Latest News

5 Gennaio 2026

Japanese Eggs, Milk Savored by Foreign Visitors

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,
5 Gennaio 2026

Chubu Electric May Have Underestimated N-Plant Quake Risks

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
5 Gennaio 2026

Japanese Securities Firms to Consolidate Administrative Work

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
5 Gennaio 2026

Better Dental Health, Longer Life: Studies

(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
5 Gennaio 2026

Nikkei Average Surges on 1st Day of 2026 Trading

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
5 Gennaio 2026

Japan Opposition Leaders Worry about U.S. Attacks on Venezuela

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
5 Gennaio 2026

Japan’s 2025 New Auto Sales, Excluding Minivehicles:

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
5 Gennaio 2026

Breakdown of Japan’s New Minivehicle Sales in 2025:

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
5 Gennaio 2026

Japan’s Dec. New Auto Sales, Excluding Minivehicles:

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
5 Gennaio 2026

Breakdown of Japan’s New Minivehicle Sales in Dec.:

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
5 Gennaio 2026

New Year’s Tuna Auction Logs Record 510 M. Yen

Tokyo, Jan. 5 (Jiji Press)–A bluefin tuna fetched a record 510.3 million yen in New Year’s tuna auction at the Toyosu market in Tokyo on Monday morning. The closely followed annual event began at 5:10 a.m. with the sound of a bell.
5 Gennaio 2026

Nikkei Average Surges over 1,400 Points in Morning

Tokyo, Jan. 5 (Jiji Press)–Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 stock average jumped over 1,400 points in morning trading Monday, the first trading day of 2026 on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, led by gains in semiconductor-related shares. The index of 225 selected issues listed
5 Gennaio 2026

Nikkei Average Surges over 1,400 Points in Morning

Tokyo, Jan. 5 (Jiji Press)–Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 stock average jumped over 1,400 points in morning trading Monday, the first trading day of 2026 on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, led by gains in semiconductor-related shares. At 10:34 a.m., the index of 225
4 Gennaio 2026

N. Korea Fires Ballistic Missiles into Sea of Japan

Seoul/Tokyo, Jan. 4 (Jiji Press)–North Korea fired ballistic missiles into the Sea of Japan from around Pyongyang at around 7:50 a.m. Sunday, the South Korean military said. Japan’s Defense Ministry said that at least two ballistic missiles were launched from North Korea
4 Gennaio 2026

Japan CDP Chief Criticizes U.S. Strike on Venezuela

Ise, Mie Pref., Jan. 4 (Jiji Press)–Yoshihiko Noda, leader of the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, on Sunday criticized the U.S. military operations against Venezuela. “It is extremely doubtful whether the U.S. action can be justified under international law,” Noda
4 Gennaio 2026

Japan Struggling over Response to U.S. Strike on Venezuela

Tokyo, Jan. 4 (Jiji Press)–The Japanese government is facing difficulties regarding how to respond to the U.S. military operations against Venezuela. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi posted on X, formerly Twitter, on Sunday that her government will work to help stabilize the situation
4 Gennaio 2026

Japan Opposition Chief Raps FY 2026 Draft Budget

Ise, Mie Pref., Jan. 4 (Jiji Press)–Japanese opposition leader Yoshihiko Noda on Sunday criticized the government’s draft fiscal 2026 budget with record general-account spending of some 122.3 trillion yen. “Larger spending could fuel inflation,” Noda, chief of the main opposition Constitutional Democratic
4 Gennaio 2026

Japan to Draw Up Action Plan to Reduce Clothing Waste

Tokyo, Jan. 4 (Jiji Press)—Japan’s Environment Ministry plans to compile by March an action plan aimed at reducing large amounts of clothing waste from households. The action plan is expected to include measures that should be taken by consumers, local governments and
4 Gennaio 2026

Japan Struggling over Response to U.S. Strike on Venezuela

Tokyo, Jan. 4 (Jiji Press)–The Japanese government is facing difficulties over how to respond to the U.S. strike on Venezuela. In a statement released Sunday, Foreign Ministry Press Secretary Toshihiro Kitamura said that Tokyo will work to help stabilize the situation in
4 Gennaio 2026

Specialty Shop in Tokyo Helping Reconstruction after Noto Quake

Tokyo, Jan. 4 (Jiji Press)–A shop in Tokyo that sells specialties from Ishikawa Prefecture is supporting reconstruction following a powerful earthquake that struck the Noto Peninsula in the central Japan prefecture two years ago. The shop, Yaesu Ishikawa Terrace, which opened two
4 Gennaio 2026

Matcha in Short Supply amid Global Boom

Berlin, Jan. 4 (Jiji Press)–Matcha is in short supply as the Japanese green tea is at the center of a global boom. In addition to the popularity of matcha lattes and ice cream, there is also growing public interest in the traditional
4 Gennaio 2026

Japan May Consider Review of 3 Nonnuclear Principles

Tokyo, Jan. 4 (Jiji Press)–Japan’s government and ruling coalition may consider a possible review of the country’s three nonnuclear principles during work to update its three key national security-related documents within this year. The principles prevent Japan from possessing, producing or letting
4 Gennaio 2026

N. Korea Fires Ballistic Missiles into Sea of Japan

Seoul/Tokyo, Jan. 4 (Jiji Press)–North Korea fired ballistic missiles into the Sea of Japan from around Pyongyang at around 7:50 a.m. Sunday, the South Korean military said. Japan’s Defense Ministry said that at least two ballistic missiles were launched from North Korea
4 Gennaio 2026

N. Korea Fires Ballistic Missiles into Sea of Japan

Seoul/Tokyo, Jan. 4 (Jiji Press)–North Korea fired projectiles presumed to be ballistic missiles into the Sea of Japan from around Pyongyang on Sunday, the South Korean military said. Japan’s Defense Ministry said that ballistic missiles were launched from North Korea. At least
4 Gennaio 2026

Path to Constitutional Revision Unclear under LDP-JIP Coalition

Tokyo, Jan. 4 (Jiji Press)–While Japan’s two governing parties share the goal of revising the country’s Constitution, differences between their stances are now becoming evident. The ruling Liberal Democratic Party is seeking a realistic approach in amending the supreme law. In contrast,