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Business & Economy
Japan’s Automated Freight-Road Trials Set to Begin October 28
The transport ministry says unmanned freight-system trials will begin at its Tsukuba research site on October 28, with additional trials planned at Narita Airport and company facilities. The concept aims to ease logistics labor pressures, but deployment costs and throughput remain unproven.
Original source ↗Japan’s Inbound Visitors Spent ¥2.21 Trillion in the Third Quarter
Preliminary Tourism Agency data put July–September visitor spending at ¥2.2076 trillion, up 3.2% from a year earlier. Spending per visitor rose 6.1% to ¥234,000; Taiwan, China and South Korea were the three largest spending markets.
Original source ↗K Line Raises Annual Ordinary-Profit Forecast 40.7%
Kawasaki Kisen raised its forecast ordinary profit for the year ending March 2027 from ¥135 billion to ¥190 billion, citing firm dry-bulk conditions. The revision is a shipping-market signal, not a statement that all global freight segments are recovering.
Original source ↗Science & Technology
Hokkaido Researchers Find Distinct Mite Communities on Bird Feathers
Hokkaido University researchers studied two feather-mite species living on opposite surfaces of Siberian rubythroat flight feathers, finding spatial patterns that varied across the wing. The work demonstrates how tiny habitats can structure ecological communities.
Original source ↗Hiroshima University Tests a Way to Make Hidden Cancer Cells More Visible
Hiroshima University reported a laboratory strategy using a mechanism associated with Epstein–Barr virus to help immune defenses recognize cancer cells. It is a research finding, not an approved treatment or evidence of improved patient survival.
Original source ↗Communities
Tokyo App Redesign Set for October 30, Proxy Applications in November
Tokyo will renew its official app on October 30 with larger controls and passkey login, then introduce proxy applications on November 4 for residents unable to operate smartphones independently. Users will need to log in again after the update.
Original source ↗Kansai Emergency Teams to Train on Satellite Links and 3D Data
The Kinki Regional Development Bureau scheduled joint exercises from October 27 through November using satellite communications, 360-degree cameras, laser measuring tools and point-cloud data. The goal is improved coordination after disasters; the sessions have not yet demonstrated faster responses.
Original source ↗Tokyo Announces an Eighties-Themed Kickoff for Senior Sports Festival
Tokyo announced an 1980s-inspired kickoff event for Chōju Tokyo 2028, ahead of the November 2028 National Health and Welfare Festival. The program is designed to celebrate older people’s participation and encourage exchange across generations.
Original source ↗Sports
Japan Takes World Gymnastics Men’s Team Gold and Women’s Bronze
The Japan Gymnastics Association confirms men’s team gold on October 20 and women’s team bronze on October 21 at the Rotterdam world championships. Daiki Hashimoto also won the men’s all-around on October 22. Final apparatus events are scheduled through October 25.
Original source ↗National Masters Table Tennis Titles Contested in Mie
Japan’s national Masters singles championship runs October 23–25 in Tsu, Mie, with 18 men’s and women’s age divisions from 30-plus through 85-plus. Final winners were not available at this reporting cutoff.
Original source ↗Japan U-16 Team Heads to Cyprus for Three European Youth Matches
Japan’s U-16 football team is in Cyprus for friendlies beginning October 27 against Cyprus U-17, followed by Romania U-17 and the Faroe Islands U-17. A late injury forced Hayato Yairo out and Shuto Jo into the squad, the JFA said October 23.
Original source ↗Culture
A Major Tokyo Exhibition Revisits Taishō-Era Artist Takehisa Yumeji
Tokyo’s National Museum of Modern Art opened “Takehisa Yumeji—An Artist Who Defined His Era” on October 23. The exhibition revisits a creator whose work ranged from painting and illustration to graphic design, poetry and responses to the Great Kantō Earthquake.
Original source ↗Tokyo National Museum Rotates 1,025-Print Hiroshige Gift into New Display
Tokyo National Museum is marking a gift of 1,025 ukiyo-e prints from the former collection of Shin Uchiyama with a three-part Hiroshige exhibition. The second rotation begins October 27 and focuses on the Kisokaidō series; works change completely between periods.
Original source ↗Tokyo Prepares World Cities Culture Summit, Adds ARTE TOKYO Projects
The World Cities Culture Summit is scheduled for October 28–30 in Tokyo, with delegates examining whether culture is urban infrastructure. Tokyo separately announced new ARTE TOKYO projects, including an evening teamLab program at Hama-rikyū beginning November 25.
Original source ↗Editor’s note: Verified against announcements available October 24. Events concluding October 25 are not assigned unverified final outcomes. The deep-sea spider finding was excluded as already covered.