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13 Aprile 2026

New GSDF Offices to Promote Drone Use

Tokyo, April 13 (Jiji Press)–Japan’s Ground Self-Defense Force held an event Monday to mark the establishment of two new offices for promoting the use of drones and other unmanned equipment. In a speech at the event, Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi said that
13 Aprile 2026

Underutilized Fish See Rising Online Demand in Japan

Tokyo, April 13 (Jiji Press)–Underutilized fish, often overlooked due to low market value or limited distribution, are gaining popularity in Japan through online sales. Assorted products featuring whole fish that are unknown to consumers, compared with those of familiar species such as
13 Aprile 2026

Key 10-Year JGB Yield Rises to 2.490 Pct

Tokyo, April 13 (Jiji Press)–The yield on the most recent issue of 10-year Japanese government bonds, regarded as the country’s benchmark long-term interest rate, briefly rose to as high as 2.490 pct in Tokyo trading Monday. The reading exceeded a peak of
13 Aprile 2026

Keidanren Proposes to Set Up IFI in Diet

(8th para should have read “… projections on households’ income, assets and composition types be shown …,” instead of as sent) Tokyo, April 13 (Jiji Press)–The Japan Business Federation, or Keidanren, offered Monday the idea of creating an independent fiscal institution, or
13 Aprile 2026

Japan, S. Korea Eyes 1st 2-Plus-2 Vice Ministerial Talks in May

Tokyo, April 13 (Jiji Press)–The Japanese and South Korean governments plan to hold their first two-plus-two security meeting of vice-ministerial officials from their foreign and defense ministries in Seoul in early May, informed sources said Monday. The planned meeting will mark an
13 Aprile 2026

Japan Voices Hope for Early U.S.-Iran Deal

Tokyo, April 13 (Jiji Press)–Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara expressed hope for an early U.S.-Iran agreement to end their conflict on Monday, after Washington and Tehran failed to reach an agreement over the weekend. “We hope they reach a final agreement
13 Aprile 2026

Opposition Calls for Prior Notification to Diet over Arms Exports

Tokyo, April 13 (Jiji Press)–Japanese opposition parties on Monday submitted proposals to revise the operational guidelines for the country’s three principles on the transfer of defense equipment and technology, calling for mandatory advance notification to the Diet of arms exports that exceed
13 Aprile 2026

Futenma Base Site Not Yet Returned to Japan, 30 Yrs On

Naha, Okinawa Pref., April 13 (Jiji Press)–The site of the U.S. Futenma air base in the southernmost prefecture of Okinawa has yet to be returned to Japan, although 30 years have passed since the two nations agreed on the transfer. Tokyo and
13 Aprile 2026

Ogasawara Mayor Effectively Tolerates N-Waste Site Survey

Tokyo, April 13 (Jiji Press)–Masaaki Shibuya, mayor of the island village of Ogasawara, on Monday showed his effective tolerance of the Japanese government conducting a literature survey on the feasibility of constructing a final disposal facility for highly radioactive waste on Minamitorishima,
13 Aprile 2026

Key 10-Year JGB Yield Hits 27-Year High of 2.490 Pct

Tokyo, April 13 (Jiji Press)–The yield on the most recent issue of 10-year Japanese government bonds, regarded as the country’s benchmark long-term interest rate, briefly rose to as high as 2.490 pct in Tokyo morning trading Monday. The reading was the highest
13 Aprile 2026

Key 10-Year JGB Yield Hits 27-Year High of 2.490 Pct

Tokyo, April 13 (Jiji Press)–The yield on the most recent issue of 10-year Japanese government bonds, regarded as the country’s benchmark long-term interest rate, briefly rose to as high as 2.490 pct in Tokyo morning trading Monday. The reading was the highest
13 Aprile 2026

G-20 to Discuss Iran Crisis Impact at Washington Meeting

Tokyo, April 13 (Jiji Press)–Top Group of 20 finance officials are expected to discuss the global economic outlook amid the ongoing Iran crisis at their meeting in Washington on Thursday. Finance ministers and central bank chiefs from the 20 advanced and emerging
12 Aprile 2026

Chinese Youth Invited to Local Govts in Japan as Exchange Staff

Beijing, April 12 (Jiji Press)–A send-off party for Chinese participants in the Japanese government’s foreign youth invitation program was held at the Japanese Embassy in Beijing on Saturday. Amid strained Japan-China relations, the 24 individuals selected through an open recruitment process will
12 Aprile 2026

Website Rating Judges in Japan under Spotlight

Tokyo, April 12 (Jiji Press)–A website that assesses judges across Japan has gained attention for its five-level rating system and detailed commentaries on the rulings they were responsible for. “I want people to easily imagine what kind of person each judge is,”
12 Aprile 2026

Memorial Held for Kumamoto Quake Victims 10 Years On

Mashiki, Kumamoto Pref., April 12 (Jiji Press)–A memorial ceremony was held in Kumamoto Prefecture on Sunday for the victims of powerful earthquakes that hit the southwestern Japan prefecture 10 years ago. At the ceremony, held by the town of Mashiki in Kumamoto,
12 Aprile 2026

SoftBank, Others Set Up New Firm to Develop High-Performance AI

Tokyo, April 12 (Jiji Press)–Japan’s SoftBank Corp., NEC Corp., Sony Group Corp. and Honda Motor Co. have taken the lead in establishing a new company to develop Japanese-made artificial intelligence, informed sources said Sunday. The new company will make its high-performance AI
11 Aprile 2026

Takaichi Pledges to Implement “Nation-Dividing Policies”

Tokyo, April 11 (Jiji Press)–Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi pledged to press ahead with policies that she concedes could split public opinion, at a ruling Liberal Democratic Party meeting in Tokyo on Saturday. “I will fulfill promises at any cost,” Takaichi, who
11 Aprile 2026

Japan to Provide Rapidus 631.5 B. Yen in Additional Aid

Chitose, Hokkaido, April 11 (Jiji Press)–Japan will provide 631.5 billion yen in additional assistance to Tokyo-based chipmaker Rapidus Corp., which is developing next-generation semiconductors, the industry ministry said Saturday. As the company aims to start mass production of 2-nanometer chips in fiscal
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