IJR News

North Korea claims AI-assisted missile test evaded defenses — 3dNorth Korea's Oct. 3 Wonsan launch of an intermediate-range missile, overseen by Kim Jong Un, flew over 700 km per Seoul and 680 km per Tokyo; Kim Yo Jong claimed AI let it change path at low altitude.

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Dana Whitfield North Korea's claim of AI-guided missiles evading defenses adds real worry on top of the border mine incidents.

IHG to Debut Noted Collection Brand in Tokyo With Two Hotels — Sep 28, 2026IHG will bring its Noted Collection to Japan with two Tokyo hotels: a 207-room Shinjuku property to be renovated and opened in 2027, and an 81-room new-build in Ginza scheduled for 2029. The signings mark the brand’s first entry into Japan and East Asia-Pacific, pairing hotels’ distinct local identities with IHG’s global network and loyalty program.

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Chris Dalton Ginza getting an 81-room property in 2029 feels like a smart long-term move for IHG to build loyalty with travelers who want local character plus points.

IHH Unit Appeals Tokyo Court Dismissal of $1.1B Daiichi Sankyo Claim — Sep 24, 2026IHH unit Northern TK Venture appealed a Tokyo court's Sept. 10, 2026 dismissal of its up-to-$1.1 billion damages claim against Daiichi Sankyo over Fortis delays.

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Elena Vasquez IHH has every right to appeal if the Fortis delays caused real losses, but $1.1 billion still seems like a stretch for any court.

Bank of Japan Raises Rate to 31-Year High — Sep 18, 2026BOJ raised its key rate to 1.25% on a 7-2 vote, a 31-year high, after Tokyo and Washington intervened to halt the yen's slide.

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Marcus Bell The two dissenters make me wonder if the bank is moving too fast without enough evidence of sustained inflation.

Waymo and Tokyo Partners Target Japan’s First Driverless Taxi Service in 2027 — Sep 15, 2026Waymo, GO, and Nihon Kotsu plan Japan’s first fully driverless commercial taxi service in Tokyo by 2027, with a phased rollout of up to about 100 Level 4 autonomous vehicles accessible via the GO and Waymo apps, pending safety verifications and regulatory approvals. The initiative follows extensive testing since 2025 and involves Nihon Kotsu on-site operations while Waymo provides the autonomous system and fleet management, illustrating a coordinated push toward wider autonomous mobility in Japan.

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Nicole Hardy Starting with just 100 vehicles seems like a smart way to test the waters before scaling up.

Most Influential Women in World HistoryYourlist — RankingFrom ancient queens who ruled empires to modern activists who changed laws, these women left indelible marks on politics, science, and culture. Vote for who you think shaped history most profoundly.

Two North Korean Delegates Reportedly Seek Japan Asylum — Sep 22, 2026Two members of North Korea's 180-person delegation at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games are reportedly seeking asylum in Japan, though their identities and whether they have filed formal applications remain unconfirmed. The reports, citing Japanese intelligence via sources linked to Chongryon, come as Tokyo granted an exception to entry for the Games and mark the largest North Korean delegation to Japan in 41 years.

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Priya Raman A delegation this big after so many years and two want out already says a lot about who gets picked to travel abroad from North Korea.

Trump, Xi Extend Trade Truce Amid AI Rivalry — Sep 21, 2026Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is meeting U.S. President Trump in New York ahead of Trump-Xi talks, aiming to coordinate China policy and safeguard Taiwan and other security interests. Tokyo worries a transactional deal at the Xi summit could trade away allies' security concerns, so it seeks to ensure Taiwan remains part of a broader Indo-Pacific security framework.

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Batemans Bay Club Plans 24-Hour Batting MarathonSports — Sep 19, 2026Baseball riders of 2026 are showcased by Mark DeRosa’s list of hitters who reached the next level, while fans consult batter-vs-pitcher stats to gauge daily matchups and their impact on game strategy. From Tokyo’s batting cages to a new book examining baseball superstition and lore, the sport’s technology, culture, and rituals continue to shape both performance and fandom.

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World’s Busiest Station Tests Robotic Bins — Sep 18, 2026Shinjuku Station in Tokyo is testing three mobile robotic trash bins to assist the overwhelmed sanitation staff amid reduced traditional bins, with trials running until late November and daily passenger flow exceeding 2.7 million. The slow-moving, about-1-meter-tall robots navigate crowds to collect waste, return to a collection point when full, and are evaluated for safety, navigation, and passenger engagement, drawing both concerns about efficiency and enthusiasm from tourists.

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IOC to Start Discussions on Possible Tokyo 2020 PostponementReporting — Mar 22, 2020The International Olympic Committee is stepping up its “scenario planning” for the Tokyo 2020 Games — including a possible postponement — as the coronavirus pandemic spreads, it said after an emergency meeting on…

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Taking a Knee, Raising a Fist To Be Punished at Tokyo GamesReporting — Apr 21, 2021Taking a knee during the Tokyo Olympics or lifting a fist in support of racial equality will be punished as the International Olympic Committee on Wednesday maintained its ban on athletes’ protests inside stadiums, at…

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Toy Story vs ShrekYourlist — VS BattleThe toy box vs the swamp: two animation revolutions, one inevitable playground argument.

Tokyo Games Delayed to 2021, Easing Athletes’ AngstReporting — Mar 24, 2020The Tokyo Olympics were postponed on Tuesday into 2021, the first such delay in the Games’ 124-year modern history, as the coronavirus crisis wrecked the last international sporting showpiece still standing this year…

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Tokyo Expands Modern Rental Living Across Districts — Aug 15, 2026A wave of rental developments in Tokyo—Park Axis Toyosu, Park Habio Soho Takadanobaba Terrace, Royal Parks Shinagawa, and Residia Tower Meguro Fudomae—are marketed as convenient, well-connected options for professionals, students, and families amid persistent demand for accessible urban living. Each project emphasizes easy access to transportation, shopping, dining and other amenities in sought-after Tokyo neighborhoods.

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Trump Considering Travel to Tokyo for Summer OlympicsReporting — Feb 19, 2020U.S. President Donald Trump said on Tuesday he is considering a visit to Japan this summer for the Olympic Games in Tokyo, a trip that would take him off the campaign trail as he seeks re-election. Trump was asked about…

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Plane Forced to Return to Tokyo After Alleged ‘Heavily Drunk’ Passenger Bites Flight AttendantReporting — Jan 17, 2024A passenger plane bound for Seattle, Washington, was forced to return to Tokyo after a passenger bit a flight attendant Tuesday. The 55-year-old American male passenger was restrained by the crew of the All Nippon…

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The Big FiveQuizie — QuizThe personality model scientists actually use — five traits, twenty questions, your real percentages, and an AI read of what your mix means.

Video of JD Vance Talking About Simone Biles Withdrawing From Tokyo Olympics Resurfaces — Jul 31, 2024A video of Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance (R-Ohio), the Republican vice presidential nominee, speaking about Olympic gymnast Simone Biles withdrawing from the Tokyo Olympics in 2021. “Well, I think, obviously, it’s understandable…

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Taylor Swift Races to Private Jet Only Moments After Tokyo Concert Ends to See Travis Kelce at Super BowlReporting — Feb 12, 2024With the applause of her fans still ringing in her ears, pop star Taylor Swift began her trek to the Super Bowl. Swift left Japan Saturday night Tokyo time from Haneda airport, according to the New York Post . Swift had…

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Naver exports 1784 smart-building tech to Tokyo Yaesu — Jul 23, 2026Naver is exporting its 1784 smart-building technology to Tokyo Midtown Yaesu for the first time, partnering with NTT East and Mitsui Fudosan to launch a cloud-based autonomous robot delivery service in a mixed-use Tokyo building, using technologies like Rookie robots, ARC brain, a digital twin, and vision-based positioning. The deployment aims to operate smoothly in ordinary buildings without robot-only elevators or bespoke cloud environments, with plans to expand into indoor AR navigation and broader building management across the three-company collaboration.

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Olympic Committee Stands Against Kneelers, Says No Way To BLMReporting — May 5, 2021Athletes have been prohibited from wearing clothing that features the “Black Lives Matter” slogan at the Tokyo Olympic Games, which are scheduled to begin in July, according to the International Olympic Committee. The…

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Taylor Swift Trips On Stage in Japan — TwiceReporting — Feb 9, 2024Singer Taylor Swift was not harmed after tripping on stage during a concert in Tokyo Friday night. This latest mishap came just two days after another blunder, when the singer nearly slipped off her chair while…

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IOC Reviewing Games Scenarios, Cancellation Not Among ThemReporting — Mar 20, 2020The International Olympic Committee is considering various scenarios for the Tokyo Games amid the coronavirus pandemic but cancellation is not one of them, IOC President Thomas Bach has told the New York Times…

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Olympics: US Senator Romney Says ‘Hold the Games’, Limit SpectatorsReporting — Jan 28, 2021U.S. Senator Mitt Romney has thrown his support behind the Tokyo Olympics this summer, saying the Games should be held with a limit on spectators at venues and would serve as an inspiration for the world during the…

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Olympics 2020 Set to Break New Record – Gender EqualityReporting — Mar 11, 2020The Tokyo 2020 Olympics is on track for a new record – having an almost equal number of female and male athletes for the first time, the International Committee (IOC) announced on Tuesday. The percentage of female…

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Watch: NFL Star Gets Dominated by Sumo Wrestler, Laughed at After Embarrassing LossReporting — May 5, 2024Gridiron football skills don’t translate so smoothly into the ancient Japanese art of sumo wrestling. Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons faced off with a sumo wrestler during an international trip to Tokyo this…

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