President Donald Trump announced a long-awaited trade agreement with Japan on Tuesday night, a framework between allies and major trading partners that appeared elusive just weeks ago.

“I just signed the largest trade deal in history; I think maybe the largest deal in history with Japan,” Trump said during a reception with Republican members of Congress Tuesday night.

“They had their top people here, and we worked on it long and hard. And it’s a great deal for everybody.”

The deal will see US importers pay 15% “reciprocal” tariffs on Japanese goods exported to the United States. But importantly for Japan, the 15% rate will also extend to automobiles and car parts - putting it at an advantage over other major vehicle exporters, which have faced a 25% levy on automotive sector exports since April.

Japan will also invest $550 billion dollars into the United States, Trump said, adding that the US “will receive 90% of the profits.”

“This Deal will create Hundreds of Thousands of Jobs — There has never been anything like it. Perhaps most importantly, Japan will open their Country to Trade including Cars and Trucks, Rice and certain other Agricultural Products, and other things. Japan will pay Reciprocal Tariffs to the United States of 15%,” Trump had posted earlier on Truth Social.

The news saw Japanese markets hit a one-year high on Wednesday, with a surge in the price of automaker shares pushing the Nikkei 3.7% higher.

“Mission accomplished,” proclaimed Japan’s tariff negotiation Ryosei Akazawa in a post on X, accompanied with a photo of himself in the White House pointing to an image of Trump and Japan’s Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba in prior talks.

Japan is “the first in the world to be able to reduce tariffs on automobiles and auto parts without volume restrictions,” Akazawa told reporters in Washington DC Tuesday night.

In Tokyo, Ishiba hailed the deal as “the lowest figure to date for a country that has a trade surplus with the United States,” adding that the government will examine the details of the deal “carefully.”

“We believe that this will contribute to the creation of jobs, the production of good products, and the fulfillment of various roles in the world through the mutual cooperation of Japan and the US,” he told reporters at his office on Wednesday.

Akazawa explained that the Japanese injection of $550 billion into the US would be in the form of equity and loan to support Japanese businesses’ investments in key fields such as pharmaceuticals and semiconductors.

The share of American rice imports may increase under the current agricultural trade framework, Akazawa said, while stressing that the agreement would “not sacrifice Japanese agriculture.”

Japan will also continue discussions with the US on other tariff measures not covered in Tuesday’s deal, including steel and aluminum, which remain subject to a 50% levy, Akazawa said.

The Japan agreement was the third piece of trade-related news Trump announced on Tuesday. This comes after months of negotiations with key trading partners like the European Union, South Korea, India and dozens of others at a standstill as Trump’s latest August 1 deadline for higher tariffs looms.


Tough negotiations

Both sides previously described the negotiations as tense. Asked about the chance of a trade deal with Japan in June, Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One, “They’re tough. The Japanese are tough.”

But on Tuesday Trump said the deal marked a “very exciting time for the United States of America, and especially for the fact that we will continue to always have a great relationship with the Country of Japan.”

Late last month, Trump highlighted rice sales as one point of contention between the two nations.

“They won’t take our RICE, and yet they have a massive rice shortage,” Trump said in a post on Truth Social.

The country bought $298 million worth of rice from the US last year, according to US Census Bureau trade data. Between January and April of this year, Japan bought $114 million worth of rice.

But a 2021 report published by the Office of the United States Trade Representative under former President Joe Biden stated that “Japan’s highly regulated and nontransparent system of importation and distribution for rice limits the ability of US exporters to have meaningful access to Japan’s consumers.”

Cars – a pillar of the Japanese economy – have also been an issue in the negotiations. Trump has said Japan does not import US cars. “We didn’t give them one car in 10 years,” he said earlier this month.

Last year, Japan imported 16,707 units of American automobiles, according to the Japan Automobile Importers Association.

Despite sticking points like rice and cars, the tensions in negotiations showed signs of easing last week after US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent met with Ishiba in Tokyo and posted on X that he was optimistic about reaching a deal.

“A good deal is more important than a rushed deal, and a mutually beneficial trade agreement between the United States and Japan remains within the realm of possibility,” Bessent said.

Mary Lovely at the Peterson Institute said the agreement eased the threat of even higher tariffs on Japan.

“The ‘deal’ relieves Japan of the 25% tariff threat and puts it potentially in a competitive position vis a vis similar US suppliers,” she wrote in an email to CNN. “The US is unlikely to sell many cars and trucks… from the US.

Agricultural liberalization (is) a win for Japanese consumers, assuming they are willing to try excellent California rice.”


A major trading partner

Unlike some of the agreements Trump has announced recently, including with Indonesia and the Philippines, Japan is a significant trading partner with the United States.

Japan is the United States’ fifth-largest source of imports. Last year, it shipped $148 billion worth of goods to the US, according to Commerce Department data. Cars, car parts and agricultural and construction machinery were among the top goods Americans bought from there.

Goods from Japan briefly faced a 24% “reciprocal” tariff before Trump enacted a 90-day pause in April. Since then goods have faced a 10% minimum tariff.

In early July, Trump sent a letter to Japan’s prime minister, Shigeru Ishiba, threatening to enact a 25% tariff on August 1.

Meanwhile, the US exported $80 billion worth of goods to Japan last year. Oil and gas, pharmaceuticals and aerospace products were the top exports.

Beyond the trade deal, Trump told lawmakers at the White House Tuesday that Tokyo and Washington are close to forming a joint venture for a gas pipeline project in Alaska. The Trump Administration has long sought to encourage its Asian allies, from Japan, South Korea, to Taiwan, to invest in the Alaska venture.

“They’re all set to make that deal now,” Trump said, without providing more details.

Japan has been in an uncomfortable position, since China is its top trading partner and the Trump administration had been looking to pressure allies to reduce their levels of trade with China to get a trade deal with the US, according to multiple reports.

The latest agreement between the US and Japan follows an expanded trade agreement the two countries signed in 2019, which went into effect the subsequent year and allowed for more goods to be shipped duty-free.

Japan held some leverage over the United States in its trade agreement: The nation is America’s biggest foreign creditor. Japan holds $1.1 trillion of US Treasuries, used to finance America’s massive and mounting debt.
 
 

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has appointed Yuriy Lutovinov, former minister-counselor at the Ukrainian Embassy in Japan, as ambassador to Japan.

The appointment was announced on Monday.

Of the Group of Seven major powers, which have led assistance to Ukraine amid the Russian invasion of the Eastern European country, Japan had been the only country with a vacant Ukrainian ambassador post.

Former Ukrainian Ambassador to Japan Sergiy Korsunsky left his post this spring.

Lutovinov, fluent in Japanese, may take up his new post as early as September.

Korsunsky became Ukrainian ambassador to Japan in 2020. He worked to secure Japan's backing in Kyiv's fight with Moscow, and focused on spreading information through X, formerly Twitter.

Zelenskyy is believed to expect Lutovinov to play a similar role.
Ukraine on Thursday carried out its first drastic change in government personnel since the Russian invasion began three and a half years ago, launching the cabinet of Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko.

Zelenskyy met reappointed Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha on Monday to revamp Kyiv's diplomatic missions.

According to local media, Lutovinov and 15 others have been newly appointed as ambassadors, including one named ambassador to Canada.

The Ukrainian president has indicated he may appoint former Deputy Prime Minister Olha Stefanishyna as ambassador to the United States to bolster ties with the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump.
 


 

Shunsaku Tamiya, the Chairman of Tamiya, Inc., died on Friday at age 90, it has been learned.

A funeral was held for close relatives only. A farewell party will be held at a later date.

He joined Tamiya (then called Tamiya Shoji) in 1958, and became its president, the second since its founding, in 1984.

He helped to make the company a world-class model manufacturer through his involvement in shifting it from making wooden models to plastic ones, as well as in the development of its Mini 4WD model cars.
 
 

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba on Tuesday faced mounting pressure from within his Liberal Democratic Party to step down and take responsibility for the ruling coalition's bruising setback in the House of Councillors election.

Ishiba has expressed his intention to stay on to navigate what he calls a "national crisis" and avoid a political stalemate. But his standing is precarious now that the ruling coalition has lost control of both houses of parliament.

Hiroshi Yamada, an upper house member of the LDP, said in a social media post, "The prime minister should take responsibility for the crushing defeat."

Eikei Suzuki, an LDP House of Representatives lawmaker, also took to X to urge Ishiba to "make up his mind quickly," adding, "I cannot help but say that he is playing down the election outcome."

The LDP and its junior coalition partner the Komeito party fell short of their target of retaining a majority in the 248-member upper house, now holding a combined 122 seats, three short of the majority line.

Speaking as LDP chief at a press conference on Monday, Ishiba said he feels a "heavy responsibility" for the loss. But he said he must remain in his post to honor the mandate given by voters that ensured the LDP remain the largest force in parliament.

He also cited ongoing negotiations with the United States on President Donald Trump's higher tariffs as a reason for not stepping down as prime minister.

Despite Ishiba's desire, uncertainty remains about whether he can continue to lead the troubled LDP, with public frustration growing over his government's handling of inflation.

The LDP is expected to hold a meeting of its members from both houses of parliament on July 31 to analyze the election result and discuss whether to continue supporting Ishiba.

Seiji Kihara, the party's election chief, said on a TV program Monday that he will decide whether to stay in his current position "at the right time," after reviewing the outcome of the upper house contest.

For now, Ishiba has decided to retain the current lineup of party executives, but he has not ruled out a reshuffle, with an eye on September when their terms end.

Former Foreign Minister Taro Kono, a known maverick in the LDP who ran against Ishiba in its leadership race last year, renewed his call for Hiroshi Moriyama, the party's No. 2 figure, to resign.

"If the prime minister is staying on for the tariff negotiations, then Secretary General Moriyama should tender his resignation to take the blame for the election" result, Kono said on a TV program on Tuesday.
 
 

Yokozuna Onosato’s bid to commemorate his debut at sumo’s highest rank with a third consecutive title was dealt a major setback when he was handed his third loss at the Nagoya Grand Tournament on Tuesday, the 10th day of the competition at IG Arena.

Veteran No. 4 maegashira Tamawashi was on the brink of defeat when he twisted Onosato down with a last-gasp throw, shocking the crowd that sent a shower of seat cushions flying over and into the ring.

With the victory, Tamawashi, at 40 the oldest wrestler in the makuuchi division, becomes the oldest in modern sumo history to earn a “kinboshi,” a reward for a victory by a maegashira-ranked wrestler over a yokozuna.

All three of the 25-year-old Onosato’s losses have resulted in kinboshi as he heads into the last five days of the tournament with matches against high-ranked opponents looming.

No. 8 maegashira Ichiyamamoto leads the tournament with a 9-1 record, with Tamawashi tied for second place at 8-2 with five others.
 
 

Former residents of Russian-held islands claimed by Japan have held a memorial service at sea for their ancestors for the fourth straight year because they remain unable to land on the northwestern Pacific islands.

The event, held Sunday, was the first among the seven such functions set to take place between July and August.

Former residents of the islands, called the Northern Territories in Japan, cannot return to their hometowns because exchange programs between the two countries have been suspended due to Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

On Sunday, 46 people, including former islanders and their families, participated. A memorial ceremony took place around 2 p.m. aboard the exchange ship Etopirika, which arrived off Kunashiri, part of the Northern Territories.

Yuzo Matsumoto, 84, from Etorofu, also among the Japanese-claimed islands, expressed his deep disappointment at being unable to visit the Northern Territories.
 

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba ’s ruling coalition failed Monday to secure a majority in the 248-seat upper house in a crucial parliamentary election, further shaking the stability of his government as Japan faces challenges such as rising prices and high U.S. tariffs.

Ishiba’s Liberal Democratic Party and its junior coalition partner Komeito, which needed to win 50 seats on top of the 75 seats they already have to retain their majority, won 47 seats. It was three seats short of a majority and a retreat of 19 seats from before the vote.

The loss is another blow to Ishiba’s coalition, making it a minority in both houses following its October defeat in the lower house election, and worsening Japan’s political instability. It was the first time the LDP-led coalition has lost a majority in both houses of parliament since the party’s formation in 1955.

Despite the loss, Ishiba expressed determination to stay on and not create a political vacuum to tackle challenges such as U.S. tariff threats, but he could face calls from within his party to step down or find another coalition partner.


Ishiba hoped for a simple majority but came up short

Ishiba had set the bar low, wanting a simple majority of 125 seats, which means his LDP and its Buddhist-backed junior coalition partner Komeito needed to win 50 seats. Exit poll results released seconds after the ballots closed Sunday night mostly showed a major setback for Ishiba’s coalition.

The LDP alone won 39 seats, better than most exit poll projections of 32, and still the No. 1 party in the parliament, known as the Diet. But Ishiba said the coalition’s poor showing was because his government’s measures to combat price increases had yet to reach many people.

“It’s a tough situation. I take it humbly and sincerely,” Ishiba told a live interview with NHK.

The poor performance in the election will not immediately trigger a change of government because the upper house lacks the power to file a no-confidence motion against a leader, but it will certainly deepen uncertainty over his fate and Japan’s political stability. Ishiba could face calls from within the LDP party to step down or find another coalition partner.


Economic worries frustrate voters

Soaring prices, lagging incomes and burdensome social security payments are the top issues for frustrated, cash-strapped voters. Stricter measures targeting foreign residents and visitors also emerged as a key issue, with a surging right-wing populist party leading the campaign.

Sunday’s vote comes after Ishiba’s coalition lost a majority in the October lower house election, stung by past corruption scandals, and his unpopular government has since been forced into making concessions to the opposition to get legislation through parliament.

It has been unable to quickly deliver effective measures to mitigate rising prices, including Japan’s traditional staple of rice, and dwindling wages.


Trade talks with Washington

U.S. President Donald Trump has added to the pressure, complaining about a lack of progress in trade negotiations and the lack of sales of U.S. autos and American-grown rice to Japan despite a shortfall in domestic stocks of the grain. A 25% tariff due to take effect Aug. 1 has been another blow for Ishiba.

Ishiba resisted any compromise before the election, but the prospect of a breakthrough after the election is just as unclear because the minority government would have difficulty forming a consensus with the opposition.


Populism gains traction

Frustrated voters were rapidly turning to emerging populist parties. The eight main opposition groups, however, were too fractured to forge a common platform as a united front and gain voter support as a viable alternative.

The emerging populist party Sanseito stands out with the toughest anti-foreigner stance, with its “Japanese First” platform that proposes a new agency to handle policies related to foreigners. The party’s populist platform also includes anti-vaccine, anti-globalism and favors traditional gender roles.

Conservative opposition groups, especially the DPP and Sanseito, gained significant ground at the Liberal Democrats’ expense, while the centrist top opposition CDPJ was sluggish. The DPP quadrupled to 17 seats from four, according to interim results reported by Japanese media. Sanseito surged to 14 from just one.

Sanseito leader, former local assembly member and a Self-Defense Force reserve personnel, told NHK said he is open to cooperate with the ruling bloc on conservative policies while waiting to gain more seats in the other house in a next election and form a multi-party coalition as in Europe.

None of the opposition parties said that they were open to cooperating with the governing coalition. CDPJ leader Yoshihiko Noda told NHK that his priority is to form an alliance among the opposition. “Public opinion clearly said ‘no’ to the Ishiba government,” Noda said.

The spread of xenophobic rhetoric in the election campaign and on social media triggered protests by human rights activists and alarmed foreign residents.


A choice between stability or change

The LDP has almost continuously dominated Japan’s postwar politics, contributing to its political stability and social conformity. But voters are divided between stability and change, with some voicing concern about escalating xenophobia.

Yuko Tsuji, a 43-year-old consultant who came to a polling station inside a downtown Tokyo gymnasium with her husband, said they both support LDP for stability and unity. They voted “for candidates who won’t fuel division.”

“If the ruling party doesn’t govern properly, the conservative base will drift toward extremes. So I voted with the hope that the ruling party would tighten things up,” she said.

Self-employed Daiichi Nasu, 57, who came to vote with his dog, said he hopes for a change toward a more inclusive and diverse society, with more open immigration and gender policies such as allowing married couples to keep separate surnames.

“That’s why I voted for the CDPJ,” he said. “I want to see progress on those fronts.”
 
 

The Japanese yen has started the week with strong gains. In the European session, USD/JPY is trading at 147.71, down 0.73% on the day


Japanese PM on shaky ground after election drubbing

Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba's ruling coalition failed to win a majority in the election for the upper house of parliament on Sunday. The result is a humiliating blow to Ishiba, as the government lost its majority in the lower house in October.

The stinging defeat could be the end of the road for Ishiba. The Prime Minister has declared he will remain in office, but there is bound to be pressure from within the coalition for Ishiba to resign.

The election result was not a surprise, as voters were expected to punish the government at the ballot box due to the high cost of food and falling incomes. The price of rice, a staple food, has soared 100% in a year, causing a full-blown crisis for the government, which has resorted to selling stockpiled rice from national reserves to the public.

The election has greatly weakened Ishiba's standing, which is bad news as Japan is locked in intense trade talks with the US. President Trump has warned that he will impose 25% tariffs on Japanese goods if a deal isn't reached by August 1. Japan is particularly concerned about its automobile industry, the driver of its export-reliant economy.


Bank of Japan expected to stay pat

The Bank of Japan meets on July 31 and is widely expected to continue its wait-and-see stance on rate policy. The BoJ has been an outlier among major central banks as it looks to normalize policy and raise interest rates.

However, with the economic turbulence and uncertainty due to President Trump's erratic tariff policy, the Bank has stayed on the sidelines and hasn't raised rates since January. Japan releases Tokyo Core CPI on Friday, the last tier-1 event before the rate meeting.
USD/JPY Technical

• There is resistance at 148.39 and 149.08
• 147.95 and 147.70 are the next support levels

 
 
 

Japan’s central and local governments are required under a new law to take steps to promote the use of sign language, aiming to build momentum ahead of hosting the Deaflympics in November, Kyodo News Agency reported.

The law took effect on June 25 following the approval in parliament of legislation drafted by cross-party lawmakers. It marks the first time Japan has enacted a law specifically on sign language, according to the Health, Labour and Welfare Ministry.

Calling the legislation “historic,” the Japanese Federation of the Deaf said in a statement it is “deeply moved” when thinking of the predecessors who worked tirelessly to raise awareness of sign language.

Protecting sign language will “shine a light on the future of deaf and hard of hearing people,” it said.

The law requires the national and local governments to take necessary steps to improve environments that ensure reasonable accommodations for learning and using sign language.

The governments must take steps to preserve and develop sign language culture, including in areas such as theatre and traditional arts, and to deepen public understanding. The state is also required to adopt fiscal measures to fund these efforts.

The governments are also urged to assign teachers or staff proficient in sign language to ensure that students who need it can receive an education.

According to the federation, ordinances promoting sign language have been enacted in 40 prefectures and approximately 550 municipalities.

The legislation comes ahead of Japan’s first time hosting the Deaflympics, an international sporting event for deaf and hard-of-hearing athletes, to be held in Tokyo and other areas, with around 6,000 athletes and officials expected from 70 to 80 countries and regions.
 
 

Japan is on track to achieve its target of boosting defense spending to 2 percent of gross domestic product in the next two years, but the real challenge -- whether to go beyond that level -- may come after Sunday's House of Councillors election.

With the ruling bloc at risk of losing its upper house majority, Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's already flagging political base could complicate long-term buildup plans, despite U.S. President Donald Trump's push for allies to shoulder more defense costs.

Ishiba's ruling coalition no longer controls the more powerful House of Representatives. A defeat in the upcoming election could make it virtually impossible for Japan to further increase its defense budget, as only a few opposition parties support the move.

Defense Minister Gen Nakatani said, "Nothing has been determined at all" regarding Japan's defense budget for fiscal 2028 or later, despite the country's expected exposure to direct or tacit pressure from the United States to spend more than 2 percent of its GDP.

In 2022, Japan decided to allocate 43 trillion yen ($289 billion) over five years through fiscal 2027 to reach the 2 percent benchmark, aligning with the then-standard among NATO members, amid growing security threats from China, North Korea and Russia.

The amount includes expenses for security-related "complementary initiatives," such as research and development, public infrastructure construction and the coast guard, which are vital for bolstering Japan's defense capabilities.

For decades, Japan capped its annual defense budget at around 1 percent of GDP -- roughly 5 trillion yen -- reflecting its postwar pacifist stance under the war-renouncing Constitution, while maintaining its security alliance with the United States.

Nakatani said the initial defense budget for fiscal 2025, including related outlays, is set to total 9.9 trillion yen, equivalent to 1.8 percent of GDP three years earlier -- evidence, he said, of steady progress toward the government's target.

To keep the 43 trillion yen outlay on track, the government has approved hikes in income, corporate and tobacco taxes, despite its debt burden topping 1,300 trillion yen -- more than twice the size of the economy.

Corporate and tobacco tax hikes are set for April 2026, but the government has yet to finalize the timing of the income tax increase, even after Ishiba took over as prime minister from Fumio Kishida in October.

Ishiba's Liberal Democratic Party has pledged in its election campaign to "adamantly defend our territory and citizens by fundamentally reinforcing defense capabilities," citing China's military buildup and North Korea's missiles as serious threats.

Major opposition parties, including the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan -- led by former Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda -- and the Japan Innovation Party, also support strengthening the nation's defense capabilities.

Noda, known as a fiscal hawk, has voiced opposition to raising taxes to cover increased defense spending, arguing the 43 trillion yen target lacks a solid basis. Rather than proposing alternative funding sources, he has pledged a consumption tax cut to support the economy.

The LDP's junior coalition partner, Komeito, along with opposition forces -- the Democratic Party for the People, Sanseito and the Conservative Party of Japan -- have made no clear reference to how the increased defense budget would be funded.

Among other opposition parties, Reiwa Shinsengumi, the Japanese Communist Party and the Social Democratic Party have all opposed expanding defense spending, calling on the government to uphold the Constitution.

Masumi Ishizuki, general manager of the Policy and Macro Environment Research Department at the Dai-ichi Life Research Institute, said the defense spending plan is unlikely to change significantly, regardless of the post-election government.

Ishizuki, meanwhile, pointed out that Trump, who took office in January with his "America First" banner, has been adding pressure on allies, prodding NATO countries to set a new target of investing 5 percent of GDP for defense and related expenses by 2035.

Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell has also called on U.S. allies in Asia to pursue defense goals equivalent to those of NATO members. According to a diplomatic source, Washington has already asked Japan to spend 3.5 percent of its GDP on defense.

Securing sufficient financial resources to disburse such a large amount could be a tough task if the upper house election weakens the Ishiba government, as his ruling coalition is on the verge of losing its majority in the chamber.

Hirohito Ogi, a senior research fellow at the Institute of Geoeconomics at the International House of Japan, said the prime minister's limited influence could make Finance Ministry bureaucrats hesitant to cooperate in increasing defense spending.

If the political leader has a solid foundation, the ministry in charge of the national budget would have no choice but to cooperate, Ogi said, adding prospects for future defense spending "depend on whether the Prime Minister's Office is strong or not."
 
 

Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba’s Liberal Democratic Party and its coalition partner, Komeito, were projected to lose their majority in the Upper House, media reports said Sunday, a defeat that could trigger Ishiba’s resignation or political deadlock in parliament.

The election — which came just nine months after Ishiba took office — was seen as a rebuke of the prime minister and the LDP, which has now been dealt drubbings in two national elections under his leadership following October’s loss of its majority in a Lower House poll.

A variety of scenarios now await the country, from an enlarged ruling coalition to an opposition-led chamber, or even a minority leadership in both chambers. Pressure is likely to rise for Ishiba to resign, although it was too early to tell if that would be the case.

Jiji Press said it would be “tough” for the ruling block to retain a majority in the chamber soon after polls closed nationwide at 8 p.m., while NHK characterized the situation as “dire” for the ruling camp. If it were to lose its majority, it would be the first time in history that an LDP-led ruling bloc lost majorities in both chambers of parliament, according to the broadcaster.

LDP Secretary-General Hiroshi Moriyama told a TV program just after projections emerged that he would refrain from commenting on how he should take responsibility for the outcome. The party, he added, fell short in thoroughly explaining its social security and consumption tax policies.

According to an NHK projection shortly after polls closed, the LDP-Komeito coalition was expected to win between 32 and 53 seats, potentially leaving it short of the 50 it needs to retain a majority in the chamber.

The main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan (CDP), meanwhile, was projected to secure between 18 to 30 seats, likely up from the 22 lawmakers who faced re-election.

The Democratic Party for the People (DPP), which had four lawmakers facing re-election, was expected to gain between 14 and 21 seats.

 

DPP Secretary-General Kazuya Shimba told a TV program that he “believes the party won’t join the ruling coalition,” Jiji reported.

 

The small right-wing party Sanseito, which had just one lawmaker facing re-election, stunned observers with a strong showing that was expected to bring it 10 to 22 seats in the Upper House. The party, which currently has three seats in the lower chamber, has voiced hopes of joining any coalition government after the next Lower House election.

Nippon Ishin no Kai was projected to win between six to nine seats, while the Japanese Communist Party was projected to net between three and five. Reiwa Shinsengumi was expected to win two to four seats.

As LDP executives — Moriyama, policy chief Itsunori Onodera and election committee chairman Seiji Kihara — walked into the press room at party headquarters, gloomy looks clouding their faces, they were short on words.
Ishiba was slated to speak to news outlets later in the evening.

Media polls had indicated the ruling coalition could lose its long-held majority in the upper chamber, with the projections becoming increasingly dire as the campaign period wound down.

Since the October Lower House election, which saw the ruling bloc fall short of a majority, the LDP had been unable to rehabilitate its standing in the eyes of many voters. Sunday’s vote offered a snapshot of the current views of Ishiba, who also serves as LDP president and whose political standing has long been tarnished by low approval ratings.

With 75 of its seats not contested in the Upper House, 50 had been the magic number for the coalition to retain a majority in the chamber. Komeito’s declining fortunes, apparent in the recent Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly election, had also contributed to a growing sense of anxiety.

The last time an LDP government lost a majority in the Upper House was in 2007, during the first stint of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who resigned soon after that election.

Meanwhile, the opposition was expected to make strong gains nationwide, most notably in the 32 single-seat constituencies key to the election’s outcome.

The CDP was likely to maintain its position as the largest opposition force in both chambers of parliament, further narrowing its gap with the LDP. The opposition camp, however, remains largely fragmented.

Two issues had shaped the 17-day campaign period — rising prices and policies related to the foreign community.

While all opposition parties have called for tax cuts to ease the sting of inflation, the ruling coalition pledged cash handouts for everyone, including foreign residents, and targeted support for child-rearing and low-income households.

Regardless of the final tally of seats, economic issues will remain at the top of the agenda in the coming weeks and months.

Any successful push from the opposition to slash the consumption tax is very likely to put Japan under even more fiscal strain, analysts have warned.

In addition, the United States is poised to raise its “reciprocal” tariff rate on Japan from the current 10% to 25% on Aug. 1, unless a deal is reached with the administration of President Donald Trump.

On multiple occasions in recent weeks, the U.S. president has openly complained about the lack of progress in negotiations with Japan, which has achieved no tangible outcome despite months of talks.

A period of political instability is expected whether Ishiba chooses to step down or form a new government with the cooperation of an opposition party. Either scenario would make any last-minute deal to avert the 25% tariff rate less likely.

Sunday’s voter turnout stood at 26.65% as of 6 p.m., which was down 0.71 percentage points from the previous Upper House election in 2022.

On the other hand, more than 25% of eligible voters cast their ballots ahead of Sunday’s election, totaling some 26 million and setting a record high for national elections, according to the internal affairs ministry.
 
 

Over 80 percent of email scams with identifiable senders targeted Japanese recipients in May, as advances in generative artificial intelligence allow the use of more natural language, a U.S. cybersecurity firm said, Kyodo reports.
 
Of the record-high 770 million scam emails sent globally in May, Proofpoint analyzed 240 million containing sender data and found 81.4 percent of those targeted Japanese speakers, the company said in a recent report.

"Fraudulent emails were easily spotted previously because of unnatural wording, but the advancement of generative AI has helped produce natural sentences, enabling them to break through the language barrier," Proofpoint Japan's Yukimi Sota said.

There were 100 million to 200 million such emails sent each month before 2025, but that figure surged to more than 500 million per month this year, the company said.

Many are phishing emails sent from addresses posing as securities firms. They guide recipients to fake websites that are used to steal personal information such as email addresses and passwords, giving hackers the ability to hijack accounts.

If corporate email and security credentials are stolen, it could give attackers access to unauthorized internal communication systems on which further phishing emails can be sent.

According to Sota, the majority of email scams targeting Japan used a specific cybercrime program. The number of such emails plunged during the Lunar New Year from late January to early February.

"Their unprecedented scale and sophisticated methods raise a possibility of an organized attack led by a foreign government," Sota said, calling on Japanese companies to enhance cybersecurity measures such as adopting multi-factor authentication.

Recall that Japan saw an 8.3 percent increase in the number of police-recognized cyber and phone scams in 2023, with the 19,033 cases the most in 10 years, while the number of people linked to overseas-based crime rings was the highest ever seen.
 
 

The Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia (KBRI) Tokyo emphasized the importance of Indonesian citizens (WNI) complying with the laws, norms, and ethics in Japan as the key to maintaining harmony and the sustainability of good relations between the two countries. 

This appeal was issued following several violation cases that could damage the nation’s image and affect Indonesians’ access to work opportunities in Japan.

“Mutual respect is essential, and this applies not only among government officials but also within the community. This must be underscored because when we are in a foreign country, we must certainly pay attention to these matters,” said the KBRI Tokyo Social and Cultural Information Function Coordinator Muhammad Al Aula in Jakarta on Thursday, July 17, 2025, as reported by antaranews.com.

Furthermore, Aula encouraged Indonesians who will work and live in Japan to pay attention to cultural aspects that can be learned from various sources. He said this during briefings or work preparation sessions conducted by the sending agencies.

“Always focus on your main goal. If you want to work, work well. If you want to study, make maximum effort to achieve good results,” emphasized Aula.

He continued that Indonesians planning to work or continue their studies in Japan need to prepare themselves thoroughly, especially in Japanese language proficiency. He mentioned that Indonesians should at least be able to pass the minimum level N4.

“In the context of employment, it is certainly important to prepare the necessary skills, including language ability,” he said.

Aula stressed the importance for Indonesians working in Japan to carefully consider the contracts they sign, whether those that are about to be signed or have already been signed.

Level N4 in the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) is the second level of the JLPT, indicating an intermediate basic proficiency in Japanese.

At this level, a person is expected to understand conversations and writings in broader everyday contexts. Additionally, they are expected to use Japanese in more complex situations compared to level N5.

It is known that level N5 is the most basic level, while level N1 is the highest level in the JLPT.

Aula also urged Indonesians in Japan to maintain good relations and socialize with the local community as well as fellow Indonesians during their free time. He also hoped that all Indonesians could uphold Indonesia’s good name, which could later become an opportunity to promote Indonesia to the Japanese people.

Moreover, Aula said that KBRI Tokyo regularly communicates with various Indonesian communities in Japan. KBRI Tokyo has its own communication forum that serves as a place for mutual sharing.

Aula said that through this forum, KBRI Tokyo provides guidance, counseling, and shares information related to what Indonesians need to do. The forum also reminds Indonesians in Japan to comply with applicable laws and to pay attention to the culture, values, ethics, and manners prevailing in Japan.
 
 

Japan's government said Thursday it lodged a strong protest with South Korea over military drills conducted in waters near remote islets in the Sea of Japan that are controlled by Seoul but claimed by Tokyo.

Masaaki Kanai, head of the Japanese Foreign Ministry's Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau, told the South Korean Embassy in Tokyo that the exercises were "totally unacceptable and extremely regrettable," the government said.

The islets, called Takeshima in Japan and Dokdo in South Korea, are "clearly an integral part of Japanese territory in light of historical facts and international law," the Foreign Ministry said.

Earlier in the day, the South Korean navy said it had carried out the drills, the first since President Lee Jae Myung took office last month, succeeding Yoon Suk Yeol.

South Korea's Yonhap News Agency reported that troops did not land on the islets and that the biannual regular training, similar in scale to previous years, was closed to the public, as was the case under the Yoon administration.
 


 

Japan’s Nagoya City Fire Bureau placed an order for an Airbus H160. The helicopter will be deployed for fire fighting, search and rescue missions, as well as disaster response operations, including reconnaissance of affected areas.

Japan’s Nagoya City Fire Bureau placed an order for an Airbus H160. The helicopter will be deployed for fire fighting, search and rescue missions, as well as disaster response operations, including reconnaissance of affected areas. 

“We are honoured that our long-standing customer Nagoya City Fire Bureau has selected the H160 for their vital missions. This game-changing helicopter redefines safety, performance and design — ideally suited for demanding work of the Bureau,” said Jean-Luc Alfonsi, Managing Director of Airbus Helicopters in Japan.

“We’re confident it will make a meaningful impact, and we remain fully committed to supporting their operations and deepening our partnership.”

The new H160 will be configured for search and rescue, and aerial firefighting missions, and can be installed with either a firefighting bucket or a belly-mounted water tank, enhancing its capability to support ground crew in wildfire suppression.

The Nagoya City Fire Bureau has been flying since 1973, when it introduced its first helicopter, an Allouette III, to protect and serve the community from the air. Today, it operates two AS365N3. With the newly ordered H160, one of the current helicopters will be retired, ushering a new era of aerial support for the city.

The H160 is one of the world’s most technologically advanced helicopters, designed and built to deliver the highest levels of operational safety while providing unmatched comfort for rotorcraft in its class.

Capable of performing wide-ranging missions including law enforcement, offshore transportation, search and rescue, private and business aviation, and emergency medical services, the H160 has entered into service in Japan, Brazil, Canada, France, Malaysia, Philippines, Saudi Arabia, U.K., U.S. and many other European countries.

Airbus Helicopters has been a trusted partner in Japan for 65 years, with about 380 helicopters supporting a wide range of missions across the country.

The innovative H160 is gaining momentum, with three units currently flying — two operated for law enforcement, and one for news gathering missions. This new H160 order is set to join the growing Japan fleet, reflecting the growing confidence in the helicopter’s versatility and performance among Japanese operators.
 
 

The number of foreign visitors to Japan reached an estimated 21,518,100 in the first half of 2025, passing the 20-million line at record pace, the Japan National Tourism Organization said Wednesday.
 
The figure for January-June was up 21.0 pct from a year before, boosted by increases in visitors mainly from China, especially during the country's Lunar New Year holiday period and the cherry blossom season in Japan.
 
Meanwhile, a preliminary report from the Japan Tourism Agency showed that consumption by foreign visitors to Japan in April-June rose 18.0 pct year on year to 2,525 billion yen.
 
In June alone, the number of foreign visitors grew 7.6 pct from a year earlier to 3,377,800, hitting the highest level for the month, according to JNTO. Visitors from Southeast Asia, Europe and the United States went up amid school holidays.
 

Japan today set up an administrative body aimed at easing citizens’ concerns over the rapid rise in the number of foreigners in recent years, as policies concerning non-Japanese residents emerge as a key issue in Sunday’s national election.

The body would serve as a cross-agency “control tower” to respond to issues such as crime and over-tourism involving foreigners, the government said.

Japan has long sought to maintain a homogeneous population through strict immigration laws, but has gradually eased them to supplement its shrinking and ageing labor force.

The number of foreign nationals hit a record of about 3.8 million last year, although that is still just 3% of the total population.

The formation of the administration body comes after a group of lawmakers in Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba’s Liberal Democratic Party in June proposed measures to realize a “society of orderly and harmonious coexistence with foreign nationals.”

Those measures included adopting stricter requirements for foreigners switching to a Japanese driver’s license and for buying real estate properties.

“Crimes and disorderly conduct by some foreigners, as well as the inappropriate use of various administrative systems, have created a situation in which the public feels uneasy and cheated,” Ishiba said at the kick-off ceremony.

Concerns over the influx of foreigners, both temporary and permanent, have resonated with voters, with opinion polls showing a rapid surge in the popularity of tiny populist party Sanseito, which advocates a “Japanese First” agenda.

Public opinion polls show the LDP and its junior coalition partner Komeito are in jeopardy of losing their majority in the upper house election on July 20.
 
 

The Indonesian Embassy in Tokyo has stated that the information circulating about the ban on Indonesian workers entering Japan in 2026 is inaccurate.

The embassy emphasizes that the information is not official and has not been conveyed by either the Indonesian or Japanese government.

According to the press release received in Jakarta on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, the Japanese government has never conveyed such information, and the issue is not part of the official discussions between the Indonesian and Japanese governments.

This statement from the Indonesian Embassy in Tokyo is in response to the circulation of information on social media claiming that Indonesian workers will be blacklisted by the Japanese government.

The embassy highlights that the bilateral relationship between Japan and Indonesia continues to thrive.

The embassy stresses the importance of maintaining and strengthening this relationship by all parties, both the governments and the people of both countries.

The Indonesian community in Japan actively collaborates with the Indonesian Embassy in Tokyo and the Indonesian Consulate General in Osaka in activities that strengthen people-to-people relations and support the Japanese government's initiatives, such as the acceptance of foreign residents and the realization of a harmonious and inclusive society.

The Indonesian Embassy in Tokyo encourages Indonesian citizens in Japan to continue working, learning, and excelling in their respective fields, and to actively promote Indonesian culture.

Furthermore, the embassy advises Indonesian citizens to abide by the rules and laws in Japan. The Japanese law enforcement authorities have the jurisdiction to handle legal cases, including those involving foreign nationals.

"In every activity, Indonesian citizens are expected to uphold norms, ethics, culture, and abide by the laws in Japan," stated the Indonesian Embassy in Tokyo.

In efforts to maintain a safe and conducive environment for all Indonesian citizens in Japan, the Indonesian Embassy in Tokyo, together with the Indonesian Consulate General in Osaka, continues to communicate and coordinate regularly with Japanese authorities.

This relationship extends beyond the central government level, reaching various prefectures and cities to ensure the protection and comfort of Indonesian residents and workers in the Land of the Rising Sun.
 
 

Typhoon Nari struck Japan's northern island of Hokkaido on Tuesday, marking the first landfall of a typhoon on the region since 2016.

The storm, which weakened to a tropical storm after landfall, hit near Cape Erimo at the southern tip of Hokkaido around 2 a.m., according to the Japan Meteorological Agency, News.Az reports, citing Japanese media.

The agency continued to warn of strong winds in Hokkaido, with maximum speeds of up to 87.48 kilometers per hour recorded in the city of Kushiro.

The typhoon, which formed over the weekend around 200 kilometers south of Chichijima Island in the Pacific, moved along the eastern side of the Japanese archipelago before approaching Hokkaido.

It was the first landfall in Hokkaido by a typhoon in July since Japan began compiling statistics in 1951.
 
 

The Japanese government on Tuesday launched a new office at the Cabinet Secretariat to oversee policies related to foreign residents.

The new office will tackle issues such as crimes and other incidents caused by some foreigners in the country.

The government aims to display its resolve to ramp up efforts over the matter, which has become one of the key issues in Sunday's election for the House of Councillors, the upper chamber of Japan's parliament.

"It's important to take strict measures against those who don't follow the rules, while reviewing systems that don't sufficiently meet the current situation surrounding foreigners," Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said at a launch ceremony at the prime minister's office. He instructed officials to collaborate across ministries and agencies.

The office is headed by Assistant Chief Cabinet Secretary Wataru Sakata and has 78 employees including those from the Immigration Services Agency.
 
 

The average correct answer rates in Japanese language and math sections of a national achievement test for students in Japan in fiscal 2025 fell from the previous year, the education ministry said Monday.

The correct answer rate for the Japanese language section dropped to 67.0 pct from 67.8 pct among elementary school sixth-graders.

Among junior high school third-graders, the rate sagged to 54.6 pct from 58.4 pct, the lowest level since the current question format was introduced in fiscal 2019. They struggled with writing tasks in particular.

For the math section, the rate slid to 58.2 pct from 63.6 pct among elementary school sixth-graders and to 48.8 pct from 53.0 pct among junior high school third-graders.

In science, whose test was conducted for the first time in three years, the correct answer rate rose to 57.3 pct from 49.7 pct in fiscal 2022 among elementary school sixth-graders.
 

 

The number of Arab residents in Japan totals 10,413 as of the end of December 2024, according to data obtained by Arab News Japan from the Ministry of Justice’s Immigration Agency. 

In the previous survey four years ago, there were only 6,356 Arab residents officially registered in Japan.

Egyptians make up the largest number with 2,713 residents, followed by Syrians (1,594) and Saudis (1,505). 

There are 1,112 Tunisians, followed by 458 people from the United Arab Emirates, then Sudanese (448), Algerians (365),Jordanians (348), Iraqis (281), Kuwaitis (271), Qataris (263), Yemenis (256), Lebanese (228), Palestinians (127), Omanis (117), Bahrainis (103), Libyans (108), Mauritanians (40), Djiboutians (37), Somalis (36) and Comorans (3).

The ministry divides the categories of residency into work, study, university education, art, religion, media, and highly skilled professionals in administration, law, accounting, medicine, research, education, and others.

Refugees, Japanese university graduates, entertainment performers and trainees are also included.

The number of registered foreign residents in Japan rose from 2,887,116 four years previously to 4,351,638 out of a total population of 123,153,518. 

Among all nationalities, Chinese residents made up the largest number with 1,064,472 residents, followed by Vietnamese at 609,799 and South Koreans (509,059).
 
 

A tropical depression in the East China Sea is forecast to approach the Kyushu region in southwest Japan toward Monday, bringing intense rainfall mainly to western Japan.

The Japan Meteorological Agency says warm, moist air is flowing from the south into the system, which is heading east. Rainclouds are developing in some parts of southern Kyushu and the Amami region of Kagoshima Prefecture.

The depression is expected to bring heavy rain and thunderstorms to these areas on Sunday.

With more humid air streaming in from Monday onwards, torrential rain could hit western Japan toward Monday and the Pacific coast side of eastern Japan on Tuesday.

Weather officials are calling for caution over landslides, flooding of low-lying areas and swollen rivers.

Meanwhile, temperatures are soaring in western Japan and elsewhere with 35 degrees Celsius or higher being registered in some locations.

Daytime highs will be 37 degrees in Osaka City; 36 degrees in Kyoto City, Takamatsu City, Tottori City and Fukui City; and 35 in Fukuoka City, Hiroshima City, Nagoya City and Nagano City.

 

Heatstroke alerts have been issued for a number of prefectures in western and southwestern Japan.

Looking eastward, Tropical Storm Nari is now approaching Japan's Ogasawara Islands and is expected to come close to eastern and northern Japan on Monday.

The meteorological agency says the tropical storm was spawned early Sunday and was heading north-northeast at 20 kilometers per hour as of Sunday noon in waters 100 kilometers east-southeast of Chichijima Island in the island chain.

It has a central atmospheric pressure of 994 hectopascals and is packing winds of up to 72 kilometers per hour near its center, with gusts of up to 108 kilometers per hour.

Strong winds of over 54 kilometers per hour are blowing within 440 kilometers on its southeastern side and within 165 kilometers on its northwestern side.

Nari is projected to move northward while strengthening and to approach eastern and northern Japan on Monday.

Due to warm and moist air flowing into the storm, torrential rain or thunderstorms may hit the Ogasawara Islands toward Monday, and the Kanto region, including Tokyo, the Izu Islands and the Tohoku region on Monday.

Weather officials are calling on people in the storm's path to be on the alert for landslides, flooding of low-lying areas and swollen rivers, as well as strong winds and high waves. They are also advising caution against lightning strikes and gusting winds.
 
 

Japanese Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako returned from their eight-day state visit to Mongolia on Sunday.

A Japanese government plane carrying the Imperial couple arrived at Tokyo's Haneda Airport in the afternoon after leaving Chinggis Khaan International Airport in Ulaanbaatar, the capital of Mongolia, earlier on Sunday.

On their way to Chinggis Khaan International Airport in the morning, Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako stopped by the official residence of Mongolian President Ukhnaa Khurelsukh in Ulaanbaatar and bid farewell to the president and his wife.

On Saturday, the Emperor and the Empress visited Hustai National Park, located about 100 kilometers west of central Ulaanbaatar and home to the Przewalski's horse, a Mongolian wild horse.

Emperor Naruhito named a foal born at the park this year "Tomo," or friend, and Empress Masako gave another foal the name "Ai," or love.

In their message issued through the Imperial Household Agency after their return home, Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako said: "We visited Mongolia together for the first time, and it was a truly memorable trip.

We sincerely hope that Japan and Mongolia will further deepen their friendship, goodwill and cooperative relations."
 
 

The Japan International Cooperation Agency will issue bonds worth around 23 billion yen ($160 million) next month to raise funds for infrastructure, education and other development needs of African nations.

The bond issuance will coincide with Japan's cohosting of the ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development in Yokohama, near Tokyo, on Aug. 20-22.

Government-backed JICA is hoping to target local governments, regional financial institutions and Japanese companies that are seeking to invest in the fast-growing, resource-rich continent and encourage them to purchase the bonds, with maturities of either three or five years.

"As Africa, with its large young population, holds significant growth potential, support (through the bonds) will help Japanese companies expand into the region," said Motohiro Matsumura, director of JICA's Planning and TICAD Process Division.

The issuance volume of the Africa TICAD bonds is expected to nearly double from 12 billion yen, issued under a similar scheme in 2019, when the international conference known as TICAD was last held in Japan.

Part of the funds raised through the bonds then was used to finance projects such as the construction of a bridge over the Nile River in Uganda to support logistics, and in the building of geothermal infrastructure in Kenya.

For this time, JICA plans to use the bonds also to promote Japanese-style education that fosters discipline through school activities and provide loans to farmers via financial institutions.

Cohosted by Japan and several multinational organizations, TICAD has been held every three years since its fifth session in 2013. Prior to that, the conference took place every five years following its launch in 1993.
 
 

Finland’s beloved Moomins — the fictional roundish trolls with distinctive large snouts — continue to enjoy enduring popularity in Japan as the world celebrates the 80th anniversary of the first novel’s publication.

The charming characters along with their diverse cast of companions from the series have captivated Japanese audiences for generations, appealing to both children and adults alike.

A Moomins-themed park that opened in 2019 in Hanno, Saitama Prefecture, attracts large crowds of visitors. Last year, the company managing Moomins-related licenses in Japan reported record-high sales, and the strong trend has continued into the current year.

The story of Moominvalley began in 1945 with Finnish author Tove Jansson's novel, "The Little Troll and the Big Flood." Since then, the Moomins and their friends have captured the hearts of readers around the world, not only through Jansson's books, but also through comic strips serialized in a British evening newspaper and popular anime adaptations, including those broadcast in Japan.

Even after Jansson's passing at the age of 86 in 2001, new anime inspired by her original works continue to be produced, ensuring that the magic of Moominvalley lives on for new generations.

Moominvalley Park in Hanno, located northwest of Tokyo, along with the adjacent Nordic lifestyle facility "metsa village," marked a combined total of 5 million visitors in January this year.

According to the operating company, visitor numbers have been steadily recovering since a decline during the COVID-19 pandemic. The complex now attracts a diverse range of guests, including many who are not dedicated Moomin fans.

This year, the Mori Arts Center Gallery in Roppongi, Tokyo, will host "Tove Jansson and the Moomins," an exhibition commemorating the 80th anniversary of the publication of the first Moomin novel. The exhibition will run for about two months from July 16. After its Tokyo debut, the exhibition will travel to various locations across Japan.

Moomin licensing in Japan is primarily managed by Tokyo-based Rights & Brands. According to company President Kumiko Ito, sales have been increasing steadily. "It's not just a temporary boom," Ito explained, suggesting that the Moomin stories "may resonate particularly well with the current era."

Demand for Moomin merchandise remains strong, and the number of official shops continues to grow. In May, a new Moomins-themed cafe opened in Tokyo's fashionable Omotesando district. Promotional collaborations with companies and other organizations are on the rise.

The values celebrated in Moomin tales, such as harmony with nature, acceptance of diversity and a focus on well-being, both physical and mental, strike a chord with audiences today, experts say.

Earlier this year, major paper manufacturer Oji Holdings announced a new initiative featuring the Moomin characters to promote the importance of forests. In addition, the company has incorporated Moomin designs into some of its tissue products.

For the past two years, major food company Calbee has featured Moomin characters in its advertising campaigns for potato snacks. The beloved characters also play a role in Calbee's product development and food education initiatives, helping the company communicate its commitment to environmental awareness.

Last year, Kitahiroshima, a city in Hokkaido entered into an agreement with Rights & Brands to leverage the popular Moomin brand for regional revitalization efforts.

Key initiatives under the partnership include educational programs designed to nurture emotional growth, with a focus on local resources and nature-based experiences.

Additionally, Kitahiroshima is promoting its unique local confectioneries as special gifts to donors participating in the hometown donation system for tax deductions.

Jansson grew up as part of Finland's Swedish-speaking minority, a community that made up less than 10% of the country's population. Also, as someone with a same-sex partner, she experienced life on the margins of mainstream society. Jansson began writing the Moomin novels in 1939, at a time when her homeland was being drawn into the turmoil of war.

Ito said, "At a time when it was difficult to have hope for the future, she created stories that depicted an ideal world, one that existed only in her mind and could not be touched by anyone else."

The stories "embody values that are especially important for our era, and they are often described as philosophical," she continued. "We hope that people will take the opportunity to experience these stories."
 
 

Local governments in Japan have been enhancing tourism promotion at the ongoing World Exposition in the city of Osaka in western Japan as three months will have passed as of Sunday since the six-month event began on April 13.

Officials of local governments are generally confident in their promotion activities, with some events to introduce local food and culture at the Expo proving popular.

Inbound visitors, however, have accounted for less than 10 pct of total visitors to the Expo so far. A challenge for local communities is how they can lure foreign visitors to their respective regions.

The six prefectures comprising the Kansai western region, including Osaka, and three nearby prefectures are jointly operating the Kansai Pavilion at the Expo.

The prefectural government of Mie, one of the three, exhibits traditions, culture and industries of the prefecture, with themes changing regularly.
 
 

The annual Japan Festival has begun in the Brazilian city of Sao Paulo, offering visitors the chance to sample local Japanese dishes and experience the country's atmosphere.

Brazil is home to the world's largest community of Japanese descendants. The festival is said to be one of the world's largest of its kind outside Japan.

The event showcases Japanese culture, including traditional drum performances. At the food corner, about 40 prefectural associations have set up booths where people can enjoy local dishes and sweets from around Japan.

One Brazilian visitor who has plans to visit Japan came to try Japanese food. Another said the hand-rolled sushi and matcha green tea were delicious.
The festival runs through Sunday. The organizer expects about 200,000 visitors.
 
 

With the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament set to open Sunday, a medical center near the competition venue has taken possession of a heavy-duty wheelchair built to transport the sport's heftiest wrestlers.

The chair, designed to accommodate patients weighing up to 300 kilograms, was presented Friday to the medical center affiliated with Nagoya City University Medical School. The facility is located a short distance from the newly built IG Arena, where the 15-day tournament will run through July 27.

The device was demonstrated by sumo's current heaviest competitor, fourth-tier sandanme wrestler Dewanojo, who tips the scales at 252 kg.
"The risk of injury is always there in sumo," Dewanojo said. "Having a wheelchair that's big enough provides peace of mind."

A Nagoya-based nursing home operator donated the German-made wheelchair, one of the largest in the world, according to the medical center.
It will also be on hand for use at next year's Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games and Asian Para Games.
 
 

Voters in Japan now can find out whether candidates support same-sex marriage and separate surnames for married couples by simply pointing a smartphone camera at campaign posters for the upcoming national upper house election.

The system, launched Thursday, was developed by advocacy groups in hope the new initiative would lead to better informed voters on the debates many consider to involve basic human rights.

When accessing the Marriage Vision website, smartphone screens will display one or both of "I support same-sex marriage" and "I support marriage with separate surnames" when candidates have expressed their backing.

If a candidate opposes same sex marriage or any change that would allow married couples to have different surnames, nothing will appear on screen, according to the system developed by Marriage For All Japan and Asuniwa, which campaigns for a change in the rules around surnames.

To develop the system, members of the groups took photos of posters of candidates nationwide after official campaigning for the July 20 House of Councillors election began and linked the images with responses given in a survey on the two contentious issues.

If a candidate did not respond to the survey, the smartphone screen will not display any message, even if they have publicly expressed support for either issue.

At an event held at Doshisha University in Kyoto where people trialed the system using posters of fictitious candidates, third-year student Ayaka Sato said the tool is helpful.

"Society would be less divided if it stood by minorities," Sato, 21, said.
First-year student Haruki Mimori, 19, said, "It would become easier to vote" if candidates' stances on other issues were also communicated this way.

Asuniwa representative Naho Ida said, "I want people to vote in a way that makes them feel that they have changed society with their own hands."

The Justice Ministry says Japan is believed to be the only country that requires couples to adopt the same surname upon marriage.

It is the only Group of Seven country that has not legalized same-sex marriage or civil unions.
 
 

On July 10, commencing at 10:30 a.m. local time (11:30 a.m. on July 10, JST) for approximately 30 minutes, Mr. IWAYA Takeshi, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, held a Japan-New Zealand Foreign Ministers’ Meeting with Rt. Hon.

Winston Peters, Minister of Foreign Affairs of New Zealand, during his visit to Kuala Lumpur for the ASEAN-related Foreign Ministers’ Meetings. The overview of the meeting is as follows:

1. At the outset, Minister Iwaya stated that amidst an increasingly severe regional strategic environment the strengthening of cooperation between Japan and New Zealand as partners in promoting a "Free and Open Indo-Pacific" was reassuring, and looked forward to enhancing “Strategic Cooperative Partnership”, in light of the steady deepening of bilateral security cooperation.The two ministers welcomed that the two countries have decided to commence negotiations toward the conclusion of the Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement (ACSA).
2. The two ministers exchanged views on the severe security environment in the Indo-Pacific region including Pacific Island countries and affirmed that the two countries continue to closely communicate on the regional affairs. Minister Iwaya asked for Minister Peters’ continued understanding and cooperation for the immediate resolution of the abductions issue and gained the support.
3. The two ministers also concurred on strengthening multi-layered cooperation with allies and like-minded countries to play an important role in tackling the strategic issues in the region and further strengthening collaboration in the economic sector, including the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).

A senior ruling party lawmaker on Wednesday faced a chorus of criticism for suggesting an earthquake that struck the Noto Peninsula in central Japan last year was "fortunate" in showing how improvements can be made in public services.

Yosuke Tsuruho, who made the remark Tuesday in a campaign speech for the House of Councillors election on July 20, apologized for the "inappropriate" remark but ruled out stepping down.

His comment came at a time when residents in Ishikawa and neighboring prefectures are still struggling to recover in the aftermath of the magnitude-7.6 quake on New Year's Day in 2024 that killed over 600 people. It prompted an immediate backlash from quake-affected residents and lawmakers across party lines.

The controversy may deal a blow to Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's Liberal Democratic Party ahead of the upper house election, with cabinet approval ratings already weak due to cost-of-living pressures and poor wage growth.

The LDP reprimanded Tsuruho, a veteran lawmaker who has headed the powerful Budget Committee of the upper house, where half of the members are set to be replaced in the upcoming election. His seat is not being contested, with his current six-year term having begun in 2022.

During a speech at a rally in his home prefecture of Wakayama, western Japan, Tsuruho apparently attempted to stress the need for local government administrative tasks -- such as obtaining residence and other official documents -- to be available outside a person's area of residence, as was possible after the Noto earthquake.

While praising the government's efforts to simplify such procedures, Tsuruho said, "Fortunately, there was an earthquake in Noto" that demonstrated rules can be relaxed for obtaining official documents away from the area of one's registered address.

Later Tuesday, Tsuruho backtracked with a statement, saying, "I lacked consideration for the victims, and my wording was inappropriate. I apologize and retract the remark."

But Tsuruho remained under fire even from within the ruling coalition on Wednesday.

Tetsuo Saito, leader of the LDP's long-term junior coalition partner Komeito party, said on social media that Tsuruho's comment on Noto "disregards the feelings of the victims and is absolutely unacceptable."

From Ishiba's government, which has touted the priority it places on disaster prevention, Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Keiichiro Tachibana said politicians should not make comments that "trample on the feelings of people affected by the disaster."

Opposition party leaders, who are seeking to wrestle majority control of the upper house from the ruling bloc, stepped up their criticism.

Yoshihiko Noda, leader of the largest opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, said he cannot let the comment pass as a "verbal slip." Asked by reporters about whether Tsuruho should step down, Noda said, "It's something that he should decide."

Survivors of the disaster also expressed their displeasure, with many calling Tsuruho's remarks insensitive. Masahiro Takaki, a 65-year-old lacquerware artisan living in temporary housing in Wajima, one of the hardest-hit cities in Ishikawa Prefecture on the Sea of Japan, was one of them.

"Lawmakers responsible for national politics should visit the affected areas more frequently and listen to the voices of those still struggling," Takaki said, expressing frustration with what he believes is a lack of empathy.

Besides its death toll in the hundreds, including those who later died from related health issues, the quake caused around 160,000 homes across the region to collapse fully or partially.
 
 

Six children who will lead one of the yamahoko floats for Kyoto’s Gion Festival visited Yasaka Shrine in Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, on Monday to pray that celebrations will go smoothly.

Gion Festival is one of Japan’s most famous festivals. During the grand parade on July 17, many floats with luxurious decorations, called “yama” or “hoko,” are drawn through the streets of Kyoto.

The children, ages 5 and 6, had their faces painted white and wore eboshi hats. They were dressed in bright orange and yellow-green kariginu, informal clothes worn by the nobility in the Heian period (794-late 12th century). The children prayed at the main hall of the shrine with their parents and members of the preservation group Ayagasahoko.

They also received an edict from the priest saying they were messengers of the gods, and circled clockwise around the main hall three times.

On the day, the temperature in Kyoto reached 37.9 C, a high for the year. “It was very hot and I was nervous, but I want to do my best [in the parade],” said one of the boys.
 
 

 

The Ministry of Manpower is exploring a potential partnership with the government of Japan's Kumamoto Prefecture to strengthen bilateral cooperation in the labor sector.

Secretary General of the Manpower Ministry, Cris Kuntadi, stated that this initiative also aims to support human resource development and ensure the legal and protected placement of Indonesian migrant workers.

"We believe that cooperation between Kumamoto Prefecture and Indonesia will grow stronger and deliver tangible benefits for both sides," Kuntadi noted in the ministry's official statement here on Wednesday.

He also expressed appreciation for the close relations between Indonesia and Japan, as well as the significant contributions of Indonesian migrant workers in Kumamoto.

As of October 2024, a total of 2,890 Indonesian citizens were recorded as working and studying in Kumamoto, making them the third-largest foreign community in the region.

“Indonesians in Kumamoto have made important contributions in sectors such as manufacturing, agriculture, fisheries, and elderly care. The Indonesian government remains committed to safeguarding their rights and well-being,” he noted.

He also affirmed the ministry's readiness to expand collaboration through the development of training curricula tailored to the needs of Kumamoto's industries, providing Japanese language skills training, and organizing job fairs and business matching events.

Kuntadi noted that the cooperation will be directed to align with Japan’s Technical Intern Training Program (TITP) and the Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) pathway.

“Indonesia has a pool of potential workers ready to be trained in accordance with Japanese standards. We are also able to draft a Letter of Intent (LoI) or Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish the cooperation framework,” he stated.

In addition, the Manpower Ministry has already established partnerships with Miyagi and Mie Prefectures, which could serve as references for Kumamoto Prefecture in initiating similar agreements.
 

Japan will set up an organization at the Cabinet Secretariat next week that will serve as the "control tower" to coordinate government efforts to deal with crimes by foreign residents, Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said Tuesday.

"We will promote various policies comprehensively with the control tower to realize an orderly and inclusive society with foreign residents," Ishiba said, asking related ministers to consider concrete measures.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said at a news conference later in the day that Japan needs to utilize foreign workers for its economic growth.

Still, he said that "there are situations where people feel a sense of unease over the inappropriate use of Japanese systems by some foreign residents or are worried about crimes they commit."
 
 

 
The Japanese government on Tuesday began urging travelers to keep power banks within reach on airplanes following a series of incidents of mobile batteries catching fire on flights.

Airline staff at airports across the country began asking flyers for their cooperation, with staff of All Nippon Airways group at a boarding point at Tokyo's Haneda airport urging against stowing power banks in overhead compartments onboard the aircraft.

"For safety, we would like to ask for understanding and cooperation," one staff member said.

Lithium-ion batteries, commonly used in power banks, can ignite upon physical impact or due to gradual degradation, according to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.

Mobile batteries are not allowed in checked baggage, and there are limits on the number and capacity permitted in carry-on luggage.
 
 

Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba on Tuesday expressed his appreciation to outgoing South Korean Ambassador to Japan Park Cheol-hee for his contributions to improving relations between Japan and South Korea.

During their meeting at the Prime Minister's Office, Park said he hopes that cooperation between the two countries will continue under the administration of South Korean President Lee Jae-myung, who took office last month.

The ambassador also said he hopes that the leaders of both countries will engage in "shuttle diplomacy," or mutual visits, more frequently.

"Japan and South Korea are important neighbors that should cooperate as partners in tackling challenges facing the international community," Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said at a news conference the same day.

"The two governments will continue their close communication so that Japan-South Korea ties advance stably," the top Japanese government spokesman said.
 
 

 

A UNESCO committee has rejected Seoul's request for a re-examination of Japan's handling of its Meiji-era industrial revolution sites on the World Heritage list, including now-defunct coal-mining facilities on the island of Hashima.

The South Korean government on Tuesday expressed regret over the World Heritage Committee's decision the previous day.

The island, widely known as Gunkanjima (battleship island), in the southwestern prefecture of Nagasaki, is a key item among the industrial revolution sites, which were registered as World Heritage sites in 2015.

The South Korean government initially opposed the registration, saying that there were insufficient explanations about laborers from the Korean Peninsula who worked at the sites.

But Seoul eventually gave its consent after Tokyo promised to ensure that full explanations would be given about the situation at the time.
 
 

For more than half a century, the Japanese government has encouraged its rice farmers to grow less of the crop so that prices of the national staple grain remained relatively high and steady. 

Now, under an ambitious agricultural policy announced this year, Tokyo is preparing for a reversal, envisaging a future of bountiful output that would secure the country's food security without sending prices into freefall and hurting its politically influential farmers.

The new direction has taken on an unexpected urgency as Japanese grapple with a shortage of the all-important staple, which has prompted a historic spike in prices, a flood of imports, and interest from President Donald Trump, who has renewed pressure on Japan to buy U.S. rice as part of the allies' elusive trade deal. 

It is a policy that many farmers like Kazuhachi Hosaka welcome in principle, but with trepidation because questions over how it would work in practice remain unanswered. The government is aiming to complete a roadmap by the middle of next year.

"We'd want the government to make sure there's some kind of a safety net for producers," Hosaka said at his farm in the northern prefecture of Niigata.
"It's easy enough to switch rice for feed or processed foods to staple rice. But tilling land for new paddies or switching from wheat or soybeans would require labour, machinery and all kinds of investments."

This year, Hosaka allocated all but 10 hectares (25 acres) of his 180-hectare land for staple rice, reducing feed-use rice by 20 hectares given the attractive prices. But he worries that prices could plunge if Japan's overall production goes unchecked under the new policy, set to be implemented from the 2027 crop year.

"I do feel conflicted," Hosaka said about the doubling of retail rice prices to above 4,000 yen for a 5kg bag this year in what has turned into a national crisis. 

"It's important that rice prices settle at levels acceptable to both producers and consumers," he said.

Hosaka hopes prices would stabilise around 3,000 to 3,500 yen - a level Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba also hopes would be palatable for voters. Supermarket prices fell for a fifth straight week, to 3,801 yen in the seven days to June 22, but were still 70% higher than the same period last year.

 

NATIONAL CRISIS

For Japanese people, rice is more than just a staple food.
Cultivated in the country for more than 2,000 years, rice is considered sacred in the indigenous Shinto religion and is deeply ingrained in local tradition and culture.

The Japanese are famously proud of their short-grain Japonica variety, protecting the market with trade barriers.

So when rice turned into a luxury item this year, consumers fumed and policymakers - facing imminent elections - worried. 

With an eye on voters ahead of an upper house election on July 20, the government has been releasing emergency rice from its stockpile to sell for about 2,000 yen per 5 kg. 

Farmers - also traditionally an important voting bloc for Ishiba's Liberal Democratic Party - were told it was a dire but necessary move to protect Japan's food security and prevent consumers from switching permanently away from homegrown rice.

But for most of the past 50 years, Japan has poured its energy into doing the opposite: providing subsidies to farmers to grow crops other than staple rice so as to prevent oversupply and a fall in prices.

That system backfired last year when the farm ministry misread supply from the heat-damaged 2023 harvest, resulting in a severe shortage in August. The ensuing surge in prices made Japan an anomaly against a fall in global prices, and exposed the risks of its approach.

 

The new policy, if successful, would prevent a recurrence by allocating 350,000 tons of rice for export in 2030 - an eight-fold jump from 45,000 tons last year - that could be redirected to the domestic market in the event of a shortage, the government says.

Some agricultural experts say the policy is unrealistic.
The idea of selling expensive Japanese rice abroad is counterintuitive, especially when even Japan is importing record amounts of the grain despite the 341 yen per kg levy that had previously priced foreign products out of the market.

Japanese have also acquired a taste for U.S. Calrose rice, while imports from Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam have also been popular with businesses and cost-conscious consumers.

"Expensive rice might sell to niche markets, but getting that up to 350,000 tons would require price competitiveness, and there's a long way for that," said Kazunuki Ohizumi, professor emeritus at Miyagi University and an expert on agricultural management.

The government aims to provide some form of support but also expects farmers to make their own efforts to consolidate, and make use of artificial intelligence and other technologies to lower production costs.

Meanwhile, Hosaka said, prices of fertilizers, pesticides and fuel have shot up, sending production costs through the roof.

"It's tough," he said. "The government has released quite a bit of stockpiled rice, so I'm very worried about prices falling even further."
 
 

The innovative achievements of the academic community at the Indonesian Defense University (Unhan RI) marked a remarkable milestone at the prestigious Japan Design and Invention Expo (JDIE) 2025, securing the highest honor, the Grand Prize, along with two Gold Medals from Japan on Sunday, July 6, 2025.

During the event, the Unhan delegation also received two Special Awards for The Best International Invention & Innovation, presented by the National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT) and Aurensia Company, Thailand, in recognition of their outstanding innovation, kemhan.go.id reported.

This achievement reinforces Unhan RI’s role as a national laboratory for the development of strategic innovations, while also affirming its commitment to advancing research and innovation with real-world impact, both on a national level and the global stage.

The competition, held in Bellesalle, Tokyo, Japan, from July 4–6, 2025, was organized by the World Intellectual Invention Property Association (WIIPA) and attracted innovators from various countries.

At the event, Unhan RI fielded two elite teams from the university’s Faculty of Engineering and Defense Technology.

The first team, Defender Team, presented an innovative project titled DEFEND, Detection of Emergencies and Features for Enhanced Network Defense. The second team showcased Advanced System Professional Rescue Robot (ASPRO), designed as a high-tech intelligent robotics-based rescue solution.

The first team leveraged artificial intelligence technology to detect potential threats to national vital assets. Their project, DEFEND, earned a Gold Medal at JDIE 2025.

Meanwhile, the second team’s innovation, ASPRO, a smart robotic rescue system, won both the Grand Prize and a Gold Medal.

Both Unhan RI teams were led by Contingent Commander Col. Inf. Adam Mardamsyah, M.Han., who also serves as Head of the Informatics Study Program and Lecturer in the Electrical Engineering Program, Faculty of Engineering and Defense Technology.

This proud achievement is expected to serve as an inspiration for the Unhan RI academic community to continue advancing innovation and responding to the challenges of modern defense. 

Unhan RI stands as a pioneering institution dedicated to advancing defense and strategic studies. Established in 2009, Unhan was envisioned as a center of excellence for cultivating future leaders in national defense, security, and resilience, open not only to military personnel but also to civilians, academics, and professionals from diverse backgrounds.

Unhan’s academic programs span undergraduate to doctoral levels,integrating military science with disciplines such as politics, economics, technology, and culture.

Its commitment to the Tri Dharma Perguruan Tinggi - education, research, and community service - has positioned it as a national think tank and innovation hub.

Its success at the Japan Design and Invention Expo (JDIE) 2025 underscores Unhan’s role as a strategic innovation lab with real-world impact.

With strong support from the Indonesian government, including the recent inauguration of the Bhinneka Tunggal Ika Campus by President Prabowo Subianto, Unhan continues to expand its influence, preparing graduates not only for defense roles but also for leadership in science, technology, and national development. 
 
 

As Tokyo seeks to avert the US' threat to impose tariffs of up to 35 per cent on Japanese goods, Prime Minister Ishiba stressed that Japan, as the biggest investor nation in the US economy, should be treated differently from other countries.

Japan's Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said on Sunday (Jul 6) that he won't "easily compromise" in talks with Washington as Tokyo seeks to avert United States President Donald Trump's threat to impose tariffs of up to 35 per cent on Japanese goods.

"We will not easily compromise. That's why it is taking time and why it is tough," Ishiba told a television talk show.

His comments came as Japan rushes to negotiate with the Trump administration before the Wednesday deadline for trade deals.

While Trump imposed a sweeping 10 per cent tariff on imports from most trading partners in April, he unveiled - then paused - higher rates on dozens of economies, including Japan, to allow room for negotiations.

This pause will expire Jul 9, meaning the elevated rates are due to kick in if countries fail to reach agreements with Washington to avert them.

Trump has said he was going to write a letter to Japan, asking it to "pay a 30 per cent, 35 per cent or whatever the number is that we determine," and called the bilateral trade relation "unfair".

He has particularly pressed Japan to accept more US automobiles and rice.
Ryosei Akazawa, Tokyo's trade envoy, held telephone calls with US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick on Thursday and Saturday.

In the Sunday television show, Ishiba reiterated that Japan, as the biggest investor nation in the US economy, should be treated differently from other countries.

"What is unfair? How is it unfair? We need to examine each one (of the US claims)," he said.

"We are allies, but we have to say what we have to say. We are the world's largest investor nation and the largest job creator (in the US). We are different," he said.

On another Sunday television show, Ishiba said Japan was "preparing to deal with all kinds of situations", when asked about how he plans to deal with Trump's letter.
 
 

A magnitude 5.4 earthquake has struck in waters off Kagoshima Prefecture, southwestern Japan.

Meteorological Agency officials say the quake occurred near the Tokara Islands at a depth of 19 kilometers but there is no threat of tsunami.

The quake struck at about 6:30 a.m. on Saturday. On Akusekijima Island, the tremor registered upper 5 on Japan's seismic intensity scale, which goes from 0 to 7.

There has been a marked increase in seismic activity around the Tokara island chain for two weeks. More than 1,300 noticeable tremors have been recorded.

A magnitude 5.5 quake struck in the same area on Thursday. Officials say residents should stay alert, and that the shaking could continue.
 
 

A record 80% of mothers in Japan were employed in 2024, a welfare ministry survey showed Friday.

The proportion of working mothers rose 3.1 percentage points from the previous year to 80.9%, topping 80% for the first time since the annual survey started in 1986.

The latest survey also found that 58.9% of households felt they were struggling to make ends meet, almost unchanged from the year before.

The share of households with children slid 1.5 points to a record low of 16.6%, meaning that the number of such households in the country is estimated at 9.07 million.

Among households with children, the proportion of mothers working as regular employees rose 1.7 points to a record high of 34.1%.

The average income per household was ¥5.36 million in 2023, up 2.3% from 2022. Households with one or more children earned ¥8,205,000 on average.
 

 

 

The ruling Liberal Democratic Party may be able to secure only around 40 seats in the upcoming House of Councillors election as its candidates are struggling in prefectural constituencies, making it uncertain whether the ruling coalition of the LDP and Komeito will be able to maintain their upper house majority, according to an analysis by The Yomiuri Shimbun.

The analysis is based on a survey conducted both by telephone and online on Thursday and Friday, taking into consideration coverage by reporters at the Yomiuri’s regional bureaus across the country.

The most attention is focused on whether the ruling coalition can secure at least 50 seats, thereby keeping their majority in the upper house.

Results in prefectural constituencies where only one seat is up for grabs are expected to affect the overall election result. Among those constituencies, the LDP is in the lead in constituencies with solid conservative foundations, such as Ishikawa, Fukui and Yamaguchi. But the party’s candidates are lagging those associated with opposition parties in the Tohoku region, Shikoku and Kyushu.
 

 

In constituencies where multiple seats are contested, the party may be able to win one seat each in those where two seats are up for grabs, including Ibaraki and Shizuoka. But the race is close in constituencies where three or more seats are contested as multiple candidates have a 50-50 chance of winning.

The situation for Komeito is also highly unpredictable. In constituencies where multiple seats are up for grabs, its candidates are running close races in Saitama, Kanagawa, Osaka and Hyogo. As the party is also struggling with the proportional representation segment, Komeito may lose some of the contested seats it previously held.

In contrast, the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan is faring well. It is in the lead in several prefectural constituencies where one seat is contested, including Nagano, Mie and Oita. It is also one of the top parties in constituencies where multiple seats are up for grabs, including Hokkaido, Saitama, Chiba and Kanagawa.

The CDPJ is also doing solidly in the proportional representation segment, likely winning as many as seven seats, the same number it won in the previous upper house election.

The Democratic Party for the People is running ahead in the prefectural constituency in Kagawa, from which its leader Yuichiro Tamaki was elected.

It is also leading over other parties in the Shizuoka and Aichi constituencies, where multiple seats are up for grabs. As the party is faring well in the proportional representation segment, it may be able to win double the number of seats it had before the election.

Sanseito may be able to secure a seat in the Tokyo constituency and win multiple seats in the proportional representation segment, possibly making a huge advance.

The Japan Innovation Party, the Japanese Communist Party and Reiwa Shinsengumi are fighting for seats in constituencies where multiple seats are up for grabs. The Conservative Party of Japan is likely to win its first upper house seat in the proportional representation segment.

In the upcoming upper house election, 125 of 248 seats are up for grabs. A total of 522 people filed their candidacies — 350 for 75 constituency seats and 172 for the proportional representation segment.

The phone and online survey received responses from 140,537 people. As a certain number of respondents did not give the names of candidates or parties they plan to vote for, the situation still remains fluid.
 
 

Sea Transportation Directorate General at Indonesia’s Transportation Ministry, along with Japan’s Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism Ministry (MLIT), is reinforcing maritime synergy through a technical port training program under the Japan-Indonesia Economic Partnership Agreement (JIEPA).

Director of Ports at the Ministry of Transportation, Muhammad Anto Julianto, expressed appreciation for the ongoing cooperation, emphasizing that the program supports JIEPA, especially in technical collaboration, knowledge sharing, and human resource capacity building.

“This initiative is a strategic step to transform Indonesia’s port sector into one that is more competitive, resilient, and sustainable,” Anto stated during the JIEPA Port Technical Training in Jakarta, Wednesday evening (July 2, 2025).

Anto highlighted the importance of learning from Japan’s experience in sustainable port infrastructure, stating that collaboration with MLIT and OCDI offers valuable insights for building competent maritime human resources in Indonesia—crucial for addressing modern challenges such as environmental issues and increasingly complex bilateral trade.

The three-day training (July 2–4, 2025) involves officials, technical staff, and stakeholders from ports across Indonesia. Anto is upbeat that it would lay a strong foundation for improving national port service quality and further strengthening Indonesia–Japan bilateral ties.

MLIT’s International Coordinator, Fujiwara Hiromichi, welcomed the program as a milestone in maintaining the countries’ long-standing technical cooperation.

“This training is the first initiative under the Economic Partnership Agreement, held at Indonesia’s request,” Fujiwara stated.

He also commended Indonesia’s continued trust in Japan’s role in port development, citing major projects such as Patimban Port in Subang, West Java.

“I visited Patimban yesterday and was deeply moved by the significant progress. I am proud that Japan is trusted to contribute to Indonesia’s economic and social development,” he remarked.

The training covers planning, management, maintenance, and climate change issues, delivered by top Japanese experts with hands-on experience.
 

South Korean President Lee Jae-myung said Thursday that he is working to arrange an early visit to Japan, hoping to continue the two countries' "shuttle diplomacy," or mutual visits by their leaders.

With the two nations commemorating this year the 60th anniversary of diplomatic normalization, Lee also voiced his hope that Tokyo and Seoul will release a new bilateral statement.

Like the 1998 Japan-South Korea joint declaration, which called on the two countries to build a future-oriented relationship, the East Asian neighbors need to clearly depict their relations, he added.

He made these remarks at a press conference held in Seoul to mark a month since he took office on June 4.

Lee held his first in-person meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba later in June, on the sidelines of the summit of the Group of Seven major countries in Canada, to which the South Korean leader was invited as a guest.

Lee said that he proposed to Ishiba the continuation of the shuttle diplomacy and that he hopes to reduce misunderstandings between South Korea and Japan, and promote bilateral cooperation through mutual visits and dialogue.
 
 

A magnitude 5.5 earthquake struck near the Tokara Islands in Kagoshima Prefecture at 4:13 p.m. Thursday, according to the Meteorological Agency.
Authorities said there was no risk of a tsunami and there have been no immediate reports of damage or injuries.

The strongest shaking was recorded on Akuseki Island, where the tremor measured lower 6 on Japan's seven-point shindo seismic intensity scale. A level 3 quake was also reported on Kodakara Island within the same island chain.

The quake's epicenter was located off the coast between the two islands at a depth of about 20 kilometers.

The government has set up a crisis management center at the Prime Minister’s Office in response to the magnitude 5.5 earthquake Thursday afternoon.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said in a news conference Thursday evening that all residents on the Akuseki Island has been confirmed safe with no reports of damages to infrastructure and utilities so far. But he added that it will continue to be in close contact with local municipalities.

"We ask local residents to be on alert for an earthquake with a shindo 6 or higher," Hayashi said.

Genichiro Kubo, the mayor of Toshima Village in Kagoshima Prefecture, announced during an online meeting of the prefectural disaster response headquarters that they plan to transport residents who wish to evacuate off Akuseki island and are ready to do so to the city of Kagoshima by ship tomorrow, NHK said.

NHK said that the first group will depart from Naze Port on Amami Oshima Island, approximately 120 kilometers south of Akuseki island, at 2 a.m. on Friday, and will be evacuated via a village-operated ferry heading to Kagoshima Port.

The ferry is scheduled to stop at the seven inhabited islands of Toshima Village en route to Kagoshima Port. After arriving at Kagoshima Port tomorrow night, evacuees will be accommodated at lodging facilities arranged by the village.

As of Thursday, the Tokara Islands have recorded around 1,000 earthquakes since the burst of seismic activity first began on June 21. According to the agency, several more earthquakes measuring shindo 1 occurred shortly after the shindo lower 6 quake was registered.

While the area is known to be quake-prone, the series of earthquakes this time marks the highest number recorded since 1995. In 2023, 346 quakes registering shindo 1 or above were recorded in September.

Before that, in December 2021, 308 jolts were logged including a magnitude 6.1 earthquake on Akuseki Island that registered upper 5 on the shindo scale.

The combined population of all seven inhabited Tokara Islands was 668 as of June 30, according to the Toshima village hall website.

Isamu Sakamoto, the head of a community association on Akuseki Island, told The Japan Times on Wednesday that residents had agreed to evacuate their homes to a school on the island in the event of any earthquake measuring shindo upper 5 or above.
 
 

Japan has seen a disturbing rise in nationwide child abuse cases over the past three decades and the problem is getting worse each year. Now, one woman who was abused as a child is working to open a shelter for girls and young women.

Kogetsu Otagaki, 24, was taken into custody at a children's shelter at age 18, but says staff were not serious about caring for their wards. She knows from experience that kids seeking safety from violence need not only protection but comprehensive support for all aspects of life.

"Half-hearted intervention doesn't heal wounds but instead inflicts new pain. Real support is crucial," Otagaki, director of nonprofit Child Oasis Kogetsu Villa, told Kyodo News in a recent interview.

There were 2,649 cases of child abuse in Japan in 2024, a record high, the National Police Agency announced in June. The figure includes 52 children who died, up 24 from 2023.

Government data shows that child welfare centers responded to a record-high 225,500 reports of child abuse in fiscal 2023, with psychological abuse making up more than half. Physical abuse made up 22.9 percent, or 51,623 cases, followed by 36,465 cases of neglect and 2,473 sexual abuse cases.

Under Japanese law, psychological abuse includes witnessing domestic violence, which some experts say is one factor in the long-term increase in child abuse cases.

The total rose 5.0 percent, or 10,666 cases, from fiscal 2022, marking the 33rd consecutive year of increase since records began, according to the revised figures compiled by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare and the Children and Families Agency.

The percentage of physical abuse among all cases tends to increase with age.
The increase in the number of reported cases is believed to be attributed to the fact that some parents feel trapped raising their kids without being able to consult with anyone, as well as to the establishment of a nationwide hotline which can be used to immediately report abuse once it is suspected.

Otagaki, who currently lives in Chiba, near Tokyo, says her father was verbally abusive when he would get drunk. When she was in elementary school, he became violent, shoving her into a trash bin and saying he was throwing her away.

In high school, her father would keep her up at night, berating her.
"'You have nowhere to run,' he told me," she said. Otagaki would cry so hard she would often hyperventilate and breathe into a bag to calm herself.

Stressed, Otagaki gained weight. She cut off her hair, which she had carefully grown out over the years. She was a far cry from how she had imagined herself as a high school girl.

The daily scoldings began to take their toll on her sleep, and she started to have trouble staying awake in class. At the age of 15, she was temporarily taken into protective custody at a child welfare facility at the urging of a teacher.

When she returned home a few months later, her father blamed her mother, saying, the reason Otagaki was "abducted by the child welfare center" was because her mother had raised her wrong. The family environment deteriorated. The abuse intensified.

She had believed her mother was basically kind, even though she would sometimes encourage her father's outbursts. But when she was 16, her mother threatened her with a knife and Otagaki realized she was also an abuser.

At the age of 18, Otagaki feared for her life and called a local government hotline. She found a private children's shelter where she was taken into protective custody. The family-like, peaceful environment allowed her to gradually recover.

But she questioned the shelter's strict rules. Internet and telephone access were prohibited in order to shield the location of youths from their parents.

Residents could not readily go to school or find work to their satisfaction. Otagaki felt that while the center was protecting the children, it was not preparing them for their future lives.

As her physical strength declined due to lack of exercise, the only jobs arranged for her were a live-in caretaker and farmhand.

Otagaki was unable to handle the grueling work and was bullied. She quit both jobs after three months. She had lost her home, employment and had grown distrustful of the shelter.

In August 2024, Otagaki established her nonprofit in Chiba because she wants to provide services offering a "child's perspective." She aims to open the facility next spring for girls and women ages 15 to 20 to live, commute to school and find employment.

Some of the renovation and operating costs of the facility are expected to come from the government and Chiba City. A municipal official pointed out that it's rare for a person who has been an abuse victim to create such a facility.

Otagaki says she understands that her father was "immature" and taking out his frustrations on a daughter who was unable to fight back. They now live apart.

"I hope he will someday reflect on the scars he left on my life," she said.
Otagaki abandoned her original given name, which her parents had constantly yelled at her in anger, changing it last year to Kogetsu, using kanji characters for "bright moon."

"When I called the hotline office from the park for help, I looked up crying and saw the moon shining in the night sky. I want to be like the full moon that shines on children," she said.
 
 

Japan is preparing for a possible “megaquake” with a feared death toll of up to 300,000 people.

The Japanese government said that much more needs to be done to prepare for a possible “megaquake” to reduce the feared death toll of up to 300,000 people.

Quakes are extremely hard to predict, but in January a government panel marginally increased the probability of a major jolt in the Nankai Trough off Japan in the next 30 years to 75-82 per cent.

The government then released a new estimate in March saying that such a megaquake and subsequent tsunami could cause as many as 298,000 deaths and damages of up to $US2 trillion ($A3 trillion).

In 2014 the Central Disaster Management Council issued a preparedness plan recommending a series of measures that, it was hoped, would reduce deaths by 80 per cent.

But the government has said that so far the steps taken would only cut the toll by 20 per cent, Kyodo news agency reported, and an updated preparedness plan was issued on Tuesday.

This recommended accelerated efforts including constructing embankments and evacuation buildings as well as more regular drills to improve public readiness.

“It is necessary for the nation, municipalities, companies and non-profits to come together and take measures in order to save as many lives as possible,” Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba told a government meeting, local media reported.

The Nankai Trough is an 800-kilometre undersea gully running parallel to Japan’s Pacific coast where one tectonic plate is “subducting” – slowly slipping – underneath another.

Over the past 1400 years, megaquakes in the Nankai Trough have occurred every 100 to 200 years. The last one was in 1946.
 
 

Japan experienced its hottest June on record, the weather agency said on Tuesday (Jul 1), as climate change prompts sweltering heat waves across the globe.

"Japan's monthly average temperature in June was the highest for the month since statistics began in 1898," said the Japan Meteorological Agency.

With strong high-pressure systems in June staying in the region, the average monthly temperature was 2.34 degrees Celsius higher than the standard value, the agency said.

The coastal water temperature near Japan also measured 1.2 degrees Celsius higher than usual, tying with June 2024 for the highest since data collection began in 1982, the agency said.

The body also had a further warning that is becoming routine for Japanese residents: "The next month is expected to continue to bring severe heat throughout the country."

The announcement came as scientists say human-induced climate change is making heatwave events more intense, frequent and widespread.

Brutal heat waves are currently sweeping Europe from France to Greece, while global footballers' union FIFPro has called for longer half-time breaks at next year's World Cup to mitigate the effects of extreme heat.

Japanese meteorologists have warned against drawing a direct link between specific weather conditions, like higher temperatures in a specific time, with climate change.

But they have observed a changing climate over many years that is causing unpredictable weather phenomena.

Japan remains heavily dependent on imported fossil fuels and has the dirtiest energy mix in the G7, campaigners say.

The government has pledged to reduce carbon emissions by 60 per cent by 2035 and by 73 per cent by 2040, against the 2013 standard, with the ultimate aim to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.

Japan's summer last year was the joint hottest on record, equalling the level seen in 2023, followed by the warmest autumn since records began 126 years ago.

Experts even warn that Japan's beloved cherry trees are blooming earlier due to warmer climate or sometimes even not fully blossoming because autumns and winters are not cold enough to trigger flowering.

The famous snowcap of Mount Fuji was also absent for the longest recorded period last year, not appearing until early November, compared with the average of early October.

Last week, the rainy season ended in the western region of Japan, the earliest date on record and around three weeks earlier than usual.
Raging typhoons in summers routinely have caused violent floods in Japan while brutal heat waves have resulted in deadly heat strokes among the elderly.

Increasingly dry winters have raised the risk of wildfires, with a northern area of Ofunato earlier this year seeing the nation's biggest forest fire in three decades.

At the same time, other areas have seen record snow falls that resulted in fatal accidents, traffic disruption, and higher avalanche risk.