In Hokkaido, an Ainu group's lawsuit and climate change converge on salmon fishing
The Raporo Ainu Nation in Hokkaido is fighting for its Indigenous rights to fish for salmon. But warming waters are raising questions about future fish stocks.
In Tokyo, a more natural vision for an unnatural waterfront
Against a history of development and environmental issues, a plan by the Tokyo government conjures up images of lush parks and biodiverse shores. Bringing it to fruition won't be easy.
Just how green are Japan’s trains?
The nation is famed for its rail network, but despite significant steps to reduce emissions, the sector is still responsible for a substantial amount of carbon dioxide.
The world is losing the 'war on plastic.' What can be done to curb waste?
The U.N. this month took a major step toward what could become the world’s first treaty to curb plastic pollution. But a recent report highlights the immense challenge that lies ahead.
Colorful snow algae is blooming in Japan's alpine areas. What does this mean for climate change?
Scientists race to Mount Gassan to see how the algae might affect the natural balance in vulnerable ecosystems and potentially perpetuate warming.
How Japan's top soccer league is striving to become a climate leader
As the league continues to grow, and as climate change wreaks havoc on operations, its quest to bring healthier lifestyles to the Japanese public has expanded into environmental issues.
The Japanese firms and megabanks funding rainforest destruction
Comprehensive datasets reveal thousands of investments and loans made by Japan’s top lenders and investment funds that are impacting rainforests around the world.
Realizing the power of bokashi and microorganisms in farming
Farmers worldwide have shown a preference for bokashi, whose top proponents include Okinawa-based researcher Teruo Higa, over traditional composting because it is much quicker to prepare.
In West Africa, a ‘bokashi revolution’ takes root
A Japanese fermentation-based fertilization method is helping the region’s farmers cope with the effects of the war in Ukraine.
In G7 host Hiroshima, a climate disaster in all but name
A minority of Japanese are seriously worried about how warming will affect them. Recent disasters indicate they probably should be.
A ghostly 'fairy lantern' plant in Hyogo, back from the dead
For over two decades, scientists thought Thismia kobensis was extinct, but it's now being called a “Lazarus species” following a discovery by Kobe University researchers.
How a scientific approach to urban greening could cool Japan's concrete jungles
In Tokyo, temperatures have risen by 3 C over the past 100 years, even though global temperatures have risen by only around 1 C. The solution could lie in green infrastructure.
