Japanese avant-garde artist Yayoi Kusama, one of the world’s most recognisable contemporary artists, has died at the age of 97. Kusama’s company confirmed that the artist died at a hospital in Tokyo on August 14, 2026, describing her death as a moment of “profound sorrow.” Throughout her extraordinary career, Kusama worked across visual art, sculpture,…
Japan has strongly protested Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to the disputed Kuril Islands, saying the territory is Japanese under both historical claims and international law. Russian state media reported that Putin visited Iturup, known as Etorofu in Japan, on Thursday. It is one of four southern islands in the Kuril chain claimed by both…
Hiroshi Okuda, the former president and chairman of Toyota who helped transform the Japanese automaker into a global powerhouse, has died aged 93. Toyota spokeswoman Shino Yamada confirmed Okuda’s death on Wednesday but said the date and cause of death were not immediately available. Okuda spent 45 years at Toyota and served as the company’s…
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is facing calls to apologise to his Japanese counterpart, Sanae Takaichi. This results from remarks he made about two expensive melons she gave him during a visit to Australia.The comments have drawn criticism from Japan’s former ambassador to Australia, who described them as a sexist joke and an insult to…
A powerful earthquake struck southern Japan on Tuesday, damaging buildings, disrupting services and injuring several people in Kumamoto Prefecture. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) said the quake measured magnitude 6.8 after initially estimating it at 7.1. It struck shortly before 4:30 p.m. local time at a depth of about six miles beneath Kyushu Island….
Japan has approved major changes to its imperial succession system, but women are still barred from becoming emperor. The Japanese parliament has passed a bill that updates the country’s royal succession rules. The new law allows female members of the imperial family to keep their royal status after marrying commoners. It also permits the adoption…
Brazil booked their place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup last 16 after Gabriel Martinelli scored a dramatic 96th-minute winner in a thrilling 2-1 victory over Japan. Japan made the brighter start and deservedly took the lead in the first half. Kaishu Sano capitalised on a misplaced pass from Danilo, drove forward and fired a…
Anthony Elanga’s brilliant second-half strike earned Sweden a 1-1 draw against Japan. Sweden booked their place in the World Cup Round of 32 after fighting back to earn a 1-1 draw against Japan in their final Group F match. Japan took the lead in the 56th minute when Daizen Maeda finished a well-worked move involving…
Japan sealed a convincing win over Tunisia to confirm the North Africans’ exit from the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Tunisia’s disappointing World Cup campaign continued after a comprehensive 4-0 defeat to Japan in Group F. Japan took control early and never looked back. Crystal Palace midfielder Daichi Kamada opened the scoring inside four minutes after…
Daichi Kamada’s late goal earned Japan a valuable point in a dramatic 2-2 draw with the Netherlands. Japan and the Netherlands shared the spoils in one of the most entertaining matches of the 2026 FIFA World Cup group stage, drawing 2-2 in Dallas. After a goalless first half, Netherlands captain Virgil van Dijk opened the…
