Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party lost three seats in by-elections, including a conservative stronghold in Shimane, amid scandals involving illegal political fundraising and unreported income. The defeats, including the loss of a traditionally LDP-dominated seat to Akiko Kamei, have put Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's leadership at risk.

Fujikawaguchiko, a town in the foothills of Mount Fuji, is facing challenges with tourists climbing onto private property, such as a dental clinic's roof, to take photos of the mountain. To address this, local officials plan to erect a 2.5m-high and 20m-long black mesh barrier to block the view. The town, which relies heavily on tourism and has a population of 25,000, is experiencing disruptions from visitors blocking pavements and traffic in their quest to photograph Mount Fuji.

NewJeans' manager Min Hee-jin, known for hits like OMG and ASAP on Spotify, is embroiled in controversy involving a shaman and a plan to break away from Hybe, the music giant and parent company of her subsidiary Ador. The situation has garnered significant attention and is causing a stir in South Korea's pop industry.

Exit polls from South Korea's general election indicate a supermajority win for opposition parties. The campaign was notable for the stabbing of Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung. Despite leading in final polls, President Yoon Suk-yeol's People Power Party is expected to become a minority, with the Democratic Party and minor parties dominating the parliament.

China has escalated its activities around Taiwan by sending balloons, warplanes, and naval ships over and around the island, as reported by the government in Taipei. Six Chinese balloons were observed over the Taiwan Strait's median line, with one traversing near Pingtung and others near a naval base at Keelung. This was accompanied by sightings of four Chinese warplanes and four naval ships in the vicinity of Taiwan, reminiscent of Beijing's actions before Taiwan's presidential election.

Juan Jumalon, a 57-year-old radio journalist, was shot dead during a live broadcast from his home in Misamis Occidental, Mindanao, Philippines. Two men were involved in the incident, with one entering his home under the pretense of making an announcement and the other serving as a lookout. The assailant shot Jumalon twice in the head and stole a gold chain from his neck. The murder was live-streamed on the station's Facebook page but was later removed by the platform.

Filmmakers from around the world, including Wim Wenders, Jia Zhangke, Kiyoshi Kurosawa, and Kelly Reichardt, gathered at the Tokyo International Film Festival to celebrate the 120th anniversary of Yasujiro Ozu's birth. Wenders introduced a 4K restoration of Ozu's 1959 comedy 'Good Morning' and spoke highly of Ozu's influence. The festival featured discussions on Ozu's work and its impact on cinema, with Reichardt comparing the thematic differences between Ozu's films and American cinema. Digitally remastered 4K versions of 17 Ozu films, including the highly ranked 'Tokyo Story', are being screened at the festival.

Yoshiyuki Kishi, a filmmaker with a background in television, documentaries, and screenwriting, discusses his latest film '(Ab)normal Desire,' which explores the impact of a water fetish on two former classmates. The film, based on a novel by Ryo Asai, addresses themes of sexual diversity, social isolation, and the tolerance of difference. Kishi, who made his feature directorial debut at 52, reflects on the challenges of depicting the characters' internal worlds and his approach to filmmaking, drawing from his extensive experience in documentaries. '(Ab)normal Desire' is selected in competition at the Tokyo International Film Festival.

The TIFFCOM content market in Tokyo has opened for its first in-person event since 2019, marking its 20th anniversary with a new venue and a balanced mix of domestic and international exhibitors. The event, running until October 27, features film, television, and IP showcases from around the world. CEO Yasushi Shiina highlights the market's variety, including animation seminars and the Tokyo Story Market initiative aimed at selling manga and novel rights for overseas film adaptations. China's Road Pictures is expanding into Japanese IP, and the Tokyo Gap-Financing Market is bringing industry professionals together in person for the first time in three years.

The U.N. Human Rights Council's investigation revealed that Johnny Kitagawa, a powerful figure in Japanese show business, abused hundreds of boys, and criticized the lack of accountability from his agency and the Japanese government. The report highlighted systemic issues in Japan's media and entertainment industry that allowed such abuse to persist. Despite Kitagawa's crimes being an open secret, major media groups covered up the allegations. The BBC documentary 'Predator: The Secret Scandal of J-Pop' and subsequent media coverage have led to more victims coming forward. The article also includes various opinions on the scandal, reflecting a mix of perspectives on the issue.

Kim Jong-un inspected warplanes at the Yuri Gagarin Komsomolsk-on-Amur aircraft plant in Russia's far east, following his summit with President Putin. He arrived on his armoured train, inspected production lines for Su-35 and Su-57 fighter jets, watched a demonstration flight of an SU-35, and visited the production facilities for an SSJ passenger plane.

Noriyuki Higashiyama, a former boyband star, was announced as the new president of Johnny & Associates, Japan's most powerful entertainment agency currently involved in a sexual abuse scandal. The previous boss, Julie Fujishima, admitted that her uncle and agency founder, Johnny Kitagawa, had sexually abused young hopefuls for decades. Upon his appointment, Higashiyama faced immediate accusations of inappropriate behaviour towards young boyband hopefuls.

North Korea has reportedly launched its first 'tactical nuclear attack submarine' ahead of the 75th anniversary of the nation's founding, with Kim Jong-un attending the launch ceremony. However, South Korean and UK analysts are skeptical about the submarine's capability to fire nuclear missiles.

Kim Jong-un visited farmland in Kangwon Province, North Korea, that was devastated by typhoon Khanun. The visit was publicized shortly after the UN condemned North Korea for neglecting its people's starvation while allocating funds to weapons development. The typhoon also affected South Korea and led to the cancellation of the World Scout Jamboree.

The World Scout Jamboree in South Korea has been cancelled due to an approaching typhoon, leading to the evacuation of participants including 4,500 British scouts. The event had already faced challenges such as extreme heat, poor sanitation, a COVID-19 outbreak, and an allegation of sexual harassment.

Over 4,000 British scouts at the World Scout Jamboree in South Korea are being relocated to hotels due to severe heatstroke cases and poor conditions, including bed shortages, malfunctioning toilets, and spoiled food amidst extreme heat and a mosquito infestation.

Myanmar's military reduced Aung San Suu Kyi's 33-year jail term by six years and pardoned her on five of the 19 offences following the 2021 military coup. General Min Aung Hlaing also pardoned 7,749 prisoners, commuted death sentences, and granted amnesty to 125 foreign prisoners and 22 members of ethnic armed groups to commemorate a religious holiday.

Warner Bros issued an apology for engaging with tweets that made jokes using the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki as a backdrop, which were part of the #NoBarbenheimer trend in Japan. One meme featured Barbie with a mushroom cloud hairstyle, prompting an official response from the US account that referenced Barbie's boyfriend Ken, played by Ryan Gosling.

In Japan, the fan jacket, invented by former Sony engineer Hiroshi Ichigaya and brought to market by his company Kuchofuku in 2004, is gaining popularity as a means to combat the increasingly severe summer heat. The jacket, which features built-in electric fans, creates a personal cooling micro-environment for the wearer. Power tools maker Makita has also entered the market with its own fan jacket, catering to outdoor workers. Additionally, Sony's startup accelerator program has produced the Reon Pocket, a portable air-conditioner. These innovations are part of Japan's broader efforts to address the challenges posed by extreme temperatures.

The European Union will lift import restrictions on Japanese foodstuffs imposed since the 2011 Fukushima nuclear reactor meltdowns. The decision comes ahead of the planned discharge of treated water from the Fukushima plant into the ocean. Japan will continue to monitor radiation levels and publish the results, eliminating the need for radioactivity testing before food is exported to Europe. The move is seen as a positive step towards the reconstruction of affected areas by Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.

Japan has declared its intent to intercept any North Korean rockets or missiles deemed a threat, following North Korea's announcement of a planned satellite launch by June 11. North Korea's leader, Kim Jong-un, revealed the development of the country's first military spy satellite aimed at countering the US and South Korea. Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida emphasized that such actions violate UN Security Council resolutions and pose a danger to Japan, highlighting the readiness of Japan's missile-defense systems.

Sony Pictures Entertainment's operating income dropped by 45 percent to $894 million, with sales decreasing due to a lack of blockbuster hits compared to the previous fiscal year's successes like Spider-Man and Venom, and one-off gains from sales and licensing deals. The new CEO, Hiroki Totoki, reported over 10 million Crunchyroll subscribers post-acquisition. Sony Corp.'s overall operating profit was $8.9 billion, with strong music and sensors results but lower income from pictures and gaming. The gaming division's sales increased, driven by PS5, despite supply chain challenges. The music division's sales and operating income grew, with contributions from artists like Harry Styles and Beyonce. Sony's stock rose slightly before the results announcement.

North Korea launched an intercontinental ballistic missile into the sea near Japan, coinciding with South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol's visit to Tokyo. The missile landed west of Hokkaido without causing damage or injuries. Japan's government condemned the act as barbaric and provocative, emphasizing cooperation with South Korea and the US for North Korea's denuclearization.

Bali is set to ban tourists from riding scooters and motorbikes due to a recent increase in traffic accidents involving visitors. Over 170 foreign tourists faced traffic violations from late February to early March. Governor Wayan Koster criticized tourists for disorderly behavior and plans to request the justice ministry for authority to revoke visas for traffic violations and other misdemeanors, such as illegal work.

Iwao Hakamada, 87, the world's longest-serving death row inmate, has been granted a retrial. Hakamada was convicted for the 1966 robbery and murder of his boss and his family. He confessed after intense interrogation but later retracted, claiming police brutality and planted evidence. Despite nearly six decades, ten court decisions, and over 30 years on death row in Japan, his fight for a retrial continues.

The US Federal Reserve's response to the economic downturn caused by Covid-19, which included cutting interest rates and implementing quantitative easing, resulted in inflation that has been challenging to manage. As 2023 begins, there is little confidence in a soft landing for the economy, with interest rates having been raised significantly from near zero.

BTS's oldest member, Jin, has commenced his five-week basic military training in Yeoncheon, Gyeonggi province, as part of South Korea's compulsory military service for men. Despite requests from authorities, fans gathered at the camp's entrance to see Jin, who recently turned 30 and is expected to be deployed near the North Korean border after training.

Developmental rights for an Indonesian archipelago of over 100 uninhabited islands are set to be auctioned at Sotheby's in New York. The sale involves shares in PT Leadership Islands Indonesia, which aims to develop the Widi Reserve archipelago into an eco-travel destination. The islands, located northeast of Bali, are noted for their rich coral atoll ecosystem and diverse marine life. The legality of the sale and environmental concerns have sparked protests.

Jack Ma, the Chinese billionaire founder of Alibaba, has been residing in Tokyo with his family for around six months amidst a crackdown on tech firms by Beijing. Despite having stepped down from his executive roles at Alibaba, Ma remains its public face. His critical comments about China's regulators in 2020 led to questioning by authorities and the suspension of Ant Group's IPO.

Anwar Ibrahim was sworn in as Malaysia's prime minister, achieving his long-held ambition at the age of 75. Following the country's first hung parliament since 1957, the King appointed Anwar after consulting with the royal families. The palace advised the new government to focus on stabilizing the government and enhancing the economy and national development.

President Donald Trump's revised travel ban and deportation policies are reviving memories of past injustices for Japanese-Americans, particularly the internment during World War II. The new executive order, which aims to address legal issues from the initial ban, still faces opposition and legal challenges. Japanese-Americans, who have historically stood against racial profiling, are drawing parallels between the current situation and their own experiences during the internment. The Japanese community, including those with ties to America, expresses concern over the travel ban's constitutionality and its deviation from American values. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has been criticized for not condemning Trump's actions, while Japanese citizens in the US and those considering sending their children there for education are feeling insecure and looking to other English-speaking countries.

Host clubs in Tokyo's Kabukicho district, such as Shangrila, provide entertainment to female customers, who spend large sums on drinks and gifts for the male hosts. The clubs, seen as an extension of geisha culture, offer a fantasy experience where hosts perform various services to make women feel special. The industry has evolved with less yakuza involvement and a wider range of hosts, including university students. Despite the glamour, the work can take a physical and psychological toll on the hosts. Regular customers include women from Japan's sex trade, who visit the clubs to escape their daily stress. Incidents of women being pressured into the sex trade to pay off club debts have declined but still occur. Advocacy groups like Lighthouse assist victims of such exploitation.