Japan's population has dwindled for 15 consecutive years, as fewer people marry and have children. About 30 percent of Japanese are now 65 or older, compounding the demographic challenge and dragging on Asia's second-largest economy as it pulls itself out of a decades-long slump.

TOKYO (Reuters) - The number of babies born in Japan fell for a ninth consecutive year to hit a record low 720,988 in 2024, the health ministry said on Thursday, the latest data underscoring the rapid shrinkage and ageing of the country's population.

The number of babies born in Japan fell to a record low of 720,988 in 2024 marking the ninth consecutive year of decline, the health ministry said on Thursday.

Since the wildfire began Wednesday, at least one person has died, and more than 80 homes have burned, local authorities said.

A wildfire was spreading on Thursday (February 27) near the coastal city of Ofunato, in Iwate Prefecture in northeastern Japan, leaving at least one dead. What issues are fuelling the German election?

The largest wildfire in Japan in more than 30 years is continuing to rage in the north of the country. At least one person is reported to have died in the blaze.

Recently in Tokyo an AI-driven robot leaned over a man lying on his back and gently put a hand on his knee and another on a shoulder and rolled him onto his side -- a manoeuvre used to change diapers or prevent bedsores in the elderly.

The US Women’s National Team’s 18-match unbeaten run under coach Emma Hayes came to an end on Thursday with a 2-1 defeat to Japan in the SheBelieves Cup.

Japan won the SheBelieves Cup on Wednesday with a 2-1 win over the U.S. women's national team, handing the hosts their first loss since Emma Hayes took over as head coach in June. The visitors got off to a quick start by scoring just two minutes into the game,

Toko Koga scored early in the second half and Japan held on to beat the United States 2-1 on Wednesday night for the SheBelieves Cup title.