Visitors to Japan in Jan.-June Down for 1st Time in 5 Years
Wednesday, July 15,2026,08:27
Tokyo, July 15 (Jiji Press)--The estimated number of foreign visitors to Japan in January-June fell 2.0 pct from a year before to 21,084,800, down for the first time in five years, the Japan National Tourism Organization said Wednesday. Although the first-half visitor tally topped 20 million for the second straight year, the decline was due to a slump in Chinese visitors amid the Chinese go... .. read more..
Japan Enacts Bill to Boost Crypto Assets Regulation
Wednesday, July 15,2026,08:06
Tokyo, July 15 (Jiji Press)--Japan's parliament Wednesday passed a bill to revise the financial instruments and exchange law to regulate crypto assets, in addition to stocks and other securities. The move is aimed at protecting users amid growing demand for crypto assets as investment products. The bill was approved at a plenary meeting of the House of Councillors, the upper chamber of the ... .. read more..
Man Gets 16 Years for Fatal Stabbing of Livestreamer in Tokyo
Wednesday, July 15,2026,07:53
Tokyo, July 15 (Jiji Press)--Tokyo District Court sentenced a man to 16 years in prison Wednesday for fatally stabbing a 22-year-old woman while she was livestreaming on a Tokyo street last year. In a lay-judge trial, the court found Kenichi Takano, 44, guilty of murder and other crimes linked to the fatal stabbing of Airi Sato in the Takadanobaba district in Shinjuku Ward on March 11, 2025... .. read more..
Japan Upper House Panel Defers Imperial Family Bill Vote to Thurs.
Wednesday, July 15,2026,06:45
Tokyo, July 15 (Jiji Press)--Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party and the opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan agreed Wednesday to postpone a House of Councillors special committee vote on a bill to revise the Imperial House Law from the day. The agreement came amid a spreading view that an extension to the ongoing session of the Diet, the country's parliament, is inevitab... .. read more..
Ruling Bloc Decides on Hokuriku Shinkansen Route in Kyoto
Wednesday, July 15,2026,05:55
Tokyo, July 15 (Jiji Press)--Japan's ruling coalition Wednesday decided on the proposed Katsuragawa route in Kyoto for the planned extension of the Hokuriku Shinkansen bullet train line between Tsuruga Station in Fukui Prefecture and Shin-Osaka Station in Osaka Prefecture. The Katsuragawa option, which would pass near Katsuragawa Station, about 5 kilometers west of Kyoto Station, was one of... .. read more..
Japan Enacts Bill to Bolster Sewerage Facility Maintenance
Wednesday, July 15,2026,05:07
Tokyo, July 15 (Jiji Press)--The Diet, Japan's parliament, enacted a bill Wednesday to promote measures for ensuring proper maintenance and management of sewerage facilities in response to the 2025 sinkhole incident in the city of Yashio in Saitama Prefecture, north of Tokyo. The bill to revise the sewerage law was approved at a plenary meeting of the House of Councillors, the upper chamber... .. read more..
Event Biz Ex-Exec Found Guilty over Tokyo Games Bid-Rigging
Wednesday, July 15,2026,04:25
Tokyo, July 15 (Jiji Press)--A Japanese court Wednesday found a former executive of an event business guilty of violating the antimonopoly law by rigging bids linked to the Tokyo Summer Olympics and Paralympics held in 2021. Tokyo District Court sentenced the 66-year-old former executive, Masahiko Fujino, to one year and eight months in prison, suspended for three years. It also imposed a f... .. read more..
Summer Heat, Heavy Rain Causing Festival Schedule Changes in Japan
Wednesday, July 15,2026,04:06
Tokyo, July 15 (Jiji Press)--Organizers are changing schedules for summer festivals and fireworks displays in Japan, hoping to protect people from the intense summer heat and heavy rain. The Sagajoka Sakaenokuni Matsuri festival in the southwestern city of Saga was brought forward by over two months in 2025 from the usual early August date, after 14 people were treated for heatstroke in the... .. read more..
Many BOJ Policymakers Worried over Negative Rate Policy: Transcripts
Wednesday, July 15,2026,02:01
Tokyo, July 15 (Jiji Press)--Many Bank of Japan policymakers voiced concerns about potential side effects of a negative interest rate policy at the central bank's monetary policy meeting in January 2016, at which its introduction was decided, according to transcripts of the meeting released Wednesday. The BOJ's Policy Board voted five to four to adopt the policy at the Jan. 28-29, 2016, mee... .. read more..
Japan MSDF Shows Naval Mine Warfare Drills to Media
Wednesday, July 15,2026,00:49
Mutsu, Aomori Pref., July 15 (Jiji Press)--Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force has shown to the media its naval mine warfare exercises being conducted in Mutsu Bay off the city of Mutsu in Aomori Prefecture, northeastern Japan. "We're training to be ready to respond to any orders at any time," Rear Adm. Izuru Ikeuchi, chief of the MSDF's amphibious and naval mine warfare group, said Tuesday... .. read more..
2 More Ex-Japan Post Workers Involved in Bidding Fraud
Tuesday, July 14,2026,23:48
Tokyo, July 15 (Jiji Press)--Two more former Japan Post Co. workers were found to have been involved in bidding fraud at the postal service provider, a survey by the company has revealed. In May, a former Japan Post employee was arrested for allegedly leaking the planned contract price in February 2025 bidding for outsourcing the collection of letters and other mail items from mailboxes and... .. read more..
CRA, CDP, Komeito Eye Labor-Centered Platform for Merger
Tuesday, July 14,2026,14:33
Tokyo, July 14 (Jiji Press)--The Centrist Reform Alliance, the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, and Komeito are considering including their emphasis on workers in the mission statement and basic policy of a party that would integrate them, informed sources said Tuesday. This move aims to facilitate merger talks among the three opposition parties by showing consideration for industr... .. read more..
JR East Announces Design of New Inspection Shinkansen Train
Tuesday, July 14,2026,14:19
Tokyo, July 14 (Jiji Press)--East Japan Railway Co., or JR East, on Tuesday announced the nickname and design of a successor to its East-i inspection train for Shinkansen bullet train lines, set to be introduced in fiscal 2029. The new train, nicknamed Soar, will inspect the tracks and other facilities while running at a maximum speed of 320 kilometers per hour, the same as that for trains ... .. read more..
ANA Captain Jailed for Sexually Assaulting Cabin Attendant
Tuesday, July 14,2026,13:07
Tokyo, July 14 (Jiji Press)--Tokyo District Court on Tuesday sentenced a captain of All Nippon Airways to one year and eight months in prison for grabbing the buttocks of a female flight attendant. Judge Takao Okawa said that the defendant, Ryota Mise, 44, committed a "despicable" sexual assault that abused his position as captain. The judge dismissed Mise's claim of innocence. Prosecuto... .. read more..
Japan's Proposal on Bluefin Tuna Quotas Fails to Be Adopted
Tuesday, July 14,2026,12:52
Nagasaki, July 14 (Jiji Press)--A series of international conferences to discuss the management of Pacific bluefin tuna stocks ended in the southwestern Japan city of Nagasaki on Tuesday without adopting Japan's proposal to expand the catch quota for large fish, due to Mexico's opposition. Japan proposed raising the catch quota for Pacific bluefin tuna weighing 30 kilograms or more in the w... .. read more..
Jiji Press, AZERTAC Sign Article Exchange Agreement
Tuesday, July 14,2026,12:37
Shusha, Azerbaijan, July 14 (Jiji Press)--Major Japanese news agency Jiji Press Ltd. signed an agreement on Tuesday with the Azerbaijan State News Agency, or AZERTAC, to cooperate in the exchange of English-language news content. The agreement was signed at a ceremony in Shusha, southwestern Azerbaijan. Yoshiki Kishida, executive director for international affairs at Jiji Press, said Aze... .. read more..
Takaichi Govt to Affirm BOJ Independence in Key Policy Guidelines
Tuesday, July 14,2026,11:50
Tokyo, July 14 (Jiji Press)--The Japanese government's upcoming annual economic and fiscal policy guidelines will affirm its respect for the independence of the Bank of Japan, it was learned Tuesday. The government seems eager to address market concerns that the administration of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi favors monetary easing and discourages the central bank from raising interest rate... .. read more..
Renovated "Pirate Ship" in Hakone to Go into Operation Sat.
Tuesday, July 14,2026,10:49
Hakone, Kanagawa Pref., July 14 (Jiji Press)--Odakyu Hakone Co.'s Royal II "pirate ship" sightseeing boat with a renovated first-class cabin will go into operation on Lake Ashi in the popular tourist town of Hakone in eastern Japan on Saturday. The company expects to receive at least 2 million visitors a year following the Royal II's first renovation since its launch in 2013. It operates thr... .. read more..
Record 7,120 People Accused over Cannabis in Japan in 2025
Tuesday, July 14,2026,10:18
Tokyo, July 14 (Jiji Press)--The number of people accused of cannabis-related offenses such as use and possession in Japan in 2025 totaled a record 7,120, the health ministry said Tuesday. "We will take thorough measures to prevent the spread of (cannabis) abuse by raising awareness and strengthening crackdowns," health minister Kenichiro Ueno said at a press conference. The previous rec... .. read more..
Japan to Survey Credit Card Payment Processing Firms
Tuesday, July 14,2026,09:16
Tokyo, July 14 (Jiji Press)--The Japanese government is considering conducting a survey of credit card payment processing service firms to gain a clearer picture of them, industry minister Ryosei Akazawa said Tuesday. Akazawa made the comments at a press conference after the fallout of the bankruptcy of Zentoshin, a credit card payment processing service provider, was spreading. Zentoshi... .. read more..
Int'l Conference on Bluefin Tuna Fails to Strike Agreement
Tuesday, July 14,2026,09:16
Nagasaki, July 14 (Jiji Press)--An international conference to discuss the management of Pacific bluefin tuna stocks ended without reaching an agreement on catch quotas in the southwestern Japan city of Nagasaki on Tuesday. In the conference, which began Wednesday, Japan proposed a 25 pct expansion in the catch quota for Pacific bluefin tuna weighing 30 kilograms or more in 2027 and later, ... .. read more..
Fujifilm's Utsurundesu Film Camera Celebrates 40th Birthday
Tuesday, July 14,2026,09:05
Tokyo, July 14 (Jiji Press)--Fujifilm Corp.'s Utsurundesu single-use film camera, sold as QuickSnap outside Japan, celebrated its 40th birthday this month, enjoying a recent resurgence in popularity. A younger generation of users has bought into its analog photo-taking experience, including rolling the scroll wheel, peering into the viewfinder and pressing the shutter button. The first Ut... .. read more..
Japan to Provide Up to 159 B. Yen in Aid to Israeli Chipmaker
Tuesday, July 14,2026,08:31
Tokyo, July 14 (Jiji Press)--Japan's industry ministry said Tuesday that it will provide up to 159 billion yen in subsidies to the Japanese unit of Israel's Tower Semiconductor Ltd. Tower Partners Semiconductor Co., based in Toyama Prefecture, central Japan, plans to invest a total of about 600 billion yen to mass-produce cutting-edge semiconductors for optical communications at factories i... .. read more..
Careless Smoker Accused of Causing 2025 Osaka Fatal Fire
Tuesday, July 14,2026,08:17
Osaka, July 14 (Jiji Press)--Japanese police sent papers to prosecutors on Tuesday accusing a smoker of causing a fire that killed two firefighters in the western city of Osaka in August last year. The Osaka prefectural police department suspects that the fire started near the first floor of a building in Osaka's Dotonbori entertainment district due to the 35-year-old man's careless handlin... .. read more..
3 Firms Raided over Allegedly Rigged Seven-Eleven Refrigeration Bids
Tuesday, July 14,2026,08:02
Tokyo, July 14 (Jiji Press)--Japan's Fair Trade Commission raided three companies Tuesday over suspected bid-rigging in contracts to supply refrigeration equipment for Seven-Eleven Japan Co. stores, informed sources said. The FTC searched the offices of Fuji Electric Co. in Tokyo's Shinagawa Ward, Nakano Refrigerators Co. in the capital's Minato Ward and SDRS Inc. in the city of Isesaki, Gu... .. read more..
Japan Court Nixes Suit Seeking Halt of Oi Nuclear Plant
Tuesday, July 14,2026,06:35
Kyoto, July 14 (Jiji Press)--A Japanese district court on Tuesday rejected a lawsuit seeking an injunction to suspend operations at the No. 3 and No. 4 reactors at Kansai Electric Power Co.'s Oi nuclear plant in Fukui Prefecture. Akira Saito, presiding judge at Kyoto District Court, ruled against the petition filed by some 3,400 people, including residents of Kyoto Prefecture, which neighbo... .. read more..
Secondary Capital Bill Seen Clearing Japan Lower House Wed.
Tuesday, July 14,2026,06:06
Tokyo, July 14 (Jiji Press)--Japan's ruling and opposition parties agreed Tuesday to put a bill to establish a secondary capital of the country to a House of Representatives committee vote Wednesday, a development making it possible for the legislation to clear the lower parliamentary chamber later that day. The ruling Liberal Democratic Party and its coalition partner, the Japan Innovation... .. read more..
Japan to Enhance Heatstroke, Cold Protection for Disaster Evacuees
Tuesday, July 14,2026,05:30
Tokyo, July 14 (Jiji Press)--Japan will enhance heatstroke and cold protection measures at disaster evacuation centers under a revision of its basic disaster management plan decided Tuesday. The revised plan, which serves as the cornerstone of disaster response measures by the central and local governments, calls for such measures after residents in many parts of Japan had to spend long hou... .. read more..
Rising Interest Rates Increase Scholarship Burdens in Japan
Tuesday, July 14,2026,05:30
Tokyo, July 14 (Jiji Press)--Rising interest rates are leading to higher interest rates on loan-type scholarships for university students in Japan. Higher rates on such scholarships may cause some people's repayment balances to increase by more than 1 million yen. This would come at the same time as inflation and tuition increases, prompting concerns about impacts on future plans such as ma... .. read more..
Man Held for Allegedly Planning Indiscriminate Killing in Tokyo
Tuesday, July 14,2026,04:40
Toyama, July 14 (Jiji Press)--Police have arrested a 53-year-old man in the central Japan prefecture of Toyama for allegedly planning indiscriminate killing in Tokyo and preparing a knife for the potential rampage. The suspect, Katsumi Mori, who is unemployed and from the city of Namerikawa in the prefecture, broadly admitted the allegations against him, according to the Toyama prefectural ... .. read more..
Israel’s Regime-Change Plan for Iran
Tuesday, July 14,2026,04:38
Here’s the wild back story behind a failed plan to install Mahmoud Ahmadinejad as Iran’s next leader. .. read more..
Japan Closely Watching U.S. Campaign against ICC
Tuesday, July 14,2026,03:55
Tokyo, July 14 (Jiji Press)--Japan is closely watching with concern the U.S. government's plan to urge signatories to the International Criminal Court to withdraw from the ICC, Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara said Tuesday. Japan has "consistently supported the ICC" from the standpoint of promoting the eradication of serious crimes and upholding the rule of law, Kihara said at ... .. read more..
Azerbaijan President Hints at Defense Sector Cooperation with Japan
Tuesday, July 14,2026,03:11
Shusha, Azerbaijan, July 14 (Jiji Press)--Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has suggested that the country can work with Japan in the defense industry, among other sectors. "I think that we can cooperate in quite a broad range of issues--energy, technology and potentially...the defense industry," he said at a press conference during a forum meeting in the southwestern Azerbaijan city of Sh... .. read more..
Kids on After-School Care Waiting Lists Down for 2 Yrs in Row
Tuesday, July 14,2026,02:49
Tokyo, July 14 (Jiji Press)--The number of children on waiting lists for "gakudo hoiku" after-school care facilities in Japan fell for the second straight year, preliminary data showed Tuesday. As of May 1, 14,713 children were on the lists, down by 1,617 from the final figure a year before, according to the data from the Children and Families Agency. The number of children registered as g... .. read more..
Japan to Protect Rights of Voices over Generative AI Use
Tuesday, July 14,2026,02:17
Tokyo, July 14 (Jiji Press)--Japan's Justice Ministry has come up with a draft report calling for the protection of the voices of famous individuals, alongside their portraits, regarding the use of generative artificial intelligence. The draft report on civil responsibility over the unauthorized use of portraits and voices of famous people was submitted to an expert committee Monday. The mi... .. read more..
Decision Not to Indict Anti-NHK Group Head Found Inappropriate
Tuesday, July 14,2026,00:46
Kobe, July 14 (Jiji Press)--A Japanese inquest panel has decided that public prosecutors' decision not to indict Takashi Tachibana, head of a political group criticizing Japan Broadcasting Corp., or NHK, over his alleged intimidation of a local assembly member in 2024 was inappropriate. The prosecution inquest panel in Kobe, the capital of Hyogo Prefecture, western Japan, made the decision ... .. read more..
Japan National Council Chief Revises Draft of New Benefit Program
Monday, July 13,2026,23:49
Tokyo, July 14 (Jiji Press)--The head of Japan's suprapartisan National Council on Social Security on Monday presented a revised draft of a new benefit program for low- and middle-income workers. The council resumed discussions for compiling an interim report at the day's meeting of working-level officials. The modified draft submitted by the council head, Itsunori Onodera, chairman of t... .. read more..
How Putin Turned Japan Into a Den of Spies
Monday, July 13,2026,17:54
Operating out of a Tokyo high-rise, a military intelligence unit finds the high-tech equipment that Russia needs to wage war. .. read more..
4 Injured in Knife Attack in Oita Pref.
Monday, July 13,2026,16:23
Saiki, Oita Pref., July 13 (Jiji Press)--Four people were injured and sent to hospital after a knife attack near a Tsutaya rental video store in the city of Saiki in the southwestern Japan prefecture of Oita on Monday morning, investigative sources said. Two unemployed men, aged 63 and 84, suffered serious injuries, including a stab wound to the chest. A female high school student aged 16 a... .. read more..
Japan, Vietnam Affirm Closer Security Cooperation
Monday, July 13,2026,14:28
Tokyo, July 13 (Jiji Press)--Japanese and Vietnamese defense ministers affirmed their commitment to enhancing bilateral security cooperation on Monday in support of the Free and Open Indo-Pacific initiative. Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi met with his Vietnamese counterpart, Phan Van Giang, at Japan's Defense Ministry in Tokyo. They discussed issues including regional affairs an... .. read more..