Headline news for August 5, 2026
WILLER EXPRESS, a highway bus company, is holding a campaign to commemorate its 20th anniversary.
WILLER EXPRESS 20th Anniversary | Easily book express and overnight buses | WILLER TRAVEL [Official]
https://travel.willer.co.jp/wex/20th/
In the first phase, to express our gratitude for our 20th anniversary, we will be selling tickets on eligible routes at a special price of 5 yen per kilometer, playing on the Japanese word for 'good fortune' (go-en). The routes covered are Tokyo to Osaka (550km: 2750 yen), Tokyo to Aichi (370km: 1850 yen), Tokyo to Sendai (350km: 1750 yen), and Osaka to Aichi (200km: 1000 yen). The eligible departure dates are from August 17th (Monday) to September 6th (Sunday).
Additionally, economy seats on select routes will be 55% off the regular price. This offer applies to departures from August 17th (Monday) to September 30th (Wednesday) on the following routes: Tokyo-Osaka, Tokyo-Sendai, Tokyo-Aichi, Tokyo-Kanazawa, Tokyo-Niigata, Osaka-Aichi, Osaka-Shizuoka, Osaka-Niigata, Osaka-Ehime, and Osaka-Fukuoka. Please note that economy seats are only available on select routes, and there may be days within the eligible period that are not included in the sale.
In addition, WILLER EXPRESS will be offering discounts of up to 62% on all intercity express bus routes for a limited time of 20 days. The eligible departure dates are from August 17th (Monday) to September 6th (Sunday), and seats are limited. This offer is not eligible for any other discounts, and the 'free seat upgrade on the day of departure' and 'flight change service' are not available.
Furthermore, as part of a collaboration with 'Umekita Onsen Ren Wellbeing Park,' a hot spring complex located a 10-minute walk from the WILLER Bus Terminal Osaka Umeda, the entrance fee will be a special price of 500 yen exclusively for overnight bus users.
Incidentally, on the same day of the same month in the past, we published the following article.
Research shows that simply seeing sick people can activate the immune system - GIGAZINE
Retro game translation and modification community 'ROMHacking.net' closes its doors after 20 years due to internal problems - GIGAZINE
Mars astronauts may see a 'green sky' - GIGAZINE
The Electronic Frontier Foundation awarded Alexandra Elbakian, founder of the pirated paper viewing site 'Sci-Hub,' with an award - GIGAZINE
Review of 'Shelf,' a free app that allows you to manage assets, inventory, and items from your smartphone by placing QR codes; it's open source and allows self-hosting - GIGAZINE
Why do negative thoughts intensify and lead to overeating and excessive drinking when you're awake late at night? - GIGAZINE
Birds have been found to switch between 'stable flight mode' and 'fighter jet mode' while flying - GIGAZINE
'Shorter REM sleep increases the risk of death,' research reveals - GIGAZINE
Explosion in the port area of Beirut, the capital of Lebanon, causes damage up to 10km away - GIGAZINE
Successful crossing of the English Channel using a 'flyboard' that allows you to fly freely through the air with a jet engine - GIGAZINE
Cable lacing, a cable bundling technique that is stronger and more durable than cable ties, and is even used by NASA - GIGAZINE
11 Universal Laws Derived from Science and Law That Are Useful in All Fields - GIGAZINE
I went to check out the 'Osu Cosplay Parade,' where cosplayers from all over the world parade through Nagoya's shopping streets, adding a vibrant touch - GIGAZINE
This is what Centurion Ladies Hostel Ueno Park, a women-only accommodation with a panoramic view of Ueno Park for around 2000 yen per night, looks like - GIGAZINE
Why does Facebook's 'People You May Know' sometimes show surprising people? - GIGAZINE
Sneaking into the set of a VR porn shoot: This is how VR porn is made - GIGAZINE
Just how incredibly wealthy was drug lord Pablo Escobar, often called a 'hero'? - GIGAZINE
'Tanuki Oil-Based Magic,' a free font that looks like it was written with an oil-based marker and covers every character set by hand - GIGAZINE
Japanese films ranked among the 'Top 10 Most Beautiful Animated Films' that stimulate emotions and imagination - GIGAZINE
Review of 'Floyd Leg,' a device that can turn any board into a desk in just 5 minutes - GIGAZINE
'Jinbocho Meat Center' offers all-you-can-eat yakiniku, including freshly harvested liver and heart with a firm, bouncy texture, for 900 yen - GIGAZINE
I made a 'new type of pinhole planetarium' that can project the Milky Way into a room - GIGAZINE
A report on the stage greeting by the Yorozuya trio and the director held to commemorate the 1 millionth movie attendance for 'Gintama: The Final Chapter' - GIGAZINE
◆ Ideas (notes, miscellaneous things)
Zazanzazazan Zazanzazazan pic.twitter.com/0IkuZTqImt
— Reprilo @ Saturday South “n”-33a (@reprilo_channel) August 3, 2026
I felt kindness from the siren who stopped the foolish human who only bet on trifectas and made him bet on wide bets instead. #MovieChiikawaMovieMovie #ChiikawaFanArt pic.twitter.com/kNB1YaRgek
— nokuri (@nokurixshii) August 4, 2026
Mochizuki-san, it's a good thing it was an anime adaptation. If it had been a live-action drama where they forced unwilling actors to eat, it would have been a compliance violation.
— Pinoko (@sinsekai0219) August 4, 2026
There's no way a gourmet drama that forces actors to eat excessively against their will should exist in the Reiwa era.
Spiki - Meitetsu Cup Fanfare - Nico Nico Douga
◆Science (Science, Academics, Technology)
Ancient mammoth bones and Nazi warships discovered one after another in the Danube River amid record-low water levels due to drought - CNN.co.jp
Analysis of the characteristics of people who intend to get vaccinated despite believing misinformation about vaccines | University of Tokyo
Yoko Ogawa, who completed her translation of the ancient Greek 'Historia Plantae' at the age of 82: '50 years spent engaging with the philosopher Theophrastus in between childcare and housework' She pursued graduate studies in an era when only 3% of women attend university [Part 1] | Culture | Fujin Koron.jp
◆Society, Politics, and Economy (Events, World News, Business)
[Exclusive] Henoko capsizing incident: Taxi driver who transported injured student gives first testimony; student says 'I drank so much seawater I almost died' - Sankei News
[Kumamoto Earthquake, Magnitude 7] Aeon Mall Explosion: General Store President Admits Instruction to 'Return Sales Revenue' and Apologizes | [Nishinippon Shimbun me]
[Breaking News] Onward mandates employees carry valuables | 47NEWS
Kumamoto Earthquake: Husband displays his wife's wedding dress at funeral after she was killed in Aeon Mall explosion, saying, 'I wanted her to wear it while she was alive': Yomiuri Shimbun
No serious incident reported: All Nippon Airways and Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism aircraft approach each other off the coast of Haneda Airport - Sankei News
'My implant broke, so you have to compensate me.' 55-year-old man arrested on extortion charges for stealing 600,000 yen in cash - Sankei News
This might be the old man who caused trouble in Akihabara last year.
— Moribe (@mo_ri_be) August 4, 2026
I thought he was over 70, but he's actually 55...
He didn't explicitly say it was an implant, but he was using methods like making up a accusation that a package hit him in the face, putting fake blood in his mouth, and smearing fake blood on the target's bag, all in a practiced manner.
It was worth keeping a record of my consultation with the Manseibashi Police Station . https://t.co/XVCUdh3beA
[Breaking News] NHK employee sexually assaulted by program participant | 47NEWS
NHK employee suffers sexual assault from program participant, diagnosed with PTSD, and denied transfer request upon returning to work - Sankei News
Haneda Airport to close baggage check-in 30 minutes before departure as a measure to prevent departure delays | NHK News | Aviation, Transportation & Infrastructure, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism
'There's someone with a gun': U.S. military's Kadena Air Base sealed off for an hour after late-night report - YouTube
A former Reiwa local councilor exposes new leader Joji Yamamoto's 'plan to split the party': 'He's a 'Judas' who has been secretly approaching reformers and whispering, 'Wait until Taro is arrested'' | Daily Shincho
Kagawa Prefecture: Philippine national foreign language instructor to be re-arrested on suspicion of non-consensual indecency... Multiple students have reported being victims, but the prefectural board of education did not consult the police: Yomiuri Shimbun
SpaceX rocket to hit moon soon - CNN.co.jp
'I don't care about finances,' voices on social media calling for a consumption tax cut; Finance Ministry officials regret it [Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, President of the Liberal Democratic Party]: Asahi Shimbun
[Breaking News] Kurauchi, the Prefectural Assembly Chairman who had been absent, stayed in Nepal and told reporters it was 'heaven' while on duty for the Veterinary Association | [Nishinippon Shimbun me]
Fukuoka Prefectural Assembly Chairman Isao Kurauchi told reporters on the 5th that he had been staying in Nepal on business related to the World Veterinary Medical Association, where he serves as chairman, and said it was 'heaven.'
Chairman Kurauchi faces increasing criticism over repeated 'absences' from prefectural assembly members, with 3,000 comments | [Nishinippon Shimbun me]
'Nepal was heaven,' said Chairman Isao Kurauchi upon his return from an overseas business trip; Fukuoka Prefectural Assembly to establish a third-party committee to investigate alleged 'money transfers' | FNN Prime Online
Is holding group prayers in a park unacceptable because it feels 'unnatural'? A 30-year-old mosque festival faces trouble; a former Sanseito party city council member and Muslims both call for 'direct communication,' highlighting a difference in sentiment between social media and local residents | NEWSjp
US military has depleted 80% of its main interceptor missiles; military official says it's at a 'dangerous level' - CNN.co.jp
UR rental housing in Tokyo's 23 wards: Almost no vacancies left. The future of the plan to provide 100,000 units for families with children remains uncertain - Nikkei Shimbun
[Data Analysis] #3 Prime Minister Takaichi's YouTube Channel: Positive or Critical? Understanding Takaichi's Politics Through Data - YouTube
Toyota to recruit residents for its 'Woven City' project, starting with 25 households from Shizuoka Prefecture - Nikkei
Prime Minister Takaichi requests Bank of Japan Governor to purchase government bonds, aiming to curb interest rates amid a focus on expansionary fiscal policy: Jiji.com
◆Lifestyle (Life, Living, Health)
The cutting edge of sticker culture as seen in Bonbon Drop stickers! | Vogue Japan
You can also take a tractor bus from near the Notsuke Peninsula Nature Center in Betsukai Town to the tip of the peninsula. It's a rare experience to ride in a bus pulled by a tractor, so why not try it as a memorable part of your trip? pic.twitter.com/XXuWrIIWl7
— [Official] Nemuro Regional Development Bureau, Hokkaido Tourism Information (@shiretokonemuro) August 4, 2026
We will begin trial runs of a new trolley train scheduled to debut in the spring of 2027.
— Sagano Romantic Train (Official) (@sagano_kanko) August 5, 2026
Starting in August 2026, test runs will be conducted with the towing vehicle and passenger cars coupled together for functional verification and other purposes.
The start of service is finally approaching. Please look forward to the new trolley train.
The trains currently in operation are scheduled to be retired from service at the end of 2026. pic.twitter.com/seAjGndtD3
[Important] Regarding the planned resumption of service on the Kyushu Shinkansen (between Shin-Minamata Station and Kagoshima-Chuo Station)
— JR Kyushu [Official] (@JRkyushuNews) August 5, 2026
Due to the effects of the 2026 Kumamoto Earthquake, the Kyushu Shinkansen (between Shin-Minamata Station and Kagoshima-Chuo Station) had suspended operations. However, service will resume on August 7th (Friday) with a reduced frequency. … pic.twitter.com/z4WlXFVIUq
A friend came over and gave her son, who was under 4 years old, a three-color dango (rice dumpling) to eat as is, causing him to choke. The friend then stuck her finger in his mouth to remove the dumpling. → Sticking your finger in his mouth is a no-no; use the back blows method instead. - Togetter
My sons went to Royal Host with their friends for the first time, and they all reacted with 'Wow, it's expensive!' and 'We always ordered whatever we wanted!' and apparently said 'Thank you for everything!' after the food arrived before eating. → 'They're such good kids!' 'They've taken a step up the ladder to adulthood!' - Togetter
'It perfectly addresses what people are asking for,' says the Kyoto Prefectural Governor regarding the much-discussed Secondary Capital Bill, quoting someone who said, 'There are people who say, 'Kyoto was originally the capital, so is it really okay for it to be a secondary capital?'' - Togetter
'You've got to be kidding me...' While I was out, the company I'd hired to replace my front door handle came and my parents dealt with it, but it was a job that looked like a child's craft project, and it cost 110,000 yen... I called the consumer hotline, but they said, 'That's difficult.' - Togetter
I was working at a home improvement store when the Great East Japan Earthquake struck. While we were evacuating and discussing what to do next, I received a call from my manager at headquarters telling me to 'go into the store and check the extent of the damage,' but I ignored him and went home. - Togetter
This is the hot spring room I booked for my solo trip using the 'Same-Day Booking Only, Room Assigned at the Guest's Discretion Plan,' just one hour before check-in. - Togetter
A story about a woman with a master's degree who quit her job after being told that academic background didn't matter, saying, 'If you don't give preferential treatment based on academic background, then aren't the people who paid tuition to go to graduate school and raise their own value just fools?' - Togetter
There's a crazy truck in front of me, should I report this to the police? pic.twitter.com/oASwjkySmK
— DoraSeven (@NJZLOVE013) August 4, 2026
[I've been tricked]
— Tsukinowadera [Official] (@tukinowadera) August 5, 2026
today
The postman who delivers mail while climbing Mt. Atago
The area at the bottom of the mountain near Gachirinji Temple is off-limits.
No entry sign
Also, they said it had been peeled off.
why
Do you want to peel it off?
Please stop, it's making me want to cry.
That's why it's frightening, and I hope you understand that it has to be off-limits... pic.twitter.com/rxLA8Fii4k
I'm saying this knowing it might cause a backlash, but shouldn't we stop entrusting parliamentary seats to people over 80? Why not impose a retirement age on politicians, just like ordinary citizens do?
— Hina @ Former Black Nurse (@hina_blackNS) August 3, 2026
When you think about it calmly, it's terrifying to entrust the country to people of an age group that drives the wrong way on highways or crashes due to mistaking the accelerator for the brake.
Takasaki City, Gunma Prefecture: Despite a reward of 300 yen per insect, the mayor was optimistic, saying 'they're just disgusting insects.' 1,170 red-necked red spiders were collected on the first day: Yomiuri Shimbun
A woman fainted on the train, and a nurse who happened to be there and I got her off at the station. We carried her to a bench, waited for her to regain consciousness, contacted her family, and waited for them to come pick her up. The entire time, an unrelated man stood silently beside her. - Togetter
When I was working part-time at Sukiya, a customer ordered a non-existent menu item called 'Beef Platter Medium Plate.' Even after confirming if they meant a medium-sized beef bowl, they insisted on 'Beef Platter Medium Plate'...I casually served them a regular beef bowl, and they ate it without any problem. - Togetter
A cyclist (a child) who wasn't paying attention rear-ended my car, and the child said, 'I'm a boy, so I'm fine!' and walked away, but my car was definitely not fine → There's a risk of a serious situation if you don't call the police - Togetter
I found a lump and went to a small breast surgery clinic in town. After an ultrasound that felt like 30 seconds, the doctor casually said, 'Let's go to the cancer center.' With an iron will, I had no other options → Looking back now, I was convinced it was cancer in seconds - Togetter
There's this single, nearly 60-year-old office lady at my workplace who makes weird noises like 'Huh?', 'What?', and 'Sorry!' only in front of the male employees, so we call her 'Cardcaptor Granny' behind her back.
— Noro (🍛•᎑•🌶) (@green__daizu) August 3, 2026
I want you to return to the person you are meant to be.
◆IT & Gadgets (Internet, Software, Hardware, Mobile)
I've compiled a summary of the drop catches occurring in some domains related to the Osaka-Kansai Expo - piyolog
Designing Your Own Behavior with 'Introduction to Self-Management for Engineers' - Magnolia Tech
The spread of AI is also a factor, but bankruptcies in the 'design industry' reach a 14-year high - projected to surge to 40 cases in the first half of 2026 - | TSR Data Insight | Tokyo Shoko Research
Removing CLAUDE.md and AGENTS.md significantly improved AI coding | Akihiko Shirai aka Professor Shirai
Me too... Me too...! https://t.co/6K4630vAHP pic.twitter.com/5BWwxEOK2p
— Portalgraph (@portalgraph) August 4, 2026
I abandoned my own code review skills and switched to Claude Code's /code-review.
A summary of the incident where 'Tiananmen Square 64th' was written into the source code of the University of Tokyo website - piyolog
KIOXIA XL1 Series Memory Expansion Modules with CXL™ Support for AI Workloads | KIOXIA - Japan (Japanese)
Development of the KIOXIA GP1 series, a Super High IOPS SSD for AI applications | KIOXIA - Japan (Japanese)
Amazon opens its largest fulfillment center in the Kansai region in Amagasaki City, its second location in the city - Press Center
KDDI Launches 'Second Number' Service, Allowing Users to Use Different Phone Numbers for Different Purposes on a Single Smartphone | KDDI News Room
Second Number | Services & Features | au
◆Anime, Games, and Manga (Subculture)
As for me, I'm actually enjoying Cinderella Girls more now because there's more content featuring my favorite character.
— EFB@This year I'll do my best to raise Oikomi (@EFB_GS) August 3, 2026
Two or three wonderful new illustrations are released every year, maybe even more than during the peak of Mobamas! Look at all the new official illustrations of Matsubara Saya drawn in the last year, they're all so cute! pic.twitter.com/6EFkJmYVM2
The Prince of Tennis has ended, but here's what One Piece looked like when it started: pic.twitter.com/MEkUxMhKXs
— Kiri (@mahotukai_kiri) August 4, 2026
My daughter was bragging to a classmate that 'My mom knows the author of 'The Apothecary Diaries',' and she almost said 'My mom does too,' but managed to stop herself at the last moment. Good job. She held back well. Mom is a masked (literally) author, after all.
— Yo Makusu, 'The Cat's Recipe Book,' on sale May 13th (@yomakusu) August 4, 2026
Masked writer (physical) pic.twitter.com/D4WGFBcTAA
— Yo Makusu, 'The Cat's Recipe Book,' on sale May 13th (@yomakusu) August 4, 2026
[VOICEVOX 5th Anniversary Cultural Festival] Tsumugi Meeting - Nico Nico Douga
[FC Convoy's Mystery] Transformers 2026 [Famicom Video Submission Festival 4] - Nico Nico Douga
The story of a company that ported Wizardry by 'eye-copying' – A 20-year record of game development company Access – | Zvim@THREE-O
A creepy racing game featuring Thomas the Tank Engine?! [Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends / Mega Drive GENESIS] [Retro Game Commentary] - Nico Nico Douga
Congratulations on the decision to produce a TV anime!
— Asuken Official (@askenjp) August 4, 2026
(That mysterious theory will be shown on terrestrial television...?!)
I'm always watching over Mochizuki-san's health 💁 #Asuken https://t.co/80pFtbdS26 pic.twitter.com/GD09UeTcgY
To all doujinshi artists, how is your progress going? pic.twitter.com/nSlUriLSpk
— Detajiru (@DZTL_M) August 4, 2026
It's too late to say it now...
— Kuranosuke Sakataru (@KulasanM) August 4, 2026
One of the reasons I came up with the idea for a novel about elves and orcs fighting was,
IS◯ZU Elf vs. Tontontonton Nichi◯'s 2-ton
I can't believe that was the case...
'Mobile Police Patlabor EZY' File 1 ~That Trailer That Played at the End~ - YouTube
[Limited-Time Free Release] There were two chickens in the garden. | Tatsuki Fujimoto 17-26 [Until 6 PM on August 11th (Tue)] - YouTube
[Non-credit ending] TV anime 'I fell in love with you, who ran through the transparent night, in an invisible love.' | Yui Sakurai 'Hikari' - YouTube
[Non-credit opening] TV anime 'I fell in love with you, who ran through the transparent night, in an invisible love.' | Motohiro Hata 'Hitohira' - YouTube
#The Wild Last Boss of the Anime Has Appeared! Season 2 PV #1 │ Broadcasting begins October 2026 on TOKYO MX, BS Asahi, and Kansai TV! Streaming available one week earlier on ABEMA and U-NEXT! - YouTube
'SEKIRO: NO DEFEAT' Character PV: Genichiro Ashina (CV: Kenjiro Tsuda) | Limited 3-week theatrical release starting September 4th (Fri) - YouTube
Super Robot Wars DD 'Crossing Pilot R' 3rd PV - YouTube
Super Robot Wars DD Main Scenario Final Chapter PV - YouTube
Final Fantasy XIV Nintendo Switch™ 2 version service begins! - YouTube
PS5 'Dune: Awakening' Story Trailer - YouTube
[Tamagotchi's Petit Petit Shop - Thank you for waiting!] Congratulations! Hoyojo Upgrade Commemorative Video - YouTube
ONE PIECE Sea Feast Restaurant | Announcement Trailer Short Version - YouTube
Stupid Never Dies | Release Date Announcement Video - YouTube
◆Sports, Entertainment, Music, and Film (Entertainment)
'Orchestras are now making a living from game music.' Young game fans are buying tickets, apparently changing their subsidy-dependent operating model. 'This is the first time in 300 years of orchestral music that an audience has paid the full price.' - Togetter
[Breaking News] Former Jungle Pocket member Shinji Saito faces 7-year prison sentence for non-consensual sexual intercourse and other crimes (Published August 5, 2026) | NTV NEWS NNN
◆New products (clothing, food, housing)
No eggs or milk needed, no marinating required, just spread and bake for a crispy and juicy texture: 'Verde French Toast Style Spread' New Release | News Release | Aohata
Lawson expands the number of stores introducing its 'Pot-Handling Robot,' which provides freshly prepared stir-fried dishes using the skills of expert chefs | Lawson Official Website
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in Headline, Posted by logc_nt