Jul 02, 2026 19:10:00

Headline news for July 2, 2026

Kentucky Fried Chicken will be releasing ' Red Hot Chicken ' and ' Green Hot Wings ' starting July 8th, 2026 (Wednesday). 'Red Hot Chicken' is a spicy chicken dish that's a summer staple. 'Green Hot Chicken,' with its refreshing jalapeño aroma and addictive spiciness, will be making a comeback as 'Green Hot Wings' using chicken drumsticks.

A single serving of Red Hot Chicken is 340 yen, and a single serving of Green Hot Wings is 280 yen. The 'Two Hot Set,' which includes one Red Hot Chicken and one Green Hot Wing, one side dish, and a medium drink, is 940 yen. The 'Two Hot Pack,' which includes two pieces of Red Hot Chicken, four pieces of Green Hot Wings, and one side dish, is 1990 yen (tax included).

[Enjoy two kinds of 'hot' this summer!] In addition to the summer staple spicy chicken, the chicken with the refreshing aroma and spiciness of jalapeños that you'll get addicted to is making a comeback: 'Red Hot Chicken' and 'Green Hot Wings' Available in limited quantities from July 8th (Wed) ~Also featuring the sale of Calbee collaboration potato chips and an SNS collaboration with the TV anime 'Blue Lock'~ | Kentucky Fried Chicken Japan, Ltd.
https://japan.kfc.co.jp/news_release/8159

Incidentally, on the same day of the same month in the past, we published the following article.

Which will reach the trans-Neptunian object 'Sedna' first: a 'direct fusion drive' powered by nuclear fusion, or a 'solar sail' propelled by energy from the sun? - GIGAZINE

President Trump hints at deporting Elon Musk and calls on the DOGE to investigate Musk - GIGAZINE

A box at the Currency Museum, supposedly containing $1 million, is believed to actually contain over $1.55 million; this has been confirmed through an actual count - GIGAZINE

The world's most dangerous maze created by a physicist - GIGAZINE

The creator of the hit word guessing game 'Wordle' talks about the early stages of the concept and how it was sold to the New York Times - GIGAZINE

I tried out 'ArchiveBox,' an open-source, self-hostable tool that allows you to save pages and websites for free, like a web archive or internet archive, and it even automates saving from browser history and bookmarks. Here's my review - GIGAZINE

The peak age of creativity varies depending on the type of work you do - GIGAZINE

Interview with director Toshimasa Kuroyanagi of the film 'Bakuten!!,' depicting a sport that 'finds teamwork in an age of individuality' - GIGAZINE

The UK enacts a law guaranteeing the 'right to repair,' but smartphones and laptops are excluded - GIGAZINE

Research suggests that staring at red light for just 3 minutes a day can improve declining eyesight - GIGAZINE

Cockroaches are rapidly evolving and developing resistance to insecticides - GIGAZINE

The pros and cons of using 'Stingray,' an investigative method that impersonates a smartphone base station to collect information on targets - GIGAZINE

Why is the 'Trajan' font so often used in movie posters? - GIGAZINE

◆ Ideas (notes, miscellaneous things)

The other day, I was drinking at Saizeriya when a group of high school-aged boys were about to go pay their bill. The boy leading the way said, 'Let's go! Dodoria! Zarbon!'
He said that, and I thought, 'Seriously, every generation jokes around like this,' which brought back both laughter and nostalgia.
— Hakuno Imasaka 🍻🧄 Drunken Vtuber (@hakuno_imasaka) July 1, 2026

◆Science (Science, Academics, Technology)
How to Teach Literature - A German Language Teacher's Daily Learning Process

◆Society, Politics, and Economy (Events, World News, Business)
[Breaking News] Special committee postpones vote on bill to reduce the number of House of Representatives seats | 47NEWS

Russian and Ukrainian casualties exceed 2 million, with 400,000 to 450,000 Russian soldiers killed. (3 photos) International News: AFPBB News

Controversy over the cancellation of the Self-Defense Forces booth at the university festival: Concerns from both the employee union and the Ministry of Defense | Mainichi Shimbun

Foreign investors buy Japanese stocks, reaching a record high of 9.7 trillion yen in the first half of the year, with AI-related stocks being seen as a 'treasure trove' - Nikkei

Three men arrested in connection with allegedly ordering the Tokuryu robbery; Kanagawa Prefectural Police suspect involvement across a wide area from Kanto to western Japan - Sankei News

US to transfer first undocumented immigrants to Palau as part of Trump's deportation policy (Photo 1) International News: AFPBB News

Oman may have also proposed monetary compensation for passage through the Strait of Hormuz; US and Iran hold indirect talks [US-Israeli attacks on Iran, Iran situation]: Asahi Shimbun

Spain: More than 1,000 deaths in heatwave; first half average temperature reaches record high. (Photo 1) International News: AFPBB News

Junior high school student reports being attacked by her father; father arrested on suspicion of attempted murder while on the run... Bodies of ex-wife and daughter found at home: Yomiuri Shimbun

'Four animals resembling a mother and cub bear emerged from the river,' a tourist reported in Kyoto, prompting a warning from Kyoto Shimbun Digital, a news site covering Kyoto and Shiga prefectures.

China may have caught more wild Japanese eel juveniles than permitted, but has not released data | Mainichi Shimbun

Fujifilm launches new waterproof and black-and-white disposable camera after 20 years - Nikkei

Male-line adoption proposal: Public understanding becomes key; House Law amendment bill criticized as 'deviant': Jiji.com

[Breaking News] House of Representatives Speaker Mori has instructed both ruling and opposition parties to 'prioritize the passage of the proposed amendment to the Imperial House Law in a peaceful environment': Jiji.com

Vietnam also faces a declining birthrate and aging population; following the abolition of the two-child policy, it has introduced a 'lump-sum birth allowance.' (8 photos) International News: AFPBB News

Paraguay, South America, is prepared to trade with China if it can maintain diplomatic relations with Taiwan. (3 photos) International News: AFPBB News

Hamaoka Nuclear Power Plant Data Manipulation Continued Even After Investigation Began; Nuclear Regulation Authority Chairman Criticizes 'Cover-up' [Hamaoka Nuclear Power Plant Data Manipulation Problem]: Asahi Shimbun

JR extra trains due to professional baseball games bypass stations, leaving passengers unable to board | NHK News

◆Lifestyle (Life, Living, Health)

I changed my stopping position to the first pillar, so now I'm way over the center line. Is this going to be okay when oncoming traffic comes...? pic.twitter.com/pGHr6wQhkq
— Zoshiki (@Zoshiki1) July 2, 2026

Observations of the Country - Observations of the Country (Classmate D) - Kakuyomu

I know I should take advantage of things like NISA (Nippon Individual Savings Account) promoted by the government, but my grandmother's words, 'All the government bonds I bought during the war are now worthless. What the government promotes is only convenient for the government,' are stuck in my head and I can't do anything. - Togetter

I was going to take my grandmother to experience staying at a temple lodging in Koyasan, but while in 2022 everything was around 10,000 yen per night, this year it's common to find places costing 60,000 to 70,000 yen per night - Togetter

I saw the 'Bencao Gangmu,' a pharmacological encyclopedia from over 400 years ago, which was appraised at 100 million yen on the TV show 'Antiques Roadshow,' and I liked the explanation that 'the first edition was hastily made, so the illustrations are inferior to later printings.' - Togetter

I was bullied and my schoolbag was put in the toilet, but I wanted to know what the bullies were thinking, so I did it back, and all I could think was, 'What's so funny about this?' - Togetter

My grandmother's luck took a dramatic turn for the better when she realized in her 50s that 'everything in life can go the way you want it to,' and now in her 80s, she's practically invincible → 'Because her child-rearing responsibilities are mostly over,' and 'Good health is essential' - Togetter

Muji's nail clippers have such a sharp edge that you'll never want to use anything else for the rest of your life. I wonder where they're made? → They're made in Seki City, one of the world's three major cutlery producing regions - Togetter

Topvalu's dumplings are receiving reviews that go beyond 'taste of nothingness,' eliciting screams of agony... but their ice cream is genuinely delicious, creating a whirlwind of negative and positive ions - Togetter

The price of sea urchin rice bowls on Rishiri and Rebun Islands has been the same for about three years now.

Some people call this a 'rip-off targeting inbound tourists lol,' but the truth is the shops aren't making any money at all.

This is because the catch of sea urchins has drastically decreased in recent years.
Almost all of them are abnormally small. … https://t.co/UQVzym46kS
— BUBBLE-B (@BUBBLE_B) July 2, 2026

Railway companies are urging people to 'carry your backpack in your hand, it's a nuisance,' but considering crime prevention, false accusations of groping, and foot safety, there's really no right answer... Aren't they just shifting the focus of the overcrowded train problem to some mysterious etiquette issue? - Togetter

When I quit my job, my boss told me, 'You'll never make it anywhere,' but I said, 'But I want to believe in people's potential,' and quit anyway, yet I haven't been hired anywhere! - Togetter

[Notice Regarding Service Suspension on the Kyudai Main Line (Yufuin to Shonai Section) Due to Track Damage Caused by Heavy Rain]

Due to a track damage incident on a section of the Kyudai Main Line, train service will be suspended between Yufuin Station and Shonai Station until further notice.

The restoration is expected to take some time. … pic.twitter.com/PuZ7VbjhHu
— JR Kyushu [Official] (@JRkyushuNews) July 2, 2026

🚂【Kumagawa Railway is finally starting to operate!】

Approximately 6 years since the July 2020 heavy rains——
Kumagawa Railway will begin trial and training runs from Monday, July 6th!

🚦 The railroad crossing will be operational again after 6 years!
Eleven level crossings between Hitoyoshi Onsen Station and Higo Nishimura Station have reopened for use!
When crossing a railway crossing, please be sure to stop completely and check for safety. 🙏 pic.twitter.com/xDcGb4odek
— Hitoyoshi City Official (@hitoyoshishi) July 1, 2026

[Both are local trains]
The Nankai 21000 series and the old passenger cars with electric locomotives running on them—what's interesting about the Oigawa Main Line is that both are running as 'local trains.'

On some weekdays in July, the 'Regular Passenger Train' will operate, with a regular train arriving at Shin-Kanaya at 16:30 and a regular passenger train departing at 16:33 stopping in tandem, allowing for transfers. … pic.twitter.com/XR5MLNMh9H
— Oigawa Railway Co., Ltd [Official] | Oigawa Railway Co., Ltd (@daitetsuSL) July 1, 2026

Judging from their responses at the shareholders' meeting, it seems unlikely that ANA will improve anytime soon, so I've decided to keep my distance for a while.
— Takemashuran (@takemachelin) July 1, 2026

◆IT & Gadgets (Internet, Software, Hardware, Mobile)
At 1:52 AM, a VISA card notification appeared, claiming a charge of 660 yen from a 'VISA merchant.' Since the store name wasn't visible, I suspected fraudulent use. → Many people shared this experience… Later, the store name was changed. - Togetter

Purchasing expired domain names to improve search rankings is considered spam by Google.
Absolutely do not purchase or use this product.
As a representative of the industry, I deeply apologize for the existence of businesses that encourage such practices, and I will take action. https://t.co/bz9keYPwIh https://t.co/IktAOCEa6d
— Kunihiro Tanaka, President of Sakura Internet (@kunihirotanaka) July 1, 2026

We have pre-launched our official website | NCPC

The Japan Cybersecurity Industry Promotion Community (NCPC) has pre-launched its official website.
This website will feature information on community activities and the new security metric, 'Japan-ness.' We also plan to share information about future initiatives and other relevant details.
This website is scheduled to officially launch in July 2026.

NCPC | Japan Cybersecurity Industry Promotion Community

AWS Summit Japan 2026 Participation Report - Findy Tech Blog

On my first day at my new job, I was immediately given an IT written test... I submitted it without knowing anything, and the person in charge questioned my IT skills and said they wanted to review my job offer internally → Should I consult with the Labor Standards Office? - Togetter

A horrifying story unfolded when research using ChatGPT revealed that there was someone who was having thousands of outrageous fan fiction pieces written daily for a certain game. What would happen if such a dataset were accidentally used to train another AI? - Togetter

UN expert panel raises need for AI regulation; misinformation is compelling / wealth is concentrated in the hands of a few - Nikkei

'You can't make a living with 'Made in Japan' products': A CIO challenges this reality by launching a 'domestically produced charger project,' with the first product set to be released in the fall of 2026 - ITmedia Mobile

Ponta Pharmacy, a pharmacy connected via smartphone, opens, allowing prescription medications to be picked up at home or at Lawson convenience stores nationwide | KDDI News Room

ISUCON2026 Confirmed and Registration Dates Announced: ISUCON Official Blog

12 reasons why I switched from using Claude Code via CLI for 10 months to primarily using it on my desktop.

LINE Yahoo! Japan Corporation plans to release 'Agent i in chat,' a new feature that allows users to summon the AI agent 'Agent i' in LINE chat rooms to understand the context of the conversation and assist with questions and tasks, by the end of 2026.

We had planned to discontinue sales of our Blu-ray drives in July 2026, but since we have been able to procure additional components for the affected products, we have decided to continue sales. Once production using the additional components is finished, sales will be limited to remaining stock. … https://t.co/UtTCpGGkBx
— Buffalo [Official] (@BUFFALO_jp_info) July 1, 2026

Despite having many talented people, the organization is burdened by its limitations — a story about 'cognitive debt' that grows exponentially in the age of AI.

◆Anime, Games, and Manga (Subculture)
Shooting while playing music?! Avant-garde sound shooting! [Otokky / Famicom Disk System] [Retro Game Let's Play Commentary] - Nico Nico Douga

[Notice of Release Date Change]

Thank you for your support and for looking forward to 'Onimusha: Way of the Sword'.
In order to deliver this game to everyone as soon as possible, we have decided to change the release date from September 25th (Friday), 2026 to September 4th (Friday), 2026.

Following this change, the downloadable version of 'Onimusha Way of the...' pic.twitter.com/qirmbSlmRr
— Onimusha Series Official (@onimusha_capcom) July 2, 2026

The story of a super-serious dad who works hard at a part-time job in place of his daughter (1/4) pic.twitter.com/13dWYaVvmx
— Shinobu Date (@date_shinobu) July 1, 2026

This is a scene from 1999 in a provincial city in Tohoku where manga artists got lost and the Detective Precure girls searched for the exit of an alleyway . pic.twitter.com/cNjjciAxfz
— Michiro Ueyama (@ueyamamichiro) July 1, 2026

TV Anime 'The Witch and the Hound' Teaser PV - YouTube

Zeta Gundam's transformation is way too quirky. pic.twitter.com/Xg2CD75wzI
— Hebi (@rarata6o) July 1, 2026

TV Anime 'I Want to Love You Until You Die' Promotional Commercial 15-second version [Broadcast begins July 7, 2026] - YouTube

[Is this really OK in the Reiwa Era!? ver.] TV Anime 'Reiwa no Darasan' Episode 1 Web Preview | Broadcast begins July 2, 2026 (Thursday) - YouTube

TV Anime 'I Want to Love You Until You Die' Promotional Commercial 30-second version [Broadcast begins July 7, 2026] - YouTube

TV Anime 'Hana-Kimi' Season 2 Promotional CM | Airing every Wednesday from July 1st, 2026 at 24:30! - YouTube

[Pre-registration now open] 'Suikoden STAR LEAP' Opening Animation - YouTube

Suikoden: Star Leap Location Introduction: Lord Lake - YouTube

Attack on Titan 3 PV (Game) - YouTube

Street Fighter 6 Fighting Pass 'Get Ready for Yasmin!' Introduction Video - YouTube

PS5® version of 'Back to the Dawn: Break the Animal Prison' release date announcement trailer - YouTube

Naked Tradition
1/3 pic.twitter.com/PA2d8WfvIW
— Daiki Kashiwagi (@kasiwagidaiki) June 30, 2026

We received applications from approximately 4,000 circles for ' #COMITIA157 ,' which will be held on Sunday, August 23, 2026. Thank you for the overwhelming number of applications.

Since the number of applicants is almost the same as the number of positions available, there will be no rejections except in cases of incomplete application documents. … pic.twitter.com/3dyHFPlRVb
— COMITIA Executive Committee (@COMITIAofficial) July 2, 2026

Japanese anime production costs soar due to global popularity; costs vary widely from project to project as expectations of hits increase - Nikkei

'This is legendary': The stage greeting event for the release of the movie 'Sgt. Frog' was canceled due to various circumstances, and while there were various speculations, it seems there were also posts that could be interpreted as death threats - Togetter

Tainakano goes https://t.co/3PaLDBiEVD pic.twitter.com/TP1E6EOZ81
— Waku (@wakuwakupig) July 1, 2026

🎵 pic.twitter.com/yioaccRKu1
— Chiikawa💫Anime Tuesday & Friday (@ngnchiikawa) July 1, 2026

pic.twitter.com/JO8dpSaNDK
— Yuka (@GUchouu) July 1, 2026

A fun 4-panel manga of Frieren: Beyond Journey's End, titled 'Comrades' pic.twitter.com/LHmzMivp0S
— Grasshopper (@honey_burst) July 1, 2026

Well, that's how love is. pic.twitter.com/Iql1P9ak23
— Makotoji (@makotoji16) July 2, 2026

◆Sports, Entertainment, Music, and Film (Entertainment)
The Japanese dubbed version trailer for the movie 'Oak Street' | Simultaneous release in Japan and the US on August 14, 2026 (Friday) - YouTube

Movie clip from 'Supergirl' [Meeting Superman] | Now showing in theaters! - YouTube

A memo from an otaku who wants to be sure to understand the age difference between master and apprentice.
I enjoyed things like how Anakin and Ahsoka are really as close as siblings!?, how Kanan and Ezra have a father-son vibe but are actually closer in age to Obi-Wan than Anakin and his brother!?, and how Obi-Wan can reunite and communicate with his master at the age his master died...!?!?!... pic.twitter.com/EvGEc7cvBH
— mtr (@mtrkmkkk) July 1, 2026

Weekly Bunshun reports that actor Jiro Sato harassed Ai Hashimoto → Sato directly refutes the report: 'I've reached my limit, so I want to be removed from this drama' - Togetter

I simply can't take it anymore. During filming, I repeatedly pleaded, 'I've reached my limit, so I want to be removed from this drama. And all the facts should be made public.'
I should have made the decision sooner.
I sincerely hope that the day will come when many of the 'truths' will be revealed.
Jiro Sato
— Jiro Sato (@actor_satojiro) July 1, 2026

[Full Article] Jiro Sato comments on harassment allegations: 'It's very regrettable. I want the facts to be revealed.' His agency: 'We absolutely cannot accept this.' - Sponichi Annex Entertainment

I don't know if it's true or not, but people who are saying things like 'It's being used as a dog whistle!' or 'Saying something like that is inconsiderate!' in response to the agency's statement are completely out of touch. Right now, it's a fight for his acting career. He has to cultivate the image that 'Sato Jiro is not at fault' or he'll be ruined, so of course he's going to expose everything that happened.
— Yamada (King Enma) (@yamada10ra) July 2, 2026

🚓Making Of🏠

A poster shoot filled with laughter 📸
But then...
Here are some photos of the two of them looking cool!

Look forward to the first episode! ✨

Starts Tuesday, April 14th at 9 PM! #CoupleDetectives🧑‍🧑‍🧒 #SatoJiro #HashimotoAi @actor_satojiro pic.twitter.com/RkvHOlS37m
— 'Married Couples with Separate Surnames Detective' Tuesday 9pm [Official] Fuji TV (@fufu_deka_cx) March 27, 2026

The story of Tetsuya Takeda, who ignored the script for a drama and ad-libbed a full-force slap on a young actor, and later proudly recounted the incident on a talk show... including the anecdote that 'getting slapped means you'll become famous' - Togetter

🐯━━━━━━━━━━
'TIGER & BUNNY' THE STAGE
All information released! !
━━━━━━━━━━━🐰
📍September 19th (Fri) - September 27th (Sun), 2026
Shibuya LOVES

📍October 2nd (Fri) - October 4th (Sun), 2026
AiiA 2.5 Theater Collection

🔗Official website https://t.co/iFsdw2OTk9 #TigerBunny #stageplayTigerBunny pic.twitter.com/fYoBUF6YUS
— 'TIGER & BUNNY' THE STAGE (@TIGERBUNNY_st) June 30, 2026

[Information embargo lifted]

'TIGER & BUNNY' THE STAGE

I will be appearing as Nathan Seymour/Fire Emblem.

I'll be waiting 💋 #TigerAndBunny #tigerbunny #StageTigerAndBunny #JoelShohei pic.twitter.com/HFjhbSqbfM
— Joel Shohei (@joelshohei) June 30, 2026

I know this will be controversial, but I'm going to say it anyway. I saw the news that they've offered Moriyasu a one-year contract extension, but if it's just a stopgap offer because they can't find a suitable successor, then give me a try for a year. If we lose the Asian Cup, you can fire me without question. I'm ready for the challenge.
— Keisuke Honda (@kskgroup2017) July 2, 2026

◆New products (clothing, food, shelter)
(PDF file) Burger King's hugely popular 'Big Mouth' series introduces the new 'Dirty' burger, overflowing with a punchy, flavorful 'Special Garlic Mayo Sauce'! Two new large burgers, 'Double Beef & Hash' and 'Beef & Chicken,' are now available! New release for a limited time starting July 3rd (Friday).

(PDF file) Enjoy a whole eel in luxury! Treat yourself to a luxurious bowl at Nakau on the Day of the Ox! Nakau is selling the 'Eel Extravaganza' for a limited time.

Suzuki launches significantly improved GSX-R1000R supersport bike in Japan | Suzuki

News Release: 'Kataage Potato Roasted Corn Flavor' | Calbee Co., Ltd.

Shinshu's traditional flavor 'Yatara' makes its debut: 'Yatara Beef Bowl' released | Matsuya Foods