In this week’s news roundup we report on the growing tensions in East Asia as US nuclear-capable bombers join Japanese jets above the Sea of Japan to counter military drills conducted by Russia and China. A megaquake alert is issued following Monday’s 7.5-Magnitude earthquake in northeastern Japan. Police report the discovery of ¥18 million found among waste materials on the premises of a business establishment in Niigata. Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle is nominated for a Golden Globe. And Hajime Moriyasu reacts to Japan’s World Cup draw.
US Bombers and Japanese Jets Conduct Drills Over Sea of Japan
After Russian and Chinese forces completed coordinated drills encircling Japan and South Korea this week, Tokyo and Washington hit back with a show of force over the Sea of Japan. Two US nuclear-capable bombers flew alongside three Japanese F-35 stealth fighters and three F-15 air-superiority jets on Wednesday. The exercise was conducted “amid an increasingly severe security environment surrounding Japan,” said Tokyo’s Ministry of Defense the following day. The displays came less than 24 hours after China and Russia staged a joint aerial patrol over the East China Sea.
“I would like to emphsasize once again that this joint Chinese-Russian aerial strategic patrol is a display which comes under an annual cooperative project plan,” said Guo Jiakun, the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China. “This demonstrates both sides determination and capability to jointly address regional security challenges and maintain regional peace and stability. There is no need for Japan to make a fuss or jump to conclusions.”
Image via typhoon.yahoo.co.jp
Megaquake Alert Issued After 7.5-Magnitude Earthquake Rocks Northeastern Japan
At 11:15 p.m. on Monday, a 7.5-magnitude earthquake struck off northern Japan, injuring more than 50 people. Tsunami warnings were issued for the coastal areas of Hokkaido, Aomori and Iwate prefectures. According to NHK, waves of up to 70 centimeters in height were detected at Kuji port. On Tuesday morning, the tsunami warning for the region was downgraded to an advisory. However, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) has urged people to remain vigilant for aftershocks and has issued an alert for a potential megaquake.
Tsukasa Morikubo, Cabinet Office official for disaster preparedness, held a press conference on Tuesday to speak about the likelihood of a megaquake hitting Japan that could trigger a tsunami along the Pacific coast from Hokkaido to Chiba Prefecture. “Based on the statistics of earthquakes that have occurred around the world so far, there is a possibility that a large-scale earthquake with a magnitude of 8 or higher could occur as a follow-up earthquake along the Japan Trench and the Chishima Trench off Hokkaido,” he said.
¥18 Million in Cash Found Among Garbage in Niigata Prefecture
On Monday, police in Niigata Prefecture announced that a report has been filed regarding the discovery of around ¥18 million (approximately $115,000) in cash. According to the police, the money was found sometime in November among waste materials on the premises of a business establishment in Niigata city by an employee. It was subsequently handed over to Niigata Kita Police Station. Details as to the exact circumstances of the discovery have not been disclosed to maintain the integrity of the investigation and to verify the identity of the true owner.
Police waited until December 8 for the owner to come forward, but as no one did, they proceeded with the announcement. Under the Lost Property Act, cash can be held by the police for up to three months from the day it was found. If the owner does not appear within that period, the person who discovered the money at the business premises will be entitled to receive it all. Police said it’s the highest amount of money found in the prefecture since statistics began being kept in 2018.
© Sony
Demon Slayer Film Makes History With Golden Globe Nomination
The nominations for the Golden Globes were announced on Monday, with Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle being named on the shortlist in the Best Animated Motion Picture category. It’s the first time a Shonen Jump creation has been recognized by the ceremony. It will compete against Arco, Elio, Little Amélie or the Character of Rain, Zootopia 2 and strong favorite KPop Demon Hunters, which was also nominated for Best Cinematic and Box Office Achievement, as well as Best Original Song from a Motion Picture for “Golden.”
The Golden Globe Award for Best Animated Motion Picture was introduced in 2007, with Cars taking home the first prize. The only Japanese winner so far came two years ago when Hayao Miyazaki’s The Boy and the Heron received the award. Competing against KPop Demon Hunters and Zootopia 2, the likelihood of Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle becoming the second Japanese flick to snag the prize isn’t very high, though for fans of the series, the nomination is reason enough to celebrate.
Cover of the Hanbun Kyodai manga, by Yoiko Fujimi / LEED Publishing. Photo by Hiramatsu Ichi via PR Times
Mixed-Race Manga ‘Half Is More’ Tops 2026 Rankings For Female Readers
On Wednesday, Takarajimasha’s revered Kono Manga ga Sugoi! (This Manga Is Amazing!) guidebook revealed its number-one choices for the best men’s and women’s manga for its 2026 edition. Heading the list in the latter category is Hanbun Kyodai, a series written and illustrated by Yoiko Fujimi. Written through the eyes of Kazumi Mandanda Yoneyama, her brother and their friends, it showcases the everyday challenges mixed-race children face in Japan. Viz Media will start publishing the manga in English under the title Half is More from the summer of 2026.
The top rated manga for men in 2026, according to voters of the guidebook, is Ao Kojima’s Hon Nara Uru Hodo (The More Books We Sell). First published as a one-shot manga titled “Hon o Sosoru” in Kadokawa’s Harta magazine in 2022, it’s a series of short stories centering around a cheerful, middle-aged owner of a second-hand bookstore called Jugatsudo, and his encounters with various customers. In January, Kadokawa published the manga’s first compiled book volume, followed by the second three months later.
JAPAN HEAD COACH HAJIME MORIYASU | IMAGE BY FEELPHOTO/SHUTTERSTOCK
Moriyasu Reacts to World Cup Draw
The draw for the 2026 FIFA World Cup was made last Friday. Japan were placed in Group F with the Netherlands, Tunisia and the winner from the UEFA playoff featuring Poland, Sweden, Albania and Ukraine. “Every team in our group is strong, and the team that comes through the play-offs will also be a tough opponent, so I expect it to be a challenging competition,” said Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu. “Still, I’m really looking forward to every match. One of our main strengths is our organisation, which has grown significantly.”
It was a good week in Europe for many of Moriyasu’s players, including Ayase Ueda who bagged four in Feyenoord’s 6-1 win over PEC Zwolle. Ao Tanaka scored his second in successive games, earning Leeds United a dramatic 3-3 draw with champions Liverpool. There were also goals for Yuki Ohashi (Blackburn), Kento Shiogai (NEC Nijmegen), Shunsuke Mito (Sparta Rotterdam), Taichi Fukui (Arouca), Ryotaro Ito (Sint-Truiden), Keigo Tsunemoto (FC Basel) and Sota Kawasaki (Mainz). In the J-League, Kashima Antlers won a record-extending ninth title, finishing one point ahead of Kashiwa Reysol.
