Tokyo, Jan. 6 (Jiji Press)–Tax-free sales at three major Japanese department store operators fell sharply in December after the Chinese government urged its citizens to avoid travel to Japan, data from the companies showed Monday. Daimaru Matsuzakaya Department Stores Co. saw its

Tokyo, Jan. 6 (Jiji Press)–A series of powerful earthquakes struck western Japan on Tuesday, measuring up to upper 5, the fourth-highest level on the country’s seismic intensity scale, in the prefectures of Shimane and Tottori. According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, a

Tokyo, Jan. 6 (Jiji Press)–The Tokyo metropolitan government is strengthening its support for improving accessibility to the arts for people with disabilities. The Japanese capital is offering subsidies to arts organizations that introduce measures to help people with visual or hearing difficulties

New York, Jan. 5 (Jiji Press)–Combined new automobile sales by six Japanese automakers in the U.S. market in 2025 rose 2.4 pct from the previous year to 6,023,492 units, according to data released Monday. Demand spiked early in the year ahead of

Tokyo, Jan. 6 (Jiji Press)–Some medical institutions in Japan have begun introducing facility dogs to accompany hospitalized children during treatment and rehabilitation, easing the anxiety of being away from their families. With high costs posing a challenge, some hospitals are turning to

Hiroshima, Jan. 5 (Jiji Press)–Mazda Motor Corp. said Monday that it will begin mass production of a new version of its flagship CX-5 SUV for the Japanese market in April. “The model will be a new symbol of Mazda,” Masahiro Moro, president

(Adnkronos) – Hundreds of foreign tourists are stranded on the Yemeni island of Socotra, after flights were cancelled following clashes in the country between government forces and separatists in the south. Local sources told Afp, while Adnkronos learns that a group of

(Adnkronos) – The Swiss Federal Council has decided to immediately freeze the assets in Switzerland of former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and other persons linked to him. The Executive intends in this way to prevent the outflow of patrimonial values, reads a

Tokyo, Jan. 5 (Jiji Press)–New automobile sales in Japan rose 3.3 pct from the previous year to 4,565,777 units in 2025, the first increase in two years, industry data showed Monday. The rise came as sales at Daihatsu Motor Co. jumped more

Tokyo, Jan. 5 (Jiji Press)–Six Japan Railways Group companies reported Monday that the total number of passengers on their Shinkansen and other express trains in key areas during the year-end and New Year holiday period rose 5 pct from a year earlier

Ise, Mie Pref., Jan. 5 (Jiji Press)–Japan will set up a nonpartisan national council for an integrated reform of the country’s tax and social security systems within January, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said at her New Year’s press conference Monday. Takaichi spoke

Tokyo, Jan. 5 (Jiji Press)–The possible introduction of medium-size constituencies with multiple seats in the House of Representatives is emerging as a key issue in discussions among Japanese lawmakers on electoral system reforms for the lower chamber of parliament. A consultative group

Nagoya, Jan. 5 (Jiji Press)–Chubu Electric Power Co. may have presented data underestimating earthquake risks for a regulatory process to check whether its Hamaoka nuclear power plant in central Japan meets new safety standards, President Kingo Hayashi said Monday. Chubu Electric suspects

Tokyo, Jan. 5 (Jiji Press)–Two H-6 bombers of the Chinese military and six other aircraft flew south between the main island of Okinawa Prefecture and the island of Miyakojima, part of the southernmost Japan prefecture, and advanced into the Pacific Ocean on

(Adnkronos) – A Jewish settler outpost, near the village of Al-Minyya, south of Bethlehem, in Area B of the West Bank, will be evacuated today. The Idf announced this, explaining that the decision to clear Kana Avraham was taken following “criminal acts

(Adnkronos) – Iran has accused Israel of ”threatening its national unity” after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed his support for the protesters who have been demonstrating for a week in Tehran and other parts of the country against the cost of

Tokyo, Jan. 5 (Jiji Press)–The use of loss prevention tags by stalkers quickly spread in Japan last year, the National Police Agency has reported. According to the NPA, police across the country gave advice to victims of stalking using those electronic tags

Tokyo, Jan. 5 (Jiji Press)–Japanese ingredients, particularly eggs and milk, are increasingly being promoted to meet growing demand from foreign visitors. A 2024 survey on inbound consumption trends by the Japan Tourism Agency found that the most common expectation before visiting Japan,

Nagoya, Jan. 5 (Jiji Press)–Chubu Electric Power Co. may have presented data underestimating earthquake risks for a regulatory process to check whether its Hamaoka nuclear power plant in central Japan meets new safety standards, President Kingo Hayashi said Monday. Chubu Electric supects

Tokyo, Jan. 5 (Jiji Press)–Securities firms in Japan will set up a joint venture this month to consolidate administrative work to improve efficiency as they grapple with labor shortages and complicated regulations. The new firm, to be established by the Japan Securities

(4th para should have read “… teeth or more. …,” instead of as sent) Tokyo, Jan. 5 (Jiji Press)–Regular dental checkups and early treatment will help older people live longer, recent research studies have suggested. Associations between the number of teeth and

Ise, Mie Pref., Jan. 5 (Jiji Press)–Japan will set up a nonpartisan national council for social security reform within January, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said at her New Year’s press conference Monday. Regarding how she wants to steer her administration, the Liberal

Tokyo, Jan. 5 (Jiji Press)–Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 stock average soared on Monday, the first trading day of 2026, led by gains in large-cap semiconductor-related shares. The index of 225 major issues listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange’s top-tier Prime section finished

Tokyo, Jan. 5 (Jiji Press)–Leaders of Japanese opposition parties Monday showed their concerns about U.S. attacks on Venezuela and criticized the Japanese government’s response. “I’m concerned that the attacks may significantly shake the international order,” Tetsuo Saito, who heads Komeito, a former

Japan Automobile Dealers Association Jan. 5 Change from Prev Year Total 2,898,417 units Up 1.2 pct Over-2,000-c.c. Cars 1,700,143 Down 3.2 Smaller Cars 833,380 Up 8.6 Trucks 354,988 Up 7.4 Buses 9,906 Down 1.9 -Brand- Daihatsu 24,120 Up 46.6 Honda 340,419 Down

Japan Light Motor Vehicle and Motorcycle Association Jan. 5 Change from Prev Year Total 1,667,360 units Up 7.0 pct Passenger Cars 1,302,857 Up 8.4 Trucks 364,503 Up 2.5 -Brand- Suzuki 568,547 Down 3.6 Daihatsu 511,799 Up 46.2 Mitsubishi 69,863 Down 5.5 Subaru

Japan Automobile Dealers Association Jan. 5 Yr/Yr Change Total 211,909 units Up 0.6 pct Over-2,000-c.c. Cars 117,460 Down 11.6 Smaller Cars 64,168 Up 24.0 Trucks 29,487 Up 16.2 Buses 794 Up 8.5 -Brand- Daihatsu 2,195 Up 49.7 Honda 23,545 Down 5.9 Lexus

Japan Light Motor Vehicle and Motorcycle Association Jan. 5 Yr/Yr Change Total 123,550 units Up 3.8 pct Passenger Cars 96,440 Up 0.7 Trucks 27,110 Up 16.7 -Brand- Suzuki 38,409 Down 11.0 Daihatsu 38,592 Up 22.2 Mitsubishi 6,713 Up 19.7 Subaru 1,445 Up

Maebashi, Gunma Pref., Jan. 5 (Jiji Press)–Akira Ogawa, the former mayor of Maebashi who stepped down over controversial hotel visits with a married male municipal official, and four other people filled their candidacies on Monday for a mayoral election set for Jan.