Latest News

9 Marzo 2026

Motegi Condemns Iran, Demands Release of Japanese Detainees

Tokyo, March 9 (Jiji Press)–Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi spoke with his Iranian counterpart, Abbas Araghchi, over the phone on Monday, condemning Iran for its attacks on private-sector facilities in neighboring countries and for threatening the safety of navigation in the Strait
9 Marzo 2026

China Slams Japan over Taiwan Premier’s Visit

Beijing, March 9 (Jiji Press)–A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson on Monday criticized Japan over Taiwanese Premier Cho Jung-tai’s visit to Japan, saying that the Japanese government would “bear all responsibility” for the consequences of the visit. At a press conference, Guo Jiakun
9 Marzo 2026

Japan’s Muraoka Wins Silver at Milan-Cortina Paralympics

Milan, March 9 (Jiji Press)–Momoka Muraoka won the silver medal in the women’s alpine skiing super-G sitting event at the Milan-Cortina Paralympics on Monday, bringing Japan its first medal of the ongoing games. Despite failing to win back-to-back gold medals in the
9 Marzo 2026

Japan to Deploy Long-Range Counterstrike Missiles

Tokyo, March 9 (Jiji Press)–A long-range missile system will be deployed at the Ground Self-Defense Force’s Camp Kengun in the southwestern Japan city of Kumamoto on March 31, the Kyushu Defense Bureau said Monday. The upgraded Type-12 surface-to-ship guided missile system, a
9 Marzo 2026

CDP, Komeito to Field Own Candidates in Unified Local Elections

Tokyo, March 9 (Jiji Press)–Japan’s opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan and Komeito both plan to field their own candidates in the unified local elections in spring 2027, party sources said Monday. The plans to fight the simultaneous gubernatorial, mayoral and regional
9 Marzo 2026

Takaichi Vows to Swiftly Take Measures amid Soaring Oil Market

Tokyo, March 9 (Jiji Press)–Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said Monday that her government will promptly implement measures to address the soaring crude oil market amid the deteriorating situation in the Middle East. “Since early last week, we’ve been considering measures that
9 Marzo 2026

15 Years On: Govt to Show Safety of Soil from Decontamination

Tokyo, March 9 (Jiji Press)–The Japanese government needs to show the safety of soil from decontamination work after the 2011 nuclear accident in Fukushima Prefecture, postdisaster reconstruction minister Takao Makino has said. The government will promote the reuse of the soil with
9 Marzo 2026

Mitsubishi Chemical Cuts Ethylene Production

Tokyo, March 9 (Jiji Press)–Mitsubishi Chemical Corp. has reduced output of ethylene, a material for plastics and other industrial products, to avoid a production halt due to possible supply shortages of raw materials from the Middle East, company officials said on Monday.
9 Marzo 2026

Japan Coincident Economic Index Rises in Jan.

Tokyo, March 9 (Jiji Press)–Japan’s composite index of coincident economic indicators rose 2.5 points from the previous month in January, up for the first time in three months, the Cabinet Office said Monday. The coincident index, which reflects current economic conditions, stood
9 Marzo 2026

15 Years On: Fukushima Industrial Parks Show Successes, Struggles

Fukushima, March 9 (Jiji Press)–With Wednesday marking 15 years since a major earthquake and tsunami as well as the ensuing severe nuclear accident devastated Fukushima Prefecture, the 21 industrial parks built in coastal municipalities in the northeastern Japan prefecture to revitalize the
9 Marzo 2026

2,519 Still Unaccounted for 15 Yrs after Huge Quake, Tsunami

Tokyo, March 9 (Jiji Press)–A total of 2,519 people are still unaccounted for in six Japanese prefectures after the 9.0-magnitude earthquake and tsunami struck the Tohoku northeastern region on March 11, 2011, the National Police Agency said Monday. The number stood at
9 Marzo 2026

Japan Calls for Thorough U.S. Military Aircraft Maintenance

Tokyo, March 9 (Jiji Press)–Japan’s Defense Ministry has called on the United States to conduct thorough maintenance work for its military aircraft, Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara said Monday. The request followed a U.S. Marine Corps helicopter’s emergency landing at a baseball
9 Marzo 2026

Japan Biz Bankruptcies Reach 13-Year High in Feb.

Tokyo, March 9 (Jiji Press)–The number of corporate bankruptcies in Japan involving liabilities of at least 10 million yen totaled 851 last month, the highest level in 13 years for a February, Tokyo Shoko Research Ltd. said Monday. The figure marked a
9 Marzo 2026

Unification Church Appeals Dissolution Order to Top Court

Tokyo, March 9 (Jiji Press)–The religious group known as the Unification Church on Monday filed a special appeal to Japan’s Supreme Court against a Tokyo High Court order to dissolve the group. But the liquidation procedures will continue for the group, formally
9 Marzo 2026

Nikkei Incurs 3rd-Biggest Point Loss amid Oil Worries

Tokyo, March 9 (Jiji Press)–Tokyo stocks plummeted Monday due to a surge in crude oil prices attributed to rising Middle East tensions, leading the key Nikkei 225 average to close with the third-largest daily point loss on record. The Nikkei index finished
9 Marzo 2026

Mitsubishi Chemical Cuts Ethylene Production

Tokyo, March 9 (Jiji Press)–Mitsubishi Chemical Corp. has reduced ethylene output to avoid a production halt due to a lack of supply of raw materials from the Middle East, company officials said on Monday. The Japanese company has been producing ethylene at
9 Marzo 2026

208 Japanese Evacuated from Qatar amid Iran Tensions

Tokyo, March 9 (Jiji Press)–Japan’s Foreign Ministry said Monday that 208 Japanese nationals have been evacuated from Doha, the capital of Qatar, to Riyadh by land amid the growing conflict between U.S.-Israeli forces and Iran. The evacuees, along with Japanese nationals who
9 Marzo 2026

Nikkei Average Down over 4,000 Points amid Crude Surge

Tokyo, March 9 (Jiji Press)–Tokyo stocks plummeted Monday morning due to a surge in crude oil prices attributed to rising Middle East tensions, sending the key Nikkei 225 average tumbling more than 4,000 points temporarily. The Nikkei index finished the morning at
9 Marzo 2026

Japan GSDF Brings Long-Range Missile Equipment into Camp in Kumamoto

Tokyo, March 9 (Jiji Press)–Japan’s Ground Self-Defense Force has brought launchers and other equipment of sophisticated long-range missiles into its Camp Kengun in the city of Kumamoto, southwestern Japan, in preparation for their deployment, informed sources said Monday. The Defense Ministry has
9 Marzo 2026

Japan Swings to Current Account Surplus in January

Tokyo, March 9 (Jiji Press)–Japan swung into 941.6 billion yen in current account surplus in January from a deficit of 344.6 billion yen a year before thanks to strong exports, preliminary data released by the Finance Ministry on Monday showed. The country
9 Marzo 2026

Japan’s Real Wages Post 1st Gain in 13 Months in Jan.

Tokyo, March 9 (Jiji Press)–Japan’s inflation-adjusted real wage index rose 1.4 pct in January from a year earlier, the first increase in 13 months, helped by growth in regular pay and slower inflation, government data showed Monday. Monthly nominal wages, including base
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