As the calendar flips to Thursday, September 25, 2025, news outlets in both Japan and the United Kingdom are engaging readers with their own brand of current events quizzes, aiming to test not just knowledge but also the cultural pulse of their respective audiences. The Mainichi, a prominent Japanese newspaper, and The Guardian, a leading British publication, have each published their signature news quizzes, drawing in loyal readers and casual browsers alike for a lighthearted yet informative challenge.
In Japan, The Mainichi News Quiz for September 25 has once again put the spotlight on local pride and preferences, posing a question that taps into the enduring allure of one particular municipality in the greater Tokyo area. The quiz asks: which municipality has ranked No. 1 for the fifth consecutive year as the place people most want to keep living? The options—Kamakura, Zushi, Hayama, and Chigasaki—are all attractive coastal towns, but only one has managed to claim and retain the coveted top spot over half a decade. The quiz, published on September 25, 2025, reflects a broader trend in Japanese society, where quality of life, community, and environment are increasingly valued in residential choices.
While the quiz itself doesn’t reveal the answer upfront, its inclusion in The Mainichi is part of a larger tradition of using interactive content to keep readers engaged and informed about the nation’s shifting social trends. The fact that one municipality has held the number one spot for five years running is telling—it points to a consistency in public sentiment and perhaps a model for other cities and towns aiming to boost their own appeal. The quiz not only tests knowledge but also subtly encourages reflection on why certain places become so beloved and what qualities make a city truly livable.
Meanwhile, across the sea in the United Kingdom, The Guardian is up to its usual playful mischief with its Thursday news quiz, now in its 216th edition. Published on the same day as The Mainichi’s quiz, The Guardian’s offering is a cheeky nod to the quirks of the week’s news cycle. According to The Guardian, this quiz features questions about “mischievous or kinky animals, trains, banned games, and a problematic moose”—a lineup that’s as whimsical as it is eclectic. The quiz is not just a test of news recall but a celebration of the oddities and amusements that often get buried beneath more serious headlines.
Readers are invited to participate not just by answering questions, but also by engaging in the comments section—debating answers, pointing out potential errors, and sharing their own takes on the stories behind the questions. “If you really do think there has been an egregious error in one of the questions or answers – and can show your working and are absolutely 100% positive you aren’t attempting to factcheck a joke – you can complain about it in the comments below,” The Guardian playfully instructs. This open invitation to interact is more than just a call for accuracy; it’s a wink at the paper’s long-standing rapport with its audience, who are as likely to appreciate a well-placed pun as they are a hard-hitting exposé.
Both quizzes reflect a broader media trend toward participatory journalism, where readers are not just passive consumers of information but active participants in the news cycle. In Japan, the focus on a beloved municipality underscores the importance of place and community in the national consciousness, especially in a densely populated region like greater Tokyo. In the UK, the emphasis on animals, trains, and even banned games reveals a penchant for the offbeat and the humorous, a reminder that news can be both enlightening and entertaining.
But why have news quizzes become such a staple in modern journalism? Part of the answer lies in the changing habits of news consumers. With information overload now a daily reality, quizzes offer a digestible, interactive way to catch up on the week’s events. They also foster a sense of community among readers, who can compare scores, debate answers, and commiserate over tricky questions. In a media landscape often dominated by divisive or distressing headlines, the humble news quiz serves as a welcome respite—a chance to learn, laugh, and maybe even show off a bit.
In the case of The Mainichi, the focus on a municipality’s five-year reign as the most desirable place to live is a subtle commentary on Japan’s evolving urban landscape. As cities across the country grapple with issues like aging populations, infrastructure renewal, and environmental sustainability, the qualities that make a place “livable” are under constant scrutiny. The quiz doesn’t just test memory; it invites readers to consider what makes a community thrive and how those lessons might be applied elsewhere.
The Guardian’s approach, on the other hand, is more about embracing the week’s quirks and curiosities. By including questions about “mischievous or kinky animals” and “a problematic moose,” the quiz highlights the stories that might otherwise slip through the cracks. It’s a gentle reminder that the news isn’t just about politics and policy—it’s also about the strange, the funny, and the unexpected. And by encouraging readers to point out errors and participate in the conversation, The Guardian fosters a sense of shared ownership over the news, blurring the line between journalist and audience.
Of course, not everyone approaches these quizzes with the same level of seriousness. Some readers are in it for the bragging rights, others for the laughs, and still others for the simple pleasure of learning something new. But regardless of motive, the quizzes serve a deeper purpose: they keep people connected to the world around them, one question at a time.
As Thursday winds down and the weekend approaches, both The Mainichi and The Guardian remind us that staying informed doesn’t have to be a chore. Whether you’re pondering which Tokyo-area municipality has captured hearts for five years straight or recalling the antics of a moose with a penchant for trouble, the news quiz remains a small but vital part of the media ecosystem. It’s a tradition that endures—not just for the answers it reveals, but for the curiosity it inspires.
