Hiroshima/Fukuoka, Oct. 31 (Jiji Press)–Two high courts in Japan on Friday ruled the July 20 election for the House of Councillors, the upper chamber of the country’s parliament, was held “in a state of unconstitutionality” due to large vote-value disparities. The two

Tokyo, Oct. 31 (Jiji Press)–UA Zensen, which comprises unions in industries including textiles and retail in Japan, plans to demand a 6 pct wage increase in next year’s “shunto” spring labor-management negotiations, the same level as in the 2025 shunto, it was

(Adnkronos) – A three-day visit this week by foreign minister Antonio Tajani and interior minister Matteo Piantedosi to Mauritania, Senegal and Niger has fortified Italy’s role in Africa and in stabilising the Sahel region, the foreign ministry wrote Friday on X.  

Tokyo, Oct. 31 (Jiji Press)–Japan’s Financial Services Agency on Friday issued a business improvement order to Iwaki Shinkumi, including partial suspension of its operations, after the regional credit cooperative was found to have provided funds to antisocial forces. The cooperative, based in

Tokyo, Oct. 31 (Jiji Press)–Japan’s ruling and opposition parties agreed Friday to scrap the provisional gasoline tax surcharge at the end of December. The agreement was reached by the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, its coalition partner Nippon Ishin no Kai (Japan Innovation

Gyeongju, South Korea, Oct. 31 (Jiji Press)–Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed at their first summit on Friday afternoon to promote a mutually beneficial strategic relationship between their countries. Takaichi, who took office last week, said that

Tokyo, Oct. 31 (Jiji Press)–Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 stock average hit a new record high for the third straight day on Friday, closing above 52,000 for the first time ever, backed by strong corporate earnings and the yen’s weakening. The Nikkei average

Tokyo, Oct. 31 (Jiji Press)–A Russian hacker group in a statement released in the dark web has claimed responsibility for the cyberattack that caused a system glitch at Japanese office and household goods seller Askul Corp., it was learned Friday. Askul said

Naha, Okinawa Pref., Oct. 31 (Jiji Press)–Six years after a fire, restoration work was nearly completed in July on the vivid red exterior of the “Seiden” main hall of Shuri Castle in Naha, the capital of Okinawa Prefecture, southernmost Japan. The wooden

Gyeongju, South Korea, Oct. 31 (Jiji Press)–Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi vowed to contribute to promoting regional trade and investment at her first summit meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum on Friday. Underscoring the importance of a rule-based free and fair

Tokyo, Oct. 31 (Jiji Press)–Prices of 143 products from 195 major food and beverage makers in Japan are set to rise in November, down 58.4 pct from a year earlier and marking the first decline in 11 months, Teikoku Databank Ltd. said

Tokyo, Oct. 31 (Jiji Press)–Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 stock average hit a new record high for the third straight day on Friday, closing above 52,000 for the first time ever, backed by strong corporate earnings and the yen’s weakening. The Nikkei average

Ito, Shizuoka Pref., Oct. 31 (Jiji Press)–The city assembly of Ito, Shizuoka Prefecture, on Friday passed a second no-confidence motion against scandal-hit Mayor Maki Takubo, resulting in her removal from office on the same day. All 20 assembly members attended the day’s

Tokyo, Oct. 31 (Jiji Press)–Japan’s industrial production in September rose 2.2 pct from the previous month, up for the first time in three months, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry said Friday. The rise was led by strong exports of semiconductor-manufacturing

Tokyo, Oct. 31 (Jiji Press)–The core consumer price index for Tokyo’s 23 wards rose 2.8 pct in October from a year before, up for the 50th consecutive month, the internal affairs ministry reported Friday. The index excluding volatile perishables stood at 111.0

Tokyo, Oct. 31 (Jiji Press)–The Japanese government is considering holding a ministerial meeting to discuss policy on foreigners as soon as early next week, government officials said Friday. Ministers are expected to discuss tightening rules on land acquisition by foreigners and strengthening

Tokyo, Oct. 31 (Jiji Press)–The Japanese government on Friday approved an ordinance to enforce the revised Civil Code, which includes the introduction of a new joint child custody system for divorced parents, on April 1 next year. A system of statutory child

Tokyo, Oct. 31 (Jiji Press)–Yoshihiko Noda, head of the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, said Friday that Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi may dissolve the House of Representatives, the all-important lower chamber of the Diet, for a snap election on the

Tokyo, Oct. 31 (Jiji Press)–Japanese Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama on Friday warned against the yen’s “one-sided, rapid” fall in the currency market following the Bank of Japan’s decision Thursday to keep interest rates unchanged. “Very one-sided, rapid fluctuations are being seen right

Tokyo, Oct. 31 (Jiji Press)–Japan’s seasonally adjusted job-to-seeker ratio stood at 1.20 in September, flat from the previous month, the labor ministry said Friday. The number of effective job seekers fell by 0.8 pct and that of effective job openings by 0.7

Tokyo, Oct. 31 (Jiji Press)–Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 stock average briefly soared more than 1,000 points to exceed 52,000 for the first time ever on Friday morning, boosted by the yen’s weakening. At 9:50 a.m., the Nikkei index was up 1,065.84 points,

Gyeongju, South Korea, Oct. 31 (Jiji Press)–Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi and his Australian counterpart, Penny Wong, have agreed to enhance economic security cooperation between their countries. In their meeting in Gyeongju, South Korea, on Thursday, Motegi and Wong shared concerns about

New York, Oct. 30 (Jiji Press)–The dollar briefly climbed as high as 154.45 yen in New York trading Thursday, its highest level in about eight and a half months, as yen selling accelerated amid receding expectations for an early interest rate hike

(Adnkronos) – Italy’s military mission in Niger plays a “crucial” role in the government’s strategy in the West African country and in the Sahel region, foreign minister Antonio Tajani said Friday during a visit to troops at the mission’s military base.  “Your

(Adnkronos) – Pending the final result of the elections in the Netherlands – while the D66 liberals regain the lead and surpass the PVV populists by 15,000 votes – the postponement of the start of the process of forming the new coalition

(Adnkronos) – The governments of Portugal and Spain have agreed to open the first direct Lisbon-Madrid high-speed rail line, with service starting by 2034, officials said. The rail link would be ready by 2030 and would begin with a five-hour service, according

Gyeongju, South Korea, Oct. 30 (Jiji Press)–Japanese trade minister Ryosei Akazawa on Thursday expressed strong concern over China’s stepped-up rare earth export controls. He showed the concern at a meeting in South Korea with Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao, the Japanese minister

Tokyo, Oct. 30 (Jiji Press)–Nissan Motor Co. said Thursday that it expects to log a consolidated operating loss of 275 billion yen in the fiscal year through next March, due to the impact of high U.S. tariffs and sluggish sales reflecting intense

(Adnkronos) – Niger – an African migration hub facing diverse security threats at its borders – is vital for the stability of the Sahel region, foreign minister Antonio Tajani said on Thursday during a visit.  “Niger is a crucial country for stability,

Tokyo, Oct. 30 (Jiji Press)–Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings Inc. said Thursday that it posted a group net loss of 712.3 billion yen for April-September, marking a record net loss for the first-half period. The company recorded its first net loss in