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Tourists banned in tougher rules to gain Japanese driver’s licenses

The Asahi Shimbun ·

The National Police Agency on July 10 announced tighter procedures for converting foreign driver’s permits into Japanese licenses, including imposing tougher written and skills tests and preventing short-term tourists from applying. The new...

Kaz Inaba’s 50 Years in Bluegrass in Japan

Bluegrass Today - Tennessee · July 10, 2025

Kaz Inaba at Kobe Shushinkan in Kobe, Japan (6/28/25) Leading Japanese bluegrass artist Kazuhiro Inaba shared some information, photos, and videos from a series of all star concerts he headlined last month in Japan, all in celebration of his 50th...

Flight constraints, price pressures loom as tourism gears up for summer surge

Macau Daily Times · July 11, 2025

The tourism sector is bracing for a vibrant summer season, with hotel operators projecting high visitor numbers and occupancy rates in August. However, industry experts warn that growth momentum may be threatened by rising cost sensitivity,...

Japan to bar foreign tourists from converting driver's licenses

NHK ·

Japan's National Police Agency plans to revise the system for converting driver's licenses obtained overseas to Japanese ones. Under the revised system, foreign tourists and other short-stay visitors will not be allowed to convert the license they...

Japan's Sticky Problem With Trump, Tariffs And Rice

International Business Times · July 10, 2025

Donald Trump's insistence that "spoiled" Japan imports more US rice is adding to Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's problems ahead of elections that could sink his premiership after less than a year in office. Japan is one of more than 20 countries...

Japan’s panda capital is losing its pandas. What comes next?

Apple Valley News Now (KAPP) - Washington State ·

Shirahama, Japan (CNN) — They came, dressed in black and white, wearing furry hats, and clutching banners and soft toys. With tears in their eyes and sobs in their throats, they waited patiently in line under the scorching sun for one last glimpse...

Leechiu Property Consultants: Domestic travel boosting Philippine tourism sector

Travel Daily Media · July 11, 2025

Philippine real estate advisory firm Leechiu Property Consultants (LPC) reports that domestic travel is what’s spurring on the ongoing recovery of the Philippine travel industry. During the presentation of its Q2-2025 Philippine Property Market...

Japanese-style strawberry sandwiches win mainstream fans in U.K., but aren’t quite like the originals

SoraNews24 · July 9, 2025

Sandwiches are a sell-out hit with a few key differences from how they’re made in Japan. Japanese food has made some impressive international inroads in recent years. Turning up your nose at sushi because you’re uncomfortable with the idea of...

Nearly half of Aussie travellers don’t know the emergency number when abroad

Travel Weekly · July 11, 2025

ALLClear Travel Insurance research has revealed a worrying knowledge gap: nearly half of Aussie travellers (46 per cent) don’t know the correct number to call in an emergency when abroad. While 000 is second nature at home, a surprising number are...

3 Japanese regions with over 90% growth in Aussie stays

Travel Weekly · July 10, 2025

Australian travellers are increasingly going beyond the Golden Route of Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto to discover the treasures and traditions of diverse prefectures, with Ishikawa, Gifu and Wakayama recording the most remarkable growth in visitor...

Japanese airlines offer discounted fares to international tourists

SoraNews24 · July 9, 2025

JAL and ANA have surprising deals that allow you to see more of Japan while saving time and money. When you’re planning a trip to Japan, you might find yourself umming and ahhing over whether or not to purchase the Japan Rail Pass, which used to...

Emirates reveals the top 5 summer destinations travelers can’t get enough of

The Manual - Oregon · July 10, 2025

Emirates’ latest analysis of global booking data has revealed where Americans – and international travelers- are headed this summer, showing a shift towards new cultural experiences and off-the-beaten-path destinations. The analysis of global...

Intimate Tokyo Cafe Venue, Akasaka Roman, with Live Anime Song Performances Attracts Fans From Home, Abroad

The Japan News · July 11, 2025

Takayoshi Tanimoto, far right, sings at Live Cafe Akasaka Roman in Tokyo in June. By Mishio Suzuki / Yomiuri Shimbun Staff Writer 10:30 JST, July 11, 2025 A Tokyo cafe for live performances of anison (anime songs) is gaining popularity among fans...

Why are record number of Australian tourists flocking to Japan? Check attractions behind the trend

The Economic Times · July 11, 2025

From shopping and dining to culture, a country like Japan has everything to attract tourists from around the world. These reasons, among many others, have successfully attracted tourists from Australia as well. Statistics prove that Australians...

2 Americans rescued from Japan’s Mount Fuji prompt more calls for tougher rules

South China Morning Post · July 11, 2025

Two Americans have had to be rescued from Japan’s Mount Fuji in separate incidents before the official climbing season began on Thursday, prompting renewed calls for tougher penalties on rule-breaking hikers who endanger themselves and drain local...

Japanese hitchhiker experiences China off the beaten path

China Daily ·

Tanikawa takes a photo in Lanzhou, Gansu province, in February.XINHUA NANJING — Far from an impulsive decision, a Japanese student planned a well-thought-out route to experience the real China. With a tight budget and schedule, he hitchhiked over...

Jane Birkin’s original Hermès bag sells to Japanese bidder at auction for whopping 8.6 million euros

Japan Today · July 10, 2025

Sketched out on an air sickness bag, the first Birkin handbag — the prototype for fashion's must-have accessory — sold for a staggering 8.6 million euros ($10.1 million), including fees, to a private Japanese bidder on Thursday in Paris to become...

Japanese eels: Your guide to unagi & anago: Let’s dive into the depths of Japanese eels

Stars and Stripes Okinawa ·

Grilled Eel rice in Japanese square box tableware. (Photo by 123RF) Over in the West, eels are perhaps only seen at the local aquariums, peeping out from a cave or tunnel—scaring a few kids in the process. However, in Japan, eels are considered a...

What’s behind Japan’s sticky problem with Trump over rice and tariffs

Malay Mail · July 11, 2025

TOKYO, July 11 — Donald Trump’s insistence that “spoiled” Japan imports more US rice is adding to Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba’s problems ahead of elections that could sink his premiership after less than a year in office. Japan is one of more...

Japan’s Ocean Day to be observed July 21

Stars and Stripes Okinawa ·

Cape Shiriyazaki (Photo by Takahiro Takiguchi) Japan’s Umi-no-hi, or Ocean Day, will be observed July 21 this year. This national holiday is the unofficial start of the summer season for students, but there are not official celebrations. The...