An exhibition in Tokyo is offering visitors a chance to experience the artistic and cultural heritage of Tunisia.

“Tunisia: Pathways in Cultural Exchange with the World” opened on Friday and will run until the end of January.

The event forms part of the Tunisian Embassy’s broader efforts to highlight Tunisian culture and to promote Tunisia as a unique cultural and touristic destination.

 

The exhibition features traditional handicrafts, contemporary fine art and a dedicated space showcasing Tunisia’s history, traditions, and tourism potential.

An exclusive corner is also devoted to the display and sale of authentic Tunisian products, providing Japanese visitors with a tangible experience of Tunisia’s craftsmanship and creativity.

 

Beyond the exhibition itself, a rich program of cultural activities will be held throughout its duration. Highlights include “Tunisia through the Eyes of JICA Volunteers”, a lecture on Tunisian archaeological sites inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, creative workshops for children, live Arabic calligraphy demonstrations, and musical performances.

 

The exhibition serves as a prelude to the commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Tunisia and Japan next year.
 
 

A woman in northern Japan has died after being attacked by a bear while picking mushrooms and another was missing, police and local media said on Saturday.

More and more wild bears have been spotted in Japan in recent years, even in residential areas, due to factors including a declining human population and climate change.

"A woman was confirmed dead and another is still missing," a police official in northern Miyagi region said.

Four people including the two women in their 70s were picking mushrooms on a mountain on Friday, according to police.

While the official said police were still investigating the cause of death, local media reported one of the group called police saying the woman was attacked by a bear.

Public broadcaster NHK reported that police believed she was attacked by the animal based on injuries to her body.

Separately, the body of a 78-year-old man with multiple claw marks was found in Nagano prefecture, according to the Asahi Shimbun daily. Police think he was killed by a bear, the report said.

Last month, Japan eased gun rules making it easier for hunters to use rifles in built-up areas following a rise in bear attacks.

According to NHK, 69 people nationwide suffered injuries caused by bears, with five of these resulting in death between April and August this year.
Government data shows bears attacked 85 people in the year ending March 2025, with three fatalities.

In the previous year, there were 219 attacks and six deaths.
 
 

Japan's ruling conservative party has elected Sanae Takaichi as its new leader, positioning the 64-year-old to be Japan's first female prime minister.

Takaichi is among the more conservative candidates leaning to the ruling party's right. A former government minister, TV host and avid heavy metal drummer, she is one of the best known figures in Japanese politics - and a controversial one at that.

She faces many challenges, including contending with a sluggish economy and households struggling with relentless inflation and stagnant wages.
She will also have to navigate a rocky US-Japan relationship and see through a tariff deal with the Trump administration agreed by the previous government.

If confirmed as prime minister, one of Takaichi's key challenges will be uniting the party after a turbulent few years which saw it rocked by scandals and internal conflicts.

Last month, Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, whose term lasted just over a year, announced he would step down after a series of election defeats that saw the Liberal Democratic Party's (LDP) governing coalition lose its majority in both chambers of parliament.

Prof Jeff Kingston, director of Asian Studies at Temple University in Tokyo, told the BBC that Takaichi was unlikely to have "much success at healing the internal party rift".

Takaichi belongs to the "hardline" faction of the LDP, which believed that "the reason the LDP support has imploded is because it lost touch with its right-wing DNA", he added.

"I think she's in a good position to regain the right wing voters, but at the expense of wider popular appeal, if they go into a national election."
Takaichi has been a long-time admirer of Britain's first female prime minister, Margaret Thatcher. She is now ever closer to fulfilling her Iron Lady ambition.

But many women voters don't see her as an advocate for progress.
"She calls herself Japan's Margaret Thatcher. In terms of fiscal discipline, she's anything but Thatcher," Prof Kingston said.

"But like Thatcher she's not much of a healer. I don't think she's done much to empower women."

Takaichi is a staunch conservative who's long opposed legislation allowing women to keep their maiden names after marriage, saying it is against tradition. She is also against same sex marriage.

A protégé of the late former leader Shinzo Abe, Takaichi has vowed to bring back his economic vision, known as Abenomics – which involves high fiscal spending and cheap borrowing.

The LDP veteran is hawkish on security and aims to revise Japan's pacifist constitution.

She's also a regular visitor of the controversial Yasukuni shrine where Japan's war dead including some convicted war criminals are memorialised.

She will likely be confirmed by parliament, although not automatically like her predecessors because the ruling party is in a much weaker position now having lost its majority in both houses.
 
 

The opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan will push for taxable ¥20,000 ($135) cash handouts to be included in the upcoming extra budget, the party leader said, framing it as a key test of whether deeper cooperation with the ruling coalition is possible.

"Including the cash handout in the extra budget should be the top priority,” Constitutional Democratic Party leader Yoshihiko Noda said in an interview on Friday.

"Only then can we see if real cooperation with the ruling bloc is possible — but at this point, I don’t see much of a chance,” he added. He also ruled out the possibility of joining the coalition.

Noda’s comments come as the ruling Liberal Democratic Party prepares to elect a new leader on Saturday. Whoever wins is expected to become Japan’s next prime minister, but they will have to seek support from opposition parties to pass key legislation after the LDP lost its majority in both houses of parliament.

The CDP holds the most number of seats among opposition parties, but has struggled to get other parties to coalesce around it.

While all five LDP leadership contenders have said economic measures are needed to support households, many have backed away from the concept of one-off cash handouts. The party campaigned on them in July’s Upper House elections and had dismal results.

Noda, a former prime minister who was in power in the early 2010s, emphasized the CDP’s goal of regime change in the next general election. At the same time, he signaled he’s not expecting to become premier himself this time, given the fragmentation among opposition parties.

Among the five LDP leadership candidates, Noda showed preference for those aligned with outgoing Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba. "We discussed policies under Ishiba, and if the next leader is someone who carries those decisions forward, we see more opportunity for real policy dialogue and implementation,” he said.

Those comments suggested he favors agricultural minister Shinjiro Koizumi and Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi, contenders from the current Cabinet. Noda distanced himself from pro-stimulus candidate Sanae Takaichi, who has floated a combined tax credit and handout policy similar to the CDP’s more longer-term plan.

"The LDP and Komeito are currently negotiating with us, and securing financial resources is of course one of the issues they’re considering,” he said. Takaichi’s thinking on financing is "totally different,” he said.

Earlier this week, Noda instructed CDP leaders to compile an economic package proposal to be submitted during the upcoming parliamentary session.

He said the plan will build on price measures proposed ahead of the Upper House election, include a one-year suspension of the sales tax on food. The estimated ¥5 trillion cost for the tax cut can be funded through non-tax revenue, surplus government funds and other sources, Noda said.

Noda, who also once served as finance minister, pointed to the weak yen as a major factor behind persistent inflation, suggesting the Bank of Japan should take it into account in deciding policy. Given the current economic conditions, "the environment is in place” for the BOJ to start raising rates, Noda said.

"Real interest rates are still too low,” he added, referencing economists’ view that a 1% real neutral rate should be the benchmark.

He also called for a revision of the 2013 joint statement between the government and BOJ, which committed to continued easing until inflation stabilized at 2%. Noda suggested a more flexible target, arguing the current goal lacks adaptability. The party suggested 1% to 3% as an alternative target.

Separately, the BOJ announced last month that it will begin gradually unwinding its massive holdings of exchange-traded funds, which total more than ¥70 trillion in market value.

"There’s no need for ETF sales to take 100 years,” Noda said. He reiterated the CDP’s proposal from last year to redirect BOJ ETF dividends toward child care spending.

"If the BOJ’s profits are used only for debt repayment and defense spending, the public sees no benefit. If we consider it a funding source, we need to broaden how it’s used.”
 
 

 

Japan is facing a shortage of Asahi products, including beer and bottled tea, as the drinks giant grapples with the impact of a major cyber-attack that has affected its operations in the country.

Most of the Asahi Group's factories in Japan have been at a standstill since Monday, after the attack hit its ordering and delivering systems.

Major Japanese retailers, including 7-Eleven and FamilyMart, have now warned customers to expect shortages of Asahi products.

In a statement on Friday, Asahi said it was "unable to provide a clear timeline for recovery" but had started "partial manual" processing of orders and shipments.

Asahi is the biggest brewer in Japan, but it also makes soft drinks and food products, as well as supplying own-brand goods to other retailers.

It owns Fullers in the UK and global brands including Peroni, Pilsner Urquell and Grolsch. However, Asahi has said that only its operations in Japan - which account for about half its sales - have been affected by the attack.

In its latest statement, Asahi said that as a result of containment measures following the attack, ordering and shipment systems in Japan had been affected and it was also unable to receive emails from external sources.

"Although system-based order and shipment processes remain suspended, ensuring product supply to customers has been set as our top priority and we have begun partial manual order processing and shipment," it said.
Asahi also said it was preparing to reopen its call centre operations next week.

Atsushi Katsuki, Asahi president and group chief executive, apologised for the disruption.

"We are making every effort to restore the system as quickly as possible, while implementing alternative measures to ensure continued product supply to our customers," he said.

In a statement on Thursday, FamilyMart - which is one of Japan's largest convenience stores - said its Famimaru range of bottled teas, which are made by Asahi, were expected to be in short supply or out of stock.

"We sincerely apologise to our customers for any inconvenience caused," said FamilyMart, adding that it was working with Asahi to resume the sale of the products.

7-Eleven, the Japanese-owned global convenience store chain, has halted shipments in the country of Asahi products, including its popular Super Dry beer.

A spokesperson for 7-Eleven said its shops have been advised to expect a shortage of Asahi products.

Lawson, another major Japanese retailer, also said it expected some Asahi products to be in short supply from Friday.

The retailer said it planned to stock up on alternative products to minimise the impact on customers.

Japanese supermarket chain Life Cooperation also warned that Asahi products may soon go out of stock.
 

 

The average price of rice sold at about 1,000 supermarkets across Japan in the week ended Sunday fell 35 yen from the previous week to 4,211 yen per 5 kilograms, the agriculture ministry said Friday.

The average rice price dropped for the second straight week, though still above 4,000 yen for the fourth consecutive week.

The decline was apparently because the government extended the deadline for selling relatively cheap rice released from its stockpile beyond the end of August.

A separate survey of about 1,200 supermarkets showed that the average rice price dropped 51 yen to 3,539 yen. A survey of about 6,000 drugstores and other retail shops found that the average price was 57 yen lower at 3,995 yen.

The country's rice production this year is expected to grow by 560,000 tons from the previous year, agriculture minister Shinjiro Koizumi told reporters, adding that industry executives predict more.
 
 

 

Japan has lodged a protest with China after a Chinese marine survey ship was suspected of carrying out a survey again in Japan's exclusive economic zone.

The Japan Coast Guard says a patrol ship saw the Chinese vessel extending a pipe-like object in waters roughly 400 kilometers west of Amami Oshima Island in the southwestern prefecture of Kagoshima before 7 a.m. on Wednesday.

The same vessel was seen conducting what appeared to be survey operations in adjacent waters within Japan's EEZ on Sunday and Tuesday.

Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Chief Cabinet Secretary Hayashi Yoshimasa said the coast guard has continuously demanded that China stop the activity.

He said the government has also lodged a strong protest with China through diplomatic channels, saying any marine scientific survey in Japan's EEZ is not acceptable without its consent and is extremely regrettable, and that it must stop immediately.

He said Japan will continue to deal with the situation resolutely and calmly.
 
 

The number of foreign children of elementary or junior high school age living in Japan who were not or may not have been in education amounted to 8,432 as of May 2024, an education ministry survey showed Thursday.

This represents a decrease of 169 from the previous year’s survey.
The total number of foreign children registered in Japan as residents eligible for education at elementary or junior high schools stood at 163,358, up by 12,663.

Of the total, 114,792 were elementary school students and 48,566 were junior high school students, marking year-on-year increases of 8,252 and 4,411, respectively.

The survey covered education boards in 1,741 municipalities nationwide.
 
 

OpenAI and Japan’s Digital Agency today announced a strategic collaboration to explore how generative AI can be used safely and effectively to enhance public services in Japan.

Japan’s Digital Agency will make Gennai, a new AI tool powered by OpenAI’s advanced AI technology, available to government employees, with the goal of using AI to drive innovative public sector use cases.

OpenAI has contributed to the pilot launched by the OECD and the G7 to monitor the Hiroshima AI Process, led by the Japanese government.

The “Hiroshima AI Process Comprehensive Policy Framework”is the first international policy framework consisting of guidelines and codes of conduct aimed at promoting the adoption of safe, secure, and trustworthy advanced AI systems—beyond the G7 to include governments, the private sector, academia, and civil society in Asian countries and emerging economies.

It is designed to promote the formation of inclusive international governance on AI, ensuring that people around the world can use AI that is safe, secure, and trustworthy.

Aligned with the Japanese government’s policies, OpenAI will also actively explore initiatives that contribute to secure and reliable government AI, including pursuing ISMAP (Information system Security Management and Assessment Program) certification.

Looking ahead, OpenAI will continue to prioritize safety, transparency, and international cooperation while deepening partnerships with the Japanese government, local authorities, educational institutions, industry, and users to contribute to the responsible and sustainable integration of generative AI into society.
 
 

Japanese police Wednesday launched special teams to reinforce their fight against "tokuryu" ad hoc crime groups made up of anonymous members.

The National Police Agency and Tokyo's Metropolitan Police Department took the action with no sign of decline seen for crimes by tokuryu groups, whose members are connected through social media for illegal activities such as fraud and robbery.

The new teams will gather and analyze information across organizational boundaries to spot core tokuryu members and concentrate their investigative power on arresting and eradicating such groups.

At a ceremony to mark the launch of the NPA's information analysis office, agency Commissioner-General Yoshinobu Kusunoki stressed:
"Whether our countermeasures prove successful will have a significant impact on the country's public safety. We are at a crucial stage."

"We must find out core group members, arrest them in an intensive and strategic manner and break down their illegal business models," Kusunoki also said.
 
 

Japan Airlines Co said Tuesday it will suspend high-risk pilots if their liver functions deteriorate beyond certain levels, as the troubled carrier announced stricter safety measures after international flights were delayed due to drinking incident involving a pilot.

JAL submitted a set of measures to prevent a repeat of the latest case in August, in which the pilot drank alcohol and was unable to operate a flight from Hawaii to Japan.

The lapse prompted the transport ministry to reprimand the airline and require it to report on safety steps to avoid a recurrence.

Six pilots have already been suspended from flying, according to JAL.
A series of drinking incidents involving pilots have hit JAL and the most recent one came despite its efforts to root out such episodes.

While acknowledging that its measures so far against preflight drinking by pilots have not been effective, it admitted fault for having unilaterally imposed stricter rules on its employees without proper consultation.

In its report released Tuesday, JAL said it will set up a consultative framework with labor to discuss how best to implement effective measures.

The management team initially sought to require pilots to pledge in writing that they will steer clear of alcohol-related trouble. But the plan met internal opposition, according to people familiar with the situation.

A JAL pilot consumed three pints of beer -- 568 milliliters each -- a day before his flight on Aug. 28 from Honolulu to Chubu airport near Nagoya.
The day of his flight, his testing kit showed alcohol presence 60 times in succession. He notified the company that he was feeling unwell, admitting that he had drunk the day before.

The flight he was supposed to pilot had to be delayed for about two hours, while two other flights bound for Tokyo's Haneda airport from Honolulu were also delayed for over 18 hours. He was later fired.

He had been flagged by the airline as someone who needed close monitoring seven years ago for drinking but he vowed at the time to quit the habit, according to JAL.

JAL was also issued a warning by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, after different pilots attempted to conceal excessive preflight drinking.

Some pilots say drinking alcohol within allowed limits can help them relax after long international flights. Others see it as part of their way to endure demanding working schedules when there are not enough pilots to keep up with growing demand for air travel.

JAL said Tuesday it will continue to enforce no-drinking rules for pilots during their business stays.
 
 

Public hospitals across Japan ran a combined deficit of 395.2 billion yen in fiscal 2024, with 83.3 pct operating in the red, the internal affairs ministry said Tuesday.

Both the deficit and the proportion of loss-making hospitals, 703 out of 844, marked record highs.

The ministry attributed the deteriorating financial situation to rising personnel costs and soaring prices of medication and other products.

In fiscal 2021, public hospitals recorded a surplus of 325.6 billion yen, supported by substantial government aid during the COVID-19 pandemic including subsidies.

From fiscal 2023 onward, however, hospitals increasingly became unprofitable. Their deficit widened by 185.3 billion yen in fiscal 2024 as higher costs of labor and materials outpaced medical service incomes.
 


 

The government announced on Monday the resumption of economic sanctions against Iran, after the United Nations reimposed sanctions on the country over its nuclear development.

Based on a U.N. Security Council resolution, the government designated the assets of 78 organizations and 43 individuals to be frozen.

"The issue is now at a crossroads," Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi told a news conference, underlining the importance of a diplomatic solution. "We shouldn't lose opportunities for dialogue."

Iran has strongly opposed the U.N. sanctions, including by suggesting that it would suspend cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency.

Hayashi repeatedly stated that Japan's stance of calling for a solution through dialogue remains unchanged. "We will continue necessary diplomatic efforts while following the Security Council's decision," he emphasized.
 
 

The UK and Japan announce first tranche of activity under our Industrial Strategy Partnership.

During a meeting today [September 29] UK Department for Business and Trade Permanent Secretary Gareth Davies and Japan’s Ministry for Economy Trade and Industry Vice-Minister for International Affairs Matsuo Takehiko confirmed the main areas and directions to be addressed in a workplan for the UK-Japan Industrial Strategy Partnership, and announced a first tranche of activity under this partnership to sustain collaboration, including support for investment in each other’s economies.

Work towards a UK-Japan Industrial Strategy Partnership was announced in March 2025 at the 2nd UK-Japan Strategic Economic Policy and Trade Dialogue, during the visit to Japan by UK Secretary of State for Business and Trade. 

With today’s announcement, the UK and Japan have formalised the details of this partnership and confirmed a first tranche of planned activities to take place under the partnership in sectors including:

• Advanced Manufacturing, Automotive – Recognising the close links between the UK and Japanese automotive sectors, as well as joint interests in industrial strategy, economic security and future automotive technologies, Mr. Davies and Mr. Matsuo reaffirmed the benefits of a holding a regular in-depth dialogue on automotive between relevant senior officials (the “Japan-UK Automotive Dialogue”). This first Dialogue occurred in May this year. The second – due to occur in early 2026 - will focus on supporting growth in our respective automotive sectors and identifying further routes to collaboration, including on batteries, other technologies and non-price criteria.
• Clean Energy – Acknowledging our shared commitment to energy and climate goals, Mr. Davies and Mr. Matsuo underlined the importance of enhancing cooperation through various channels, including UK-Japan Energy and Climate Dialogue, and in various areas, including offshore wind and nuclear, with an emphasis on emissions reduction, energy security and economic growth.
• Life Sciences – With the aim of enhancing research and development and commercial collaboration in both countries’ world-class life sciences sectors, and to drive economic growth through exports and investment, Mr. Matsuo and Mr. Davies committed to discussing the potential for further trade missions and visits.
• Quantum – Mr. Davies and Mr. Matsuo committed to advancing the UK–Japan Quantum Memorandum of Cooperation by strengthening collaboration between our national quantum computing flagship facilities, promoting business and research engagement to drive sector growth and resilient supply chains, and convening UK and Japanese industry and investors at key events around the world to build commercial partnerships.
• Cyber – Mr. Davies and Mr. Matsuo reiterated the importance of the UK-Japan Cyber Partnership and the Memorandum of Cooperation between the National Cyber Advisory Board of the United Kingdom and Keidanren on Public-Private Partnerships in Cyber. They acknowledged that good cyber security drives economic growth and committed to deepening exchanges on cyber skills development, accelerating public-private partnerships and working towards a streamlined approach to Internet of Things security.

Mr. Davies and Mr. Matsuo also discussed the important links between economic security and industrial strategy.

In this regard, Mr. Davies and Mr. Matsuo reaffirmed their concerns regarding non-market policies and practices, including harmful industrial subsidies, market-distorting practices by state-owned enterprises (SOEs), and forced technology transfer, as well as the resulting harmful excess capacity and other market distortions.

They emphasised the importance of collaborating with like-minded countries to build resilient and reliable supply chains. Furthermore, they reiterated to continue exploring non-price criteria in demand-side policy tools that take into account not only economic factors but also those related to the Principles on Resilient and Reliable Supply Chains, which were endorsed at the G7 Summit in June 2024.

The UK and Japan also confirmed their intention to cooperate in sectors including trade digitalisation, digital and technologies, space and defence industries, and creative industries.

To ensure focus on delivery, Mr. Matsuo and Mr. Davies confirmed that the next UK-Japan Strategic Economic Policy and Trade Dialogue would be used to assess progress on these areas, as well as to identify the second tranche of activity to be conducted under the partnership.

During their meeting, Mr. Davies and Mr. Matsuo reaffirmed their intention to ensure the partnership remains firmly focused on delivering tangible benefits for businesses in both nations.
 

 

The cumulative number of general visitors to the World Expo in Osaka has topped 22 million, which is regarded as the event's breakeven point, its organizers said.

As of Sunday, 22,277,717 people had visited the Osaka Expo since its April 13 opening, the Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition announced Monday.

The cumulative number of visitors has now exceeded 22.05 million — the number of visitors to the 2005 World Expo in Aichi Prefecture, it said.

The expo got off to a slow start with the number of daily visitors staying below 100,000 initially, but its popularity eventually expanded thanks to positive reactions on social media. Between Sept. 12 and Sunday, the daily numbers topped 200,000 for 17 consecutive days.

The association expects a total of approximately 28.2 million people to visit the Osaka Expo before it ends on Oct. 13.
 
 

Japan defended its title with an 11-0 victory over Chinese Taipei in the final of the 31st Asian Baseball Championship on Sunday in Pingtan, east China's Fujian Province.

The win marked Japan's 21st title in the history of the Asian Baseball Championship, reaffirming its dominance in the sport across the continent.

Unlike the close contest between the two sides during the Super Round, the final was one-sided from the first inning.

Japan came out strong and showcased explosive offensive firepower, recording a total of 15 hits throughout the game.

In the top of the first inning, Japan scored four runs to set the tone early. The team added three more in the second inning, extending its lead and further dampening its opponents' chances.

 

Maintaining momentum on both offense and defense, Japan effectively neutralized any potential comeback from Chinese Taipei and secured the shutout win.

"Our batting lineup didn't quite click yesterday, but the players' form remained solid," said Japan coach Kawaguchi Tomoyasu. "Today, they made the necessary adjustments, came well-prepared, and played together as a team. That's what led to this result.

The theme of this tournament for us was to 'enjoy the game.' Only when players truly enjoy baseball can they fully display its charm." 
 
 

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake met in Tokyo on Monday and agreed that Japan will provide about 10 surveillance drones, worth about 500 million yen, to the South Asian nation's navy.

This will be Japan's first provision of defense equipment to Sri Lank under its official security assistance program.

"The stability and development of Sri Lanka, which is located at a strategic point in the Indian Ocean, is extremely important," Ishiba said at a joint press conference after the meeting.

In response, the president voiced his commitment to creating a peaceful and stable Indo-Pacific region.

The two governments also signed a plan to improve the productivity of small dairy farmers, as part of efforts to stabilize the political situation in Sri Lanka. Japan will provide 463 million yen in grant aid for equipment to ferment and dry grass.
 


 

The Japanese Embassy in Jakarta officially opened Jak‑Japan Matsuri 2025 on Saturday, offering a variety of Japanese cultural performances and immersive experiences designed to make visitors feel as though they are in Japan.

“Omikoshi (portable shrine) is also featured at this festival,” said Japanese Ambassador to Indonesia Masaki Yasushi, referring to the tradition of carrying a shrine in a parade typical of festivals in Japan.

“Represented as a symbol of a Japanese matsuri, the omikoshi will give visitors here in Jakarta a feeling of attending a matsuri in Japan,” he added during the opening ceremony of the two‑day festival running Sept. 27‑28 at East Parking Area of Gelora Bung Karno, Jakarta.

This year’s festival is organized through a collaboration between the Japanese Embassy, regional governments, associations, and companies with ties to Japan.

A special zone titled “Exploring Japan” lets attendees simulate travel across the country by visiting 15 booths, each representing a Japanese prefecture or city, collecting stamps as they move through them.

In his remarks, Ambassador Masaki thanked visitors from both Indonesia and Japan who joined in carrying the omikoshi, as well as the traditional cultural groups from both nations participating in Jak‑Japan Matsuri (JJM) 2025. He expressed hope that attendees from both countries would enjoy the performances and build mutual friendship.

Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung, who also spoke at the event, said he is proud Jakarta is hosting the 15th Jak‑Japan Matsuri.

“Since establishing our diplomatic relations, we have rarely had political issues. Cultural matters have been very well preserved,” he said.

He added the festival reflects close ties, cooperation, and solidarity between Indonesians and Japanese people.

Governor Pramono hopes JJM 2025 will not just be a cultural exchange, but also a symbol of brotherhood and growing unity through good relations.

JJM 2025 features many artists and bands from both countries, including DIKTA, Yosuke Kishi, Serina, Jam Heads, and JKT48, among others.
 

The Trackhouse home hero has been suffering with a hand injury and will unfortunately miss Sunday afternoon’s action at Motegi

Following his fast crash at Misano last time out, Trackhouse MotoGP have confirmed that Ai Ogura has been forced to withdraw from Sunday’s Grand Prix in Japan.

The home hero has been experiencing some discomfort in his right hand, and unfortunately, this has become more apparent as the weekend has progressed.

After Warm Up, Ogura visited the medical centre and needing to put his well-being and safety first, it’s been confirmed that Ogura will sit out the Grand Prix at Motegi.

Trackhouse confirmed that they and the MotoGP medical team will monitor the Japanese rider’s condition, and participation in next weekend’s Indonesian GP will be subject to a review of his progress when the team lands on Lombok.
 

 

People from Japan and South Korea kicked off a two-day cultural exchange event in Tokyo on Saturday as this year marks the 60th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between the two Asian neighbors.

In the opening ceremony, Kim Jang-hyun, deputy chief of the South Korean Embassy in Japan, said that efforts to promote cooperative relations between the two countries are continuing.

South Korea hopes for more exchanges involving younger generations, who will play a leading role in future relations between the two countries, Kim said.

Japanese education minister Toshiko Abe expressed hopes for deeper ties between Japan and South Korea.

A re-enactment of a procession of a Korean diplomatic delegation to Japan in the 17th to 19th century was performed at the event.

Shin Yoon-chan, the mother of Lee Soo-hyun, a South Korean man who died while trying to rescue a Japanese man falling onto the tracks at a train station in Tokyo in 2001, joined the procession by playing the role of chief of the delegation.

She delivered a letter to the Japanese side calling for maintaining peaceful relations between the two countries.

The event also included performances of traditional musical instruments and K-pop dance performances.

Keiko Nabeta, a company worker from the city of Shizuoka, said that a friendship between Japan and South Korea is "absolutely necessary." She added, "I hope that both governments will work together in a good way."
 
 

 

The foreign ministers of Japan, Britain, France and nine other countries said Thursday that they have launched a coalition to support the Palestinian Authority financially.

Stabilizing the Palestinian Authority's finances is "indispensable to regional stability and to preserving the two-state solution," the ministers said in a joint statement issued on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly in New York.

The coalition also includes Belgium, Denmark, Iceland, Ireland, Norway, Saudi Arabia, Slovenia, Spain and Switzerland.

The ministers demanded that Israel "cease any measures that obstruct or weaken the Palestinian Authority or risk its collapse." The coalition is "open and inclusive and invites all states and international organizations to join this collective effort," they said.

Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya pledged 10 million dollars in fresh aid for food and health to Palestine at a ministerial meeting in New York Thursday.
 

 

Japan's finance ministry said on Friday that it will set up an investment facility at a state-owned development bank to support a $550 billion investment package agreed on in Tokyo's tariff deal with Washington.
 
Japan and the United States signed a memorandum of understanding on the details of the package this month, stating that it would focus on investments in sectors such as chips, metals, pharmaceuticals, energy and shipbuilding to be made by January 2029, which coincides with the end of U.S. President Donald Trump's presidential term.

Japan's investment package would include equity, loans and loan guarantees from the state-owned Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) and Nippon Export and Investment Insurance.
 
The new facility at JBIC will provide financial support for overseas expansions by Japanese companies in industries strategically important for the country's economic security, the ministry said.
 
The ministry also said it revised regulations on the JBIC to expand the scope of its investment in developed countries, including the automotive and pharmaceutical industries.

The previous regulations limited JBIC's scope of investments in developed countries to certain sectors compared to those in emerging countries.
 

There is a strong need to create a backup capital in Japan that can take over Tokyo's functions in an emergency, Yoshimasa Hayashi, a candidate in the Liberal Democratic Party's leadership election, said in a recent interview.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Hayashi is running against four other candidates in the ruling party's Oct. 4 race to pick the successor to outgoing LDP President Shigeru Ishiba, who is also Japan's prime minister.

"There have long been discussions about the importance of having another place that can function as the capital and relocating parliament in the event of a big earthquake occurring directly beneath the Tokyo metropolitan area," Hayashi said. "The need to secure redundancy is significant."

The idea has been championed by opposition Nippon Ishin no Kai, which is seeking to turn Osaka into a backup capital.

Asked whether the LDP-Komeito pair, a minority force in both chambers of parliament, would expand the ruling bloc if he were elected leader, Hayashi said he would first have to hold meetings with possible coalition partners.

"I'm of course not ruling out the possibility of forming a coalition with some party that would enable us to achieve most of what we want to do," he said.

Hayashi said that the LDP's proposal for cash handouts, included in its pledges for the July election of the House of Councilors, the upper chamber, did not receive broad-based support.

"We're a minority government, so we'll discuss with the (main opposition) Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, which has called for similar benefits, and respond flexibly if we can reach an agreement," he said.

"A panel to discuss a proposed refundable tax credit program is set to be established, so we'll hold talks on that as well.

"If talks on the refundable tax credit program lead to reducing the consumption tax rate, discussions should be held on what to do with social security.

"Many parties have proposed tax cuts as a measure against inflation. Even though (consumption tax revenue) is necessary for social security, it's difficult to mull tax raises now," he added.

On a proposal from the opposition Democratic Party for the People to raise the minimum taxable income level, Hayashi said the matter should be considered as progress is made on talks with other parties on tax and social security system reforms and refundable tax credits.

Asked whether he would raise taxes to cover any possible further hike in defense spending, he said there should be discussions first on what is necessary defense and then on defense spending and funding sources, which must be considered at the same time.

Regarding possible pressure from the United States to hike defense expenditures, Hayashi said that working closely with the ally is a prerequisite and that the two sides will reach conclusions through various discussions.
 
 

This year’s brief autumn will give way to an early winter, with temperatures staying unseasonably high through October before plunging in late November, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency.

In its three-month outlook released Monday, the agency forecast above-average temperatures nationwide in October following the hottest summer on record, delaying the arrival of autumn weather.

“There may be midsummer-like days with highs topping 30 degrees Celsius in early October, so it remains important to take measures to prevent heatstroke,” Yoshinori Oikawa, director of the agency’s Tokyo Climate Center, which tracks climate patterns, told reporters at a news conference Monday.

But from the latter half of November, cold air masses are expected to strengthen, bringing a rapid seasonal shift. December temperatures in eastern and western Japan, as well as Okinawa and Amami, are projected to be near or below normal.

“Temperatures are likely to stay high until mid-November before dropping suddenly. It will feel like an abrupt seasonal shift. Please take care of your health,” Oikawa said.

The agency attributed the unusual pattern to both global warming and La Nina-like conditions in the Pacific, where sea surface temperatures in the equatorial central and eastern regions remain lower than average. That has pushed the jet stream farther north, allowing warm air to dominate much of Japan.

The colder-than-average conditions are expected to ease by mid-winter, and the overall average temperature for the October-to-December period is projected to be close to normal nationwide.
 
 

The Tokyo Game Show, one of the world's biggest gaming events, kicked off Thursday with a record 1,136 exhibitors from Japan and abroad, highlighting the growing presence of independent developers that create small-budget, innovative titles and the increasing application of artificial intelligence.

Around 250,000 visitors are expected at the four-day annual extravaganza held at Makuhari Messe convention center in Chiba, near Tokyo, according to the organizer, the Computer Entertainment Supplier's Association.

The number of exhibitors broke the record of 985 marked last year, with 615 coming from abroad and 521 from Japan. More than 1,200 titles will be showcased.

Among major names, Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc. demonstrated its upcoming PlayStation title "Ghost of Yotei," set for release next month, and Capcom Co featured the latest installment of the "Biohazard" series, scheduled for release in February.

With the association increasingly emphasizing the importance of fostering the next generation of creators, one of this year's features is "indie games," produced by smaller or independent developers.

At the venue, an initiative for supporting such video game developers called "Selected Indie 80" spotlights 80 titles chosen from a record 1,365 submissions, according to the organizer.

Yu Ikeda, a 45-year-old game company engineer, joined the event with a golf simulator called "Near Pin Go," which he independently developed in his free time.

The game, which Ikeda plans to release within the year, requires only an Apple Inc. smartwatch to play. Users can set a golf course target at any real-world location and swing virtually.

"The best thing is that I can freely create what I believe is fun, unlike major game makers, where a single project can involve 100 or more people," Ikeda said.

Among Japanese indie games is "The Exit 8," a blockbuster walking simulator set in underground passageways, which was made into a film this year in Japan.

Eiji Maeda, a senior analyst at SMBC Nikko Securities Inc, said indie games are attracting more eyes as creators can easily release innovative titles or new genres online.

"There is an environment where a smash hit can suddenly emerge, as creators release their works on digital platforms rather than through conventional over-the-counter sales," said Maeda, who is a gaming industry specialist.

The artificial intelligence technology pavilion is another notable area of the show, as the emerging technology is now seen as a means to create better-quality games with lower development costs and more interactive gameplay.

Switzerland-based start-up Ovomind demonstrated an effective generative AI device that gauges a user's emotions through body temperature, heart rate and sweat detected by a wristband, with the data then reflected in the game.

In a shooting game, for example, a relaxed player would enjoy improved accuracy, according to the AI technology developer.

"We can detect eight emotions, from stress to anxiety. We want studios to use this data for analytics and to create new games," said Ovomind CEO Yann Frachi.

The gaming industry has been carrying increasing weight in the Japanese economy, expanding its market 1.5-fold to 31 trillion yen over the five years through 2024, according to the association.

Launched in 1996, the Tokyo Game Show is one of the world's biggest gaming events, alongside Gamescom, held in Germany last month. The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry is a supporter of the Tokyo event.

The first two days are mainly reserved for media and industry figures, with the venue opened to the public on Saturday and Sunday.
 
 

The Japanese government has postponed recognizing a Palestinian state for the time being, in part to consider its relationship with the United States, but it is considering the possibility of future recognition.

Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba strongly condemned Israel’s ground operation in the Palestinian territory of Gaza during his speech at the U.N. General Debate on Tuesday night and demanded an immediate halt to the offensive.

Japan will “take a new approach” if Israel’s actions close off the path to a two-state solution, Ishiba said at the session of the U.N. General Assembly.

Israel’s expansion of the ground operation “significantly worsens the humanitarian crisis and is absolutely unacceptable to our country,” the prime minister said. “We condemn it in the strongest possible terms.” He also stressed that “it is absolutely unforgivable to overlook” the suffering of the people in Gaza.

Regarding the two-state solution — the coexistence of Israeli and Palestinian states that Japan has consistently supported — Ishiba said the situation is in a “very serious and worrying phase.” The question of recognizing a Palestinian state is “not a matter of ‘whether,’ but ‘when,’” he said.

The Japanese government has postponed recognizing a Palestinian state for the time being, in part to consider its relationship with the United States, but it is considering the possibility of future recognition.

Ishiba also called in his speech for reform of the United Nations as it celebrates its 80th anniversary. Citing Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, he said the U.N. Security Council “has not been fully functioning” and called for an expansion of both permanent and non-permanent member states.

The prime minister also touched on Japan’s journey over the 80 years since the end of World War II, emphasizing that “the people of Asia showed a spirit of generosity in accepting Japan after the war.”

He looked back at Japan’s commitment to “strive for the realization of lasting world peace under a pledge not to fight a war” and called for “solidarity over division and tolerance over confrontation.” Ishiba also expressed his resolve for Japan to lead the world as a “country that is needed by the world.”
 

 

Japan decided Wednesday to allow textbooks to be used only in digital form in schools, with a plan to introduce the step in public elementary schools from fiscal 2030.

The change, approved by an education ministry working group, will give local education boards the options of adopting only digital textbooks, using them alongside paper ones -- an option already available -- or sticking with paper textbooks only.

The Central Council for Education has said that the move will lead to wider textbook choices, facilitate learning that accommodates the increasingly digital nature of society and generate new, creative teaching methods.

However, some experts have expressed concern that the use of digital textbooks may increase the burden on teachers and textbook publishers and cause impaired eyesight and other health issues among students.

The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology aims to submit bills for amending related laws during the ordinary Diet session in 2026.

Digital textbooks are already in use in Japan, but as "alternative teaching materials" that do not require separate government approval, as they are exact copies of already screened paper textbooks, equipped with read-aloud functions.

Under the new system, digital textbooks and teaching materials to be accessed via QR codes in textbooks will be newly subjected to screening as the task force seeks to ensure the quality of the content.

The ministry is expected to create guidelines on how to use digital materials in classrooms, as the group deemed it necessary to consider the characteristics of each subject and the developmental stage of students.
 
 

Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya on Tuesday conveyed to his Iranian counterpart, Abbas Araghchi, Tokyo's strong hope that the issue of Iran's nuclear development will be resolved through dialogue.

In their meeting in New York, the two ministers also exchanged views on the tense situation in the Middle East and confirmed close bilateral cooperation.

 

Iwaya urged Iran to work with the International Atomic Energy Agency and resume talks on its nuclear program with the United States as soon as possible. Araghchi, for his part, outlined Tehran's position.

During his stay in New York to attend the ongoing U.N. General Assembly session, Iwaya also met with IAEA Director-General Rafael Grossi.

 

They discussed Iran's nuclear program and North Korea's nuclear weapons development, as well as discharges of treated water from Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings Inc.'s Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant, which suffered a triple meltdown in 2011.
 
 

Indonesian motorsport team Toyota Gazoo Racing Indonesia (TGRI) has made history by winning the GT4 Japan Cup 2025 title. The team's triumph was led by the formidable duo of Indonesia's Haridarma Manoppo and Japan's Seita Nonaka, who dominated the season by claiming nearly all first-place podiums across eight races from June to September.

Haridarma Manoppo expressed his elation, calling the win the most significant achievement of his career. "This is truly extraordinary, and it's the pinnacle of my racing career," said Haridarma in a written statement received by the press on Tuesday, September 23, 2025, as quoted by antaranews.com. 

"Especially since we know that GT racing is filled with great drivers, this achievement is absolutely remarkable for me." he added.

Haridarma also credited his teammate, Seita Nonaka, for his crucial contributions to the team’s success. He explained that Nonaka's insights into the unique characteristics of each circuit and their respective racing lines were invaluable.

The 2025 title is the culmination of TGRI's steady progress since their debut in the GT World Challenge Asia 2023, where they finished second overall. The following year, they competed in the full 2024 GT4 Japan Cup season and secured a third-place finish. 

This year, the team's performance surged with Haridarma's full focus and the solid teamwork with Nonaka.

This victory not only marks the highest point in Haridarma's career but also reaffirms the commitment of PT Toyota Astra Motor and TCD Asia Pacific Indonesia to developing motorsports talent at a professional level.

The championship win firmly places Indonesia on the map of international motorsport competition. 
 

 

The participants reaffirmed the importance of strengthening measures to support young people.

An international conference on measures to combat gambling addiction on online casinos and other platforms was held in Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo, on Sunday.

The Japan-U.K. Conference on Gambling Addiction had about 500 participants from Japan and Britain, including experts and surviving family members of suicide victims whose deaths were related to gambling addiction.

The participants reaffirmed the importance of strengthening measures to support young people.

“We are seeing an unprecedented situation in which people only need a smartphone to gamble,” said Noriko Tanaka, representative director of the Society Concerned about Gambling Addiction, in her address.

Liz Ritchie from Britain, whose 20-year-old son committed suicide after suffering through a gambling addiction, stood at the podium with her husband, Charles. She spoke about the heartache she feels after having lost her son, saying that it is as if all the color has gone out of her life. She argued that countermeasures against gambling addiction should be seen as an issue society needs to work on as a whole.

A symposium following the speeches was joined by Toshikazu Yamaguchi, president of The Yomiuri Shimbun Holdings, and others. The participants discussed countermeasures for sports gambling, among other issues.
Yamaguchi said that every year around ¥6.5 trillion is gambled illegally on overseas sports by people living in Japan.

“[Countries in Europe] have ratified [the Macolin Convention] on the rigging of sporting events,” Yamaguchi said, describing the aim of the convention as preventing athletes and others from getting involved in match-fixing and other illegal betting activities.

“Japan should sign the Macolin Convention as well and set up an appropriate system,” he said.

Toshihiko Matsumoto, director of the Department of Drug Dependence Research at the National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, pointed out that patients with gambling addictions have a noticeable tendency to become suicidal.

“It’s important that people suffering from this problem don’t slip through the cracks, so that they can get the support they need,” he said.
 
 

Japan agreed Monday to share management know-how from the ongoing World Exposition in Osaka with Saudi Arabia, the host of the 2030 edition of the event.

After meeting with relevant Cabinet ministers from the Middle Eastern country in Tokyo, industry minister Yoji Muto told reporters that the Japanese government will provide training to the management staff for the event to be held in the Saudi capital of Riyadh.

"We will share knowledge and experiences we gained from preparations for the (Osaka) Expo and its actual management," Muto said.

The Japanese side will teach, among others, how to cope with venue congestion during the six-month period from October 2030 for the Riyadh Expo, which is expected to attract more than 40 million visitors, people familiar with the matter said.
 
 

Most of the five candidates running in the Liberal Democratic Party’s presidential election expressed negative views on a consumption tax cut as an immediate measure against rising prices, during a joint press conference on Tuesday.

The press conference was held at the LDP headquarters in Tokyo a day after campaigning for the Oct. 4 party leadership election officially kicked off.

The five candidates — former economic security minister Takayuki Kobayashi; former LDP Secretary General Toshimitsu Motegi; Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi; former economic security minister Sanae Takaichi; and Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Shinjiro Koizumi — had filed their candidacies to enter the race.

“Looking at the current situation, it is extremely difficult,” Hayashi said of the consumption tax cut idea, given that this tax serves as a financial resource for social security programs.

Takaichi said, “I [previously] took a positive stance about it, but considering the time required [for its implementation], I think it is important to examine this issue again within the party.”

Koizumi raised the point that tax cuts tend to benefit higher-income earners. “Regarding such issues, the ruling and opposition parties must find answers together,” he said.

Meanwhile, noting that many voters demanded tax cuts in the House of Councillors election in July, Kobayashi said, “It would be inappropriate not to discuss the issue.”

However, as there are challenges to implementing a tax reduction, he also said, “It would not be an [immediate] measure against rising prices, but it would be brought up for discussion as an option to stimulate domestic demand if the outlook of the Japanese economy becomes uncertain in the future.”
 
 
 

Royal Navy says HMS Richmond frigate tracked DPRK ship-to-ship transfers of contraband in September

The U.K. recently deployed a warship to the waters around Japan to monitor North Korea’s illicit maritime activities to circumvent U.N. sanctions, the British navy announced on Monday.

The HMS Richmond carried out sanctions surveillance operations including tracking DPRK ship-to-ship transfers of contraband from early to mid-September, the Royal Navy said in a press release.

The British surveillance operation came as part of an ongoing Indo-Pacific tour by the U.K. Carrier Strike Group, which is led by the aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales.

The Type 23 frigate paid a visit to Busan in South Korea last month before embarking on patrols around Japan, which also supported Japan’s information gathering activities on vessels suspected of violating U.N. sanctions, the Royal Navy said.

“It is all part of work to uphold several U.N. sanctions targeting the Pyongyang regime and the unlawful generation of revenue, aimed at the dismantling of its weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missile programmes,” the press release said.

The frigate’s recent mission marked the 14th time since 2018 that a British vessel has participated in U.N. sanctions monitoring activities, with the patrol ships HMS Spey and HMS Tamar — part of the Royal Navy’s permanent presence in the Indo-Pacific region — usually carrying out such operations.

The visit highlights the U.K.’s continuing focus on North Korea’s weapons development, and comes after London’s latest defense strategy classified the DPRK as a “regional disruptor” intent on pursuing nuclear modernization to “guarantee regime survival and coerce its neighbours.”

Since 2018, countries including the U.S., U.K., Japan, Australia, France, Germany, Italy and New Zealand have regularly deployed aircraft and vessels to monitor North Korea’s ship-to-ship transfers, which are prohibited under U.N. Security Council Resolution 2375 adopted in Sept. 2017.

The sanctions are aimed at obstructing North Korea from exporting coal and importing oil and other contraband via these illicit transfers, which Pyongyang has long relied on to trade such items beyond U.N.-designated limits.

These sanctions monitoring visits have often drawn condemnation from North Korea, which rejects international sanctions as a U.S.-led initiative infringing on its sovereignty.

China has also previously objected to such operations as an alleged violation of its airspace, and has reportedly harassed an Australian helicopter and Canadian surveillance aircraft during past monitoring visits.

These surveillance operations have in the past contributed intelligence to reports by the U.N. Panel of Experts tasked with monitoring the implementation of sanctions against the DPRK. 

However, Moscow vetoed the extension of the panel last year, and the Multilateral Sanctions Monitoring Team established by the U.K. and others to replace the panel did not cite evidence from the maritime patrols in its inaugural report in May, which focused mostly on DPRK-Russia cooperation.
 


 

The race to choose the next leader of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party officially kicked off on Monday, with five lawmakers vying to replace outgoing Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba.

The next leader, set to be chosen by party members and lawmakers in an October 4 ballot, is likely to be elected prime minister by parliament as prime minister since the LDP is the largest party in the lower house.

The frontrunners in the vote are former economic security minister Sanae Takaichi and Farm Minister Shinjiro Koizumi, who also ran in a party leadership race September last year.


Below is the full list of contenders:


SANAE TAKAICHI, 64:

If chosen, Takaichi would be Japan's first female prime minister. She has held roles including economic security and internal affairs minister, and lost to Ishiba in the LDP leadership race in a run-off vote last year.

A fiscal and monetary policy dove, Takaichi pledged to increase spending and cut taxes in a speech on Friday. She also called for restarting nuclear power plants and establishing a panel to screen foreign investment in sensitive industries.

Known for her nationalistic views, Takaichi is a regular visitor to Yasukuni shrine, which honors Japan's war dead, including convicted war criminals, and is viewed by some Asian neighbours as a symbol of its past militarism.

Takaichi earlier this year also visited Taiwan, the democratic island claimed by China, where she suggested Taiwan, Japan and other partners could form a "quasi-security alliance".


SHINJIRO KOIZUMI, 44:

The telegenic heir to a political dynasty with a hand in governing Japan for more than a century, Koizumi would become its youngest prime minister in the modern era if elected.

Son of popular former prime minister Junichiro Koizumi, he has gained prominence in recent months for overseeing the government's efforts to manage a backlash over surging rice prices. He vowed to boost wages and productivity to counter rising prices in a speech on Saturday.

In his only other cabinet post, as environment minister, Koizumi faced ridicule for remarks that climate policy needed to be "cool" and "sexy". He is a keen surfer and his brother is a well-known actor in Japanese television and film.


YOSHIMASA HAYASHI, 64:

Hayashi has been Japan's chief cabinet secretary, a pivotal job that includes serving as the top government spokesperson, since December 2023, under then-premier Fumio Kishida and Ishiba.

He is seen as a steady pair of hands, often thrust into cabinet roles following an incumbent's resignation.

If promoted to the top job, Hayashi told Reuters in an interview that he would compile a package of relief measures to cushion the blow from the rising cost of living and bolster disaster relief. He has also backed the Bank of Japan's rate-hike strategy.

A pianist, guitar player and fluent English speaker, Hayashi bonded with former U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken over their shared love of music during a stint as foreign minister between 2021-2023.


TOSHIMITSU MOTEGI, 69:

A former foreign minister, Motegi has a reputation as a tough negotiator and handled talks with U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer during U.S. President Donald Trump's first term.

A regular golfing partner of slain former premier Shinzo Abe, he has also served as trade minister, economy minister and the LDP's secretary general.
Motegi studied at the Harvard Kennedy School and worked at the Yomiuri newspaper and consulting firm McKinsey before entering politics in 1993.

He has backed the BOJ's endeavours to normalise monetary policy and called for companies to shift from holding cash to corporate investment.


TAKAYUKI KOBAYASHI, 50:

Kobayashi served as an economic security minister under Kishida.
He started his career at the finance ministry and worked at Japan's embassy in the U.S.

Also a graduate of Harvard Kennedy School, he has proposed temporary flat-rate tax reductions and advocates strengthening regulations on foreign acquisitions of companies and land.

Like Takaichi, he appeals to the LDP's conservative faction with arguments like revising Japan's pacifist constitution to recognise the role of Japan's Self Defense Forces.

Reporting by Satoshi Sugiyama, Leika Kihara and John Geddie; Editing by William Mallard, Stephen Coates and Michael Perry
 

 

Malaysia's military has received some surveillance drones from Japan as part of its security assistance, in a bid to boost the Southeast Asian nation's maritime border surveillance, officials of the two countries said Monday.

Under a framework called Official Security Assistance, which Japan launched in 2023 to provide defense equipment to like-minded countries, several of the 14 Japan-made drones to be given to Malaysia have already arrived in the country, with the military planning to deploy them to areas facing the South China Sea.

Malaysia, one of the first four recipient countries Japan designated under the framework, is flanked by the Strait of Malacca and the South China Sea.

Like Vietnam and the Philippines, it has disputes with China over territorial claims in the South China Sea where Beijing has conducted aggressive behavior.

Japanese Ambassador to Malaysia Noriyuki Shikata said during the ceremony at the Malaysian Defense Ministry that it is indispensable for Japan to foster "a peaceful, stable and highly predictable international environment based on the rule of law, through such measures as enhancing the security and deterrence capabilities of like-minded countries."

Malaysian Defense Minister Khaled Nordin said his country and other Southeast Asian nations have faced "challenges" in the South China Sea, adding "With increased capability, the region will remain peaceful and safe, able to tackle the challenges."

The assistance package worth 400 million yen ($2.7 million) also includes several rescue boats, and was agreed in December 2023 by then Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim when he visited Tokyo.
 
 

The Japanese government will take a comprehensive approach in considering the timing of recognizing a Palestinian state, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said Monday.

"As Japan supports a two-state solution (for Palestine and Israel), it is a matter of when, not whether, to recognize (Palestinian statehood)," Hayashi told a news conference, after four countries including Britain recognized Palestine as a state a day earlier.

"We will comprehensively examine the matter, while closely monitoring changes in the situation," he added.

Hayashi also underlined that "what's most important is the sustainable existence of Palestine and its coexistence with Israel."
 


 

Perfume, an all-female Japanese techno-pop group, said Sunday they will take a hiatus in 2026, after gaining popularity in Japan and beyond since their major label debut two decades ago.

The trio going by the name of A-chan, Kashiyuka and Nocchi are known for their futuristic style and synchronized, robot-like dance moves.

"Polyrhythm" and "Chocolate Disco" are among their hit songs.

"We will put Perfume into cold sleep starting in 2026," Perfume said on its website. "To take on new challenges, we decided to complete a phase."

The three formed Perfume in 1999 in Hiroshima Prefecture, western Japan. They have performed overseas, including in Asia, Europe and the United States.

The trio was also a familiar face in public broadcaster NHK's year-end singing festival, one of Japan's popular TV programs, appearing for the 16th straight year since 2008.

"We each want to come back more powerful than ever, so we hope you will continue to support us warmly until the day we can meet again," Perfume said.
 
 

Japan's Environment Ministry plans to step up efforts to prevent elderly people from suffering heatstroke indoors, including at home.

It has requested 1 billion yen for related measures under the government's fiscal 2026 budget.

The government has set a target of halving the average annual number of heatstroke deaths by 2030 from some 1,300 marked during the five years through 2022, but fatalities hit a record high above 2,000 in 2024.

According to the Fire and Disaster Management Agency, 57.4 pct of people taken to hospital by ambulance due to heatstroke in May-September 2024 were aged 65 or older. Of the total cases, 38.0 pct occurred at houses, making up the largest share.

While elderly people are at higher risk of heatstroke due to their declining thermoregulation and ability to sweat, some refrain from using air conditioners even on very hot days.
 
 

A crowd roar "like having tinnitus" at Tokyo's National Stadium has made up for Japan's muted performances at their home world athletics championships, four years after empty stands greeted the pandemic-troubled Olympics there.

The host nation had won only two medals going into the competition's final day, claiming men's and women's race walk bronzes.

Japan had not been expected to set the championships alight but their low-key performances left them 36th in the medal table, behind countries such as Grenada and Latvia.

Lifting the gloom has been the atmosphere in the stadium, with mostly sold-out crowds making up for lost time after being locked out of the Tokyo Olympics because of Covid.

Hiroki Yanagita, a member of the Japan men's 4x100m relay team that qualified for Sunday's final, said it was "electrifying" to be running in front of almost 60,000 screaming fans.

 

Noise 'like an earthquake'

"Everyone has been saying that the noise in the stadium is like an earthquake, like having tinnitus, and today I finally understood that for myself," he said.

"It felt great to hear that noise as I was running and it allowed me to give a performance that was greater than myself."

The atmosphere could not have been more different from the Tokyo Olympics, which were delayed a year because of the pandemic.

Swedish pole vaulter Armand "Mondo" Duplantis said the ghostly empty stands had given the competition an "apocalyptic" feel, while US sprinter Noah Lyles said he could hear his "own thoughts echoing off the wall".

There has been no such problem at the world championships, with organisers on Saturday announcing a total attendance of more than half a million heading into the competition's final day.

But while the picture in the stands has been healthy, Japan's performances on the track have left much to be desired.

Olympic and world women's javelin champion Haruka Kitaguchi was the host nation's main medal hope but she failed to reach the final.

An elbow injury restricted the 27-year-old to just two competitions in the build-up to the world championships, and her best throw of 60.38 metres placed her 14th in qualifying.

"My run-up felt really good but I wasn't able to put everything together well with my technique," said a tearful Kitaguchi.
"I rushed my throw for the first time in a while."

 

Hurdles and tears

Rachid Muratake was seen as Japan's best bet for a medal on the track, having finished fifth in the 110m hurdles final at the Paris Olympics.
The 23-year-old said the cheers for his first appearance went "beyond anything I imagined", and he looked sharp in qualifying for the final third fastest.

It was a different matter when it really counted though, as Muratake replicated his Paris Games result with another fifth-placed finish.
He was inconsolable in TV interviews after the race, breaking down in floods of tears.

"Where did I fall short? What have I been doing wrong?" he said.
"I've been training hard to get a medal in the year since the Paris Olympics. I wanted to celebrate with everyone."

Muratake might have failed to meet his expectations but his likeable nature and anime-inspired poses have captured the imagination of the Japanese public.

The championships also brought recognition to bronze-medal winning race walkers Hayato Katsuki in the men's 35km and Nanako Fujii in the women's 20km.

Javelin thrower Kitaguchi believes the championships have been a success for Japan off the track, if not on it.

"I don't think my life is over just because I didn't make it to the final," she said.

"I was so happy to see a stadium full of spectators in Japan."
 


 

South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun has said that his country plans to engage in talks with Japan on possibly joining the Tokyo-led Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership.

At a press conference with foreign media in Seoul on Friday, Cho said that South Korea does not consider the scrapping of its import ban on fishery goods from eight Japanese prefectures to be a precondition for joining the multilateral free trade pact.

The import restrictions will not be lifted until the concerns of the South Korean people are wiped out, he said.

Seoul barred fishery imports from Aomori, Iwate, Miyagi and Fukushima prefectures in northeastern Japan, and Gunma, Tochigi, Ibaraki and Chiba prefectures in eastern Japan, following the March 2011 severe accident at Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings Inc.'s tsunami-stricken Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant.

The Japanese government has said the fishery products are safe, calling on South Korea to remove the restrictions swiftly. The import ban could become a key issue in negotiations on South Korea's possible participation in the CPTPP.
 

 

Japan is deploying eight aircraft, including four F-15 fighter jets, to bases in the United States, Canada and Europe in an unprecedented mission to support NATO.

The mission, dubbed Atlantic Eagles, reportedly marks the first time in history that Japanese warplanes have deployed to Canada and Europe.

A total of 180 personnel drawn from air bases across Japan are taking part, including from the 2nd Air Wing based at Chitose, 1st Tactical Airlift Wing based at Komaki, 2nd Tactical Airlift Group from Iruma and 3rd Tactical Airlift Wing from Miho, according to a Japan Air Self-Defense Force release. The four F-15s are being accompanied by two tanker aircraft and two refueling tankers.

The mission is “based on the recognition that the security of the Euro-Atlantic and of the Indo-Pacific are interconnected,” the Japan Air Self-Defense Force stated in the release.

Japan Air Self-Defense Force aircraft landed at Eielson Air Force Base in Alaska, the service said in a post on X on Monday. They will follow on to CFB Goose Bay in Canada, RAF Coningsby in England and Laage Air Base in Germany.

Japan established a diplomatic mission to NATO earlier this year. The deployment of Japanese aircraft to Europe comes amid rising tensions among NATO allies surrounding Belarusian and Russian military exercises and increasingly aggressive maneuvers by China in the Arctic region.
 


 

The Justice Ministry has begun requiring all prison officers in Japan to display newly assigned six-digit identification numbers on their uniforms, to prevent the mistreatment of inmates, such as the use of violence.

Under the measure, ID numbers are issued to all staff at prisons and other detention facilities across the country. Officers are required to display their numbers above the rank badges on the right chest of their uniforms so that inmates can identify them.

Justice Minister Keisuke Suzuki issued a directive revising rules on clothing in March, and new uniforms with the ID numbers have been gradually introduced since April.

Prison officers did not previously wear name tags, to avoid possible retaliation by inmates after their release. However, this made it difficult to identify officers involved in inappropriate behavior reported by inmates, hindering investigations and prevention measures.

After officers at Nagoya Prison in Aichi Prefecture were found to have repeatedly assaulted inmates in 2022, a third-party committee of outside experts proposed in June 2023 that an ID number system be introduced and that the Japanese prison system's closed organizational culture be rectified.

The number system is expected to help inmates report mistreatment without fear and encourage prison officers to clean up their act.

In April 2024, the ministry introduced a rule to add san or kun, both Japanese honorific suffixes, when prison personnel call inmates' names. This and the latest ID number system are part of efforts to improve conditions for prison inmates.
 

 

The prefectural assembly of Okinawa, one of Japan's most popular tourist destinations, on Thursday passed an ordinance to impose a 2 percent accommodation tax to support local tourism.

Due to take effect in fiscal 2026, which begins next April, it will be the first such tax of its kind at the prefectural level.

The move comes amid growing local expectations for more tourists following the July opening of the Junglia Okinawa theme park, which has apparently boosted both domestic and foreign visitor numbers to the prefecture.

The tax for hotel and inn stays will be capped at a maximum 2,000 yen per night. Those participating in school trips and extracurricular activities will be exempted.

The revenue, estimated at about 7.8 billion yen annually, is expected to be used to preserve the scenic landscape, secure tourism workers and enhance safety measures for marine recreation, a major attraction in Okinawa.

The prefectural government and local municipalities will split the revenue evenly, except for five that are planning to introduce their own accommodation tax.
 
 

The government plans to expand support for the domestic content industry to boost exports of anime and films, people familiar with the matter said on Wednesday.

The plan comes as the country aims to triple overseas revenue from Japanese content to ¥20 trillion in 2033.

As part of the plan, the government is considering raising the upper limit on the industry ministry's subsidies for video productions costing ¥300 million or more from ¥200 million, at present.

The South Korean government set aside some ¥76.2 billion in funding for content promotion overseas in 2023. California, home to Hollywood, provides generous subsidies and tax credits to content production.

In Japan, the government has allocated about ¥25.2 billion to support the content industry in the latest year, an amount that experts say is not enough to step up overseas promotion.
 
 

The Japanese government has pledged to give heavy machinery for disaster relief worth 400 million yen to Papua New Guinea under its official security assistance program.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Takuma Miyaji signed and exchanged notes on the matter with Papua New Guinea's foreign minister, Justin Tkatchenko, during his trip to the Oceanian nation, according to a Japanese announcement Tuesday.

Papua New Guinea is among the eight countries to which Japan plans to provide defense equipment in fiscal 2025 under its OSA program. The other seven include Thailand, East Timor and Sri Lanka.

In light of China's intimidating activities in the East and South China seas, Tokyo aims to bolster security cooperation with Pacific island nations.

Also on Tuesday, Japan and Papua New Guinea issued a joint statement by their foreign ministers to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral diplomatic relations.
 


 

One of Japan's biggest girl groups, AKB48, have released a single that was partially generated by artificial intelligence, after a televised songwriting contest.

The competition saw composer Yasushi Akimoto, whose songs have collectively sold more than 100 million copies, go head-to-head with an "AI Akimoto" trained on his writing style.

They each composed a new song for AKB48 as the group celebrated their 20th anniversary. Fans were presented with both tracks and asked to vote for their favourite.

The results were announced live on Japanese TV - with the AI song, Omoide Scroll, winning by more than 3,000 votes. "What? You're kidding me!" Akimoto responded as the scores were revealed.

The song has now been uploaded to streaming services as AKB48's 67th official single.

The real Akimoto's song, called Cécile, has been deleted from YouTube.
The Japanese music industry will be watching closely to see how fans react to Omoide Scroll, now they know it was machine-generated.

Japan's Oricon singles chart will provide the ultimate litmus test - as AKB48's last 53 songs have gone to number one.

If their new record breaks that streak, it may be regarded as a rejection of the technology.

Yasushi Akimoto is one of the most prominent writers and idol-makers in Japanese pop, and was once called the "Steve Jobs of otaku" - a Japanese term for people with an obsessive interest in a specific hobby such as anime or video games.

He is responsible for creating chart-topping bands including Onyanko Club, AKB48 and their various spin-offs; and is a professor at the Kyoto University of Art and Design.

For the AI songwriting contest, Google's Gemini software was trained on Akimoto's writing style, including essays, vocabulary and songwriting techniques.

It then generated the lyrics for a new song and chose which of AKB48's members (there are 43 in total) would perform the lyrics and choreography.

The song itself was completed and arranged by humans, although some Japanese media reports say the AI software was also responsible for the melody.

Akimoto followed the same process, and the two songs were put to a public vote, without revealing which was which.

The entries were:

• Cécile. Written by Akimoto, it is a Motown pastiche with a French twist. The lyrics describe a girl's obsession with her female best friend: "I copy the way you style your hair / Please don't notice my love for you." Akimoto chose AKB48's current band leader Kuranoo Narumi to sing the lead vocal.
• Omoide Scroll. Written by AI Akimoto, takes a more modern approach, with a lite-techno backing and a group chorus. The title means "memory scroll" and the lyrics depict heartbreak in the smartphone era: "I stop the scroll of memories / Like the battery light fading out." After analysing interviews with AKB48, the AI chose newcomer Ito Momoka to perform the song, highlighting her ability with emotional storytelling.

 
In the run-up to the contest, Akimoto was philosophical about the process.
"Everyone keeps asking me, 'What will you do if you lose?'," he said.

"It's fascinating to think that AI could create such a great song, and I'm looking forward to it.

"I'd like to hear [fans] say, 'I never thought of that!'"

When the votes were counted, the AI won by 14,225 votes to Akimoto's 10,535.

Speaking on live television, the musician admitted he was "disappointed" by the loss.

"That's a shame. I wrote it with all my might," he said.

The AI program was also asked for a response, and commented: "Maybe the real me was trying to show something new by losing this time."

"Shut up!" Akimoto retorted, prompting laughter in the studio.

The composer was comforted by Grammy-winning jazz musician Hiromi Uehara and former AKB48 singer Sashihara Rino, who encouraged a rematch.

Akimoto laughed off the suggestion, but expressed frustration about technology's ability to mine data and find the "maximum common denominator".

However, he conceded: "I think the AI ​​song is a good song."
 


 

The estimated number of foreign visitors to Japan in August jumped 16.9% from a year before to 3,428,000, a record high for the month, the Japan National Tourism Organization said Wednesday.

The latest figure topped 3 million for the first time for the month of August, thanks to an increase in travelers during school holidays. The tally was pushed higher by visitors from mainland China, Taiwan, Vietnam and the United States.

Meanwhile, the number of visitors from Hong Kong, where rumors of a possible earthquake in Japan spread on social media, decreased from a year before for the fourth consecutive month.

By country or region, mainland China had the largest number of visitors to Japan, at 1,018,600, up 36.5%, followed by South Korea at 660,900, up 8.0%, Taiwan at 620,700, up 10.0%, and Hong Kong at 226,100, down 8.3%.
 

 

Five people dispatched from Japan to assist in Japanese language education in India gathered in New Delhi on Monday for a six-month program aimed at enhancing cultural exchanges between the two countries.
 
Under the Nihongo Partners program run by the Japan Foundation, the five will assist Japanese language teachers and introduce Japanese culture at secondary schools in the Delhi area over six months.
 
It is the first time that Nihongo Partners are dispatched to a South Asian country, as the program has previously focused on Southeast Asia.
 
The Japan Foundation plans to carry out a similar dispatch to India continuously over a decade starting this year, as part of an agreement reached at a summit of Japanese and Indian leaders last month to increase personnel exchanges between the two countries.
 
Hiroto Kishi, a 21-year-old Nihongo Partner and university student from Chiba Prefecture who is aspiring to become a teacher, said in a speech that he will do his best to "become a bridge between Japan and India."
 
Kotori Takagi, a 23-year-old Nihongo Partner and university student from Fukuoka Prefecture, decided to apply for the program after being inspired by India's food culture and the vibrant personality of its people during her previous visit to the country.
 
"I want to show Japan as it really is" through cultural exchanges, Takagi said.
 

 
The Japanese government has donated an ambulance to the Bunda Hati Kudus Primary Clinic in Karang Indah, Merauke Subdistrict, South Papua. The vehicle was provided through Japan’s Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects and officially handed over on Monday, September 15, 2025.

Tetsuhashi Masashi, First Secretary at the Japanese Embassy in Indonesia, attended the handover ceremony on behalf of the Japanese government. The project agreement was signed in November 2023 between the embassy and the Bunda Hati Kudus Merauke Foundation, and has now been successfully completed.

Previously, the clinic used a standard vehicle to conduct home visits and emergency medical evacuations in three neighboring villages, as public transportation in Merauke remains inadequate. However, poor road conditions made it difficult to reach other nearby communities.

To overcome these challenges, the foundation utilized approximately IDR 600 million (around USD 37,000) from the Japanese grant to purchase a Japanese-made ambulance capable of navigating damaged roads.

With the new ambulance, the clinic can now serve more than 500 patients annually, primarily residents of nine villages, marking a 3.5-fold increase in its outreach capacity. The donation has significantly improved access to healthcare services for communities in the region.
 
 

When you come home tired from work with no desire to cook or eat out, what do you do?

How about if you’re neck deep in studies and have no time to spare for a meal?

Or what about when you just want a quick late-night snack? There are many who turn to the simple choice of instant cup noodles; all you need to do is boil water, pour it in, weigh the lid down with whatever is to hand, and wait.

Such a simple process, and yet still many people forget about their noodles while they’re waiting and doing other things, leading to a soggy, unappetizing mess.

Sure, you could set a timer on your phone, but it’s easy for that to also slip your mind. So, how about picking up a cheerful little crab that will not only tell you when it’s time to slurp down those noodles, but also help keep the lid down, as well as hold your chopsticks for you?

 

The Crab-shaped Cup Ramen Timer is the latest gadget from Hac, a general merchandise maker based in Osaka. Launching in October 2025, this cute crustacean is poised to be the ultimate instant noodle assistant.

 

The operation of the timer is quite simple: simply pop the crab on top of your cup of noodles and press a button. Once the countdown is up, the crab’s stomach growls to let you know that it’s time to dig in.

You can even pop your chopsticks or fork on its claws while you wait, making it look like a little crab butler who is eager to serve you.

▼ If you don’t eat many instant noodles, the crab can also prop up a ladle or a rice paddle.

 

You might look at this adorable little crustacean and write it off as a cheap, novelty item, but it actually took home the highest award at Japan’s largest international trade fair for gifts and lifestyle goods out of 3,000 competitors at the 100th Tokyo International Gift Show Autumn 2025. So, this crab has some serious charm.

Pre-orders are already available on Hac’s official website, with the release being in early October, and will cost 1,680 yen.

 

The next time you decide to use your smartphone as makeshift weight, just remember there’s a crab out there waiting to help make your instant noodle experience a whole lot more satisfying.