Aging & Diet: Japan’s National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology reports that people who ate more mushrooms scored higher on memory tests in a long-running study of 3,162 adults, with the link holding even after adjusting for health and lifestyle—though researchers stress it’s correlation, not proof. Traditional Food Spotlight: A wellness feature looks at natto and nattokinase, explaining how the centuries-old fermented soybean staple is used for health claims and why supplement “activity” ratings matter. Asian Games in Japan: The Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games kick off with 17,000+ athletes and officials, with organizers scrambling to house everyone—including a large cruise-ship setup—while a guide maps venues, sports, and the schedule. Pop Culture & Media: Sega confirms Persona 6 will get a physical release on both PS5 and Nintendo Switch 2. Shinto Etiquette Online: Kyoto’s Fushimi Inari Taisha faces backlash after tourists filmed a viral “Anxiety” TikTok dance under the torii gates, sparking a debate about respect at sacred sites. Crime & Child Protection: A Tokyo court sentences a sex parlor operator to five years for employing a 12-year-old Thai girl, citing failures to properly verify her age. Sports Coaching: India’s women’s hockey coach Sjoerd Marijne says the Asian Games will demand smarter scoring against lower-ranked teams, using World Cup lessons as fuel. Health Policy Watch: Japan’s Financial Services Agency says it will monitor ultra-long-term mortgages to protect consumers as housing costs and interest rates rise. Arts & Identity: A Malaysian choreographer’s Bharathanatyam costume blends Malay, Chinese, and Indian elements to express a distinct Malaysian identity. Entertainment Loss: Actress Yuri Nakamura, known for Netflix drama “Romantics Anonymous,” dies at 44 after rectal cancer.