Kansai Electric Restarts Mihama N-Reactor
Thursday, November 21,2024,08:13

Fukui, Nov. 21 (Jiji Press)--Kansai Electric Power Co. said Thursday that the No. 3 reactor at its Mihama nuclear power plant in Fukui Prefecture, central Japan, has resumed operations that had been suspended since October due to damage to a pipe. The reactor was restarted at 1 a.m. Thursday and reached criticality, or a self-sustaining nuclear chain reaction, three hours later, Kansai Elec... .. read more..

Tokyo Police Get Warrant for Chinese Youth over Yasukuni Graffiti
Thursday, November 21,2024,08:07

Tokyo, Nov. 21 (Jiji Press)--The Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department has obtained an arrest warrant for a Chinese youth in his 10s over graffiti at the Japanese capital's war-related Yasukuni Shrine, investigative sources said Thursday. The Chinese youth is suspected of writing Chinese words, including one meaning toilet, as well as "SB," which means stupid in Chinese internet slang, on a ... .. read more..

Japan's Kioxia to Go Public in Mid-Dec.
Thursday, November 21,2024,07:25

Tokyo, Nov. 21 (Jiji Press)--Japanese flash memory maker Kioxia Holdings Corp. will go public on the Tokyo Stock Exchange in mid-December, it was learned Thursday. The company is expected to have a market capitalization of 750 billion yen. The TSE is to approve Kioxia's listing as early as Friday. Amid the spreading use of artificial intelligence, the company believes that demand for chip... .. read more..

Many Japanese Couples in 20s Met through Dating Apps: Survey
Thursday, November 21,2024,06:53

Tokyo, Nov. 21 (Jiji Press)--Of married people in their 20s in Japan, 24 pct said they met their spouses through dating apps, a private organization survey showed Thursday. Such people made up the largest group, matching the share of those who met their partners at work, according to the survey by the organization promoting the Nov. 22 "ii fufu no hi" good couples day in Japan. The organ... .. read more..

Japan Extra Diet Session to Be Convened Nov. 28
Thursday, November 21,2024,06:06

Tokyo, Nov. 21 (Jiji Press)--Japan will convene an extraordinary session of the Diet, its parliament, on Nov. 28 for a 24-day run until Dec. 21, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said Thursday. He announced the plan at the day's meetings of executives of the steering committees of the House of Representatives, the Diet's lower chamber, and the House of Councillors, the upper chamber... .. read more..

Honda to Start Test Production of All-Solid-State Batteries
Thursday, November 21,2024,05:47

Tokyo, Nov. 21 (Jiji Press)--Honda Motor Co. said Thursday that it will start trial production of all-solid-state batteries at a research base in Tochigi Prefecture, eastern Japan, in January next year. Honda aims to start mass production of what are billed as next-generation batteries for electric vehicles in the late 2020s after conducting technical verification at a demonstration producti... .. read more..

Central Japan Prosecutor to Apologize in Person to Hakamata
Thursday, November 21,2024,04:44

Shizuoka, Nov. 21 (Jiji Press)--The head of the Shizuoka District Public Prosecutors Office in central Japan is preparing to apologize in person as early as Wednesday to Iwao Hakamata, 88, recently acquitted in a retrial, sources said Thursday. Hideo Yamada, chief prosecutor of the office in Shizuoka, the capital of the namesake prefecture, is expected to visit Hakamata's home in Hamamatsu ... .. read more..

Japan Eyes 13.9-T.-Yen Extra Budget to Fund Economic Package
Thursday, November 21,2024,04:38

Tokyo, Nov. 21 (Jiji Press)--The Japanese government is considering compiling a fiscal 2024 supplementary budget with around 13.9 trillion yen in general-account expenditure to fund its envisioned comprehensive economic package, it was learned Thursday. The overall size of the economic package, including spending by the private sector, is seen reaching around 39 trillion yen. It is expected... .. read more..

Ex-Yokozuna Wrestler Kitanofuji Dies at 82
Thursday, November 21,2024,03:31

Tokyo, Nov. 21 (Jiji Press)--Former yokozuna sumo grand champion Kitanofuji, who was popular in recent years for his witty comments in live sumo tournament broadcasts, died on Nov. 12. He was 82. A native of the town of Bihoro in the northern Japan prefecture of Hokkaido, Kitanofuji, whose real name was Katsuaki Takezawa, joined the Dewanoumi stable, invited by then yokozuna Chiyonoyama. ... .. read more..

Investigators Referred to Prosecutors over Machine Export Probes
Thursday, November 21,2024,02:09

Tokyo, Nov. 21 (Jiji Press)--Tokyo police have sent public prosecutors papers on three people involved in criminal investigations into machinery maker Ohkawara Kakohki Co. on suspicion of making, using and destroying documents containing falsified information. The Metropolitan Police Department took the action Wednesday after receiving a criminal complaint that its investigations into the Y... .. read more..

Digital Regional Currencies Increasingly Exploited by Fraudsters
Thursday, November 21,2024,01:30

Tokyo, Nov. 21 (Jiji Press)--Digital regional currencies managed by local governments in Japan are increasingly being exploited by fraudsters, and investigative authorities are calling for stronger security measures such as stricter identity verification. There have been confirmed cases across the country of fraudsters using credit card information stolen through phishing to obtain digital ... .. read more..

U.N. Panel Resolution Raps N. Korea's Human Rights Violations
Thursday, November 21,2024,00:29

New York, Nov. 20 (Jiji Press)--A U.N. General Assembly committee approved on Wednesday a draft resolution condemning North Korea's human rights violations, including its abductions of Japanese and South Korean nationals. The resolution is expected to be formally adopted by the General Assembly later this year. With the latest resolution, adopted by consensus, the Third Committee has bac... .. read more..

Tokyo Metro to Join Elizabeth Line Operation in London
Wednesday, November 20,2024,12:58

London, Nov. 19 (Jiji Press)--Transport for London, the British capital's transport authority, said Tuesday that it will entrust the operation of the Elizabeth Line to GTS Rail Operations Ltd., a joint venture of companies including Tokyo Metro Co. and major Japanese trading house Sumitomo Corp. Tokyo Metro will utilize its expertise in transport services to improve customer satisfaction on ... .. read more..

Olympic Marathon Medalist Wainaina Escapes Indictment in Japan
Wednesday, November 20,2024,12:28

Tokyo, Nov. 20 (Jiji Press)--Japanese prosecutors on Wednesday dropped a case against Olympic marathon medalist Eric Wainaina for injuring a train station employee in Tokyo. The Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office did not disclose the reason for not indicting the 50-year-old Kenyan. In May, the Japanese capital's Metropolitan Police Department sent papers on Wainaina to prosecutors ... .. read more..

Japan, U.S., S. Korea Hold 1st Joint Secretariat Meeting
Wednesday, November 20,2024,12:08

Tokyo, Nov. 20 (Jiji Press)--Japan, the United States and South Korea held the first meeting in Seoul on Wednesday of their joint secretariat to coordinate trilateral cooperation in various fields including national security. The meeting came unusually quickly after Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, U.S. President Joe Biden and South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol agreed to establish ... .. read more..

Japan Calls for Climate Contributions from Capable Nations
Wednesday, November 20,2024,11:51

Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 20 (Jiji Press)--Japanese Environment Minister Keiichiro Asao on Tuesday called for contributions to the fight against climate change from capable countries, apparently with China and other high-emitting developing nations in mind. "Contributions from countries with the capacity to do so" is "essential," Asao said in a speech at the 29th Conference of the Parties to t... .. read more..

Japan Seen Obliging 300-400 Firms to Participate in Emissions Trading
Wednesday, November 20,2024,11:13

Tokyo, Nov. 20 (Jiji Press)--The Japanese government plans to require companies that emit more than 100,000 tons of carbon dioxide a year to participate in the country's carbon emissions trading system to be introduced at full scale in fiscal 2026, it was learned Wednesday. The requirement is expected to apply to around 300 to 400 companies in high-emitting industries such as steel and elec... .. read more..

Foreign Visitors to Japan Hit Monthly Record in Oct.
Wednesday, November 20,2024,11:07

Tokyo, Nov. 20 (Jiji Press)--The number of foreign visitors to Japan in October is estimated to have surged 31.6 pct from a year before to 3,312,000, setting a new record for a single month, the Japan National Tourism Organization said Wednesday. The monthly number exceeded 3 million for the first time since July, when Japan had 3,292,602 foreign visitors. The October figure was up 32.7 pct... .. read more..

NITE Teams Up with YouTuber for Science Experiment Videos
Wednesday, November 20,2024,10:19

Tokyo, Nov. 20 (Jiji Press)--Japan's National Institute of Technology and Evaluation has started creating videos with a science YouTuber, aiming to educate young people about potential dangers from everyday products. "We want to borrow influence (from the YouTuber)," a NITE official involved in the project said. "We can learn how to shoot and edit videos as well." YouTuber Genki Ichioka,... .. read more..

New Agriculture Minister Makes 1st Visit to Fukushima
Wednesday, November 20,2024,10:10

Tomioka, Fukushima Pref., Nov. 20 (Jiji Press)--Japanese agriculture minister Taku Eto on Wednesday made his first visit to Fukushima Prefecture, northeastern Japan, since he took office this month, holding talks with local business owners. "What I found shocking during the talks was that there still seems to be reputational damage for products from the prefecture," the minister told report... .. read more..

Japanese Icebreaker Departs for Antarctica
Wednesday, November 20,2024,09:52

Yokosuka, Kanagawa Pref., Nov. 20 (Jiji Press)--The Japanese icebreaker Shirase on Wednesday departed the port of Yokosuka in Kanagawa Prefecture, south of Tokyo, for the country's Showa Station research facility in Antarctica. The main party of the 66th Antarctica research expedition team will board the ship at Fremantle, Australia, early next month, aiming to reach the station early next y... .. read more..

Japanese Court Rejects Injunction against Flights at Atsugi Air Base
Wednesday, November 20,2024,08:26

Yokohama, Nov. 20 (Jiji Press)--A Japanese district court on Wednesday rejected a request for an injunction against nighttime and early morning flights at Atsugi Air Base in Kanagawa Prefecture, south of Tokyo, which is used jointly by the Japanese Self-Defense Forces and the U.S. military. Presiding Judge Nobuhiro Okada at Yokohama District Court rejected the request regarding SDF and U.S.... .. read more..

Japan Ruling Camp, DPFP Reach Agreement on Economic Package
Wednesday, November 20,2024,08:00

Tokyo, Nov. 20 (Jiji Press)--Japan's ruling coalition and the opposition Democratic Party for the People on Wednesday reached an agreement on the government's planned comprehensive economic package. The ruling Liberal Democratic Party, and its junior coalition partner, Komeito, agreed to clearly state that the minimum annual taxable income will be raised from the current 1.03 million yen as... .. read more..

Japanese Actor Shohei Hino Dies at 75
Wednesday, November 20,2024,06:20

Tokyo, Nov. 20 (Jiji Press)--Japanese actor Shohei Hino, known for his portrayal of eccentric characters in television series and movies, died on Thursday at the age of 75, his talent agency said Wednesday. A native of Tokyo, Hino, whose real name was Koichi Nihei, started out as a child actor. He rose to popularity for his role as Hashiba Hideyoshi in public broadcaster NHK's period dra... .. read more..

Hibakusha See Nobel Peace Prize Not as Their Goal
Wednesday, November 20,2024,05:22

Tokyo, Nov. 20 (Jiji Press)--Japanese hibakusha atomic bomb survivors think the Nobel Peace Prize, to be awarded to their group, Nihon Hidankyo, is not a goal, as they tackle the task of passing their stories on to future generations. Since Nihon Hidankyo, or the Japan Confederation of A- and H-Bomb Sufferers Organizations, was founded in 1956, the survivors nationwide have been joining han... .. read more..

All 3 Major Japanese Nonlife Insurers Post Record Profits
Wednesday, November 20,2024,04:05

Tokyo, Nov. 20 (Jiji Press)--All three major Japanese nonlife insurance firms posted record consolidated net profits in April-September thanks to gains from the sale of cross-held shares and strong overseas operations. According to earnings reports for the first half of fiscal 2024 released on Tuesday, Tokio Marine Holdings Inc. saw its net profit surge some 3.4-fold from a year earlier to 6... .. read more..

WHO OKs Emergency Use of Japan Firm's Mpox Vaccine
Wednesday, November 20,2024,03:57

Paris, Nov. 19 (Jiji Press)--The World Health Organization on Tuesday approved the emergency use of a mpox vaccine made by Japan's KM Biologics Co. The LC16m8 vaccine, which was approved in Japan in 2022, became the second mpox vaccine to be approved by the WHO. The move "marks a significant step in our response to the current emergency, providing a new option to protect all populations,... .. read more..

Brazil President to Visit Japan in 2025
Wednesday, November 20,2024,03:51

Rio de Janeiro, Nov. 19 (Jiji Press)--Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva will visit Japan in 2025, it was confirmed on Tuesday. On the sidelines of the Group of 20 summit in Rio de Janeiro, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba held talks with Lula for some 40 minutes, confirming the president's coming visit to Japan. Japan is considering inviting him as a state guest next March... .. read more..

Japan's Ishiba Vows to End Talks on Policy Activity Funds Soon
Wednesday, November 20,2024,02:03

Rio de Janeiro, Nov. 19 (Jiji Press)--Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba on Tuesday pledged to conclude soon discussions on the so-called policy activity funds, often criticized for lack of transparency. At a press conference in Brazil's Rio de Janeiro, Ishiba said he has instructed the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, which he heads, to hold "discussions, including the option of abolis... .. read more..

G-20 Summit in Brazil Ends with Vow to Combat Climate Change
Wednesday, November 20,2024,01:05

Rio de Janeiro, Nov. 19 (Jiji Press)--Leaders of the Group of 20 major economies ended two-day talks in Brazil's Rio de Janeiro on Tuesday, agreeing to continue combating climate change ahead of Donald Trump's return as U.S. president next year. On Monday, the G-20 leaders made the unusual move of announcing a joint declaration on the first day of talks instead of negotiating until the last... .. read more..

What a School Performance Shows Us About Japanese Education
Tuesday, November 19,2024,21:57

A look into the Japanese educational system’s delicate balancing of teamwork, discipline and personal growth. .. read more..

Sony Group Considers Buying Kadokawa
Tuesday, November 19,2024,15:02

Tokyo, Nov. 19 (Jiji Press)--Sony Group Corp. is considering acquiring major Japanese publisher Kadokawa Corp., it was learned Tuesday. Sony Group aims to strengthen its entertainment business by taking Kadokawa, which has excellent content including game and anime titles, under its wing, informed sources said. As of the end of March, the group owned about 2 pct of Kadokawa and has a stak... .. read more..

Ichiro Nominated for U.S. Baseball Hall of Fame
Tuesday, November 19,2024,14:44

New York, Nov. 18 (Jiji Press)--Japanese baseball legend Ichiro Suzuki was among the nominees announced Monday for induction into the U.S. National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2025. Ichiro, who recorded 3,089 hits in the U.S. Major League Baseball, is seen as certain to become the first Japanese to be inducted into the Baseball Writers' Association of America Hall of Fame. He may become the se... .. read more..

Tokyo Police Arrest Exec of "JP Dragon" Crime Ring
Tuesday, November 19,2024,13:28

Tokyo, Nov. 19 (Jiji Press)--Tokyo police on Tuesday arrested a senior member of the Philippines-based "JP Dragon" crime ring and two others on suspicion of stealing cash in a special fraud case, investigative sources said. Tomohiro Koyama, 50, is believed to be the No. 3 member of the crime organization comprising former Japanese gangsters. He had been detained by authorities in the Philip... .. read more..

LDP to Accept Abolition of Policy Activity Funds
Tuesday, November 19,2024,13:07

Tokyo, Nov. 19 (Jiji Press)--Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party will accept the abolition of the controversial policy activity funds that political parties provide to member lawmakers, it was learned Tuesday. Senior members of the LDP's political reform headquarters agreed to include the move in a fresh revision of the political funds control law, which Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba ai... .. read more..

China Blames Air Current for Japan Airspace Intrusion
Tuesday, November 19,2024,12:29

Tokyo, Nov. 19 (Jiji Press)--China has admitted that its military aircraft intruded into Japanese airspace in August, while claiming that it was due to an air current, Japanese foreign and defense ministry officials said Tuesday. The Chinese side attributed the incident to a technical problem, denying that it was intentional, and vowed to work to prevent a recurrence, according to the offic... .. read more..

Re-Elected Hyogo Gov. Vows to Work with Humble Heart
Tuesday, November 19,2024,11:46

Kobe, Nov. 19 (Jiji Press)--Hyogo Governor Motohiko Saito kicked off his second term on Tuesday after winning Sunday's gubernatorial election in the western Japan prefecture. The 47-year-old arrived at the prefectural government headquarters in Kobe, Hyogo's capital, for the first time in more than a month. He had been effectively ousted from the governor's office by a no-confidence vote in ... .. read more..

DPFP Proposals Likely to Be Reflected in Economic Package
Tuesday, November 19,2024,10:19

Tokyo, Nov. 19 (Jiji Press)--Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party-Komeito coalition and the opposition Democratic Party for the People are coordinating for the government's planned economic policy package to reflect the DPFP's proposals to review the 1.03-million-yen income tax threshold and cut the gasoline tax, it was learned Tuesday. The ruling bloc "showed the attitude" for the move,... .. read more..

Tochigi Man Arrested over Homemade Coilgun
Tuesday, November 19,2024,10:14

Tokyo, Nov. 19 (Jiji Press)--Tokyo police arrested a man on Tuesday on suspicion of possessing a handmade handgun. According to investigative sources at the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department, Nobuaki Usui, a 29-year-old resident of Nasu, Tochigi Prefecture, made a coilgun more than 10 years ago and posted a video on YouTube explaining how he made the gun using electromagnets to accelera... .. read more..

Norinchukin Bank Logs 893.9-B.-Yen Net Loss in April-Sept.
Tuesday, November 19,2024,09:32

Tokyo, Nov. 19 (Jiji Press)--Norinchukin Bank said Tuesday that its consolidated net loss totaled 893.9 billion yen in April-September, its largest fiscal first-half loss ever, reflecting sales of U.S. and European government bonds with latent losses due to higher interest rates. Norinchukin Bank, the central organization for financial institutions for agricultural, forestry and fisheries co... .. read more..