Minister-level finance officials of Japan and South Korea held a meeting in Tokyo on Saturday, sharing concern over the rapid depreciation of the two countries' currencies.

A joint statement adopted at the meeting expressed "serious concern over the recent sharp depreciation of the Korean won and the Japanese yen."

 

Participants "reaffirmed that they will closely monitor foreign exchange markets and continue to take appropriate actions against excessive volatility and disorderly movements in exchange rates," the document also said.

From Japan, Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama and other officials attended the gathering. South Korea was represented by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance and Economy Koo Yun-cheol.

 

The attendees also confirmed the importance of close cooperation to ensure stable energy supply amid growing tensions in the Middle East, such as Iran's blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, a key oil transportation waterway.
 
 

Coach Nils Nielsen said Saturday that Japan has the tools to take apart the Philippines in their Women's Asian Cup quarterfinal as the ominous two-time champion bids to keep a fourth straight clean sheet.

The highest-ranked team in the competition and the only Asian side to win the World Cup, Japan has been clinical so far with three wins from three games in the group phase.

Nadeshiko Japan have blasted a tournament-high 17 goals while conceding none, with the Philippines facing a daunting task in Sydney on Sunday.

"The Philippines are a very hard-working, disciplined and interesting side to watch, and it's going to be a challenge for us," said Greenland's Nielsen, the first foreign-born coach of the Japanese women's team.

"But I feel we have the tools to counter the challenges we face.
"We are preparing for all kinds of scenarios so that we can adapt quickly to whatever happens during the game, especially if things don't go our way."

For the Philippines' Australian coach Mark Torcaso, reaching the final eight is an achievement in itself.

He acknowledged the job in front of his side, but said the Philippines was playing for national pride.

"Given it's Japan, I know our chances will be limited so we must take full advantage of whatever opportunities we get and be disciplined in our game," he said.

"This is not just about reaching the quarterfinals.
"It is about carrying out our responsibility to showcase our quality so that every young girl in the Philippines will dream of playing for the national team."

The winner will bank automatic qualification for the 2027 World Cup in Brazil and lineup a semifinal against either South Korea or Uzbekistan.
 
 

 
Japan will inform the U.S. next week that it intends to join the "Golden Dome" missile defense initiative and expects that ​Washington may seek its help with missile production due to the Middle ‌East war and other conflicts, two sources said.

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi will announce the latest plan when she meets U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington D.C. at a leaders' summit on March 19, the Japanese government ​sources said, requesting anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter.

Trump's Golden Dome ​project, announced last year with an ambitious 2028 timeline, envisions expanding existing ⁠ground‑based defenses such as interceptor missiles with more experimental space‑based elements, meant to detect, ​track and potentially counter incoming threats from orbit.

But the project has made little visible progress so ​far. Details of how Japan will participate also remain unclear.

The Yomiuri newspaper, which first reported Japan's plans on Friday, said Tokyo hoped the initiative could be used to defend the country against new ​hypersonic glide weapons being developed by China and Russia.

Tokyo anticipates that Trump may request ​Japan to produce or co-develop missiles that could help replace stocks of U.S. munitions depleted by the ‌U.S.-Israeli ⁠war on Iran, as well as its support for Ukraine, the sources said. It is still considering how to respond to any such request, they added.

Japan exported a batch of surface-to-air Patriot missiles built under license to the United States late last year, marking a ​historic break from its ​long-standing ban on ⁠lethal weapons exports.

The Trump administration is pushing defense contractors to step up production of missiles and other munitions that have been drawn down ​in recent years. Tokyo is seeking to bolster its own munitions reserves ​to deter ⁠an increasingly assertive China and nuclear-armed North Korea.

Patriot interceptors have been critical in intercepting hundreds of Iranian ballistic missiles and drones fired at Gulf countries since the U.S. and Israel ⁠launched their ​air war against Iran earlier this month.

Ukraine has also ​relied on Patriots to defend its energy and military infrastructure since Russia invaded it in 2022.
 
 

Two senior public servants recalled challenges for female workers from their own experiences, nearly 40 years after Japan enforced the law on equal opportunity and treatment between men and women in employment in April 1986.

Tokyo Vice Governor Akiko Matsumoto, 60, and Riwa Sakamoto, 53, director-general of the Business Environment Department of the Small and Medium Enterprise Agency, looked back at their struggles balancing work and child care, saying that younger generations should have fun both in working and having families.

Matsumoto joined the Tokyo metropolitan government in 1989. Although the equal opportunity law had taken effect three years before, the law at that time merely stipulated an obligation for employers to make efforts to treat men and women equally in employment and promotion.

It was not until a revision in 1999 that discrimination against women was clearly prohibited under the law.

Matsumoto felt the gap between men and women when she was looking for a job, she says. At that time, job-seeking students would receive thick job information books and send postcards to companies they wanted to work for, in order to ask for more details.
 

 

Indonesia and Australia are in talks to expand their security cooperation to incorporate Japan after the close neighbors struck a landmark treaty on increased consultations against threats, a senior official said on Thursday.

The Jakarta Treaty was the centerpiece of Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s visit to Indonesia in early February. The pact has opened up the possibility for Canberra and Jakarta to coordinate joint responses if either is attacked.

"There was the idea of creating an Indonesia, Australia, Japan trilateral [arrangement] that puts more emphasis on defense and professionalism,” Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsjoeddin told the press after hosting a meeting with his Australian counterpart Richard Marles in Jakarta.

Sjafrie offered few details on the Japan cooperation. The minister admitted that Jakarta was open to having joint military exercises with the two G20 nations, while saying it’s normal for countries to engage in such drills.

 He confirmed that he would discuss this in more depth with Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi, who is slated to visit Jakarta in May. 

Jakarta’s engagements in the defense field with Japan mainly revolve around Tokyo donating patrol boats, among others. 

The Sjafrie-Marles talks laser in on turning Maluku’s northernmost island, Morotai, into an international training facility. The Allied Forces turned Morotai into their base in their fight against the Japanese military during World War II.

According to Sjafrie, this training ground will be open for other foreign air and naval forces, including Japan.

Sjafrie also claimed to have floated an "intelligence sharing" plan to Marles in response to the global developments.
 
 

 
A giant pipe has emerged about 13 meters above a road in a busy district of central Osaka, western Japan. The city is investigating the cause of the incident, and restoration work is underway.

Osaka City officials said an iron pipe measuring 3.5 meters in diameter was discovered protruding from the road shortly before 7 a.m. on Wednesday.

Thirteen meters of the 30-meter-long pipe had been pushed vertically out of the ground beneath the elevated Shin-Midosuji highway in the city's Kita Ward.

No injuries were reported.

Officials said the pipe was part of an underground conduit being prepared to store rainwater. On Tuesday, workers reportedly removed groundwater that had accumulated in the pipe.

The officials said they do not know whether this operation played a role in the pipe's emergence.

They are investigating the cause of the incident. Workers are injecting water into the pipe to push it back underground.

Officials say that there is a risk of the pipe rising further and reaching the elevated highway above. The Shin-Midosuji highway has therefore been closed since Wednesday morning. As a result, heavy traffic congestion has occurred around the busy Umeda district.

City officials say they do not know when the road closure can be lifted.
The head of the city's sewage department, Miyazaki Hiroaki, offered a deep apology for causing significant inconvenience to many residents.
 
 

The Japanese government on Tuesday designated a total of 61 goods and technologies for priority investment by the public and private sectors, as part of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's efforts to realize a strong economy, Jiji Press reports. 

The designations were approved at a meeting of the Japan Growth Strategy Council, chaired by Takaichi.

We will find possible pathways for Japan to win, Takaichi said at the meeting, instructing her ministers to hammer out specific aid measures and investment amounts.

The 61 goods and technologies were selected from 17 areas, including artificial intelligence and semiconductors.

The government presented a draft investment roadmap for 27 of the designated goods and technologies, including AI robots, semiconductors, small drones, land-based aquaculture, gaming and next-generation ships.

Earlier, it was reported Japan's economy expanded an annualized real 1.3 percent in the October-December quarter, upgraded from an initially reported increase of 0.2 percent, driven up by stronger business investment and private spending. 
 
 

Japan is planning to sharply raise the legal cap on immigration-related residence fees for foreign nationals — the biggest revision of its kind in more than four decades.

The Cabinet on Tuesday approved a bill to amend immigration law to hike the statutory upper limit for fees to change the status of residence or extend the period of stay to ¥100,000 from ¥10,000, while raising the ceiling for permanent residence applications to ¥300,000, 30 times the current ¥10,000.

The proposed increase marks the first major revision to the statutory ceiling since 1982. While fees had been raised several times within that ceiling, this will be the first increase to the cap, itself.

On April 1 of last year, the fee for the change of status and extension of stay rose from ¥4,000 to ¥6,000, and the permanent residence fee rose from ¥8,000 to ¥10,000.

Agency officials have declined to offer specific figures under the new ceiling but said factors such as period of stay will be considered in deciding fees.

At a briefing Monday, an Immigration Services Agency official told reporters that the government had, so far, managed within the existing cap by calculating fees largely on the basis of administrative costs such as personnel expenses tied to residence examinations.

But with the number of foreign residents surging, even those costs have become harder to cover within the current ceiling. Japan’s foreign resident population stood at a record 4.13 million as of the end of 2025, officials disclosed during the briefing.

The immigration official said the government is factoring in not only administrative costs for residence examinations, but also broader expenses tied to immigration and residence management, including digitalization, My Number-linked data-sharing and services aimed at helping foreign nationals live in Japan.

The agency said the new framework would also allow fee reductions or exemptions for people requiring special humanitarian consideration who cannot pay because of severe economic hardship, such as trafficking victims or others unable to return home.

When asked how the new fees were being calculated, the official said the government was broadly working from the cost of foreign-resident-related measures on a per-foreign-resident basis, while also factoring in periods of stay and fee levels in other countries.

The government is aiming to implement the fee provisions sometime before the end of the next fiscal year on March 31, 2027.

At a news conference Tuesday morning, Justice Minister Hiroshi Hiraguchi said the measures are intended to ensure that foreign nationals “bear an appropriate amount of the costs” related to their arrival and residency.

“This will help promote an orderly coexistence with foreign nationals,” he told reporters.

The bill also includes plans to introduce Japan’s version of an electronic travel authorization system, known as JESTA, by March 31, 2029.

The system would require visa-exempt short-term visitors, certain cruise passengers and some transit passengers to obtain advance authorization before traveling to Japan.

The agency said the measure is aimed at preventing overstayers and other problematic entrants from reaching Japan in the first place, while also easing congestion at airports and ports.

Of the roughly 38.05 million short-term foreign arrivals to Japan in 2025, approximately 80% were visa-exempt travelers, according to the agency.

Under the new system, airlines and ship operators would be required to send passenger information in advance and would be barred from allowing travelers to board for Japan if authorities determine they should not be permitted entry.

The agency also plans to introduce walk-through gates at major airports so travelers who have received authorization and satisfy landing requirements can complete immigration procedures more smoothly.
 
 

Elderly people are getting exercise by disco dancing with a class in the central Japanese prefecture of Toyama.

Some 110 elderly people took part in the lesson organized by a federation of senior citizens' clubs in Uozu City.

Participants learned the steps and how to move their bodies, and were soon dancing to the rhythm of disco hits from the 1970s. The venue was filled with as much excitement as a disco dance floor. The participants raised their hands vigorously in a sign of enjoyment.

Members of a local high school dance club were there too to show off their moves.

A woman in her 70s said she's enjoying it as if she were back in her youth.
Another woman in her 80s said she sweat a lot, but it's wonderful to be able to dance with kids young enough to be her great-grandchildren.
 
 

The Japanese government adopted at a cabinet meeting Tuesday a bill designed to eliminate areas underserved by transportation services such as buses and taxis.

The bill to revise the law on local public transportation systems calls on municipalities to provide financial support and simplify procedures for passenger service providers that share vehicles and drivers in these areas.

The government assumes that school buses or shuttle vehicles for day care services can be used to jointly offer rides to citizens for a fee during their idle times.

According to the transport ministry, there were about 2,000 areas lacking transportation nationwide as of April 2025. The ministry aims to promote countermeasures during an intensive period through the end of fiscal 2027.

The law currently supports efforts to address a lack of transportation services in some areas, such as shared taxi services and ride-hailing services, in which private drivers transport passengers for a fee using their personal vehicles.
 
 

The Japanese government on Tuesday approved a bill to amend the immigration control law to establish an online pre-entry screening system for overseas arrivals and significantly increase residence status application fees for foreigners.

The Cabinet-endorsed bill will be submitted to the current Diet session, and if enacted, the government aims to implement the entry eligibility screening system called the Japan Electronic System for Travel Authorization, or JESTA, in fiscal 2028.

The amendment includes raising the upper limit for visa application and renewal fees from 10,000 yen ($63) to 300,000 yen, marking the first increase since 1982.

The introduction of JESTA aims to prevent terrorism and illegal employment, according to the Immigration Services Agency. It would target the current 74 countries and regions whose citizens are exempt from obtaining short-stay visas.

Several days before traveling to Japan, applicants would be required to provide information online, including their name, the purpose of their stay, and the locations they intend to visit. Those suspected of traveling for illegal employment or other violations would be denied boarding on aircraft and ships.

Fees are currently set at 10,000 yen for application for permanent residency and 6,000 yen for residence period renewals.

It has been pointed out that these fees, which cover only actual costs and are also allocated to coexistence measures, are significantly lower than those in Western countries.

The number of foreign residents in Japan at the end of 2025 stood at approximately 4.13 million, a record high.

The government would aim to use the increased cap to cover system costs for efficient visa screening and the establishment of consultation services.

The amendment sets the cap at 300,000 yen for permanent residency applications and 100,000 yen for visa extensions and similar procedures.

The limits have been set in anticipation of future inflation. Going forward, the specific amounts for each fee would be determined by government ordinance with the aim of applying them within fiscal 2026.

According to sources, the permanent residency application fee is being considered at around 200,000 yen, while other fees would range from 10,000 yen to 70,000 yen depending on the intended period of stay.

A reduction and exemption system will also be introduced for cases that require humanitarian consideration, where payment is difficult due to financial circumstances.
 


 

 
The Japanese government is considering eliminating face-to-face immigration checks for most foreign tourists as part of efforts to simplify entry procedures and manage the growing number of international visitors, Qazinform News Agency cites Kyodo.

According to the Immigration Services Agency, the proposed system would rely on traveler information submitted through an online pre-screening platform known as the Japan Electronic System for Travel Authorization (JESTA), which is expected to be launched in fiscal year 2028.

Officials say removing in-person immigration checks to ease airport congestion would be an uncommon practice globally. To introduce the system, the government plans to amend the immigration control law through a bill that is expected to be submitted during the current session of the Diet.

The new system would apply to travelers from countries and regions that are currently exempt from short-term visas. At present, citizens from 74 countries and territories fall under this category.

Japan welcomed a record 42.7 million foreign visitors in 2025 and aims to increase that figure to 60 million by 2030.

Under the JESTA system, travelers will be required to submit details about their trip online before departure. Immigration authorities will review the information and decide whether to approve entry. Travelers suspected of planning to overstay their visas may be denied boarding before departure.
At several Japanese airports, visitors are already using a digital system called the Integrated Kiosk, which collects fingerprints and photographs while processing both immigration and customs procedures.

If no issues are detected - such as a previous record of overstaying - a traveler would be able to pass through an automated gate and enter the country. Immigration officers will remain stationed nearby and may conduct face-to-face checks if suspicious activity is observed.

The Integrated Kiosk system is currently operating at Narita, Haneda, Kansai, and Fukuoka airports, and authorities plan to expand it to additional airports in the future.

Earlier, it was reported cities in western Japan raise tourism-linked fees to deal with overtourism. 
 

 

Momoka Muraoka won the silver medal in the women's alpine skiing super-G sitting event at the Milan-Cortina Paralympics on Monday, bringing Japan its first medal of the ongoing games.

Despite failing to win back-to-back gold medals in the event, Muraoka secured a podium finish for the third consecutive Winter Paralympics.

 

Her cumulative Winter Games medal tally rose to 10, matching Kuniko Obinata's Japanese record.

 

"I wasn't able to give it my all, but I'm relieved to have won a medal," Muraoka said.

 
 

 

As the Iran war expands across the Middle East, Japan has been accelerating efforts to evacuate its citizens — a response that underscores both Tokyo’s growing security role overseas and the diplomatic balancing act between Washington and Gulf states hosting Japanese nationals.

Late Sunday, 107 Japanese nationals arrived in Narita International Airport on a government-chartered aircraft as part of the ongoing evacuation effort from the Middle East. Tokyo has facilitated the evacuation of hundreds of Japanese nationals since the outbreak of hostilities in the region on Feb. 28, including 208 people who were evacuated from Doha to Riyadh by land for an arrival in Japan on Tuesday.

The effort demonstrated unprecedented speed and interagency coordination of government assets for the evacuation effort, while signaling Tokyo’s priority of protecting its citizens abroad amid the Iran conflict.

In contrast, for example, during the 2021 U.S. withdrawal in Afghanistan the Japanese government took eight days to authorize the Self-Defense Forces to dispatch aircraft for the evacuation of Japanese nationals. SDF aircraft did not arrive in the region until 10 days after the fall of Kabul.

Over the past week, Iranian counter strikes have hitmore than a dozen regional countries, including airports and other infrastructure in places like the UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar. This has left many travelers stranded and seeking alternative options for leaving as the governments in Washington, Tel Aviv and Tehran have signaled their intent to continue military operations.

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi announced the completion of the most recent evacuation on social media, stating, “As the Government of Japan, we will continue to take every possible measure to protect Japanese nationals across the entire region, including countries around Iran.”

This includes the government’s decision to dispatch SDF aircraft in preparation for additional evacuations. On Sunday, the Defense Ministry announced that one of its aerial refueling and transport aircraft departed from Komaki Air Base and stopped over in the Maldives en route to the region.

The ministry did not disclose where the aircraft would be staging next, although the SDF base at Camp Lemmonier in Djibouti remains a possible option.
 

 

Taiwan’s premier visited Japan on Saturday for the island’s World Baseball Classic victory over the Czech Republic, a move expected to stoke China’s ire as Sino-Japanese ties remain in a deep freeze.

The visit by Taiwanese Premier Cho Jung-tai was the first known planned trip to Japan by a sitting premier from the democratic island since the two sides severed diplomatic ties in 1972, Taiwan’s Central News Agency reported.

In 2004, a flight with then-Taiwanese Premier Yu Shyi-kun on board was forced to divert to Okinawa Prefecture’s Naha Airport, where he stayed for five hours before departing.

Cho attended the game at Tokyo Dome with the island’s de facto representative to Japan, Lee Yi-yang, and Sports Minister Lee Yang, CNA said, adding that the trip had been conducted in a personal capacity.

CNA quoted Democratic Progressive Party lawmaker Kuo Kuo-wen as saying that Cho had returned to Taiwan after the game, calling the visit “a kind of baseball diplomacy.” Kuo said the visit had been facilitated by Liberal Democratic Party heavyweight Koichi Hagiuda and former representative to Japan Frank Hsieh.

The premier’s unprecedented visit could add fuel to the ongoing dispute between China and Japan, which began following Takaichi’s remarks in parliament on Nov. 7 that the Self-Defense Forces could be deployed under the right to collective self-defense in “worst-case” scenarios, such as a Chinese naval blockade of Taiwan, which the prime minister said would constitute a “survival-threatening situation” for Japan.
 
 

Two Japanese nationals are being detained in Iran, and the Japanese government has requested their early release, Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi said Friday.

Amid the U.S.-Israeli military campaign against Iran, Motegi informed a Diet session that the government was able to communicate with the two individuals and confirmed that they are currently safe.

One is the Tehran bureau chief of public broadcaster NHK, who was detained on Jan. 20 by local authorities, according to a nonprofit organization. Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara told a press conference later Friday that the other has been under detention since June.

"The government calls strongly for their early release and will provide as much support as possible while staying in touch with them, their families and related parties," Motegi said.

The top diplomat added that he confirmed the safety of all Japanese nationals in Iran after the United States and Israel began attacking last Saturday.

"Of the approximately 200 Japanese nationals, about three-quarters are permanent residents, and many of them don't want to leave the country," he said.

Kihara, the top government spokesman, also said that Japan will dispatch a Self-Defense Forces airplane "as soon as arrangements are finalized" to prepare for an evacuation of its citizens stranded in the Middle East.

Upon the request of the Foreign Ministry, Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi has instructed the SDF to send a transport aircraft to the Maldives, an Indian Ocean islands nation, to stand by there, according to Kihara.

Kihara said that the evacuation of Japanese travelers in Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates by chartered private flights will start as early as Saturday, and that the SDF plane dispatchment is a "precautionary" measure in case such flights become unavailable or other "unpredictable developments."

Also on Friday, the Foreign Ministry said a Tokyo-bound charter flight will leave Oman at midnight Sunday local time to evacuate Japanese nationals in Oman and the United Arab Emirates.

Separately, transport minister Yasushi Kaneko said that debris believed to have fallen from the sky was found on a Japanese-affiliated ship anchored in the Gulf of Oman, causing minor damage such as cracked windows.

No one was injured, and there are no disruptions to the ship's operations.
The transport ministry said it is not possible to determine whether the debris is related to the U.S.-Israel war with Iran.
 

 

The Japanese government Friday approved a bill to establish the planned disaster management agency, which will serve as a central command body for disaster response.

The current disaster management division of the Cabinet Office will be reorganized into the agency, which will have personnel of 352, up from 220 at the current division. The related budget will also be expanded.

The agency will be headed by the prime minister and will also have a dedicated minister. The government aims to launch the agency in autumn.
According to the legislation, approved at a cabinet meeting, the agency will operate directly under the cabinet.

 

It will be responsible for formulating basic disaster-related policies, as well as for planning and overall coordination to address major disasters.

The dedicated minister will have the authority to issue recommendations to other government agencies.
 
 

 

Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and its coalition partner, the Japan Innovation Party (JIP), submitted a proposal on Friday aimed at revising the country’s rules on defense equipment exports, potentially allowing the export of lethal weapons, Qazinform News Agency cites Jiji Press.

The proposal was presented to Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi by Yasukazu Hamada, the LDP’s security policy chief, and Seiji Maehara, who holds the same role in the JIP.

The plan recommends changing the operational guidelines linked to Japan’s “three principles on defense equipment transfers.”

Currently, Japan restricts defense equipment exports to five limited categories: rescue, transport, vigilance, surveillance, and minesweeping.

The new proposal calls for removing these restrictions, which would open the door for broader defense exports, including lethal arms.

Based on the proposal, the Japanese government is considering revising the operational guidelines as early as this spring.

Supporters of the plan argue that easing the restrictions would help strengthen Japan’s security cooperation with allies and partner nations, while also boosting the country’s domestic defense industry and technological capabilities.

The proposal signals a major shift in Japan’s long-standing security policy, as the country has traditionally taken a cautious approach toward arms exports.

If implemented, the government will likely need to carefully explain the policy change to the public and introduce safeguards to address concerns surrounding the export of lethal weapons.

Earlier, it was reported Japan's Prime Minister Takaichi vows policy shifts to forge a strong, prosperous Japan. 
 
 

Japan has just unveiled another round of grants dedicated to Indonesian grassroots communities, totaling nearly 25.1 million yen or $167,066 this time.

About $63,629 of that cash will go into constructing school buildings for a community learning center in Lamahara, East Flores. Japan will also bankroll around $43,324 to purchase medical equipment for the Marianum Haliulik Catholic Hospital in East Nusa Tenggara.

Tokyo has earmarked $60,113 to construct a building for Al-Hidayah Islamic School in a Lampung village. Japanese Embassy’s Chargé d’Affaires ad interim Myochin Mitsuru said Thursday that the recipient groups would receive the grant after the targeted construction and procurement are complete. 

“Japan puts great importance on human security. [Making sure] that people live with dignity, so education and healthcare are very important, in particular for the people who live in the countryside. … That’s why we are focusing on these sectors,” Mitsuru told the press.

In recent years, Japan has rolled out a series of grassroots grants for Indonesians, which typically target small-scale community projects in the country’s rural areas. Indonesia is an archipelagic country, but its development and growth have remained Java-centric. 

The Jakarta Globe asked Mitsuru whether the latest fund injection could be a curtain-raiser to an upcoming meeting between President Prabowo Subianto and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.

According to Mitsuru, Takaichi’s predecessor, Shigeru Ishiba, had already travelled to Jakarta in January 2025. And now Japan wants Prabowo to make a return visit soon.

“Hopefully, our leaders can meet in person bilaterally. … We hope Prabowo can visit Tokyo. That would be great. But I cannot say exactly when. We sincerely hope that it will take place soon,” Mitsuru said.
 
 

A Japanese appellate court has ordered the group formerly known as the Unification Church to disband as a religious corporation.

With the order's issuance, procedures will immediately be put in motion to liquidate the group's assets.

Presiding Judge of the Tokyo High Court Miki Motoko issued the order on Wednesday, dismissing the group's appeal and upholding a lower court decision.

Japan's education ministry asked the Tokyo District Court in 2023 to issue a dissolution order over the group's practice of soliciting large donations from members or having them buy expensive items by exploiting fears about their spiritual wellbeing.

The district court issued the order in March last year, saying the group caused financial damage totaling about 20.4 billion yen, or about 130 million dollars, to more than 1,500 people.

The group appealed the decision. During the high court hearings, the group insisted that dissolution was unnecessary because it had been engaged in collective negotiations and taken other measures to resolve the issue.

The high court order takes effect immediately. A court-appointed liquidator will now start the process including disposing of the group's assets and compensating people who suffered financial damage.

The group will lose its tax-exempt status as a religious corporation. Its executives will also step down.

The group can still appeal to the Supreme Court. But unless the dissolution order is reversed, the liquidation process will continue.

This is the third time a religious corporation in Japan has been ordered dissolved for legal violations. Past cases included the Aum Shinrikyo cult.
The latest dissolution order marks the first time one has been issued on the grounds of civil wrongdoing.
 

 

A Japanese startup on Wednesday made a last-minute decision to cancel its postponed launch of a small rocket, a flight that would have made it the first private entity to put a satellite into orbit on its own.

Space One Co. said it aborted the process 30 seconds before the planned liftoff of the Kairos No. 3 rocket from a site in Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan. The 18-meter, 23-ton solid-fuel rocket was loaded with five satellites for the Taiwan Space Agency and other entities.

The company said the launch was aborted because the vehicle could not receive stable positioning satellite signals, which are used to track its location and speed.

It also revealed that the new launch date has been set for Thursday at 11:10 a.m.

 

Weather conditions had forced the Tokyo-based startup to reschedule the launch initially set for February. It was postponed until Sunday and then to 11 a.m. Wednesday, again due to unfavorable weather conditions.

The company is aiming to provide low-cost, speedy space transport, with a target of 30 rocket launches per year in the 2030s.

Founded in 2018, the company has failed twice in its attempt to launch a rocket. The first Kairos rocket exploded about five seconds after liftoff in March 2024 due to an error in thrust prediction.

Its second unsuccessful rocket launch in December that year ended in self-destruction following an altitude control problem.
 

 

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi will host an annual evening meal for ambassadors of Islamic countries to Japan on March 12, sources said Wednesday.

Every year, the government holds an "iftar," the feast after sunset to break the daytime fast during the period of Ramadan, at the prime minister's office in Tokyo.

At this year's iftar, Takaichi and ambassadors are expected to exchange views on ways to help de-escalate tensions around Iran that intensified due to the U.S.-Israeli attacks since Saturday.

Takaichi will also seek cooperation to ensure the safe passage of vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint in a key oil transport route that has been effectively blocked, and to secure the safety of Japanese nationals in the Middle East.

The iftar hosted in March last year by then Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba was attended by ambassadors to Japan and other representatives from 45 economies, including Iran, Jordan and Indonesia.
 

 

The Japanese government is considering establishing an expert panel in late April toward revising its three key national security-related documents by the end of this year, informed sources said Tuesday.

The panel is expected to discuss new numerical targets for boosting defense spending and strengthening combat sustainability.

Based on the discussions, the government plans to draft outlines as early as this summer for a bill to update the three documents, government and ruling party officials said.

Experts on defense and security policies, cybersecurity and space will take part in the panel. They are likely to discuss responses to threats from China and ways to deal with new forms of warfare, such as the massive use of drones.

The government will move forward with the revision of the three documents, including the National Security Strategy, after taking into account proposals to be compiled by the ruling Liberal Democratic Party around Japan's Golden Week holiday period from late April to early May.
 
 

 

Japan plans to develop guidelines on dual pricing at public tourism facilities, its transport minister said Tuesday, as setting different prices for local residents and tourists has been gathering steam as a strategy to address overtourism.

Although setting prices should primarily be left to each operator to weigh demand and other factors, transport minister Yasushi Kaneko said it is necessary for the government to provide guidance.

"It's important that prices are set in a way that will enable (businesses) to sustain their operations and services going forward," Kaneko told a press conference.

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism is expected to ask a panel of experts to discuss the guideline details.

Japan, which is seeking to further boost inbound tourism, saw a record number of foreign visitors last year, with the total surpassing the 40 million mark for the first time. However, this surge has also raised issues, including congestion and poor behavior.

According to the Japan Tourism Agency, facilities use various pricing methods. For example, they may provide discounts for local residents or allow children to use their facilities free of charge.

On Sunday, the western Japanese city of Himeji, home to Himeji Castle, increased the entry fee for the World Heritage site from 1,000 yen ($6.4) to 2,500 yen for nonresidents aged 18 and older.

Kyoto, another popular tourist destination known for its temples and traditional culture, is considering raising the public bus fare for nonresidents to the western Japan city while lowering the current flat rate for residents, starting in fiscal 2027.

The Japanese government is asking national museums to consider the introduction of dual pricing by the end of March 2031.
 
 

Agriculture Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman on Tuesday dispatched 545 tons of poultry and products worth Rp18.2 billion (US$1.2 million) to Singapore, Japan, and Timor Leste, expanding Indonesia’s strategic food commodity exports.

“Today we are sending poultry and related products to three countries: Singapore, Japan, and Timor Leste,” Sulaiman said at the Ministry of Agriculture office in Jakarta.

He said the exports signal Indonesia’s poultry industry has not only achieved self-sufficiency in chicken and eggs but is also expanding into global markets.

Sulaiman stressed that Indonesia now has strong production capacity after reaching self-sufficiency in eggs and chicken.

“Now we are self-sufficient in eggs, chicken, rice, and other staples. We are pushing exports to other countries. Currently, we have 10 regular export destinations. Today, three countries will receive our poultry products,” he said.

He added that export success proves Indonesia no longer depends on chicken imports.

“We agreed to become a global food hub, covering carbohydrates and protein. Protein, especially poultry, is now self-sufficient and ready for export,” he said.

Sulaiman said rising production should not cause prices to collapse for farmers. The government manages surplus through domestic absorption, including the Free Nutritious Meal program, and expanding export channels.

Exports are handled by four domestic companies, each with varying shipment volumes and values: PT Charoen Pokphand Indonesia Tbk, PT Japfa Comfeed Indonesia Tbk, PT Taat Indah Bersinar, and PT Malindo Food Delight.

For businesses, exports provide market certainty amid abundant domestic production. The government uses surpluses to stabilize farm-level prices and widen global market access.

Director General of Livestock and Animal Health Agung Suganda said export success relies on robust animal health systems, food safety assurance, and international-standard monitoring.

“Each exported product undergoes veterinary certification and strict oversight according to destination requirements. We ensure traceability, biosecurity, and food safety to maintain sustainable exports,” Agung said.

He added that market access is maintained through intensive veterinary diplomacy and technical communication with partner countries, securing international trust through quality and compliance.

With ample production and growing export markets, Indonesia’s poultry sector is stronger. The Ministry will continue balancing production surplus, farm-level price stability, and global market expansion to boost industry competitiveness.
 

The Japanese government will evacuate its nationals in Israel by bus as early as Monday Japan time amid rising tensions in the Middle East, Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara said.

"We will refrain from commenting on details such as the exact route and time, as it pertains to the safety of nationals," Kihara said at a press conference.

Japan's Self-Defense Forces are "preparing to quickly deploy personnel to swiftly and appropriately transport nationals," he added.
 
 

The National Police Agency instructed prefectural police departments nationwide to increase security at U.S.- and Israel-related facilities, following the two countries' military attacks on Iran.

The agency issued an administrative notice on Sunday, requesting thorough security measures at the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo and U.S. consulates and military bases across Japan, as well as locations linked to Israel and Jewish communities nationwide.

Patrols will also be strengthened at facilities related to Iran and Islamic communities.

In light of Iran's suggestion of retaliation, the police departments will reinforce their security posture by increasing the number of officers deployed, while also working to prevent disturbances or unexpected incidents during potential protests and to strengthen information-gathering efforts.
 
 

Proposed changes could reduce prevalence of international leaks while breeders await registration 

Japan is set to revise its plant variety protection laws in a bid to block unauthorised exports of new crop varieties by third parties, according to a recent report by Japan Today.  

Currently, plant rights are only protected once a new variety has been officially registered – which can take up to six years to complete. 

Due to the long registration timeframe, it’s common practice for breeders to cultivate more plants on a trial basis while a new crop is undergoing its review.

This means companies can begin marketing as soon as a new variety is registered. However, according to Japan Today, the practice has increased the risk of international leaks before a variety can be entered on the official register. 

In fact, in 2025 Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries confirmed that names similar to 50 new fruit varieties from Japan appeared on Chinese and Korean seed vendor websites. 

“The varieties were likely leaked during the application process,” an agriculture ministry official told Japan Today. 

Under the proposed revision, protection would be applied as soon as a developer has submitted a new variety for registration. It would also extend plant breeders’ rights, by another ten years. Currently fruit varieties are protected for 30 years and other plants for 25 years. 

The bill is expected to be submitted during the current special parliamentary session and is intended to be implemented within the year.  
 
 

 
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Monday urged Iran to seek a "diplomatic solution" amid an escalation in the Middle East conflict following U.S. and Israeli strikes targeting Tehran, while her government began its evacuation operation for nationals.

At a parliamentary committee meeting, Takaichi demanded Iran stop any actions that "destabilize the region" including its development of nuclear weapons, which she said is "absolutely unacceptable," as well as its attacks on surrounding countries.

"We will work in coordination with the international community toward an early deescalation of the situation and continue to make every necessary diplomatic effort," Takaichi said.

Meanwhile, Takaichi said her government will refrain from offering a "definitive legal assessment" about the bombardment launched by the United States, Japan's close security ally, and Israel, as Tokyo does not have "detailed information."

Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi said at the Diet session that no Japanese casualties in Iran have been reported so far.

About 200 and 1,000 Japanese citizens live in Iran and Israel, respectively, and some 7,700 in total reside in nine nearby nations such as Bahrain and Lebanon, according to the government.

Later Monday, a government-arranged bus departed from Tel Aviv to Jordan's capital Amman with some business persons and tourists from Japan on board, a source close to the matter said.

The main international airport outside of Tel Aviv is expected to be closed until Wednesday amid continued retaliatory attacks by Iran.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara told a press conference that Japan is ready to dispatch its Self-Defense Forces for a possible operation to evacuate nationals from the region.

Organizing a large-scale evacuation in Iran is difficult, however, because airports are closed and land routes are dangerous, according to a source familiar with the matter.

Due to its heavy reliance on the Middle East for crude oil, Japan, a resource-poor country that has traditionally maintained friendly ties with Iran, has a vital interest in stability in the region.

Kihara, the top government spokesman, said that no immediate impact is expected on Japan's oil supply from the Middle East conflict, citing stockpiles equivalent to 254 days of crude oil consumption, including reserves held by the private sector, and around three weeks of liquefied natural gas consumption.

The Japanese government is closely watching the situation around the Strait of Hormuz, an oil shipping route vital for Japan, with the U.S. and Israeli strikes prompting Iranian attacks on other Gulf nations in addition to Israel.

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said Sunday it had attacked at least three oil tankers belonging to the United States and Britain in the area, according to state-run media.

More than 200 vessels including oil and LNG tankers had dropped anchor around the Strait of Hormuz and surrounding waters as of Sunday, Reuters reported, citing shipping data.

The latest developments came after weekend airstrikes by the United States and Israel in which Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was killed. U.S. President Donald Trump has said the operation is aimed at eliminating "imminent threats" posed by the Iranian government.

U.S. Central Command said Sunday that three U.S. service members had been killed and five seriously wounded, marking the first confirmed U.S. military fatalities in connection with "Operation Epic Fury" against Iran.
 
 

The Japanese yen recovered on Thursday after the head of the Bank of Japan said the decision on whether to increase interest rates at its March and April meetings will be based on economic data, while overall movements in the market were subdued as traders awaited fresh catalysts.

Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda said the central bank will continue to raise interest rates if Japan makes progress in achieving its economic and price projections.

A report on Tuesday said Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi expressed reservations about additional interest rate hikes during her meeting with Ueda last week.

The yen strengthened 0.12% against the greenback to 156.15 per dollar. It had reached a two-week low of 156.82 on Wednesday.

The dollar index , which measures the greenback against a basket of currencies including the yen and the euro, rose 0.18% to 97.79, with the euro down 0.11% at $1.1796.

Moves were muted with traders gauging the outlook for tariffs, risk sentiment and the economy.

"The risk backdrop remains relatively supportive," said Karl Schamotta, chief market strategist at Corpay in Toronto. "But conviction among investors is low, and clear-cut directional trends are nearly absent."




TARIFFS, INTEREST RATES IN FOCUS

The U.S. tariff rate for some countries will rise to 15% or higher from the newly imposed 10%, U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said on Wednesday, without naming any specific trading partners or giving further details.

The Federal Reserve is expected to keep rates steady until at least June as it balances elevated inflation and labor market risks, which is adding to the lack of market conviction.

Data on Thursday showed that the number of Americans filing new applications for jobless benefits increased marginally last week, and the unemployment rate appeared to hold steady in February amid a stable labor market.

Analysts at TD Securities see continuing risks for further dollar weakness in the coming quarters, noting "strained haven status, and the continued hedge America trade."

"U.S. resilience is likely to fall short of exceptionalism, which in a backdrop of solid global growth, lower rates, and fiscal buffers is positive for risky assets and is bearish for the dollar," the analysts said in a report on Thursday.

European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde said policymakers continued to expect inflation to stabilise at their target rate of 2% in the near term, while repeating her "baseline" expectation that she would stay until the end of her term.

Data released on Thursday showed the ECB sold some of its dollar assets early last year and reduced the weight of the dollar in its foreign exchange reserves.

Sterling weakened 0.52% to $1.3486. Domestic political risks remained a key driver, with traders focused on a byelection in Manchester, widely viewed as a key test for Prime Minister Keir Starmer and his Labour Party.

The Chinese yuan strengthened against the dollar in offshore trade, rising 0.22% to 6.842 yuan, the strongest level in almost three years despite the central bank signalling it wanted to curb the currency's rapid gains.

Investors are keeping an eye on rising tensions between the United States and Iran. The countries made significant progress in talks aimed at resolving a longstanding nuclear dispute and averting new U.S. strikes on Iran, mediator Oman said on Thursday, amid a large-scale U.S. military buildup in the Middle East.

In cryptocurrencies, bitcoin fell 2.01% to $67,554.
 
 

Japan raised its travel alert for Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, and the UAE to level two and strongly urged Japanese citizens to avoid travel to these nations, while those currently traveling are advised to remain vigilant and take extra precautions.

Jordan was also raised to level two for the entire country, with some border areas at a higher alert level.

This heightened danger level comes in the wake of the Saturday’s joint American and Israeli airstrikes on Iran, which triggered a series of Iranian missile launches across the region, including strikes on Bahrain and Qatar.

The Iranian Revolutionary Guard declared it had targeted a U.S. military base in both Bahrain and Qatar and signaled plans to strike more American sites in these countries, according to the Ministry’s Overseas Safety Department.

The Ministry raised the advisory level in Saudi Arabia’s Riyadh Province to level 2, recommending avoiding non-essential travel.

Level three, which advises against all travel, remains in effect for border areas with Yemen in Jazan, Asir, Najran, and the Eastern Province.

The border areas with Iraq remain at level 2, advising against non-essential travel. For the remainder of Saudi Arabia, the Ministry maintains level one, urging travelers to exercise extreme caution.

“Avoid non-essential travel to these countries, remain informed, and exercise heightened caution. Depending on the circumstances, implement appropriate safety measures, such as refraining from unnecessary outings. Please be aware of potential flight cancellations and delays,” the advisory stated.

Japan’s Foreign Ministry has also increased the danger level for Israel, the West Bank, the Gaza Strip, and Jordan following recent attacks by Israel and the United States on Iran.

The Gaza Strip and the area adjacent to the Lebanon border are now classified as level four, with Japanese citizens instructed to depart immediately. The entire West Bank is designated as level three, and travel to this region is strongly discouraged.

Iran remains at level four, Japan’s highest alert level.

All of Israel is now designated as level three or four, an increase from previous levels of two or three. The Ministry stated, “Please refrain from traveling to Israel.

Those already in Israel should ensure their own safety and consider leaving the country after checking the airport and commercial flight statuses. If you are unavoidably staying in the country, please exercise special caution and avoid areas where large numbers of Israeli Defense Forces soldiers are gathered.”

Most of the West Bank, except for Jericho, Bethlehem, Ramallah, the main roads connecting these cities to Jerusalem, and National Highways 1 and 90, remains at level three. Areas outside these specified locations have also been upgraded to level three. The Foreign Ministry stated: “Do not travel to the West Bank.”

Escalating clashes in Iran and the heightened risk of military conflict with the United States have prompted Japanese officials to warn that the Middle East may soon become significantly more dangerous.

The Ministry has recently expanded its level one advisory, which urges caution, to 55 countries, including the United States, Canada, and most European nations.
 
 

Japan has refrained from expressing outright support for the weekend launch of U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran as Tokyo continued Sunday to gather information on the unfolding situation in the Middle East following the killing of longtime supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has instructed government ministries and agencies to analyze the potential impact of the attacks on sea and air transportation, as well as on the economy. She also vowed Saturday night to ensure the safety of Japanese nationals in the region.

Takaichi has not expressed support for or criticism of the attacks against Iran launched Saturday by the United States, Japan's longtime ally, and Israel.
Japan has traditionally built friendly ties with Iran, viewing stability in the region as vital.

Ensuring the safe passage of vessels carrying oil and cargo through the Strait of Hormuz between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman is also important for resource-scarce Japan.

In a phone conversation with other members of the Group of Seven nations, Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi reiterated Japan's position that it supports U.S. efforts to resolve the issue of Iran's nuclear program "through dialogue," his ministry said.

Motegi reiterated that Japan will maximize its diplomatic efforts with the international community over the Iran situation, saying that Tehran's development of nuclear weapons "must never be allowed."

The killing of Khamenei, 86, who ruled Iran for over three decades, came after U.S. President Donald Trump ramped up pressure on the Middle East country. He announced Saturday on social media that Khamenei had been killed in the attacks, and Iran's state media later confirmed the death.

He was apparently frustrated over Tehran's handling of anti-government demonstrations and progress toward reaching a deal over its nuclear program through negotiations.

A senior executive of Takaichi's ruling Liberal Democratic Party also stayed clear of criticizing the attacks during an appearance on a Sunday television program of public broadcaster NHK. His comments drew an immediate rebuke from opposition lawmakers appearing on the same program who argued that such strikes violate international law.

"We cannot simply condemn it, considering Iran's attitude toward nuclear development," Secretary General Shunichi Suzuki, the No. 2 of the LDP, said.

Speaking of the impact on Japan, he said the attacks "could have a huge impact on people's daily lives and the economy." Japan relies heavily on the Middle East for crude oil.

Japanese nationals in Iran had already been advised to evacuate, with the Foreign Ministry urging caution among people living in or traveling to countries in the Middle East and beyond due to heightened geopolitical tensions.
 
 

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi told parliament on Friday (Feb 27) that she opposes changing the imperial family's male succession rules.

The comments are her clearest on the issue - the subject of increasing debate as a succession crisis looms - since her party's landslide election victory this month.

Takaichi said she respected the conclusion of a panel of experts who had discussed the matter and found in 2021 that it was "appropriate to limit eligibility to those who are male-line male descendants belonging to the imperial lineage".

"The government, and I, myself as well, respect this report."

The premier previously warned that revising the imperial family's succession rules is "an urgent matter", although this would likely involve "adopting" new members.

During a policy speech last, she said that she hoped "discussions will deepen on how to ensure stable imperial succession ... leading toward the revision of the Imperial House Law".

Even though tradition dictates only a man can carry on the imperial line - which goes back 2,600 years according to legend - opinion polls have shown high public support for a woman taking the throne.

Emperor Naruhito has a daughter, Princess Aiko, but she has been sidelined by the royal family's male-only succession rules.

Japan has debated the royal succession for decades, with a key government panel in 2005 recommending that it pass to the oldest child regardless of their sex.

That appeared to pave the way for the emperor's daughter to rise to the Chrysanthemum Throne, but the birth of Prince Hisahito, the emperor's nephew, the following year silenced the debate.

In 2021, a government-appointed expert panel advised the government to consider allowing the imperial family to "adopt" new male members - distant relatives that could be brought back into the fold.

But it is unclear if those men would be willing to give up their careers and freedom to continue the lineage.

The panel also said royal daughters - currently forced to leave the family after marriage - could potentially continue their public duties after their nuptials.

Traditionalists have asserted that the "unbroken imperial line" of male succession is the foundation of Japan, and major changes would divide the nation.

Under the post-war constitution, the royal family holds no political power.
Historically, women who wed royals have faced intense pressure to produce sons and some family members are regular subjects of online and media gossip.

Empress Masako, a former high-flying diplomat, struggled for years with a stress-related illness after joining the household, which some have put down to the pressure to have a boy.

Emperess Emerita Michiko, Naruhito's mother, also suffered stress-induced illnesses.
 
 

The ruling Liberal Democratic Party and its coalition partner, the Japan Innovation Party, on Friday agreed to allow the establishment of secondary capitals in multiple regions.

During working-level talks at the Diet, Japan's parliament, the LDP presented a proposal for allowing several regions to be secondary capitals, and it was accepted by the JIP, which had been calling for a framework effectively limiting the potential sites to the western city of Osaka, its home base.

"This was a big step toward creating legislation," Eikei Suzuki, an LDP member of the House of Representatives, the lower chamber of the Diet, said of the agreement reached at the meeting.

The two parties will begin drafting an outline for the legislation with the aim of submitting related bills to the ongoing Diet session.

The JIP had previously insisted that a region designated as a secondary capital must fulfill the requirement of realizing the metropolis plan, which involves abolishing an ordinance-designated city and reorganizing it into special wards.
 
 

The number of births in Japan fell to a record low last year, extending the trend for the 10th year in a row, according to a summary released by the health ministry on Thursday.

Preliminary data from the ministry shows that 705,809 babies were born in 2025, including those born in Japan to foreign nationals — down 15,179, or 2.1%, from a year earlier. The figure marks the 10th consecutive annual decline, and the lowest level since comparable records began in 1899.

Despite government efforts to reverse the plummeting birth rate, the annual number of births has neared 700,000 more than 15 years earlier than was projected in a 2023 forecast by the National Institute of Population and Social Security Research.

While the rate has slowed from the over 5% annual drops recorded between 2022 and 2024, the longer-term trend remains stark. Over the past decade, annual births have fallen roughly 30%.

Deaths totaled 1,605,654, down 0.8% from a year earlier and marking the first decline in five years. Even so, the natural decrease in the population (the gap between births and deaths) widened to a record 899,845.

Births fell in 45 of Japan’s 47 prefectures. Seven prefectures, including Shimane, Yamagata and Aomori, recorded declines of more than 5%.
Tokyo saw births rise 1.3% to 88,518, an increase of 4,311 from a year earlier and the first gain in nine years.

Ishikawa Prefecture also posted an increase, with births rising from 6,078 to 6,515. The rebound follows a sharp drop the previous year linked to the impact of the Noto Peninsula earthquake, on Jan. 1, and heavy rain damage.

About 30% of all births nationwide occurred in the Tokyo metropolitan area, which comprises Tokyo, Kanagawa, Chiba and Saitama prefectures.

The number of marriages rose 1.1% to 505,656 in 2025, topping 500,000 for the first time in three years and marking a second straight annual increase as the wedding ceremony business recovers from the slump caused by COVID-19 restrictions. Divorces fell by 6,983 to 182,969.

Japan’s rapidly graying population and declining birth rate could further strain its social security and pension systems, which relies on contributions by working generations.

In a news conference Thursday afternoon, Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Masanao Ozaki said, “The government recognizes that many people’s desire to have children has not been sufficiently fulfilled, and we haven’t been able to reverse the declining birth rate.”

“By achieving sustainable economic growth, raising incomes for younger generations and ensuring stable employment, we aim to alleviate anxieties about the future ... to create a society in which anyone who wishes to have children can do so, and raise them with peace of mind.”

Declining birth rates are a common issue worldwide. In France, known for its comprehensive support for child-rearing, deaths were higher than births in 2025 for the first time since World War II.
 
 

 
Private-sector weather firms in Japan have released their latest forecasts for when the buds on cherry trees in the country will start to open this spring. They say the Somei Yoshino variety will come into bloom earlier than usual in many areas.

The Japan Weather Association announced on Thursday that central Tokyo and Fukuoka City will see the country's earliest blossoming on March 20.
It predicts that they will be followed by the cities of Nagoya and Kochi on March 21, Hiroshima on March 22, Osaka on March 24, Sendai on April 1 and Sapporo on April 27.

The association said it made the forecasts based on a severe cold snap in January, many days of higher-than-average temperatures in February and relatively warmer-than-normal temperatures expected for March.

Another company, Weather Map, also announced on Thursday that this year's earliest blooming will be on March 16 in central Tokyo.

It said blossoms will appear in Nagoya, Kochi and Fukuoka on March 17, Hiroshima on March 19, Osaka on March 22, Sendai on April 2 and Sapporo on April 25.

Many locations are expected to see flowering earlier than average, with markedly early blooms expected in parts of eastern Japan.
 
 

The websites of multiple local governments in Japan have become inaccessible.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara told a press conference Wednesday that the central government and others are gathering information to identify the cause of the problem.

The Internal Affairs and Communications Ministry has asked prefectural governments to submit reports on the matter, the top government spokesman said.

As of 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, affected local governments included the city of Ebetsu in Hokkaido, the city of Shiojiri in Nagano Prefecture, the city of Hagi in Yamaguchi Prefecture, the city of Dazaifu in Fukuoka Prefecture and the city of Tosu in Saga Prefecture.

An error message appears when people try to access the websites of the municipalities.

In addition, the websites of Gunma Prefecture, Kumamoto Prefecture, the city of Mito, the capital of Ibaraki Prefecture, the city of Toda in Saitama Prefecture, and the city of Nagasaki, the capital of the namesake prefecture, temporarily became inaccessible.
 
 

More than 300 lawmakers were given the option to choose an item from a gift catalogue "as an expression of appreciation for their success at this very tough election", said Sanae Takaichi on X, adding that no taxpayer money was used.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi was under pressure on Wednesday (Feb 25) after it emerged she gave congratulatory gift catalogues to lawmakers from her ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) following its landslide election victory this month.

More than 300 lawmakers were given the option to choose an item from the catalogue "as an expression of appreciation for their success at this very tough election", Takaichi wrote in a post on X, saying that no taxpayer money was used.

The revelation evokes a slush fund scandal that engulfed the LDP in 2023, sinking then-premier Fumio Kishida and fuelling voter anger that cost his successor Shigeru Ishiba's coalition a majority in both houses of parliament last year.

The news of the catalogues "could easily lead people to say, 'Prime Minister Takaichi, you too?'" Junya Ogawa, the leader of the main opposition Centrist Reform Alliance, said on Tuesday.

"This is a new development in which she will be strictly held accountable," he wrote in a post on X.

Takaichi told parliament on Wednesday that the cost of each gift, plus shipping costs and tax, was about 30,000 yen (US$190) per person and was paid for by political funds from an LDP branch in Nara, which she heads.

She said on X that she also hoped the lawmakers' gifts "would be of use in their future work as legislators".

Japan's political funding law stipulates that individuals cannot make donations to candidates for public office, but donations can be made by political parties, including their local chapters.

Bunshun Online, a web version of the weekly tabloid Shukan Bunshun, reported that the gift catalogue came from the well-known Kintetsu Department Store.

The store's website shows a range of catalogues. Customers can make an advance payment of 34,000 yen to send one of them to a friend, who then chooses an item inside, such as a bicycle, expensive crab meat or a stay at a luxury hotel.

Ishiba was criticised in March last year for allegedly handing out 100,000 yen's worth of gift certificates - paid for using his own money - to 15 first-term lower house members during a dinner.
 
 

The government is considering obliging airlines to refuse boarding to foreign nationals who do not apply for the Japan Electronic System for Travel Authorization, or JESTA, or whose applications have been turned down, an outline of a planned bill to revise the immigration control law showed Wednesday.

Also in the outline, the government indicated a plan to raise fees for foreign nationals applying for residency by up to 30 times.

The government plans to adopt the bill soon at a Cabinet meeting and submit it to the ongoing session of parliament.

Travelers subject to JESTA, which is planned to be introduced in fiscal 2028 to simplify passport control procedures, will be short-stay inbound visitors from visa-free countries.

In 2025, the number of short-term visitors entering Japan for tourism and other purposes was 38.46 million. Of them, around 80% came from visa-free countries.

Such travel authorization will not be needed by Japanese nationals and foreign residents of Japan.

With JESTA, the government aims to reduce congestion at airports by making post-arrival procedures more efficient through the utilization of prior screening, while tightening immigration controls to prevent illegal stays.

According to the outline, the bill calls for obliging airlines and shipping companies to submit passenger information such as names to the Immigration Services Agency during boarding procedures, and it stipulates that such firms would be prohibited from allowing the boarding of passengers whose entry the agency had not approved. It also seeks to impose fines of up to ¥500,000 on violators.

Reflecting rising administrative costs following increases in the number of foreign residents, the bill seeks to significantly raise fees for renewing periods of stay and other procedures, from up to ¥10,000 at present.

Fees are planned to be hiked to as much as ¥100,000 for renewing period of stay or changing residency status, and to up to ¥300,000 for permission for permanent residence, respectively. The actual level of the fees will vary with the length of stay.
 
 

The Maluku provincial government and the Japanese Consulate General explored opportunities for cooperation across strategic fields, ranging from investment and education to fisheries, agriculture, and the management of minerals, oil, and gas.

Maluku Deputy Governor Abdullah Vanath said in Ambon on Wednesday that his administration is committed to courting Japanese investment and supporting existing business projects, aiming to deliver tangible benefits to local residents.

"We are committed to seizing this opportunity to create jobs for the people of Maluku," he said.

He noted the education sector as one of the cooperation priorities, endorsing bilateral partnerships involving the University of Pattimura and other higher education institutions to boost the quality of human resources in the province.

The Maluku government, he added, also aims to strengthen vocational education to expand access for residents to secure employment in Japan, which he noted is facing a rising demand for manpower.

Shifting to the real economy, Vanath called for initiatives to strengthen Maluku’s agriculture and fisheries sectors to seize opportunities in export markets. He said he had instructed government aides to help local industries meet international standards.

For his part, Japanese Consul General Susumu Takonai recognized Maluku’s vast potential in both capture fisheries and aquaculture, which can be harnessed through technology transfers, human resource development, and the strengthening of supply chains and quality standards.

He spotlighted avenues for collaboration in the sustainable management of mineral resources and energy, voicing support for the development of the Masela Gas Block as one of Indonesia’s national strategic projects.

Takonai further referred to the education sector, endorsing student exchange programs, scholarships, and vocational capacity building to produce workers with skills required by industries.

Moreover, he expressed Japan’s readiness to provide grants for developing or procuring schools, hospitals, ambulances, and other basic infrastructure and facilities to enhance the quality of life in Maluku.
 

A Japanese national has ​been detained in Iran and must be swiftly released, the Japanese government said on Wednesday.

The person was detained ‌on January ‌20, ​Deputy ‌Chief ⁠Cabinet Secretary ​OZAKI Masanao ⁠told reporters. He gave no further details.

Radio Free Europe earlier reported that Shinnosuke Kawashima, the Tehran ⁠bureau chief of ‌Japan’s ‌public broadcaster, NHK, had ​been ‌arrested by Iran ‌and transferred to a Tehran prison.

NHK declined to confirm that an employee ‌of theirs had been detained.

“As NHK, we always ⁠act ⁠with the safety of our staff as the top priority. There is nothing we can answer at this stage,” a spokesperson said.
 
 

Japan plans to deploy surface-to-air missiles to its remote western island near Taiwan by March 2031, its defence minister said, as regional tensions simmer.

It is the first time that Japan specified a timeline for the missile deployment to Yonaguni island since it was announced in 2022.

China claims self-ruled Taiwan as its own and has not ruled out the use of force to "reunify" with it. Yonaguni is visible from Taiwan's shores on a clear day, located just 110km (68 miles) away.

Tensions between Tokyo and Beijing have run high since November when Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi appeared to suggest that Japan would activate its self-defence force in the event of an attack on Taiwan.

The worry has long been that any attack on Taiwan, which counts the US as an ally, could result in a direct military conflict between Washington and Beijing, then widen to include other US allies in the region such as Japan.

Takaichi's remarks to parliament plunged ties with China to their lowest level in years and Beijing has been piling on the pressure in a wide range of ways - sending warships, throttling rare earth exports, curbing Chinese tourism, cancelling concerts and even reclaiming its pandas.

Japanese defence minister Shinjiro Koizumi announced the timeline for the missiles on Tuesday, a day after China imposed export curbs on 20 Japanese companies and entities, citing national security concerns.

Koizumi said the Yonaguni unit will be equipped with medium-range surface-to-air missiles able to intercept incoming aircraft and missiles.

With a range of about 50km and 360-degree capability, the Japanese-made missile system can track up to 100 targets simultaneously and engage up to 12 at once.

China has yet to react to Koizumi's announcement. But when Koizumi visited Yonaguni in November, Beijing said Japan was moving to "create regional tension and provoke military confrontation".

Within days, China flew drones near the island to express its anger, prompting Japan to scramble aircraft jets in response.

The latest developments come after Takaichi secured a landslide victory in parliamentary elections earlier this month. That victory gave Takaichi political space to double down on boosting Japan's defence capabilities.

This makes the announcement on Yonaguni island more than just a military adjustment - it looks like the opening chapter for a more assertive Tokyo.

And as Takaichi bolsters the country's military and defence budget, such assertiveness seems unlikely to end here.

The Yonaguni announcement also shows where Japan sees its front line - and how far it is prepared to go to defend it.

Over the past decade, Japan has transformed sleepy Yonaguni into a military outpost, which currently handles coastal surveillance and is staffed by some 160 members of Japan's self-defence force.

An electronic warfare unit capable of disrupting enemy communications and radar will be set up there in fiscal year 2026, which runs from April to March next year.

The timing for the deployment of the missile unit "may change depending on the progress of future facility improvements, but the current plan is for fiscal year 2030", Koizumi said.
 
 

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney will visit Japan next month as part of a three-nation Indo-Pacific tour, the Prime Minister’s Office said Monday.
Amid ongoing trade friction stemming from the tariff policy of U.S.

President Donald Trump’s administration, Canada appears eager to promote trade diversification and attract fresh investment through the prime minister’s 10-day trip to the three countries, also including India and Australia.

According to the Japanese government, Carney will visit Japan over March 6 and 7 on the final leg of the tour, which begins on Thursday, and hold a bilateral summit with Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. The two leaders will also hold a working dinner.

The Carney-Takaichi meeting is designed to “strengthen mutual investment and partnerships in advanced manufacturing, critical minerals and food security,” the Canadian prime minister’s office said. They are also expected to discuss ways to enhance security cooperation, including to support a free and open Indo-Pacific, it added.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara said at a news conference that Canada is “an important strategic partner for the realization of the free and open Indo-Pacific.”

“At a time when the international order has been shaken, Japan will work with countries that share fundamental values, including Canada, with the Japan-U.S. alliance at the center (of the efforts),” he added.
 
 

The Japanese government has put on hold a decision on whether to join the Board of Peace, which is led by U.S. President Donald Trump to achieve peace in Gaza, because of concerns among countries that he aims to replace the United Nations with it.

Japanese officials are now looking at other countries' responses while taking Tokyo's relations with Washington into consideration before making a decision.

"We are scrutinizing details in close communication with the United States and other countries concerned," Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi said at a press conference last week when asked whether Japan would join the board.

The board is an international organization approved by the U.N. Security Council in November. Its founding members include former British Prime Minister Tony Blair and World Bank President Ajay Banga.

Invitations to join the board have been sent to Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and other leaders. More than 25 countries have expressed their intention to participate, according to U.S. media.
 
 

The producer behind popular group XG was arrested along with three others in Aichi Prefecture on Monday on suspicion of possessing cocaine, the Metropolitan Police Department said.

Junho Sakai, who works under the name of Simon, was arrested along with a 39-year-old U.S. music producer and two other men on suspicious of violating the Narcotic Control Law by possessing a bag of the drug at a hotel room, according to the MPD.

Sakai, a 39-year-old resident of Meguro Ward, Tokyo, and the three others were staying at the hotel when the MPD searched their room late Sunday.

The police discovered four bags of cocaine and a bag of dried cannabis.

According to the website of entertainment agency XGALX, Sakai started his career as a producer in 2013 under the name Jakops. XG, which consists of seven members, made its debut in 2022 and became the first group of Japanese performers to make it into Billboard’s Hot Trending Songs chart.
 

 

Meiso Kukan Kanoke-in is a relaxation space in downtown Tokyo’s Takadanobaba neighborhood. It’s a unique place, not just because it offers a spot for patrons to meditate or zone out for a while, but because they do so while lying down in coffins (kanoke in Japanese).

As shown in the photo above, Meiso Kukan Kanoke-in has an array of Japanese-style coffins, and the staff invites guests to “gaze at life through being conscious of death” through their 30-minute coffin sessions.

However, if the idea of lying in a box ordinarily meant for the dead is a little too morbid for you, Meiso Kukan Kanoke-in is now offering the opportunity to lie down in cute coffins.

These cute caskets are the creations of Tokyograve, a coffin maker proving that, yes, Japanese designers really can make anything cute. With their festive colors and accouterments, Tokyograve hopes to make the concept of inevitable death less grim and unsettling, and since that goal aligns very neatly with Meiso Kukan Kanoke-in’s, the two have decided to team up. 

 

Once a month, five Tokyograve coffins will be available for use for Meiso Kukan Kanoke-in sessions, either for use by solo customers or for groups of friends who want to occupy up to all five simultaneously.

Satisfied customers of such “coffin experience” events say they have come out of their sessions feeling unexpectedly positive and energetic, as ruminating on their eventual demise prompts big-picture realizations about the importance of treating others with kindness and being more cognizant of the positive aspects of their lives and capabilities.

Note, however, that Meiso Kukan Kanoke-in still cautions that participants should be in good physical and mental health, however, and those suffering from depression or claustrophobia are recommended to abstain from coffin meditation sessions.

 

Tokyograve coffins will be available at Meiso Kukan Kanoke-in on the first Saturday of every month, with sessions starting at 11 a.m. and 2 and 5 p.m. Reservations can be made online here.

Location information

Meiso Kukan Kanoke-in / 瞑想空間 かんおけin
Address: Tokyo, Shinjuku-ku, Takadanobaba 1-29-7. Sky Palace Building 801
東京都新宿区高田馬場　1-29-7 スカイパレスビル 801
Website
 
 

Users of the Line messaging app topped 100 million at the end of last year in Japan, the operator said, with the service now offering a variety of communication platforms for individuals nearly 15 years after its launch in the wake of the 2011 mega earthquake.

The smartphone app was released in June 2011 by a predecessor of operator LY Corp., shortly after the magnitude-9.0 quake that devastated northeastern Japan three months earlier.

The disaster had prevented phone calls from getting through, and the demand for simple online communication was projected to grow.

The service originally only offered text messages, but that changed dramatically in October 2011 with the introduction of digital stickers featuring illustrations or images that users could use to express emotions.

The feature helps users to convey their emotions, Corporate Officer Daisuke Asai told Kyodo News in late January, adding that the app likely spread due to the faster pace of exchanges compared to emails.

The service also has 1.3 million official accounts run by companies and local governments and the operator is working to connect individuals with businesses via the app, such as enabling users to make restaurant reservations.

The population of Japan is some 120 million.

"There is still room for growth in business use," Asai said. "We'd like to make daily life more convenient, including shopping and communicating with local governments."

Meanwhile, the operator faces the challenges of protecting user privacy and preventing the app from being used for crimes such as fraud.

"We are collaborating with police and have established a system to immediately issue alerts (within the app) whenever new fraud schemes are identified," Asai said, adding the company is also prioritizing investment in data protection.
 
 

Japan earned a record number of Winter Olympics medals, at 24, at the 17-day Milan-Cortina Games that came to an end Sunday.

The Asian country clinched five golds, seven silvers and 12 bronzes, with the overall total exceeding its previous record of 18, logged at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics.

Japan came fifth in the overall medal rankings. The country's five gold medals tie its highest tally to date set at the 1998 Nagano Olympics.

 

A total of 121 Japanese athletes competed in the Milan-Cortina Olympics. Around 50 athletes and coaches from Japan attended the closing ceremony held in Verona, northern Italy, on Sunday, with figure skating silver medalist Kaori Sakamoto and speed skater Wataru Morishige serving as flag bearers.

The next Winter Olympics in 2030 will be held in the French Alps region, using the same decentralized hosting method as this year's event.
 


 

All 20 people, including two children, have been rescued from an elevator at Tokyo Skytree in Tokyo's Sumida Ward after being trapped there for more than 5 hours. No injuries have been reported.

Tokyo police and others say two elevators connecting to the observation deck stopped suddenly shortly before 8:30 p.m. on Sunday.

One of them was empty, but the other carrying 20 people came to a halt about 30 meters above ground.

Police officers and others contacted the people inside by phone to look for ways to rescue them.

Rescuers from the fire department helped the people move to an adjacent elevator lowered to the same height and whose emergency door on its side was open.

All were freed at about 2 a.m. on Monday.

Police say no one was injured or complained of feeling unwell.
About 1,200 people were temporarily stranded on the observation deck. But they all came down by 11 p.m. using a different elevator.

A Tokyo Skytree spokesperson says the elevator in question has a capacity of 40 people, and it stopped while descending from the observation deck.
Police and others are looking into the cause of the trouble.
 
 

The Japanese and U.S. governments held working-level talks this week on China's alleged secret nuclear test and North Korea's nuclear and missile development, it was learned Saturday.

The meeting, which has been regularly held since 2010 to discuss extended deterrence, including the U.S. nuclear umbrella, took place in Washington on Wednesday, according to the U.S. Department of State.

During the latest meeting, foreign affairs and defense officials from both governments also discussed the expiration of the New START nuclear disarmament treaty between the United States and Russia.

The U.S. side underscored the need for a multilateral arms control framework, and the Japanese side noted that a new framework should include both China and Russia.