Latest News

5 Marzo 2026

Wage Hike Demands in 2026 “Shunto” Average 5.94 Pct

Tokyo, March 5 (Jiji Press)–The weighted average of wage hike demands by labor unions in this year’s “shunto” spring labor-management negotiations in Japan came to 5.94 pct as of Monday, the Japanese Trade Union Confederation, or Rengo, said Thursday. Large hikes were
5 Marzo 2026

Moscow, ‘200 prisoners exchanged with Kyiv on each side’

(Adnkronos) – 200 Russian military personnel, prisoners of the Ukrainian forces, have been repatriated from the territory controlled by Kyiv. In exchange, 200 Ukrainian Armed Forces prisoners of war have been transferred. This was reported by the Russian Ministry of Defense. The
5 Marzo 2026

Iran, Lebanon bans Pasdaran activities, entry visa for Iranians

(Adnkronos) – The Beirut government bans all activities of the Revolutionary Guards – Hezbollah’s sponsor – in Lebanon and announces that visas will be required for Iranians. Information Minister Paul Morcos announced that the government has decided to “prevent any activity” that
5 Marzo 2026

USA, Bondi summoned to testify on Epstein by House committee

(Adnkronos) – With a bipartisan vote, the House Oversight Committee approved summoning Attorney General Pam Bondi with a subpoena for a closed-door deposition in the investigation into the handling of Jeffrey Epstein’s case. The move, which comes after Hillary and Bill Clinton’s
5 Marzo 2026

Akazawa Leaves for U.S. for Investment Talks

Tokyo, March 5 (Jiji Press)–Japanese trade minister Ryosei Akazawa left on a U.S. trip Thursday for talks on projects related to Japan’s promise to spend up to 550 billion dollars on investments in and loans to the United States, a key element
5 Marzo 2026

Kairos No. 3 Rocket Launch Ends in Failure

Kushimoto, Wakayama Pref., March 5 (Jiji Press)–The launch of Japanese startup Space One Co.’s Kairos No. 3 small rocket carrying satellites ended in failure Thursday, following the unsuccessful launches of the No. 1 and No. 2 units in 2024. If successful, it
5 Marzo 2026

Japan Eyeing Legalizing Use of Original Surnames Alone

Tokyo, March 5 (Jiji Press)–The Japanese government is considering including in its sixth basic plan for gender equality a policy to legalize the use of original surnames alone for individuals who changed their family names due to marriage, it was learned Thursday.
5 Marzo 2026

Japan Ruling Bloc Drops Plan to Hold Diet Budget Debate Sat.

Tokyo, March 5 (Jiji Press)–Japan’s ruling bloc on Thursday withdrew a proposal to hold a general question-and-answer session on the government’s draft fiscal 2026 budget at the House of Representatives Budget Committee on Saturday. The move came as opposition parties are criticizing
5 Marzo 2026

Woman Indicted in 1999 Fatal Stabbing in Central Japan

Nagoya, March 5 (Jiji Press)–Public prosecutors on Thursday indicted a 69-year-old woman on suspicion of fatally stabbing a housewife in Nagoya in the central Japan prefecture of Aichi more than a quarter century ago. According to the indictment, Kumiko Yasufuku is suspected
5 Marzo 2026

Saudi Arabia, UAE Vow Cooperation on Oil Supply to Japan

Tokyo, March 5 (Jiji Press)–Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates this week pledged continued cooperation in ensuring a stable oil supply to Japan amid disruptions from an escalation of the conflict in the Middle East. Japan relies on the two Middle
5 Marzo 2026

Japan Prepares to Send SDF Aircraft to Middle East for Evacuations

Tokyo, March 5 (Jiji Press)–Japan’s Defense Ministry is stepping up preparations to send Self-Defense Forces aircraft to evacuate Japanese nationals from the Middle East amid rising tensions in the region following the U.S.-Israeli attacks on Iran. The ministry “is taking concrete steps,”
5 Marzo 2026

Iran, GOP senators block measure to limit Trump’s war powers

(Adnkronos) – Republican senators have blocked a bipartisan measure that would have limited Donald Trump’s power to continue the war against Iran without congressional authorization, even, as is happening, with the extension of the conflict. The motion to transfer the resolution from
5 Marzo 2026

Iran, oil tanker hit off Kuwait, crude oil in sea

(Adnkronos) – An oil tanker was hit by a “large explosion” in waters off Kuwait, causing an oil spill. This was reported by Ukmto, the British maritime security agency, explaining that the affected tanker was anchored 30 nautical miles southeast of Mubarak
5 Marzo 2026

Japan Raises Travel Alert for 6 Countries in Middle East

Tokyo, March 5 (Jiji Press)–Japan’s Foreign Ministry on Thursday raised its travel alert for six countries in the Middle East, in response to the worsening situation in the region following U.S.-Israeli attacks on Iran. The alert is now at Level 3, the
5 Marzo 2026

Subaru to Launch New Electric SUV Trailseeker in April

Tokyo, March 5 (Jiji Press)– Japan’s Subaru Corp. said Thursday that it will launch the Trailseeker electric SUV in the domestic market April 9. The Trailseeker, developed jointly with Toyota Motor Corp., is the first EV to be produced by Subaru. The
5 Marzo 2026

Honda to Sell 2 U.S.-Built Models in Japan

Tokyo, March 5 (Jiji Press)–Honda Motor Co. said Thursday it will sell two U.S.-built models in Japan starting in the second half of this year, a move that could help narrow the United States’ trade deficit with Japan as Washington criticizes the
5 Marzo 2026

Woman Indicted in 1999 Fatal Stabbing in Central Japan

Nagoya, March 5 (Jiji Press)–Public prosecutors on Thursday indicted a 69-year-old woman on suspicion of fatally stabbing a housewife in Nagoya in the central Japan prefecture of Aichi more than a quarter century ago. According to the indictment, Kumiko Yasufuku is suspected
5 Marzo 2026

EXCLUSIVE: ANA’s Katanozaka to Head Keidanren Board

Tokyo, March 5 (Jiji Press)–The Japan Business Federation, or Keidanren, will appoint Shinya Katanozaka, 70, chairman of ANA Holdings Inc., as chairman of its Board of Councillors, Jiji Press learned Thursday. The incumbent board chairman, Tetsuro Tomita, 74, adviser of East Japan
5 Marzo 2026

15 Years On: Orphans Need to Share Family Loss Experience

Tokyo, March 5 (Jiji Press)–Disaster orphans need a supportive environment where they can share their experience of losing family members with others, a Japanese survey has found. Published by Ashinaga Foundation on Wednesday, the survey covered 1,444 people who received support grants
5 Marzo 2026

Tokyo Stocks Rebound as Middle East Worries Ease

Tokyo, March 5 (Jiji Press)–Tokyo stocks rebounded on Thursday after three days of hefty losses, as concerns about the situation in the Middle East eased for now. The benchmark Nikkei 225 stock average closed at 55,278.06, up 1,032.52 points, or 1.9 pct,