New Kyoto shrine dedicated to stuffed toys - theTokyoBill news brief - August 15, 2026

In today’s episode:

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Flooding in Chiba kills at least eight and paralyzes transportation across eastern Japan;

Japan condemns Putin’s visit to disputed Kuril Islands as absolutely unacceptable;

Gut bacteria linked to nearly half of colorectal cancer cases in Japan;

Traveller caught smuggling 200 lizards hidden in socks at Haneda Airport;

New Kyoto shrine dedicated to stuffed toys brings comfort to owners;

New Katsu Curry Index aims to show how weak the yen really is