Japan, Ecuador Agree to Deepen Economic Ties
Thursday, August 28,2025,09:55

Tokyo, Aug. 28 (Jiji Press)--Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa agreed Thursday to deepen their countries' economic relations. In a meeting at the prime minister's office in Tokyo, Ishiba said that Ecuador is "a partner that shares values and principles" with Japan. He expressed Japan's intention to cooperate in the areas of public security measures,... .. read more..

TEPCO to Remove Fuel from Kashiwazaki-Kariwa No. 7 Reactor
Thursday, August 28,2025,09:46

Niigata, Aug. 28 (Jiji Press)--Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings Inc. will remove fuel from the No. 7 reactor at its Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear power plant due to delays in the construction of an antiterrorism facility, the plant's manager, Takeyuki Inagaki, told a press conference Thursday. The nuclear fuel assemblies were loaded into the reactor last year in preparation for its restart... .. read more..

Fuji TV Sues Former Execs over Nakai Scandal
Thursday, August 28,2025,09:30

Tokyo, Aug. 28 (Jiji Press)--Fuji Television Network Inc. has filed a damages lawsuit with Tokyo District Court against two former executives of the Japanese broadcaster, its parent company said Thursday. Fuji TV is seeking a total of 5 billion yen in damages from former President Koichi Minato and former Senior Managing Director Toru Ota, according to Fuji Media Holdings Inc. The broadc... .. read more..

Statutory Post-Divorce Child Support to Be Set at 20,000 Yen a Month
Thursday, August 28,2025,08:58

Tokyo, Aug. 28 (Jiji Press)--Japan's Justice Ministry compiled a draft ordinance setting the amount of legally mandated post-divorce child support at 20,000 yen per child per month, informed sources said Thursday. The move is based on a Civil Code revision to take effect by next May that establishes a new system in which a child-rearing parent will be authorized to seek payments from the oth... .. read more..

Burlap Sack Containing Human Bones Found in Kanagawa
Thursday, August 28,2025,08:55

Yokohama, Aug. 28 (Jiji Press)--A burlap sack containing multiple human bones was found at a vacant house site in Aikawa, Kanagawa Prefecture, south of Tokyo, in mid-August, investigative sources said Thursday. There were no noticeable marks on the bones, but they bore traces of soil and appeared to be very old. Kanagawa prefectural police are conducting judicial autopsies to identify th... .. read more..

China, Russia Conduct Joint Submarine Patrol in Sea of Japan
Thursday, August 28,2025,07:29

Tokyo, Aug. 28 (Jiji Press)--Russia's Pacific Fleet and the Chinese navy have conducted a joint submarine patrol in the Sea of Japan and the East China Sea, according to the Russian state-run Tass news agency. An announcement by the Pacific Fleet on Wednesday said that the operation was the first joint patrol involving Russian and Chinese submarines in the Asia-Pacific region, Tass reported... .. read more..

Japan's Top Negotiator Cancels U.S. Trip for Tariff Talks
Thursday, August 28,2025,06:45

Tokyo, Aug. 28 (Jiji Press)--Japanese economic revitalization minister Ryosei Akazawa has canceled his trip to the United States for tariff negotiations between the two countries, the Japanese government said Thursday. Akazawa, Japan's top negotiator in tariff talks with the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump, was scheduled to leave for the United States on Thursday. On Wednes... .. read more..

Arena Construction Begins at Former Plant Site in Nagoya
Thursday, August 28,2025,06:27

Nagoya, Aug. 28 (Jiji Press)--Mitsui Fudosan Co., Toyota Tsusho Corp. and KDDI Corp. said Wednesday that they have begun construction of a multipurpose arena with a capacity of 10,000 people at a former city gas plant site in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture, central Japan. The three Japanese companies aim to complete the construction in autumn 2027 for an opening scheduled for early 2028. The aren... .. read more..

Japan NPA to Seek 6.4 B. Yen for Active Cyberdefense
Thursday, August 28,2025,06:26

Tokyo, Aug. 28 (Jiji Press)--Japan's National Police Agency said Thursday that it will seek 6,457 million yen in its fiscal 2026 budget request for expenses related to active cyberdefense operations aimed at preventing cyberattacks in advance. The NPA's general-account budget request for the year from next April stands at 347,655 million yen, up by 36,335 million yen from the fiscal 2025 ini... .. read more..

2025 Tokyo Toy Show Kicks Off
Thursday, August 28,2025,06:22

Tokyo, Aug. 28 (Jiji Press)--The 2025 International Tokyo Toy Show, one of the biggest toy trade fairs in Japan, kicked off at the Tokyo Big Sight convention center Thursday. The event, sponsored by the Japan Toy Association, will be open to the public on Saturday and Sunday, following a two-day period for business talks from Thursday. The toy market is recently driven by so-called kidults... .. read more..

Ohtani Tops Favorite Athlete Rankings for 4th Time
Thursday, August 28,2025,05:55

Tokyo, Aug. 28 (Jiji Press)--Major League Baseball superstar Shohei Ohtani has topped the annual list of favorite athletes for four years in a row, a survey by a Jiji Press affiliate showed Thursday. The Los Angeles Dodgers star was favored by more than half of the 1,184 respondents in the June survey conducted by Central Research Services Inc. on people aged 20 or older. Shigeo Nagashim... .. read more..

Japan, Uzbekistan Vow to Deepen Economic Security Cooperation
Thursday, August 28,2025,03:04

Tokyo, Aug. 28 (Jiji Press)--Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya and his Uzbek counterpart, Bakhtiyor Saidov, agreed Wednesday to enhance cooperation on economic security, such as strengthening supply chains for critical minerals, and to expand trade and investment. During the first strategic dialogue between the two countries' foreign ministers in Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan, I... .. read more..

80 Years On: Hometown Donations Used to Preserve Wartime Memories
Thursday, August 28,2025,02:30

Tokyo, Aug. 28 (Jiji Press)--Some local governments in Japan are tapping the "furusato nozei" hometown donation program, which offers tax deductions, to solicit contributions for projects aimed at passing on memories of World War II to younger generations. Eighty years after the end of the war, initiatives are underway in some regions to keep the tragic history, from kamikaze suicide attack... .. read more..

80 Years On: Private War Museums in Japan under Threat
Thursday, August 28,2025,01:30

Tokyo, Aug. 28 (Jiji Press)--Eighty years after the end of World War II, privately run war museums in Japan are at a crossroads, with aging operators and financial strains threatening their survival. Some have already decided to close, prompting experts to warn that valuable wartime documents and artifacts could be scattered or lost to the public. At 76, Jikai Taketomi serves as director... .. read more..

Sompo to Acquire Aspen Insurance for 3.48 B. Dollars
Thursday, August 28,2025,00:56

Tokyo, Aug. 28 (Jiji Press)--Sompo Holdings Inc. said Wednesday that it will acquire Aspen Insurance Holdings Ltd., a nonlife insurer that operates mainly in the United States, for about 3.48 billion dollars. The Japanese nonlife insurer aims to enhance its overseas operations through the acquisition of Aspen, which has expertise in specialty insurance, such as insurance against cyberattacks... .. read more..

Mitsubishi Motors Cuts Full-Year Earnings Forecasts
Thursday, August 28,2025,00:10

Tokyo, Aug. 28 (Jiji Press)--Mitsubishi Motors Corp. said Wednesday that it has reduced its sales and profit forecasts for the fiscal year ending March 2026 because of the impact of steep U.S. tariffs and stiff competition. The Japanese automaker lowered its consolidated net profit estimate from 40 billion yen to 10 billion yen, which is about 80 pct lower than the previous year. The comp... .. read more..

Japan Denies Reported Special Visas for Young Africans
Wednesday, August 27,2025,23:30

Tokyo, Aug. 28 (Jiji Press)--The Japanese government has denied a reported plan to issue special visas for young people from African countries with partner municipalities in Japan, amid social media worries about an influx of immigrants. At the Ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development, or TICAD 9, held in Yokohama, south of Tokyo, last week, the Japan International Cooper... .. read more..

Ex-Worker of Tokyo Electron Taiwan Unit Indicted over Data Theft
Wednesday, August 27,2025,17:00

Taipei, Aug. 27 (Jiji Press)--Taiwanese prosecutors announced on Wednesday the indictment of a former employee of a Taiwanese unit of Tokyo Electron Ltd. and two other people in a case in which confidential information of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. was illegally obtained. They allegedly violated Taiwan's security law, according to the Intellectual Property Branch of the Taiwan H... .. read more..

LDP to Release Names of Lawmakers Demanding Early Leader Poll
Wednesday, August 27,2025,13:35

Tokyo, Aug. 27 (Jiji Press)--A panel of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party at a meeting on Wednesday decided to release the names of party lawmakers and prefectural chapters pushing for an early LDP presidential election. Those backing an early election will be known as early as Sept. 8. After the party conducts a comprehensive review of last month's House of Councillors election at... .. read more..

Mitsubishi, Chubu Electric Quit Akita, Chiba Offshore Power Projects
Wednesday, August 27,2025,12:16

Tokyo, Aug. 27 (Jiji Press)--Mitsubishi Corp. and Chubu Electric Power Co. said Wednesday that they will pull out of offshore wind power projects in three areas of Japan. Following a reassessment of the projects conducted in light of soaring construction materials costs and rising interest rates, "we have determined that establishing a viable business plan is not feasible given the current c... .. read more..

Japan's Akazawa to Visit U.S. from Thurs. for Tariff Talks
Wednesday, August 27,2025,11:51

Tokyo, Aug. 27 (Jiji Press)--Japanese economic revitalization minister Ryosei Akazawa said Wednesday that he will visit the United States for three days from Thursday for bilateral tariff negotiations. "I will strongly ask the U.S. side to review its reciprocal tariffs and lower automobile tariffs as quickly as possible," Akazawa, in charge of the negotiations with Washington, said at a pre... .. read more..

Japan’s Akazawa to Visit U.S. from Thurs. for Tariff Talks
Wednesday, August 27,2025,11:51

Tokyo, Aug. 27 (Jiji Press)--Japanese economic revitalization minister Ryosei Akazawa said Wednesday that he will visit the United States for three days from Thursday for bilateral tariff negotiations. "I will strongly ask the U.S. side to review its reciprocal tariffs and lower automobile tariffs as quickly as possible," Akazawa, in charge of the negotiations with Washington, said at a pres... .. read more..

Yomiuri Shimbun Reports Wrong Lawmaker Investigated
Wednesday, August 27,2025,11:33

Tokyo, Aug. 27 (Jiji Press)--The Yomiuri Shimbun daily on Wednesday reported the wrong Nippon Ishin no Kai (Japan Innovation Party) lawmaker being investigated by the special investigation squad of the Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office on suspicion of secretary pay fraud. The Yomiuri Shimbun group admitted that the lawmaker under investigation was not House of Representatives member ... .. read more..

Japan, Australia to Agree on Evacuations from Third Nations
Wednesday, August 27,2025,11:10

Tokyo, Aug. 27 (Jiji Press)--The Japanese and Australian governments plan to exchange a memorandum to cooperate on evacuating each other's nationals in the event of a contingency in a third country, Japanese government sources said Wednesday. The two sides will sign off on the agreement at a "two-plus-two" meeting of their foreign and defense ministers to be held in Tokyo on Sept. 5. Aus... .. read more..

Japan Agriculture Min. to Seek 2.7-T.-Yen Budget for FY ’26
Wednesday, August 27,2025,10:28

Tokyo, Aug. 27 (Jiji Press)--Japan's agriculture ministry said Wednesday it plans to seek 2,658.8 billion yen in its budget request for fiscal 2026, aiming to boost funds to address rice shortages that have driven up rice prices since last year. The figure is up 17.1 pct from the fiscal 2025 initial budget, according to a plan shown to the ruling Liberal Democratic Party. The ministry is s... .. read more..

Photos of Japan Emperor's Family at Villa Released
Wednesday, August 27,2025,09:58

Tokyo, Aug. 27 (Jiji Press)--Japan's Imperial Household Agency on Wednesday released six photos of Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako and their daughter, Princess Aiko on a retreat at Suzaki Imperial Villa in central Japan earlier this month. This was their first retreat in six years at the villa in the city of Shimoda, Shizuoka Prefecture. One of the photos shows the family after swimming... .. read more..

Photos of Japan Emperor’s Family at Villa Released
Wednesday, August 27,2025,09:58

Tokyo, Aug. 27 (Jiji Press)--Japan's Imperial Household Agency on Wednesday released six photos of Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako and their daughter, Princess Aiko on a retreat at Suzaki Imperial Villa in central Japan earlier this month. This was their first retreat in six years at the villa in the city of Shimoda, Shizuoka Prefecture. One of the photos shows the family after swimming a... .. read more..

Japan Foreign Min. to Seek 874.3-B.-Yen Budget for FY 2026
Wednesday, August 27,2025,09:44

Tokyo, Aug. 27 (Jiji Press)--Japan's Foreign Ministry will seek 874.3 billion yen in its budget request for fiscal 2026, up 15.3 pct from the fiscal 2025 initial budget, informed sources said Wednesday. The ministry plans to allocate 44.1 billion yen to operations to deal with information warfare, such as analysis of information manipulation, including false information spread by foreign act... .. read more..

Tokyo Marks Longest Streak of “Extremely Hot” Days
Wednesday, August 27,2025,09:16

Tokyo, Aug. 27 (Jiji Press)--Central Tokyo on Wednesday marked the 10th consecutive "extremely hot" day, when temperatures rise to 35 degrees Celsius or higher, the longest streak on record. The previous record was set in 2022. The annual number of extremely hot days this year has reached 23, another new record. Temperatures rose to as high as 36.0 degrees on Wednesday at the central Tokyo... .. read more..

High Court Rejects Appeal against Sendai N-Reactors
Wednesday, August 27,2025,09:05

Fukuoka, Aug. 27 (Jiji Press)--Fukuoka High Court upheld Wednesday a lower court ruling rejecting plaintiffs' request for voiding the government's approval of the restart of the No. 1 and No. 2 reactors at Kyushu Electric Power Co.'s Sendai nuclear power plant. In the lawsuit against the national government, the plaintiffs, including local residents, demanded that the Nuclear Regulation Auth... .. read more..

Japan to Expand Tax Break for Firms Moving Out of Tokyo
Wednesday, August 27,2025,08:40

Tokyo, Aug. 27 (Jiji Press)--The Japanese government plans to expand a tax break program designed to encourage more companies to relocate their headquarters functions from Tokyo's 23 special wards to local areas, informed sources said Wednesday. Specifically, the government aims to extend the tax break's deadline, which is currently scheduled to run to the end of March 2026, and raise the co... .. read more..

Mitsubishi Quits Akita, Chiba Offshore Wind Power Projects
Wednesday, August 27,2025,07:23

Tokyo, Aug. 27 (Jiji Press)--Mitsubishi Corp. said Wednesday that it will pull out of offshore wind power projects in three areas of Japan. Following a reassessment of the projects conducted in light of soaring construction materials costs and rising interest rates, "we have determined that establishing a viable business plan is not feasible given the current conditions," the major Japanese ... .. read more..

INTERVIEW: Keihan to Gain Yumeshima Connection after Casino Resort Opening
Wednesday, August 27,2025,06:19

Osaka, Aug. 27 (Jiji Press)--Keihan Electric Railway Co. will be able to provide access to Yumeshima after the opening of a casino resort on the artificial island in Osaka Bay, the Keihan group chief said in a recent interview. Keihan Holdings Co. plans to extend the Keihan Nakanoshima Line, currently running between Temmabashi Station and Nakanoshima Station in the city of Osaka, to Kujo St... .. read more..

Ishimaru Steps Down as Head of Political Group
Wednesday, August 27,2025,06:09

Tokyo, Aug. 27 (Jiji Press)--Shinji Ishimaru said Wednesday that he will step down as head of The Path to Rebirth, a Japanese political group. Speaking at a press conference in Tokyo, Ishimaru said that his successor will be announced on Sept. 16 after a leadership election. He also said that he will leave the group. Ishimaru said he wants to continue being involved in politics in some w... .. read more..

Japan Warns about Boat Accidents at Firework Events
Wednesday, August 27,2025,06:03

Hiroshima, Aug. 27 (Jiji Press)--The Japan Coast Guard is warning the public to take precautions after a series of boat accidents during summer fireworks festivals in the Seto Inland Sea in the country's western region. Within the area covered by the JCG's 6th regional headquarters, based in the city of Hiroshima, there have been accidents in which boats carrying fireworks spectators ran ov... .. read more..

Japan Upper House Member's Office Raided over Alleged Fraud
Wednesday, August 27,2025,04:58

Tokyo, Aug. 27 (Jiji Press)--Japanese public prosecutors raided locations linked to Akira Ishii, an opposition lawmaker in the House of Councillors, the upper chamber of parliament, on Wednesday over alleged fraud involving a fictitious secretary's salary. Ishii, a 68-year-old member of Nippon Ishin no Kai (Japan Innovation Party), is suspected of receiving public funds by hiring a governme... .. read more..

U.S. Mulls HIMARS Drill on Remote Japan Island in Sept.
Wednesday, August 27,2025,04:22

Naha, Okinawa Pref., Aug. 27 (Jiji Press)--The U.S. military plans to deploy its High Mobility Artillery Rocket System, or HIMARS, on Yonaguni, a remote island in the southernmost Japan prefecture of Okinawa, as part of a joint exercise in September between Japan's Ground Self-Defense Force and the U.S. Marine Corps, informed sources said Wednesday. It would be the first deployment of HIMAR... .. read more..

Japan Restaurant Operators Expanding Offerings
Wednesday, August 27,2025,03:14

Tokyo, Aug. 27 (Jiji Press)--Major Japanese restaurant operators are venturing into offering dishes outside of their specialties, as they grapple with challenges such as rising ingredient prices and changes in demand following the COVID-19 pandemic. Attracting new customers through forays into new areas has become essential for eatery firms as they face limited growth potential in their exis... .. read more..

Modi Celebrates Suzuki Motor's EV Shipments
Wednesday, August 27,2025,01:44

New Delhi, Aug. 27 (Jiji Press)--Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited a Suzuki Motor Corp. plant in western India on Tuesday to celebrate the start of shipments of the Japanese automaker's first electric vehicle. The shipments of the e Vitara battery-powered vehicle marked a new milestone in friendly relations between Japan and India, Modi said in a ceremony at the plant in Gujarat. ... .. read more..

80 Years On: Japan Equestrian Team Honors Olympic Predecessor on Iwoto
Wednesday, August 27,2025,01:30

Tokyo, Aug. 27 (Jiji Press)--When Japan's equestrian squad claimed bronze in team eventing at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, the victory carried profound historical significance, marking the nation's first Olympic medal in the sport for 92 years. The last Japanese equestrian to stand on an Olympic podium was Takeichi Nishi, known as Baron Nishi, who captured gold in show jumping at the 1932 ... .. read more..