Latest News

20 Gennaio 2026

Sightseeing Helicopter Goes Missing in Kumamoto Pref.

Kumamoto, Jan. 20 (Jiji Press)–A sightseeing helicopter with three people on board for flight over Mount Aso in Kumamoto Prefecture, southwestern Japan, went missing Tuesday. Around 11:50 a.m., police received a report from an agency for Takumi Enterprise, the operator of the
20 Gennaio 2026

Japan Political Appointees Urged to Forgo Fundraising Events

Tokyo, Jan. 20 (Jiji Press)–The Japanese government revised its ministerial code Tuesday, urging cabinet ministers, state ministers and parliamentary vice ministers to refrain from holding political fundraising events while in office. The revision was approved at a cabinet meeting days before the
20 Gennaio 2026

New Centrist Party’s Policies Appear to Reflect Compromises

Tokyo, Jan. 20 (Jiji Press)–The political platform and basic policies of a new party formed by the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan and Komeito, which had been a ruling coalition member for decades, appear to reflect compromises between the two
20 Gennaio 2026

Keidanren Vows to Lead Wage Hike Efforts

Tokyo, Jan. 20 (Jiji Press)–The Japan Business Federation, or Keidanren, said Tuesday that it will lead efforts to ensure that the momentum for wage increases takes even deeper root in Japan. In its guidelines for member companies regarding this year’s “shunto” spring
20 Gennaio 2026

2 Vietnamese Arrested by Tokyo Police after Burglary Spree

Tokyo, Jan. 20 (Jiji Press)–Tokyo police have arrested two Vietnamese nationals on suspicion of breaking into a home in central Japan and stealing cash. The arrestees include Ha Ngoc Tu, 26, a resident of the city of Isesaki, Gunma Prefecture, eastern Japan,
20 Gennaio 2026

10-Year JGB Yield Hits New 27-Year High

Tokyo, Jan. 20 (Jiji Press)–The yield on the most recent issue of 10-year Japanese government bonds temporarily rose to 2.38 pct, a fresh 27-year high, in Tokyo trading Tuesday out of concerns about deterioration in the country’s state finances. The 10-year JGB
20 Gennaio 2026

Foreign Visitors to Japan Top 40 M. for 1st Time in 2025

Tokyo, Jan. 20 (Jiji Press)–The annual number of foreign visitors to Japan came to some 42.7 million in 2025, up from 36,870,148 in the previous year, exceeding 40 million for the first time, tourism minister Yasushi Kaneko said at a press conference
20 Gennaio 2026

Shionogi to Raise Stake in British HIV Drugs Firm ViiV

Osaka, Jan. 20 (Jiji Press)–Japanese pharmaceutical company Shionogi & Co. said Tuesday that it will spend 2,125 million dollars to raise its stake in British HIV drugs company ViiV Healthcare Ltd. from 10 pct to 21.7 pct. ViiV will issue new shares
20 Gennaio 2026

10-Year JGB Yield Hits New 27-Year High

Tokyo, Jan. 20 (Jiji Press)–The yield on the most recent issue of 10-year Japanese government bonds temporarily rose to 2.37 pct, a fresh 27-year high, in Tokyo trading Tuesday out of concerns about deterioration in the country’s state finances. The 10-year JGB
20 Gennaio 2026

Tokyo Police Arrest Man over Sexual Deepfakes of Celebrities

Tokyo, Jan. 20 (Jiji Press)–Tokyo’s Metropolitan Police Department has arrested a 31-year-old man for allegedly creating deepfake pornography of female celebrities and posting them on the internet. The suspect, Tatsuro Chiba, from Sapporo, the capital of the northernmost Japan prefecture of Hokkaido,
20 Gennaio 2026

Court to Give Sentence to Abe Shooter Wed.

Tokyo, Jan. 20 (Jiji Press)–A district court in western Japan is scheduled to hand down a sentence on Wednesday to the man accused of fatally shooting former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in 2022. A key issue is how Nara District Court will
20 Gennaio 2026

Sightseeing Helicopter Carrying 3 Goes Missing in Kumamoto

Kumamoto, Jan. 20 (Jiji Press)–A sightseeing helicopter with three people on board went missing over the southwestern Japan city of Aso, Kumamoto Prefecture, around 11 a.m. on Tuesday. According to local fire authorities, the three people are believed to be a man
20 Gennaio 2026

Japan to Spend 39 B. Yen to Diversify Rare Earth Supplies

Tokyo, Jan. 20 (Jiji Press)–The Japanese government said Tuesday that it will spend 39 billion yen to support efforts to diversify sources of rare earth supplies. The move came after China recently strengthened restrictions on exports to Japan of dual-use goods, possibly
20 Gennaio 2026

Heavy Snowfall Expected on Sea of Japan Side from Wed.

Tokyo, Jan. 20 (Jiji Press)–Heavy snow is expected mainly along the Sea of Japan coast, due to a strong winter pressure pattern from Wednesday through Sunday, the Japan Meteorological Agency said Tuesday. The agency warned of possible traffic disruptions and avalanches, as
20 Gennaio 2026

PM Takaichi Shows LDP’s Resolve to Unite for Lower House Poll

Tokyo, Jan. 20 (Jiji Press)–Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Tuesday declared her ruling Liberal Democratic Party’s resolve to unite for the Feb. 8 House of Representatives election. Noting that the election, whose official campaign period will begin Jan. 27, will be
20 Gennaio 2026

Kabuki Actor Arrested for Breaking Restaurant Door in Tokyo

Tokyo, Jan. 20 (Jiji Press)–Japanese police have arrested 30-year-old Kabuki actor Nakamura Tsurumatsu on suspicion of breaking a Tokyo restaurant’s door by kicking on Sunday, people familiar with the matter said Monday. Nakamura, whose real name is Daiki Shimizu, was apparently under
20 Gennaio 2026

Foreign Visitors to Japan Top 40 M. for 1st Time in 2025

Tokyo, Jan. 20 (Jiji Press)–The annual number of foreign visitors to Japan came to some 42.7 million in 2025, up from 36,870,148 in the previous year, exceeding 40 million for the first time, tourism minister Yasushi Kaneko said at a press conference
20 Gennaio 2026

Tsutsui Named New Head of Tokyo Police

Tokyo, Jan. 20 (Jiji Press)–The Japanese government has decided to appoint Hiroki Tsutsui, head of the security bureau of the National Police Agency, to replace Yuji Sakoda as chief of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department. The appointment, which will take effect on
20 Gennaio 2026

Japan’s Kihara Meets Mother of Abductee Megumi Yokota

Tokyo, Jan. 20 (Jiji Press)–Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara has met with Sakie Yokota, the mother of Megumi, who was abducted by North Korea in 1977. In the meeting held at the prime minister’s office on Monday, Sakie said she hopes
20 Gennaio 2026

10-Year JGB Yield Hits New 27-Year High

Tokyo, Jan. 20 (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, temporarily rose to 2.33 pct in Tokyo trading Tuesday, hitting a new 27-year high. The yield increase came
20 Gennaio 2026

Last 2 Pandas in Japan to Leave for China Jan. 27

Tokyo, Jan. 20 (Jiji Press)–The only remaining giant pandas in Japan, Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei of Tokyo’s Ueno Zoo, will leave for China on Jan. 27, according to the Tokyo metropolitan government. They are scheduled to be transported by aircraft from
1 2 3 215