Japan Open

Japan's top currency diplomat, Masato Mimura, said markets should heed a 'very clear' warning regarding the yen, in an exclusive interview reported by Reuters. The comments signal that Japanese authorities are openly cautioning investors against excessive yen weakness, keeping intervention fears in focus for currency traders.

Japan is converting defunct golf courses into large-scale solar farms, as the country lacks open land for renewable energy projects. With mountainous terrain, limited flat space and strict farmland rules, closed golf courses offer ready-made cleared, sunny sites. The approach is being discussed as a practical model for expanding solar capacity in densely populated countries facing similar land shortages.

Carlos Alcaraz has been drawn to face Alex Michelsen in his opening match at the ATP tournament in Tokyo. The Japan Open draw also set up Kei Nishikori to play Frances Tiafoe in what is billed as the home favourite's farewell match. Tennis fans are reacting to both the top seed's path and the sentimental send-off for the long-time Japanese star.

Foreign Affairs argues that Japan is creating an opening for the United States to strengthen its position in Asia. The piece suggests Tokyo's diplomatic and strategic moves are giving Washington a renewed chance to deepen regional partnerships at a time of shifting power dynamics in the region, though the specific policy steps involved are not detailed in the headline.

Japan is converting disused golf courses into large-scale solar farms, as the country has almost no free land left for renewable energy projects. Hundreds of golf courses have closed since the 1990s economic bubble, leaving wide, open, sun-exposed sites that suit panels well. Energy commentators see it as a practical answer to Japan's land scarcity and its push to cut carbon emissions.

The New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox meet in Game 1 of the 2026 MLB Wild Card Series on September 30. Sports streaming service DAZN has published viewing and broadcast information for the matchup, and the historic rivalry is drawing attention from baseball fans, including many in Japan searching for how to watch the game on TV or online.

The Asian Games have opened in Japan, with attention turning to ten standout athletes expected to headline the competition. Coverage highlights the competitors seen as most likely to dominate their events and shape the medal race. As one of the world's largest multi-sport events, the Games draw wide interest from fans and national teams across Asia ahead of the opening contests.

The Houston Astros and Chicago White Sox are drawing attention in Japan, with searches for the matchup surging. Coverage from dmenu News reports that Munetaka Murakami is in the starting lineup at cleanup, batting fourth and playing first base in his postseason opener, with fans watching to see whether he can open the series with a home run.

Spain and Croatia are meeting as the UEFA Nations League opens, drawing attention from football fans worldwide. The tournament's start is also shaking up the FIFA rankings, with Norway jumping 18 places and closing to within one point of Japan, while Greece moved up two spots.

A debate is under way in Japan over the government guidance that caps monthly overtime at 45 hours for most workers. A piece in Weekly Economist Online by scholar Wakana Shuto examines what the proposed revision of the 45-hour instruction really means for workers and employers. Commentators are weighing whether loosening or clarifying the cap would protect workers or open the door to longer hours.

On the morning of September 29, iPhone users across Japan reported that apps would crash or fail to launch entirely, regardless of which app they opened. Reports flooded news outlets and social media, with users saying restarts and reinstalling apps did not fix the problem. The issue has since been resolved and services are back to normal, though the exact cause of the mass crash has not been officially explained, leaving many users puzzled.

Urawa Reds open their Levain Cup campaign with a first-round tie against J3 side Kataller Toyama, with the match scheduled to kick off around 9pm on Monday, September 28. Fans in Japan are following the fixture, which pits the J1 club against a lower-division opponent, and some coverage includes live streaming of the game.

A bar staffed by robot bartenders is set to open in Kyoto, Japan. The operators stress that the robots are not controlled by artificial intelligence, distinguishing the venue from the wave of AI-driven services attracting attention. Japanese news outlets including Japan Today and SoraNews24 have covered the announcement, with readers curious about what exactly powers the machines and what the bar experience will offer.

Chiikawa the Movie: The Secret of the Mermaid Island has ranked second at the Japanese box office in its tenth weekend in theaters, showing unusually long legs for an animated release. The film's continued strength months after opening underscores the popularity of the Chiikawa franchise among Japanese audiences. Detailed earnings figures and the weekend's top film were not provided.

The men's Rakuten Japan Open Tennis Championships in Tokyo is underway, with the Round of 32 matches taking place on September 29 and 30. Outlets are publishing guides on streaming options for fans wanting to follow the tournament as it progresses through its early rounds.

The World Skate Games 2026 are set for Asunción, Paraguay, with skateboarding's biggest names expected in action. Headliners include Great Britain's Olympic champion Sky Brown, Japan-based South Korean park standout Kang Juni and Brazilian Olympian Augusto Akio. Fans can follow the competition live via official Olympic coverage, which is previewing the event and its top contenders ahead of the opening competition.

Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi has again called for Japan to openly debate nuclear weapons and nuclear-powered submarines, saying such topics should be discussed 'without taboos.' He criticized what he described as an atmosphere that frowns on this discussion, reopening a sensitive debate about Japan's postwar nuclear policy.

Viewers are looking for ways to watch the men's Rakuten Japan Open Tennis Championships as the tournament reaches the Round of 32 in Tokyo. Guides are circulating outlining streaming and broadcast options for the ATP 500 event, which features top players competing for early-round advancement. Fans are checking where the matches are available in their regions.

The Japan Women's Open Golf Championship, the third domestic major on the JLPGA calendar, is drawing pre-tournament attention as four days of play will decide Japan's top female golfer. Preview coverage highlights the field and expectations, with players such as Mayu Hattori among those in focus ahead of the tournament's start.

Entertainment industry job placement service Enta-Enta, run alongside the gamebiz media outlet, has published new job listings from animation studio Studio KAI. The openings include 3DCG animator and production desk roles, with additional positions such as producer also listed. The service says it matches candidates to companies based on business phase and project characteristics, drawing on coverage accumulated through gamebiz.

The Japan Women's Open, a JLPGA major that had never been played at Takarazuka Golf Club in its previous 58 editions, is arriving there for the tournament's 100th anniversary. The milestone has drawn attention from Japanese golf fans, with discussion of the historic venue and figures in women's golf such as Hisako Higuchi, Ayako Okamoto and Ai Miyazato.

Shiho Kuji and Eri Fukuyama are tied for the lead heading into the final round of the Miyagi TV Cup Dunlop Ladies Open in Japan, with Ai Kido one shot behind. Golf fans are following the close three-way battle as the tournament reaches its deciding day on the JLPGA tour.

Japanese slugger Munetaka Murakami recorded his first hit and first RBI in the MLB postseason, helping push the Chicago White Sox to the verge of elimination as the Wild Card Series opened. Japanese sports media are also highlighting the performances of other Japanese players, including Shohei Ohtani with the Dodgers, as live coverage of the playoffs continues.

Japan's Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi is calling for an open national debate on nuclear issues, including the possibility of nuclear-powered submarines. Any move to discuss nuclear options marks a highly sensitive shift in Japan, the only country to have suffered atomic bombings, where postwar policy has long adhered to the three non-nuclear principles. The proposal is drawing attention to how far Tokyo's security debate may go amid regional tensions.

Golf fans in Japan are discussing how the National Open, the country's top professional golf title, is open to entrants through qualifying rounds, meaning even amateurs can attempt to reach the professional peak. The discussion highlights the qualifying route and what it takes for amateur players to compete against pros.