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The government has initiated a plan to study the potential use of human challenge trials, which involve intentionally infecting healthy volunteers, as a method for evaluating vaccines and drugs in preparation for future outbreaks. This move aims to align Japan’s clinical trials with international standards, although ethical and safety concerns continue to be a significant point of discussion.

Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba announced plans to adjust the fiscal 2025 draft budget in order to gain the backing of the opposition party Nippon Ishin, which has been advocating for free high school education. He outlined potential changes to financial assistance thresholds for both public and private high school students and mentioned the possibility of free elementary school lunches, emphasizing negotiations needed before the budget's passa...

Japan, a major contributor to the International Criminal Court (ICC), did not join 79 other countries in condemning US President Donald Trump's executive order sanctioning ICC staff, despite concerns within the government about the order's implications for the rule of law. This decision reflects Japan's delicate balancing act between upholding its commitment to the ICC and maintaining strong ties with the United States.

Job fairs for university students in Japan kicked off on March 1st, with many companies already exceeding government guidelines and initiating recruitment efforts early to address the nation's labor shortage. Despite concerns about potential career mismatches and early resignations, students are actively seeking employment opportunities, with 40% of the graduating class of 2026 already having secured jobs.

At Japan’s Kaikyokan aquarium, a sociable ocean sunfish fell ill during renovations due to a sudden drop in human interaction, refusing its favorite food and exhibiting stress behaviors. In response, dedicated staff set up human cutout figures near its tank, which quickly restored the fish's appetite, normalized its behavior, and helped it regain its weight.