SoraNews24 —Japan News—
Bringing you yesterday's news from Japan and Asia, today.
Featured
- Weird
- Studio Ghibli
- Jobs
mental health
Restaurant opens in Japan with all-dementia waitresses, serves up ramen, awareness, and kindness
- Casey Baseel
6 days ago - Tweet
Restaurant of Mistaken Orders is upfront about potential problems in order to cultivate future understanding.
- Japan
- (dementia • food • mental health • moving • ramen • Restaurant of Mistaken Orders • restaurants • seniors • society • touching • video)
The average age of Japan’s hikikomori shut-ins is getting older, survey shows
- Casey Baseel
May 3, 2026
Annual survey finds cases of 90-year-old parents caring for socially reclusive children in their 60s.
- Japan
- (COK • hikikomori • mental health • shut-ins • society)
Tokyo bus line praised for handling of driver’s mental health
- Master Blaster
Mar 9, 2026
Driver driven to not drive by customer complaint.
- Japan
- (buses • customer harassment • mental health • public transportation • society • Toei Bus • Tokyo Metropolitan Bureau of Transportation)
Japan’s suicides fall to lowest recorded number ever, but one demographic hits all-time high
- Casey Baseel
Jan 31, 2026
Statistics show overall situation is improving, but some at-risk individuals need more help than ever.
- Japan
- (mental health • society • suicide • youth)
Japan’s two-month Shut-in Pilgrimage – A 1,200-year-old way to deal with a modern issue
- Casey Baseel
Aug 15, 2024
Program helps hikikomori take steps towards reconnecting with the outside world.
- Japan
- (COK • culture • hikikomori • history • mental health • Shikoku • Shikoku Henro • Shikoku Pilgrimage • shut-ins • society)
JR, Tokyo Metro, other rails lines adding discounts for mentally handicapped riders, caregivers
- Casey Baseel
Apr 13, 2024
New policy seeks to remove additional financial burden in a country where not taking the train often isn’t an option.
- Japan
- (COK • health • Japan Railways • JR • mental health • society • subways • Tokyo Metro • trains • transportation)
17 percent of anime workers in survey have/have possibly had depression, other mental issues
- Casey Baseel
Dec 5, 2023
Japan Animation Creators Association survey gets troubling responses.
- Japan
- (anime • COK • health • JAniCA • Japan Animation Creators Association • mental health • society)
We pop into Bear Paw Cafe in Osaka… Actually it popped out to us
- Master Blaster
Sep 10, 2021
An adorable way to help deal with complex problems.
- Japan
- (Bear Paw Cafe • bears • cafes • coffee • COK • cute • health • Kuma no Te Cafe • mental health • Mental Support General School • Osaka • SNO • sweets)
Japan’s Bear Paw Cafe: A safe space for staff with mental health challenges
- Oona McGee
Sep 3, 2021
New cafe is a literal hole-in-the-wall, where you’ll be served by fluffy bears.
- Japan
- (bears • cafes • drinks • heartwarming • Kuma no Te • mental health • new • Osaka • parfaits • social issues • social welfare • society • sweets)
Self-screening urine test for depression and other mental illness developed in Japan
- Master Blaster
Aug 16, 2021
Urine for a mental health screening.
- Japan
- (COK • medicine • mental health • mental illness • Morioka • society • treatment)
Naomi Osaka withdraws from French Open, discusses experiences with depression
- SoraNews24
Jun 1, 2021
Decision comes days after tennis star says she would not speak with reporters during event.
- Japan
- (COK • depression • French Open • mental health • Naomi Osaka • sports • tennis)
Labor ministry employee power harassed by his own power harassment counselor
- Master Blaster
Mar 29, 2021
Sounds like a sick joke, but really just sick.
- Japan
- (Labor and Welfare • labor laws • law • mental health • Ministry of Health • overtime • power harassment • society)
If you’re “feeling stuck in life and want to die,” the 20,000/24 plan might help you feel better
- Casey Baseel
Mar 28, 2021
Japanese Twitter user’s strategy is a quick reminder that it’s OK to value yourself.
- Japan
- (COK • depression • mental health • moving • touching)
Japanese subway ad about depressed teens should probably be in a different place
- Casey Baseel
Jan 29, 2021
Cram school’s message would be ordinarily be inspiring, but takes on an inadvertently dark, potentially dangerous atmosphere.
- Japan
- (ads • cram schools • entrance exams • mental health • stations • subways • trains • youth)
30 percent of surveyed Japanese actors/voice actors admit to suicidal thoughts due to work
- Katy Kelly
Nov 5, 2020
The results for the survey held by the Japan Actors Union have prompted the union to establish mental health services for their members.
- Japan
- (actors • COK • Japan Actors Union • mental health • society • suicide • voice actors • work)
Suicide is the leading cause of death among young people in Japan, statistics show
- Casey Baseel
Oct 31, 2020
Situation is found in no other country of similar economic status.
Lower income earners at higher risk of depression, Japan’s least shocking research finds
- Master Blaster
Oct 5, 2020
Less money, mo’ problems.
- Japan
- (coronavirus • COVID-19 • depression • income • mental health • survey • Tokyo Medical University)
Woman sues Tokyo company after having to work 48 days in a row with limited bathroom breaks
- SoraNews24
Sep 21, 2020
Labor Standards Office recognizes treatment as workplace psychological injury.
- Japan
- (COK • mental health • overtime • overwork • society • working in Japan)
The number of suicides among Japanese citizens jumped in August, worrying officials
- Dale Roll
Sep 18, 2020
Many are concerned that the stress of the pandemic could be causing more people to experience depression.
- Japan
- (COVID-19 • depression • mental health • pandemic • statistics • suicide)
The coronavirus is making Japan’s suicide rate plummet
- Casey Baseel
May 14, 2020
We’re not going to say “Thanks, COVID-19,” but the pandemic seems to be indirectly saving lives too.
- Japan
- (COK • coronavirus • mental health • society • suicide • telecommuting • telework)
-
Recent Posts
- 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
- “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]
- Japan’s upcoming Romancecar train seeks to end intimacy with its super-wide seats
-
MOST POPULAR
- Today
- Weekly
- Monthly
- Yearly
Today
KFC now sells takikomi gohan rice boxes in Japan, if you know where to look for them [Taste test]
Tokyo cracks down on Airbnb-style rentals with new laws limiting operator days and more
Starbucks Japan reveals new Joyful Capsule gacha toy release date
Japan’s upcoming Romancecar train seeks to end intimacy with its super-wide seats
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
Yakuza boss sues expressway owners for discrimination against criminals
Tokyo neighborhood adds new “smart trash cans” to deal with increasing amounts of tourist litter
KFC Japan starts selling soft-serve ice cream at select locations, and they’ve even put it in a biscuit
Pachinko parlor operator arrested for not obscuring the act of gambling well enough
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
“Sweet sake” with yuzu is coming to Japan’s wonderful world of hot canned drinks this winter
Yakuza boss sues expressway owners for discrimination against criminals
Tokyo neighborhood adds new “smart trash cans” to deal with increasing amounts of tourist litter
KFC Japan starts selling soft-serve ice cream at select locations, and they’ve even put it in a biscuit
Pachinko parlor operator arrested for not obscuring the act of gambling well enough
America’s first-ever permanent One Piece store is now open [Photos]
Family Mart releases 47 convenience store socks and stickers, one for every prefecture in Japan
Move aside, Asahi Super Dry – Asahi Spice Beer is in town, and it’s hotter than you think
Is hamburger patty ramen a case of too many good things in one bowl? Let’s find out! [Taste test]
Why people in Japan hardly ever say “sayonara,” and what they say instead
Japanese viewers of Godzilla Minus Zero angered by unusual number of restroom goers
Japanese teacher who asked permission to jerk off at convenience store has been fired
Starbucks Japan unveils new winter drinkware collection with limited-edition Stanley cups
Japanese drivers reminded to look out for drunk people passed out on the road this holiday season
-
-
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 (34,590) 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 (59) 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 |
