late"
    },
    {
      "format": "brief",
      "headline": "Tokyo Weekender Publishes Guide to Universal Studios Japan Halloween Horror Nights 2026",
      "published_at": "2026-09-15T18:30:48+00:00",
      "standfirst": "Tokyo Weekender has published a guide to Universal Studios Japan's Halloween Horror Nights for 2026, though the evidence provided does not include specific dates, prices, or availability. The article notes the event has grown from a seasonal attraction into a cultural phenomenon since 2011.",
      "url": "https://japan.briefpulse.com/stories/japan-tokyo-weekender-publishes-guide-universal"
    },
    {
      "format": "brief",
      "headline": "FamilyMart marks 45th year with 47-prefecture socks and stickers",
      "published_at": "2026-09-15T18:30:21+00:00",
      "standfirst": "FamilyMart is rolling out regionally exclusive “47-Prefecture” limited-edition socks and stickers at approximately 16,500 locations across Japan as the chain turns 45 this month. Details are limited to the regional concept and scale.",
      "url": "https://japan.briefpulse.com/stories/japan-familymart-marks-45th-year-47-prefecture"
    },
    {
      "format": "article",
      "headline": "Hiro Murai’s Emmy win puts a Tokyo-born director in the record books",
      "published_at": "2026-09-15T18:17:41+00:00",
      "standfirst": "Tokyo-born director Hiro Murai won Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series at the Emmy Awards for the premiere of Apple TV’s “Widow’s Bay,” a win the report says made him the first Asian director to take that category. The report is a culture story, not a travel or screening update.",
      "url": "https://japan.briefpulse.com/stories/japan-hiro-murai-emmy-win-puts"
    },
    {
      "format": "brief",
      "headline": "Mt Koya temples face questions over underreported income and tourism profits",
      "published_at": "2026-09-15T18:17:02+00:00",
      "standfirst": "Temples on Mt Koya are facing questions over more than 100 million yen in underreported income, according to a report that asks whether they are cashing in on the foreign tourism boom.",
      "url": "https://japan.briefpulse.com/stories/japan-koya-temples-face-questions-underreported"
    },
    {
      "format": "brief",
      "headline": "Gero Onsen autumn foliage guide lists Onsenji Temple and Gassho-mura",
      "published_at": "2026-09-15T18:06:34+00:00",
      "standfirst": "A Matcha Japan page highlights autumn foliage walking spots in Gero Onsen, naming Onsenji Temple and Gero-Onsen Gassho-mura, and also mentions Zenshoji Temple.",
      "url": "https://japan.briefpulse.com/stories/japan-gero-onsen-autumn-foliage-guide"
    },
    {
      "format": "brief",
      "headline": "Tokyo Weekender lists seven wellness experiences in and around Tokyo",
      "published_at": "2026-09-15T18:06:24+00:00",
      "standfirst": "Tokyo Weekender has published a list of seven wellness experiences in and around Tokyo, framed for visitors who want to add relaxation and recovery to a sightseeing trip.",
      "url": "https://japan.briefpulse.com/stories/japan-tokyo-weekender-lists-seven-wellness"
    },
    {
      "format": "brief",
      "headline": "Netflix’s ‘S&X’ Sex Therapy Drama Is a Must-Watch",
      "published_at": "2026-09-15T18:06:09+00:00",
      "standfirst": "A Netflix sex therapy drama is described as a must-watch. The source notes Japan’s birth rate has fallen steadily, with 671,000 births in 2025, the lowest since records began in 1899.",
      "url": "https://japan.briefpulse.com/stories/japan-netflix-sex-therapy-drama-must-watch"
    },
    {
      "format": "brief",
      "headline": "Two New Anime Tackle Smoking in Polar-Opposite Ways",
      "published_at": "2026-09-15T17:55:17+00:00",
      "standfirst": "A Tokyo Weekender review says two new anime series tackle smoking in polar-opposite ways. It frames them against Japan's shift from heavy smoking to heavy tobacco regulation, though the piece offers no practical travel details.",
      "url": "https://japan.briefpulse.com/stories/japan-two-anime-tackle-smoking-polar-opposite"
    },
    {
      "format": "brief",
      "headline": "Dashi packets recommended as a souvenir for travelers to Japan",
      "published_at": "2026-09-15T17:54:59+00:00",
      "standfirst": "A Japanese cooking site recommends dashi packets as a souvenir for travelers. The available evidence is only a title and a short description, but it says the article covers which type to choose, where to find them, and what to cook.",
      "url": "https://japan.briefpulse.com/stories/japan-dashi-packets-recommended-souvenir-travelers"
    },
    {
      "format": "brief",
      "headline": "Japan's 'Nighttime Crying Cafes' Offer Late-Night Refuge for Exhausted Parents",
      "published_at": "2026-09-15T17:54:31+00:00",
      "standfirst": "A new kind of late-night refuge for parents with crying babies is emerging in Japan, known as yona-ki cafes or 'nighttime crying cafes.' The report gives little practical detail beyond the concept.",
      "url": "https://japan.briefpulse.com/stories/japan-nighttime-crying-cafes-offer-late-night"
    },
    {
      "format": "article",
      "headline": "Tokyo announces Halloween event at Sea Forest Park in Koto Ward",
      "published_at": "2026-09-15T17:41:56+00:00",
      "standfirst": "The Tokyo Metropolitan Government says a Halloween event will be held at Tokyo Metropolitan Sea Forest Park in Koto Ward. The notice confirms the event and the venue only — dates, times, admission and programme are not in the material we have.",
      "url": "https://japan.briefpulse.com/stories/japan-tokyo-announces-halloween-event-sea"
    },
    {
      "format": "brief",
      "headline": "Discounted Sushi-Making Class and Mt. Fuji Tour Among Tokyo Deals",
      "published_at": "2026-09-15T17:41:43+00:00",
      "standfirst": "A Tokyo deals page updated on September 15, 2026, lists several discounted activities and tours, including a sushi-making class and a Mt. Fuji day tour, with offer end dates in September.",
      "url": "https://japan.briefpulse.com/stories/japan-discounted-sushi-making-class-fuji-tour"
    },
    {
      "format": "brief",
      "headline": "Go, Waymo and Nihon Kotsu agree to work on fully driverless Tokyo robotaxis",
      "published_at": "2026-09-15T17:41:23+00:00",
      "standfirst": "Go, Waymo and Nihon Kotsu have agreed to work together to commercialize fully driverless Level 4 taxis in Tokyo, targeting a launch next year; the article's headline frames the possibility by 2027. The evidence is thin on practical details such as routes, fares and exact timing.",
      "url": "https://japan.briefpulse.com/stories/japan-waymo-nihon-kotsu-agree-work"
    },
    {
      "format": "brief",
      "headline": "Japan to replace tax-free shopping at purchase with Refund Method from November 1, 2026",
      "published_at": "2026-09-15T17:30:31+00:00",
      "standfirst": "Japan will replace tax-free shopping at purchase with a Refund Method effective November 1, 2026. Under the new system, eligible items must be purchased with consumption tax; the source does not detail the full refund process.",
      "url": "https://japan.briefpulse.com/stories/japan-replace-tax-free-shopping-purchase-refund"
    },
    {
      "format": "brief",
      "headline": "Tokyo Weekender Highlights Three Made-in-Japan Gift Ideas for Fall",
      "published_at": "2026-09-15T17:18:33+00:00",
      "standfirst": "A Tokyo Weekender article highlights three made-in-Japan gift ideas for fall, though the available excerpt gives few specifics.",
      "url": "https://japan.briefpulse.com/stories/japan-tokyo-weekender-highlights-three-made-in-japan"
    },
    {
      "format": "article",
      "headline": "Japan's land prices rise for a fifth straight year, led by big cities and ski resorts",
      "published_at": "2026-09-15T17:18:12+00:00",
      "standfirst": "Government data show the average price of land in Japan rose 1.5 percent as of July 1, the fifth consecutive annual increase, with commercial land and tourist destinations climbing fastest. The same figures show a widening gap between the three largest metropolitan areas and the rest of the country.",
      "url": "https://japan.briefpulse.com/stories/japan-land-prices-rise-fifth-straight-2"
    },
    {
      "format": "brief",
      "headline": "Tokyo’s Secret Cool Pockets: A Local’s Guide to Beating the Heat",
      "published_at": "2026-09-15T17:17:59+00:00",
      "standfirst": "A local’s guide to beating Tokyo’s heat says visitors duck into convenience stores and department store basements, while locals know better.",
      "url": "https://japan.briefpulse.com/stories/japan-tokyo-secret-cool-pockets-local"
    },
    {
      "format": "article",
      "headline": "Japan prepares to host India in Sano as Asian Games brings top-level cricket",
      "published_at": "2026-09-15T17:06:06+00:00",
      "standfirst": "Japan is set to stage an unprecedented run of high-level cricket, including a first-ever meeting with a full ICC member, though the evidence gives almost no practical detail on tickets, transport or access for spectators.",
      "url": "https://japan.briefpulse.com/stories/japan-prepares-host-india-sano-asian"
    },
    {
      "format": "article",
      "headline": "Japan approves plan to cut food tax to 1% from April 2027, but funding undecided",
      "published_at": "2026-09-15T16:40:24+00:00",
      "standfirst": "Japan's government has approved a tax reform package that would cut the 8 percent consumption tax on food and nonalcoholic beverages to 1 percent for two years starting in April 2027. The legislation still needs parliamentary approval, and the government has yet to spell out how it will cover a shortfall estimated at roughly 10 trillion yen.",
      "url": "https://japan.briefpulse.com/stories/japan-approves-plan-cut-food-tax"
    },
    {
      "format": "article",
      "headline": "Japan loses contact with ASDF Global Hawk drone off Tottori; floating debris judged to be the aircraft",
      "published_at": "2026-09-15T09:29:49+00:00",
      "standfirst": "Japan's Air Self-Defense Force says it lost contact with a Global Hawk drone being operated off Tottori Prefecture, and debris later judged to be the drone was seen floating offshore. The available reporting is brief and says nothing about effects on civilian travel.",
      "url": "https://japan.briefpulse.com/stories/japan-loses-contact-global-hawk-drone"
    },
    {
      "format": "article",
      "headline": "Japan's centenarian population passes 100,000 for the first time",
      "published_at": "2026-09-15T05:06:04+00:00",
      "standfirst": "The number of centenarians in Japan reached 107,677 this year, up 7,914 from last year, according to the health ministry. Nearly all — 94,298 — are women.",
      "url": "https://japan.briefpulse.com/stories/japan-centenarians-milestone"
    },
    {
      "format": "article",
      "headline": "Tokyo's house lots keep being subdivided; a symposium asks what replaces the gardens",
      "published_at": "2026-09-14T23:49:08+00:00",
      "standfirst": "A Japan Times report from a recent architecture symposium asks whether greener rooftops could offset gardens lost to densification. The evidence available is a summary of that discussion, not a policy announcement, so treat the rooftop idea as an open question rather than a plan.",
      "url": "https://japan.briefpulse.com/stories/japan-rooftop-gardens"
    },
    {
      "format": "brief",
      "headline": "Panasonic’s Nicobo robot companion: unpredictable, juvenile and charming",
      "published_at": "2026-09-14T21:21:04+00:00",
      "standfirst": "Nippon.com profiles Panasonic's Nicobo, an AI-equipped robotic companion it describes as unpredictable, juvenile and charming, and places it in a wider look at Japan's 'weak robots'.",
      "url": "https://japan.briefpulse.com/stories/japan-weak-robots"
    },
    {
      "format": "article",
      "headline": "Gold bar scams in Japan: losses hit ¥8.13 billion in first half of 2026",
      "published_at": "2026-09-14T17:33:56+00:00",
      "standfirst": "Gold bars are increasingly used in scams in Japan, with losses of ¥8.13 billion in the first half of 2026 already exceeding the ¥6.02 billion lost in all of last year. The source provides figures but few details on how the scams operate.",
      "url": "https://japan.briefpulse.com/stories/gold-bar-scams-japan"
    },
    {
      "format": "article",
      "headline": "Asako Yuzuki Moves From Thrillers to Children’s Literature",
      "published_at": "2026-09-14T13:30:59+00:00",
      "standfirst": "Asako Yuzuki, known for thrillers such as Butter, has written a children’s book, 'Mari the Unwonderful Witch.' It was published in Japan in 2023 and is coming out in an English translation by Ecre Karadag at the end of September.",
      "url": "https://japan.briefpulse.com/stories/yuzuki-childrens-book"
    },
    {
      "format": "article",
      "headline": "Free car lending for disaster victims in Japan struggles to meet demand",
      "published_at": "2026-09-14T04:21:09+00:00",
      "standfirst": "A Japanese nonprofit that lends cars free of charge to disaster victims says it is struggling to meet demand as disasters hit the country at an unprecedented pace. The source offers limited detail on the scale of the shortfall.",
      "url": "https://japan.briefpulse.com/stories/japan-disaster-car-lending"
    },
    {
      "format": "article",
      "headline": "Japan's drone no-fly zones widened on 14 July, including around Naha Airport",
      "published_at": "2026-09-14T04:17:02+00:00",
      "standfirst": "Japan's drone law changed on 14 July 2026: the surrounding area that can be closed to small drones now runs to a facility's premises plus generally about 1,000 m, and the covered list now includes sites where designated special VIPs are staying and venues for international conferences. Eight airports, Naha among them, are designated, and MLIT Notice No. 813 of Reiwa 8 sets Naha's zone district by district in Naha City and Tomigusuku City plus a defined sea area - not whole towns; the Geospatial Information Authority of Japan publishes the zones as a map layer. Flying in a designated area needs the airport manager's consent and prior notice to the prefectural public safety commission at least 48 hours ahead; the steps are in our guide, Flying a drone in Japan: registration, zones and permissions. The Japan Times reports more than 10 purportedly illegal flights confirmed in Okinawa Prefecture and objections from local businesses.",
      "url": "https://japan.briefpulse.com/stories/okinawa-drone-no-fly-zones"
    },
    {
      "format": "article",
      "headline": "Chubu Electric chiefs to resign over falsified earthquake-risk data, NHK reports",
      "published_at": "2026-09-13T10:20:53+00:00",
      "standfirst": "NHK reports that Chubu Electric executives are to resign after allegations that falsified earthquake-risk data was provided to Japan's nuclear regulator during safety reviews.",
      "url": "https://japan.briefpulse.com/stories/chubu-electric-resignations"
    },
    {
      "format": "brief",
      "headline": "Fukui factory tour teaches kawara tile making and smashing",
      "published_at": "2026-09-13T09:11:43+00:00",
      "standfirst": "Echizen Seramika's factory tour in Fukui shows visitors how Japanese kawara tiles are made, and how they are smashed.",
      "url": "https://japan.briefpulse.com/stories/fukui-kawara-tile-tour"
    },
    {
      "format": "brief",
      "headline": "Shizuoka Weighs Registration or Rescue Fees for Off-Season Mt. Fuji Climbers",
      "published_at": "2026-09-13T00:20:17+00:00",
      "standfirst": "With this year's Mt. Fuji climbing season over, forestry officials in Shizuoka are preparing to consider whether off-season climbers should register with the government or pay for their own rescues.",
      "url": "https://japan.briefpulse.com/stories/mt-fuji-off-season-climber-rules"
    },
    {
      "format": "article",
      "headline": "Bank of Japan meets 17-18 September; a rise to 1.25% is expected",
      "published_at": "2026-09-12T08:44:53+00:00",
      "standfirst": "The Bank of Japan's Policy Board meets on Thursday 17 and Friday 18 September 2026 and announces its decision on the final day, its published meeting schedule shows. The Bank's latest statement, on 31 July 2026, kept the uncollateralized overnight call rate at around 1.0 percent by an 8-1 majority, with board member Takata Hajime proposing 1.25 percent. The Japan Times reports the Bank is set to raise the rate to 1.25 percent, a level last seen in April 1995.",
      "url": "https://japan.briefpulse.com/stories/boj-policy-rate-hike"
    }
  ]
}