Kumamoto, April 14 (Jiji Press)–Efforts to restore Kumamoto Castle, a landmark in the southwestern Japan prefecture of Kumamoto that was damaged in a pair of powerful earthquakes a decade ago, are still ongoing. While repair work has been completed on the castle’s

Mashiki, Kumamoto Pref., April 14 (Jiji Press)–People on Tuesday paid tribute to the victims of a pair of powerful earthquakes that struck mainly Kumamoto Prefecture 10 years ago. In the town of Mashiki in the southwestern Japan prefecture, its mayor, Hironori Nishimura,

Tokyo, April 14 (Jiji Press)–The Japanese government approved a bill this month to amend legislation, including the Civil Code, with the aim of revising the adult guardianship system and allowing the use of digital wills. The proposed changes, based on recommendations from

Tokyo, April 14 (Jiji Press)–It is becoming even more uncertain whether some 40 Japan-linked ships trapped in the Persian Gulf will be able to leave the area through the Strait of Hormuz, a key oil transport waterway, in the near future. After

Tokyo, April 14 (Jiji Press)–Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 stock average climbed over 1,400 points Tuesday morning, reflecting increased hopes for an easing in Middle East tensions. At 9:39 a.m., the index of 225 selected issues listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange’s Prime

Tokyo, April 14 (Jiji Press)–Japan’s greenhouse gas emissions in fiscal 2024 fell 1.9 pct from the previous year to a record low of about 1,046 million tons in terms of carbon dioxide, the Environment Ministry said Tuesday. The decline reflected an increase

Tokyo, April 14 (Jiji Press)–The Japanese government is planning to present to a ruling party meeting Wednesday a modified draft of a bill aimed at revising the country’s retrial system, it has been learned. Initially, the government considered proposing the revised draft

(Adnkronos) – ”No country” has the right to close Hormuz and block maritime traffic passing through the Strait. This was stated by Arsenio Dominguez, the Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization of the United Nations. “In accordance with international law, no country

(Adnkronos) – “I don’t know if the president thought he was being funny or was under the influence of substances or what other possible explanation I can give for this shameful blasphemy.” Thus, an important American evangelical commentator, Megan Bahsam, speaks for

(Adnkronos) – Federal Judge Darrin Gayles has dismissed the $10 billion defamation lawsuit that American President Donald Trump had filed against the Wall Street Journal and its owner Rupert Murdoch over an article about an obscene birthday letter addressed to Jeffrey Epstein.

Tokyo, April 13 (Jiji Press)–Private-sector members of a key Japanese government panel Monday underlined the need for the government to drastically review its budget compilation process to realize “responsible yet aggressive” fiscal policy advocated by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. The private-sector members

(Adnkronos) – Dialogue is needed between United States and Iran to de-escalate the widening Middle East conflict and achieve “a peaceful solution”, Italy said on Monday after over 12 hours of talks in Pakistan’s capital Islamabad ended on Sunday without agreement  

Tokyo, April 13 (Jiji Press)–Masaaki Shibuya, mayor of the island village of Ogasawara, on Monday showed his effective tolerance of the Japanese government conducting a literature survey on the feasibility of constructing a final disposal facility for highly radioactive waste on Minamitorishima,

(Adnkronos) – Italy said on Monday it is willing to host talks between Israel and Lebanon aimed at ending the conflict in which over a thousand people have been killed and thousands wounded in attacks since early March, while over 1.2 million

Nantan, Kyoto Pref., April 13 (Jiji Press)–During a search for a missing boy, Kyoto prefectural police on Monday found a body that may be that of a child in the mountains in the city of Nantan in the western Japan prefecture. The

Tokyo, April 13 (Jiji Press)–Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and her Pakistani counterpart, Shehbaz Sharif, agreed Monday to work together to ease tensions in the Middle East at an early date. In their 15-minute telephone conversation, held after the United States and

(Adnkronos) – Foreign minister Antonio Tajani praised Pope Leo on Monday, calling him “a strong”, “determined” and “courageous” man who is committed to world peace and “defends the fundamental values of the Christian faith”.  “I have the utmost respect for the Holy

(Adnkronos) – Remove Donald Trump through the tools provided by the US Constitution. Former CIA director John Brennan, who headed Langley during the Obama presidency, also adds his voice to those in the United States calling for the invocation of the 25th

(Adnkronos) – New Pantsir-S1 missile defense systems have been installed to protect Vladimir Putin’s Valdai residence. There are now 27 positions in total – 26 Pantsir-S1 and one S-400 – distributed in two different concentric circles, Radio Svoboda reported, citing satellite images.

Tokyo, April 13 (Jiji Press)–Japan Post Co. said Monday that it will resume accepting certain parcels addressed to the United States starting Tuesday, after suspending the service last August. Personal gifts worth more than 100 dollars but 800 dollars or less, as

Tokyo, April 13 (Jiji Press)–Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and her Pakistani counterpart, Shehbaz Sharif, agreed Monday to work together to ease at an early date tensions in the Middle East caused by the U.S.-Israeli strikes against Iran. In their 15-minute telephone

Tokyo, April 13 (Jiji Press)–Japan’s Ground Self-Defense Force held an event Monday to mark the establishment of two new offices for promoting the use of drones and other unmanned equipment. In a speech at the event, Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi said that

Tokyo, April 13 (Jiji Press)–Underutilized fish, often overlooked due to low market value or limited distribution, are gaining popularity in Japan through online sales. Assorted products featuring whole fish that are unknown to consumers, compared with those of familiar species such as

Tokyo, April 13 (Jiji Press)–The yield on the most recent issue of 10-year Japanese government bonds, regarded as the country’s benchmark long-term interest rate, briefly rose to as high as 2.490 pct in Tokyo trading Monday. The reading exceeded a peak of

(Adnkronos) – Viktor Orban has accepted defeat in yesterday’s parliamentary elections, ending his 16 years in power. He congratulated Péter Magyar, leader of the opposition center-right Tisza party, and called the election result “painful” but “clear”. This was reported by CNN. 

(Adnkronos) – London does not support the American naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer declared this to the BBC, after US President Donald Trump’s announcement of the blockade of Iranian ports starting this afternoon. “We do

Tokyo, April 13 (Jiji Press)–Tokyo police have arrested a former worker of a facility for children with disabilities in Chiba Prefecture, east of Tokyo, for an alleged indecent assault against a 5-year-old girl who attended the facility, it was learned Monday. Takaya

(Adnkronos) – Italy’s foreign minister Antonio Tajani on Monday sent best wishes to Pope Leo at thee start of his 11-day tour of four African countries, praising his “authoritative” call for an end to Sudan’s brutal three-year-old civil war.  “Best wishes to

(8th para should have read “… projections on households’ income, assets and composition types be shown …,” instead of as sent) Tokyo, April 13 (Jiji Press)–The Japan Business Federation, or Keidanren, offered Monday the idea of creating an independent fiscal institution, or

Tokyo, April 13 (Jiji Press)–The Japanese and South Korean governments plan to hold their first two-plus-two security meeting of vice-ministerial officials from their foreign and defense ministries in Seoul in early May, informed sources said Monday. The planned meeting will mark an