Parts of Fukushima will have their evacuation orders lifted while a new group advocating Japanese LGBTQ comes together ahead of the annual G7 summit in Hiroshima this May. Carmaker Toyota discontinues sales of its popular Camry sedan, while a man is on the run for injuring the manager of a sushi restaurant during a robbery but not before injuring himself with a machete. A Hokusai ukiyo-e print fetches $2.8m dollars at an auction house in New York. And having already sold an Andy Warhol print from 1963 for ¥2.3 billion last year, Shinwa auction house in Tokyo is now developing its own virtual marketplace which Shinwa's president Yoichiro Kurata describes in Part 1 of our recent conversation.

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida invited his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi to the G7 summit this May in Hiroshima. Kishida also flew to Poland making a secretive trip by land to Ukraine. In Florida, Japan beat Mexico 6-5 at the World Baseball Classic semifinals before winning their 3rd Championships. And theatre plays by three female Japanese playwrights were performed in London earlier this year. Back home and there is little to do in Omotesando but shop. Should you find yourself leaving the metro station via its A3 exit, you will chance upon Akiba Shrine. We walked past the shrine to the sound of passing planes, pedestrians, cyclists and queuing shoppers.

The HEXA flying car aims for the 2025 Osaka Kansai Expo. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz heads to Japan, and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (TSMC) builds a plant in Kumamoto, while somei-yoshino cherry blossom trees bloom in nearby Fukuoka. In Ginza. the landmark San-ai Dream Center building which has stood for six decades, is soon to be demolished later this month. So we walk past the landmark one last time capturing the sound of screaming children and shoppers blowing through the shopping district late one Saturday afternoon when Ginza Dori is closed to traffic.

South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol arrived in Japan yesterday for talks with Japanese Prime Minister Kishida, for the first time in 12 years. It didn't escape the attention of North Korea either which launched an ICBM the very same day. The Tokyo stock market dropped amid growing concerns over Credit Swiss and two U.S. banks, while JNTO registered 1.47 million overseas visitors last month. In Shinjuku, we talk with artist Toru Yoshikawa in kissaten and coffee shop “Times” about upcoming painting and ceramics exhibitions as well as his love of Geocaching.

The number of people still wearing masks remains high, despite guidelines being relaxed on Monday. Japanese novelist and pacifist Kenzaburo Oe, winner of the 1994 Nobel Prize in Literature, died peacefully in the early hours of March 3rd aged 88. While in Nara prefecture, torches were lit for the annual 'Shuni-e' ceremony and two-week Omizutori ritual which reaches its climax with water drawn from a well near Todaiji temple. And in Shimbashi, we focus on the sound of people enjoying the warm weather and the beginning of spring.

'Hanami' cherry blossom comes early this year thanks to warmer weather. Astronaut Koichi Wakata returns from the ISS for the first time in five months. Japan's national baseball team are competing in the WBC World Baseball Classics at the Tokyo Dome on the 12th anniversary of the March 2011 disaster as ministers pledge to restart idled nuclear reactors in efforts to decarbonize power production. And later this month, 10 films by the director Ishii Gakuryu play at Eurospace in Shibuya to celebrate the cyberpunk of Japanese cinema, featuring German Industrial band Einstürzende Neubauten and early appearances by the actor Tadanobu Asano.

In news, five are arrested for genetically modifying the Japanese killifish. Masks will no longer be required on JR East trains from March 13th, nor will they be in 7-Eleven and FamilyMart convenience stores. Meanwhile, 'hanami' parties return to Ueno Park as the cherry blossom blooms post-pandemic. Ever keen to stretch the legs, Notebook heads west of Shinjuku towards Shimo-Takaido on the Keio line to visit the artist-run gallery space Goya curtain record a short interview will proprietor Joel Kirkham to hear his take on what's worth visiting in local area.

The Tokyo stock market reaches a 15-month high and domestic airlines stoke demand with cut-rate fares this spring. Meanwhile, 32% of women in Japan are said to have considered switching jobs due the gender gap at work, while one a young actress has accused a lawyer of being guilty of the very same thing he is fighting: sexual harassment. And with today being International Women’s Day, films and documentaries at the National Film Archive of Japan celebrate “Women Who Made Japanese Cinema” from the Silent Era through to the 1960s.

Hiroshima's former mayor calls for all G–Seven nations attending this May’s summit in city to declare a "no first use" policy for nuclear weapons. Mitsubishi has signed a new deal to supply equipment for a new commuter rail network in the Philippines. And Japan’s new flagship H3 rocket is scheduled for its inaugural launch tomorrow. Back on Earth and Chinese restaurants have long been a source of fascination for food lovers here in Japan, fueled by the phenomenon of local Japanese family-run Chinese restaurants or "machi chuka" and more recently the desire for more authentic cuisine from mainland China, from Kohakukyu and Sazenka, to Gyoza Fukuho and Asian Tuai.

The IOC has announced details of its Olympic Esports Series 2023, Japan reports 13,950 new coronavirus cases this week as the Amadea, the first foreign cruise ship to Japan in almost three years after docking earlier this week in Shizuoka. In Mie prefecture, Kintetsu Railway announces it will start a service aimed at attracting cyclists from large cities, allowing them to bring their bicycles onboard. And as Spring brings with it warmer weather, the RE:FACTORY art fair comes to town. But this time, sharing its agenda with an exhibition across town and "The Original" at 21_21 DESIGN SIGHT, both longing for longevity.

Japan will add to a growing G7 list of Russian sanctions, advertising giant Dentsu, a former Olympic organizing committee exec, plus others, were all charged this week with allegedly rigging bids in connection with the 2021 Tokyo Games. Nissan plans to make nearly every car sold in Europe by 2026 electric, while Japan will end its general testing of visitors arriving from China from today onwards. And with today marking the start of Women’s History Month, we take a brief look at female architects in Japan thinking of "how best to find commonalities and create a space for collaboration."

An earthquake measuring 6.1 struck the east of Hokkaido last Saturday, as hot air balloons took off from Ojiya in Niigata prefecture for the first time in four years the very same day. And in the Chiba town of Katsuura, a display of 30,000 traditional miniature dolls celebrates Hinamatsuri or Girls’ Day this year, with dolls donated from all different parts of the country. Meanwhile, with the 95th Academy Awards taking place in Hollywood next month, films such as “Small, Slow but Steady,” has been named film of the year following a screening at the Berlin International Film Festival. This year's entry was Makoto Shinkai’s “Suzume,” hi first animated film in three years and the first Japanese animated film competing for the award in 21 years, after Hayao Miyazaki’s “Spirited Away” clinched the Golden Bear in 2002.

A Japanese startup has announced its plans to launch a commercial space viewing balloon. The National Breakdance Championships took place last Sunday at Yoyogi National Gymnasium in Tokyo. While a metal ball measuring 1 and-a-half meters in diameter has been found washed up on a Pacific coast beach, yet no can agree on what it is. And with all this flotsam and jetsam in mind, here is a round-up of recent art exhibitions that are either drawing to a close or about to start, at RootK Contemporary, Goya Curtain, Fig., Hagiwara Projects, Talion Gallery and Mizuma Art Gallery.

A team of Japanese scientists is said to have developed a new method for reducing an abnormal amount of protein believed to trigger Alzheimer’s Disease. Meanwhile, a newspaper poll last weekend shows that 72% of voters believe Japan should legalize same-sex marriages, compared with 18% who don’t. In Tokyo, the Himiko, Hotaluna, and Emeraldas river cruisers travel a stretch of the river from Asakusa to Odaiba Seaside Park, all designed by Reiji Matsumoto (1938-2023), the manga artist known for “Space Battleship Yamato,” “Galaxy Express 999" and videos for Daft Punk who died last Monday aged 85.

Japan’s Immigration Services Agency announced last week its intention to “simplify” visas with a new system aimed at high earners and graduates from some of the world’s top universities. In the north, dozens of men gathered in the town of Misato last Wednesday evening for the traditional “Takeuchi” festival, while Xiang Xiang, the first giant panda born and raised at Tokyo's Ueno Zoo in almost three decades, will be sent to China tomorrow after repeated delays. And the year before the arrival of giant pandas Kang Kang and Lan Lan to Ueno Zoo in 1972, the New Shimbashi Building, facing the Yamanote line and Shimbashi JR station, marked the start of an altogether new breed of building in the capitol.

For the first time in 35 years Japan has recounted its islands, more than doubling the original number of just under 7,000 to just over 14,000. Japanese chipmaker Rapidus is said to be mulling plans to build a factory in Hokkaido and to revive the country's semiconductor industry. The first ever SpoGOMI World Cup with its 'Sport' of collecting 'Rubbish' will take place in Tokyo this November, while Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi has said Japan will invite his Ukrainian counterpart to the G7 meeting of foreign ministers held tomorrow in Germany, just prior to the first anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. In Tokyo, EASTEAST_ is taking place this weekend showcasing the best up-and-coming galleries and artists from Tokyo and Japan.

One company is hoping to run every single yakatabune river boat in the capitol on SUSTEO, a next-generation biodiesel fuel making these floating dining halls as carbon-neutral as possible. Activists are battling Tokyo gov't to preserve Jingu Stadium, the world's fourth-oldest baseball ground, the 75 year-old Prince Chichibu Stadium, home to Japan’s Rugby Football Union and the iconic tree-lined avenue of the Meiji Jingu. Meanwhile, ice on Lake Nukabira is erupting with mushroom-shaped ice during its annual freeze. It will be visible near the Hokkaido town of Kamishihoro until the end of February alongside the Taushubetsu River Bridge, nicknamed 'The Phantom Bridge'. And with the price of chocolate going up, some are looking for alternatives to Valentine’s Day this year, with February 14th also known for two very different, well-established reasons: Niboshi-no-hi (dried sardine day) and Fundoshi-no-hi, or 'loincloth day' which more a test of endurance than expression of love.

Japan will end its request for mask wearing from March 13th, finally leaving the question of whether to wear one, or not, up to you. Several members of a Tokyo-based investment consultancy were arrested for its plan to build a resort nicknamed Neverland on a deserted island using client funds. Chiba city is testing a new image-based AI chatbot to help residents dispose of rubbish more easily and ethically. And following last weeks note on Alice in Borderland, we look at other films by director Shunsuke Sato, from Gantz (2010) Gantz: Perfect Answer (2011) Library Wars (2013) and Inuyashiki (2018) to his latest installment in the Kingdom series set in feudal China, due to open in cinemas this July.

Sapporo in Hokkaido is favorite to host the 2030 Winter Games despite the news of corruption related to the Tokyo 2020 Summer Games. Elsewhere in Hokkaido, sightseeing tours navigate drift ice off the north coast this time of year. Japan waits for tourists to return and inbound revenue to skyrocket, while parts of rural Japan are being targeted to make use of their local culture. Some areas cannot wait though. The volcano on Sakurajima Island near Kyushu erupted Wednesday, the first since 2018. And as snow descends on Tokyo, attention turns to photography and Spring, from Kazuo Yoshida at Cage, to Wolfgang Tillmans at Espace Louis Vuitton Tokyo and Asako Narahashi with "Dawn of Spring" at PGI in Tokyo.

Female Ski Jumpers win a clean sweep of medals at the Ski Jumping World Cup in Germany, as doubles Tennis players secure victory in the Davis Cup playoffs. Trains grind to a halt with a suspicious substance discovered at Ueno Station. And prior to today's state visit by Philippine President Marcos, Japanese police visit the Philippine capital Manila to return two Japanese nationals suspected of organizing robberies that caused loss of life. And with games in mind and crossing borders the order of the day, Netflix drama Alice in Borderland takes a precocious, curious young gamer and sends him down a rabbit hole into Tokyo bereft of people in order to play games and ultimately stay alive.

Kyoto’s transportation authority plans to abolish its One-Day Bus Pass at the end of March 2024 in a bid to ease congestion. The annual Sapporo Snow Festival continues this week until February 11th, while Japan is planning to expand its offshore wind farms in a push for clean energy to rival its dependance on nuclear power, coal-fired power stations and thermal energy. Close to Mt. Fuji in Hakone, the Motoyu Kansuirō ryokan guest house sits on the banks of the Hayakawa, The four storey building dating back to 1919 is a short walk from Tonosawa, famed for its own hot spring, and the Hakone-tozen train line.

Protesters braved the cold weather this week, gathering outside the Myanmar Embassy in Shinagawa on the 2nd anniversary of the 2021 Myanmar coup d'etat. In the north, the Tsugaru Fujimi-ko lake in Aomori prefecture has completely frozen over, while the government eye plans to establish zones throughout the country that make use of a growling list abandoned houses nationwide and Japan's oldest-ever professional player Kazuyoshi Miura heads to Portugal to play for U.D. Oliveirense while on loan from J-League team Yokohama FC. And with today being setsubun marking the last day of winter, YEBIZO MEETS hosts exhibitions by ECAL, the Swiss University of Art and Design from Lausanne, as well as Osamu Kanemura at MEM gallery in Ebisu.

4 Finnish men were rescued Tuesday morning after being stranded on a Niigata mountain. In Tokyo, a former Japanese soldier assaulted by colleagues is suing her perpetrators and the Japanese government. Elsewhere, the conveyer belt sushi restaurant chain Akindo Sushiro is considering legal action after videos showing people abusing food went viral on TikTok. And in employment news, Japan's average job availability in 2022 improved for the first time in 4 years since the easing of restrictions. This Friday, February the 3rd, also marks 'Setsubun' ... the last day of winter and the last day before spring. It's a day when ehōmaki sushi rolls are eaten and the day when soy beans are thrown while shouting “oni-wa-soto, fuku-wa-uchi!” — Devils out! Fortune in!

Footwear giant Nike is said to be officially suing the Japanese fashion label BAPE over a trademark infringement relating to several of Nike’s most iconic sneakers. In travel news, Japan’s Immigration Services Agency has announced the number of foreign travelers surged 12-fold in 2022 to almost 4.2 million. While, a vending machine selling the Korean delicacy ‘kimchi” at Keikyu Kawasaki Station has been recognized as one the 100 best products of the Kanagawa Prefecture. Packing a different punch, Hollywood actor Michael B. Jordan has said his upcoming boxing film "CREED III" has been influenced by Japanese anime, with a potential nod to the biggest anime classic, the equivalent of Rocky, "Ashita no Joe".

Japan successfully launched a rocket yesterday carrying a data gathering satellite from its Tanegashima Space Center. On the ground, a bronze mirror and an iron sword have been unearthed from a burial mound in Nara, while old brick foundations have been discovered directly opposite Tokyo’s Toshima City Office in Ikebukuro, an area that once belonged to a photographic chemical maker that was later known as FujiFilm. In Kanazawa, the ‘Town Hack’ initiative bring's Daido Moriyama's “Brightness/Contrast” exhibition to the Shintenchi shopping street, with both Town Hack and photo exhibition supported by the nearby Kamu Kanazawa.