Tokyo, June 25 (Jiji Press)–The Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan on Thursday approved a plan to join a consultative body for merger talks with the Centrist Reform Alliance and Komeito. The CDP, the largest opposition party in the House of Councillors, the

Tokyo, June 25 (Jiji Press)–Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 stock average soared to end at a new record high Thursday, powered by buying of artificial intelligence- and semiconductor-related stocks. The index of 225 major issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange’s top-tier Prime section

Kobe, June 25 (Jiji Press)–Bank of Japan Policy Board member Naoki Tamura said Thursday he envisages lifting interest rates toward a neutral level around 2 pct and accelerating rate hikes without hesitation if upside risks to inflation intensify. At a meeting with

Tokyo, June 25 (Jiji Press)–Two Japanese nationals who were detained by Chinese authorities in Dalian, Liaoning Province, in May are employees of Fuji Electric Co., people familiar with the matter said Thursday. An official at the Japanese electronics maker said that the

Tokyo, June 25 (Jiji Press)–A powerful earthquake measuring up to upper 6, the second-highest level on the Japanese seismic intensity scale, hit the Tohoku region of northeastern Japan, including Aomori Prefecture, on Thursday morning, with six people confirmed to have suffered injuries.

Japan Department Stores Association June 25 Yr/Yr Change Total 142,567 M. Yen Up 10.9 pct Clothing 37,665 Up 9.4 Personal Articles 27,329 Up 16.7 Sundry Goods 39,759 Up 16.7 Household Goods 5,703 Up 3.3 Foodstuffs 26,218 Up 3.4 Note: Year-on-year changes are

Tokyo, June 25 (Jiji Press)–Financial assets held by households in Japan as of the end of March grew 7.1 pct from a year earlier to 2,386 trillion yen partly due to higher stock prices, the Bank of Japan said Thursday. The figure

Japan Department Stores Association June 25 Yr/Yr Change Total 468,390 M. Yen Up 8.3 pct Clothing 125,080 Up 5.6 Personal Articles 85,964 Up 16.6 Sundry Goods 113,757 Up 12.4 Household Goods 15,371 Up 3.9 Foodstuffs 102,750 Up 2.0 Note: Year-on-year changes are

Tokyo, June 25 (Jiji Press)–Japan’s bellwether Nikkei 225 stock average briefly shot up over 3,000 points Thursday afternoon, as issues linked to artificial intelligence and semiconductors gathered hefty buying. At 2:16 p.m., the index of 225 major issues on the Tokyo Stock

Tokyo, June 25 (Jiji Press)–Eighteen officials of two Japanese government agencies received notice in 2025 that they had been certified to be eligible to handle critical economic security information, Jiji Press learned Thursday. The results are included in a draft of the

Tokyo, June 25 (Jiji Press)–Japan’s industry ministry plans to establish a council to consider abolishing loss-making Cool Japan Fund Inc., a public-private fund aimed at promoting Japanese culture and products overseas, or merging it with another fund, informed sources have said. The

Namur, Belgium, June 24 (Jiji Press)–Japan’s Emperor Naruhito on Wednesday expressed gratitude for the warm welcome he and his wife, Empress Masako, received from the Netherlands and Belgium during their state visits to the two European countries. “I am really happy and

Tokyo, June 25 (Jiji Press)–Japan’s National Police Agency said Thursday it will begin reviewing a mandatory driving skills test for drivers aged 75 or older with a history of traffic violations after a follow-up study found them more prone to accidents. The

Tokyo, June 25 (Jiji Press)–A powerful earthquake hit the Tohoku region of northeastern Japan on Thursday morning, measuring upper 6, the second-highest level on the country’s seismic intensity scale, in Aomori Prefecture. The temblor, with an estimated magnitude of 6.9, occurred around

(The 10th paragraph should have read, “…will be raised to…,” instead of as sent. A substitute story follows.) Interim Draft on 2-Year Food Tax Cut Presented Tokyo, June 25 (Jiji Press)–The head of a Japanese suprapartisan council on social security on Wednesday

Tokyo, June 25 (Jiji Press)–A male worker at Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare has been indicted on charges of stalking a subordinate in her 20s, including following her and entering her home without permission, Jiji Press learned Thursday. The man,

Kyoto, June 25 (Jiji Press)–A research group including Kyoto University has developed Buddharoid, a humanoid robot equipped with artificial intelligence that responds to people’s concerns from a Buddhist perspective. In addition to engaging in voice-based dialogue, the robot can perform gestures and

Tokyo, June 25 (Jiji Press)–Japan’s bellwether Nikkei 225 stock average briefly shot up over 2,000 points Thursday morning, as issues linked to artificial intelligence and semiconductors gathered hefty buying. At 10:02 a.m., the index of 225 major issues on the Tokyo Stock

Tokyo, June 25 (Jiji Press)–Japan’s three megabanks have become eligible to use a cutting-edge artificial intelligence tool of U.S. technology giant Google LLC, Japanese financial services minister Satsuki Katayama said. She revealed this at a press conference after a meeting with senior

Tokyo, June 25 (Jiji Press)–A powerful earthquake hit the Tohoku region of northeastern Japan on Thursday morning, measuring upper 6, the second-highest level on the country’s seismic intensity scale, in Aomori Prefecture. The temblor, with an estimated magnitude of 6.9, occurred around

Tokyo, June 25 (Jiji Press)–A powerful earthquake hit northeastern Japan on Thursday morning, measuring upper 6, the second-highest level on the country’s seismic intensity scale, in Aomori Prefecture. The temblor, with an estimated magnitude of 6.9, occurred around 7:30 a.m. at a

Tokyo, June 25 (Jiji Press)–A powerful earthquake hit northeastern Japan on Thursday morning, measuring upper 6, the second-highest level on the country’s seismic intensity scale, in Aomori Prefecture. The temblor struck around 7:30 a.m., according to the Japan Meteorological Agency. The seismic

(Adnkronos) – Right-wing candidate Keiko Fujimori has gained an insurmountable lead in the presidential runoff in Peru against left-wing candidate Roberto Sanchez, thus putting herself on the sure path to the presidency. Keiko, who is running for president for the fourth time,

(Adnkronos) – Schools closed and recommendations for the population to avoid travel in much of Great Britain due to red-level weather alerts for heat. Today and tomorrow, temperatures could reach 40° in some areas of England and Wales, due to a “heat

(Adnkronos) – Donald Trump suddenly canceled today’s scheduled signing of a construction bill, stating that he will not do so until Congress approves the Save America Act, the law aimed at imposing greater controls and limitations on the electoral process, which the

(Adnkronos) – Keir Starmer will remain in the House of Commons as an MP even after resigning as prime minister. His spokesperson announced this to journalists, denying speculation that Starmer might also resign from his parliamentary seat.  Starmer wants the next Labour

Tokyo, June 24 (Jiji Press)–Japan’s ruling coalition submitted a bill on Wednesday to reduce the number of seats in the House of Representatives by 10 pct, which is included in the coalition agreement between the Liberal Democratic Party and the Japan Innovation

Tokyo, June 24 (Jiji Press)–Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi and his Canadian counterpart, David McGuinty, reaffirmed Wednesday that their countries will strengthen bilateral security cooperation. During their meeting in Tokyo, the two ministers welcomed the elevation of the Japan-Canada relationship to a

Dallas, Texas, June 24 (Jiji Press)–The Japanese men’s national soccer team, nicknamed Samurai Blue, arrived in Dallas, Texas, on Tuesday night local time, just before its final group stage match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup against Sweden. The team trained in

(Adnkronos) – In the Netherlands, euthanasia has been performed on a child under 12 years old. This is the first case since the Dutch government expanded, in February 2024, the legislation authorizing euthanasia for minors aged between one and twelve years suffering