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Japan LDP Motegi Vows Tough Punishments for Money Scandal

March 22, 2024 14:34 - 13 seconds - 514 KB

Toshimitsu Motegi, secretary-general of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party, vowed on Friday to impose strict punishments on those responsible for a political funds scandal that has rocked party factions.

Drugmaker Kobayashi to Recall Supplements after Health Damage

March 22, 2024 14:12 - 12 seconds - 453 KB

Kobayashi Pharmaceutical Co. said Friday it will voluntarily recall some 300,000 packs of five supplement products in Japan after reports of health damage suffered by users.

Japan to Host 9th TICAD Africa Meeting in Aug. 2025

March 22, 2024 13:18 - 14 seconds - 541 KB

The Japanese government at a cabinet meeting Friday decided that the Ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development, or TICAD 9, will be held in Yokohama for three days from Aug. 20, 2025.

Goal on Strategic Ties with China to Return to Japan Report

March 22, 2024 12:58 - 14 seconds - 546 KB

A draft of the Japanese Foreign Ministry's Diplomatic Bluebook for 2024 shows that a goal of promoting mutually beneficial strategic relations with China will be included for the first time since the 2019 report, it was learned Friday.

Japan to Allow Foreigners to Engage in Home Care Services

March 22, 2024 12:45 - 9 seconds - 359 KB

Japan's welfare ministry proposed to an expert panel Friday a plan to conditionally allow foreigners to engage in home care services for the elderly.

Toyota Industries to Increase Certification Testing Staff

March 22, 2024 12:35 - 11 seconds - 441 KB

Toyota Industries Corp. said Friday that it will increase its certification testing personnel as a key measure to prevent a recurrence of fraudulent engine tests at the Japanese machinery maker.

Record 63 Pct in Japan Feel Financially Uncomfortable

March 22, 2024 12:10 - 12 seconds - 452 KB

The proportion of people who do not feel financially comfortable and have no prospect for economic stability stood at a record 63.2 pct, a Cabinet Office survey showed Friday.

Iniesta, 2 Other Soccer Players Fail to Declare Income

March 22, 2024 11:25 - 13 seconds - 520 KB

Three foreign professional soccer players who have played for Japanese clubs, including Spanish star Andres Iniesta, were found to have failed to declare a total of 2.1 billion yen in taxable income, it was learned Friday.

Almost All Junior High School Textbooks in Japan Feature QR Codes

March 22, 2024 10:56 - 14 seconds - 566 KB

Almost all Japanese junior high school textbooks will include quick response, or QR, codes allowing students to access links to videos and other educational resources, according to the results of education ministry screenings released Friday.

U.S. Eyes Naval Vessel Repairs in Japan

March 22, 2024 09:58 - 16 seconds - 642 KB

The U.S. Department of Defense said Thursday that a delegation led by a senior Pentagon official has visited the Indo-Pacific region to discuss the establishment of a network for maintenance and repairs of defense equipment with senior government officials from Japan and other countries in the region.

Japan to Boost Support for Noto Housing Reconstruction

March 22, 2024 08:28 - 13 seconds - 493 KB

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Friday set out a plan to boost support for housing reconstruction in areas affected by soil liquefaction due to the Jan. 1 Noto Peninsula earthquake.

Some Plaintiffs Recognized as Minamata Disease Patients

March 22, 2024 04:49 - 18 seconds - 689 KB

A Japanese district court on Friday recognized 25 of 144 plaintiffs who were excluded from a 2009 special relief program for Minamata disease as patients of the disease caused by mercury-tainted industrial wastewater from a plant in the southwestern prefecture of Kumamoto.

Reps for Ohtani Ask to Investigate Theft: Report

March 22, 2024 04:33 - 15 seconds - 589 KB

Representatives of Japanese two-way baseball superstar Shohei Ohtani have contacted law enforcement authorities and asked them to investigate a "massive theft" of money from the Los Angeles Dodgers player, U.S. sports network ESPN reported Thursday.

Japan's Imperial Couple Arrive in Quake-Hit Noto Region

March 22, 2024 02:41 - 14 seconds - 546 KB

Japan's Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako arrived at Noto airport in the central prefecture of Ishikawa Friday morning for a one-day trip to areas affected by the magnitude-7.6 earthquake that struck on New Year's Day.

Mizuho, Sumitomo Mitsui Trust, Resona to Raise Deposit Rates

March 22, 2024 00:05 - 13 seconds - 505 KB

Mizuho Bank, Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank and Resona Bank said Thursday that they will raise their interest rates on ordinary deposits from 0.001pctto 0.02 pct.

Japan's Sharp Mulls Scaling Back LCD Biz

March 21, 2024 16:42 - 9 seconds - 354 KB

Japanese electronics maker Sharp Corp. is considering scaling back its weak liquid crystal display business, sources said Thursday.

Aide to S. Korea's Yoon Calls for New Declaration with Japan

March 21, 2024 14:37 - 14 seconds - 545 KB

Japan and South Korea should issue a new joint declaration next year, when they mark the 60th anniversary of the normalization of their diplomatic relations, a diplomatic brain of South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol said Thursday.

Kyoto Univ. to Set Science-Related Female Admission Quotas

March 21, 2024 14:01 - 11 seconds - 422 KB

Kyoto University said Thursday that it will set up admission quotas for women for its science and engineering faculties starting with students to be enrolled in the 2026 academic year.

Japan, U.S., Philippines Vow Cooperation Ahead of Summit

March 21, 2024 13:35 - 9 seconds - 356 KB

Senior officials from Japan, the United States and the Philippines on Thursday vowed to work together ahead of their first-ever trilateral summit next month.

Opposition Requests Sworn Testimonies from LDP Lawmakers

March 21, 2024 13:34 - 12 seconds - 476 KB

Japanese opposition parties requested Thursday that eight lawmakers of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party and two others be summoned for sworn testimonies over a money scandal involving LDP factions.

Investment Fund to Sell Skymark Shares for 3.5 B. Yen

March 21, 2024 13:18 - 14 seconds - 553 KB

Japanese investment fund Integral Corp. said Thursday it has concluded a contract to sell all of its shareholdings in Skymark Airlines to logistics group Suzuyo Holdings Co. for 3,568 million yen.

JAL to Boost Int'l Flight Biz 1.4-Fold by 2030

March 21, 2024 13:03 - 8 seconds - 326 KB

Japan Airlines said Thursday that it will expand its international flight business 1.4-fold from its current level by 2030.

Japan ASDF Lt. Gen. Suspended for Power Harassment

March 21, 2024 12:39 - 11 seconds - 417 KB

Japan's Air Self-Defense Force decided Thursday to suspend a lieutenant general in his 50s from work for four days over power harassment, or workplace bullying by seniors.

AUKUS Countries Eye Cooperation with Japan: U.S. Official

March 21, 2024 12:12 - 13 seconds - 492 KB

The United States, Britain and Australia are considering cooperating with Japan under their AUKUS security framework, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell told reporters in Tokyo on Thursday.

60 Pct of Big Firms to Raise Starting Pay: Jiji Survey

March 21, 2024 11:47 - 11 seconds - 445 KB

About 60pctof 100 major Japanese companies plan to raise starting pay for new graduates who will begin working with them this spring, a Jiji Press survey showed Thursday.

Japan Overnight Call Rate Positive for 1st Time since 2016

March 21, 2024 11:05 - 12 seconds - 464 KB

The uncollateralized overnight call rate, a benchmark for short-term interest rates in Japan's money market, rose above zeropctThursday for the first time since March 2016.

Tokyo Court Rejects Damages Claim over Death in Detention

March 21, 2024 10:32 - 12 seconds - 468 KB

Tokyo District Court on Thursday rejected a 10-million-yen damages claim against the Japanese government over the death in detention of a former adviser to a company once accused of an illegal export.

Nvidia CEO Calls for AI Development in Japan

March 21, 2024 09:56 - 9 seconds - 350 KB

Jensen Huang, CEO of U.S. chip giant Nvidia Corp., has called for the promotion of artificial intelligence development in Japan.

Estimated "Tokuryu" Member Arrests Top 10,000 in Japan

March 21, 2024 09:53 - 11 seconds - 450 KB

More than 10,000 members of so-called "tokuryu" criminal groups are believed to have been arrested in Japan in the three years through 2023, a National Police Agency survey showed Thursday.

Japan, U.S. Hold Joint Drill for U.S. Military Aircraft Crash

March 21, 2024 08:48 - 11 seconds - 418 KB

Japan and the United States held a joint drill at a U.S. military facility in southwestern Japan on Thursday to practice responding to a U.S. military aircraft crash.

Japan Govt Seeks Local Support for Restarting TEPCO N-Plant

March 21, 2024 08:10 - 14 seconds - 549 KB

A Japanese government energy affairs official Thursday sought understanding from Niigata Governor Hideyo Hanazumi about restarting Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings Inc.'s Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear plant in central Japan.

Japan Resumes Osprey Flights

March 21, 2024 05:45 - 17 seconds - 667 KB

Japan's Ground Self-Defense Force resumed flights of its V-22 Osprey transport aircraft Thursday after the U.S. military earlier this month lifted a ban on flights of the tilt-rotor aircraft that was imposed following a fatal crash off the coast of southwestern Japan last year.

Japan Police Handle Record 6,482 People over Cannabis in 2023

March 21, 2024 04:51 - 16 seconds - 616 KB

The number of people handled by Japanese police for cases related to cannabis in 2023 jumped 21.3pctfrom the year before to hit a record high of 6,482, a National Policy Agency survey report showed Thursday.

Japan's Imports Rise for 1st Time in 11 Months

March 21, 2024 04:44 - 10 seconds - 407 KB

Japan's imports rose for the first time in 11 months in February as crude oil imports fell at a slower pace than in recent months, the Finance Ministry said Thursday.

Household Financial Assets in Japan Hit Another Record

March 21, 2024 02:17 - 16 seconds - 638 KB

Financial assets held by households in Japan at the end of last year rose 5.1pctfrom a year before to 2,141 trillion yen thanks to higher stock prices, hitting a record high for the fifth straight quarter, the Bank of Japan said Thursday.

S. Korean Tanker Capsizes off Japan, Leaving 8 Dead

March 21, 2024 01:44 - 12 seconds - 464 KB

A South Korean-flagged tanker carrying 980 tons of acrylic acid has capsized off a southwestern Japan island, leaving eight of its 11 crew members dead and two of the other three missing.

Dodgers Fire Shohei Ohtani's Interpreter

March 21, 2024 01:14 - 12 seconds - 452 KB

The Los Angeles Dodgers have fired Shohei Ohtani's interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, following allegations of illegal gambling, the Los Angeles Times and other U.S. media reported Wednesday.

Strong Quake Jolts Eastern Japan's Kanto Region

March 21, 2024 00:27 - 7 seconds - 291 KB

A strong earthquake struck eastern Japan's Kanto region, including Tokyo, at around 9:08 a.m. Thursday.

More Retired Japan Govt Employees Want to Work after Age 65

March 20, 2024 23:12 - 12 seconds - 463 KB

Over 35pctof retired Japanese government employees want to work after reaching the pension payment starting age of 65, a survey by the National Personnel Authority showed.

FOCUS: BOJ's Historic Policy Shift Also Convenient for Govt

March 20, 2024 14:04 - 11 seconds - 442 KB

The Bank of Japan has finally ended its massive monetary easing campaign, a move also convenient for Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's administration struggling with low public support.

4 Chinese Ships Enter Japanese Waters near Senkakus

March 20, 2024 12:13 - 9 seconds - 349 KB

Four Chinese coast guard ships sailed in Japanese waters off the Senkaku Islands in Okinawa Prefecture for about two hours Wednesday afternoon.

Japan Defense Academy to Accept Students from Pacific States

March 20, 2024 11:57 - 11 seconds - 420 KB

Japan's National Defense Academy will accept students from Pacific island countries from as early as fiscal 2025, Defense Minister Minoru Kihara said Wednesday.

China Examining Whether to Indict Detained Astellas Employee

March 20, 2024 10:15 - 9 seconds - 360 KB

China has started examining whether to indict a Japanese employee of Astellas Pharma Inc. detained in China on suspicion of espionage from a year ago.

Japan Confirms 1st Human-to-Human Infection of Tick-Borne SFTS

March 20, 2024 09:12 - 14 seconds - 534 KB

Japan's National Institute of Infectious Diseases has said it confirmed the first domestic case of human-to-human transmission of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome, or SFTS, a tick-borne viral disease.

Set of Mount Fuji "Ukiyo-e" Prints Fetches 3.5 M. Dlrs in N.Y.

March 20, 2024 08:22 - 13 seconds - 494 KB

A complete set of "ukiyo-e" master Katsushika Hokusai's "Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji" woodblock prints was auctioned for 3,559,000 dollars at Christie's in New York on Tuesday.

Japan Concerned about Hong Kong's Tough Security Bill

March 20, 2024 06:55 - 8 seconds - 324 KB

Japan on Wednesday expressed its serious concern about the tough national security bill that Hong Kong lawmakers passed the previous day.

Japan Marks 29th Anniversary of Tokyo Subway Sarin Attack

March 20, 2024 06:03 - 12 seconds - 462 KB

Japan on Wednesday marked the 29th anniversary of the Aum Shinrikyo doomsday cult's sarin nerve gas attack on the Tokyo subway system that killed 14 people and injured more than 6,000.

Japanese Princess Aiko Graduates from Gakushuin University

March 20, 2024 03:26 - 11 seconds - 438 KB

Japanese Princess Aiko, the only child of Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako, attended the graduation ceremony of Gakushuin University in Tokyo on Wednesday morning.

U.S. Deputy Secretary of State to Visit Japan, Mongolia

March 20, 2024 01:55 - 8 seconds - 317 KB

U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell will visit Japan and Mongolia for five days from Tuesday, the Department of State said.

Japan to Send Govt Employees to Pyongyang to Help Soccer Team

March 19, 2024 14:16 - 13 seconds - 505 KB

Japan will send 14 government employees to Pyongyang to support Japanese nationals, including members of its national soccer team, over an upcoming FIFA World Cup qualifier, the Foreign Ministry said Tuesday.