Tokyo, July 15 (Jiji Press)–Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said Wednesday that she wants the suprapartisan National Council on Social Security to reach a conclusion on the planned food tax cut by early August, so a related bill can be submitted to

Tokyo, July 15 (Jiji Press)–Tokyo District Court sentenced a 44-year-old man to 16 years in prison Wednesday for fatally stabbing a 22-year-old woman while she was livestreaming on a Tokyo street last year. Kenichi Takano was found guilty of murdering Airi Sato

(Adnkronos) – Italy’s foreign minister Antonio Tajani was on Wednesday set to speak at a meeting in Spain’s capital, Madrid that will focus on global challenges, defence of the rule of law, cooperation between Europe and Ibero-America, freedom and role of Western

Tokyo, July 15 (Jiji Press)–Hitachi Ltd. and Tobu Railway Co. on Wednesday introduced a facial recognition system at ticket gates at Ikebukuro Station in Tokyo’s Toshima Ward. Passengers can pass through the ticket gates hands-free if they register their facial data and

Tokyo, July 15 (Jiji Press)–The Japanese government has revised its guidelines for artificial intelligence-related policies, calling for constantly strengthening measures against cyberattacks in light of serious risks posed by cutting-edge AI models. The original AI policy guidelines were compiled only last December.

Tokyo, July 15 (Jiji Press)–System failures at frozen food maker Nichirei Corp., caused by unauthorized access, have disrupted the operations of restaurant businesses and retailers in many parts of Japan. Nichirei said on Monday that it had been hit by unauthorized access,

Tokyo, July 15 (Jiji Press)–The foreign ministers of the Group of Seven major democracies have urged the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces in Sudan and other parties to immediately cease drone attacks and atrocities that endanger civilians. In a statement issued Tuesday, the

Tokyo, July 15 (Jiji Press)–The board of a Japanese House of Councillors committee on Wednesday agreed to take a vote on a bill to revise the Imperial House Law on Thursday. The Upper House committee is likely to approve the bill with

Tokyo, July 15 (Jiji Press)–The average income per household in Japan in 2024 rose a record 7.3 pct from the previous year to 5,752,000 yen, a welfare ministry survey showed Wednesday. The ministry believes that the growth was led by wage increases

Tokyo, July 15 (Jiji Press)–The estimated number of foreign visitors to Japan in January-June fell 2.0 pct from a year before to 21,084,800, down for the first time in five years, the Japan National Tourism Organization said Wednesday. Although the first-half visitor

Tokyo, July 15 (Jiji Press)–Japan’s parliament Wednesday passed a bill to revise the financial instruments and exchange law to regulate crypto assets, in addition to stocks and other securities. The move is aimed at protecting users amid growing demand for crypto assets

Tokyo, July 15 (Jiji Press)–Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 stock average gained more than 1,000 points on Wednesday, driven by semiconductor-related stocks following the overnight ascent of their U.S. peers. The index of 225 blue-chip issues listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange’s Prime

Tokyo, July 15 (Jiji Press)–Tokyo District Court sentenced a man to 16 years in prison Wednesday for fatally stabbing a 22-year-old woman while she was livestreaming on a Tokyo street last year. In a lay-judge trial, the court found Kenichi Takano, 44,

Tokyo, July 15 (Jiji Press)–Tokyo District Court on Wednesday found Reika Kuroki, a 38-year-old Japanese influencer, guilty of evading about 157 million yen in corporate and consumption taxes. The court sentenced Kuroki to two years and six months in prison, suspended for

(The second sentence of the fifth paragraph should have read, “…, allowing Hokuriku Shinkansen trains to utilize the Tokaido Shinkansen Line tracks from Maibara to reach Shin-Osaka,” instead of as sent. A substitute story follows.) Ruling Bloc Decides on Hokuriku Shinkansen Route

Tokyo, July 15 (Jiji Press)–Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party and the opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan agreed Wednesday to postpone a House of Councillors special committee vote on a bill to revise the Imperial House Law from the day. The agreement

Tokyo, July 15 (Jiji Press)–The Diet, Japan’s parliament, enacted a bill Wednesday to promote measures for ensuring proper maintenance and management of sewerage facilities in response to the 2025 sinkhole incident in the city of Yashio in Saitama Prefecture, north of Tokyo.

Tokyo, July 15 (Jiji Press)–A Japanese court Wednesday found a former executive of an event business guilty of violating the antimonopoly law by rigging bids linked to the Tokyo Summer Olympics and Paralympics held in 2021. Tokyo District Court sentenced the 66-year-old

Tokyo, July 15 (Jiji Press)–Organizers are changing schedules for summer festivals and fireworks displays in Japan, hoping to protect people from the intense summer heat and heavy rain. The Sagajoka Sakaenokuni Matsuri festival in the southwestern city of Saga was brought forward

Tokyo, July 15 (Jiji Press)–Japan’s seasonally adjusted core machinery orders in May fell 12.4 pct from the previous month, down for the first time in two months, the Cabinet Office said Wednesday. Private-sector orders excluding those for ships and power equipment, closely

Tokyo, July 15 (Jiji Press)–Many Bank of Japan policymakers voiced concerns about potential side effects of a negative interest rate policy at the central bank’s monetary policy meeting in January 2016, at which its introduction was decided, according to transcripts of the

Tokyo, July 15 (Jiji Press)–Many Bank of Japan policymakers voiced concerns about potential side effects of a negative interest rate policy at the central bank’s monetary policy meeting in January 2016, at which its introduction was decided, according to transcripts of the

Tokyo, July 15 (Jiji Press)–One year has passed since ordinances aimed at preventing customer harassment–defined as unreasonable or excessive demands and other unjust acts directed at employees by customers or business partners–came into effect in Tokyo and other areas. Preventive measures are

Mutsu, Aomori Pref., July 15 (Jiji Press)–Japan’s Maritime Self-Defense Force has shown to the media its naval mine warfare exercises being conducted in Mutsu Bay off the city of Mutsu in Aomori Prefecture, northeastern Japan. “We’re training to be ready to respond

Tokyo, July 15 (Jiji Press)–Two more former Japan Post Co. workers were found to have been involved in bidding fraud at the postal service provider, a survey by the company has revealed. In May, a former Japan Post employee was arrested for

(Adnkronos) – The Immigration and Customs Enforcement has issued a nationwide order to suspend roadside stops until further notice. The decision, reported by CNN and NBC citing informed sources, comes after two immigrants, a Mexican citizen and a Colombian citizen, were killed

(Adnkronos) – Six people have died in the fire that broke out at the Oxy Tower construction site, in Place de Brouckere, in the center of Brussels. This was confirmed late in the afternoon by the Auditorat du travail, the Belgian Public

(Adnkronos) – After a long legal battle with Donald Trump, Jean Carroll collects the over $5 million in damages that the former president was ordered to pay three years ago by a New York court that found him guilty of sexual assault

(Adnkronos) – Italy and Turkey on Tuesday reaffired the “solidity”of bilateral relations during talks between foreign under-secretary Massimo Dell’Utri and Turkey’s ambassador, Elif Ulgen that looked to bolster cooperation on the environment and in the Arctic.  “Today at the foreign ministry I

(Adnkronos) – Italy and the other major western powers on Tuesday called for an immediate halt to attacks on the city of El-Obeid, capital of Sudan’s North Kordofan state, which has reportedly come under repeated drone attacks by the paramilitary Rapid Support