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28 Luglio 2026

(Update 2) Strong Quake Jolts Kumamoto in Southwestern Japan

(The seventh paragraph should have read, “…the secretariat of the Nuclear Regulation Authority…” instead of as sent. A substitute story follows.) Strong Quake Jolts Kumamoto in Southwestern Japan Kumamoto, July 28 (Jiji Press)–A powerful earthquake hit Kumamoto Prefecture in southwestern Japan at
28 Luglio 2026

Japan PM Takaichi Seen to Seek 1 Pct Food Tax Deal

Tokyo, July 28 (Jiji Press)–Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is considering adopting a proposal to reduce the consumption tax rate on food to 1 pct for two years from April next year as a provisional measure, informed sources said Tuesday. The tax
28 Luglio 2026

LDP Eyes Warrantless Communications Interception for Security

Tokyo, July 28 (Jiji Press)–A panel of Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party on Tuesday compiled a report proposing a system that would allow administrative agencies to intercept private communications without a court warrant for security purposes. The report also called for establishing
28 Luglio 2026

Kumamoto Quake Frightens Locals; Many Recall 2016 Disaster

Kumamoto, July 28 (Jiji Press)–Tuesday’s massive earthquake that recorded a seismic intensity of up to 7 in Kumamoto Prefecture frightened local residents, many of whom recalled the 2016 quake disaster that hit the southwestern Japan prefecture. The day’s temblor, which happened around
28 Luglio 2026

Ex-Dragons Pitcher, TV Personality Eiji Bando Dies at 86

Tokyo, July 28 (Jiji Press)–Eiji Bando, a former pitcher for the Chunichi Dragons of Japan’s Central League who also went on to build a successful career in television, died Wednesday of chronic heart failure. He was 86. He was born in Japanese-controlled
28 Luglio 2026

NTT East, 10 Others Form Data Center Consortium in Hokkaido

Ishikari, Hokkaido, July 28 (Jiji Press)–Eleven Japanese companies, including telecommunications giant NTT East Inc., said Tuesday that they have established a data center consortium in the city of Ishikari, Hokkaido, together with the city government. The consortium aims to revitalize the local
28 Luglio 2026

Strong Quake Jolts Kumamoto in Southwestern Japan

Kumamoto, July 28 (Jiji Press)–A powerful earthquake hit Kumamoto Prefecture in southwestern Japan at around 4:27 p.m. on Tuesday, measuring up to 7, the highest level on the Japanese seismic intensity scale, in the city of Uki and the town of Hikawa.
28 Luglio 2026

Strong Quake Jolts Kumamoto in Southwestern Japan

Tokyo, July 28 (Jiji Press)–A powerful earthquake hit Kumamoto Prefecture in southwestern Japan at around 4:27 p.m. on Tuesday, measuring up to 7, the highest level on the Japanese seismic intensity scale, in the city of Uki and the town of Hikawa.
28 Luglio 2026

Japan to Boost Immigration Agency Staff by 226

Tokyo, July 28 (Jiji Press)–Japan’s Immigration Services Agency will hire 226 more employees to bolster its operations amid an increase in foreign residents in the country, Justice Minister Hiroshi Hiraguchi said Tuesday. Through the addition of 176 immigration inspectors and 50 immigration
28 Luglio 2026

INTERVIEW: BOJ Needs to Raise Policy Rate to 1.5 Pct

New York, July 28 (Jiji Press)–The Bank of Japan needs to raise its policy interest rate from the current 1.0 pct to 1.5 pct to fight inflation reflecting higher import prices amid the yen’s weakness, economist Paul Sheard has said. The BOJ
28 Luglio 2026

Mercury Tops 40 Celsius in Shikoku for 1st Time This Year

Tokyo, July 28 (Jiji Press)–Temperatures topped 40 degrees Celsius in the Shikoku region of western Japan on Tuesday, marking the first “kokushobi,” or cruelly hot day, there this year. The town of Kuroshio, Kochi Prefecture, observed 40.7 degrees shortly past 2:30 p.m.,
28 Luglio 2026

Firms in Central Japan Suspected of Condo Repair Bid-Rigging

Tokyo, July 28 (Jiji Press)–The Japan Fair Trade Commission on Tuesday conducted an on-site inspection of over 20 firms on suspicion of rigging bids for condominium repair projects in Aichi, Gifu and Mie prefectures in central Japan, people familiar with the matter
28 Luglio 2026

Strong Quake Jolts Kumamoto Pref. in Southwestern Japan

Tokyo, July 28 (Jiji Press)–A powerful earthquake hit Kumamoto Prefecture in southwestern Japan at around 4:27 p.m. on Tuesday, measuring up to 7, the highest level on the Japanese seismic intensity scale. The quake struck at a depth of about 10 kilometers
28 Luglio 2026

Nikkei Average Slumps Again as Selling Hits AI, Chip Stocks

Tokyo, July 28 (Jiji Press)–Japan’s key Nikkei 225 stock average slumped again on Tuesday as heavy selling hit artificial intelligence- and semiconductor-related stocks. The index of 225 major issues listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange’s Prime section closed at 62,364.92, down 2,566.27
28 Luglio 2026

30-Year Term Sought for Teen in Hokkaido Group Assault Case

Sapporo, July 28 (Jiji Press)–Public prosecutors have sought a 30-year prison sentence for a teenager in a high-profile group assault case in which a 20-year-old university student died in Ebetsu, Hokkaido, in 2024. During Monday’s hearing at Sapporo District Court in the
28 Luglio 2026

Japan to Boost Immigration Agency Staff by 226

Tokyo, July 28 (Jiji Press)–Japan’s Immigration Services Agency will hire 226 more employees to bolster its operations amid an increase in foreign residents in the country, Justice Minister Hiroshi Hiraguchi said Tuesday. Through the addition of 176 immigration inspectors and 50 immigration
28 Luglio 2026

Japan to Broaden Reduced-Hours Work Program for Govt Workers

Tokyo, July 28 (Jiji Press)–The Japanese government released human resources reform plans Tuesday, including expansion of the reduced working hours program for national public servants. Specifically, the government will consider allowing its regular employees to cut working hours for health reasons and
28 Luglio 2026

BYD Launches Japan-Exclusive Electric Minivehicle

Tokyo, July 28 (Jiji Press)–Chinese automaker BYD Co. on Tuesday released its first electric minivehicle designed exclusively for the Japanese market. The new model, named Racco, starts at 2,145,000 yen. This means that the vehicle is available at as low as 1,995,000
28 Luglio 2026

Japan Govt Decides to Honor Speedskating Star Miho Takagi

Tokyo, July 28 (Jiji Press)–The Japanese government has decided to present the People’s Honor Award to retired speedskating star Miho Takagi at the prime minister’s office on Aug. 4, Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara said Tuesday. During a press conference, Kihara emphasized
28 Luglio 2026

Japan Govt Certifies Food Banks for 1st Time

Tokyo, July 28 (Jiji Press)–Japan’s Consumer Affairs Agency said Tuesday that it has certified four food banks, which collect surplus food from companies and others for free supply to organizations working to support people in need. It is the first time that
28 Luglio 2026

JCG Searches High School after Fatal Accident in Okinawa

Naha, Okinawa Pref., July 28 (Jiji Press)–The Japan Coast Guard searched Doshisha International Senior High School on Saturday following the fatal capsizing of two small boats used in a school study trip in Okinawa Prefecture, the school operator said Tuesday. The JCG’s
28 Luglio 2026

Japan to Consider GPS Tracking to Prevent Stalking Crimes

Tokyo, July 28 (Jiji Press)–The Japanese government Tuesday drew up a package of emergency measures for crime prevention, including a proposal to consider attaching GPS equipment to stalkers to prevent them from approaching victims. Authorities such as the National Police Agency aim
28 Luglio 2026

Takaichi Stresses Readiness to Decide on Food Tax Cut

Tokyo, July 28 (Jiji Press)–Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Tuesday emphasized her readiness to decide on the proposed two-year consumption tax cut for food items. “I will make a decision when I have to,” Takaichi, also president of the ruling Liberal
28 Luglio 2026

Sextortion Consultations Rising in Japan

Tokyo, July 28 (Jiji Press)–Consultations by victims of sextortion are rising in Japan. A portmanteau of “sex” and “extortion,” sextortion describes a situation in which individuals experience physical and emotional control or face financial demands by perpetrators weaponizing sexual images taken without
28 Luglio 2026

Nikkei Average Briefly Tumbles Over 3,000 Points

Tokyo, July 28 (Jiji Press)–Japanese stocks came under heavy selling pressure on Tuesday morning, with the benchmark Nikkei average briefly losing more than 3,000 points. The index of 225 selected issues listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange’s Prime section finished the morning
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