Tokyo, Nov. 4 (Jiji Press)–Fumitake Fujita, co-leader of Nippon Ishin no Kai (Japan Innovation Party) in the ruling coalition, said Tuesday that his reported payments from public funds to a firm headed by his secretary were “lawful.” At a press conference in

Tokyo, Nov. 4 (Jiji Press)–Asian black bear sightings in Japan from April to September totaled 20,792, the highest for the six-month period since data began in fiscal 2009, the Environment Ministry said Tuesday. The figure far surpassed the previous record of 15,832

Tokyo, Nov. 4 (Jiji Press)–Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi on Tuesday dismissed China’s protest over the recent meeting between Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and former Taiwanese Vice Premier Lin Hsin-i. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation

Matsue, Shimane Pref., Nov. 4 (Jiji Press)–The Matsue branch of Hiroshima High Court ruled on Tuesday that the House of Councillors election in July was held in a “state of unconstitutionality” due to vote-value disparities of up to 3.13 times. This was

(The third paragraph should have read “Ueno also said…” instead of as sent.) Japan to Counter Foreigners Refusing to Pay Health Insurance Premiums Tokyo, Nov. 4 (Jiji Press)–Japan’s health ministry is planning to deny in principle the renewal or change of residential

Tokyo, Nov. 4 (Jiji Press)–Three major Japanese department store operators on Tuesday reported year-on-year growth in their same-store sales for October, reflecting a rise in the number of visitors to Japan during China’s National Day holiday season. Sales increased 9.3 pct at

Kyoto, Nov. 4 (Jiji Press)–Nintendo Co. said Tuesday that its full-year consolidated sales are projected to exceed 2 trillion yen for the first time, reflecting the popularity of its new Nintendo Switch 2 game console, released in June. The Kyoto-based company now

(Adnkronos) – The death toll from Typhoon Kalmaegi, which flooded large areas of the central Philippines, has risen to at least 26. This was stated by Manila’s civil defense office. “Based on the information we have, most of the victims died by

Tokyo, Nov. 4 (Jiji Press)–Nearly half of cafes in Tokyo and nearby areas that exhibit rare wild animals and allow customers to touch them have given no explanations in advance on risks related to such animals, a survey by the World Wide

(Adnkronos) – Nine people – including five Italian and one French climber – have died in the Himalayas where two separate incidents occurred since Friday: yesterday morning, an avalanche swept away 12 people who were at a base camp in Yalung Ri,

(Adnkronos) – Peru has announced the breaking of diplomatic relations with Mexico, after the country granted asylum to the former prime minister accused of attempted coup. The Peruvian Foreign Minister, Hugo de Zela, expressed “astonishment and deep regret” after learning that Betssy

Tokyo, Nov. 4 (Jiji Press)–Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said Tuesday that her government will seek to introduce a refundable tax credit program, which would provide cash benefits or tax cuts depending on income level. “We will consider it as soon as

Matsue, Shimane Pref., Nov. 4 (Jiji Press)–The Matsue branch of Hiroshima High Court ruled on Tuesday that the House of Councillors election in July was held in a “state of unconstitutionality” due to vote-value disparities of up to 3.13 times. This was

Tokyo, Nov. 4 (Jiji Press)–Japan’s welfare ministry is considering a new support measure for childbirth to replace the existing lump-sum allowance, officials said. The ministry will explore the possibility of establishing a new allowance program under public medical insurance to make childbirth

Tokyo, Nov. 4 (Jiji Press)–Japan’s new digital transformation minister Hisashi Matsumoto has called for a national debate on the utilization of medical data for drug development. “Japan could secure huge national interest by improving its ability to develop drugs,” Matsumoto said in

Anan, Tokushima Pref., Nov. 4 (Jiji Press)–As the number of fatalities from bear attacks in Japan rises to a record high this fiscal year, a company, based in Anan, Tokushima Prefecture, western Japan, has developed a bear repellent spray in the hope

New Delhi, Nov. 4 (Jiji Press)–India can become a hub for international shipping, serving as a base for exports to Africa and the Middle East, Yutaka Ikeda, managing director of Japanese shipping company Mitsui O.S.K. Lines Ltd.’s Indian arm, said in a

Japan Automobile Dealers Association Nov. 4 Yr/Yr Change Total 247,883 units Down 4.3 pct Over-2,000-c.c. Cars 141,251 Down 8.4 Smaller Cars 73,203 Down 5.3 Trucks 32,737 Up 21.9 Buses 692 Down 13.5 -Brand- Daihatsu 2,180 Down 24.5 Honda 28,634 Down 2.3 Lexus

Japan Light Motor Vehicle and Motorcycle Association Nov. 4 Yr/Yr Change Total 147,306 units Up 2.9 pct Passenger Cars 113,895 Up 7.2 Trucks 33,411 Down 9.6 -Brand- Suzuki 46,734 Down 4.8 Daihatsu 57,817 Up 30.2 Mitsubishi 4,449 Down 27.4 Subaru 1,399 Up

Tokyo, Nov. 4 (Jiji Press)–Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said Tuesday that her government will draw up a new growth strategy next summer. The government launched a new council comprising experts the same day to accelerate discussions on the strategy, focusing investment

Futaba, Fukushima Pref., Nov. 4 (Jiji Press)–A Fukushima Prefecture town in northeastern Japan eased entry restrictions Tuesday in some areas within the so-called difficult-to-return zone, heavily contaminated due to the 2011 nuclear accident at Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings Inc. The relaxed

Tokyo, Nov. 4 (Jiji Press)–Tensions are rising in the Diet, Japan’s parliament, over Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s pick of scandal-mired lawmaker Kei Sato of the House of Councillors, the upper Diet chamber, as deputy chief cabinet secretary. Opposition parties object to Sato

Niigata, Nov. 4 (Jiji Press)–The prefectural government of Niigata, central Japan, said Tuesday that it has confirmed an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza at a poultry farm in the city of Tainai. It marks the third bird flu outbreak confirmed at

London, Nov. 4 (Jiji Press)–An opera exploring the life of Japanese ukiyo-e traditional woodblock print artist Katsushika Hokusai will premiere in Scotland next February. Titled “The Great Wave,” the opera is the latest work by London-based composer Dai Fujikura and a joint

Beijing, Nov. 3 (Jiji Press)–China will extend its short-term visa waiver for Japanese visitors, which is set to expire at the end of December, by one year, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said Monday. China also announced similar extensions of its visa-exemption arrangements

Tokyo, Nov. 4 (Jiji Press)–Japan’s Defense Ministry will begin a phased deployment of long-range standoff missiles capable of striking from outside an enemy’s range. Starting in fiscal 2025, the ministry plans to field ground-launched versions at Ground Self-Defense Force camps in Hokkaido,

(Adnkronos) – Envoy to Italy Alexey Paramonov is understood to have been called to the foreign ministry after Russia blamed the partial collapse of an historic tower near Roman Forum Monday on the government “wasting” billions of euros of public funds on

(Adnkronos) – The Dutch left-wing coalition formed by the Greens and Labour has chosen 39-year-old Jesse Klaver as its new leader, following the resignation of former European Commission Vice-President Frans Timmermans, who stepped down after last week’s electoral collapse, in which he

(Adnkronos) – Students in Serbia have ended the occupation of universities, which lasted almost a year and was conducted as part of a protest for democracy and the rule of law triggered in the country by the collapse of the Novi Sad

(Adnkronos) – Three Italian climbers have been hit by avalanches in Tibet in the last few hours in two separate incidents. One compatriot, as reported by the online edition of the local newspaper Kathmandu Post, which does not state his identity, is