Main news(2024/07/03)
A Japanese man in his 60s falls in the Karakoram Mountains in Pakistan and is confirmed dead
2024-07-03 23:08:00
According to a report received by the Japanese Embassy in Pakistan, a Japanese man in his 60s fell on a mountain at an altitude of over 7,000 meters in the Karakoram Range in northern Pakistan on the 2nd and was later confirmed dead. The Japanese Embassy is currently gathering information on the details of the incident. Last month, two Japanese men went missing while climbing the same mountain where the man fell, and one of them was found dead.
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Iwao Hakamada's sister Hideko reveals her feelings about the prosecution's death penalty request
2024-07-03 22:58:00
Hideko Hakamada, the older sister of Iwao Hakamada, who is currently undergoing a retrial for the murder of a family of four in Shizuoka Prefecture 58 years ago, held a press conference in Tokyo on the 3rd and revealed her feelings about the prosecution's decision to once again seek the death penalty in the retrial, saying, "I think the prosecutors have to say that in order for things to be settled. I was fine with it."
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China-Russia summit begins: solidarity reaffirmed, appeal for good relations?
2024-07-03 22:56:00
A summit between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Putin has just begun in Kazakhstan in Central Asia. The meeting coincides with a summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, a framework led by China and Russia, and is expected to see the two leaders reaffirming their unity in their efforts to counter the United States and other rivals, and to demonstrate their good relationship.
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Kawasaki Heavy Industries: Fictitious transactions for submarine repairs, slush funds diverted to restaurants, etc.
2024-07-03 21:32:00
Kawasaki Heavy Industries announced that it had made fictitious transactions with business partners for the repair of submarines contracted by the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, and had misappropriated the slush funds it had obtained for restaurants and other businesses. The slush funds amounted to over 1 billion yen, and the company has set up a special investigative committee to investigate the matter.
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A teacher at a junior high school in Kamiichi, Toyama, threw a shot put that hit a member of the team and seriously injured him.
2024-07-03 21:29:00
On the 2nd, at a junior high school ground in Kamiichi Town, Toyama Prefecture, a shot put thrown by a teacher during a track and field practice hit a first-year student in the head while watching, causing serious injury and a fractured skull. The town's Board of Education and others are investigating the details of the incident, suspecting that there was a problem with safety management.
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Number of members of high school baseball teams nationwide declines for 10 consecutive years
2024-07-03 21:14:00
A survey by the Japan High School Baseball Federation has revealed that the number of members belonging to high school baseball teams across the country has decreased for 10 consecutive years.
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Lawsuit seeking cancellation of cancellation of Japanese language school in Fukuoka: "Disciplinary action is lawful"
2024-07-03 21:12:00
In a lawsuit filed by a Japanese language school in Fukuoka City seeking the cancellation of its approval to operate as a Japanese language school due to human rights violations including the chaining of foreign students, the Fukuoka District Court acknowledged the school's human rights violations and dismissed the lawsuit, ruling that the disciplinary action was lawful.
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Tokushima Prefecture: Approximately 200,000 personal information records leaked; contractors affected by ransomware
2024-07-03 20:31:00
It has been discovered that a Kyoto-based company commissioned by Tokushima Prefecture to prepare tax payment notices, etc., has been hit by a ransomware-type computer virus, resulting in the personal information of approximately 200,000 automobile taxpayers being leaked.
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Tomorrow's UK general election: Opposition Labour Party takes big lead, change of government possible
2024-07-03 20:15:00
A general election will be held in the UK on the 4th. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who leads the ruling Conservative Party, is trying to make a comeback by calling for large-scale tax cuts and other measures, but the largest opposition party, the Labour Party, still has a large lead in the approval ratings, and a change of government for the first time in 14 years is becoming a reality.
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Requests from surrounding municipalities following resumption of Osprey flights at Yokota Air Base
2024-07-03 20:10:00
Following the resumption of Osprey flights at Yokota Air Base, which had been suspended following a crash off the coast of Yakushima in Kagoshima Prefecture, local governments surrounding the base have requested the U.S. military and the Ministry of Defense to thoroughly implement safety measures and measures to prevent recurrence.
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Narita Airport "Consolidation into one passenger terminal" plan reported to Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism
2024-07-03 19:07:00
On the 3rd, Narita Airport Corporation reported to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism about a plan to consolidate Narita Airport's current three passenger terminals into one new terminal in the future, and called for the national government to become involved in further discussions on the plan.
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National tax revenue reaches 72.761 trillion yen in fiscal year 2023, a record high for the fourth consecutive year
2024-07-03 18:36:00
Last year, the national tax revenue for the fiscal year 2023 was over 72 trillion yen, the highest ever recorded for the fourth consecutive year. Corporate tax revenue increased due to the weakening of the yen and the strong performance of exporting companies.
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Chinese and Russian leaders to meet in Kazakhstan to reaffirm unity
2024-07-03 18:16:00
A summit between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Putin is scheduled to take place in conjunction with the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Kazakhstan in Central Asia. The two leaders are expected to reaffirm their unity and demonstrate their good relationship in order to counter the United States and other rivals.
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The yen temporarily fell to the 161.90 yen range per dollar, the weakest level in about 37 and a half years.
2024-07-03 18:15:00
On the 3rd in the Tokyo foreign exchange market, the yen weakened due to factors such as the interest rate differential between Japan and the United States, and at one point the yen fell to the 161.90 yen range per dollar, hitting its lowest level in approximately 37 and a half years since December 1986.
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Okinawa governor protests to Defense Ministry over sexual assault by U.S. soldiers, calls for thorough reporting
2024-07-03 18:08:00
Following the fact that no information was conveyed to the Okinawa prefectural government regarding two cases of sexual violence committed by U.S. soldiers in Okinawa, Governor Tamaki visited the Ministry of Defense on the 3rd to protest, citing that the heinous crimes had caused strong anxiety among the prefecture's residents, and called for thorough reporting of incidents and accidents committed by the U.S. military.
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3-year-old girl falls from apartment building after going outside alone in Sapporo
2024-07-03 17:49:00
The victim was confirmed to be a 3-year-old girl who lived in the apartment building in Toyohira Ward, Sapporo, where she fell to her death on the 2nd. According to the police, the mother explained that she "was feeling unwell and was sleeping, so she didn't notice that she had gone outside." The police believe that the girl opened the front door by herself and went outside, and accidentally fell, and are currently investigating the details of the incident.
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21-year-old suspect indicted on murder charges in Asahikawa, Hokkaido, for murder of high school girl
2024-07-03 17:46:00
In April of this year, a 21-year-old suspect was arrested for pushing a high school girl into a river from a bridge in a valley in Asahikawa City, Hokkaido, and killing her. The prosecution has indicted him on charges of murder and other crimes, alleging that he had made the girl sit on the railing of the bridge at the scene, filmed the scene, and then told her to "drop" before pushing her into the river. The suspect denied the charges during questioning at the investigation stage.
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East Asia-based investment fund to acquire Alinamin Pharmaceuticals
2024-07-03 16:59:00
An investment fund based in East Asia has decided to acquire Alinamin Pharmaceutical, which deals in over-the-counter pharmaceuticals such as vitamins and cold medicines. The acquisition price is estimated at around 350 billion yen, and the company aims to expand its business in Asia.
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Ishikawa Wajima offshore bubbles found on seabed not seen before earthquake, related investigation to be carried out
2024-07-03 16:37:00
A research team from Kyushu University discovered bubbles emerging from the seabed off the coast of Wajima City, Ishikawa Prefecture, during a diving survey. The area was the epicenter of the Noto Peninsula earthquake in January this year, and no bubbles had been seen before, so the research team decided to analyze the composition of the collected gas to investigate its relationship to the earthquake.
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Tokyo police officer arrested for assaulting woman while questioning her at police box
2024-07-03 16:08:00
A 56-year-old police officer from the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department was arrested for assaulting and injuring a woman in her 20s who he was questioning at a police box, including pinning her to the floor. He admitted to the charges during questioning and said, "The woman tried to leave without saying a word, so I pinned her down and yelled at her."
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Noto Peninsula earthquake: 18 people certified as disaster-related deaths, death toll rises to 299
2024-07-03 16:07:00
The towns of Noto, Anamizu, and Suzu in Ishikawa Prefecture have recognized 18 people who died while evacuating after the Noto Peninsula earthquake as disaster-related deaths. The total number of deaths from the Noto Peninsula earthquake is now 299.
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Miyagi Matsushima: A sightseeing boat carrying 33 people hits a pier, 5 people fall and get injured
2024-07-03 15:47:00
According to the Miyagi Coast Guard and other sources, at around 11:30 a.m. on the 3rd, a pleasure boat carrying 33 passengers collided with a pier at a pleasure boat dock in Matsushima Town, Miyagi Prefecture, causing five of the passengers to fall over and be injured. According to the fire department, the five injured passengers were transported to a hospital in Shiogama City and were all conscious and able to walk. The Coast Guard is currently investigating the circumstances of the accident in detail.
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Shohei Ohtani's home run contest: "No direction" given right elbow rehabilitation
2024-07-03 15:46:00
Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers said of the home run derby held in conjunction with the All-Star Game, "I probably won't participate," indicating his intention to not take part due to the rehabilitation of his right elbow, which he had surgery on.
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LDP's Kajiyama: "Consider ways to deal with issues not anticipated under the Public Election Law"
2024-07-03 15:18:00
Regarding the political broadcasts for the Tokyo gubernatorial election, LDP Deputy Secretary-General Kajiyama stated that problems have arisen that were not anticipated under the Public Offices Election Act, and that it is necessary to consider how to respond, including revising the law.
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Final preparations for Japanese flag bearers for Paris Paralympics
2024-07-03 15:16:00
Interviews with people involved have revealed that the Japanese Paralympic Committee (JPC) is making final preparations to appoint track and field athlete Ishiyama Daiki and swimmer Nishida An as flag bearers for the Japanese delegation at the Paris Paralympics, which begin next month.
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Executive Director Niinami: "Shift from deflation: Business owners need to promote renewal"
2024-07-03 15:15:00
The Japan Association of Corporate Executives' summer seminar began in Nagano Prefecture on the 3rd. Executive Director Niinami emphasized the importance of corporate executives facing tough competition and promoting metabolism as we move away from an era of deflation.
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Stock price temporarily rises by more than 600 yen
2024-07-03 14:51:00
On the 3rd, the Nikkei average rose by more than 600 yen at one point. On the 2nd, the New York market saw the Nasdaq stock index, which has many tech-related stocks, reach a new record high at the closing price, and as a result, buying orders are spreading in the Tokyo market, mainly for semiconductor-related stocks.
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Pension "Financial Review": What does the future hold? "Decreased benefits but still maintaining more than 50% of income"
2024-07-03 13:30:00
The results of the "Financial Review" that checks the financial status of the public pension and shows the outlook for future benefit levels have been published, and it has been stated that if the economic situation continues as it has for the past 30 years, benefits will decrease, but they will be able to maintain more than 50% of the average income of the working generation. The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare has decided to postpone the extension of the national pension insurance premium payment period to 45 years, saying that the outlook has improved since the last time, five years ago.
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Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani hits his 27th home run and reaches 500 RBIs in MLB history
2024-07-03 13:28:00
Shohei Ohtani of the Dodgers hit a game-winning two-run home run, his 27th of the season, in a game against the Diamondbacks on the 2nd, bringing his RBI total to 64 for the season and bringing his career total to 500 in the major leagues.
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KADOKAWA "Kadokawa Dwango Gakuen" student personal information leaked
2024-07-03 13:17:00
The major publishing company Kadokawa, which has been hit by a series of large-scale system failures, has revealed that there is a high possibility that personal information of students at the Kadokawa Dwango Gakuen school corporation has been leaked by a group of hackers it claims to have carried out a cyber attack.
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Chief Cabinet Secretary Hayashi: "Three other similar cases of sexual assault by U.S. soldiers yet to be disclosed"
2024-07-03 13:04:00
Following the discovery of two cases of sexual assault by U.S. soldiers in Okinawa, Chief Cabinet Secretary Hayashi revealed that there have been three other similar cases by military personnel since last year that have not been reported. All three cases were dismissed.
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Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto donate bats and gloves to the Baseball Hall of Fame
2024-07-03 12:20:00
Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers in Major League Baseball, attended a press conference to promote a Japan-related exhibition to be held at the Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum next year, where they donated a bat and a glove, respectively.
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Former Prime Minister Abe shooting case: Defendant Yamagami also attends "pretrial preparation procedure"
2024-07-03 12:17:00
In July 2022, former Prime Minister Abe was shot in Nara City. In the run-up to his trial, Tetsuya Yamagami, who was indicted on charges of murder and other crimes, a "pretrial preparation procedure" was held to narrow down the evidence and issues, with the defendant himself in attendance. The schedule for future procedures and trials has not been decided, and the defense team has indicated that the first hearing will be next year, or after 2025.
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President Biden to meet with party and congressional leaders to ease unrest
2024-07-03 12:12:00
As President Biden of the United States lacked stability in his responses during the presidential debate, leading some to call for him to withdraw, the White House announced that President Biden would meet with the ruling Democratic Party's congressional leaders. This is thought to be an attempt to suppress unrest within the party in order to continue the election campaign.
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Israeli troops ordered to evacuate again; UN expresses concern over worsening humanitarian situation
2024-07-03 12:09:00
The Israeli military, continuing its fighting with the Islamic organization Hamas, has again issued an evacuation notice for parts of the southern Gaza Strip. The United Nations has expressed deep concern over the further deterioration of the humanitarian situation, saying that 250,000 people will be forced to flee, the largest number since the series of clashes began in October last year.
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Shiretoko sightseeing boat sinking accident: Passengers' families and others file lawsuit against operating company and president
2024-07-03 11:55:00
In 2022, a tourist boat sank off the coast of Hokkaido's Shiretoko Peninsula, leaving 20 people dead and 6 missing, and families of passengers and others have filed a lawsuit in the Sapporo District Court against the operating company and its president, seeking approximately 1.5 billion yen in compensation.
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Three years after the mudslide in Atami, Shizuoka, a memorial service is held in Izuyama district, where 28 people were killed.
2024-07-03 11:49:00
On the 3rd, three years after a massive mudslide occurred in Atami City, Shizuoka Prefecture, a memorial service was held in the Izuyama district where 28 people were killed, and bereaved families offered prayers.
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US FDA approves new Alzheimer's drug "donanemab"
2024-07-03 10:20:00
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved donanemab, a new Alzheimer's disease drug developed by a major American pharmaceutical company, citing clinical trials showing its effectiveness in slowing the progression of symptoms.
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New banknotes issued and handed over to financial institutions by Bank of Japan
2024-07-03 09:06:00
The first new banknotes in 20 years were issued on the 3rd, and the Bank of Japan has begun delivering them to financial institutions.
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Former President Trump's sentencing postponed in extramarital affair hush money case
2024-07-03 08:08:00
Following the US Supreme Court's ruling that former President Trump is immune from criminal liability for his official duties in office in relation to the Capitol riots, the sentencing in a trial over hush money payments for an extramarital affair, which was scheduled for this month, is expected to be postponed until September.
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Tennis: Kei Nishikori's Wimbledon first round match suspended due to sunset
2024-07-03 06:56:00
Kei Nishikori played in the first round of the men's singles at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships for the first time in three years and faced a French player, but the match was suspended due to sunset in the middle of the third set.
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Three years after the Atami mudslide, only 14% of households have returned to their homes even after the "alert zone" in the affected area was lifted
2024-07-03 06:36:00
It has been three years since a large-scale mudslide occurred in Atami City, Shizuoka Prefecture. The "alert zone" designated in the affected area was lifted in September last year, but by the end of last month, only 22 households, or 14%, had returned to the area from their evacuation sites. Some people are feeling their health is deteriorating, and experts have pointed out the need for long-term support.
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Extreme heat in the Pacific coast of eastern Japan and western Japan: replenish with fluids and salt
2024-07-03 06:13:00
On the 3rd, it is expected to be sunny and hot, mainly on the Pacific coast of eastern Japan and in western Japan, with temperatures rising to scorching 35 degrees or higher. A "heatstroke alert" has been issued in each prefecture in Kyushu and Okinawa, as well as in Tokyo, so please take precautions such as frequently replenishing fluids and salt.
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Supreme Court rules today on forced sterilization under former eugenics protection law
2024-07-03 06:11:00
The Supreme Court Grand Bench will hand down its ruling on the 3rd in five cases in which people who were forced to undergo sterilization due to disabilities under the former Eugenic Protection Law are seeking compensation from the government, claiming that the law was "the biggest human rights violation since the war and unconstitutional." The Supreme Court is expected to make a unified decision, and attention is focused on how it will rule on the statute of limitations, also known as the "wall of time."
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Government ministries and agencies to consider sharing information on incidents involving U.S. military with local governments
2024-07-03 05:49:00
There is growing opposition to the fact that information on sexual violence committed by U.S. soldiers has not been conveyed to the Okinawa Prefectural Government. The government will consider with relevant ministries and agencies how to share information on incidents involving the U.S. military with local governments in the future.
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