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The main targets of a new bill on smartphone software are the app stores provided by Google and Apple, as consumers effectively have only two choices for smartphone operating systems: Apple's iOS or Google’s Android.
BUSINESS / Tech
May 22, 2024

Japan aims to curb Apple and Google's smartphone app duopoly

A new bill would compel dominant platforms to allow third parties to launch their own app markets and to offer more payment options.
Water tanks used to cultivate seaweed on land by Three Lines in Uwajima, Ehime Prefecture
JAPAN / Science & Health / Regional Voices: Kyushu
Jun 3, 2024

Poor seaweed harvest prompts Kyushu University team to look toward land

The team has found some success with on-land farming, although increasing production yields for commercialization remains a challenge.
Iwao Hakamata's older sister Hideko (left) marches to the Shizuoka District Court in the city of Shizuoka on Wednesday for a retrial of her younger brother Iwao, who had been on death row over a 1966 murder case.
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
May 22, 2024

Trial ruling date for man accused of 1966 murder set for September

Iwao Hakamata, who in a rare example is being retried over a 1966 murder case, will be given a verdict on Sept. 26.
Suzu Mayor Masuhiro Izumiya (center) and Minamisanriku Mayor Jin Sato (right) attend a conference on disaster reconstruction held in Tokyo on Wednesday.
JAPAN
May 23, 2024

Suzu mayor wants swift demolition of quake-damaged buildings

Around 7,500 buildings damaged in the temblor are expected to be demolished.
PRESS
May 28, 2024

The Japan Times Destination Restaurantsが 今年の受賞レストランを発表

株式会社ジャパンタイムズは第4回 The Japan Times Destination Restaurants の受賞レストランを発表しました。
The Takarazuka Grand Theater in the city of Takarazuka, Hyogo Prefecture. A former top star of the Takarazuka Revue has been arrested for fraud.
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
May 23, 2024

Former Takarazuka star arrested over alleged ¥10 million fraud

Police allege that Terumi Ogura convinced an acquaintance to invest the money by deceiving her that she was planning to produce a movie.
The latest findings by University of Tokyo researchers raise hopes that the disease may be treated if doctors can identify people who will develop Alzheimer’s before its onset.
JAPAN / Science & Health
May 23, 2024

Japanese researchers confirm blood test predicts risk of Alzheimer's

The latest study raises hopes that if doctors can identify who might be at risk of developing Alzheimer’s beforehand, it could be treated early.
Komeito head Natsuo Yamaguchi said in a video posted on TikTok in December that the party did not want to be seen as part of the same group as the LDP.
JAPAN / Politics
May 23, 2024

Challenges mount for Komeito amid rift with LDP

As the junior partner in the ruling coalition approaches its 60th anniversary, an existential crisis looms over it.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida attends a gathering of a Liberal Democratic Party faction led by LDP Secretary-General Toshimitsu Motegi (left) in Tokyo in 2022.
JAPAN / Politics
May 23, 2024

LDP loss in Shizuoka election could increase pressure for snap poll

Shizuoka's gubernatorial election is a close race between candidates backed by the ruling party and the main opposition.
Japan's real wages in fiscal 2023 were down for the second straight year, as steady wage growth failed to keep pace with inflation.
BUSINESS / Economy
May 23, 2024

Japan's fiscal 2023 real wages show sharpest drop in nine years

Real wages were down for the second straight year, as steady wage growth failed to keep pace with inflation.
Jera’s Hekinan thermal power station in Hekinan, Aichi Prefecture
BUSINESS
May 24, 2024

Jera warns of switching investment from Australia over lack of support

The lack of financial support for production of hydrogen and ammonia took some of the shine off Australia as a destination for Japanese investment.
Reporters gather near a house in Tokyo's Shinagawa Ward where a fire broke out on Thursday and four people were found dead with stab wounds.
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
May 24, 2024

Woman and three children found dead with stab wounds after Tokyo house fire

The woman's ex-husband was also found injured in the house and was taken to a hospital.
Japan's core inflation slowed for a second straight month in April due to milder food inflation.
BUSINESS / Economy
May 24, 2024

Japan’s inflation cools as BOJ waits for wage gains to kick in

Consumer prices excluding those for fresh food rose 2.2% year on year in April, matching analysts’ estimates and marking a 25th month of staying above the BOJ's 2% target.
A lawyer representing a consumer organization speaks during a meeting held to call for stricter regulations on "functional foods," in Tokyo on Thursday.
JAPAN
May 24, 2024

Mandatory reporting of 'functional food' health problems proposed

The Consumer Affairs Agency panel discussed reforms in response to health problems caused by Kobayashi Pharmaceutical supplement products.
Legislation was enacted Friday to offer more support to workers raising young children.
JAPAN
May 24, 2024

Japan passes law on flexible work for parents with young children

Firms will be obliged to allow employees with preschoolers age 3 and older to choose from at least two working options, such as remote work or shorter hours.
Japanese government bond yields have risen this month on hawkish hints from Bank of Japan officials, crossing 1% for the first time since April 2012.
BUSINESS / Markets
May 24, 2024

Japan's 10-year bond yield tops 1% for first time in a dozen years

The 10-year Japanese government bond yield inched up 0.5 basis point to 1.005%, its highest since April 2012.
Takashi Miike (front left) is among the big-name directors slated to work with K2 Pictures, a new film production startup that aims to disrupt the Japanese film industry.
CULTURE / Film / Wide Angle
May 25, 2024

Can K2's goal of creating a better film industry in Japan win over skeptics?

While established auteurs such as Takashi Miike, Miwa Nishikawa and Hirokazu Kore-eda are slated to work with the startup, it still faces an uphill struggle.
Masanori Katayama, chairman of the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association, said the association will work with the Japan Auto Parts Industries Association to address the problem of subcontractor bullying.
BUSINESS / Companies
May 24, 2024

Japan’s automakers vow to stop squeezing their suppliers

Member companies of the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association have agreed to treat subcontractors more fairly when the latter pass on cost increases.
Liberal Democratic Party lawmaker Takashi Yamashita answers questions at a meeting of a Lower House special political reform committee Friday.
JAPAN / Politics
May 25, 2024

LDP and CDP at odds over fate of fundraising parties

While the ruling party stressed the importance of maintaining the events, the main opposition party called for an outright ban.
Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike attends a news conference at the Foreign Correspondents' Club of Japan in Tokyo in November 2020.
JAPAN / Politics
May 25, 2024

Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike plans to seek third term

Koike, who was reelected in 2020 as an independent, could make an announcement as early as Wednesday, sources close to the matter said.
Secretary-General Toshimitsu Mogi speaks during an event in Utsunomiya, Tochigi.
JAPAN / Politics
May 25, 2024

LDP considers requiring records on policy activity funds

The LDP is considering a plan to require political funds reports to record when so-called policy activity funds are used.
A 2-megawatt solar farm in the city of Fukushima. “Megasolar” refers to farms with a minimum output of 1 MW of electricity — enough to power around 300 homes for a year.
ENVIRONMENT / Energy / OUR PLANET
May 26, 2024

‘Megasolar’ is a dirty word in Japan. Where do solar projects go from here?

Vocal campaigns are pushing back against projects as dangerous eyesores, but "dual-use" approaches and community engagement may offer a solution.
Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan Secretary-General Katsuya Okada speaks to reporters on Saturday in the city of Aomori.
JAPAN / Politics
May 26, 2024

Constitutional Democratic Party executives cancel fundraiser parties amid criticism

The CDP submitted a bill to the Lower House that would ban lawmakers from having fundraiser parties starting January 2026.
Yasutomo Suzuki (second from right) celebrates in the city of Shizuoka on Sunday after being elected governor of Shizuoka Prefecture.
JAPAN / Politics
May 27, 2024

Opposition-backed Yasutomo Suzuki wins Shizuoka gubernatorial vote

Suzuki’s victory could pave the way for restarting the maglev train line project that had been delayed due to opposition from his predecessor.
Renho, who will run as an independent candidate in the Tokyo gubernatorial election, speaks during a news conference in the capital on Monday.
JAPAN / Politics
May 27, 2024

Renho to run in Tokyo gubernatorial election

The 56-year-old lawmaker from the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan will face incumbent Gov. Yuriko Koike if the latter runs as well.
The Kabuto One commercial facility in Tokyo's Kabutocho district features a life-size golden figure of Eiichi Shibusawa, who is known as the father of Japanese capitalism.
JAPAN / Society
May 27, 2024

Mystery-solving event puts spotlight on renewal of Tokyo's Kabutocho

A mystery-solving event in Tokyo's Kabutocho district featuring Eiichi Shibusawa, known as the father of Japanese capitalism, is gaining in popularity.
The University of Tokyo in Tokyo's Bunkyo Ward. A potential tuition hike by the University of Tokyo has sparked student protests amid concerns that it could influence other national universities.
JAPAN / Society
May 27, 2024

University of Tokyo considers tuition hike

The university is also reportedly discussing expanding scholarships and tuition reduction and exemption programs.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un attends a meeting of the country's Politburo at an undisclosed location on Friday.
ASIA PACIFIC
May 28, 2024

North Korea says its latest satellite launch exploded in flight

North Korea said its attempt to launch a new military reconnaissance satellite ended in failure on Monday when a newly developed rocket engine exploded in flight.
Ichiro Kanke, former state minister for post-disaster reconstruction, speaks at a news conference on Monday in Tokyo.
JAPAN / Politics
May 28, 2024

LDP member admits to getting tax breaks by donating kickbacks

A member of the LDP has admitted to donating kickbacks from a party faction to a chapter he heads, receiving tax breaks totaling ¥1.48 million.
Counterfeit nail products branded with the logo of Louis Vuitton
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
May 28, 2024

Aichi woman referred to prosecutors for selling counterfeit nail products

She allegedly sold nail products bearing the logos of luxury brands such as Louis Vuitton and Chanel via social media and flea market apps.

Longform

Bear attacks have dominated Japanese news headlines in recent months, with 13 people so far having been killed by the animals.
Japan’s bears have been on their killing spree for more than 100 years