Tokyo, Jan. 13 (Jiji Press)–Japanese freelance television announcer Hiroshi Kume, known for hosting popular music show “The Best Ten” and news show “News Station,” died of lung cancer on Jan. 1, it was learned Tuesday. Kume joined Tokyo Broadcasting System Television Inc.

Tokyo, Jan. 13 (Jiji Press)–Fujitsu Ltd. plans to continue raising wages as workers in Japan receive less than their counterparts globally, CEO Takahito Tokita said in a recent interview. “We are proactively reviewing wage levels to maintain our competitive advantage,” Tokita said.

Tokyo, Jan. 13 (Jiji Press)–The number of corporate bankruptcies in Japan surpassed 10,000 for two years in a row in 2025 as smaller businesses were hard hit by soaring labor costs and surging prices, Tokyo Shoko Research Ltd., a credit research firm,

Tokyo, Jan. 13 (Jiji Press)–Japan posted a current account surplus of 3,674.1 billion yen in November 2025, up 10 pct from a year earlier, thanks to a wider trade surplus driven by stronger exports, the Finance Ministry said Tuesday. According to the

Tokyo, Jan. 13 (Jiji Press)–Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara informed the Diet on Tuesday that this year’s ordinary session of the parliament will be convened Jan. 23. The top government spokesman made the notification at board meetings of the steering committees

Washington, Jan. 12 (Jiji Press)–Finance ministers from the Group of Seven major industrial nations at a meeting in Washington on Monday agreed to quickly take measures to enhance supply chains for rare earth minerals. Hosted by U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, the

Washington, Jan. 12 (Jiji Press)–Japanese Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama and U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent shared concern over the yen’s recent one-sided depreciation during a meeting in Washington on Monday, Katayama said. Katayama, speaking at a press conference after the meeting, said

Tokyo, Jan. 13 (Jiji Press)–Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 stock average continued rising to top 53,000 for the first time ever on Tuesday morning. A wide variety of issues attracted hefty buying on the Tokyo stock market following media reports that Japanese Prime

Tokyo, Jan. 13 (Jiji Press)–Suzuki Motor Corp. has announced a decision to acquire land for a new automobile plant in India. The Japanese automaker will buy the site in Sanand in the western Indian state of Gujarat for some 49.6 billion rupees

Washington, Jan. 12 (Jiji Press)–Finance ministers from the Group of Seven major industrial nations at a meeting in Washington on Monday discussed cooperation on enhancing supply chains for rare earth minerals. Hosted by U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, the meeting among Britain,

Tokyo, Jan. 13 (Jiji Press)–The Japanese government will step up support for the overseas expansion of content industries such as games and anime, while also investing further in related human resources development. Overseas sales of Japanese content reached around 5.8 trillion yen

Tokyo, Jan. 13 (Jiji Press)–The leaders of the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan and Komeito have agreed to team up toward the next House of Representatives election, which may be in the offing. Meeting at a hotel in Tokyo on Monday, Yoshihiko

(Adnkronos) – The release of four Italian prisoners from jail in Venezuela in recent days “is an important step towards rebuilding a strong bridge” between Italy and the crisis-hit South American country, foreign minister Antonio Tajani said on Monday.  “We welcome the

Tokyo, Jan. 13 (Jiji Press)–A new program offering comprehensive legal assistance for victims in serious crimes, including murder and sexual offenses, and bereaved families started in Japan on Tuesday. The assistance, both in criminal and civil procedures, is provided basically free of

Berlin, Jan. 12 (Jiji Press)–Japan’s Toyota Motor Corp. maintained its status as the world’s top automaker in terms of vehicle sales in 2025, holding the leadership for the sixth straight year. Volkswagen Group on Monday reported sales of 8,983,900 units for 2025,

(Adnkronos) – Italy’s government has “never discussed” sending troops to Greenland “nor has this been requested”, foreign minister Antonio Tajani said on Monday as Europe mulls how to respond US president Donald Trump’s vow to acquire Denmark’s resource-rich, strategic Arctic territory.  “The

(Adnkronos) – Trump administration officials will meet Wednesday with their Danish counterpart to address the Greenland issue. This is what Cbsnews writes, citing diplomatic sources, after Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen confirmed yesterday the meeting this week between Foreign Minister Lars Løkke

(Adnkronos) – “We continue to call for de-escalation and dialogue, and we welcome initiatives that lead to that end. It is important to return to the political path towards stability and prosperity.” Anouar El Anouni, spokesperson for the European Commission, stated this

(Adnkronos) – The United Kingdom steps in to appease Donald Trump and ‘save’ Greenland. The President of the United States considers the island, an autonomous territory controlled by Denmark, vital for American national security. “Either we make a deal the good way

(Adnkronos) – After Venezuela, Cuba is in Donald Trump’s crosshairs. The President of the United States predicts a collapse of Havana, reiterating forecasts already made in recent days. For the first time, however, Trump refers to a potential agreement with the island.

(Adnkronos) – Hundreds dead in Iran, where street protests are suppressed in blood. Donald Trump is evaluating a series of military options with the possibility of striking the Tehran regime. “Some protesters died in the stampede, some were shot. I will have

(Adnkronos) – “Yesterday, around 8 PM, the Venezuelan foreign minister called me to announce that President Rodriguez had decided to release Trentini. This morning, around 4 AM, he and Burlò arrived at our embassy. I spoke to them, they are in good

(Adnkronos) – Anthony Albanese has convened parliament early to approve new laws against hate speech and weapons following the Bondi Beach terrorist attack. “The Bondi Beach terrorists had hate in their minds but weapons in their hands. This law will address both

(Adnkronos) – The nationwide Internet blockade in Iran has now lasted for more than 84 hours, as protests against the regime that erupted on December 28 continue. This is stated by the monitor Netblocks, adding that activists are trying to find a

(Adnkronos) – ”The situation is back under control” in Iran after the protests that erupted on December 28, which ”became bloody and violent to provide a pretext” for the United States to attack Tehran. This is according to Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas

Maebashi, Gunma Pref., Jan. 13 (Jiji Press)–Former Maebashi Mayor Akira Ogawa was re-elected Monday after giving up the mayoralty of the eastern Japan city over controversial hotel visits with a married municipal official. Ogawa, 43, defeated four other candidates, including lawyer Akira

Maebashi, Gunma Pref., Jan. 13 (Jiji Press)–Former Maebashi Mayor Akira Ogawa secured re-election Monday after giving up the mayoralty of the eastern Japan city over controversial hotel visits with a married municipal official. Ogawa, 43, defeated four other candidates, including lawyer Akira

(Adnkronos) – While all Italian citizens who only have an Italian passport have been released from jails in Venezuela, a total 42 Italian-Venezuelans are still in prison there, almost half of whom are political prisoners, Italy said on Monday.  “We still have

Tokyo, Jan. 12 (Jiji Press)–Japanese agriculture minister Norikazu Suzuki on Monday visited the Japanese unit of U.S. company Oishii Farm Corp., which develops factories to grow fruit and other plants. Suzuki inspected a research and development facility under construction in Hamura, western

Tokyo, Jan. 12 (Jiji Press)–Many retrial requests filed by relatives of former defendants in serious crimes whose convictions had become final face difficulties as petitioners have died or grown very old amid protracted procedures, Jiji Press has learned. Since the end of