Japan Chain Stores Association Jan. 22 Change from Prev Year Total 12,867,512 M. Yen Up 2.2 pct Foodstuffs 9,086,436 Up 3.5 Clothing 597,499 Down 1.8 Sundries 1,155,239 Up 2.1 Furniture and Interior Goods 710,386 Down 3.8 Home Electric Appliances 33,163 Down 1.3

Tokyo, Jan. 22 (Jiji Press)–Japan posted a customs-cleared trade deficit of 2,650.7 billion yen in 2025, marking the fifth consecutive year of red ink, preliminary data from the Finance Ministry showed Thursday. Still, the deficit plunged 52.9 pct from the previous year.

Osaka, Jan. 22 (Jiji Press)–The official campaign period for the Feb. 8 Osaka gubernatorial election began on Thursday, following the resignation of the previous governor, Hirofumi Yoshimura, in an attempt to revive the so-called Osaka metropolis plan. Yoshimura, leader of the Japan

Tokyo, Jan. 22 (Jiji Press)–Japan’s industry minister Ryosei Akazawa and European Commission executive vice-president for prosperity and industrial strategy Stephane Sejourne have reaffirmed their cooperation to ensure stable supplies of critical minerals, such as rare earths. At a press conference following his

Tokyo, Jan. 22 (Jiji Press)–Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 stock average climbed over 1,000 points at one point in Thursday morning, reflecting eased concerns about tensions between the United States and Europe regarding Greenland. The index of 225 selected issues listed on the

Tokyo, Jan. 22 (Jiji Press)–Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi mentioned the government’s responsibility in her meeting with victims of forced sterilization conducted under the country’s now-defunct eugenics law. “The government’s responsibility is extremely grave,” Takaichi said when she met with the victims

(Adnkronos) – Foreign minister Antonio Tajani will address celebrations in Anzio and Nettuno on Thursday to mark the 82nd anniversary of the Allied landings on Lazio’s coast – which began on 22 January, 1944 – the foreign ministry said in a statement. 

(Adnkronos) – Sport is “a foreign policy tool, from industry to science,” foreign minister Antonio Tajani said on Wednesday at press conference to present the Olympic accreditation of the national sports medicine federation’s anti-doping laboratory.  “Sport is a tool of foreign policy,

(Adnkronos) – The President of the United States, Donald Trump, evoked sending the National Guard to California in his speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos. “If I were governor of California, I would call Trump and say: ‘I need you.’

(Adnkronos) – In Davos, on the sidelines of the Wef, Donald Trump will meet the leaders of Poland, Belgium and Egypt and NATO Secretary General Marc Rutte. This was announced by White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt, confirming for tomorrow morning the event

(Adnkronos) – The Egyptian Foreign Ministry announced that President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has accepted the invitation from US President Donald Trump to join the “Board of Peace”. Egypt “announces that it has accepted the invitation and is committed to complying with the

(Adnkronos) – The Japanese nuclear power plant of Kashiwazaki-Kariwa, the world’s largest, is back in operation for the first time since the Fukushima catastrophe of 2011. This was announced by the operator Tepco. The plant became operational at 7:02 PM, specified the

Tokyo, Jan. 21 (Jiji Press)–The Japan Innovation Party on Wednesday released its pledges for the Feb. 8 House of Representatives election, featuring plans to realize early passage of legislation to establish a secondary capital to curb Tokyo’s overconcentration. The JIP, the junior

(Adnkronos) – The German prosecutor’s office announced the arrest of a German-Ukrainian citizen, accused of providing information to the Russian embassy, particularly on military aid to Ukraine and the German defense industry. The suspect, identified as Ilona W., is accused of “collecting

(Adnkronos) – Germany today accused Russia of committing “war crimes” by striking civilian targets and Ukrainian energy infrastructure in the coldest winter since the start of the war.  “This war aims to wear down Ukraine. It is a clear violation of international

(Adnkronos) – Seven soldiers were killed in a drone attack carried out by Kurdish forces in the Hasakah region, northeastern Syria. This was reported by the Syrian state news agency, citing the Syrian Ministry of Defense.   

Tokyo, Jan. 21 (Jiji Press)–Mitsubishi Motors Corp. said Wednesday that it will promote Corporate Officer Keisuke Kishiura to president and chief operating officer. Takao Kato, current president and CEO of the Japanese automaker, will become chairman and CEO. The appointments will take

Tokyo, Jan. 21 (Jiji Press)–British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is planning to make his first visit to Japan on Jan. 31 and hold a meeting with his Japanese counterpart, Sanae Takaichi, it was learned Wednesday. The two leaders are expected to discuss

Tokyo, Jan. 21 (Jiji Press)–Taro Yamamoto, leader of Japanese opposition party Reiwa Shinsengumi, on Wednesday resigned from the House of Councillors, the upper chamber of the Diet, the country’s parliament, due to health problems. “I’m one step away from multiple myeloma, a

Nara, Jan. 21 (Jiji Press)–The man who killed former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was given an indefinite prison term on Wednesday for the fatal shooting with a homemade gun in the western Japan city of Nara in 2022. Nara District Court handed

Niigata, Jan. 21 (Jiji Press)–People living near Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings Inc.’s Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear power station in Niigata Prefecture, central Japan, were divided in their views over the restart of a reactor at the plant Wednesday. “I think it’s a waste

Tokyo, Jan. 21 (Jiji Press)–Japan’s Air Self-Defense Force said Wednesday that it will provide refueling support to a total of 10 planes of the South Korean Air Force at its Naha Air Base in the southernmost prefecture of Okinawa on Jan. 28.

Tokyo, Jan. 21 (Jiji Press)–Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party on Wednesday announced its policy pledges for the Feb. 8 House of Representatives election, including a commitment to accelerate discussions on reducing the consumption tax rate to zero for food items for two

(Adnkronos) – Foreign minister Antonio Tajani is “following developments” after a train crash near Barcelona in northeast Spain killed a train driver and injured dozens late Tuesday. Two days earlier, 42 people died in a high-speed train collision and derailment at Adamuz,

Tokyo, Jan. 21 (Jiji Press)–Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings Inc. reactivated the No. 6 reactor at its Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear power station in Niigata Prefecture, central Japan, on Wednesday. The No. 6 unit was brought back online after a hiatus of 13 years

Tokyo, Jan. 21 (Jiji Press)–Visitors from mainland China were the largest spenders among foreign visitors to Japan in 2025, at 2,002.6 billion yen, the Japan Tourism Agency said Wednesday. In October-December, however, spending by Chinese visitors shrank nearly 20 pct from a

Tokyo, Jan. 21 (Jiji Press)–Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings Inc. reactivated the No. 6 reactor at its Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear power station in Niigata Prefecture, central Japan, on Wednesday. The No. 6 unit was brought back online after a hiatus of 13 years

Tokyo, Jan. 21 (Jiji Press)–Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara on Wednesday declined to clarify whether Japan will participate in the Board of Peace proposed by U.S. President Donald Trump for the Gaza Strip. “We are examining the details” of the board,