Main news(2024/06/26)
Finance Ministry Vice-Minister Kanda: "We will take necessary measures against excessive movements of the yen"
2024-06-26 23:06:00
In the foreign exchange market, the yen has fallen to the 160 yen range against the dollar, the weakest level in approximately 37 and a half years. Speaking to reporters on the evening of the 26th, Finance Ministry Vice-Minister Kanda expressed concern that this was a rapid movement, and warned market movements by saying, "We will take necessary measures against any excessive movements."
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Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare report on support for startup companies in the healthcare field
2024-06-26 21:55:00
A Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare project team that has been examining measures to support healthcare startup companies has compiled a report that includes proposals to establish new subsidies by next fiscal year to support the development of innovative medical devices and other products from the early stages.
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Emperor visits Europe's largest biomedical research institute in London
2024-06-26 21:40:00
The Emperor, who is on an official visit to the UK to promote international goodwill, visited the capital London and toured Europe's largest biomedical research institute, where researchers from around the world, including Japan, conduct research on cancer, infectious diseases, and other topics.
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Butter stocks feared to decrease due to extreme heat; import quota to be increased by 4,000 tons, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
2024-06-26 21:08:00
The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries has decided to add an additional 4,000 tons to the butter import quota, as there is a risk that butter stocks will run low if raw milk production decreases due to another hot summer this year.
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Notification of application of the "association responsibility system" to "Megumi," a group home operator for people with disabilities
2024-06-26 20:49:00
In response to the issue of Megumi, a management company that operates group homes for people with disabilities nationwide, overcharging food fees from users at one of its facilities, Aichi Prefecture and other local governments revoked its designation as a facility.The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare has also notified the company that it will take measures to not approve the renewal of designations for other facilities it operates, citing systematic involvement in the fraud.
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Ministry of Foreign Affairs: "Contacting Okinawa Prefecture was appropriate" in U.S. military soldier sexual assault case
2024-06-26 19:32:00
In response to criticism that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was slow to contact Okinawa Prefecture in a case in which a U.S. soldier in Okinawa was indicted for sexually assaulting a young girl, a Foreign Ministry spokesperson stated that the ministry's response was appropriate, noting that the case involved privacy and required careful handling.
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That game, department stores, shrines...New banknotes soon to be issued, the Japanese archipelago is in a frenzy
2024-06-26 19:28:00
The issuance of new banknotes for the first time in 20 years is fast approaching on July 3rd. There is a mood to celebrate the new banknotes all over the country. From changes to the specifications of a popular board game to a campaign to thank the person who was the "face" of the 1,000 yen note. A look at the movements across the country reveals both the positive and negative aspects of the enthusiasm.
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President Zelensky visits eastern front, listens to discontent within the military
2024-06-26 19:10:00
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky visited the eastern region of Donetsk, where fierce fighting is ongoing, with newly appointed military commanders, to personally assess the situation on the front lines and demonstrate his willingness to listen to dissatisfaction within the military.
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North Korea launches "possible hypersonic missile test" raising concerns
2024-06-26 18:53:00
The South Korean military believes that North Korea launched a ballistic missile toward the Sea of Japan on the morning of the 26th, but that it failed, and it has been pointed out that it may have been a test launch of a hypersonic missile. A new joint exercise between Japan, the United States, and South Korea, which will also include a US nuclear aircraft carrier, is scheduled to take place soon, and vigilance against further missile launches by North Korea is growing.
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Atmospheric instability in western Japan from the 27th, Kyushu at risk of very heavy rain
2024-06-26 18:47:00
Due to the active rainy season front, atmospheric conditions will become unstable over a wide area, mainly in Western Japan, from the 27th, and there is a risk of very heavy rainfall in some areas, especially in Kyushu. The ground has become loose in some areas due to the rain so far, so please be on guard against landslides and prepare early.
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The yen temporarily fell to the 160 yen range against the dollar, the lowest level since late April.
2024-06-26 18:44:00
On the 26th, the yen temporarily fell to the 160 yen range against the dollar in the London foreign exchange market, the weakest yen-dollar rate since late April this year. With the view that the Federal Reserve Board of the United States is in no hurry to lower interest rates, interest rates between Japan and the United States are of concern, and there is a growing trend to sell yen and buy dollars.
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Election poster bulletin boards: Experts say Tokyo gubernatorial elections may "reduce trust"
2024-06-26 18:06:00
In the recent Tokyo gubernatorial election, multiple identical election posters were posted on bulletin boards, and the Metropolitan Police Department issued a warning against posters that featured images of nearly nude women. Experts have pointed out that this situation "has the potential to undermine trust in politics and elections," and there are calls from within the political world for a review of the rules, as this is a problem not anticipated in the Public Offices Election Act.
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Kansai Electric Power Company shareholders meeting rejects proposal to "supply electricity independent of nuclear power"
2024-06-26 18:06:00
On the 26th, Kansai Electric Power Company held a general shareholders' meeting in Osaka City, where proposals were made by shareholders calling for the establishment of a power supply system that does not depend on nuclear power, but all of them were rejected. On the other hand, all three proposals submitted by the company, including the appointment of directors, were passed.
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20 new members join "collective negotiations" with former Unification Church seeking refunds
2024-06-26 17:28:00
Twenty new people, including second-generation members whose parents are believers, have joined the "collective negotiations" with the former Unification Church in which former members and others are demanding the return of donations and other payments they made to the cult. This brings the total number of people who have joined the collective negotiations with the cult to 179, with the total amount of claims reaching more than 5.3 billion yen.
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Former US Ambassador to Russia: "Putin is watching who the next US president will be"
2024-06-26 17:28:00
Michael McFaul, a leading American Russia expert and former ambassador to Russia, gave an interview to NHK and commented on the situation in Ukraine, "Putin is probably waiting to see who the next president of the United States will be. He thinks he can get a more favorable deal if it's Trump," indicating that he does not expect any movement toward peace negotiations in the near future.
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Chinese student referred to prosecutors in Osaka for unlicensed use of electric suitcase
2024-06-26 17:19:00
A Chinese student was referred to the prosecutor's office on suspicion of violating the Road Traffic Act for using an "electric suitcase," a type of suitcase that people can ride on and move around, on a sidewalk in Osaka City without a license. Legally, it is treated the same as a moped, and according to the police, this is the first time in the country that someone has been arrested for this.
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Toyo Securities withdraws proposal to reappoint president on the day of shareholders' meeting, an unprecedented move
2024-06-26 16:35:00
The securities company Toyo Securities withdrew its proposal to re-elect the president as a director on the day of the general shareholders' meeting. While so-called activists who hold the company's shares were proposing to appoint a different director, the president himself offered to decline re-election, making this an unusual turn of events just before the general shareholders' meeting.
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Shimane Prefecture: Shortage of census enumerators: "Only about 10% of next year's enumeration has been secured"
2024-06-26 16:21:00
Shimane Prefecture has released the results of a survey showing that there is a shortage of statistical surveyors for the census, and that only about 10% of the necessary personnel have been secured for the survey scheduled for next year.
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Proposal to decommission Shika Nuclear Power Plant submitted to Hokuriku Electric Power Company shareholders meeting but rejected
2024-06-26 16:14:00
The first general shareholders' meeting of Hokuriku Electric Power since the Noto Peninsula earthquake was held in Toyama City on the 26th. Some shareholders proposed to decommission the Shika Nuclear Power Plant in Ishikawa Prefecture, stating that "the earthquake has once again shown us that the Noto Peninsula is completely unsuitable for a nuclear power plant site," but the proposal was rejected by a vote.
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Bandai Namco Holdings to exhibit life-size Gundam statue at Osaka Kansai Expo
2024-06-26 16:07:00
Bandai Namco Holdings, which will be exhibiting as a private pavilion at the Osaka-Kansai Expo, announced on the 26th that it will be displaying a life-size Gundam statue at the venue.
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TEPCO shareholders meeting: Proposals to abolish nuclear power plants and secure evacuation routes rejected
2024-06-26 15:57:00
Tokyo Electric Power Company's general shareholders meeting was held in Tokyo on the 26th. In response to the Noto Peninsula earthquake, a series of shareholder proposals were submitted calling for the closure of the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa Nuclear Power Plant in Niigata Prefecture and the securing of evacuation routes in preparation for a nuclear accident.
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Ishin explains response to regulatory reform, harsh criticism of party executives
2024-06-26 15:11:00
The Japan Restoration Party held a meeting where the party executive explained the series of responses to the revision of the Political Funds Control Law to local assembly members, and attendees made harsh criticisms such as "there was a lack of scrupulousness in finalizing the negotiations." After the meeting, Secretary-General Fujita also indicated his intention to stop spending "policy activity expenses" in the future, in response to requests from attendees.
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Asahikawa, Hokkaido: Request to remove content similar to bullying investigation report posted online
2024-06-26 14:38:00
In Asahikawa City, Hokkaido, a document similar to an investigative report on the bullying of a junior high school girl who died three years ago has been leaked onto the Internet, and details of the bullying that were kept private at the request of the surviving family are now available to view. The city's Board of Education has decided to request the operator of the website that posted the document to remove it.
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New system for dealing with aging nuclear power plants: Management plan for Oi nuclear power plant approved for the first time in the country
2024-06-26 14:32:00
The Nuclear Regulation Authority has become the first in the country to approve a plan formulated by Kansai Electric Power Co. to manage the deterioration of reactor units 3 and 4 at the Ohi Nuclear Power Plant in Fukui Prefecture, which has been in operation for more than 30 years, under a new system to address the aging of nuclear power plants.
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Former Prime Minister Suga repeatedly criticizes Prime Minister Kishida's handling of political funding issues
2024-06-26 13:56:00
In an interview with the monthly magazine Hanada, former Prime Minister Suga of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) repeatedly criticized Prime Minister Kishida for not taking responsibility for the issue of faction political funds, and expressed hope that young lawmakers will run in the party's presidential election, leading to lively policy debate.
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Prime Minister Kishida to visit Kazakhstan in August to hold summit meetings with five Central Asian countries
2024-06-26 13:41:00
Chief Cabinet Secretary Hayashi revealed that Prime Minister Kishida plans to visit Kazakhstan in August this year and attend a summit meeting with five Central Asian countries.
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International Conference of Young Legal and Judicial Officials from G7 and ASEAN Begins in Tokyo
2024-06-26 13:08:00
An international conference has begun in Tokyo, where young legal and judicial officials from the G7 (Group of Seven) and ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) countries are discussing common issues for their countries.
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Uji "Byodo-in Temple lotus" in full bloom, blooming from seeds found in Edo period strata
2024-06-26 13:05:00
At Byodo-in Temple in Uji, Kyoto Prefecture, a World Heritage Site, the pure white flowers of the Byodo-in lotus, which were grown from seeds discovered in a stratum from the Edo period, are now in full bloom.
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JR Chuo Line rapid trains and Chuo and Sobu Line local trains all suspended
2024-06-26 13:02:00
According to JR East, due to the fatal accident, rapid train service on the Chuo Line has been suspended on the entire line between Tokyo Station and Takao Station since around 12:26 PM. In addition, due to a breakdown in the substation equipment along the line, local train service on the Chuo and Sobu Lines continues to be suspended on the entire line. They expect service to resume on the entire line around 4 PM.
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Man fishing in Ibigawa Town, Gifu Prefecture, attacked by bear, sustains serious injuries to face, etc.
2024-06-26 12:55:00
On the afternoon of the 25th, a man fishing in Ibigawa Town, Gifu Prefecture, was attacked by a bear and suffered serious injuries to his face and other parts of his body. The town is patrolling with the local hunting association and calling for caution.
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JR Chuo Line Rapid Service resumes between Shinjuku and Takao
2024-06-26 12:09:00
According to JR East, on the morning of the 26th, a fault was confirmed in the substation equipment near the site of the Iidabashi Station fire, causing the suspension of all Chuo Line rapid train services, but services resumed on both inbound and outbound lines between Shinjuku Station and Takao Station at around 11:40 a.m. Chuo Line rapid train services between Tokyo Station and Shinjuku Station, as well as all Chuo and Sobu Line local train services remain suspended.
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Shizuoka Prefectural Police: Three people found unconscious near Mount Fuji crater
2024-06-26 11:58:00
According to the Shizuoka Prefectural Police Headquarters, three people believed to be climbers were found unconscious near the crater on the Shizuoka side of Mount Fuji. The police were searching for a male company employee from Hino City, Tokyo, who went missing after climbing Mount Fuji on the 21st of this month, when they found the three collapsed. The police are carrying out rescue operations for the three and are working to identify them.
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Special investigation committee set up to investigate BookOff employee's alleged cash fraud
2024-06-26 11:43:00
Book Off Group Holdings, which sells used books and other items, has set up a special investigative committee made up of outside experts to investigate allegations that employees at several stores operated by its subsidiaries have been making fictitious purchases and obtaining cash illegally.
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US and Russian defense ministers hold phone call for first time in 1 year and 3 months
2024-06-26 10:11:00
US Secretary of Defense Austin and Russian Defense Minister Belousov held a telephone conversation. This was the first telephone conversation between the US and Russian defense ministers in a year and three months, and the US side emphasized the importance of maintaining communication between the two countries amid Russia's ongoing military invasion of Ukraine.
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JR Chuo Line Rapid Service and Chuo/Sobu Line Local Service resumes
2024-06-26 09:55:00
According to JR East, local trains on the Chuo and Sobu lines were suspended on all lines after smoke was spotted along the tracks between Ochanomizu and Yotsuya stations, but service resumed on all lines at around 9:25 a.m. Rapid trains on the Chuo Line were also suspended on all lines, but service resumed on all lines at around 9:40 a.m.
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Dodgers Shohei Ohtani hits 24th leadoff home run, first in 2 games
2024-06-26 09:28:00
On the 25th, Shohei Ohtani of the Dodgers hit his 24th leadoff home run of the season, his first in two games, in the first inning of the game against the White Sox. Ohtani, who started as the leadoff hitter and designated hitter, took his first turn at bat right after the ball was put into play in the first inning, and with two balls and two strikes, he hit the fifth curveball and drove it to right-center field. The ball he hit hit the glove of the right fielder, but it went on to be a home run. This is Ohtani's 8th leadoff home run in his 7th year in the major leagues. With this home run, Ohtani has narrowed the gap to 2nd place in the National League home run rankings, Ozuna of the Braves, by 3 home runs.
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JR Chuo Line rapid service and Chuo and Sobu Line local service suspended due to smoke along the line
2024-06-26 09:08:00
According to JR East, smoke was spotted along the tracks between Ochanomizu and Yotsuya stations, so all rapid trains on the Chuo Line and local trains on the Chuo and Sobu Lines have been suspended since 8:41 a.m.
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One month until the Paris Olympics, Japan's Olympic team is expected to have the highest number of athletes ever
2024-06-26 07:19:00
On the 26th, there is one month left until the opening of the Paris Olympics. The number of athletes on the Japanese delegation is expected to be over 400, the largest number ever for an overseas Olympic Games, and after the team formation ceremony in July, they will compete for 17 days.
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"North Korea launches ballistic missile into the Sea of Japan, presumed to be a failure" South Korean military
2024-06-26 07:17:00
The South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff announced that North Korea launched a ballistic missile toward the Sea of Japan from near the capital Pyongyang at around 5:30 a.m. on the 26th, but it is presumed to have failed. According to Japan's Ministry of Defense, a possible ballistic missile was launched from North Korea early on the morning of the 26th. It is believed to have already fallen outside Japan's EEZ (exclusive economic zone), and the Ministry of Defense is continuing to monitor and be on alert.
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Czech Prime Minister "Delivered artillery shells to Ukraine for the first time" revealed on social media
2024-06-26 07:10:00
Czech Prime Minister Fiala, who is working to supply shells to Ukraine, announced on the 25th that he had been able to deliver shells to Ukraine for the first time. The Czech Republic has set a goal of sending 800,000 shells to Ukraine, and emphasized its intention to continue supporting Ukraine.
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Emperor and Empress attend dinner hosted by King Charles and Queen
2024-06-26 07:05:00
Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress, who are on an official visit to the United Kingdom as state guests to promote international friendship, are attending a dinner hosted by the King and Queen at Buckingham Palace in London.
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Ukrainian military commander to be replaced by senior military official Khnatov
2024-06-26 06:26:00
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that he would replace the military commander who had been leading the front line of the battle against Russia. As the Ukrainian side was reportedly at a disadvantage, citizens of the capital Kyiv expressed hope that this replacement would improve the situation.
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126 children complain of allergies to loquats in school lunches in Fujiyoshida, Yamanashi
2024-06-26 06:14:00
On the 25th, more than 120 children and students at 11 elementary and junior high schools in Fujiyoshida City, Yamanashi Prefecture, complained of symptoms such as sore throats after eating school lunches. The center that provided the lunches said that the cause was likely an allergy to loquats.
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Women's golfers Yuka Sasao and Miyu Yamashita qualify for the Paris Olympics
2024-06-26 06:01:00
The International Golf Federation has announced the 60 female players who have qualified to compete in the Paris Olympics, including two from Japan: Yuka Sasao, who won this year's U.S. Women's Open, a major overseas tournament, and Miyu Yamashita, who has been the annual champion on the domestic tour for two consecutive years.
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Cashless payment only buses to begin trial operation on 10 routes nationwide from autumn onwards
2024-06-26 05:57:00
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism has approved bus operations that require payment of fares only through cashless payment rather than cash, and plans to conduct trial operations on around 10 routes nationwide from this autumn. With the business environment for bus companies becoming tougher due to factors such as a declining population, the aim is to reduce the effort and costs of managing cash.
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Rikako Ikee: "I want to surpass my record at the Rio Olympics" - Determination for the Paris Olympics
2024-06-26 05:34:00
With just one month to go until the opening of the Paris Olympics, competitive swimmer Rikako Ikee, who is currently in France for training, spoke to reporters and expressed her determination, saying, "In the remaining month, I will stay focused and do my best without any regrets, and I want to beat the record I set at the Rio de Janeiro Games when I was a first-year high school student."
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