Tokyo International News Agency

Tadashi Motegi, a secretary to the Chief Cabinet Secretary and known as one of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's closest aides, is facing intense scrutiny on social media following reports of habitual "fraudulent business trips" funded by taxpayers. According to reports, last year, while serving as the Chief International Exhibition Coordinating Officer for the Osaka-Kansai Expo, Motegi allegedly used official business trips to Osaka as opportunities to invite a woman with whom he was having an extramarital affair to stay at his hotels. These questionable trips involving overnight stays occurred at least five times, raising suspicions that he only paid hotel fees for a single guest despite having a companion. Motegi is a bureaucrat who has long enjoyed the deep trust of Prime Minister Takaichi, having previously served as her secretary during her tenure as State Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry. His appointment to his current role in the Prime Minister's official...

In celebration of the 10th anniversary of "Ringo Jam," the official fan club of the wildly popular Japanese band Mrs. GREEN APPLE, their official app and content have received a massive overhaul. Among the updates, the sudden archive release of their beloved variety show Mrs. School Quest has sparked absolute euphoria among fans. Immediately following the launch, "School Quest" began trending on social media. Newer fans who missed the original broadcast flooded platforms with emotional messages of gratitude, with comments like, "As a new fan, I've wanted to watch this forever. I am so happy!" and "I had completely given up, thinking the only way to watch this was by breaking the law, so I'm incredibly grateful." Meanwhile, long-time fans who watched the original airing indulged in nostalgia, sharing thoughts like, "It brings back memories of staying up late to watch it live," and "It’s amazing to be able to watch those leg...

Around 8:38 AM on June 8, 2026, a massive earthquake occurred near the Philippines. In response, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) issued a tsunami advisory at 9:05 AM for a vast area along the Pacific coast stretching from the Kanto region to Okinawa, predicting waves of up to 1 meter. Authorities and local governments are strongly urging people to immediately stay away from beaches and coastal areas due to extreme danger. The sudden Monday morning warning sent emergency alerts buzzing on mobile phones and blaring through municipal disaster prevention speakers in coastal areas, creating a tense atmosphere in offices and city streets. Social media quickly filled with posts expressing shock and surprise at the simultaneous alarms. Swift evacuations and facility closures followed in coastal regions. In Numazu, Shizuoka Prefecture, the massive 'Byuo' water gate was shut immediately, and the Kashima Port Fishing Park in Ibaraki Prefecture closed temporarily. Local authorities i...

The performance schedule for TOKYO IDOL FESTIVAL 2026 supported by Nishitan Clinic (TIF2026), one of the world's largest idol festivals, has been officially announced, generating massive excitement across social media. Once again sponsored by Nishitan Clinic, the event is drawing intense attention as a major summer highlight set to heat up the Odaiba area in Tokyo. Three Days of Midsummer Idol Madness in Odaiba TIF2026 will take place over three days from Friday, July 31 to Sunday, August 2, 2026, in the Odaiba and Aomi areas of Tokyo. With the announcement of the daily lineups, both fans and performing artists have been sharing their enthusiastic reactions online, gearing up for the big weekend. High-Profile Group Lineups Confirmed The daily schedules for major groups have been locked in. On Saturday, August 1, the stage will feature HKT48, a solo performance by Sana Morohashi from =LOVE, @onefive, and Up Up Girls (Kari). On Sunday, August 2, STU48 and the digital idol group 22/7 ...

Around 8:38 AM on June 8, 2026, an extremely powerful magnitude 8.2 earthquake struck near Mindanao in the Philippines. Reports from the area describe a tense situation, with buildings collapsing under violent tremors and panicked residents fleeing to safety. Authorities are working quickly to assess the full scale of the damage. Following the earthquake, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) issued tsunami advisories for a broad area along the Pacific coast and outlying islands, stretching from Ibaraki Prefecture to Okinawa Prefecture. The maximum expected tsunami height is 1 meter. The first waves are anticipated to arrive around 11:00 AM in regions such as Kyushu, Amami, and Okinawa, and by early afternoon in Wakayama Prefecture. Local governments in affected areas are taking precautionary measures. Kochi Prefecture has issued a Level 4 evacuation instruction for all 19 of its coastal municipalities. Meanwhile, authorities in various coastal regions are ramping up vigilance through ...

On June 8, 2026, the official Yu-Gi-Oh! news outlets YU-GI-OH.jp and V Jump News unveiled the first-look images and card details for a brand-new archetype: "GMX" (Genomics) . Set to debut in the upcoming booster pack World Premiere Pack 2026 , this new theme has quickly taken social media by storm, captivating Duelists with its dark sci-fi aesthetic, striking character designs, and high-risk, high-reward gameplay. A Dark Narrative: Dinosaurs Meet Human Experimentation The GMX archetype centers around Dinosaur-Type monsters, but its artwork tells a deeply narrative-driven, sci-fi thriller story. The cards depict the unfolding events of the "Genomics Project," featuring intriguing characters like the shady "GMX Chief Professor Kinridge," the melancholic young man "Selan," and the formidable "Danian, the Neo-World Dragon." Fans are already highly invested in the lore, piecing together clues about abandoned laboratories and desperate, la...

On June 8, 2026, at approximately 8:38 AM, a massive magnitude 8.2 earthquake struck near Mindanao Island in the Philippines. Serious damage, including collapsed buildings, has been reported in the Philippines, while tsunami advisories have been issued across a wide stretch of Japan's Pacific coast, creating a tense situation. Severe Damage and Casualties in Mindanao In Mindanao, southern Philippines, close to the epicenter, buildings violently collapsed immediately after the earthquake. According to reports, at least five people have died, and local authorities are rushing to confirm details and conduct rescue operations. Additionally, a tsunami of up to 75 centimeters was observed in neighboring Indonesia, showing a significant impact on surrounding waters. Tsunami Advisories Issued from Ibaraki to Okinawa Following the quake, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) issued tsunami advisories for extensive areas along the Pacific coast, spanning from Ibaraki Prefecture to Okinawa Pr...