There is a growing movement among companies to establish “alumni networks,” where former employees can interact with their former employers. The companies are aiming to improve their operations and create new businesses by leveraging the expertise of “outside” people who are familiar with the company culture.

NTT West, Inc. officially launched its alumni network in April, and about 80 people have been interacting via a website. In mid-June, the company held its first in-person networking event at the company headquarters in Miyakojima Ward, Osaka, where former employees gathered and drank beer.

“There’s a ‘common language’ that only people who have worked at the same company can understand, which makes it easier to build relationships,” said Tetsuya Yamamoto, 57, who quit NTT West last year and now works at a consulting firm in Tokyo. “I hope to collaborate with my former company as a business partner to create new opportunities.”

NTT West is considering holding regular networking events in the future.
“We hope to connect with former employees and create new value,” a spokesperson said.

With labor shortages becoming severe, a growing trend had emerged in which former employees were rehired so that their contributions could be utilized. Recently, however, there has been a noticeable shift toward maintaining only loose connections with former employees without rehiring them.

Honda Motor Co. announced in October that it had established an alumni network. The aim of the network is not only to secure talent in the IT and software fields but also to improve the company’s work environment with the expertise of former employees who have worked at other companies.

“We want to leverage knowledge gained at other companies to drive our company’s growth,” a spokesperson said.

An increasing number of companies are creating networks, particularly major companies such as Toyota Motor Corp. and Panasonic Holdings Corp.

“Human capital management, which sees personnel as part of a company’s capital, is becoming increasingly important, and retirees are also being considered as capital,” said Hitoshi Suzuki, CEO of Hackazouk in Tokyo, which develops alumni exchange systems.

However, the utilization of alumni remains limited in practice. According to a survey conducted in November by the specialized magazine “Gekkan Somu” (Monthly General Affairs), only 10.3% of companies have alumni networks. Reasons cited for not having them include “high operational and labor costs” and “no interest in utilizing retired talent.”

“As workforce mobility increases, it is crucial for companies to maintain connections with former employees,” said Kaoru Tsuda, head of the research center at Indeed Recruit Partners Co., which specializes in talent development.

“When it comes to leveraging alumni, it is essential to consider why you want to use them and to align that purpose with your business strategy.”
 

 

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Fuji Media Holdings Inc on Thursday said that it will implement measures to prevent activist shareholders from gaining control of the company.

The announcement of the anti-takeover steps comes after shareholders, including prominent investor Yoshiaki Murakami, told Fuji Media executives in meetings held between February and July that they may acquire a 33.3 percent stake in the firm, according to Fuji Media.

Such a move would give them veto power on important management decisions. As of July 1, the shareholders held a 15.06 percent stake.

"We are concerned that (they) would take action to maximize personal profit instead of for the benefit of all shareholders," Fuji Media, the parent company of Fuji Television Network Inc., said in a press release.

Fuji Media said it was planning to issue stock acquisition rights and allocate them for free when an investor acquires 20 percent or more of its shares.
The measures, aimed at reducing the stake held by activist shareholders, will require approval at the shareholders' meeting.

The company also established an independent committee comprising six outside directors.

Fuji Media has been reeling from a sex scandal involving a TV host at Fuji TV that has cost it sponsors and viewers.
 
 

 

With China expected to resume importing Japanese beef, it is a huge step forward for the Japanese government, which aims to increase exports of agricultural, forestry and fishery products.

A Japan-China agreement on an animal health and quarantine took effect Friday, paving the way toward the resumption of Japanese beef exports to China.

However, it is still uncertain when beef shipments to China will actually resume, as the two countries have to hold further discussions regarding product safety and quarantine procedures.

China suspended imports of Japanese beef following an outbreak of bovine spongiform encephalopathy in Japan in 2001. In November 2019, the two countries signed an agreement on cooperation in animal health and quarantine, a necessary step before exporting livestock products.

However, China did not take further steps to resume imports, so the agreement was not able to take effect.

Ahead of resuming exports, Japan’s food safety procedures need to be evaluated by China. It will also be necessary to finalize specific conditions for export products, such as the meat processing method and hygiene control.

“The conditions necessary to resume exports will depend on what the Chinese side asks for,” said an agriculture ministry official. “It’s still uncertain when we will be able to resume exports.”

Japan’s exports of agricultural, forestry and fishery products exceeded ¥1.5 trillion in 2024. The government set a goal to more than triple the figure to ¥5 trillion by 2030.

While beef exports stood at ¥64.8 billion in 2024, the government hopes to almost double the figure to ¥113.2 billion by 2030.

By country and region, the United States was the largest importer of Japanese beef at ¥13.4 billion in 2024, followed by Taiwan at ¥11.2 billion, Hong Kong at ¥8.4 billion and Cambodia at ¥6.7 billion.

Exports of Japanese beef has nearly doubled compared to 2019 as a result of the surging global popularity of washoku Japanese cuisine.

It has been pointed out that Japanese beef still reached China through Cambodia following China’s suspension of its import. If China officially resumes importing Japanese beef, it will become possible for Japan to export the product directly to China, a massive market with a population of 1.4 billion.

The resumption may drastically increase Japanese beef exports.
“As China has such a large population, there will be a high demand for Japanese beef,” said an official of the Japan Livestock Products Export Promotion Council.
 
 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

No deal before the initial July 9 deadline for U.S. "reciprocal" tariffs is expected to pressure Toyota Motor Corp and other major carmakers to raise prices to offset higher import costs -- a strategy likely to dent demand and further squeeze profits.

Japan-U.S. trade talks have made little headway, dashing Japanese carmakers' hopes for a deal to eliminate or lower an additional 25 percent auto tariff by the expiration of a pause on country-specific tariffs, now extended to Aug 1.

Britain and Vietnam are the only countries to have reached a deal with the Trump administration. Japan had sought an agreement covering not just reciprocal tariffs but also auto duties and other trade issues as a package.

A total tariff rate of 27.5 percent imposed on April 3 on cars shipped to the U.S. market is threatening to slow overall auto demand, with analysts noting that manufacturers offering attractive hybrid lineups may be better positioned to withstand the impact.

"Automakers, especially those with low sales volumes or in management crisis, will have no option but to raise vehicle prices," said Hiroki Shibata, managing director at S&P Global Ratings.

"Now that the auto tariffs have been in place for three months...automakers' efforts to raise vehicle prices will be more apparent in the coming months through September," he said.

U.S. President Donald Trump said Monday that the United States will impose a 25 percent tariff on imports from Japan starting Aug 1, slightly higher than the previously set rate of 24 percent.

The president said the latest tariff measure will not affect sector-specific tariffs that have already taken effect, such as those on vehicles, auto parts, steel and aluminum.

"It seems the United States has no intention to lower auto tariffs because if it did so, it would keep facing a dilemma of its trade deficit with Japan being left unresolved," said Junichi Makino, chief economist at SMBC Nikko Securities, noting that autos account for about 70 percent of U.S. imports from Japan.

"The Japanese government may give up on its efforts to reduce auto tariffs and shift to negotiating lowering levies on other items," Makino said.

Among Japan's top three automakers, Toyota is expected to be the least affected by price increases, as demand for its wide range of hybrid models is likely to remain strong in the U.S. market, said Yuta Misumi, associate director at S&P Global Ratings.

Hybrid vehicles are gaining popularity in the world's second-largest auto market, with sales jumping 36 percent last year, according to the government-affiliated Japan External Trade Organization.

Honda Motor Co has also attracted U.S. customers with its hybrid lineup, and strong sales in the United States are helping offset sluggish performance in China, the world's largest auto market, Misumi said. Nissan Motor Co., meanwhile, is focused on restructuring, including scaling back global production capacity and its workforce, he added.

Toyota, the world's top carmaker by volume, disclosed the impact of the tariffs for just the first two months of the year through March 2026, saying its operating profit was reduced by 180 billion yen ($1.24 billion).

Nissan said its full-year operating profit could be reduced by up to 450 billion yen, while Honda estimates the impact of the auto tariffs could reach as much as 650 billion yen in the current fiscal year.

Starting July 1, Toyota raised U.S. prices by an average of $270 per vehicle for its Toyota brand models and $208 for its upscale Lexus line.

Mitsubishi Motors Corp., which initially responded to the higher tariffs by suspending deliveries from U.S. ports to local dealers, lifted prices for some models by an average 2.1 percent.

Toyota said the price hikes were part of its annual review, while Mitsubishi Motors said its new prices were not aimed at addressing the auto tariffs.
Among other automakers, Ford Motor Co reportedly raised prices of some U.S.-bound models made in Mexico, and Subaru Corp. also raised vehicle prices.

S&P Global Ratings in May cut its forecast for 2026 U.S. auto sales by 1 million to 15 million vehicles, citing weaker demand partly due to higher prices.

Still, analysts say the quickest and most effective way for carmakers to ease tariff pressure is to pass higher import costs on to customers.

Analysts say carmakers could also build new plants in the United States to avoid higher tariffs -- a goal the Trump administration is seeking to achieve through its trade policy.

But new plants would require significant investment and years to become operational, and carmakers would also need to reorganize parts of their global supply chains by persuading suppliers to serve the new facilities, analysts say.

Higher U.S. labor costs and the need to procure some key components from China are also likely to pose challenges, they say.

As the United States will remain a key market, "the future performance of each company depends on the success of their efforts to mitigate the tariff impact," Misumi said.
 
 

Nippon Steel Corp. plans to double its crude steel production in the United States in three to five years, according to its chairman and chief executive officer, Eiji Hashimoto.

During an interview with The Yomiuri Shimbun on Tuesday, Hashimoto outlined a plan to achieve the goal by improving production efficiency at U.S. Steel Corp., its wholly owned subsidiary. The newly purchased firm is also to be equipped with cutting-edge technology.

Globally, Nippon Steel plans to increase its crude steel output from 58 million tons at present to 100 million tons by expanding production in India and Thailand, said Hashimoto.

At U.S. Steel, whose buyout took about 18 months to pull off, Nippon Steel plans to invest $11 billion (about ¥1.6 trillion) by 2028 to upgrade aging production facilities, added Hashimoto.

U.S. Steel currently produces about 11 million tons of crude steel in the United States, maintaining a U.S. market share of around 15%.
Nippon Steel plans to improve U.S. Steel’s product lineup by providing advanced manufacturing technologies, such as for high-performance electrical steel sheets, which are used in large transformers and motors for electric vehicles.

By improving production efficiency, the firm aims to boost yield and reduce costs.

“Through our new investments, we will expand capacity, broaden our production offerings and double production,” Hashimoto said.

Though 40 engineers have been dispatched to the United States, Hashimoto indicated that more personnel would be needed to support the move to greater capacity and an enhanced product lineup.

The U.S. government holds a “golden share” in U.S. Steel, giving it veto power over key management decisions. While the government could change how it involves itself in the firm after an election, Hashimoto said, “I am not concerned because the U.S. government’s goal of restoring the manufacturing industry aligns with Nippon Steel’s management strategy.”

By raising global crude steel production to 100 million tons, Nippon Steel aims to become the world’s leading steel manufacturer. Acknowledging that ArcelorMittal S.A., a European giant in the industry, is currently the “actual world leader,” Hashimoto said, “We must close the gap and then overtake them.”

In 2019, Nippon Steel and ArcelorMittal jointly acquired a steel manufacturer in India. The companies now plan to increase steel output by 15 million tons and establish one of the world’s largest steel mills there.

Additionally, Nippon Steel plans to increase its production capacity in markets where it operates independently, such as Europe and Thailand.

The steelworks owned by U.S. Steel in Slovakia could be expanded to more than twice their current capacity. Nippon Steel also plans to continue investing in facilities in Thailand, aiming to secure a majority of the market.

With China continuing to export low-priced steel to the global market, Hashimoto argued that “To avoid negative impacts from China, we can’t allow it to dominate crucial markets like the United States, India, Europe and Thailand.”
 
 

Japan's Cabinet Office on Wednesday signed a memorandum of cooperation with the British government, to boost direct investment from Britain into Japan.

Under the memorandum, Japan will promote information sharing and exchanges with the British government, British companies and investors, mainly in the fields of decarbonization and life science.

The balance of direct investment from abroad to Japan stood at 53 trillion yen at the end of 2024, with Britain logging the second-largest investment total, at 9 trillion yen, after the United States.

The memorandum aims to help achieve Japan's target of increasing foreign investment to 120 trillion yen in 2030.

It emphasized the significance of the Japan-Britain Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) and the two countries' membership for the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).
 
 

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Japanese solar panel manufacturers are taking a proactive approach as they see business opportunities following the decision by the Tokyo metropolitan government and the Kawasaki city government to require that newly built houses have solar panels installed in April.

Although Chinese manufacturers currently dominate solar panel production, Japanese manufacturers are looking to compete with new products and initiatives. These include new types of solar panels that are better suited to Japanese homes, where securing space for installation is difficult, as well as a system that reduces users’ costs.


New type of product

In late May, Sharp Corp. released a new type of solar panels that can prevent light-related issues by reducing optical reflection.

By adopting glass with pebble-grained surfaces, light is diffused and reflected at a level 1/20 to 1/30 that of conventional models.

Solar panels are generally placed on the south side of roofs to maximize sunlight exposure. In urban areas, particularly in central parts of big cities, where land is limited, panels are often placed on the north side of roofs.

However, since sunlight is reflected at low angles on the north side of roofs, there is a tendency for light to enter nearby houses.


Reducing cost burdens

In June, Panasonic Corp. introduced a system that enables companies to install solar panels without paying any upfront costs through Osaka Gas Co.’s Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) program.

Under the program, Osaka Gas owns the solar power generation systems for 15 years from installation and recovers the initial costs by selling the power generated by the systems.

During this period, homeowners can purchase electricity from Osaka Gas at discounted rates. Starting in the 16th year, homeowners gain ownership of the solar power generation systems free of charge and can use or sell the electricity produced.

According to the Economy, Trade and Industry Ministry, the average cost of installing solar power generation systems for newly built houses in 2021 was ¥271,000 per kilowatt. This figure rose to ¥286,000 in 2024.

The head of Panasonic’s sales promotion division said: “While both installing costs and electricity bills are on the rise, we aim to reduce users’ financial burden with the new system.”

The government has set a goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 46% by fiscal 2030, compared to fiscal 2013 levels.

In order to achieve this goal, the government plans to increase the percentage of newly built homes with solar panels from 36.5% in fiscal 2023 to 60% in fiscal 2030.

Progress has been made thus far in terms of the rate of solar panel installations. The number of solar panel systems in homes has nearly doubled, growing from about 1.69 million in fiscal 2013 to about 3.35 million in fiscal 2023.


Chinese makers gain strength

However, Japanese manufacturers, which were once dominant in solar panel production, are now being pushed aside by Chinese manufacturers who are gaining strength by selling low-priced products.

According to the Japan Photovoltaic Energy Association, about 97% of solar panels purchased in fiscal 2004 in the nation were made by Japanese makers. But in fiscal 2024, about 94.9% of purchased panels were made by foreign manufacturers.

Prof. Yuzuru Ueda of Tokyo University of Science, an expert of engineering studies, said: “It’s difficult to differentiate solar panels made by Chinese manufacturers in the current technological landscape.

Japanese manufacturers should leverage their strengths in design and reliability to suit Japan’s housing conditions and respond to the needs of clients very thoroughly.”
 
 

Japanese convenience store operator Lawson Inc said on Monday that it will launch a new paid service to offer its stores' parking lots to travelers spending the night in their vehicles amid soaring accommodation costs.

The company will hold a trial at six outlets in Chiba Prefecture from July 14 through June next year, with plans to expand the service nationwide. Expecting young people to use the service, it plans to charge 2,500 yen to 3,000 yen per night.

The parking lots, available from 6 p.m. to 9 a.m. the next day, can be reserved through the RV-Park.jp website run by the Japan Recreational Vehicle Association and paid for with a credit card.

The company said that there are not enough places for people to stay overnight in vehicles amid the growing popularity of recreational vehicles and budget-minded travel.

While public bath facilities and roadside stations also offer similar services, Lawson emphasizes the advantage of the outlets' around-the-clock operation, which enables users to buy food and drinks and use the bathroom in the store at any time.

"We can also provide a sense of security since there are always staff in the store," an official of the company said.
 
 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

Nissan Motor Co is exploring a partnership with Taiwan's electronics giant Foxconn in the electric vehicle sector, a source familiar with the matter said Sunday.

The plan under consideration would involve producing Foxconn's EVs at Nissan's signature Oppama plant near Tokyo, which had previously been eyed for closure, the source added.

If realized, the deal is expected to keep the Oppama plant in operation, reversing earlier closure plans prompted by Nissan's financial difficulties. The partnership could also give momentum to the company's ongoing restructuring efforts.

Foxconn has been accelerating its EV operations, having already agreed to supply EVs to Mitsubishi Motors Corp. The firm is also in talks with Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corp over the delivery of electric buses.

The Taiwanese company views a tie-up with Nissan as a potential catalyst to expand its footprint in the Japanese market, the source said. Nissan's main Oppama plant in Yokosuka, Kanagawa Prefecture, is where the firm pioneered EV production.
 
 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

NATIONAL CRISIS

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Japanese companies agreed to raise wages by an average 5.25 percent in this year's spring wage talks, the second straight year to exceed 5 percent, the country's largest labor union said Thursday, although salary growth failed to keep pace with ongoing inflation.

The Japanese Trade Union Confederation, also known as Rengo, said its final tally of the results of pay negotiations from over 5,000 member unions found the average monthly wage hike stood at 16,356 yen ($110).

The results came a year after wages increased by over 5 percent for the first time in 33 years.

But wages among small- and medium-sized firms lagged behind their larger counterparts, rising by an average 4.65 percent, or 12,361 yen.

"The scope (of companies) raising wages has expanded, but it's a shame that small to medium-sized firms have failed to reach 5 percent. We were unable to halt the growing gap," said Akira Nidaira, executive director at Rengo.

The latest government data also showed real wages falling for the fourth straight month in April, as core consumer prices continued their upward trend.

"The difference in profits and corporate resilience became glaringly apparent," said Shinichiro Kobayashi from Mitsubishi UFJ Research and Consulting Co., adding that smaller enterprises may struggle to recruit people because of the gap.

Spring negotiation wage hikes had fallen below 3 percent since 1995, but grew to 3.58 percent in 2023. The final tally in 2024 was an average 5.10 percent as a whole, and 4.45 percent among small to medium-sized firms.

Meanwhile, summer bonuses for union members in major companies hit a record average 990,848 yen, the highest since the current method of data collection was introduced in 1981, according to preliminary numbers from the Japan Business Federation.

The figure rose 4.37 percent compared to the previous year, climbing for the fourth straight year.
 
 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

 

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

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

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Japanese carmakers have largely absorbed the cost of U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs on auto imports, a move that may undermine the Asian nation’s negotiating power ahead of a July 9 deadline that will see duties rocket even higher.

So far, just three of Japan’s six major automakers have raised prices in the U.S., and only Subaru’s hike has come close to the 25% tariff imposed on imported vehicles.

Toyota, the world’s No. 1 carmaker, only lifted prices on some models by a few hundred dollars while Mitsubishi Motors increased prices by an average of just 2.1% across three models. The average price of a new car in the U.S. rose 2.5% in April to about $48,700.

The modest nature of the changes signals Japan’s carmakers are reluctant to pass the hit on to consumers. But it’s a decision that could backfire. Sparing American shoppers any kind of extreme sticker shock means Trump is less likely to change course.

Auto tariffs have emerged as a key sticking point in bilateral negotiations between the U.S. and Japan as Trump fixates on U.S. deficits in the sector while Japan tries to safeguard one of its main economic powerhouses.

Despite Japan’s chief trade negotiator Ryosei Akazawa holding a seventh round of talks with U.S. counterparts, the two countries remain at loggerheads and the clock is ticking: across-the-board levies of 24% on Japanese goods are set to come into effect next Wednesday. Trump has even suggested they could be as high as 35%.

Industry watchers say an extended stalemate may force Japanese carmakers’ hands, with an ultimately beneficial outcome.

"If prices continue to rise due to Trump’s tariffs, the government will realize it’s not a simple scenario where raising tariffs benefits the U.S. economy,” Takeshi Miyao, an analyst at automotive consultancy Carnorama, said. "This may lead to changes in tariff negotiations.”

Japan’s cautious approach contrasts with the quick retaliation by China, which leveraged its dominance in industries like e-commerce to make it clear to Trump that American consumers would be footing the bill. Some products sold on platforms like Temu and Shein nearly doubled in price in the wake of fresh duties.

Tokyo, for its part, has maintained its stance that it will try to settle all the tariff disputes in one go. Akazawa has made clear that despite the looming July 9 deadline, he won’t be pressured into a deal.

The protracted negotiations make it more likely Japan’s carmakers will turn to price increases in the U.S. to minimize the impact on their bottom lines.

Those hikes could start when manufacturers offer upgraded specifications on models, Bloomberg Intelligence senior analyst Tatsuo Yoshida said. Still, any price increases are likely to be phased in gradually, and it could take as long as three to four years for a 25% levy to be reflected in vehicle prices, he said.

While the consensus is that some level of tariffs on cars will be inevitable, a lower 10% tariff may be more palatable. The auto industry is a bellwether for wage trends and generates around 10% of gross domestic product. The sector also accounts for one-third of Japan’s exports to the U.S..

"There’s no reason to continue cutting profits indefinitely to offset high tariffs when it’s unclear how long this situation will persist,” Carnorama’s Miyao said.
 
 

Japan’s newest issued banknotes marked their first anniversary on Thursday, yet the new bills still only account for about 30% of all bills in circulation.

Although more vending machines and other devices have become compatible with the new bills, the replacement of older banknotes has been slow.

According to the Japan Vending System Manufacturers Association, nearly all railway ticket machines have become compatible with the new bills over the past year. The new bills are also being accepted by 50%-60% of beverage vending machines.

However, the transition is slow when compared to the last time new banknotes were introduced in 2004.

According to the Bank of Japan, the new bills introduced in 2004 made up 61.1% of those in circulation 11 months after their introduction. This time, however, the figure was only 28.8%.

This difference can be attributed to the increased use of cashless payment methods, such as credit cards and QR code transactions. The percentage of cashless payments rose to 42.8% in 2024, which is a 2.5-fold increase from 10 years ago. This reflects the growing number of people who do not use banknotes.

Another factor contributing to the slow adoption of the new banknotes is the increase in the number of people keeping cash at home. The number of bills in circulation grew from about 11 billion at the end of 2004 to about 17 billion at the end of 2024.

Banks have kept interest rates on deposits low due to the BOJ’s low interest rate policy. This has apparently prompted an increasing number of people to store cash at home, resulting in a fewer number of damaged or soiled older banknotes being returned to the central bank.

The city of Fukaya, Saitama Prefecture, the hometown of Eiichi Shibusawa, who is featured on the new ¥10,000 banknote, held an event on Wednesday to celebrate the first anniversary of the new bill’s issuance.

The stalls set up at the event attracted many visitors. Among those who were paying with the new banknotes, some were making payments using QR codes.

“I usually pay with my credit card or via QR code because I don’t want to bring bulky coins,” said a 50-year-old residet in the city.

However, experts believe that the demand for banknotes will remain to some degree. While cashless payments are convenient, they could become unusable in the event of a system malfunction or disaster. The new banknotes feature cutting-edge anti-counterfeit measures, which gives people more confidence in the bills.

“People will have fewer occasions to use cash, but it will continue to be a part of society,” said Tsuyoshi Ueno, a senior economist at the NLI Research Institute.
 
 

The number of food and beverage items that will face price hikes in 2025 is projected to surpass 20,000 for the first time in two years, mainly due to high material and logistics costs, a credit research firm said Monday.

In July alone, 195 major food makers are planning price hikes for 2,105 items, such as seasoning and snacks, about a fivefold jump from a year earlier, according to a survey by Teikoku Databank Ltd.

Price hikes through November that have already been announced involve 18,697 items, with the company saying that the trend of rising prices of food and beverages is likely to continue "for the time being."

By category, seasoning, including broth and curry roux, will be mostly affected, with 6,108 items to see higher prices, followed by beverages including beers and soft drinks at 4,483 items and processed food including frozen meals and packaged precooked rice at 4,138.

In addition to a surge in raw material costs, the company said high utility costs and increasing personnel expenses due to labor shortage are also driving the price hikes.

Since crude oil prices have recently fluctuated amid tensions in the Middle East, the credit research firm said, "We need to keep an eye on price hikes derived from energy."

The number of food items that saw price hikes totaled 32,396 items in 2023 but dropped to 12,520 in 2024, according to the company.
 
 

Strong demand from inbound tourism has significantly driven up land prices in tourist destinations nationwide, a trend extending to areas around the 2025 Osaka-Kansai Expo.

According to an announcement by the National Tax Agency on Tuesday, land prices rose year-on-year in 35 prefectures, and the national average increased for the fourth consecutive year.


Popular ‘Little Kyotos’

A 55-year-old Belgian tourist was seen smiling as she looked at a “sarubobo” (monkey baby) — a local folk artwork — in Takayama, Gifu Prefecture, on June 25.

She said that a guidebook sparked her interest in the culture and nature in the area and that she found the traditional wooden buildings to be amazing.

Takayama is popular for its old townscape, which comprises historic sake breweries and traditional houses.

Last year, the city, dubbed “Hida’s Little Kyoto,” saw its foreign overnight visitors surge to about 769,700, an increase of 70% compared to the previous year. That number is a record high, significantly surpassing the pre-pandemic figure of about 612,000 in 2019.

Reflecting this popularity, land prices in the area along Kami-Sannomachi Shimo-Sannomachi-dori street, located in the central part of the city, rose by 28.3% this year compared to the previous year, the fourth highest increase in the nation.

According to the city’s historic townscape preservation association, the surge in demand driven by inbound tourism means that buyers are quickly found even for shops on the main street of Kami-Sannomachi that closed due to the aging of their owners. The trend has left the street with almost no vacant properties.

At the Sumiyoshi Ryokan inn with a more than 100-year-old building located along the Miyagawa river, a stream famous for its morning market, more than 90% of guests are inbound tourists.

“We’re almost fully booked until September,” said Tsunetada Minami, 50, who manages the inn. “International travelers are essential for the survival of our business.”


Spreading on social media

Even in Tokyo, where land prices saw the highest increase among all prefectures at 8.1%, it was mainly inbound tourism that was responsible for the rise.

Land prices on Kaminarimon-dori street in Asakusa, Tokyo, recorded a 29% increase, the third highest nationwide and the highest in Tokyo. Nakamise-dori shopping street in the district is bustling with foreign tourists posing for photos in kimonos and buying souvenirs.

“Events like Sanja Festival have spread on social media, increasing their popularity among foreigners,” said Shigemi Fuji, 76, chairperson of the Asakusa Tourism Federation.

Meanwhile, it has also been pointed out that the number of Japanese visitors to Asakusa has been decreasing. “Some rickshaw drivers have days when all their passengers are foreign tourists,” said Takashi Sudo, 45, manager of Isshin, which operates a rickshaw service.



Appeal of Expo

Although the Osaka-Kansai Expo, which opened in April and is being held on the artificial island of Yumeshima in Konohana Ward, Osaka, had yet to open at the time of the land price assessment, speculation over associated redevelopment projects has still boosted land prices in the ward.

The area around Yumeshima Station on the Osaka Metro Chuo Line, saw an 18.2% increase from the previous year. The station, which opened in January, is the closest one to the Expo venue.

Land in the area around Bentencho Station, a station where passengers transfer from a JR line to access Yumeshima, also saw an 11% price increases.

Near the station, there is a 20,000-square-meter plot of land, which used to be the site of a municipal high school. The city in September last year solicited redevelopment proposals for the site and received 12. “There is a lot of interest in the area, as it’s close to Yumeshima,” a city official said.

According to a British company that operates hotels in 10 locations in Osaka, the average rate for a room at its hotels has increased by 30% year-on-year since the Expo opened in April.

“In addition to visitors from Asia, there has been a notable increase in visitors from Europe and the United States,” an official of the company said. “The Expo is serving as a huge advertisement for promoting the appeal of Osaka to the world.”
 
 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Amid heightened concerns over child safety, the government is expanding the scope of its planned background check system designed to protect children from sexual offenders.
 
A new system, commonly referred to as the “Japanese version of the U.K.’s Disclosure and Barring Service,” is set to go into effect in December 2026. It aims to ensure a safe learning environment for minors by facilitating background checks on individuals seeking work that involves interacting with children.
 
The expanded guidelines will apply not only to schools and kindergartens, but also to community spaces such as children’s cafeterias and talent agencies.
 
The move comes as scrutiny grows over how institutions handle allegations of abuse, particularly in the entertainment industry and informal education settings.
 
At a meeting on Monday, the Children and Families Agency presented a draft outlining the new guidelines, revealing that community-based organizations, such as children’s cafeterias, talent agencies, cram schools, and sports clubs will be subjected to the checks under certain conditions, in addition to schools and licensed child care facilities.
 
The draft also subjects secret filming, which would violate local ordinance, to the new system, the agency said. Last week, two teachers were accused of secretly taking indecent pictures of young schoolgirls and sharing them in a 10-member group chat.
 
“If it is true, they exploited their positions as teachers to collectively disregard the rights of children, which we recognize as something absolutely unforgivable,” Tomoko Fujiwara, the head of child development bureau at the Children and Families Agency, said during Monday’s meeting.
 
Under the expanded system, background checks will be mandatory for professions including teaching, child care, licensed day care, and child welfare.

Relevant institutions must verify prospective employees do not have a history of sexual offense by making an inquiry with the children’s agency, which will check with the Justice Ministry for criminal records.
 
If an applicant falsely claims to have no criminal record and is later found to have one, employers will be permitted to revoke their offer on the grounds of "serious misrepresentation."
 
Unlisted organizations that offer children-related services for a six-month period or longer may also volunteer to conduct background checks in return for an official government safety certification mark.
 
To qualify, entities must meet four conditions:
 
    Provide education to children
    Hold in-person sessions
    Operate in a location other than the child’s home
    Employ at least three staff members or instructors
 
Solo operators such as freelance tutors or babysitters are excluded from the background checks. However, the system will bring them under regulation indirectly by certifying the platforms they use to connect to clients. In those cases, it will be the platform’s responsibility to ensure background checks are conducted.
 
In the expanded guidelines, the child agency recommends that bus drivers and volunteers who regularly interact with children be screened, but the final determination is left to the employer.
 
The agency plans to finalize the guidelines by the end of the year based on discussions with relevant stakeholders.
 
Although certification for nonmandatory institutions will be optional, the government is encouraging wide adoption as part of a broader push to create safer environments for children across public and private sectors.
 

 

 

An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 5.1 struck off the Tokara Islands in southwestern Japan, with no tsunami alert issued, the weather agency said Monday.

The 6:33 p.m. temblor measured a lower 5 on the Japanese seismic intensity scale of 7 on Akuseki Island, which is part of the island chain in Kagoshima Prefecture. There have been no reports of damage so far, according to the prefectural government and police.

The quake occurred west of Akuseki Island at a depth of 30 kilometers, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency.

The agency has been urging residents to stay alert, as the Tokara island chain and its vicinity have experienced over 670 earthquakes with a seismic intensity scale of 1 or higher between June 21 and 7:00 p.m. Monday.

The district meteorological observatory monitoring the area said the frequency of quakes has fluctuated and activity has continued, adding that several strong quakes have struck Akuseki Island throughout Monday afternoon.

Junichi Nakajima, professor at Institute of Science Tokyo, said, "There is a possibility of an earthquake similar to the magnitude 6.1 that hit in 2021, or an even larger one." He warned of a tsunami if a temblor nears magnitude 7.

Yoshiro Tobo, principal of an elementary and junior high school with 14 students on the island, said he had confirmed everyone was safe but added he felt "fearful" about the possibility of quakes occurring at night.

About 90 people live on Akuseki Island, according to the local government.
 
 

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and Vatican Secretary of State Pietro Parolin have affirmed their commitment to strengthening relations between the two countries following the inauguration of Pope Leo XIV.

At his meeting with Parolin in Tokyo on Monday, Ishiba expressed his congratulations on the inauguration of the new pope in May. Referring to more than 80 years of Japan-Vatican diplomatic ties, the prime minister also voiced his hope to boost cooperation between the two sides.

Parolin said he wants to further enhance the long-standing friendship between Japan and the Vatican.

The two exchanged views on global challenges, including Middle East tensions, Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the East Asian situation, including North Korea's nuclear and missile development and its abduction of Japanese citizens.

Parolin is visiting Japan to attend the Holy See's "national day" event at the ongoing World Exposition in the city of Osaka, western Japan.
 
 

The average income of Japanese lawmakers in 2024 stood at 25.13 million yen, almost unchanged from the previous year, both chambers of the Diet, Japan's parliament, said Monday.

The top earner among Diet members was Kenji Nakanishi of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party with 662.45 million yen, mostly from capital gains and dividends from his shareholdings.

Four lawmakers earned over 100 million yen, and all of them were LDP members.

The highest income among opposition party lawmakers was 87.54 million yen, earned by Kenko Matsuki of the leading opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan.

By party, the LDP had the highest average income, at 28.22 million yen, followed by the Democratic Party for the People, at 24.64 million yen, Nippon Ishin no Kai (Japan Innovation Party), at 23.08 million yen, and the CDP, at 21.88 million yen.
 
 

The Japan Fair Trade Commission has decided to issue a cease and desist order against Harley-Davidson Japan K.K. (HDJ), a Tokyo-based motorcycle sales company, for unfair trade practices in violation of the antimonopoly law, sources report.

According to the sources, HDJ unilaterally imposed difficult-to-meet sales quotas on dealers, a practice which was detrimental to them. The JFTC is also expected to issue a surcharge payment order of about ¥200 million.

Harley-Davidson is the leading manufacturer of large motorcycles in the United States, with some models costing over ¥5 million. HDJ, its Japanese subsidiary, has an exclusive distribution agreement with about 90 dealers in Japan.

The sources say that no later than January 2023, HDJ began saddling dozens of dealers with sales quotas that they could not meet without purchasing new motorcycles from themselves. HDJ also indicated that it would not renew the dealers’ exclusive sales contracts if they did not at least partially meet these quotas.

The dealers, not wanting their contracts to be terminated, bought new motorcycles in the names of their own executives and employees to drive up their sales numbers.

It is believed that the purchased vehicles were registered in the names of the executives and others and resold as “registered unused vehicles” at discount prices lower than those of new vehicles. Some dealers spent tens of millions of yen a year buying their own motorcycles.

The JFTC found that HDJ used its strong position to gain profits for itself at the dealers’ expense, and that such practices legally constituted “abuse of a superior bargaining position.” It has already sent HDJ a plan for measures to be taken and will formally issue the order after hearing HDJ’s opinion.
 
 

China has lifted a ban on seafood imports from most regions of Japan, which was imposed two years ago due to concerns over the release of treated waste water from the Fukushima nuclear plant.

Beijing said it will "conditionally resume" the imports from Japan with the exception of 10 of the country's 47 prefectures, including Tokyo and Fukushima.

Samples collected over long-term monitoring of nuclear-contaminated water from Fukushima had "not shown abnormalities", China's General Administration of Customs wrote on 29 June.

A tsunami in 2011 flooded three reactors of the Fukushima plant in north-east Japan in what is regarded as the world's worst nuclear disaster since Chernobyl.

Three of six nuclear reactors at the plant suffered a meltdown during the tsunami, leaving the facility severely damaged. Over the years more than a million tonnes of treated waste water accumulated there.

In 2023, Japan began discharging the treated waste water into the ocean - a move backed by the International Atomic Energy Agency. The process is expected to take up to 30 years.

Although most experts agree that the release is safe, some scientists say there isn't enough research yet on the potential impact on the ocean.

But Beijing criticised Japan's decision and almost immediately banned seafood from the country, citing environmental concerns and safety fears.

Before that, China had been Japan's biggest seafood buyer accounting for nearly a quarter of its exports.

Japan has said that China's move to partially lift the ban was a "positive" move, adding that the government will continue to urge Beijing to accept seafood imports from all of its regions.

The decision came after Tokyo promised to ensure the safety and quality of its exports.

Production companies that had suspended imports must now reapply for registration in China and would be subject to supervision, officials said.

China and Japan are key trading partners but have long had a testy relationship because of territorial disputes and Japan's occupation of parts of China in the past.