Takaichi-Led LDP Seen Leaning toward Coalition Talks with DPFP
Monday, October 6,2025,06:25
Tokyo, Oct. 6 (Jiji Press)--With the inauguration of Sanae Takaichi as president of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party, the LDP is likely to shift its focus in coalition talks from the opposition Nippon Ishin no Kai (Japan Innovation Party) to the Democratic Party for the People, another opposition group. Takaichi, who is expected to be named prime minister following her victory in the... .. read more..
Japan's Rice Price Outlook Index Remains High in Sept.
Monday, October 6,2025,05:12
Tokyo, Oct. 6 (Jiji Press)--A diffusion index showing the outlook for rice prices in Japan remained above the bullish-or-bearish dividing line of 50 in September, an industry group said Monday. The index stood at 57 in September, down from the previous month's 69, according to the group for stable rice supplies, whose members include the National Federation of Agricultural Cooperative Assoc... .. read more..
Japanese Emperor Makes Speech at Int'l Forum in Kyoto
Monday, October 6,2025,04:36
Kyoto, Oct. 6 (Jiji Press)--Japanese Emperor Naruhito has made an English speech at the opening ceremony of the 22nd annual meeting of the Science and Technology in Society forum in the western Japan city of Kyoto. On Sunday morning, the Emperor and Empress Masako visited the Kyoto International Conference Center for the event. This was the sixth attendance in the STS forum for the Emperor,... .. read more..
LDP Head Takaichi Likely to Tap Motegi for Key Cabinet Post
Monday, October 6,2025,04:15
Tokyo, Oct. 6 (Jiji Press)--Japan's newly elected Liberal Democratic Party leader Sanae Takaichi is expected to appoint former Secretary-General Toshimitsu Motegi, 69, to a key cabinet post if she becomes prime minister. Takaichi, 64, elected LDP president Saturday, aims to launch her party leadership team as early as Tuesday after deciding whom to tap for positions including chair of the P... .. read more..
Nikkei Briefly Soars over 2,100 Points to Hit Record Intraday High
Monday, October 6,2025,03:26
Tokyo, Oct. 6 (Jiji Press)--Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 stock average briefly surged more than 2,100 points in morning trading Monday to hit a record high above 47,000 on an intraday basis. The election of former economic security minister Sanae Takaichi, an advocate of expansionary fiscal policy, as president of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party on Saturday triggered buying of a wid... .. read more..
Maps: Tracking Tropical Storm Halong
Monday, October 6,2025,02:13
See the likely path and wind arrival times for Halong .. read more..
Yen Plummets, Stocks Rally: Markets Greet Japan’s Next Leader
Monday, October 6,2025,01:54
The governing party’s unexpected choice of Sanae Takaichi to lead it rattled markets on Monday, causing the yen to weaken and sending Japanese stocks sharply higher. .. read more..
Train Derails near Tokyo after Collision
Monday, October 6,2025,01:37
Tokyo, Oct. 6 (Jiji Press)--A local train collided with a parked train at Kajigaya Station in Kawasaki, Kanagawa Prefecture, south of Tokyo, shortly past 11 p.m. Sunday. This resulted in the derailment of the parked train but no one was injured. The local train, consisting of 10 cars, was arriving at the inbound platform of Kajigaya Station of Tokyu Railways Co.'s Denentoshi Line when it... .. read more..
Takaichi to Pick Aso Faction's Suzuki as LDP Secretary-General
Sunday, October 5,2025,14:14
Tokyo, Oct. 5 (Jiji Press)--Sanae Takaichi, who was elected president of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party on Saturday, has decided to appoint Shunichi Suzuki, the current chairman of the LDP's General Council, as party secretary-general, informed sources said Sunday. Takaichi is also considering reappointing party supreme adviser and former Prime Minister Taro Aso, who backed Takaich... .. read more..
Takaichi Calls for Work-Life Balance after Facing Pros and Cons
Sunday, October 5,2025,13:01
Tokyo, Oct. 5 (Jiji Press)--Sanae Takaichi, the new leader of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party, on Sunday encouraged reporters to value work-life balance, amid the pros and cons of her remark about the issue the previous day. "I'm working, but today is Sunday," Takaichi told reporters after meeting with LDP supreme adviser Taro Aso at the party headquarters. In a speech after winn... .. read more..
Takaichi's Win in LDP Race Owed to Aso, Rank-and-File Members
Sunday, October 5,2025,08:35
Tokyo, Oct. 5 (Jiji Press)--In Saturday's Liberal Democratic Party leadership election, former economic security minister Sanae Takaichi unexpectedly defeated agriculture minister Shinjiro Koizumi in a runoff vote. This outcome is largely attributed to support from the intraparty faction led by party supreme adviser Taro Aso, as well as from rank-and-file party members and supporters. In th... .. read more..
Member of Boy Band "Ae! Group" Arrested on Public Indecency Charge
Sunday, October 5,2025,05:16
Tokyo, Oct. 5 (Jiji Press)--Tokyo police have arrested Keita Richard Kusama, a 29-year-old member of boy band "Ae! Group" on a public indecency charge. Kusama is suspected of exposing his lower body around the entrance of a building in Tokyo's Shinjuku Ward at around 5:40 a.m. on Saturday. He is believed to have been drunk at the time. He was arrested after a passerby witnessed the scene... .. read more..
Chinese Survey Ship Spotted within Japan EEZ for 5th Time
Sunday, October 5,2025,03:22
Tokyo, Oct. 5 (Jiji Press)--A Chinese marine survey vessel has been spotted within Japan's exclusive economic zone off the island of Amami Oshima in Kagoshima Prefecture for the fifth time since late last month, Japanese Coast Guard officials said. The Xiang Yang Hong 22 was extending a pipe-like object into the sea about 420 kilometers west of the island around 11:20 a.m. Saturday, accordi... .. read more..
Komeito Conveys Concerns to New LDP Leader Takaichi
Saturday, October 4,2025,15:52
Tokyo, Oct. 4 (Jiji Press)--Komeito, the junior coalition partner of the Liberal Democratic Party, has conveyed concerns among its supporters to Sanae Takaichi, who was elected leader of the LDP on Saturday. Following Takaichi's win in the LDP leadership election, Komeito leader Tetsuo Saito and other officials met with her. At the meeting, the Komeito side told Takaichi that they are ca... .. read more..
Opposition Leaders React to Takaichi's Election as LDP Leader
Saturday, October 4,2025,15:21
Tokyo, Oct. 4 (Jiji Press)--Following Sanae Takaichi's election as president of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party on Saturday, opposition parties are expected to consider their responses to a parliamentary vote to choose the next prime minister. Speaking to reporters in the eastern city of Chiba, Yoshihiko Noda, head of the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, cal... .. read more..
Taiwan's Lai Congratulates Takaichi on LDP Leadership Win
Saturday, October 4,2025,14:21
Taipei, Oct. 4 (Jiji Press)--Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te "exuberantly" congratulated former Japanese economic security minister Sanae Takaichi on her victory in the leadership election of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party on Saturday, calling her a steadfast friend of Taiwan. In a post written in Japanese on X, formerly Twitter, the Taiwanese leader expressed his heartfelt congra... .. read more..
New LDP Leader Vows to Address Rising Prices
Saturday, October 4,2025,13:42
Tokyo, Oct. 4 (Jiji Press)--Sanae Takaichi, the new leader of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party, vowed to focus on efforts to cope with rising prices at her inaugural press conference on Saturday, noting that she will not rule out a consumption tax cut. Takaichi, who is now likely to become Japan's next prime minister, expressed her intention to compile an economic stimulus package so... .. read more..
Sanae Takaichi Is Likely to Be Japan’s Next Leader. Who Is She?
Saturday, October 4,2025,13:18
Ms. Takaichi would be Japan’s first female prime minister in a country where women are drastically underrepresented at the highest levels of power. .. read more..
Takaichi Wins LDP Race, Likely to Become Japan's 1st Female PM
Saturday, October 4,2025,12:34
Tokyo, Oct. 4 (Jiji Press)--Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party elected former economic security minister Sanae Takaichi as its new and first female president on Saturday, making it likely that she will become the country's first female prime minister. Takaichi, 64, beat agriculture minister Shinjiro Koizumi, 44, by a vote of 185 to 156 in a runoff in the party election to choose the su... .. read more..
Japan Is Set for Its First Female Prime Minister
Saturday, October 4,2025,10:04
Sanae Takaichi, a hard-line conservative, was elected as leader by Japan’s embattled governing party, paving the way for her to become prime minister of the coalition government. .. read more..
Ishiba Calls for Tolerance after Takaichi Elected His Successor
Saturday, October 4,2025,09:21
Tokyo, Oct. 4 (Jiji Press)--Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba called for "solidarity and tolerance" on Saturday after Sanae Takaichi was elected as his successor as leader of the country's ruling Liberal Democratic Party. "All countries are struggling with conflict and division," Ishiba said in a speech at a meeting of party lawmakers after the LDP leadership election. "We must show so... .. read more..
Sanae Takaichi: A Conservative Hawk Prone to Controversy
Saturday, October 4,2025,08:43
Tokyo, Oct. 4 (Jiji Press)--Sanae Takaichi is on course to make history as Japan's first female prime minister, after winning the ruling Liberal Democratic Party's presidential election on her third attempt. She expanded her support among conservatives by adopting the policy direction of the late former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. But her hawkish stance sometimes stirs controversy. The fo... .. read more..
A Japanese Ski Resort Town Is Roiled by a Debate Over Immigration
Saturday, October 4,2025,08:26
Residents are protesting a planned housing facility for foreign workers, exposing the conflict between Japan’s need for labor and anxieties over immigration. .. read more..
Retro-Wrapped Trains Mark Yamanote Loop Line's 100th Anniv.
Saturday, October 4,2025,07:35
Tokyo, Oct. 4 (Jiji Press)--East Japan Railway Co., or JR East, on Saturday started operating trains decorated with designs of two past Yamanote Line models, ahead of the 100th anniversary of the line's circular operation on Nov. 1. The two commemorative trains, featuring designs from the 103 and 205 series trains, are scheduled to run until Nov. 3. The 103 series, with an all-light gree... .. read more..
Japan Set for First Female Prime Minister
Saturday, October 4,2025,06:14
Sanae Takaichi, a hard-line conservative, was elected as leader by Japan’s governing party, paving the way for her to become prime minister of the coalition government. .. read more..
Takaichi Elected New Leader of Japan's Ruling LDP
Saturday, October 4,2025,06:04
Tokyo, Oct. 4 (Jiji Press)--Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party elected former economic security minister Sanae Takaichi as its new president on Saturday, making it likely that she will become the country's first female prime minister. Takaichi, 64, beat agriculture minister Shinjiro Koizumi by a vote of 185 to 156 in a runoff in the party election to choose the successor to outgoing Pr... .. read more..
Takaichi, Koizumi to Face Runoff in LDP Leadership Poll
Saturday, October 4,2025,05:10
Tokyo, Oct. 4 (Jiji Press)--Former economic security minister Sanae Takaichi and agriculture minister Shinjiro Koizumi are set to face off in a runoff in Saturday's leadership election of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party. In the first round of voting, Takaichi won 183 votes, while Koizumi received 164 votes. Both fell short of a majority. The other three candidates--Chief Cabinet ... .. read more..
What to Know About Japan’s Leadership Election
Saturday, October 4,2025,04:43
Japan’s beleaguered governing party will convene for a crucial election that could pave the way for the first female prime minister or the youngest leader in 140 years. .. read more..
LDP Lawmakers Voting to Elect New Party Leader
Saturday, October 4,2025,03:58
Tokyo, Oct. 4 (Jiji Press)--The lawmakers of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party will vote to elect the party's new leader on Saturday afternoon. The outcome of the poll is expected to be announced around 2:10 p.m., along with the results of voting by rank-and-file party members and supporters. As none of the five candidates are expected to win a majority in the first round of voting... .. read more..
Ancient Treasures Come to Tokyo: National Museum Exhibition Highlights Buddhi...
Friday, October 3,2025,15:00
The Nara temple Kōfukuji is home to some of the finest Buddhist sculptures in Japan. Created by the sculptor Unkei some eight centuries ago, this collection is rarely made viewable, but is now on display at the Tokyo National Museum in Ueno Park in a not-to-be-missed exhibition. .. read more..
Nissan Aims to Remain Top Shareholder of Yokohama F. Marinos
Friday, October 3,2025,14:05
Tokyo, Oct. 3 (Jiji Press)--Nissan Motor Co. said Friday that it will continue to be the largest shareholder of the operator of Yokohama F. Marinos, a professional soccer club in the J1 top division of the Japan Professional Football League, or J.League. But the struggling automaker suggested a potential sale of some shares in the club based in Yokohama, south of Tokyo, saying that "we are a... .. read more..
Nissan to Test Self-Driving Mobility Service in Yokohama
Friday, October 3,2025,13:32
Yokohama, Oct. 3 (Jiji Press)--Nissan Motor Co. said Friday that it will test a transportation service using self-driving vehicles in Yokohama, south of Tokyo, for two months beginning Nov. 27. The company aims to launch an autonomous mobility service without drivers in 2027 or later. About 300 pre-registered general users will be able to use the pilot service in the Minatomirai and Kanna... .. read more..
Panel Reviews Achievements under Ishiba Cabinet
Friday, October 3,2025,13:03
Tokyo, Oct. 3 (Jiji Press)--A Japanese government panel Friday reviewed the achievements of economic measures promoted under an initiative of outgoing Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, leaving unresolved challenges for the next administration. In a meeting at the prime minister's office, the Council of New Form of Capitalism Realization touted the Ishiba administration's achievements, such as ... .. read more..
Signs of Info Breach Found at Asahi Group after Cyberattack
Friday, October 3,2025,12:11
Tokyo, Oct. 3 (Jiji Press)--Japanese food and beverage giant Asahi Group Holdings Ltd. said Friday that it has found evidence of a possible breach of internal information following a cyberattack earlier this week. The company could not confirm whether the possible breach affected the personal information of its customers and business partners. It has isolated the compromised system and is re... .. read more..
Mizuho Bank's New Firm to Support Small Businesses
Friday, October 3,2025,11:43
Tokyo, Oct. 3 (Jiji Press)--Mizuho Bank said Friday it has established a new company to support small and midsize businesses, in partnership with Leave a Nest Co., a Tokyo-based firm offering commercialization support for the science and technology industries. The new company is expected to boost the regrowth of small and midsize businesses by encouraging their collaborations, including capi... .. read more..
Fujitsu Expands Ties with Nvidia for AI Applications
Friday, October 3,2025,11:03
Tokyo, Oct. 3 (Jiji Press)--Japan's Fujitsu Ltd. on Friday announced an expanded strategic collaboration with U.S. chip giant Nvidia Corp. to promote the use of artificial intelligence in healthcare, finance and other sectors. By integrating Fujitsu's central processing unit series with Nvidia's high-performance graphics processing units, the companies aim to jointly develop AI agents capabl... .. read more..
U.S. Tariff-Linked Uncertainty Persists: BOJ Ueda
Friday, October 3,2025,10:14
Osaka, Oct. 3 (Jiji Press)--Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda said Friday there is still large uncertainty over the impact of U.S. tariffs on the Japanese economy. "The likelihood is becoming higher" that the BOJ's forecast on the country's economy and prices will come true, Ueda told a press conference in Osaka, citing the bank's latest "tankan" quarterly survey for September, which showed... .. read more..
Japan, U.S. Biz Leaders Call for Transparency in Trade, Investment
Friday, October 3,2025,10:04
Tokyo, Oct. 3 (Jiji Press)--Japanese and U.S. business leaders issued a joint statement Friday demanding that their governments "secure transparency and predictability of international trade and investment." The statement, adopted by the members of the Japan-U.S. and U.S.-Japan Business Councils at their two-day joint meeting in Tokyo from Thursday, comes as U.S. President Donald Trump's hi... .. read more..
Sumitomo Mitsui Card to Acquire V Point Operator
Friday, October 3,2025,09:47
Tokyo, Oct. 3 (Jiji Press)--Sumitomo Mitsui Card Co. said Friday that it will acquire CCC MK Holdings Co., a Culture Convenience Club Co. unit that operates the V Point loyalty program. The credit card subsidiary of Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group Inc. plans to buy CCC MK at the end of March 2026 and rename it V Point Marketing. The acquisition price was not disclosed, but it is expected ... .. read more..
Japan Average Rice Price Falls for 2nd Straight Week
Friday, October 3,2025,09:24
Tokyo, Oct. 3 (Jiji Press)--The average price of rice sold at about 1,000 supermarkets across Japan in the week ended Sunday fell 35 yen from the previous week to 4,211 yen per 5 kilograms, the agriculture ministry said Friday. The average rice price dropped for the second straight week, though still above 4,000 yen for the fourth consecutive week. The decline was apparently because the ... .. read more..