Osaka is preparing to close the curtains on the Kansai Expo, marked by a larger-than-usual fireworks display called the “Expo Thanks Fireworks.” This spectacular event was staged to express gratitude to everyone involved in the expo.

In a notable geographical development, Ishikawa Prefecture has surpassed Fukui Prefecture in total land area. This change is attributed to significant coastal uplift triggered by the 2024 Noto Peninsula earthquake, according to the Geospatial Information Authority of Japan.

Japan’s tea culture has long been woven into everyday life. However, an unprecedented global boom in matcha is driving a shift that is putting sencha, the familiar green tea, under pressure. This emerging trend highlights changing preferences within both domestic and international tea markets.

The Cultural Affairs Agency has, for the first time, included an assessment of how social media is affecting the Japanese language in its annual survey on public opinion regarding the national language. The survey revealed that nearly 90 percent of respondents believe social media is having some impact on the language.

Finally, Japan’s Earthquake Research Committee has revised its assessment of the probability of a massive Nankai Trough earthquake occurring within the next 30 years. The updated estimate raises the probability range from about 80 percent to between 60 and 90 percent or higher, underscoring the ongoing risk posed by this seismic zone.
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