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Attendees observe a moment of silence at a memorial service to mark the five-year anniversary of the torrential rain disaster caused by Typhoon Hagibis in Marumori, Miyagi Prefecture, on Saturday.
JAPAN
Oct 12, 2024

Victims of Typhoon Hagibis remembered five years after disaster

At least 90 people were killed in heavy rain across the country after Typhoon Hagibis made landfall in the Izu Peninsula on the night of Oct. 12, 2019.
Hideko Hakamata (center) holds a portrait and a banner reading "innocent man, not guilty verdict" to support her brother Iwao Hakamata, as she arrives to the Shizuoka District Court on Sept. 26.
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Oct 13, 2024

Many acquitted murder suspects initially found guilty for confessions

At least 20 people in 18 cases were found innocent in a retrial after receiving a guilty verdict in the post-World War II period.
Tomoko Tamura, leader of the Japanese Communist Party, says it is "crucial" for the JCP to increase its parliamentary share in the upcoming Lower House election.
JAPAN / Politics
Oct 13, 2024

JCP unlikely to withdraw candidates for opposition cooperation

The foundations for electoral cooperation among opposition parties "have collapsed," Tamura said in a recent interview.
The Osaka Expo site under construction. The expo is scheduled to take place on Yumeshima, an artificial island, from April 13 through Oct. 13 of next year.
JAPAN
Oct 13, 2024

Challenges remain six months to go before Osaka Expo

About 7.14 million advance tickets had been sold since they went on sale last year — only 51% of the organizers' target of 14 million.
Empress Emerita Michiko returns to the Sento Imperial Residence in Tokyo on Sunday after undergoing surgery last week.
JAPAN
Oct 14, 2024

Japan's empress emerita leaves hospital

She has been making good progress since the surgery and will continue rehabilitation at the Sento Imperial Residence.
The co-chair of the Nihon Hidankyo atomic bomb survivors' group, Toshiyuki Mimaki, who lived through the 1945 atomic bombing of Hiroshima, attends an online news conference from the city on Saturday.
JAPAN
Oct 13, 2024

Israeli envoy criticizes Japanese atomic survivor's Gaza comparison

Israeli ambassador said the comparison drawn by the group's co-chair, Toshiyuki Mimaki, "is outrageous and baseless."
Toshiyuki Mimaki, the co-chair of Nihon Hidankyo, offers flowers Sunday at the cenotaph for those who died in and after the atomic bombing in the city of Hiroshima.
JAPAN / Society
Oct 14, 2024

Aging A-bomb survivors face challenges in passing on their stories

The average age of hibakusha is now over 85, and many of their organizations have either suspended or ceased their activities altogether.
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba during a debate session with other political party leaders at the Japan National Press Club in Tokyo on Saturday
BUSINESS
Oct 15, 2024

Japan’s sales tax likely to remain 10% as big parties avoid third rail

Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba aims to fund social security programs without changing the current tax rate of 10%.
Kioxia has undergone years of upheaval and the attempt to list the company is closely watched as a test case for buyout firms in Japan where more companies are selling non-core assets or going private.
BUSINESS / Companies
Oct 14, 2024

Bain sought $10 billion valuation for Japan's Kioxia, but investors only wanted to pay half

The valuation gap complicates the buyout firm's effort to exit its six-year-old investment in Kioxia.
Australia's Kye Rowles (right) vies for the ball against Argentina's Lionel Messi during a friendly in Beijing on June 15, 2023.
SOCCER
Oct 14, 2024

Australia looking to 'flip the script' with first win in Japan

Japan is the leading team in Asia at 16th in the FIFA rankings and tops qualifying Group C with a perfect three victories, scoring 14 goals and conceding none.
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba (center right) makes a speech Sunday in Soka, Saitama Prefecture, along with Komeito leader Keiichi Ishii (center left).
JAPAN / Politics
Oct 14, 2024

General election campaigning to kick off Tuesday

Rocked by a political funds scandal that engulfed the party and led to the dissolution of most of its factions, the LDP faces its toughest election since 2012.
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba (center) enters the Liberal Democratic Party headquarters in Tokyo on Monday.
JAPAN / Politics
Oct 14, 2024

Ishiba tells LDP to discuss Asian security issues

Ishiba apparently had in mind his proposal for an Asian version of NATO as well as the Japan-U.S. status of forces pact.
Toshinori Yashiki, a senior official at the Financial Services Agency, says the regulator will examine Japanese megabanks’ lending to private equity and other funds in the U.S. for risk management.
BUSINESS / Companies
Oct 15, 2024

Japan regulator to scrutinize megabanks’ lending to U.S. funds

The nation's largest banks are increasing what is known as subscription finance and lending to funds that provide equity or credit to private companies.
A cyclist stops to look at an electronic share price board in Tokyo on Sept. 30. From Nov. 1, cyclists who use their cellphones while cycling or ride under the influence of alcohol may be fined or jailed.
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Oct 20, 2024

Road traffic law revisions for cycling offenses to kick in next month

Cyclists who use their cellphones while cycling or ride under the influence of alcohol will be liable to fines and imprisonment from Nov. 1.
Nobuyuki Baba, leader of Nippon Ishin no Kai, says the party aims to secure seats in single-seat constituencies outside the Kansai region.
JAPAN / Politics
Oct 15, 2024

Nippon Ishin may cooperate with LDP coalition if it loses majority

In a recent interview, Nippon Ishin leader Nobuyuki Baba hinted at the possibility and said he will decide after seeing the results of the Oct. 27 election.
Hiroshi Moriyama, secretary-general of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, is interviewed at the party's headquarters in Tokyo on Monday.
JAPAN
Oct 15, 2024

LDP says it will abolish policy activity funds in the future

"There is no doubt about moving toward abolishing the allowances," the LDP's secretary-general said in an interview.
Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako offer silent prayers on Monday for the victims of the Jan. 1 earthquake and the September rain disaster that hit the Noto Peninsula.
JAPAN
Oct 16, 2024

Emperor and empress visit Gifu for cultural festivals

The imperial couple attended the opening ceremony of the National Cultural Festival and the National Arts and Culture Festival for Persons with Disabilities.
Scotland's Richie Gray during a Rugby World Cup 2023 clash against South Africa in Marseille, France, in September 2023.
MORE SPORTS / Rugby
Oct 15, 2024

Scotland lock Gray signs for Toyota Verblitz

The 35-year-old lock has been capped 79 times for his country and featured on the British and Irish Lions tour of Australia in 2013.
Tokyo Metro priced its shares at ¥1,200 apiece. It is expected to list on the Tokyo Stock Exchange on Oct. 23.
BUSINESS / Companies
Oct 15, 2024

Tokyo Metro raises $2.3 bln in Japan's biggest IPO in 6 years

The subway operator priced its shares at the top of its provisional range of ¥1,100 to ¥1,200, a regulatory filing from the company showed on Tuesday.
A board for election posters in Tokyo's Chuo Ward on Monday
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Oct 15, 2024

Election to test Ishiba's ability to build a strong political base

The PM must mitigate the reputational damage caused by the LDP's recent funds scandal and persuade voters that the party is still their best choice.
Police officers gather ahead of a campaign speech in Hachioji, Tokyo, on Tuesday, as campaigning for the Oct. 27 Lower House election kicked off.
JAPAN / Politics
Oct 16, 2024

Police on high alert in first big race after Abe shooting

Authorities often face difficulty providing protection to key figures in elections due to a shortage of time to draw up security plans and secure manpower.
Experts of a Justice Ministry panel hold a meeting in Tokyo in June to discuss revision of the probation officer system.
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Oct 16, 2024

Justice Ministry to consider public recruitment of volunteer probation officers

The officers regularly meet with individuals released from prison, including those on parole, offering guidance on life and employment support.
A woman cycles past campaign posters for the House of Representatives election in Tokyo, set to be held on Oct. 27, on Tuesday. A total of 314 women have filed candidacies in the election, a record high in any poll for the lower chamber of Japan's parliament under the current Constitution.
JAPAN / Politics
Oct 16, 2024

Record 314 women file candidacy for Lower House vote, boosting share to 23%

The total increased 70% from 187 in the previous Lower House election, in 2021, but remained below the government-set target of reaching 35% by 2025.
Princess Aiko, the daughter of Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako, attends a spring garden party at the Akasaka Imperial Gardens in Tokyo in April.
JAPAN
Oct 16, 2024

Over 1,900 people invited to Japan's autumn imperial garden party

The list of invitees includes meritorious individuals and local government officials.
Yuichiro Tamaki, the head of the Democratic Party for the People, speaks during an interview in Tokyo on Friday.
JAPAN / Politics
Oct 16, 2024

DPP chief noncommittal about alliances ahead of Oct. 27 polls

Yuichiro Tamaki keeps the door open for a pact with the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan and a team-up with the Liberal Democratic Party on individual policies.
Osaka police have arrested two people, including a yakuza member, on suspicion of stealing a light truck loaded with about 200 items that included luxury watches on a street in Osaka’s Chuo Ward in May.
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Oct 16, 2024

Gone in 3 minutes: Yakuza member held over Osaka luxury watch heist

He and another suspect allegedly drove off in a delivery truck carrying 170 Rolex watches when the driver stepped away to make a drop-off.
Raita Fukusaku arrives at Narita Airport in Chiba Prefecture in August 1994 to be extradited to the United States.
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Oct 16, 2024

First Japanese national extradited to U.S. killed by Hawaii cellmate

Raita Fukusaku was found bleeding on the floor of his cell with trauma to the head and neck at the Halawa Correctional Facility in Honolulu.
New Zealand's Ethan Blackadder carries the ball against South Africa's Aphelele Fassi during a Rugby Championship match in Johannesburg on Aug. 31.
MORE SPORTS / Rugby
Oct 16, 2024

All Blacks lose three forwards to injury for tour that includes stop in Japan

Ethan Blackadder (calf), Luke Jacobson (fractured thumb) and Dalton Papali'i (hamstring) were deemed unfit to depart Thursday for the five-match tour.
Rengo President Tomoko Yoshino
BUSINESS
Oct 17, 2024

Big wage increase sought by Japan’s largest union slightly underwhelms

For the 2025 spring wage negotiations, the Japanese Trade Union Confederation is aiming for a wage hike of "over 5%," the same goal as this year.
Political parties are highlighting measures to reform the health care system for the elderly and the public pension system as the population ages.
JAPAN
Oct 17, 2024

Parties highlight measures for working generation

The country's health care and public pension systems are being discussed ahead of the upcoming general election.

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