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JIJI English News-時事通信英語ニュース-

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Japan Govt to Provide 109.2 B. Yen in Aid to JR Hokkaido

March 15, 2024 06:54 - 14 seconds - 537 KB

The Japanese transport ministry said Friday that it will provide financial assistance of 109.2 billion yen to Hokkaido Railway Co., which is in financial difficulties, over three years from fiscal 2024.

Japan Govt OKs Bill for New Foreign Worker Training System

March 15, 2024 06:07 - 12 seconds - 461 KB

Japan's government Friday approved legislation to abolish the existing technical intern program for foreign nationals and create a new system to train foreign workers amid labor shortages in the country.

Japan Ruling Bloc Agrees on Fighter Jet Exports

March 15, 2024 04:53 - 13 seconds - 522 KB

Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party and its junior coalition partner, Komeito, agreed Friday to allow exports to third countries of a next-generation fighter jet that the country will develop jointly with Britain and Italy.

Nissan, Honda to Collaborate on EVs

March 15, 2024 03:41 - 12 seconds - 451 KB

Nissan Motor Co. plans to sign a comprehensive memorandum of understanding with Honda Motor Co. on collaboration in areas including electric vehicles, people familiar with the matter said Friday.

Nippon Steel Resolved to Complete U.S. Steel Buyout

March 15, 2024 03:02 - 12 seconds - 488 KB

Nippon Steel Corp. underscored its resolve Friday to complete its planned buyout of United States Steel Corp., in response to a statement opposing the deal issued by U.S. President Joe Biden.

Japan Starts Clinical Trial of Familial Alzheimer's Treatment

March 15, 2024 02:05 - 9 seconds - 344 KB

A Japanese research team has begun an international clinical trial to check the effectiveness and safety of a treatment for familial Alzheimer's disease.

Biden Opposes Nippon Steel's U.S. Steel Buyout Plan

March 15, 2024 01:38 - 13 seconds - 505 KB

U.S. President Joe Biden, in a statement Thursday, expressed his opposition to Nippon Steel Corp.'s planned acquisition of United States Steel Corp., while avoiding to directly mention the Japanese steelmaker.

IPEF Ministers Agree to Launch 4 Clean Economy Projects

March 15, 2024 01:01 - 15 seconds - 572 KB

Ministers from the 14 countries discussing the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity agreed Thursday to launch four projects in the area of clean economy, such as promoting the distribution of sustainable aviation fuel, or SAF.

Japan, Russia Keep Salmon, Trout Fishing Quota Intact in 2024

March 15, 2024 00:02 - 13 seconds - 504 KB

Japan and Russia have agreed to give Japanese fishing operators an annual fishing quota of 2,050 tons for salmon and trout presumably from Russian rivers in 2024, unchanged from 2023.

Earthquake Jolts Fukushima, Logs Lower 5 on Japan Scale

March 14, 2024 16:17 - 15 seconds - 575 KB

An earthquake rocked Fukushima Prefecture, northeastern Japan, at around 12:14 a.m. Friday, registering up to lower 5, the fifth-highest level on Japan's seismic intensity scale, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency.

Japan, IAEA Reaffirm Cooperation on Fukushima Water

March 14, 2024 14:36 - 18 seconds - 703 KB

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and International Atomic Energy Agency Director-General Rafael Grossi agreed Thursday that the two sides will continue to cooperate in ensuring the safety of the release into the sea of treated water from the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant in northeastern Japan.

Massive Tokyo-Area Quake Estimated to Cost 1,000 T. Yen

March 14, 2024 13:25 - 12 seconds - 463 KB

If a huge inland earthquake occurs in the Tokyo metropolitan area, it would cause economic losses totaling 1,001 trillion yen, the Japan Society of Civil Engineers said Thursday.

Toyota Engineers Develop Mobility Inspired by Pokemon Character

March 14, 2024 12:43 - 12 seconds - 471 KB

Engineers of Toyota Motor Corp. have developed a mobility inspired by Miraidon, a character from the popular Pocket Monsters, or Pokemon, game series, in collaboration with Pokemon Co.

Komeito Decides to Allow Fighter Jet Exports

March 14, 2024 12:07 - 14 seconds - 529 KB

Komeito, the junior coalition partner of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party, decided Thursday to allow the export to third countries of a next-generation fighter jet that Japan will develop jointly with Britain and Italy.

Diet Starts Deliberations on Joint Child Custody Bill

March 14, 2024 11:39 - 10 seconds - 391 KB

The Diet, Japan's parliament, began deliberations Thursday on a bill aimed at introducing in the country a system to allow divorced parents to share custody of their children.

LDP Lawmaker Slams Abe Faction Execs over Money Scandal

March 14, 2024 11:35 - 13 seconds - 526 KB

Speaking before a parliamentary panel on political ethics on Thursday, a lawmaker from Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party criticized executives of an LDP faction deeply involved in a high-profile money scandal.

Ex-Lawmaker GaaSyy Gets Suspended Sentence

March 14, 2024 10:48 - 16 seconds - 614 KB

Tokyo District Court on Thursday sentenced former Japanese lawmaker GaaSyy, whose real name is Yoshikazu Higashitani, to three years in jail, suspended for five years, for repeatedly intimidating actor Go Ayano and others in online videos.

Helicopter Crashed 90 Seconds after Engine Abnormalities: GSDF

March 14, 2024 10:15 - 13 seconds - 517 KB

Japan's Ground Self-Defense Force said in an investigative report released Thursday that last year's helicopter crash near Miyako Island in Okinawa Prefecture occurred about 90 seconds after engine output abnormalities.

3rd Ruling Finds Same-Sex Marriage Denial in Unconstitutional State

March 14, 2024 08:00 - 10 seconds - 403 KB

Tokyo District Court on Thursday ruled that existing provisions including of the Civil Code that do not recognize same-sex marriage are in a state of unconstitutionality.

Japan LDP's Seko Denies Involvement in Slush Funds Scandal

March 14, 2024 06:23 - 12 seconds - 457 KB

Japanese lawmaker Hiroshige Seko denied his involvement in a slush funds scandal rocking the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, at a parliamentary political ethics panel hearing Thursday.

Kishida Cabinet's Support Rate Inches Up to 18 Pct: Jiji Poll

March 14, 2024 06:23 - 11 seconds - 430 KB

Public support for Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's cabinet rose marginally to 18.0pctin March, a Jiji Press opinion poll showed Thursday.

U.S. Resumes Osprey Flights in Japan after Nov. Crash

March 14, 2024 05:49 - 12 seconds - 474 KB

The U.S. military on Thursday resumed flights of its Osprey tilt-rotor transport planes in Japan, lifting the suspension of their operations that had been in place following a fatal crash last November.

Nissan Mulling EV Collaboration with Honda

March 14, 2024 05:20 - 9 seconds - 358 KB

Nissan Motor Co. is considering collaborating with Honda Motor Co. on vehicle electrification including electric vehicles, it was learned Thursday.

Ex-Lawmaker Kakizawa Found Guilty over Vote-Buying

March 14, 2024 04:56 - 10 seconds - 410 KB

Tokyo District Court on Thursday found former Japanese lawmaker Mito Kakizawa guilty over vote-buying for a mayoral election in Tokyo's Koto Ward last April.

Cannabis Cases Involving Under-20s Hit Record High in Japan

March 14, 2024 03:52 - 12 seconds - 469 KB

Japanese police arrested or took other enforcement action against 1,222 people aged under 20 in cannabis cases in 2023, a record high, data showed Thursday.

Child Victims of Social Media-Linked Crimes on Rise in Japan

March 14, 2024 02:08 - 12 seconds - 457 KB

The number of elementary school children who became victims of crimes through social media use totaled a record 139 last year in Japan, National Police Agency data showed Thursday.

Japan Falls to 24th in U.N. Rankings on Human Development

March 14, 2024 01:38 - 10 seconds - 400 KB

Japan was ranked 24th out of the 193 surveyed countries and regions around the world in terms of human development, the U.N. Development Program said Wednesday.

Hokuriku Shinkansen's Kanazawa-Tsuruga Section to Open Sat.

March 14, 2024 01:30 - 12 seconds - 474 KB

An extended section of the Hokuriku Shinkansen bullet train line will open on Saturday, connecting the city of Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture, and the city of Tsuruga, Fukui Prefecture.

Japan Names 4 Districts for Ride-Sharing Services

March 14, 2024 01:13 - 12 seconds - 455 KB

Japan's transport ministry has named four districts, including one in Tokyo, where ride-sharing services can be operated under a program to address taxi shortages that will start in April.

Japan Hosts Open Debate on Conflict Prevention at U.N.

March 13, 2024 23:57 - 9 seconds - 335 KB

Japan hosted on Wednesday an open debate on conflict prevention at the U.N. Security Council, where the country serves as president this month.

Biden to Show Concern over Nippon Steel's Buyout of U.S. Steel

March 13, 2024 23:37 - 11 seconds - 438 KB

U.S. President Joe Biden is expected to express serious concern over Nippon Steel Corp.'s plan to acquire United States Steel Corp., Western media outlets said Wednesday.

IAEA Satisfied with Fukushima Water Release Process: Grossi

March 13, 2024 14:26 - 15 seconds - 583 KB

The International Atomic Energy Agency is satisfied with the process of releasing tritium-containing treated water from the crippled Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant into the sea, IAEA Director-General Rafael Grossi said Wednesday.

Test Facility for Thermal Power Generation Using Ammonia Unveiled

March 13, 2024 13:22 - 17 seconds - 661 KB

Power generation company Jera Co. and engineering firm IHI Corp. on Wednesday unveiled to the press a test facility at a thermal power plant in Hekinan, Aichi Prefecture, central Japan, for burning coal mixed with ammonia to reduce carbon dioxide emissions.

Kishida Says Spate of Larger Wage Hikes "Reassuring"

March 13, 2024 12:52 - 12 seconds - 459 KB

A spate of larger wage hikes than last year announced Wednesday by many companies in this year's "shunto" labor-management negotiations in Japan is "reassuring," Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said.

Osprey Flights in Japan to Be Resumed Thurs. at Earliest

March 13, 2024 12:20 - 12 seconds - 472 KB

The U.S. military and the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force will resume flights of the Osprey tilt-rotor transport aircraft in Japan as early as Thursday, Japan's Defense Ministry said Wednesday.

Japan-U.S.-Philippines Summit Eyed for April

March 13, 2024 11:31 - 13 seconds - 503 KB

Japan, the United States and the Philippines ae planning to hold a trilateral summit in April, during Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's visit to the United States, Japanese government sources said Wednesday.

Govt Ordered to Hand Over Executed Aum Guru's Remains to 2nd Daughter

March 13, 2024 10:32 - 12 seconds - 452 KB

Tokyo District Court ordered the Japanese government on Wednesday to hand over the remains and hair of the executed former leader of the now-defunct Aum Shinrikyo doomsday cult to his second daughter.

Kishida Slams LDP Gathering with Dancers

March 13, 2024 09:01 - 11 seconds - 418 KB

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Wednesday criticized a gathering of his ruling Liberal Democratic Party in November that featured scantily clad female dancers.

Kishida Eyes Cabinet Decision on Defense Equipment Exports

March 13, 2024 08:01 - 11 seconds - 422 KB

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said Wednesday that any Japanese exports of internationally developed defense equipment to third countries will be subject to cabinet decision.

Major Japanese Firms Fully Meet Pay Hike Demands

March 13, 2024 04:41 - 10 seconds - 384 KB

Many major Japanese companies fully met labor unions' pay increase demands in their "shunto" wage negotiations on Wednesday as they struggle with labor shortages.

Concerns Growing over Measles Outbreak in Japan

March 13, 2024 04:35 - 7 seconds - 293 KB

Concerns are growing that measles infections may become widespread in Japan as many other countries have been hit by outbreaks.

Japanese Satellite-Carrying Rocket Explodes after Liftoff

March 13, 2024 03:24 - 12 seconds - 470 KB

A Japanese satellite-carrying rocket developed by Space One Co. exploded shortly after lift-off from the Tokyo-based company's launch site in Kushimoto, Wakayama Prefecture, on Wednesday.

1 Year Passes since Change in Mask-Wearing Policy in Japan

March 13, 2024 03:23 - 13 seconds - 511 KB

As Wednesday marks one year since the Japanese government left it up to individuals whether to wear face masks to prevent COVID-19 infections, the country is seeing a coexistence between those who wear and do not wear masks.

Ex-Head of Japanese Tourist Farm Arrested over Investment Scam

March 13, 2024 01:59 - 9 seconds - 358 KB

Japanese police Wednesday arrested a former head of a now-bankrupt farm tourism company, called Nishiyama Farm, over an alleged investment scam.

Giant Squid Monument Provides Emotional Support after Noto Quake

March 13, 2024 01:30 - 17 seconds - 680 KB

A giant squid monument in the town of Noto, Ishikawa Prefecture, that was once criticized as a waste of money survived unscathed the major tsunami triggered by the Noto Peninsula earthquake on Jan. 1 and is now unexpectedly providing emotional support to affected local residents.

Dai-Ichi Life Succeeds in Tender Offer for Benefit One

March 13, 2024 00:28 - 9 seconds - 334 KB

Japan's Dai-ichi Life Holdings Inc. said that it has succeeded in a tender offer for employee welfare service provider Benefit One Inc.

Ex-Nomura Holdings Head Koga to Chair NHK Board

March 12, 2024 13:38 - 10 seconds - 392 KB

Former Nomura Holdings Inc. President Nobuyuki Koga was picked as head of Japanese public broadcaster NHK's top decision-making body on Tuesday.

Japan's Workforce May Fall 9.56 M. from 2022 to 2040: Estimate

March 12, 2024 13:19 - 18 seconds - 715 KB

The number of workers in Japan would fall by 9.56 million from 2022 to 57.68 million in 2040 if the country continues to have no economic growth and lacks active labor force participation, mainly by women, according to an estimate by a government-affiliated body.

IAEA Vows Involvement until End of Fukushima Water Release

March 12, 2024 12:38 - 17 seconds - 679 KB

The International Atomic Energy Agency will continue to oversee the release into the sea of tritium-containing treated water from the crippled Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant in northeastern Japan until the last drop is discharged, IAEA Director-General Rafael Grossi said Tuesday.

Money Scandal Cuts LDP Membership by over 30,000

March 12, 2024 12:36 - 13 seconds - 507 KB

Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party said Tuesday its membership stood at 1,091,075 as of the end of 2023, down 33,688 from a year earlier.