An alleged high-ranking leader of Japan’s Yakuza crime syndicate has pleaded guilty in a U.S. federal court to trafficking weapons-grade nuclear material, believing it was destined for Iran’s nuclear program. The case sheds light on a sprawling international smuggling operation involving drugs, weapons and radioactive materials. Takeshi Ebisawa, 60, entered his plea Wednesday, Jan. 8,…

The latest food tech gadgets showcased at CES are simplifying how people eat, drink and cook. From devices that turn air into water to compact dishwashers, these innovations aim to make modern kitchens more convenient and efficient. Kara Water turns air into drinking water Kara Water found inspiration in a beetle that gathers moisture from…

U.S. Space Force Guardians are deploying to Japan on Dec. 4 in a move meant to bolster the Japanese self-defense forces against threats from Russia, China and North Korea. The United States activated its first Space Force Unit in Japan at Yokota Air Base, just west of Tokyo, on Wednesday, Dec. 4. The unit will…

At the United Nation’s annual climate summit, COP29, experts unveiled a list of the world’s top polluting cities, with data revealing the massive impact of urban emissions on global climate challenges. The findings come from Climate TRACE, a coalition co-founded by former U.S. Vice President Al Gore. The group uses satellite and ground-based observations combined…

Japan’s Air Self-Defense Force is getting pretty offensive. The JASDF flies a fleet of about 150 fifth-gen F-35 stealth fighters. Tokyo wants to ensure they’re properly armed, so it’s spending another $175 million or so to buy more Joint Strike Missiles. The purchase marks Japan’s fifth order for JSMs since 2018. Norwegian-owned Kongsberg Defense and…

Halloween celebrations are a relatively new phenomenon in China, but authorities in several major cities reportedly cracked down on public costume events this year. Officials expressed concerns that participants might use their outfits to send subtle messages of dissent toward the government. Under President Xi Jinping, China’s cultural environment has been tightly controlled, with Western…

The USS Seawolf is one of the most advanced hunter-killer submarines in the water, and there has been a rare sighting of it in Japan. On Oct. 4, the nuclear-powered submarine surfaced in the waters near Yokosuka, a city located at the mouth of Tokyo Bay —basically in China’s backyard. Images were taken by a…

One of the world’s premiere locations to celebrate Halloween is taking steps to crack down on crowds. Tokyo’s Shibuya ward has officially “closed for Halloween” this year, as authorities move to prevent chaos experienced in recent times. Shibuya has a reputation for street parties, drawing crowds since the early 2010s. As the crowds grew, so…

Tokyo is upgrading its flood defense systems to counter the increasing threat of extreme storms fueled by climate change. The city’s Metropolitan Outer Area Underground Discharge Channel, a massive network of tunnels and reservoirs, has played a crucial role in preventing major flooding since it became operational in 2006. In August 2024, Typhoon Shanshan brought…

Nintendo and the Pokémon Company filed a lawsuit Wednesday, Sept. 18, in Tokyo against Pocketpair, accusing the video game maker of patent infringement. Pocketpair is the company behind the popular survival adventure video game “Palworld,” known by fans as “Pokémon with guns.” In a statement released Thursday, Sept. 19, Nintendo said, “This lawsuit seeks an…