Asahi

Companies are stepping up calls for employees to return to the office, even as many workers and firms settle into hybrid arrangements that split time between home and workplace. The shift has revived debate over productivity, company culture and flexibility, with some organisations enforcing office attendance while others maintain looser hybrid policies. Asahi Shimbun reports the trend is playing out unevenly across industries.

Japanese tennis star Kei Nishikori is drawing renewed attention in Japan, with Asahi Shimbun publishing a video in which former player and commentator Shuzo Matsuoka reflects on Nishikori's career, saying his story was about more than just tennis. Interest in Nishikori remains high among Japanese fans, keeping him at the top of search trends.

Chinese representatives used their address at the United Nations to press China's global development agenda, renewing calls for international cooperation framed around development priorities. The speech, reported by Asahi Shimbun, follows Beijing's familiar pattern of positioning itself as a champion of developing nations at the U.N., contrasting its message with Western powers' emphasis on security and human rights issues.

A report covered by the Asahi Shimbun says women are selected less often than men to perform robot-assisted surgeries, pointing to a gender gap in access to this advanced surgical technology and training. The finding has drawn attention to inequality within surgical specialties as robotic systems become more common in operating rooms worldwide.

Typhoon No. 26 is approaching Okinawa, while heavy rain batters parts of Kyushu. In Nagasaki Prefecture, a landslide has been reported amid the downpours. Japanese broadcasters, including TV Asahi, are tracking the storm's path and urging residents in Okinawa, Kumamoto, Fukuoka and Nagasaki to stay alert to flooding and further landslides.

Some Aeon group stores, including the Maibasu convenience store chain, are temporarily unable to process credit card and WAON electronic money payments, according to an Asahi Shimbun report carried by Gunosy. Shoppers in Japan are being alerted to the payment outage, which could affect everyday purchases at the affected locations.

Milan Fashion Week has come to an end, with Japanese celebrities among the attendees drawing attention. Actor Keiko Kitagawa and Snow Man members Shota Watanabe and Sho Sakurai-associated figures Shota Watanabe and Shota... specifically Watanabe Shota and Iwamoto Hikaru appeared at shows alongside Kitagawa, reflecting the strong Japanese presence at Milan's runway events. Italian fashion week coverage in Japanese media highlights growing interest in Japanese stars as guests at major European houses.

Milan Fashion Week has come to a close, with Japanese celebrities among the attendees drawing attention. Actors and performers including Shota Watanabe, Sho Hirano-era group colleague Shota Watanabe and Hikaru Iwamoto of Snow Man, along with actress Keiko Kitagawa, appeared at the event, according to Asahi Shimbun coverage. Their appearances highlighted the growing Japanese presence at major European fashion shows.

SMILE-UP., the Japanese talent agency formerly known as Johnny & Associates, has announced a change to its management structure under which president Nobuyuki Higashiyama will step down. The announcement was covered by TV Asahi's ANN news network and picked up on Yahoo! News in Japan, drawing attention to the agency's ongoing leadership reshuffle.

The long-running Japanese talk show Tetsuko's Room has announced a sudden change to its broadcast schedule. A memorial episode honoring screenwriter Kuromoto Sō, who recently died, will air on the 29th, replacing the previously scheduled episode featuring actor Ken Tanaka, which has been pushed back. The program is paying tribute to one of Japan's most celebrated drama writers.

Japan held its first national championship for student bodybuilders at the University of Tokyo's Yasuda Auditorium, as reported by Asahi. The number of student bodybuilders is growing rapidly, and the sport is also drawing interest through links to yoga and other fitness practices. The report asks why the activity is becoming so popular among students, pointing to a broader fitness boom on campuses.

Veteran Japanese broadcaster Tetsuko Kuroyanagi said she 'wanted to hear about so many more things' in a televised tribute to scriptwriter So Kuramoto, who has died. Speaking in an ANN program on TV Asahi, she reflected on conversations she wished she could still have with the celebrated writer of works like 'Kita no Kuni kara'. Viewers are sharing tributes to Kuramoto's legacy in Japanese television drama.

Japanese actress Kasumi Arimura is reported to have spoken out about a senior colleague's over-the-line behavior on set, saying the veteran 'intruded into my cut' during filming. The item, presented by TV Asahi's entertainment news, highlights a rare on-camera complaint from a younger actress about a senior performer's conduct. Details of the incident and reactions are not available beyond the headline.

TV Asahi announcer Akari Matsuoka was absent from her regular assistant role on the morning program 'Morning Show', prompting attention in Japan. Fellow announcer Shinichi Hatori explained on air that she was taking a one-week summer holiday. Viewers noticed her missing from the programme and searches for her name rose sharply as people looked for the reason behind her absence.

Asahi Shimbun reports on new AI technology that can accurately predict a person's favorite movies while also assessing their personality traits, effectively reading their inner self. The article, part of its 'Age of AI' series, highlights growing concerns that how such sensitive personal data is used depends entirely on the companies handling it.

Veteran Japanese television host Tamori, who holds honorary Tokyo citizenship, gave an interview with Asahi Shimbun marking 50 years in the entertainment world. He said the first stretch of his career was met with fierce criticism, describing the early days as full of condemnation. Readers are reflecting on his long career and how he became one of Japan's most enduring TV figures.

KSB Setonaikai Broadcasting, the TV Asahi affiliate in Japan's Setouchi region, lists Hodo Station (Report Station) in its program schedule. The long-running evening news program remains a fixture of Japanese television, covering national politics and current affairs each weeknight. No specific story or incident from the broadcast is indicated by the listing itself.