The government Friday adopted a support program for the so-called employment ice age generation, planning to implement assistance measures intensively over three years through fiscal 2028.

The program focuses on improving working conditions and securing housing in anticipation of the aging of the ice age generation, or those who had trouble finding jobs after graduating from school in the wake of the collapse of Japan's bubble economy in the early 1990s.

Progress will be reviewed annually at meetings of local governments, experts and labor and management representatives, and support measures will be revised as necessary.

Under the program, information on job changes that would lead to wage increases will be provided at Hello Work public job placement offices across the country. Reskilling opportunities will be offered through subsidies to local governments.

To prepare for the aging of the ice age generation, the government will also work to facilitate the provision of low-rent housing and to secure employment opportunities after they turn 65.

The support program was drawn up based on a policy adopted by the government in June 2025.
 
 

Japan Railways Group (JR Group) on Thursday announced that it will raise prices for its Japan Rail Pass, a ticket popular among foreign tourists that allows unlimited travel on trains across Japan, including most shinkansen bullet train services.

Prices for the pass will increase by around five percent to six percent under the first revision in three years, which will come into effect from October 1.

The price of a pass depends on its validity period. An adult seven-day pass will increase by 3,000 yen ($19) to 53,000 yen for travel in standard train carriages, and by 4,000 yen to 74,000 yen for premium Green Car carriages. 

Other price changes for adult passes include an increase of 4,000 yen to 84,000 yen for a 14-day pass (standard carriage), and 5,000 yen to 105,000 yen for a 21-day pass (standard carriage). 

JR Group last revised prices for its Japan Rail Pass in October 2023, when they were hiked by around 70 percent. The group said the latest revision reflects fare adjustments made by some of its member companies since then. 

In March, East Japan Railway Co. (JR East) raised fares on its trains by an average of 7.1 percent in what was the first full-scale hike for the group company since its creation 1987. Under the hike, the base fare of 150 yen for local trains increased to 160 yen. 

The Japan Rail Pass covers travel on trains and shinkansen operated by all six JR Group passenger railway operators.

Services covered include limited express, express, rapid, and local trains, as well as some buses and ferries. Exceptions include the super-express Nozomi and Mizuho shinkansen on the Tokaido, Sanyo, and Kyushu lines, for which pass holders need to pay a supplementary fare.

The pass is available to foreign tourists visiting Japan under the entry status of "temporary visitor."

Travelers can buy passes before arriving in Japan at designated sales offices and through official agents overseas, as well as via the official online platform, Japan Rail Pass Reservation.

To encourage use of the online platform, JR Group said prices for passes purchased this way will remain unchanged for a limited time.  
 


 

The Diet, Japan's parliament, began substantive deliberations Friday on a bill to establish a national intelligence council aimed at enhancing the government's intelligence capabilities.

At the day's meeting of the Cabinet Committee of the House of Representatives, the lower chamber of the Diet, Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Masanao Ozaki said that an agency that would serve as the secretariat of the proposed council is "expected to take effective measures against foreign influence operations."

 

It is "urgent" to take measures against such activities, including the spread of false information, because they are "a security threat and shake the foundations of democracy," Ozaki emphasized.

Yuichi Goto of the main opposition Centrist Reform Alliance requested that the bill stipulate the protection of privacy, including personal information.

In response, Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara said, "Information will be collected in accordance with the law on the protection of personal information, and we do not see the need to set out separate provisions."
 
 

The number of soft drink vending machines installed in Japan in 2025 fell to 1.95 million, preliminary year-end figures show, dropping below 2 million for the first time in the 30 years for which records are available.

The figure is down about 20 percent from its peak seen in 2014 as a series of price hikes has driven more consumers away from the relatively costly items in the machines. This in turn has prompted beverage makers to remove unprofitable units and begin restructuring their businesses.

According to the institute in charge of beverage marketing and research, the number fell by 90,000 from the previous year, the largest decline on record since the Tokyo-based organization started the survey in 1995.

Sales initially grew on the convenience of being available anytime, making vending machines a lucrative source of revenue. But providing staff for restocking and distribution costs have become a burden, and the machines have lost their appeal as a sales channel, particularly as supermarkets and drugstores are able to offer discounts.

Major soft drink makers, including Coca-Cola Bottlers Japan Inc and Dydo Group Holdings Inc, have been hit by weaker earnings as consumers turn away from vending machines, posting losses or falling into the red.

Coca-Cola Bottlers Japan said it has reduced the number of its vending machines to around 650,000 from about 700,000 over the past few years, while DyDo has indicated plans to cut the number by a further 20,000.

Despite that, the machines are still relatively widespread in Japan compa
red with other countries and they are particularly popular with foreign tourists as a symbol of public safety, as vandalism and theft involving them is rare.
 
 

Japan is considering an additional release of its oil reserves providing 20 days of domestic consumption in May, as uncertainties remain over safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz even with the U.S.-Iran ceasefire, a source close to the matter said Thursday.

The United States and Iran agreed to a conditional two-week ceasefire on Tuesday, shortly before the expiry of U.S. President Donald Trump's self-imposed deadline for Tehran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz or face the destruction of its critical infrastructure.

But it remains uncertain whether the strait will be reopened or operate under the same conditions as it was before the war, with Israel continuing to attack the Iran-affiliated Hezbollah militant group in Lebanon.

The industry ministry is weighing up the extra release on concerns that the effective closure of the strait may continue.

The government started its largest-ever discharge of oil stockpiles in mid-March to ensure a stable oil supply after the U.S.-Israeli launch of attacks on Iran on Feb. 28 left the key energy shipping waterway largely closed.

The government aims to provide a total of about 80 million barrels of oil, equivalent to about 50 days' worth of consumption, to the market from oil reserves held by the state, the private sector and oil-producing Gulf countries.

Of the total, state-held oil covering 30 days is set to be released from 11 bases nationwide by the end of April.

Resource-poor Japan relies on imports for almost all of its crude oil, with over 90 percent of it coming from the Middle East.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi expressed her support for a possible additional joint oil stockpile release by the 32-member International Energy Agency when she met with IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol in Tokyo last month.

IEA countries also started their oil reserve releases in mid-March, totaling over 400 million barrels, the first such coordinated move since 2022 when Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
 
 

While the United States and Iran have reached a two-week ceasefire agreement, 42 Japan-linked ships still cannot leave the Persian Gulf due to Iran's de facto blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran has suggested that it will allow ships to safely pass through the strait, a key checkpoint for energy shipments, during the two-week period, provided that they coordinate with its military. However, specific procedures remain unclear.

"It'd be good if the remaining ships can leave as soon as possible," said an official from the Japanese Ship Owners' Association. "We're closely monitoring the situation."

In a social media post, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi indicated that vessels would be able to sail through the strait after coordinating with the military and assessing technical constraints.

However, a shipping industry source said that this post contains "no reliable and specific information." A shipping firm official said there has been "no change in the situation."

The 42 remaining ships include 12 crude oil tankers, which can carry oil equivalent to about 10 days of Japan's domestic consumption, as well as chemical tankers carrying liquid products, vehicle carriers, liquefied natural gas ships and tankers carrying petroleum products.

Normally, a two-week period is enough time for these ships to exit the Persian Gulf. However, even if safe passage is guaranteed, shipping companies alone cannot decide on departure because they need to consult with cargo owners.

"We don't even have information for consultations (with cargo owners) at the moment," an industry source said.

Amid the blockade, three Mitsui O.S.K. Lines ships have passed through the strait. The company said that it would continue to prioritize the safety of its ships, crew members and cargo.
 
 

The government is planning to subsidize municipalities’ efforts to help foreign residents understand local rules and customs, such as how to properly sort garbage.

The government is planning to subsidize municipalities’ efforts to help foreign residents understand local rules and customs, such as how to properly sort garbage.

Ministerial ordinances will be amended this fiscal year by the Internal Affairs and Communications Ministry so the government can use a special local grant tax to cover half the cost of initiatives that local governments conduct independently for such matters.

The measure is aimed at promoting the “realization of a well-ordered inclusive society with foreign nationals” advocated by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s administration.

Half the costs that local governments incur informing foreign residents of common systems in Japan, such as taxes and social insurance, are already covered by the central government.

However, the growing number of foreign residents had led to more and more difficulties with such daily matters as throwing away garbage.

Municipalities have therefore sought greater support from the government.
The central government envisions paying part of the costs necessary to raise awareness of detailed local rules and to assist with administrative procedures at city offices.

The grants will cover some expenses for classes meant to help foreign residents acquire adequate language skills to understand local rules.
The support will cover labor costs for staff who respond to foreign residents who are asked to visit local government offices by the Immigration Services Agency (ISA)’s consultation desk.

Financial help will likewise be provided for initiatives aimed at training and recruiting personnel who act as intermediaries between foreign residents and municipalities to convey information about daily life and people’s requests.

A system will be introduced that provides an additional ordinary local allocation tax based on the number of foreign staff members, known as coordinators for international relations (CIRs), who are assigned to those municipalities.

The aim is to expand CIRs’ roles to include language instruction and lifestyle counseling by increasing their number.

There were 4,125,395 foreign residents as of the end of 2025, a record high for the fourth consecutive year, according to the ISA.

This represents an increase of 356,418 compared to the same period the previous year, exceeding the 4 million threshold for the first time.
 

 

The Japanese government has decided to add 17 airports and ports to its list of designated facilities to allow the Self-Defense Forces and the Japan Coast Guard to use them from peacetime onward as part of efforts to strengthen the country's defenses.

The newly added facilities include New Chitose Airport in the northernmost prefecture of Hokkaido, Chubu Centrair International Airport in the central prefecture of Aichi and Sendai-Shiogama Port in the northeastern prefecture of Miyagi, according to the decision made on Wednesday.

With the designation, runways will be expanded and seawalls will be improved to prepare for potential use by the SDF and the JCG in contingencies. The latest designation will bring the total number of such facilities to 57--24 airports and 33 ports.

The government has earmarked 225 billion yen in related costs in fiscal 2026, including funds for road development to enhance accessibility to designated facilities in Hokkaido, the Kyushu southwestern region and the southernmost prefecture of Okinawa, more than doubling from 96.8 billion yen in the previous year.
 
 

North Korea launched several short-range ballistic missiles toward the Sea of Japan on Wednesday morning, according to the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Fired from the Wonsan area in the eastern North Korean province of Kangwon, the missiles are believed to have flown around 240 kilometers.

The latest missile firing came after North Korea launched a projectile suspected to be a ballistic missile from the Pyongyang area only on Tuesday.

Speaking at a press conference in Tokyo on Wednesday, Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara said that no missiles have been confirmed to have entered Japan's exclusive economic zone. There have been no reports of damage to property and people, he added.

"North Korea's recent string of actions threaten the peace and security of our country, the region and the international community," the top Japanese government spokesman said, adding that Japan will work closely with the U.S. and South Korean governments to gather information and engage in warning and surveillance activities.
 
 

The Fukuoka Prefectural Police have arrested five more people with alleged links to Philippines-based Japanese crime ring JP Dragon on suspicion of fraud and theft.

The suspects, including Miyako Iwamoto, 34, had been detained by Philippine immigration authorities in October and were later transfered to Japan. The Fukuoka police made the arrests on Tuesday.

According to investigators, the five allegedly posed as police officers in December 2022 during a call with an elderly woman in Gifu Prefecture. They defrauded her of ¥1.4 million and stole her cash card.

The latest arrests have brought the total number of apprehended members and people with ties to the group to 14.

Investigators suspect that the group illicitly obtained about ¥900 million from roughly 250 victims across some 20 prefectures since autumn 2019.

In a related case, the Philippine authorities detained alleged leader Ryuji Yoshioka, 55, in June 2025. The Fukuoka police have obtained an arrest warrant on suspicion of theft and are seeking his extradition.
 
 

As part of efforts to support the development of artificial intelligence, the government on Wednesday approved a bill that would relax regulations under the Law on the Protection of Personal Information at a Cabinet meeting before submitting the bill to the House of Representatives.

The bill seeks to strike a balance between privacy protection and supporting AI development by establishing a new penalty system for malicious violations of the law. The government aims to pass it during the current Diet session.

Under the current law, businesses must obtain an individual’s consent when acquiring sensitive personal information that requires special care in handling — such as their medical records, disabilities or criminal records.

However, under the new bill, businesses could be exempted from having to obtain consent to collect such information, as long as it is only to be used for statistical and other limited purposes.

Since this scheme would apply to the collection of vast amounts of data essential for AI training, it is expected to provide a boost to the development of the technology.

While the bill would relax regulations in some ways, penalties for remaining violations would be strengthened. In cases of serious violations that infringe on individual rights, the bill would newly allow for the imposition of administrative fines equivalent to the profits gained by the business operator.

Rules on the handling of children’s personal information would also be tightened. When a business operator collects personal information on individuals under the age of 16, it would be required to notify their parents of its purpose in acquiring the data.
 
 

 

 
The government Tuesday adopted a bill to designate digital textbooks as official materials on par with their conventional printed versions and to make them eligible for free distribution in elementary and junior high schools.

Japan is expected to use digital textbooks, which are currently treated as supplementary learning materials, as official textbooks from as early as fiscal 2030 after government screenings in fiscal 2028.

Local boards of education will select the books. Use of either paper textbooks alone or in combination with digital versions will be allowed.

Digital textbooks have the advantage of allowing students to use audio functions to check pronunciation when learning English and to practice using instruments, such as recorders, while watching videos.

On the other hand, some people have raised concerns about potential adverse effects on children, such as deteriorating eyesight.

The education ministry plans to draft guidelines describing the risks from using digital textbooks for long periods of time.
 
 

 

Japan's parliament passed the government's fiscal 2026 budget on Tuesday, marking the first time in 11 years that a regular budget has been enacted after the April 1 start of a fiscal year.

The budget was approved by a majority vote at a plenary meeting of the House of Councillors, the upper chamber of the Diet, Japan's parliament. It cleared the House of Representatives, the lower chamber, last month.

As the ruling Liberal Democratic Party and its coalition partner, the Japan Innovation Party, are four seats short of an Upper House majority, they enlisted the help of the Conservative Party of Japan and unaffiliated lawmakers to push the budget bill over the line.

The budget calls for a record general-account spending of 122,309.2 billion yen, in line with Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's advocacy of "responsible and proactive" fiscal policy.

The expenditures include 39,055.9 billion yen for social security measures and 31,275.8 billion yen for debt-servicing costs, as well as spending to make high school education and elementary school lunches free.

Earlier on Tuesday, the Upper House Budget Committee held intensive deliberations and a concluding round of questioning on the budget bill with the prime minister in attendance.

As the committee's vote on the bill resulted in a tie, its chairman, Masahito Fujikawa of the LDP, exercised his casting vote to approve the bill in accordance with the Diet law, after which it was sent to the Upper House plenary meeting.
 
 

A bear measuring about 1.5 meters in length was spotted in a residential area of the Kuwano district in Koriyama, Fukushima Prefecture, on Tuesday morning.

The bear headed toward the Ose River, which flows near the residential area, and as of noon, it was reported to be staying in a grassy area along the riverbank.

City government officials and police officers were monitoring the surrounding area and are considering measures such as emergency culling. No injuries to residents have been reported so far.

About 30 minutes after being spotted in the residential area, the bear was seen at the nearby Oshima Shizen Fureai Hiroba park, according to the city government and the prefectural police.

Believed to be the same bear, the city government attempted to capture it by setting up a cage inside the park, but the animal headed to the river at around 10:30 a.m. on the day.

The area is about 3.5 kilometers northwest of JR Koriyama Station.
Since Monday night, there have been a series ofreports of a bear spotted on roads and in other areas nearby.

In response to the bear’s appearance, a nearby elementary school and a junior high school were temporarily closed.
 
 

As Generative AI applications transition from the cloud to internal corporate environments, the demand for enhanced data security and localized performance continues to surge. Supported by the Taiwan-Japan Industrial Collaboration Promotion Office (TJIC) of the Institute for Information Industry, a strategic trio—Neuchips, Netiotek, and ShareGuru—has joined forces to launch an integrated on-premise AI solution.

This comprehensive package combines high-performance AI acceleration cards, industrial-grade edge computing servers, and sophisticated knowledge-based Q&A systems.



Triple Collaboration: Building the Foundation for Localized AI


This partnership integrates the core technologies of three industry leaders. The solution will be featured in-depth by the ShareGuru and Netiotek teams during the upcoming exhibition:

• Netiotek: Provides the NERMPC-265K, an industrial-grade edge computing platform. Renowned for its superior stability and thermal design, it serves as the ideal hardware foundation for long-term on-premise AI operations.
• ShareGuru: Provides an enterprise-level semantic document retrieval and Q&A system. Utilizing its core ShareQA technology, it transforms diverse corporate documents into a real-time, high-precision knowledge base.
• Neuchips: Provides AI inference acceleration cards specifically optimized for Transformer architectures. The low power consumption and ease of deployment significantly reduce the operational costs for enterprises adopting Large Language Models (LLMs).

Forward-Looking Strategy: Experience Today, Witness Tomorrow

"Neuchips is dedicated to breaking through computational bottlenecks. We have already begun planning our next-generation hardware solutions optimized for Generative AI," a spokesperson stated.

"By leveraging advanced architectures to support larger model configurations, we aim to comprehensively upgrade the processing speed and accuracy of on-premise inference.

We cordially invite industry leaders to experience our first-generation solutions firsthand. Your feedback will be a vital reference as we refine our next-gen products."


Exhibition Information


We invite you to experience the technical innovations of high-performance on-premise AI and engage with our team of experts at the event:

• Event: Japan IT Week (Embedded, Edge & IoT Computing Expo)
• Date: April 8 – April 10
• Location: Tokyo Big Sight, Japan

West Hall 3, 4F, W20-22 (TAIWAN TECH PAVILION)


About the Partners

• Netiotek: Specializes in robust edge computing for OT–IT connectivity, AIoT, and Local LLM.
• ShareGuru: An innovator in AI-driven knowledge management and semantic search technologies.
• Neuchips: A premier provider of energy-efficient AI ASIC solutions tailored for the generative AI era.

 
 

The start of the new business year last week saw many companies in Japan holding ceremonies to welcome new recruits.

Among other factors, a shortage of labor is steadily raising starting salaries for new employees.

One company offers up to 400,000 yen, or around 2,500 dollars per month for some new hires, while the starting salary for a typical new hire is about 340,000 yen, or roughly 2,100 dollars.

This spring, the Tokyo-based operator of a leading electric appliance retail chain launched a new salary scheme in a bid to recruit talented workers.

The scheme provides the higher starting salary to new employees who have worked part-time for the company for at least one year before joining it as a regular employee. They must have experience in store operations, and have deep knowledge of products that the company sells.

Only 25 of the more than 500 new employees at this firm are eligible for the higher salary.

Under the new scheme, the company hopes it can continue to hire excellent student part-time workers as full-time employees after they graduate.

A labor ministry survey shows last year's average monthly salary for new graduates was the equivalent of about 1,640 dollars. That was up more than 220 dollars from 2020.

The ministry says many companies are still eager to recruit new employees, while smaller firms are facing difficulty in doing so.

The ministry says it will continue to work with job placement services to address Japan's labor shortage problem.
 
 

 
 
 
Japan plans to strengthen its defense system in the Pacific Ocean as part of the revision of three security-related documents slated to be made by year-end, sources have said.
The government aims to improve the country's deterrence and response capabilities in light of increasing Chinese military activities in the area. The Defense Ministry has begun examining concrete measures on a full scale at the Pacific defense concept office set up this month.

"A vast area on the Pacific side is a defense vacuum," Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi told reporters during his visit to Iwoto, the island widely known as Iwo Jima, in the village of Ogasawara, Tokyo.

Apparently with China in mind, Koizumi referred to "increased activities by a neighboring country" in the area and expressed his policy of expanding the presence of the Self-Defense Forces there.

Japan's warning and surveillance network has focused on the Sea of Japan and the Nansei southwestern islands, including Okinawa Prefecture, to counter North Korea's missile threat and China's advance into the East China Sea.

Currently, Japan has no radar system installed in the Pacific area that constantly monitors the skies, leaving the area only thinly covered. In addition, SDF unit presence is sparse there.

Meanwhile, China is believed to be enhancing its blue-water operational capabilities, with its military activities increasing in the Pacific.

China is said to view the so-called second island chain, which connects Tokyo's Ogasawara Islands and the U.S. territory of Guam, as a defense line against the U.S. military in the event of a contingency in Taiwan.

In June last year, China deployed the aircraft carriers Liaoning and Shandong simultaneously near the area for the first time. That month, a Chinese aircraft based on one of the two vessels flew dangerously close to a Maritime Self-Defense Force aircraft.

This situation made Japan recognize the urgent need to strengthen the functions of SDF bases and develop a radar network in the Pacific.

One of the bases is Iwoto, about 1,250 kilometers south of central Tokyo. Currently, about 290 MSDF members and 110 members of the Air Self-Defence Force are stationed there mainly to refuel arriving aircraft and provide logistic support for training.

The Defense Ministry is considering establishing a pier to accommodate large ships and improve the island's runway for future fighter jet operations.

On the island of Minamitorishima, east of Iwoto, the construction of a firing range for surface-to-ship missile training is under way. Proposals to install radars and expand the runway are also being considered for the easternmost island.

The Japanese and U.S. governments exchanged documents on the development of undersea rare earth resources around Minamitorishima to coincide with last month's bilateral summit.

The deployment of the ASDF mobile warning and control radar system to Okinawa's Kitadaitojima Island is expected to be accelerated. The island is about 360 kilometers east of the main island of Okinawa, and the local municipality has been informed that about 30 members will be stationed on the island.

On the Pacific side, however, there is little land that can accommodate bases, limiting Japan's ability to cover the vast sea area on its own.

"We have no choice but to make deterrence work by combining the warning and surveillance capabilities of allying and partner countries, such as the United States, Australia and the Philippines," an SDF source said.
 
 

 

 

The Japanese government is planning to consider carefully whether it will ask companies and the general public to cut back on electricity and petroleum product consumption, several government sources said Friday.

Amid concerns over a possible prolonged military conflict between the U.S.-Israel camp and Iran, the government will make a decision on the matter after assessing the impact of the Middle East situation on energy supply and the Japanese economy.

"We'll consider all policy options in a way that would not greatly impact the people or the economy," industry minister Ryosei Akazawa said at the day's press conference.

"Energy-saving consciousness is high in Japan," a senior government official said. "The public is expected to respond quickly if we request it."

Suggesting that Japan still has adequate oil stockpiles, the official added that the government "will not make such a request until at least after the Golden Week holiday period (from late April to early May)."
 
 

The Indonesian government sent 200 migrant workers under the Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) scheme in the manufacturing sector to Japan, Coordinating Minister for Community Empowerment Abdul Muhaimin Iskandar said on Friday.

"The dispatch today proves that the SMK Go Global program is key to expanding access for Indonesian workers to enter the global labor market," he said at Terminal 3 of Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Tangerang, Banten.

The initiative is part of a national strategy to expand workforce access to overseas markets through the SMK Go Global program.

He said the program is a priority of President Prabowo Subianto, as instructed following a cabinet meeting on November 5, 2025.
"This is an initial pilot phase supported by state-owned enterprises’ CSR funding. The model will be tested and refined before being implemented as a regular program," Muhaimin said.

He said the program aims to prepare Indonesian talent to compete globally and represent the quality of the national workforce.

He added that migrant workers remain a national priority for achieving long-term welfare.
"They are expected not only to work abroad, but also to become agents of economic transformation upon returning home," Muhaimin added.

"With global knowledge, work culture, and networks, they can contribute to domestic industries. The state will continue to protect and facilitate them," he said.

The 200 workers were sent through several schemes, including 50 under PT Angkasa Pura’s CSR program, 30 under PT Kereta Api Indonesia’s CSR program, and 120 through licensed migrant worker placement agencies (P3MI).
 

Three tankers operated by Oman, one French owned container ship, and one Japanese owned gas carrier have passed through the Strait of Hormuz since Thursday, according to shipping data, reflecting Iran’s policy of allowing vessels it considers friendly to transit.

According to Reuters, Friday (3/4), Iran initially closed the Strait of Hormuz, a route that carries around one fifth of global oil and LNG, after US and Israeli airstrikes on Iran in late February triggered a wider conflict.

Iran later stated it would allow ships not linked to the United States or Israel to pass.

Oil and commodity markets are watching closely for signs that traffic is returning to normal. Several tankers and container ships managed to pass through the blockade in previous weeks, but those movements were followed by days of complete standstill.

A French owned container ship, CMA CGM, transited the Strait on Thursday, the same day French President Emmanuel Macron said that only diplomatic efforts, not military operations, could reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

The French vessel changed its destination on the Automatic Identification System (AIS) to “Owner France” before entering Iranian waters, signalling its nationality to Iranian authorities.
India Ship India Crew

The ships appear to have switched off their AIS transponders during the crossing, as their signals disappeared from vessel tracking data.

Two Very Large Crude Carriers (VLCCs) and one LNG carrier operated by Oman Shipping Management also exited the Gulf on Thursday, according to MarineTraffic and LSEG data.

Oman, which mediated talks between Iran and the United States before the strikes, criticised the launch of the attacks while negotiations were still underway.

Japan’s Mitsui O.S.K. Lines said on Friday that the jointly owned LNG carrier Sohar LNG had passed through the Strait of Hormuz, becoming the first Japan linked vessel and the first LNG carrier to do so since the conflict began.

A Mitsui spokesperson declined to tell Reuters when exactly the transit occurred or whether negotiations were required.

According to Japan’s Ministry of Transport, as of Friday morning, around 45 vessels owned or operated by Japanese companies remained stranded in the region.

Another Mitsui owned LPG carrier, Green Sanvi, left the Gulf via Iranian territorial waters earlier on Friday, according to shipping data. The India flagged vessel listed its destination as “India ship India crew”.

In addition, a large Panama flagged gas carrier, Danisa, left the Gulf via the same route heading for China. (YS/LM)
 

 

Indonesia and Japan have agreed to strengthen collaboration in forestry, biodiversity conservation, and climate initiatives following a ministerial meeting in Tokyo on Tuesday.

Indonesia’s Minister of Forestry Raja Juli Antoni met with Japan’s Minister for Economic Security and Growth Strategy Minoru Kiuchi, reaffirming both countries’ commitment to deeper environmental cooperation.

“This meeting reaffirms a strong commitment by Indonesia and Japan to expand strategic cooperation in forestry, biodiversity conservation, and real contributions to global efforts in addressing climate change,” Raja said in a statement from Jakarta.

Kiuchi described Indonesia as a strategic partner, emphasizing its importance not only bilaterally but also across the Asia-Pacific, particularly in forestry and conservation.

Both sides welcomed a memorandum of understanding with Shizuoka Prefecture on wildlife protection, focusing on the komodo dragon—an animal highly popular in Japan and often compared to the panda.

Japan plans a special welcoming ceremony for the komodo and supports accelerating animal exchanges between iZoo in Shizuoka and Surabaya Zoo, with an agreement targeted by April 2026.

Raja confirmed Indonesia’s commitment to expedite the komodo transfer, strengthening conservation cooperation and public engagement through wildlife exchange

He also highlighted longstanding projects supported by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and called for scaling up collaboration, including faster implementation of the Joint Crediting Mechanism (JCM) in Indonesia’s forestry sector.

The minister further proposed a “sister park” initiative linking Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park with Indonesian national parks to enhance knowledge exchange, conservation management, and ecosystem sustainability.

The partnership is expected to bolster governance, technical cooperation, and joint contributions to global climate mitigation efforts.
 

Tokyo’s first batch of long-range strike missiles capable of reaching ground and maritime targets at extended ranges have been operationally fielded, according to Japan’s defense ministry.

The Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) announced Monday the deployment of the Type 25 series of missiles. While the missiles share the same designation, their variants are split through surface-to-ship (SSM) and hypervelocity gliding projectile (HGP) classifications.

Capable of striking targets over 1,000 kilometers away, basing the Type 25 series anti-ship missiles at the service’s Kengun Western Army base in Kyushu enables Japanese forces to hit maritime targets across the country’s southwestern region, the East China Sea and mainland China. The SSM variant is derived from the domestically-made Type 12.

While the hypersonic variant is deployed at the JGSDF’s Fuji base, the service has practiced deploying the system via air and maritime means. Future variants of the Type 25-HGP plan to extend the hypersonic’s range to between 2,000 and 3,000 kilometers.

“These equipment are important in enhancing Japan’s deterrence and response capabilities. The Ground Self Defense Force will always stand with the people of Japan and will continue to make every effort to protect their safety and security,” reads a JGSDF statement on the deployment.

Amid regional tensions, Japan has prioritized a build-up of military forces in its southwestern region. The Ryukyu Islands, an archipelagic chain stretching from mainland Japan to Taiwan, received numerous missile bases, radar sites and additional defensive infrastructure following concerns of a cross strait conflict and Chinese ambitions over the disputed Senakaku Islands.

These missiles represent a significant capability boost for the Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF) in their plans to deter China and North Korea through long-range strike munitions.

The development, production and fielding of these missiles are part of a broader force-wide shift from its Cold War defensive mission against a northern Soviet threat to increasingly complex and capable Chinese military activities occurring around the southwestern region.

Tokyo plans to procure large quantities of long-range missiles and equip numerous mobile ground, naval and air platforms with the missiles. When fielded, this large missile inventory has the potential to hold regional adversaries at risk.

Chinese state media has expressed concern over the deployment, claiming that their operational fielding represents a breach of Tokyo’s post-World War II pledge to not procure weapons unrelated to self-defense via Article 9 of Japan’s constitution.

Washington’s recent arms sales are also playing a major role in developing Tokyo’s newfound counterstrike capabilities. In 2024, Japan finalized the purchase of 400 Tomahawk cruise missiles, which will be fielded on its fleet of Aegis guided-missile destroyers.

Last week saw the successful integration of Tomahawk-related launching systems and crew training aboard the first Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force warship that will equip the American cruise missiles, USNI News reported. For the Type 25-HGP, the U.S. previously approved arms sales supporting its development and has hosted test launches in California.

These efforts also coincide with U.S. military efforts to strengthen long-range precision strike capabilities across the first island chain in the Philippines and Japan to deter China.

Washington has eyed its allies in the region to host these capabilities, which could prove crucial in a potential Taiwan contingency against Beijing’s large array of naval forces.
 
 

The Japanese and French governments on Wednesday agreed to strengthen their cooperation on defense, sharing the view that the security of Europe and the Indo-Pacific is inseparable, given the deteriorating global security environment.

Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi and Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi held talks with their French counterparts in Tokyo. "It is essential for us to enhance cooperation on diplomacy and defense," Motegi said at the so-called two-plus-two meeting.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said that developing the two countries' strategic relationship is an urgent task.

The four ministers welcomed the port call by French naval vessels to Japan and the deepening defense collaboration through joint drills between the Japanese Self-Defense Forces and French military forces. They agreed to continue cooperation on space and cyber domains.

On the Middle East situation, the four ministers affirmed the need for navigation safety in the Strait of Hormuz, agreeing to continue consultations for an early resolution of the situation.
 
 

 
Indonesia is strengthening ties with the ASEAN-Japan Centre (AJC) to develop its wellness tourism sector, aiming to attract more Japanese travelers through holistic health experiences and strategic regional partnerships.

Minister of Tourism Widiyanti Putri Wardhana met AJC Secretary-General Kunihiko Chris Hirabayashi in Tokyo on Monday to discuss promoting Indonesia’s wellness ecosystem as a key future growth driver for the national tourism industry.

"Wellness tourism is a strategic direction for Indonesia. We see AJC as a vital partner to strengthen promotion, knowledge exchange, and development in the Japanese market," Widiyanti said in an official statement issued in Jakarta on Tuesday.

Japan remains a critical market for Indonesia, recording over 380,000 arrivals in 2025. This figure represents a 12 percent increase from the previous year, highlighting the growing demand for Indonesian travel destinations.

The two parties discussed reviving a Wellness Tourism Workshop in Bali. The forum serves as a platform for capacity building and expert knowledge-sharing among tourism stakeholders from both ASEAN nations and Japan.

Beyond health-focused travel, the bilateral meeting touched on sustainable and community-based tourism.

Indonesia is currently prioritizing the development of "tourism villages" to improve local welfare and provide authentic cultural experiences for international visitors.

The collaboration also explores human resource development, including the exchange of best practices and expertise.

Both sides committed to increasing people-to-people exchanges to deepen the relationship between Indonesia, Japan, and the broader ASEAN region.

The partnership aims to secure long-term commitment for sustainable tourism growth.

By leveraging AJC’s network, Indonesia expects to solidify its position as a premier destination for holistic and community-driven travel in Southeast Asia.
 
 

 

 
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and visiting Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto agreed Tuesday to cooperate closely in the field of energy security amid escalating tensions in the Middle East following the conflict between the U.S.-Israeli side and Iran.

At their 45-minute meeting at the State Guest House in Tokyo, the two leaders had an in-depth discussion over the Middle East and affirmed that their countries will work together to help calm the situation there at an early time.

 

Takaichi and Prabowo confirmed that Japan and Indonesia will cooperate to strengthen supply chains for liquefied natural gas and other items, while agreeing to expand collaboration on maritime security through Japan's official security assistance program, under which the country provides defense equipment to like-minded nations free of charge.

 

The two leaders also affirmed cooperation to foster artificial intelligence experts in Indonesia and enhance measures against flood and other natural disasters.

In addition, they discussed regional affairs, including issues related to China and nuclear and missile development by North Korea.
 
 

 
Indonesia will loan two Komodo dragons to Shizuoka Prefecture, where it is hoped the endangered reptiles will be able to breed, and will receive some red pandas and giraffes in return, an official said Monday.

The Forestry Ministry said ‌the animal ‌swaps would increase "contributions from both parties toward wildlife protection and conservation, as well as raising public awareness of biodiversity," adding that the program was intended to breed the Komodo dragons, which the IUCN Red List classifies as endangered.

Ahmad Munawir, a conservation official at the ministry, said a male and a female will be sent to a zoo in Shizuoka. In return, the prefecture will send several animals to Indonesia, including red pandas and giraffes, Ahmad said.

The agreement was aigned last week, ahead of a visit to Japan by President Prabowo Subianto, who met Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on ‌Tuesday.

Animal rights group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) said Tuesday that the dragons should never be treated as "diplomatic bargaining chips."

"Shipping these highly intelligent animals overseas for captive ‌breeding only reinforces the dangerous myth that conservation can happen behind zoo walls, while any offspring born there would be condemned to a lifetime of confinement," PETA Asia President Jason Baker said, adding that the dragons should remain in their habitat.

Indonesia is home to over 3,000 Komodo dragons, according to government data. The reptiles are the largest lizards in the world, growing up to around 3 meters long. They have a yellow forked tongue and a venomous bite.

Japan's TV Shizuoka has reported the two dragons would arrive as soon as June for the breeding program. Ahmad said the dragons would be sent after a business-to-business agreement was signed by the zoos in Indonesia and Japan.
 
 

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto landed at Haneda Airport, Tokyo, Japan, to commence his inaugural state visit as the Head of State of the Republic of Indonesia.

According to the Presidential Secretariat, the Indonesian-1 presidential plane arrived in Tokyo on Sunday, March 29, 2026, at 19:10 local time.

Upon disembarking from the plane, Prabowo was greeted by the Japanese Minister for Foreign Affairs, Iwao Horii, the Chief of Protocol of Japan, Tadayuki Miyashita, the Indonesian Ambassador to Japan, Nurmala Kartini Sjahrir, and the Defense Attach of the Republic of Indonesia in Tokyo, Rear Admiral TNI Hidayaturrahman. From the airport, President Prabowo continued his journey to his place of stay.

During his visit to the Land of the Rising Sun, Prabowo is scheduled to meet with the Japanese Emperor, Naruhito. Additionally, Prabowo is scheduled to hold discussions with the Japanese Prime Minister (PM), Sanae Takaichi.

President Prabowo departed Jakarta and headed to Japan on Sunday morning, March 29, 2026. Prabowo, along with a limited entourage, took off from the Halim Perdanakusuma Air Force Base, East Jakarta, at around 10:35 AM WIB (Western Indonesian Time).

During the flight to Tokyo, Prabowo was accompanied by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sugiono, the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM), Bahlil Lahadalia, and the Cabinet Secretary, Lieutenant Colonel Teddy Indra Wijaya.

The State Secretary Minister, Prasetyo Hadi-who saw off Prabowo's departure in Jakarta-stated that this state visit to Japan is aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation in various sectors.

According to Prasetyo, during the visit to the Land of Sakura, Prabowo will discuss several strategic matters that have been the strength of cooperation between Indonesia and Japan.

"For example, in terms of trade, technology, education, and including cooperation in the forestry and environmental sectors," Prasetyo told the media on Sunday, March 29, 2026.
 
 

Punch the baby Japanese macaque has been spending more time without his surrogate “mother” — a large stuffed orangutan — at a zoo in Chiba Prefecture, with visitors watching over him on his journey toward independence.

For the past two months, Punch has been spending more time grooming his peers, leaving his stuffed orangutan in the monkey house.

Although visitors have not been able to see him with his stuffed animal as much, they seem relieved that he is spending more time with the other monkeys.

“I wonder if he’s become independent from his mom,” a visitor said.
Zoo staff gave Punch the stuffed animal after his real mother showed little interest in raising him, and he began dragging it around with him.

Scenes of Punch running back and forth around monkey mountain with his “mother” became popular not only among visitors to the zoo but also worldwide on social media.

As a result, visitors to the zoo increased, with the number reaching 47,000 in February, 2.3 times higher than the same month last year.

The city has received many inquiries from people wanting to donate and support the now 8-month-old Punch.

On March 16, the city announced options for people to support the monkey, including bank transfers and the furusato nozei hometown tax donation system, with more than ¥11 million raised in the week leading up March 22.

The zoo plans to use the donations to address the extreme heat on monkey mountain, which is believed to be one of the reasons mother monkeys have given up raising their infants.

“He still sleeps while hugging the stuffed animal in the monkey house, so he’s not fully independent,” an official of Ichikawa City Zoo said. “We ask visitors to continue to offer their warm support.”
 
 

Japanese figure skater Sakamoto Kaori has won her career fourth women's singles world title in her final competition before she retires.

The Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games silver medalist performed her free skate at the world championships in the Czech Republic capital of Prague on Friday.

She successfully executed all her jumps, scoring a personal best of 158.97 points. Her overall score of 238.28 points was also a career best.

Sakamoto's fourth world championships title is a new record by a Japanese figure skater. The 2010 Vancouver Olympics silver medalist Asada Mao won the world championships title three times.

Sakamoto said in an interview after her victory that she is really glad she was able to skate in front of all the fans. She expressed her gratitude for the support they provided.

Japan's Chiba Mone placed second with an overall score of 228.47 points, a personal best.
 
 

The Japanese government adopted Friday a new basic plan for science and technology policy, which for the first time calls for promoting research and development activities on technologies for military-civilian dual-use goods.

The policy direction reflects the fact that various countries are advancing the military application of advanced technologies. The basic plan also calls for raising the target for total public-private investment in science and technology from the current ¥120 trillion to ¥180 trillion.

Japan's science and technology basic plan is revised every five years. The new plan covers fiscal 2026 to fiscal 2030.

Countries around the world are taking advantage of the rapid development of cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence to enhance their national security.

The new plan says that improving dual-use technologies is "essential from the viewpoint of security and economic growth."

It designates AI and semiconductors as "national strategic technologies," aiming to promote domestic development while preventing their outflow overseas. It also features support for human resource development.

The plan also calls for establishing a research institute for critical technology strategy in fiscal 2026, which starts next month, to advise the government on economic security in the field of science and technology.

At a Council for Science, Technology and Innovation meeting on Friday, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said the government will "work as one to promote the plan, including basic research, human resource development, social implementation and the enhancement of industrial competitiveness" 
 
 

 
A female store clerk has died after being stabbed at a commercial complex in Tokyo's Ikebukuro district by a man who later stabbed himself to death. Police say the man was the victim's former boyfriend.

At around 7:20 p.m. on Thursday, the police were notified that a man was behaving violently inside Sunshine City, a multifunction complex.

Police officers say the woman was attacked at the Pokemon Center Mega Tokyo shop on the building's second floor. The unconscious victim was rushed to a hospital, where she was later pronounced dead.

Police officers have confirmed that the victim was 21-year-old Harukawa Moe from western Tokyo's Hachioji City.

They say the assailant, 26-year-old Hirokawa Taiki, was the woman's ex-boyfriend. He reportedly died at a hospital he was taken to.

The police say security camera footage shows the man visiting the shop alone and stepping behind the counter where the woman was. They add that they are treating the incident as a murder.

The Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department says the woman informed police officers in December of last year that she was the victim of a stalker. It notes that the case was being dealt with.

The department says the woman started dating Hirokawa around October of 2024 and broke up with him around July of 2025.

On December 25, 2025 she visited a police station in Hachioji for a consultation and said that her former boyfriend was following her around. When police officers took her home, they found Hirokawa in the vicinity of her home and arrested him on suspicion of violating Japan's anti-stalking law.

The officers said they found a knife with a blade about 10 centimeters long in the vehicle that Hirokawa had rented to reach the area.

Hirokawa was rearrested on allegations of voyeurism in January. Restraining orders were then issued against him. Those orders ban individuals from engaging in actions, such as stalking. Hirokawa was released at the end of January, after he was summarily indicted.

Before Hirokawa's release, police officers had the woman stay at a relative's home and install security cameras at her residence.
 
 

Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara confirmed Monday that one of two Japanese nationals detained in Iran has safely returned to the country.

The individual, who had been held by Iranian authorities since last year, arrived in the country Sunday in good health.

The confirmation followed an announcement by Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi, who stated Sunday that the release was secured Wednesday after repeated petitions were made to Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.

The Japanese government has not officially identified the individual involved.

The Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs acknowledged the detentions earlier this month, noting that the two cases involved individuals detained at different times—one in 2025 and the other in January of this year.

Although the ministry has confirmed both individuals remained in good health during their respective periods of custody, officials have declined to provide further details regarding the specific legal charges or whether the two cases are substantively related.

Regarding the Japanese national who remains in custody, reported to be NHK journalist Shinnosuke Kawashima, Kihara stated:

We have confirmed that there is no problem with the safety and health of the person. The government of Japan is continuing to press Iran for a release as soon as possible. We are working to win an early release while communicating with the family and other concerned parties.

The release marks a significant development in diplomatic relations between Tokyo and Tehran. However, the continued detention of Kawashima remains a point of international concern for press freedom advocacy groups.
 
 

At the High-Level Dialogue on Climate Change between the European Union and Japan, in Brussels, senior officials agreed to deepen their bilateral co-operation, working together towards achieving climate neutrality and tackling shared economic and geopolitical challenges. 

In the context of the current crisis in the Gulf region, both sides acknowledged the importance of the clean energy transition that contributes not only to climate neutrality but also their respective security, independence and competitiveness. 

The meeting was opened by Kurt Vandenberghe – Director-General for Climate Action at the European Commission and DOI Kentaro, Vice-Minister for Global Environmental Affairs at the Ministry of the Environment of Japan.

During the dialogue both sides reaffirmed their resolve to uphold multilateralism and their unwavering commitment to the Paris Agreement and the need to scale-up climate action in this decade, to reduce emissions with a view to keeping the limit of 1.5°C temperature rise by the end of the century within reach. 

The EU and Japan discussed the implementation of their 2030 Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) as well as their NDCs for 2035 and 2040 in the case of Japan. Both sides agreed to join efforts to ensure a successful COP31 in Antalya later this year.

They also agreed to advance the implementation of the Paris Agreement’s ambition cycle including through international cooperation on the preparation and delivery of NDCs and Biennial Transparency Reports (BTRs) for parties that have not delivered them.

The EU and Japan recalled the first of its kind Green Alliance launched between the EU and Japan in May 2021 and reviewed opportunities to work together to support each other respective climate agendas.

In particular, they agreed to promote bilateral exchanges during the course of 2026 on industrial decarbonisation, climate adaptation, carbon pricing and carbon credits, carbon capture use and storage, sustainable finance, as well as climate action at sub-national level. 
 
 

 

 

Japan’s Supreme Court is expected to issue a unified ruling on whether law provisions not allowing same-sex marriage are constitutional, as six related appeals have been sent to the court’s Grand Bench.

The court’s Third Petty Bench, presided over by Michiharu Hayashi, on Wednesday forwarded the cases to the Grand Bench, presided over by Chief Justice Yukihiko Imasaki.

Lower court decisions on the lawsuits were divided, with five finding the legal provisions to be unconstitutional.

The Grand Bench, consisting of the top court’s 15 justices, is expected to give its ruling as early as next year, as it already has other suits to handle, including one over whether last July’s election of the House of Councillors, the upper chamber of parliament, was constitutional in terms of vote-value disparities.

After hearing opinions from both sides of the damages suits, filed against the state mainly by same-sex couples, the top court will present its first constitutional interpretation as to the provisions related to same-sex marriage.

Five of Japan’s high courts, namely those in Sapporo, Tokyo, Fukuoka, Nagoya and Osaka, ruled the provisions of the Civil Code and family register law, which do not allow same-sex marriage, are unconstitutional.
 
 

Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara expressed regret Wednesday over the arrest of a Ground Self-Defense Force member who allegedly broke into the Chinese Embassy in Tokyo on Tuesday.

"It is truly regrettable that an SDF officer, who should abide by the law, was arrested on suspicion of breaking into a building," Kihara told a press conference.

The government spokesman said that security at the embassy has been strengthened, with additional police officers deployed to guard the premises.

"In accordance with international law and domestic laws and regulations, relevant ministries and agencies will work together to respond appropriately, including taking preventive measures," he said, adding that Chinese authorities have called for efforts to prevent any recurrence of such incidents.
 
 

• Confirmation came one day after Foreign Minister MOTEGI Toshimitsu announced the person’s release
• Another Japanese national who was arrested earlier this year is still in custody

 

Japan’s top government spokesperson said Monday that one of two Japanese nationals detained in Iran has safely returned home in good health.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara’s confirmation came one day after Foreign Minister MOTEGI Toshimitsu announced the person’s release.

Motegi, speaking on a Fuji Television talk show Sunday, said the person had been detained since last year and was released on Wednesday. He said the person took a flight from Azerbaijan.

Kihara, at a regular news conference Monday, confirmed that the former detainee returned to Japan on Sunday in good health.

Kihara said another Japanese national who was arrested earlier this year is still in custody but “we have confirmed that there is no problem with the safety and health” of the person and that Japan is continuing to press Iran for a release as soon as possible.

Motegi said the release came after his repeated demands to Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and that he is “working to win an early release” of the other detainee while communicating with his family and other concerned parties.

The Committee to Protect Journalists has named the person detained in Iran in January as a journalist at Japan’s public broadcaster NHK. The CPJ said the NHK journalist was arrested Jan. 20 by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and was transferred Feb. 23 to Evin Prison, quoting unidentified sources citing fear of persecution.

Motegi did not identify either of the people detained but said the released Japanese national was detained in 2025.

The Foreign Ministry said earlier this month the detainees were safe and in good health, but only acknowledged that one was detained last year and the other one in January.

The ministry has given no further details and did not say whether the two cases were related.
 

The government urged citizens not to panic-buy toilet paper as social media posts suggest people are starting to stockpile daily necessities out of concern over the war in the Middle East.

Hoarding toilet paper became a phenomenon in Japan at the time of the 1973 oil shock, which triggered the country’s first postwar economic contraction.

More recently, the devastating earthquake and tsunami of 2011 and the COVID-19 pandemic triggered similar behavior patterns.

The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry said in a statement that shoppers should make rational decisions about toilet paper purchases based on accurate information.

One X user posted: "The nearby drugstore was sold out of toilet paper! It seems like everyone’s stockpiling it.” Other posts show photos of supplies users say they’ve stocked up on, ranging from cat-food and toiletries to a tower of Suntory beer.

According to the Japan Household Paper Industry Association, about 97% of toilet paper is produced domestically, using recycled paper and pulp, with no reliance on the Middle East.

The group added that production has not been directly affected and that there is sufficient capacity to increase output if needed.
 
 

Japan coach Nils Nielsen hailed the character of his "inspirational" side after they withstood a sustained Australian barrage to win the Women's Asian Cup, with the Greenlander calling the title well-deserved.

His talented team proved untouchable in reaching Saturday's final, but were pushed all the way by the Matildas with Maika Hamano's long-range 17th minute strike all that separated them in front of more than 74,000 fans in Sydney.

"I'm very lucky to be working with players that are that good," said Nielsen, a former Denmark and Switzerland coach who has been at the helm since late 2024.

"Japan can be an inspiration for many in some ways. We can find a style that fits our players because they are talented. We couldn't find our own rhythm but the character of the players, the way they never stop playing, makes us 10-20 percent better.

"It's nice to be good, it's nice to be charming but if you don't win the tournament, it doesn't count," he added. "We didn't play as well as we could have but they still made it count. It's been too long since Japan last won a trophy so it was very important and well-deserved."

As world number six, Japan were favorites despite being in front of a partisan crowd willing on an Australian side desperate for their first trophy since the 2010 tournament.

It could have gone either way.

Arsenal's Caitlin Foord had three clear-cut chances for the hosts, and Australia peppered the Japanese goal in the last 15 minutes searching for an equaliser.

But Nielsen's side clung on with some back-to-the-wall defence to earn a third continental title after winning in 2014 and 2018 -- both also against Australia and by the same scoreline.

Nielsen was gracious in his praise of Joe Montemurro's battling side.
"Australia are a world-class team with world-class players. They were led well by Joe who always had something up his sleeves," he said. "We had a brilliant goal thanks to Maika. She's a talented youngster who's on the way up."

Montemurro said it has been "an excellent journey" for his squad despite the bitter defeat as they now look ahead to the 2027 World Cup in Brazil.

"I've got 26 warriors out there that for 21 days have been absolutely fantastic," he said. "Sometimes things fall for you, sometimes they don't.

But I think for us, this has been an excellent journey. We played top teams, and that's what we wanted.

"We solidified 'us' as a footballing team, and what we mean," he added. "We now have to start looking forward, and I'll try to keep the belief going."
 

 

East Japan Railway Co., or JR East, has taken the lead in launching a training program aimed at nurturing about 100 foreign workers annually under Japan's specified skilled worker program amid severe labor shortages in railway maintenance.

The trained workers are expected to find jobs at railway companies across the country, attracting attention as to whether they can contribute to alleviating the labor shortages.

On March 6, the scene of the program was shown to the press at JR East's general training center in Shirakawa, Fukushima Prefecture, northeastern Japan.

A total of 113 participants from four countries, including Indonesia and Vietnam, attended lectures in Japanese and took part in exercises such as moving rails on a training track and operating machines used to tamp down the ballast laid beneath the rails.

About 60 pct of the participants have experience in participating in technical intern programs in Japan.
 
 

Tehran is prepared to allow Japanese-related ships to transit the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial waterway through which 93% of Japan’s imported crude oil flows, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has said in an interview.

Discussions with Japan on the matter have already begun, according to a transcript of Araghchi’s interview with Kyodo News posted to his Telegram account Saturday. Araghchi said the issue had been raised during his phone call last Tuesday with Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi.

Speaking on a TV program Sunday, Motegi declined to go into detail about the phone call but said their discussion had “centered on the fact that halting trade — including container shipments — is not a good thing.”

“I emphasized that the safety of these vessels is of the utmost importance,” he said, noting that 45 Japanese vessels have currently halted in the Persian Gulf.

“From Japan’s perspective, since there are so many vessels involved, we believe it is extremely important to create a situation where all of them can pass through,” Motegi said.

In one diplomatic breakthrough with Tehran, Motegi told the same TV program that one of two Japanese nationals detained by Iran had traveled to Azerbaijan after having been released Wednesday. The person arrived in Japan on Sunday.

Reopening the Strait of Hormuz after its effective closure amid the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran remains one of Japan’s top concerns.

But Araghchi denied the waterway has been closed, according to the interview transcript.

“In our opinion, the strait is open,” he said. “It is closed only for ships belonging to our enemies, countries that attack us. For other countries, ships can pass through the strait.”

On the issue of vessels’ safety, the top Iranian diplomat said that Iran is “ready to provide safe passage for them.”

“They just need to contact us to discuss how this route will be,” he said, adding that this "absolutely" included Japan.

Asked if the Japanese government had made an official request to cross the strait, Araghchi declined comment, saying that the talks are “ongoing.”

While most Group of Seven nations have adversarial relations with Iran, Japan has maintained relatively friendly ties with the country, potentially giving Tokyo more diplomatic sway than its partners in the grouping.

Araghchi’s remarks came ahead of U.S. President Donald Trump's demand on Saturday that Iran open the strait within 48 hours or risk the destruction of the country's power plants.

"If Iran doesn’t FULLY OPEN, WITHOUT THREAT, the Strait of Hormuz, within 48 HOURS from this exact point in time, the United States of America will hit and obliterate their various POWER PLANTS, STARTING WITH THE BIGGEST ONE FIRST!" Trump wrote on social media.

The harshly worded post appeared to reflect his growing anger with Iran and allies, who have offered lukewarm responses to his call to join a coalition to secure the waterway.

On Friday, Trump said that "it would be nice" if Japan, China and other countries that depend on energy imports from the Middle East joined efforts to protect shipping in the strait — just a day after a summit with Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.

During their meeting in Washington, Takaichi successfully avoided a public rift with Trump and appeared to win a degree of understanding from him on the issue, with the U.S. president praising Tokyo for “stepping up to the plate.” 

But the U.S. leader has continued to express frustration with partners for not sending warships to escort tankers and clear mines from the strait.

Speaking to reporters at the White House on Friday, he claimed that "a simple military maneuver" could be used to reopen the strait, which has been effectively closed since the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran began on Feb. 28.

But such a move, he said, would need a large mass of ships to be sent to the area.

"It's relatively safe, but you need a lot of help, in the sense of you need help, you need volume. NATO could help us, but they, so far, haven't had the courage to do so, and others could help us," Trump said. 

"You know, we don't use the strait. … We don't need it. Europe needs it. (South) Korea, Japan, China, a lot of other people (need it),” he added. “So, they'll have to get involved a little bit on that.”

Takaichi has repeatedly said in public that nothing has been decided in regards to helping secure the Strait of Hormuz.

During a news conference after her summit with Trump, she said she had “clearly conveyed Japan’s position” on the legal difficulties in sending Maritime Self-Defense Force (MSDF) ships to the strait, while stressing the need “for an early de-escalation of the situation” in Iran and a role for Tokyo in any diplomatic solution to the war.

Motegi on Sunday said that while Trump had said Tokyo should "step up" during his meeting with Takaichi, "there was no specific request for what we should do" following an explanation from the Japanese side.

"At least at that moment, President Trump seemed to understand and nodded in agreement," he said, adding that if a ceasefire agreement enters into effect, the U.S. leader could ask for the MSDF to be deployed.

One hour before the Takaichi-Trump summit on Thursday, Japan joined a handful of European nations in issuing a joint statement calling for an “immediate comprehensive moratorium on attacks on civilian infrastructure, including oil and gas installations” and expressing a readiness “to contribute to appropriate efforts to ensure safe passage through the Strait.”

“We welcome the commitment of nations who are engaging in preparatory planning,” the leaders of Japan, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom said in the statement.

Several other nations, including South Korea, also signed on to the statement on Friday.
 
 

Someiyoshino cherry trees have begun to bloom in Tateyama at the southern tip of Chiba Prefecture, the city government announced Thursday.

The announcement comes five days earlier than last year.

In Shiroyama Park, 463 someiyoshino trees have been planted, providing a delightful view of Tateyama Castle on a hill dyed pink with cherry blossoms.

According to a park official, the cherry blossoms are expected to reach their peak in about a week.

Starting Friday night, the cherry trees will be illuminated, with bamboo lanterns to remain lit.
 

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi sought to reaffirm her alliance with President Donald Trump on Thursday after the president this week seemed to complain that Japan was among the nations that did not join his call to help protect the Strait of Hormuz.

Takaichi, who met with Trump at the White House, told the president that Japan has opposed Iran's development of its nuclear program and appealed to his desire to be seen as a peacemaker, despite his launching a war of choice with Iran.

She told the U.S. president that in the Middle East and around the world now, there was "a very severe security environment," but said, “Even against that backdrop, I firmly believe that it is only you, Donald, who can achieve peace across the world.”

The two leaders had warm words for each other, including Trump calling the prime minister a “popular powerful woman," but there appeared to be some tension as they faced repeated questions from reporters about Japan's support for the Iran war.

Trump told reporters that he and Takaichi would be discussing in their meeting Japan’s level of support for the U.S. in the Iran war, saying, “They are really stepping up to the plate.” He did not offer details.

He later said that much of the oil Japan relies on passes through the Strait of Hormuz and said, “so that’s a big reason to step up. He also mentioned U.S. spending in Japan and the number of troops it has stationed there.
“I expect Japan to step up you know, because we have that kind of relationship,” Trump said.

Taikaichi’s meeting at the White House, followed by a dinner Thursday night, was supposed to give her a prime opportunity to have Trump’s ear before he embarked on a trip to China.

The pair were all smiles in the evening, as Trump hosted a dinner in the prime minister's office. “This is a spectacular woman, and it’s an honor to have you at the White House," Trump said. Taikaichi referred to the leaders through an interpreter as “best buddies" before declaring, in English, “Japan is back.”

But now, the war in Iran and Trump’s unsuccessful call for Japan and other nations to help protect the vital Strait of Hormuz means the China trip has been delayed. Trump had repeatedly complained on camera and online that U.S. allies, including Japan, rejected his request to help safeguard the critical waterway for oil and gas transport.

The prime minister acknowledged before she left Japan that she expected her meeting with Trump will be “very difficult.”

Beyond facing questions about Iran, Takaichi and Trump are expected to announce a $40 billion nuclear reactor deal, according to a White House official, who was not authorized to speak publicly and spoke on the condition of anonymity to share details before the announcement.

Under the deal, U.S.-based GE Vernova Inc. and Japan-based Hitachi Ltd. will build advanced small modular reactors in Tennessee and Alabama, the official said. The deal aims to help stabilize electricity prices and expand power generation in the U.S.

Takaichi and her ministers have denied that Washington officially requested Japanese warships for the U.S.-Israeli operation.

Japan, a key U.S. ally in Asia, is one of the countries that Trump namechecked on Tuesday as he railed against the lack of help with the Strait of Hormuz before declaring the help wasn’t needed.

Kurt Campbell, the former U.S. deputy secretary of state in the Biden administration who is now chair of The Asia Group, said that in order to press for Japan’s interests, Takaichi will want to find a way to suggest that Japan is a part of the U.S. plan in the Middle East.

“She’s going to want to come out of that as a partner in this case and realize that if she can do that, that she can translate that potentially into the president listening more to Japanese concerns about Taiwan or other issues,” Campbell said.

The constraints on Japan’s involvement in Iran include a provision in its post-World War II constitution that bans the use of force except to defend its territory. The country’s military is called the Self-Defense Force.

Christopher Johnstone, a partner and chair of the defense and national security practice at The Asia Group, said Japan could help with mine-sweeping and has had “a small naval presence” in the region as part of an anti-piracy mission for at least a decade.

But to join the U.S. mission would require Takaichi to clear “an exceptionally high bar politically to invoke collective self-defense” that has never been done before.

Takaichi, who had her first meeting with Trump in October in Tokyo, is Japan’s first female prime minister and a protégé of former leader Shinzo Abe, who developed a close relationship with Trump.

She is also a hardline conservative and longtime supporter of Taiwan whose comments about Japan’s willingness to provide military support to the island have heightened tensions with China.

Ahead of her meeting with Trump, Takaichi had sought to focus on trade, strengthening the U.S.-Japan relationship and security concerns. Japanese officials said the two sides would work to deepen cooperation in regional security, critical minerals, energy and dealing with China.

China views self-governed Taiwan, which the U.S. relies on for its production of computer chips, as its sovereign territory and has said it would take it by force if needed.

But beyond questions about helping with the Strait of Hormuz, the global implications of the Iran war have also put the Japanese leader in a tougher spot with Trump as she seeks to ensure U.S. commitment to the Indo-Pacific region.

Japan considers China a growing security threat and has pushed a military buildup on southwestern islands near the East China Sea. But the U.S. has shifted some troops stationed in Japan to the Middle East, removing a check against China’s power.

Takaichi is expected to raise concerns about troop shifts with Trump because they are coming at the same time China is launching a large number of exercises around Taiwan.

“This raises the prospect that — once again — the United States will be distracted and bogged down in the Middle East at a time when the deterrence problem in East Asia has never been greater,” Johnstone said.
 


 

 
Heisuke Hironaka, a professor emeritus at Kyoto University and a former Yamaguchi University president who won the Fields Medal in 1970, died on Wednesday. He was 94.

The Fields Medal is often referred to as the Nobel Prize for math.
Hironaka also nurtured younger generations and was involved in the creation of the Sansu Olympics, a math competition for children.

He was born in Yamaguchi Prefecture in 1931. He graduated from Kyoto University’s science department in 1954 and went on to serve as a professor at Columbia and Harvard University as well as the head of Kyoto University’s Research Institute for Mathematical Sciences. From 1996 to 2002, he was president of Yamaguchi University.

Hironaka specialized in algebraic geometry. In 1970, when he was a Harvard University professor, he was awarded the Fields Medal for the resolution of singularities of an algebraic variety.

He authored many books, such as “Ikiru Koto Manabu Koto” (Living, studying) and “Gakumon no Hakken” (The discovery of study), and received the Order of Culture in 1975.

He worked in education as well, nurturing young talent, and served as honorary chair of the Sansu Olympics, which encourages children to compete in math and thinking skills.

He enjoyed a long friendship with world-famous conductor Seiji Ozawa, who died in February 2024 at the age of 88. They published a book together titled “Yawarakana Kokoro o Motsu” (Having a soft heart).

Hironaka’s wife, Wakako, 91, is a former member of the House of Councillors and once headed the Environment Agency (now the Environment Ministry).

The Fields Medal is awarded once every four years to young academics age 40 or younger. Three Japanese have won the medal. The other two are Kunihiko Kodaira, a professor emeritus at the University of Tokyo who won the medal in 1954 and died in 1997, and Shigefumi Mori, 75, the director-general of the Kyoto University Institute for Advanced Study and one of the medal recipients in 1990.

When Mori was a junior at Kyoto University, he heard a lecture by Hironaka, who was visiting from the United States, Mori said.

Hironaka “struck off some splendid diagrams and explained them to us, and I clearly remember it solved my questions instantly,” Mori recalled. “That lecture really drove me to pursue algebraic geometry.”
 
 

The number of stalking cases handled by police in Japan in 2025 hit the highest level since the antistalking law took effect in 2000, National Police Agency data showed Thursday.

The figure rose by 205 from the previous year to 1,546. Other violations linked to stalking, such as illegal entry into homes, also jumped 428 to 2,171. The number of restraining orders to stop stalking and similar acts topped 3,000 for the first time.

Last year, police received 22,881 cases of consultation requests on stalking from victims and others, up by 3,314.

The number of restraining orders issued grew 622 to 3,037. Of them, about 60 pct were emergency orders, which are given without holding hearings of perpetrators. Police handled 244 violations of the orders.

Warnings issued by police to stalkers increased by 98 to 1,577. The figure rose for the first time in five years, although it had been falling back from a spike after the country switched to allowing police to issue an emergency order before a warning.
 
 

Both countries will enhance cooperation in trade, digitalisation and technology, defence, green transition and energy, as well as other people exchanges.

Singapore and Japan announced on Wednesday (Mar 18) the upgrading of bilateral ties to a Strategic Partnership, with expanded cooperation across five areas.

The upgrade in ties was announced by Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and Japan Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.

Mr Wong is making his first visit to Japan as prime minister. He met Ms Takaichi during the visit and she hosted him to a working dinner.

Welcoming Mr Wong, Ms Takaichi expressed hopes that both countries' ties will deepen through diverse exchanges and programmes this year. 

"Our two nations, as like-minded countries, have together defended and promoted rules-based free and open international order and free trade. Japan and Singapore are firmly united as nations that can place confidence in each other," she said. 

Mr Wong said that Japan has been a reliable and valuable partner for Singapore throughout the past 60 years. 

"Today, our relationship has matured, and we have become partners with similar strategic outlooks and complementary strengths, and our cooperation is multifaceted, substantial and mutually beneficial," he added. 

"There is a strategic imperative to deepen our cooperation further, especially as we face profound changes in the world today, with more uncertainty, fragmentation and disruption. 

"Both Japan and Singapore share similar strategic principles and views of the world. And as like-minded partners, I believe we can work together to uphold a multilateral, rules-based system and an open and inclusive regional architecture."

In a statement, Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) said the two leaders affirmed the partnership between Singapore and Japan on the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations.

"They welcomed robust bilateral economic ties, noting that Singapore and Japan are each other’s top investors," added MFA. 

"They agreed to deepen cooperation in areas such as the green and digital economies, as well as supply chain and economic resilience. 

"This will help both countries better navigate the uncertain geopolitical environment, and deliver benefits for our peoples and businesses."

Both prime ministers agreed on the importance of working together to uphold free and open trade, the rules-based international order and the open regional architecture with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) at its centre.

"As the country coordinator for ASEAN-Japan relations, Prime Minister Wong committed to work closely with Japan to implement the ASEAN-Japan Comprehensive Strategic Partnership," said MFA. 

"This includes deepening economic integration and collaborating on digital and green initiatives, such as the ASEAN Power Grid. The prime ministers exchanged views on regional and international developments, including the situation in the Middle East."

The ministry said the Strategic Partnership provides a framework to "deepen and expand bilateral cooperation in existing and forward-looking areas, which can serve as pathfinders for broader regional and international cooperation".

Mr Wong also had separate meetings with former Japanese prime ministers Shigeru Ishiba, Fumio Kishida and Taro Aso.

"He thanked them for their contributions to strengthening bilateral cooperation and deepening Japan’s engagement with the region. They also discussed regional and international affairs," said MFA.



STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP

A joint statement from both countries laid out the details of the Strategic Partnership.

This partnership will deepen the foundations of the relationship and expand cooperation in several areas, including:

1. Promotion of free trade and economic cooperation
2. Digitalisation and technology 
3. Security and defence 
4. Green transition and energy cooperation
5. Partnerships and exchanges

The foreign ministers of both countries will oversee the progress in implementing the Strategic Partnership. It will be regularly reviewed to ensure that the bilateral cooperation remains relevant and future-ready, said the joint statement.

Both countries acknowledged that as a trusted partner of ASEAN, Japan has been contributing to the region's peace, stability, prosperity and integrity through its engagement.

This includes its support for ASEAN Centrality and the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP). 

"We share the mutual understanding that the AOIP and the Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP) share fundamental principles, and the promotion and implementation of the AOIP will also contribute to promoting an international order based on the rule of law and a rules-based Indo-Pacific that is free and open," said the two countries. 

"In this regard, we welcome the adoption of the Joint Statement of the 28th ASEAN-Japan Summit on Further Promotion and Implementation of the AOIP, which affirms the synergy between the AOIP and the FOIP, and reaffirm our commitment to promote and implement concrete AOIP projects and activities that contribute to fundamental principles shared by the AOIP and the FOIP."



FREE TRADE, ECONOMIC COOPERATION

In the joint statement, both sides reaffirmed their commitment to open and free trade, economic resilience and mutual prosperity. 

Enterprise Singapore and the Japan External Trade Organisation will renew a Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC) to enhance the facilitation of trade and investment flows.

Singapore's Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment (MSE) and Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries will renew an MOC to spur agri-food trade.

"We reaffirm our commitment to free and open trade, economic resilience, and mutual prosperity. The Japan-Singapore Economic Partnership Agreement is the cornerstone of our substantive and dynamic economic relationship," said the two countries.

"This is complemented by the Japan-Singapore Economic Dialogue as a high-level platform to discuss enhancing cooperation in priority areas."



DIGITALISATION AND TECH

Both countries will establish an information and communication technology policy dialogue between Singapore's Ministry of Digital Development and Information (MDDI) and Japan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications to explore cooperation in the digital fields, including the digital infrastructure development.

They will strengthen collaboration on artificial intelligence to support a safe, secure, and trustworthy ecosystem, including in areas such as AI governance and models.

The countries will also promote research cooperation in cutting-edge fields such as AI, quantum technologies, and future communications. This will be pursued through international joint research, researcher and talent exchanges, among other programmes. 

An MOC on Quantum Science, Technology and Innovation was signed between MDDI and Japan’s Cabinet Office in January to deepen collaboration across eight key areas, including quantum research and innovation dialogue, academia-private sector interactions, education and talent exchange, and security policy dialogue.

An MOC between Singapore's Cyber Security Agency (CSA) and Japan's National Cybersecurity Office will be renewed to facilitate cybersecurity cooperation in areas such as industry and academic collaboration, capacity building and operational exchanges. 

Singapore's Personal Data Protection Commission and Japan’s Personal Information Protection Commission will agree to sign an MOC in 2026 to facilitate cooperation on the protection of personal information.

The National Space Agency of Singapore and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency will agree to sign an MOC this year to formalise bilateral space cooperation.

On Wednesday, both countries signed an MOC to mutually recognise cybersecurity labelling schemes for smart devices.

Under the arrangement, smart devices that obtain cybersecurity labels under Japan’s JC-STAR scheme or Singapore’s Cybersecurity Labelling Scheme (CLS) will be recognised in both countries. 

Manufacturers will be able to apply for the other country’s label through a streamlined process.

The arrangement will take effect from Jun 1. It will cover smart devices such as smart home assistants, home automation, and alarm systems and hubs that connect multiple devices.

Japan is the fifth nation to establish such an arrangement with Singapore, after Finland, Germany, South Korea and the United Kingdom.



SECURITY AND DEFENCE
 
The joint statement said that both countries have a shared interest in regional peace and stability, while acknowledging an increasingly challenging security environment and the vital importance of open sea lanes to both countries.

They intend to strengthen cooperation by facilitating high-level exchanges between defence authorities, including a regular ministerial meeting at the Shangri-La Dialogue.

The two will deepen collaboration between operational authorities, including through bilateral and multilateral exercises.

They will enhance defence equipment and technology cooperation through professional exchanges in defence industry and technology, as well as by fostering innovation through startup collaboration.

Exchanges between law enforcement agencies will be enhanced, alongside efforts to combat transnational crime such as online scams.
Exchanges between agencies to address disaster management will also be stepped up. 

Both sides will deepen cooperation on arms control and disarmament efforts, including in the context of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons review cycle.



ENERGY

On energy, both sides signed a framework on Sunday to strengthen collaboration in areas such as cross-border electricity imports, low-carbon hydrogen and ammonia, carbon capture, utilisation and storage, civil nuclear energy, liquefied natural gas, advanced grid system enablers and offshore wind.

"We will strengthen cooperation to facilitate our transition into a green economy, including through platforms such as the Asia Zero Emission Community," the joint statement said. 

An MOC on environmental matters will be renewed between MSE and Japan’s Ministry of Environment to enhance cooperation in areas, including environmental protection, management, and sustainable development.

The countries intend to strengthen collaboration on decarbonisation and digitalisation of shipping based on the MOC on Green and Digital Shipping Corridor between Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism and Singapore’s Ministry of Transport.

Another MOC between MSE and Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism will be expanded to deepen cooperation in climate science and climate adaptation.


PARTNERSHIPS AND EXCHANGES

"We recognise that mutual trust and understanding must be sustained through increasing and regular engagements at all levels, including through institutional, social, arts and culture, youth, and academic exchanges," both countries said in the joint statement.

Singapore and Japan will continue the annual dialogue between the foreign ministries to take stock of relations and enhance cooperation.

They will foster mutual understanding between officials under a programme where Japanese senior officials visit Singapore at the invitation of MFA.
Japan's National Personnel Authority and Singapore's Public Service Division will enhance civil service exchanges.

Opportunities for youth exchanges will also be expanded, as will bilateral cooperation in education.

Exchanges in arts and culture through exhibitions, performances and joint programmes will be promoted.

The two countries said they would enhance cooperation to further expand mutual travel and deepen collaboration in civil aviation.
 
 

The Japanese Association for Acute Medicine and three other academic societies in the country have proposed new guidelines for determining when to end life-sustaining treatment for patients, inviting public comments until March 27.

The current guidelines, established in 2014 by the Japanese Association for Acute Medicine, the Japanese Society of Intensive Care Medicine and the Japanese Circulation Society, define the "end of life" at emergency and treatment sites.

They state that life-sustaining treatment can be concluded based on the patient's intentions and appropriate medical judgment.

Since the establishment of the current guidelines, advances in medical technology have enabled the support of seriously ill patients. But there have been instances where this support does not align with patients' preferences.

Consequently, the Japan Society for Palliative Medicine has joined the effort to revise the guidelines.

The proposed guidelines do not define the end of life but focus on procedures for deciding whether to continue treatment after discussions with patients and their families. They state that medical teams, including nurses, should make decisions after careful consideration of the patient's will and prior intentions.

The new recommendations also highlight the importance of continued care, such as pain relief for patients and support for their families, after treatment concludes. They call for minimizing examinations and refraining from cardiopulmonary resuscitation in cases of cardiac arrest.

Patients with intractable diseases have expressed concerns about the proposed guidelines, saying that treatment may be discontinued for the convenience of hospitals and families.

"I feel a strong sense of crisis because they promote the choice to die rather than the choice to live," Hitomi Sakai, a patient with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, said at a news conference on March 6.
 
 

Japan's national team secured qualification for the Women's Basketball World Cup in Germany for the fifth straight tournament with an 83-39 win over Argentina on Tuesday.

At a qualifying tournament in Istanbul, Japan finished fourth in the six-team pool with a 2-3 record but advanced as Australia, which had already secured a berth by winning the Women's Continental Cup, did not count toward qualification.

There are four six-team qualifying tournaments in China, France, Puerto Rico and Turkey, from which 16 teams advance to the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup in September.
 

 

A panel of experts established by the Foreign Ministry launched discussions on Monday on how better the country's overseas development assistance (ODA) should be provided to meet its strategic needs.

The panel of 10 specialists on areas including development policy will discuss ways to strengthen the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), an organization that oversees the country's official development assistance.

"The strategic importance of ODA in foreign policy is growing even more," Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi said at the panel's first meeting.

JICA "needs to be strengthened to address new areas of importance and challenges, including economic security," he said.

The panel will meet roughly once a month, aiming to compile suggestions by summer. The proposals are expected to be reflected in JICA's medium-term plan beginning in fiscal 2027.
 

 

An overwhelming 82 percent of Japanese voters do not support the U.S. attack against Iran, and more than half want Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi to express her stance on the war, a survey showed.

Only 9 percent of respondents back the Israeli-U.S. action, according to the nationwide telephone poll conducted by The Asahi Shimbun on March 14-15.

The findings show a significantly harsher public reaction compared to a survey in March 2003, immediately after the U.S.-led attack on Iraq.

In that earlier survey, 59 percent of Japanese voters opposed the U.S. action while 31 percent supported it.

International criticism has risen about the airstrikes against Iran, and countries like Spain have stated that the war violates international law.

However, Takaichi has avoided specifying her view, saying, “I will refrain from making a legal assessment.”

Fifty-one percent of respondents said they disapprove of her reluctance, surpassing the 34 percent who approve.

Although a majority of Liberal Democratic Party supporters (53 percent) approved Takaichi’s cautious stance, only 22 percent of unaffiliated voters agreed with her move.


DEEP ECONOMIC ANXIETY

The Middle East conflict has fueled deep economic fears in Japan.
Fifty-three percent feel “greatly anxious” and 37 percent are “somewhat anxious” about the impact on Japan’s economy, for a combined 90 percent, according to the survey.

Only 10 percent feel little to no anxiety.

Economic concerns were highest among those in their 60s (66 percent) and nonregular employees (65 percent), while they were lowest among 18- to 29-year-olds (35 percent).

Regarding Takaichi’s measures against rising prices, 43 percent of respondents voiced disapproval, compared with 38 percent who expressed approval.

This marks the second consecutive survey in which disapproval has outpaced approval, although the disapproval figure fell slightly from 47 percent in January.

On March 11, Takaichi announced plans to release oil from the national stockpile and use subsidies to curb gasoline prices.


CABINET SUPPORT RESILIENT

Despite the economic anxiety, the approval rating for the Takaichi Cabinet was 61 percent, nearly unchanged from 63 percent in February and remaining in the 60s since the Cabinet’s formation last October.

The Cabinet’s strong support rating persists even as 51 percent of voters disapprove of the ruling parties’ decision to significantly shorten Diet debate to pass the budget bill for the new fiscal year in March.
Only 34 percent approve of the move.

Among those who object to the ruling coalition’s handling of Diet affairs, 44 percent disapproved of the Cabinet, well above the overall disapproval rating of 26 percent.

But among those who support the Diet management, the Cabinet’s approval rating soared to 87 percent.

The survey also touched on Takaichi’s distribution of catalog gifts worth 30,000 yen ($188) each to 315 LDP members elected in the February Lower House election.

Fifty-five percent of voters said it was problematic, with 28 percent calling it a “major problem” and 27 percent saying it was “somewhat of a problem.”
Forty-three percent saw it as a minor or no problem.

In a similar incident a year ago, 75 percent of survey respondents said then-Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba’s distribution of 100,000-yen gift certificates to new LDP lawmakers through his office was “problematic.”


LINGERING CHURCH DOUBTS

The survey also raised the Tokyo High Court’s decision in March to uphold a dissolution order against the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification, formerly known as the Unification Church.

Sixty-one percent of respondents believe that LDP lawmakers “cannot sever ties” with the church, compared with 25 percent who believe they can.

Although skepticism remains high, it is lower than in summer 2022, when the church-politics issue re-emerged and around 80 percent of voters said ties could not be cut.

The survey was conducted using the Random Digit Dialing method. Valid responses were obtained from 1,166 eligible voters. Results were adjusted to reflect national demographics.
 
 

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said Monday that her government is considering what to do to ensure the safety of Japan-related ships amid escalating tensions in the Middle East.

"The Japanese government is currently considering how to take necessary measures," she told the Budget Committee of the House of Councillors, the upper chamber of the Diet, the country's parliament.

Asked about U.S. President Donald Trump's call for ship escorts in the Strait of Hormuz, Takaichi said, "It's difficult to answer hypothetically because we have not been asked for that yet."

She said that issuing a maritime security order based on the Self-Defense Forces law to escort ships would be "legally difficult."

The prime minister declined to comment on the legal assessment of U.S.-Israeli attacks on Iran, saying, "We are not in a position to know the detailed facts in full."