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A study has found that the share of people with high blood pressure increases as income decreases.
JAPAN / Science & Health
Jun 6, 2024

Lower-income people more likely to have high blood pressure: study

The tendency seems to stem from alcohol consumption, obesity and lack of exercise.
Yuichi Nishimura is taken into police custody in Tokyo on Wednesday on suspicion of attempted fraud.
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Jun 6, 2024

Hokkaido man arrested for defrauding ‘fiancee’ with fake kidnapping scheme

The suspect, Yuichi Nishimura, allegedly enticed the victim with promises of marriage while concealing the fact that he was already married.
Amid low approval ratings since the Liberal Democratic Party slush funds scandal came to light, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is making the political funding bill's passage his No. 1 priority for the current session of parliament.
JAPAN / Politics
Jun 6, 2024

LDP's political funding bill clears Lower House

The bill's passage marks a watershed moment in a monthslong debate sparked by a slush funds scandal that engulfed the ruling party.
A park in the city of Nikko, Tochigi Prefecture
JAPAN
Jun 6, 2024

Japan eyes partner hotels for national parks

The ministry is considering forming such tie-ups with around five hotel operators that are active in preserving the environment and contributing to local communities.
A popular photo spot with a view of Mount Fuji in the town of Fujikawaguchiko, Yamanashi Prefecture, on May 21.
JAPAN
Jun 6, 2024

Don’t look now but the Mount Fuji barrier is getting even higher

The move follows the installation of a black screen in a nearby town to block a view of Mount Fuji rising from behind a convenience store.
Japanese household spending in April showed the first year-on-year increase since February last year, marking rises in such categories as education, rent and clothing.
BUSINESS / Economy
Jun 7, 2024

Japan’s households boost outlays for first time in 14 months

Real outlays rose 0.5% in April from a year ago, marking the first increase since February last year.
Takashi Tonegawa, a senior researcher at the Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology
JAPAN
Jun 7, 2024

Japanese agency observes tsunami with submarine optical cable

The cable extends some 100 kilometers southward from an area near Cape Muroto in Kochi Prefecture.
Takayuki Midorikawa stands in front of Ueda Junior High School in Iwaki, Fukushima Prefecture.
JAPAN / Society / Regional Voices: Fukushima
Jun 17, 2024

Fukushima schools open up to revising old rules

The prefecture has recently made some moves to accommodate a little more diversity in the classroom.
Officials of Japanese and Ukrainian companies meet in Kyiv on Thursday during an exchange event organized by the Japan External Trade Organization.
BUSINESS / Companies
Jun 7, 2024

Japanese firms eye opportunities to help Ukraine rebuild

The networking event was organized by government-linked JETRO following a Japan-Ukraine meeting held in Tokyo in February.
Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group and Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group will sell their Toyota shareholdings over an extended period of time lasting a few years, sources said.
BUSINESS / Companies
Jun 7, 2024

Two of Japan's top banks to divest ¥1.3 trillion in Toyota shareholdings

Mitsubishi UFJ and Sumitomo Mitsui will sell in stages and take advantage of Toyota’s plan to buy back its own shares.
Kyoto University's Center for iPS Cell Research
JAPAN / Science & Health
Jun 7, 2024

Japan team makes immune-controlling cells from human iPS cells

The team expects that the method can make it possible to mass produce the cells, known for their effectiveness in suppressing rejection in transplantation medicine.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida addresses a panel discussing active cyberdefense at the Prime Minister's Office on Friday.
JAPAN
Jun 7, 2024

Kishida wants active cyberdefense bill to be drawn up swiftly

The government hopes to submit the envisaged legislation as soon as the next parliamentary session.
A street in Vancouver, Canada.
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Jun 7, 2024

Japanese man fatally stabbed in Canada

The victim, who lived in greater Vancouver, worked at an izakaya Japanese-style bar in the city.
Shizuoka Gov. Yasutomo Suzuki (left) meets with JR Central President Shunsuke Niwa in the city of Shizuoka on June 5.
JAPAN / Society
Jun 7, 2024

Kishida maintains 2037 target for Tokyo-Osaka maglev line

Prime minister pledges support of the central government in helping stakeholders meet the deadline.
The head of the Bank of Japan has ruled out using monetary policy to directly influence exchange-rate moves, but signaled the chance of raising rates if the weak yen pushes up inflation more than expected.
BUSINESS / Economy
Jun 7, 2024

Japan growth strategy panel calls for vigilance to weak yen impact

The call reflects the government's growing concerns about a weak yen.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida answers questions during a Lower House committee session on Wednesday.
BUSINESS / Economy
Jun 7, 2024

Japan maintains goal of primary budget surplus from 2025 to 2030

The plan will be reflected in the annual economic and fiscal policy guidelines that the central government aims to adopt at a Cabinet meeting by the end of this month.
Akio Toyoda, chairman of Toyota Motor, bows during a news conference in Tokyo on Monday.
BUSINESS / Companies
Jun 8, 2024

Shareholder votes in focus as big Japan banks sell Toyota shares

The potential exit of key stakeholders may lead to less stability and predictability for boards and management of listed companies across Japan.
A man pays his respects at an intersection in Akihabara on Saturday, 16 years after a deadly attack left seven people dead and 10 others injured.
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Jun 8, 2024

Victims of fatal Akihabara rampage remembered 16 years on

Prayers and flowers were offered at the intersection where the incident occurred in the busy Tokyo district.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida answers questions during a session of the Lower House special committee on political reform at parliament in Tokyo on Wednesday.
JAPAN / Politics
Jun 8, 2024

Kishida faces tough time constraints in parliament after bill's delay

The political funds bill only cleared the Lower House on Thursday, two days later than the LDP had expected, due to prolonged negotiations to amend the legislation.
While Japan is home to many jazz cafes, its summer festivals will let you listen to the music in the open air.
CULTURE / Music
Jun 9, 2024

Japan's summer offerings include jazz and classical music festivals

Not up for the rock and rap that's front and center of Japan's many summer concerts? Try a few jazz festivals instead.
A draft of a letter from bacteriologist Shibasaburo Kitasato to educator Inazo Nitobe
JAPAN
Jun 9, 2024

Draft letter of famed bacteriologist Kitasato to be made public

Shibasaburo Kitasato established a serum therapy for tetanus and will be the face of Japan's new ¥1,000 bill.
Hirotsugu Kimura, a 24-year-old company employee, returns to Nishinomiya, Hyogo Prefecture, becoming the youngest Japanese to complete a solo, nonstop sailing voyage around the world.
JAPAN
Jun 9, 2024

24-year-old sets new Japan record for sailing solo nonstop around world

Kimura set sail in October 2023, traveled eastward across the Pacific and passed the southern tips of South America and Africa.
Japan's economy contracted less than initially reported in the January-March period on upward revisions to capital spending and inventory data.
BUSINESS / Economy
Jun 10, 2024

Japan’s sputtering economy yet to show clear signs of recovery

The data showed both consumers and companies cutting back on spending and unsold supplies building up on warehouse shelves.
The Tokyo Stock Exchange in Tokyo
BUSINESS / Companies
Jun 10, 2024

Japan’s jammed AGM season limits shareholder engagement, investors say

Almost 60% of companies will hold meetings this month, with 30% hosting on June 27.
A vehicle carrying murder suspect Kohei Iitsuka leaves the Otsu Kita Police Station in Otsu, Shiga Prefecture, on Monday to send him to prosecutors.
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Jun 10, 2024

Shiga man arrested for stabbing probation officer to death

The 35-year-old suspect's probation for a suspended jail term over the robbery of a convenience store was to end in July.
The percentage of working people who said they sleep seven hours or more has reached 52.4%, a significant increase from 27% in 1999, according to a survey conducted in April.
JAPAN / Science & Health
Jun 10, 2024

Japanese with lack of sleep reduced by half from 25 years ago

36.3% of working adults said that they sleep six hours, followed by 36.0% who said they sleep seven hours.
Oita Prefectural Police have arrested a man, whose address and employment status were unknown, at the scene on suspicion of attempted murder.
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Jun 10, 2024

Woman stabbed to death at Oita shopping complex

Hatsumi Hino, 84, was stabbed in the neck on Monday morning, allegedly by a man who has been arrested.
A government report says the excess concentration of population in Tokyo has not changed over the past decade.
JAPAN
Jun 11, 2024

Overconcentration in Tokyo unchanged over decade, government says

The government reported that the excess concentration of population in Tokyo has not changed over the past decade.
Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike is expected to announce her bid to seek a reelection in the July 7 gubernatorial election.
JAPAN
Jun 11, 2024

Tokyo Gov. Koike to announce bid for third term as early as Wednesday

Koike is likely to emphasize her eagerness to map out a growth strategy for Tokyo to lead the Japanese economy and strengthen disaster prevention measures.
Bankruptcies rose especially among restaurant operators amid labor shortages and rising labor costs.
BUSINESS / Economy
Jun 11, 2024

Japan corporate bankruptcies surge above 1,000 in May

The latest result came as many companies struggle with rising prices, as well as labor shortages mainly in the service sector.

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