Tokyo International News Agency

Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers showcased another otherworldly performance on the 21st (22nd JST), starting against the Padres in his "two-way" role as both the pitcher and the designated hitter. He kicked things off with a leadoff home run—his 8th of the season—and followed it up with five scoreless innings on the mound. Providing his own run support, Ohtani secured his fourth win of the season in a way only he can. Returning to the two-way role for the first time in about a month, Ohtani delivered an immediate impact. Leading off the bottom of the first inning, he connected on the very first pitch for a center-field blast. Fans marveled at the "out-of-this-world" start, noting how "Hitter Ohtani" stepped up to help "Pitcher Ohtani" before he even touched the rubber. Defensively, Ohtani faced a major crisis in the fifth inning with the bases loaded and one out. However, he escaped the jam by inducing a clutch double play. Pitching with ...

According to preliminary trade statistics for April released by the Ministry of Finance on the 21st, Japan's crude oil imports plummeted by 63.7% compared to the same month last year, falling to 4.48 million kiloliters. This represents the largest drop since records became comparable in 1979. The severe decline is attributed to the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz following the deterioration of the situation in the Middle East. By region, imports from the Middle East—on which Japan relies for approximately 90% of its oil—saw a massive decrease of 67.2%, totaling 3.84 million kiloliters. Furthermore, imports of volatile oils, including naphtha, dropped 79.4% to just 340,000 kiloliters. While the government has been working to bolster alternative supply chains, such as increasing crude oil imports from the United States by 38.8% and volatile oil by 206 times compared to the previous year, these gains have not been enough to offset the overall shortfall. In response to the crisis, soc...

On May 21st, the official social media accounts for "Aikatsu! Encore," the latest installment in the popular Data Carddass (DCD) rhythm game series, began revealing a steady stream of information about the featured idols, sparking a massive reaction online. The announcements highlighted members of the legendary unit "Soleil," a trio that remains a symbol of the entire franchise. Fans also took note of a lineup that seems to champion next-generation idols like "Eliaunt," drawing significant attention from long-time followers. Alongside the character reveals, the second official promotional video (PV) was released. Seeing the idols perform with significantly evolved visuals led to a flood of enthusiastic comments, with fans posting, "I got goosebumps," and "I can live for this." Beyond the aesthetics, the game's mechanics are also a major point of discussion. The inclusion of a "My Character" feature—which allows players to ...

The popular space fantasy RPG "Honkai: Star Rail" has reached its third anniversary since its launch. As part of the commemorative festivities, a special pop-up event titled "Honkai: Star Rail Carnival - GAME NEVER ENDS" is set to begin tomorrow at Naka-Ikebukuro Park in Toshima City. On the 21st, social media was buzzing with posts from fans eagerly anticipating the event, causing it to trend across various platforms. Naka-Ikebukuro Park Becomes a "Carnival" with Special Prizes and Surprises In addition to the distribution of exclusive prizes at the venue, rumors that the game's formidable boss, "Phantylia," might make an appearance have drawn significant attention from the community. While Naka-Ikebukuro Park is already well-known as a "holy land" for anime and game enthusiasts, it is expected to be completely transformed into the world of "Star Rail" during the event period. Wishes Go Viral as SNS Campaign Takes Off Ahe...

In recent years, the phrase "crashing into a utility pole" has frequently trended on social media, with shocking news of traffic accidents making headlines almost daily. Particularly high-profile cases include an illegally modified vehicle posing as a police car and a runaway bus causing massive traffic disruption. Drunk Driver in Fake Unmarked Police Car Crashes In May 2026, an incident in Nerima Ward, Tokyo, shocked the public due to its bizarre nature. A 23-year-old unemployed man was arrested for allegedly driving while intoxicated and crashing into a utility pole, injuring his girlfriend who was in the passenger seat. The suspect had illegally modified his car with red lights and sirens to impersonate an undercover police vehicle in "emergency pursuit." Social media was flooded with outrage and disbelief, with comments such as "This is too stupid to be real" and "What was he even trying to achieve?" Unconscious Driver Sends Sightseeing Bus C...

At approximately 11:46 AM on May 20, 2026, an earthquake occurred with its epicenter in the waters near the Okinawa Main Island, recording a maximum seismic intensity of 5-upper on the Japanese scale in Yoron Town, Kagoshima Prefecture. According to the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA), the earthquake had an estimated magnitude of 5.9 and a focal depth of approximately 50 kilometers. No tsunami warnings were issued following the event. Strong tremors were primarily felt across the southern Amami region of Kagoshima Prefecture. In Yoron Town, reports have emerged of minor disruptions, including a hospital elevator being forced out of service. While police and local government officials have not yet confirmed any major structural damage or casualties, authorities are continuing to conduct rapid assessments of the situation. On social media, anxiety spread immediately after the quake, with many users commenting on the frequency of recent large earthquakes and expressing concern regarding...

On the morning of May 20, 2026, a fire broke out near the summit of Mt. Misen on Miyajima Island in Hatsukaichi City, Hiroshima Prefecture—a site recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage island. The blaze completely destroyed the "Reikado Hall" of Daishoin Temple, which enshrines the "Eternal Flame" (Kiezu-no-hi), a sacred fire associated with the Buddhist monk Kobo Daishi (Kukai). Despite a large-scale emergency response involving eight fire engines and helicopters, which succeeded in bringing the fire under control by 10:35 AM that day, the loss of the historic building has left the public in shock. Reikado Hall is a vital cultural structure that serves as the repository for the "Eternal Flame," which is said to have burned continuously for approximately 1,200 years since Kukai first lit it during his ascetic training. This fire is also significant for being one of the source flames for the "Flame of Peace" in Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, holdin...