Multiple people were missing a day after a magnitude-7.1 quake struck Kumamoto prefecture, partially collapsing buildings, including a shopping mall and a paper mill.

Almost no other country in the world is rocked by such frequent and damaging earthquakes as Japan, which sits on the boundary of four tectonic plates.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has said she will proceed with plans for a two-year cut in sales tax on food and soft drinks, in a move designed to ease cost of living pressures but which some analysts fear could strain public finances and rattle markets.

People are being urged to stay alert, with earthquake aftershocks potentially reaching magnitude 7, officials say

A group of players has sued Japan Rugby League One over rule changes that could make it harder for Australian-born players to build long-term careers in Japan.

Japanese rugby officials are changing eligibility rules that will limit opportunities in the domestic league for foreign-born players, even those who have Japanese passports.

By Arathy Somasekhar HOUSTON, July 29 (Reuters) - A cargo of Canadian crude was headed to Japan, ship tracking data showed on Wednesday, the first Canadian crude shipment to the country since early 2025,