SoraNews24 —Japan News—
Bringing you yesterday's news from Japan and Asia, today.
Featured
- Weird
- Studio Ghibli
- Jobs
Idols
Umamusume anime concerts unable to obtain visas from U.S. government, cancel L.A. shows
- Casey Baseel
Oct 20, 2026 - Tweet
Horse girls get stuck in the starting gate ahead of what would have been the franchise’s first-ever concerts in America.
- Japan
- (anime • concerts • idol singers • Idols • Los Angeles • manga • music • Umamusume • video games • visa • visas)
Umamusume anime concerts in U.S. may have to be cancelled over visa problems
- Casey Baseel
Oct 20, 2026
After six months of trying, organizers say they still don’t have the necessary OK from the U.S. government to bring the horse girl concert to the City of Angels.
- Japan
- (anime • concerts • idol singers • Idols • Los Angeles • manga • music • Umamusume • video games • visa • visas)
McDonald’s Japan makes beautifully bittersweet burger anime music video with Idolmaster [Video]
- Casey Baseel
Sep 26, 2026
Chihaya Kisaragi and Imadaketsukimitabemi go moon-viewing together.
- Japan
- (anime & manga • burgers • fast food • food • hamburgers • idol singers • Idolmaster • Idols • McDonald's • McDonald's Japan • moon viewing • moon-viewing burgers • music • The Idolmaster • tsukimi • tsukimi burgers • video • video games)
OC Japan Fair returns to California packed with all kinds of Japanese culture
- Master Blaster
Sep 17, 2026
Tuna dismantling? You bet!
- Japan, USA
- (Akihabara • anime • Asakusa • California • COK • cosplay • events • festivals • Idols • Japanese culture • obon odori • OC Japan Fair • Oiran Dochu)
Stay at a hotel with a bed for your plushie in Japan
- Oona McGee
Aug 16, 2026
Complete with tiny matching pyjamas for your little friend.
- Japan
- (accommodation • acryclic standees • anime • business hotel • fandom • hotels • Idols • Japanese accommodation • manga • oshi katsu • plush toy • plush toys • plushie • plushies • Toyoko Inn • unusual accommodation)
McDonald’s Japan adds new Hello Kitty and Pompompurin drinks to the menu for a limited time
- Oona McGee
Apr 7, 2026
Sanrio characters add sweetness to first-ever McDonald’s smoothie and frappe collaboration, complete with a Japanese idol commercial.
- Japan
- (Ano • commercial • cool • cute • drinks • fast food • hack • Hello Kitty • idol • Idols • Japanese commercials • Japanese idols • Kawaii • marketing • McDonald's • McDonald's Japan • Pompompurin • Sanrio)
Virtual idol Hatsune Miku redesigned with look that adds new elements and brings back old ones
- Casey Baseel
Mar 13, 2026
New version of Vocaloid software is arriving with a new Miku design.
- Japan
- (anime • Hatsune Miku • Hatsune Miku V6 • idol singers • Idols • manga • music • technology • video • virtual idols • Vocaloid • vocaloids)
TikTok releases its Year in Music 2025 – Japan’s Top 10 Songs ranking
- Krista Rogers
Dec 16, 2025
Japanese idol units and songs about not giving up strike big in this year’s list of the most influential TikTok tracks in Japan.
Japan’s plus-sized idol singer group releases new video about the joys of eating【Video】
- Casey Baseel
Nov 13, 2025
Big Angel has grown even bigger since the last time we saw them.
- Japan
- (Big Angel • idol singers • Idols • J-Pop • music • plus-sized • video)
Japanese pop idol A-chan reveals she’s always wanted to marry a fan, and she’s done it
- Casey Baseel
Nov 12, 2025
“Congratulations, teenage me!” says Perfume member.
- Japan
- (A-chan • Ayaka Nishiwaki • COK • idol singers • Idols • J-Pop • marriage • music • perfume • romance)
Real-life Love Live? Japanese high school starting official idol club extracurricular activity
- Casey Baseel
Nov 7, 2025
School idols will create original songs, hold live performances.
- Japan
- (COK • extracurricular activities • high schools • idol singers • Idols • music • school clubs • schools • youth)
Japanese hotel chain’s new service: A bed and pajamas for otaku travelers’ plushies
- Casey Baseel
Oct 11, 2025
This oshi travel extra isn’t free, but that might be part of the point.
- Japan
- (anime • COK • cool • hotels • Idols • manga • oshi • oshi katsu • otaku • plushies • tourism • Toyoko Inn • travel • weird)
Experience what it feels like to step on stage as an idol at Japan’s new World Idol Republic
- Casey Baseel
Sep 17, 2025
Nagoya’s otaku district has a new center for idols, idol fans, and idol fans who want to feel like an idol.
- Japan
- (cool • idol singers • Idols • Nagoya • Sakae • World Idol Republic)
Japanese idol group asks fans to be respectful towards pre-teen singer for heartwarming reason
- Casey Baseel
Nov 30, 2024
With the Christmas season here, management asks for sensitivity regarding one specific topic.
- Japan
- (Christmas • COK • idol fans • idol singers • Idols • moving • Santa Claus • touching)
Foreign man arrested for grabbing former AKB48 idol on Tokyo street, forcing her to ground
- Casey Baseel
Oct 29, 2024
Original AKB48 member was in Shibuya for book launch event.
- Japan
- (AKB48 • COK • crime • Haruna Kojima • idol singers • Idols)
Shrimp Tail cafes open in Japan, love of cuteness recommended, eating shrimp tails not required
- Casey Baseel
Sep 3, 2024
Sumikko Gurashi’s Ebiten no Shippo and Ebufurai no Shippo idols get themed cafe.
- Japan
- (anime • cafes • cute • idol singers • Idols • manga • restaurants • San-X • Sumikko Gurashi • themed cafes • themed restaurants • weird)
Japanese underground idol group GE’LMINATii react to meeting our reporter, their secret songwriter
- Oona McGee
Sep 1, 2024
Sometimes the tables are turned and the idoliser becomes the idolised.
- Japan
- (COK • concert • coo • Ge'lminatii • idol group • idol singers • Idols • Japanese idols • live • live house • music • oshi • parents • Seiji Nakazawa • SNJO • touching • visual kei)
As punishment for boyfriend pics, idol singer to post good night photos of herself alone for one year
- Casey Baseel
Aug 7, 2024
Momoka Tojo apologizes to fans, other members after mistakenly shard birthday photos.
- Japan
- (crazy • idol dating ban • idol romance ban • idol singers • Idols • J-Pop • Momoka Tojo • music • relationships • romance • weird)
30-ish Japanese idol group breaking up because of members’ old age, declining physical strength
- Casey Baseel
Dec 8, 2023
Setsuna Meteor is getting too old for this idol singer stuff.
- Japan
- (idol singers • Idols • J-Pop • music)
Johnny’s talent agency announces name change, dismantling, and upcoming new agency formation
- Casey Baseel
Oct 2, 2023
Decision comes one month after admission of sexual abuse by founder.
- Japan
- (boy bands • crime • Idols • Johhny's • Johnny & Associates • Johnny Kitagawa • scandal • Smile Up)
-
Recent Posts
- Life-size Gundam head going on display in Osaka, hopefully will find permanent home
- Tokyo police arrest the Ame-zing Spider-Man
- Ichiran releases an at-home counter kit that turns your desk into a ramen restaurant
- Starbucks Japan releases new Bearista glass tumbler that changes character with every drink
- Move aside, Asahi Super Dry – Asahi Spice Beer is in town, and it’s hotter than you think
-
MOST POPULAR
- Today
- Weekly
- Monthly
- Yearly
Today
Ichiran releases an at-home counter kit that turns your desk into a ramen restaurant
Starbucks Japan releases new Bearista glass tumbler that changes character with every drink
Tokyo police arrest the Ame-zing Spider-Man
Move aside, Asahi Super Dry – Asahi Spice Beer is in town, and it’s hotter than you think
Starbucks Japan reveals new Joyful Capsule gacha toy release date
Japanese drivers reminded to look out for drunk people passed out on the road this holiday season
Historical-themed illumination display returns to Osaka Castle this winter
“Sweet sake” with yuzu is coming to Japan’s wonderful world of hot canned drinks this winter
KFC now sells takikomi gohan rice boxes in Japan, if you know where to look for them [Taste test]
Is hamburger patty ramen a case of too many good things in one bowl? Let’s find out! [Taste test]
Weekly
Tokyo cracks down on Airbnb-style rentals with new laws limiting operator days and more
Starbucks Japan unveils new winter drinkware collection with limited-edition Stanley cups
America’s first-ever permanent One Piece store is now open [Photos]
Pachinko parlor operator arrested for not obscuring the act of gambling well enough
Tokyo neighborhood adds new “smart trash cans” to deal with increasing amounts of tourist litter
Two Tokyo neighborhoods to gather on bridge and shift their recognized border through tug-of-war
New Era celebrates three decades of Pokémon with new 30th anniversary cap line [Photos]
Pokémon card game’s expansion features art from Fist of the North Star creator
Japan’s new matcha vending machines serve freshly prepared matcha in five different strengths- Starbucks Japan reveals new Joyful Capsule gacha toy release date
Monthly
Pokémon Company announces first-ever permanent Pokémon store to open outside Asia
Japan ends tax-free shopping system for foreign tourists, new refund request system now in effect
Japan’s TeamLab digital art group is opening a permanent museum in America
Beautiful Ghibli diorama kits lets you build anime characters’ homes inside yours [Photos]
Family Mart releases 47 convenience store socks and stickers, one for every prefecture in Japan
Chainsaw robots helping keep trains running safely in east Japan [Video]
New Studio Ghibli anime gets extended run at the only cinema in Japan where it’s being shown
Osaka’s famous Glico Running Man will be removed and replaced with a new-look sign- Tokyo cracks down on Airbnb-style rentals with new laws limiting operator days and more
Studio Ghibli creates illustrated Kyoto sightseeing map, available at any 7-Eleven Japan store
Yearly
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Tokyo subway installing new ticket gates that don’t accept payment through Suica or other IC cards
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
-
RECOMMENDED STORIES
Japanese drivers reminded to look out for drunk people passed out on the road this holiday season
Historical-themed illumination display returns to Osaka Castle this winter
“Sweet sake” with yuzu is coming to Japan’s wonderful world of hot canned drinks this winter
KFC now sells takikomi gohan rice boxes in Japan, if you know where to look for them [Taste test]
Is hamburger patty ramen a case of too many good things in one bowl? Let’s find out! [Taste test]
Japan’s upcoming Romancecar train seeks to end intimacy with its super-wide seats
Tokyo cracks down on Airbnb-style rentals with new laws limiting operator days and more
Japanese teacher who asked permission to jerk off at convenience store has been fired
Yakuza boss sues expressway owners for discrimination against criminals
Family Mart releases 47 convenience store socks and stickers, one for every prefecture in Japan
KFC Japan starts selling soft-serve ice cream at select locations, and they’ve even put it in a biscuit
America’s first-ever permanent One Piece store is now open [Photos]
Pachinko parlor operator arrested for not obscuring the act of gambling well enough
Tokyo neighborhood adds new “smart trash cans” to deal with increasing amounts of tourist litter
-
-
Categories
Categories Select Category Africa (33) Anime & Manga (193) Art (64) Australia (42) C America (9) C Asia (17) Canada (59) Cats (72) China (847) Culture (180) Cute (187) Entertainment (248) Europe (345) FN24 (1) Food & Drink (314) Games & Tech (167) Global (1,073) India (11) Internet (2,198) Italy (13) Japan (34,593) Korea (375) Lifestyle (76) Mexico (6) Music (12) N Asia (4) New Zealand (11) News (61) North Korea (72) Oceania (10) Russia (56) S America (33) S Asia (66) SE Asia (378) Space (2) Taiwan (203) UK (18) Uncategorized (19) USA (979) W Asia (25)
-
Archives
Archives Select Month November 2026 (62) October 2026 (144) September 2026 (156) August 2026 (174) July 2026 (197) June 2026 (174) May 2026 (138) April 2026 (142) March 2026 (150) February 2026 (124) January 2026 (138) December 2025 (136) November 2025 (136) October 2025 (151) September 2025 (154) August 2025 (143) July 2025 (158) June 2025 (165) May 2025 (162) April 2025 (181) March 2025 (157) February 2025 (127) January 2025 (139) December 2024 (148) November 2024 (149) October 2024 (153) September 2024 (154) August 2024 (158) July 2024 (156) June 2024 (150) May 2024 (166) April 2024 (150) March 2024 (157) February 2024 (169) January 2024 (159) December 2023 (165) November 2023 (166) October 2023 (166) September 2023 (173) August 2023 (183) July 2023 (171) June 2023 (180) May 2023 (158) April 2023 (152) March 2023 (167) February 2023 (160) January 2023 (171) December 2022 (175) November 2022 (176) October 2022 (179) September 2022 (191) August 2022 (202) July 2022 (193) June 2022 (178) May 2022 (178) April 2022 (181) March 2022 (212) February 2022 (199) January 2022 (224) December 2021 (230) November 2021 (214) October 2021 (215) September 2021 (238) August 2021 (225) July 2021 (207) June 2021 (218) May 2021 (209) April 2021 (206) March 2021 (225) February 2021 (209) January 2021 (224) December 2020 (225) November 2020 (224) October 2020 (231) September 2020 (238) August 2020 (227) July 2020 (220) June 2020 (209) May 2020 (215) April 2020 (238) March 2020 (235) February 2020 (222) January 2020 (233) December 2019 (187) November 2019 (214) October 2019 (237) September 2019 (195) August 2019 (205) July 2019 (183) June 2019 (201) May 2019 (231) April 2019 (192) March 2019 (242) February 2019 (211) January 2019 (238) December 2018 (212) November 2018 (217) October 2018 (214) September 2018 (203) August 2018 (217) July 2018 (218) June 2018 (208) May 2018 (204) April 2018 (193) March 2018 (216) February 2018 (192) January 2018 (223) December 2017 (204) November 2017 (209) October 2017 (218) September 2017 (209) August 2017 (228) July 2017 (222) June 2017 (245) May 2017 (229) April 2017 (197) March 2017 (165) February 2017 (151) January 2017 (180) December 2016 (260) November 2016 (267) October 2016 (302) September 2016 (387) August 2016 (351) July 2016 (379) June 2016 (379) May 2016 (312) April 2016 (347) March 2016 (414) February 2016 (379) January 2016 (359) December 2015 (359) November 2015 (378) October 2015 (435) September 2015 (419) August 2015 (152) July 2015 (218) June 2015 (179) May 2015 (237) April 2015 (223) March 2015 (119) February 2015 (121) January 2015 (394) December 2014 (376) November 2014 (376) October 2014 (414) September 2014 (349) August 2014 (379) July 2014 (316) June 2014 (375) May 2014 (384) April 2014 (354) March 2014 (318) February 2014 (284) January 2014 (270) December 2013 (224) November 2013 (242) October 2013 (244) September 2013 (226) August 2013 (241) July 2013 (214) June 2013 (222) May 2013 (191) April 2013 (173) March 2013 (149) February 2013 (85) January 2013 (106) December 2012 (111) November 2012 (149) October 2012 (151) September 2012 (118) August 2012 (99) July 2012 (56) June 2012 (57) May 2012 (54) April 2012 (62) March 2012 (40) February 2012 (27) January 2012 (24) December 2011 (18) November 2011 (12) October 2011 (1) September 2011 (9) August 2011 (11) March 2011 (1)
-
- About Us | Jobs | Contact | Contribution | Partner with Us
© SoraNews24 —Japan News— / SOCIO CORPORATION
- Advertise |
- About Us |
- Work with us |
- Contact |
- Contribution |
