Japan’s marijuana laws remain some of the strictest in the developed world, even as CBD shops spread nationwide and arrests hit record highs. This episode explains why the legal gap exists, how enforcement works, and why even small mistakes can carry severe consequences for residents and visitors.

Watch the full Japan Today Spotlight series on YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLyLmgel-5aDxrGswj_8hRRiUwdm5tGGTH

Japan Airlines has been hit by multiple alcohol-related violations involving its flight crew, raising questions about safety culture, accountability and whether the aviation industry is doing enough to prevent future incidents. This episode breaks down what happened, how JAL responded and why regulators are under pressure to act.

Watch the full Japan Today Spotlight series on YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLyLmgel-5aDxrGswj_8hRRiUwdm5tGGTH

Stalking cases in Japan continue to escalate despite tougher laws and more police intervention. This episode examines why the system still fails victims, how warning signs are missed and why tragedies keep happening even after repeated reports and restraining orders.

Watch the full Japan Today Spotlight series on YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLyLmgel-5aDxrGswj_8hRRiUwdm5tGGTH

A string of disruptive stunts by nuisance YouTubers has sparked public anger across Japan, from train station pranks to restaurant harassment and property damage. This episode explains why these incidents are escalating, how police and lawmakers are responding and what it means for creators living in Japan.

Watch the full Japan Today Spotlight series on YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLyLmgel-5aDxrGswj_8hRRiUwdm5tGGTH

Japan’s so-called “lost generation” is still living with the fallout of the 1990s hiring freeze, unstable work and wage stagnation. This episode explains why many never recovered, how the system continues to fail them and what their future looks like as they enter middle age with limited savings and support.

Watch the full Japan Today Spotlight series on YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLyLmgel-5aDxrGswj_8hRRiUwdm5tGGTH

Japan is seeing a sharp rise in bear encounters as climate shifts, changing food cycles and rural depopulation bring wildlife closer to towns. This episode breaks down why attacks are increasing, how local governments are responding and what these trends reveal about Japan’s disappearing countryside.

Watch the full Japan Today Spotlight series on YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLyLmgel-5aDxrGswj_8hRRiUwdm5tGGTH

Tens of thousands of people go missing in Japan every year, from voluntary disappearances to cases linked to debt, family pressure or mental health struggles. This episode looks at why the numbers are so high, how police classify missing persons and what happens when people choose to walk away from their lives.

Watch the full Japan Today Spotlight series on YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLyLmgel-5aDxrGswj_8hRRiUwdm5tGGTH

Japan’s “hostage justice” system allows police to detain suspects for weeks without charge, restrict access to lawyers and pressure people into confessions. This episode explains how the system works, why human rights groups condemn it and what recent cases reveal about Japan’s resistance to reform.

Watch the full Japan Today Spotlight series on YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLyLmgel-5aDxrGswj_8hRRiUwdm5tGGTH

Young people in Japan are turning to TikTok, Instagram and YouTube for news, reshaping how information spreads and how journalism competes for attention. This episode breaks down what Gen Z is watching, why trust in traditional media is fading and what it means for the future of news in Japan.

Watch the full Japan Today Spotlight series on YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLyLmgel-5aDxrGswj_8hRRiUwdm5tGGTH

Eighty years after the Pacific War, Japan is still struggling with how to remember its past, honor victims and confront unresolved wartime controversies. This episode looks at how memory, politics and education shape today’s debates and why the legacy of the war continues to influence Japan’s identity and diplomacy.

Watch the full Japan Today Spotlight series on YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLyLmgel-5aDxrGswj_8hRRiUwdm5tGGTH