Kumamoto, July 31 (Jiji Press)–Searches for those still missing after Tuesday’s major earthquake in Kumamoto Prefecture, southwestern Japan, continued in extreme heat Friday even after the 72-hour window crucial for survival closed. The death toll from the quake, which recorded a seismic

Tokyo, July 31 (Jiji Press)–Japan on Friday launched its National Intelligence Bureau, to spearhead the government’s intelligence activities. Successor to the Cabinet Secretariat’s Cabinet Intelligence and Research Office, the bureau began operations with about 730 personnel. The government will formulate a document

Osaka, July 31 (Jiji Press)–The Osaka prefectural police have arrested two Vietnamese men for allegedly converting electric-assist bicycles into throttle-equipped electric mopeds that require a driver’s license, in violation of the road traffic law. The two suspects had accepted orders for about

Tokyo, July 31 (Jiji Press)–Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda said Friday that it is more necessary than ever to pay attention to the risk of higher inflation. Underlying inflation is expected to remain consistent with the bank’s 2 pct price stability

Tokyo, July 31 (Jiji Press)–Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 stock average surged on Friday as artificial intelligence-related stocks attracted renewed buying. The index of 225 major issues listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange’s Prime section briefly climbed more than 3,400 points before closing

Tokyo, July 31 (Jiji Press)–Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is scheduled to visit earthquake-stricken Kumamoto Prefecture on Monday, government and ruling party officials said Friday. It will be Takaichi’s first visit to the southwestern Japan prefecture since Tuesday’s earthquake, a trip aimed

Tokyo, July 31 (Jiji Press)–Japan’s education ministry Friday formally certified Kyoto University as the third eligible for receiving aid from a government-financed 10-trillion-yen fund aimed at supporting universities with the potential to produce world-class research results. Kyoto University will receive some 20

Tokyo, July 31 (Jiji Press)–The Japanese government on Friday announced the appointment of Hirotaka Unami, director-general of the Finance Ministry’s Budget Bureau, as vice finance minister. He will succeed Hirotsugu Shinkawa as the top bureaucrat at the ministry. The government also appointed

Tokyo, July 31 (Jiji Press)–The Japanese government and the Bank of Japan carried out a yen-buying, dollar-selling market intervention for the first time in about three months on Thursday night, during New York trading hours, informed sources said Friday. Japanese authorities likely

Tokyo, July 31 (Jiji Press)–The Japanese government on Friday unveiled a plan to form industrial clusters to attract large-scale corporate investment to rural regions. Clusters will be formed in seven regions for 13 projects to promote investment in growth areas, including semiconductors

Tokyo, July 31 (Jiji Press)–The Japanese government on Friday adopted a basic policy on measures to support public-sector organizations and critical infrastructure operators for the early detection of threats of cyberattacks. “Cyberattacks are becoming increasingly threatening and do not wait for our

Beijing, July 31 (Jiji Press)–Business sentiment among Japanese companies in China worsened in the first half of the year due mainly to strained relations between the two countries, a survey by the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry in China showed Friday.

Tokyo, July 31 (Jiji Press)–Surplus in the Japanese government’s foreign exchange special account totaled 5,056.5 billion yen at the end of fiscal 2025, a Finance Ministry report showed Friday. The account, used for foreign exchange market interventions, saw its surplus decrease by

Tokyo, July 31 (Jiji Press)–The Bank of Japan on Friday decided to keep its monetary policy unchanged while raising its gross domestic product growth outlook for fiscal 2026. At its two-day meeting through the day, the BOJ’s Policy Board decided by a

Tokyo, July 31 (Jiji Press)–Sony Group Corp. on Friday raised its consolidated sales and profit forecasts for the year ending in March 2027, citing its bullish gaming business. The Japanese company raised its sales estimate to 12.5 trillion yen from 12.3 trillion

Tokyo, July 31 (Jiji Press)–Sony Group Corp. on Friday raised its consolidated sales and profit forecasts for the year ending in March 2027, citing its bullish gaming business. The Japanese company raised its sales estimate to 12.5 trillion yen from 12.3 trillion

Tokyo, July 31 (Jiji Press)–Prices are slated to rise in Japan in August for 2,311 food products and beverages made by 195 major makers, topping 2,000 for the second straight month, research company Teikoku Databank Ltd. said Friday. The number soared 83.1

Tokyo, July 31 (Jiji Press)–Prices are slated to rise in Japan in August for 2,311 food products and beverages made by 195 major makers, topping 2,000 for the second straight month, research company Teikoku Databank Ltd. said Friday. The number soared 83.1

Tokyo, July 31 (Jiji Press)–Japanese Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama on Friday declined to comment on whether Japanese authorities have intervened into foreign exchange markets to prop up the yen. “I can say nothing about it at this point,” Katayama told reporters at

Tokyo, July 31 (Jiji Press)–Japanese Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama on Friday declined to comment on whether Japanese authorities have intervened into foreign exchange markets to prop up the yen. “I can say nothing about it at this point,” Katayama told reporters at

Tokyo, July 31 (Jiji Press)–The dollar traded above 160 yen in Tokyo trading Friday, drawing buybacks after sinking below 158 yen in overnight New York trading. The Japanese government and the Bank of Japan are believed to have conducted yen-buying, dollar-selling market

Tokyo, July 31 (Jiji Press)–The dollar traded above 160 yen in Tokyo trading Friday, drawing buybacks after sinking below 158 yen in overnight New York trading. The Japanese government and the Bank of Japan are believed to have conducted yen-buying, dollar-selling market

Tokyo, July 31 (Jiji Press)–Japan’s industrial output in June increased 1.3 pct from the previous month, supported by strong production of semiconductor-manufacturing equipment for export, industry ministry preliminary data showed Friday. The seasonally adjusted production index for the manufacturing and mining sectors

Tokyo, July 31 (Jiji Press)–Japan’s industrial output in June increased 1.3 pct from the previous month, supported by strong production of semiconductor-manufacturing equipment for export, industry ministry preliminary data showed Friday. The seasonally adjusted production index for the manufacturing and mining sectors

Tokyo, July 31 (Jiji Press)–Core consumer prices in central Tokyo rose 1.9 pct in July from a year before, following a 1.6 pct gain in June, Japan’s internal affairs ministry said Friday. The core consumer price index, which excludes volatile fresh food

Tokyo, July 31 (Jiji Press)–Core consumer prices in central Tokyo rose 1.9 pct in July from a year before, following a 1.6 pct gain in June, Japan’s internal affairs ministry said Friday. The core consumer price index, which excludes volatile fresh food

Kumamoto, July 31 (Jiji Press)–Searches for those still missing after Tuesday’s major earthquake in Kumamoto Prefecture, southwestern Japan, continued in extreme heat Friday as the 72-hour window crucial for survival was nearing an end. The death toll from the quake, which recorded

Kumamoto, July 31 (Jiji Press)–Searches for those still missing after Tuesday’s major earthquake in Kumamoto Prefecture, southwestern Japan, continued in extreme heat Friday as the 72-hour window crucial for survival was nearing an end. The death toll from the quake, which recorded

Tokyo, July 31 (Jiji Press)–Japan’s seasonally adjusted effective ratio of job openings to job seekers rose 0.01 point to 1.18 in June from the previous year, the first rise in four months, the labor ministry said Friday. Job offers increased mainly in

Tokyo, July 31 (Jiji Press)–Japan’s seasonally adjusted effective ratio of job openings to job seekers rose 0.01 point to 1.18 in June from the previous year, the first rise in four months, the labor ministry said Friday. Job offers increased mainly in