Aug 26, 2026 19:20:00

Headline news for August 26, 2026

Natori 's dry sausage, 'Pencil Calpas,' is now available in a new flavor, ' Pencil Calpas Pizza Flavor, ' on September 7th, 2026 (Monday). The pizza flavor combines the sweetness of tomatoes with the savory taste of meat, making it perfect for a snack or a light meal. A pack of 14 will cost 500 yen (excluding tax).

'Pencil Salami Pizza Flavor' - A delightful taste that will put you in a good mood | Press release from Natori Co., Ltd.
https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000093.000127928.html

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

What is 'OKLCH,' the new color model designed to be perceptually uniform? - GIGAZINE

Google introduces 'Developer Authentication' feature to verify the identity of all apps installed on Android - GIGAZINE

DEGAS, a technology that enables highly accurate 3D avatars capable of reproducing movements and expressions remarkably similar to those of real people, has been announced - GIGAZINE

I tried 'Kikyo Shingen Soft+', a soft-serve ice cream topped with Kikyo Shingen Mochi, at the Kikyo Shingen Mochi Factory Theme Park - GIGAZINE

I tried out 'Black Mythology: Goku Benchmark Tool,' a benchmark software that supports ray tracing and DLSS - GIGAZINE

What kind of companies benefit from adopting a three-day work week? - GIGAZINE

I tried the 'Cheese Bread (with Choshi Electric Railway's Nure Senbei)' which makes even better use of the 'Nure Senbei' that saved the Choshi Electric Railway from being shut down - GIGAZINE

What is 'Fill & Flush,' a technology that can cut the time it takes to disembark passengers from an airplane in half? - GIGAZINE

I went to see 'Akagawa Fireworks Presents 2022,' which featured fireworks in collaboration with Tokyo Revengers - GIGAZINE

Ransomware attack discovered that exploits the anti-cheat system of the PC version of 'Genshin Impact' to disable antivirus software; targets even those who don't have 'Genshin Impact' installed - GIGAZINE

'Curry is a drink' is the very embodiment of this canned soup, 'Curry Mood Medium Spicy,' which is packed with 10 kinds of spices and is perfect for a light snack - GIGAZINE

What is 'whistling language,' which uses whistling instead of voice to communicate? - GIGAZINE

YouTube sues man for repeatedly filing fraudulent copyright infringement claims - GIGAZINE

I stayed at 'Quest Apartments Suva,' a hotel in Suva, the capital of Fiji, that consistently receives high ratings for its comfort - GIGAZINE

Review of 'Kava,' a mysterious drink that makes you feel drunk even though it's not alcohol and supposedly improves depression - GIGAZINE

'Zunda Milk' from Murakamiya Mochi Shop, which sandwiches shaved ice with zunda (sweetened edamame paste) - GIGAZINE

Taste test review of the 'Tamago Sandwich,' a dashi-rolled egg sandwich that sells out daily at 'Amanoya,' a Michelin-starred restaurant with 83 years of history - GIGAZINE

Amazon beats Google to successfully acquire game streaming service Twitch - GIGAZINE

I tried using 'Chiki Chiki Bone's Fried Chicken Mix,' which lets you make as much of that famous Chiki Chiki Bone as you want - GIGAZINE

I visited the mess hall at Camp Foster, a U.S. Marine Corps base - GIGAZINE

◆ Ideas (notes, miscellaneous things)

I went to my grandmother's house to pick up my kimono, and she told me to take a look at the sandals she also had. I opened them one by one, and finally she handed me these rain sandals, and when I opened them, I think I encountered the most extreme case of hydrolysis I've ever experienced in my life...
That's too scary. Is that a cocoa cookie? pic.twitter.com/BwIorJiGTI
— Mameta (@mameta_1406) August 25, 2026

A sign resembling the movie title of 'Evangelion' appears in Iwate Prefecture, conveying heartfelt sentiments to the rice | Iwate Nippo ONLINE

◆Science (Science, Academics, Technology)
New species of 'sea T-rex' discovered, apex predator exceeding 13 meters in length | National Geographic Japan website

◆Society, Politics, and Economy (Events, World News, Business)
The Truth from the News Scene: Closing Police Boxes, Extending Response Time... The Capital Police Are Quietly Disappearing | Mainichi Shimbun

'It's a sham': Writer's anger over the metropolitan plan that retains the name 'Osaka City' | Mainichi Shimbun

Myanmar nationals working under specified skills visas were allegedly assaulted; town council members and others have been criminally charged with assault and other charges. A 20-year-old man said, 'I was scared, it hurt.' The mayor said, 'There's nothing we can do,' raising concerns about the town's inaction. Kyogoku Town, Hokkaido | TBS NEWS DIG

The electric scooter allegedly used by the perpetrator to escape in the 200 million yen luxury watch robbery at Nakano Broadway is shown here.
The aircraft has 'LUUP' written on it. If LUUP can't identify the culprit with this, then what's the point of showing identification? https://t.co/GIQHoLoAQQ pic.twitter.com/hqnyVnNNos
— Nobuyuki (@mrnobuyuki) August 25, 2026

Sweden to expropriate Russian-owned land near naval base (Photo 1) International News: AFPBB News

Israeli settlers attack AFP journalist in the West Bank (12 photos) International News: AFPBB News

US CIA Director Makes Surprise Visit to Moscow to Meet with Russian Officials, Sources - CNN.co.jp

Two of Shikoku's leading limited express trains face challenges in converting all seats to reserved seating; JR to take measures for next spring: Asahi Shimbun

'Ghost restaurants' with no cash registers or seating areas are rapidly increasing, boosted by the consumption tax reduction from 8% to 1% (Published August 26, 2026) | NTV NEWS NNN

[Exclusive] Live broadcast lookout not in designated position: 7 people under the platform just before the Tobu Line accident that killed 4; 3 evacuated | Major incidents and accidents in the prefecture | Shimotsuke Shimbun Digital News | Shimotsuke Shimbun Digital

Who will bear the cost of Shinkansen construction? The gap between the government and JR remains unbridged, and Yamanote Line users will also face increased burdens - Nikkei

Trump considering renaming Lake Ontario to 'Lake America' to intimidate Canada (3 photos) International News: AFPBB News

British volunteer dies fighting for Russia, according to British media. (Photo 1) International News: AFPBB News

ICC Director Akane to hold press conference today regarding US sanctions; government not demanding withdrawal, LDP lawmaker reveals true feelings: 'Everyone is too scared to say anything' (Published August 26, 2026) | NTV NEWS NNN

Forced military enlistment contracts rampant in Russia, with some even being signed while intoxicated—Human rights group: Jiji.com

'The world is watching to see if Japan will succumb to pressure,' appeals ICC Director Akane, who is subject to US sanctions. Prime Minister Takaichi emphasizes continued support | TBS NEWS DIG

19 prefectures report 'deficits' in their hometown tax donation programs; Tokyo's deficit reached 225.5 billion yen in fiscal year 2025: Asahi Shimbun

Putin demands seizure of Russian infrastructure severely damaged by Ukrainian attacks - CNN.co.jp

Police in Jeju Island, South Korea, may have 'arbitrarily' closed missing persons cases; they are reinvestigating approximately 300 cases | Mainichi Shimbun

The issue of foreigners: Politics, not public opinion, is the ignition source, according to research by Professor Tanabe of Waseda University [Foreigners]: Asahi Shimbun

Actor and top executive of Tokuryu suspected of drug possession; used cocaine bag found on hotel bed (Published August 25, 2026) | NTV NEWS NNN

Prime Minister Takaichi says US sanctions are 'incompatible' with the International Criminal Court's stance, refutes criticism of her weak approach | NEWSjp

'I was able to become chairman thanks to 10 million yen provided by my relatives,' says former chairman of the Fukuoka Prefectural Assembly | Mainichi Shimbun

◆Lifestyle (Life, Living, Health)
'Full-color' photographs of occupied Japan, hidden in America, taken by American soldiers, are in danger of disappearing: Jiji.com

'The photos my deceased grandpa took are always great to look at.' The composition is divine, and the world is so perfectly captured in the subject matter that you can really feel the 'Earth' - Togetter

Why the Seikan Tunnel, the 'shortest' route between Hokkaido and Honshu, wasn't built | Mainichi Shimbun

When issuing the ticket, the convenience store staff (perhaps trying to make a neat fold) accidentally tore off the stub! 💦
I had read a post from someone who had experienced the same thing before, so I calmly said, 'Please reissue it,' and it went to the staff member's supervisor, who then passed it on to the store manager. I called the ticket website and they successfully reissued it for me.
— Yuryuri (yuri♪)^_ _)zzZ (@PurpleYuri7) August 25, 2026

An elderly couple donated 400 million yen to have a Myaku Myaku statue built on the site of the Osaka World Expo... If a giant Myaku Myaku statue the size of a Gundam is built, wouldn't that be like the construction of a Great Buddha in the Reiwa era? - Togetter

'I really hate self-checkouts, which are essentially unpaid labor.' I doubt the cost savings are reflected in product prices... I wish they'd offer some kind of compensation, like a few yen discount or a free shopping bag. → Various opinions gathered - Togetter

'You have testicles,' doctor told high school freshman who went to hospital because she hadn't had her period: Asahi Shimbun

A grandson who resembles Putin – Visiting an Orozu tribe home in Inner Mongolia | Yang Junxiao

Fake chicken nanban with tartar sauce and sweet and sour sauce is rampant at places like Matsuya, izakayas, and school cafeterias, but I went to Miyazaki to see if they serve real chicken nanban even in school cafeterias. pic.twitter.com/Hn8Bqx5Hv9
— Kaoru Masuda (@masudakaoru_) August 21, 2026

◆IT & Gadgets (Internet, Software, Hardware, Mobile)
An elderly father discovered unfamiliar purchase history on Amazon using SoftBank's bundled payment system... Contacting both companies failed to resolve the issue → The father panicked and deleted his Amazon account, making it impossible to track his purchase history - Togetter

One of the images is a real photograph, while the remaining three are ' #AI-generated images ' created by ChatGPT, gemini, and Grok, respectively.
Can you tell which one is the real ramen?
*All images were manually cropped into a square shape.
*This is not some lame joke post like 'Actually, it was all AI.' #AestheticSense #AI pic.twitter.com/Wq24SXXSok
— H/de.(LOOPCUBE / TECHNOJAPAN.net) (@hide_loopcube) August 25, 2026

'The 'AI Image Detection Expert' is Retiring' - Out of four ramen images, only one is a real photo; the rest are AI-generated → Some people got it right, but many couldn't tell the difference? - Togetter

Is AI really more powerful the more you run it? — The failure of the 'always-on' design.

Announcement Regarding the Future of YAPC::Japan - JPA Management Blog

Considering all these factors, it is regrettable to say that continuing YAPC::Japan at the same scale and quality as it is now would be impossible. Therefore, after discussions among the member companies and board members of JPA, which organizes YAPC::Japan, it has been decided that YAPC::Tokyo 2026 will be the last YAPC::Japan held under the current management structure with the same content and scale as previous YAPC::Japan events (such as soliciting sponsors, inviting guest speakers, and providing multiple tracks).

I've compiled information about attacks where callers impersonate real security personnel - piyolog

[Akira Fukuda's Semiconductor Industry Frontline] The Storage Market in Great Disarray Due to Extreme Shortage and Price Increases of SSDs - PC Watch

Audrey Tang warns against making AI your 'best friend' | Nikkei CrossTech (xTECH)

[Wireless connectivity up to 8km away!] TP-Link Japan launches ultra-long-range Wi-Fi bridge 'Beam Bridge 5 UR KIT'

[Breaking News] Consumer Affairs Agency to regulate 'dark patterns' | 47NEWS

Four points that give you an advantage in Discover and the advantages of Hatena Blog - Hatena Blog Development Blog

~Improving customer convenience and reducing store workload~ Seven-Eleven to gradually introduce 'self-service shipping machines' for shipping without waiting in line at the register. Easily and smoothly ship packages using flea market apps and online payment in just 3 steps | Seven-Eleven

Dad, I'm thinking of quitting my job and making a living at an AI-native organization - Doya's Blog for Overcoming Ignorance

Technical Writing Guidelines Published | Future Technology Blog

Technical Writing Guidelines | Future Corporation

However, the default folder name is
C:\Documents and Settings
And so on, with two spaces added

You have to enclose it in quotation marks
Apparently, there are operating systems that will say things like, 'Huh? There's no folder called C:/Documents?'... https://t.co/hIgLZGLcMu
— yontengoP (@yontengoP) August 26, 2026

◆Anime, Games, and Manga (Subculture)
Aoi Yuki: 'Puella Magi Madoka Magica' changed her life and destiny - Interview about the new film 'Walpurgis Night' - MANTANWEB

Nagano-sensei is amazing for being able to express 'a slight downward gaze with a subtle upward glance' in Chiikawa, despite her simple character design and minimalist art style - Togetter

A comparison of the success of Mobile Battleship Nadesico and Evangelion | Shunputei Yoshiyoshi

Machi-Komachine – taigaai

[We are currently accepting feedback (Push & Review) on works presented at #COMITIA157 !]

●Submission form : https://t.co/aUK6bPij8C
*We welcome not only written feedback but also illustrated comments!

Some of the feedback we received will be featured in the next catalog, 'Tears Magazine 158' (text submissions should be approximately 120-130 characters). ... pic.twitter.com/G9eogVM4Ck
— COMITIA Executive Committee (@COMITIAofficial) August 25, 2026

'Another anime was interrupted by a night baseball game.' Many people agree with the theory that those who were repeatedly interrupted and ruined by baseball games in the past still dislike baseball. - Togetter