Matthew Hernon

Tokyo Weekender Magazine

Nagoya Family Seeks Murder Charge After Man's Jump Kills Daughter

By: Matthew Hernon

Nagoya fall: Hora Inaba’s family seeks a murder charge against a man who fell from an 11th-floor balcony, arguing he accepted the risk.

Tokyo Weekender Magazine

Yokohama Mayoral Election 2026: Who Are the Seven Candidates?

By: Matthew Hernon

Takeharu Yamanaka and Atsumi Harasawa are the leading candidates in the Yokohama mayoral election. Architect Riken Yamamoto is also running.

Yokohama’s Mayoral Race Includes a Pritzker-Winning Architect and Scandal-Hit Former Mayor

By: Matthew Hernon

With the Yokohama mayoral election days away, early voting is running about ahead of the same point in last year's race.

Tokyo Weekender Magazine

Why Did Russia Arrest Japanese Journalist Yuki Imai?

By: Matthew Hernon

In this week's news roundup we report on the arrest of Hokkaido Shimbun journalist Yuki Imai in Russia on espionage charges.

Tokyo Weekender Magazine

Magnitude 9.9 Earthquake Warning Issued in Japan, Then Quickly Canceled

By: Matthew Hernon

The JMA issued an emergency warning after initial automated data suggested a magnitude 9.9 earthquake near the Kuril Islands.

Tokyo Weekender Magazine

Japan’s Agriculture Ministers: A Troubled History of Scandals

By: Matthew Hernon

Kazuo Yana resigned as agriculture minister on October 14 following a scandal. Here we look at other agriculture ministers who have resigned.

Japan’s Agriculture Ministers: A Troubled History of Scandals and Resignations

By: Matthew Hernon

Arata Takebe was appointed as the new Japanese agriculture minister on October 15 after Kazuo Yana resigned.

Tokyo Weekender Magazine

This Hide-and-Seek Game Will Test Your Japanese Reading Skills

By: Matthew Hernon

Can you tell nu from me? NumeNume turns Japanese character confusion into a multiplayer game of hide-and-seek.

Tokyo Weekender Magazine

This ¥500 Scented Lantern Is Asakusa’s New Way To Explore at Night

By: Matthew Hernon

The new “Kaoru Asakusa Lantern Project” invites visitors to discover the area in a different light, both literally and figuratively.

Tokyo Weekender Magazine

Sanae Takaichi’s First Year in Office: What Has Changed?

By: Matthew Hernon

October 21, 2026, marks one year since Sanae Takaichi made history as Japan’s first female prime minister.