Main news(2024/08/30)
U.S. Personal Consumption Expenditures Price Index for July increased 2.5% year-on-year
2024-08-30 22:27:00
The US personal consumption expenditures price index (PCE) rose 2.5% in July compared to the same month last year. The rate of increase was the same as the previous month. The Federal Reserve Board (FRB) places great importance on PCE as an indicator to grasp the actual state of inflation, and the latest data shows that inflation is continuing to stabilize. In a speech on the 23rd of this month, FRB Chairman Powell indicated his intention to lower interest rates at the meeting starting on September 17th. Market attention has shifted from the timing of the rate cut to the pace of future rate cuts, and attention is focused on the employment statistics to be released next week in determining the FRB's monetary policy.
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Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare to interview medical institutions and pharmacies with low utilization rate of My Number health insurance cards
2024-08-30 22:02:00
With the current health insurance cards set to be abolished in December of this year, the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare has decided to promote the use of the new "My Number Health Insurance Card," an insurance card combined with a My Number card, by directly interviewing medical institutions and pharmacies with particularly low utilization rates, as utilization rates have been low.
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Special investigation committee set up after Ukrainian F-16 fighter jet crash
2024-08-30 21:33:00
Following the crash of a Ukrainian F-16 fighter jet while intercepting a Russian missile attack, the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense has set up a special investigative committee to determine the cause. A US think tank has pointed out that the loss of the limited number of F-16s will have a serious impact on Ukraine.
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[Updated regularly] Russia launches military invasion of Ukraine (August 30th)
2024-08-30 21:00:00
Russia's military invasion of Ukraine continues. Fighting continues between Russian and Ukrainian forces in various parts of Ukraine, and many citizens are fleeing the country. We will provide you with regular updates on the situation in Ukraine on August 30th (Japan time), including the state of the fighting and diplomacy of the relevant countries. (There is a six-hour time difference between Japan and Ukraine, and between Japan and Moscow, Russia.)
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New Year's postcards issued initially down 25% from last year, the largest drop ever
2024-08-30 21:00:00
Japan Post has announced that it will issue just over 1 billion New Year's postcards for next year (Reiwa 7), a 25% reduction from the previous year. This is the largest reduction to date, and the postal code states that it expects a drop in demand due to the price hike in postcards in October of this year.
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[Typhoon No. 10 Lifestyle Economy] Impact on mobile phones, supermarkets, postal and courier services
2024-08-30 20:49:00
This article summarizes the impact of Typhoon No. 10 on daily life and the economy.
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Accident involving around 10 vehicles on Tokyo Outer Ring Expressway: Multiple injuries
2024-08-30 20:40:00
According to a report received by the Misato City Fire Department in Saitama Prefecture, an accident involving around 10 vehicles, including passenger cars and trucks, occurred around 6:00 pm on the 30th near the Misato toll gate on the inner loop of the Tokyo Outer Ring Expressway, with multiple injuries. The police are currently investigating the details of the accident.
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False information spreads: “Tama River flooding” Posted on X using images that are different from the actual ones
2024-08-30 19:51:00
In response to the record-breaking rainfall that has been brought about in the Kanto region and other areas by Typhoon No. 10, the old Twitter account X spread false information, including posts claiming that the Tama River had overflowed using images that were different from the actual situation.
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This year's rice crop is at or above average in 43 prefectures
2024-08-30 19:32:00
The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries has forecast that this year's rice crop will be "good" or "fairly good" in 12 prefectures, including Hokkaido and the Tohoku region, and "average" in 31 prefectures, including Niigata. Rice is in short supply at supermarkets, but the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries expects the shortage to gradually ease if rice continues to grow smoothly.
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Kenya Karasawa wins silver medal in the men's 5000m (visually impaired) at Paris Paralympics
2024-08-30 18:12:00
At the Paris Paralympics, Kenya Karasawa won the silver medal in the men's 5000m visually impaired class for the second consecutive Olympics.
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The number of babies born through in vitro fertilization in Japan in 2022 will reach an all-time high
2024-08-30 18:11:00
The number of children born through in vitro fertilization in Japan in 2022 was over 77,000, the highest number ever recorded for the second consecutive year, according to a summary by the Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology. An expert who conducted the survey said, "The fact that public insurance is now applicable to in vitro fertilization may have lowered the financial hurdle."
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Information leak of employees seconded from non-life insurance companies to agencies: Approximately 2.5 million cases at four major companies
2024-08-30 16:44:00
In a case where employees seconded from non-life insurance companies to insurance agencies sent customer information of competitors that was managed at the agency to their own company, four major companies investigated the matter and found that the total number of data leaks was approximately 2.5 million. The Financial Services Agency will investigate the cause of the sloppy handling of customer information that was rampant in the industry and consider the need for disciplinary action.
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Requests from various ministries and agencies for next year's tax reforms are ready
2024-08-30 16:37:00
Requests from each ministry and agency have been submitted for tax reform next year, in 2025, including a call for an extension of preferential mortgage tax reduction measures for households with children.
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Okayama Setouchi: 2,136 households and 4,169 people ordered to evacuate due to storm surge warning
2024-08-30 15:59:00
Setouchi City, Okayama Prefecture, issued evacuation orders to 2,136 households and 4,169 people in the coastal areas of Oku Town and Ushimado Town at 3:10 PM due to the issuance of a high tide warning. The information corresponds to Level 4 on a five-level alert scale, and calls for everyone to immediately evacuate from dangerous areas. In addition, evacuation information for the elderly and others was issued throughout Setouchi City. The information corresponds to Level 3 on a five-level alert scale, and calls for the elderly and people with disabilities to begin evacuating.
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Former Senator Megumi Hirose indicted without being placed in custody by Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office Special Investigation Division
2024-08-30 15:40:00
The Tokyo District Public Prosecutors' Office Special Investigation Division has indicted former House of Councillors member Megumi Hirose, who left the Liberal Democratic Party and resigned from her seat in the Diet, on charges of fraud for allegedly reporting a person who did not actually work as a public secretary and defrauding the government of 3.58 million yen in secretarial salary and other payments.
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Okinawa fishing boat sinks after fire, 7 people found on boat, Japan Coast Guard
2024-08-30 15:06:00
According to the 11th Regional Coast Guard Headquarters, a distress alert was received from the fishing boat "Daihachi Koei Maru" in waters about 400 km southeast of Okinawa's main island just before 6 a.m. on the 30th. A Japan Coast Guard aircraft confirmed that a fire had broken out on the fishing boat just before noon, and that it had sunk just before 2 p.m. Seven people were confirmed to be aboard what appeared to be a lifeboat in the area, but there was also initial information that eight people were on board the fishing boat, and the Japan Coast Guard is continuing to confirm this.
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US military AH1 attack helicopter makes emergency landing at Kerama Airport, Okinawa, no injuries
2024-08-30 14:33:00
According to the Okinawa Prefectural Airport Division, at around 12:20 p.m. on the 30th, an AH1 attack helicopter belonging to the U.S. military's Futenma Air Base made an emergency landing at Kerama Airport on the outer island of Zamami Village.
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Environment Ministry to increase Minamata disease victims' "remote island premium" to 2,000 yen per month from next fiscal year
2024-08-30 13:53:00
In response to requests from Minamata disease victim groups, the Ministry of the Environment has decided to double the "remote island surcharge" paid to victims living on remote islands when they visit medical institutions outside the island.
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Distracted riding on a bicycle to be prohibited by law from November, with penalties imposed
2024-08-30 13:21:00
Starting November 1st of this year, using a mobile phone while riding a bicycle, known as "distracted driving," will be prohibited by law and penalties will be imposed.
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FY2019 general account budget request expected to be largest ever
2024-08-30 12:59:00
The deadline for ministries and agencies to submit budget requests to the Ministry of Finance in preparation for the compilation of the national budget for next fiscal year is the 30th. Due to an increase in requests in many areas, such as social security and defense, the total amount of the general account is expected to exceed 110 trillion yen for the fourth consecutive year, the highest amount ever.
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Harris' first interview as a presidential candidate: bipartisan and reconciliation stance
2024-08-30 12:15:00
In her first interview with American media since becoming a presidential candidate, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris indicated that if she were elected president, she would consider appointing members of her cabinet from the opposition Republican Party, emphasizing her stance of striving for reconciliation that transcends party lines.
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[Typhoon No. 10 power outage] Over 203,000 households in seven Kyushu prefectures (29th, 18:00)
2024-08-30 12:12:00
According to Kyushu Electric Power Transmission and Distribution, as of 7:00 a.m., a total of approximately 139,400 households in seven Kyushu prefectures were without power due to the effects of the typhoon.
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Trump: "I want the government or insurance companies to fully cover the cost of IVF"
2024-08-30 12:04:00
Former President Trump, who is seeking a comeback in the US presidential election in November, has announced a policy to have the government or insurance companies cover the full cost of in vitro fertilization (IVF) infertility treatment, citing its high cost, in an apparent attempt to gain support from younger generations.
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"Apple and others in talks to invest in OpenAI" - multiple US media outlets
2024-08-30 11:30:00
Several US media outlets have reported that IT giant Apple and others are in negotiations to invest in OpenAI, which develops generative AI. As companies accelerate their development of generative AI, it is believed that they are aiming to increase their competitiveness by expanding services for users.
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Fukuoka Prefecture teams up with two universities to train coaches for local junior high school club activities
2024-08-30 11:05:00
As the lack of coaches becomes an issue with the transfer of junior high school club activities to local areas, Fukuoka Prefecture will start an initiative in September to train students who wish to become coaches in cooperation with two universities in the prefecture. According to the national government, this initiative, in which the prefecture takes the lead, is a pioneering one nationwide.
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[Damage from Typhoon No. 10] 4 dead, 96 injured, 1 missing. Damage also extends to the Kanto region.
2024-08-30 10:59:00
Typhoon No. 10 has brought intensifying rain and winds across the country, leaving four people dead, 96 injured, and one person missing.
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Tokaido Shinkansen Tokyo-Nagoya canceled for the entire day Nagoya-Shin-Osaka resumed
2024-08-30 10:02:00
According to JR Central, the Tokaido Shinkansen has suspended operations on all lines between Tokyo and Shin-Osaka since the first train, but will resume operations between Nagoya and Shin-Osaka from around 10 a.m. On the other hand, operations between Tokyo and Nagoya will be canceled for the entire day.
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Tokyo's Meguro River reaches flood danger level
2024-08-30 09:28:00
The Meguro River, which runs through Tokyo, has exceeded its flood danger level, and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and the Japan Meteorological Agency issued a flood danger warning at 2:50 a.m., calling for caution. If the river overflows, there is a risk of flooding in Meguro and Shinagawa wards, so never go near the river. Go to a higher floor to ensure your safety. Be especially vigilant against flooding in the basements of buildings.
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JR Tokaido Line and Sagami Line: Service suspended on some sections due to heavy rain
2024-08-30 09:06:00
According to JR East, due to heavy rain, JR Tokaido Line services have been suspended from the first train on both lines between Odawara Station in Odawara City, Kanagawa Prefecture, and Atami Station in Atami City, Shizuoka Prefecture.
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About 20 cars in a parking lot in Hiratsuka, Kanagawa were submerged up to half the doors.
2024-08-30 09:00:00
According to the police and fire departments in Hiratsuka City, they have received multiple reports of flooding of roads and flooding under floors, as well as cars being stranded in water, and they are working to gather more information. There is currently no information on injuries.
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July's job availability ratio nationwide averages 1.24 times, the first increase in four months
2024-08-30 08:39:00
The national average job availability ratio for July was 1.24, up 0.01 points from the previous month, the first increase in four months. The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare stated, "Although the trend of suppressing job offers in the manufacturing industry and other sectors continues due to high prices and the weak yen, the negative impact of the negative number of job seekers has caused the job availability ratio to turn positive."
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Kanagawa Prefecture Ninomiya Town: Water from the Katsuragawa River overflows, causing flooding in homes and other areas
2024-08-30 07:56:00
According to Ninomiya Town, Kanagawa Prefecture, heavy rains have caused parts of the Kuzu River that runs through the town to overflow, resulting in flooding of surrounding homes. There have been no reports of missing or injured people so far, but there have been reports of flooding above and below the floor level, as well as reports of parts of roads being flooded.
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Urgent safety measures for Ninomiya Town, Kanagawa Prefecture: Take action to save lives
2024-08-30 07:51:00
Ninomiya Town in Kanagawa Prefecture issued an "emergency safety alert" for the entire town at 7 a.m., stating that the Katsuragawa River had overflowed due to heavy rain. The town is at the highest level of alert, level 5, and is calling on people to check their surroundings, such as staying on the second floor or higher of nearby buildings or their homes, or away from slopes, and to take action to stay in a safe place and have the highest chance of saving their lives.
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12 years after Roppongi club attack fatality, new sketch of suspect created
2024-08-30 07:48:00
The Metropolitan Police Department has created a new sketch of suspect Mitate Shinichi, who is under investigation as the mastermind behind the incident 12 years ago in which a male customer was attacked and killed with a metal bat at a nightclub in Roppongi, Tokyo, and is calling for information to be provided.
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Evacuation orders issued to 21,035 households and 34,750 people in Atami City, Shizuoka
2024-08-30 07:44:00
Atami City in Shizuoka Prefecture issued an evacuation order to 21,035 households and 34,750 people throughout the city at 5:30 a.m., citing the increased risk of landslides due to heavy rains. The city is at Level 4 out of five alert levels, and is calling for everyone to evacuate from dangerous areas.
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Ukrainian military F-16 fighter jet crashes, US media calls it a "major blow"
2024-08-30 07:30:00
The Ukrainian military announced that an American-made F16 fighter jet provided by the West crashed during combat with the Russian military, killing the pilot. This is the first time that the crash of an F16 has been announced, and U.S. media has reported that the loss of one of Ukraine's few F16s is a "big blow."
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Tokaido Shinkansen Tokyo-Shin-Osaka service suspended from first train due to heavy rain
2024-08-30 07:03:00
JR Central has announced that due to the effects of heavy rain, it will suspend operations on the Tokaido Shinkansen line between Tokyo Station and Shin-Osaka Station from the first train on the 30th.
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[Typhoon No. 10] Moves northward through Kyushu, heavy rainfall in Kanto and Tokai, on high alert
2024-08-30 06:59:00
Typhoon No. 10 is moving northward through northern Kyushu, and active rain clouds are gathering even in areas far from the typhoon itself, with heavy rain continuing in the Kanto and Tokai regions. Heavy rain and very strong winds are expected to continue through the 31st in western and eastern Japan, and the Japan Meteorological Agency is calling for people to be on high alert for landslides, flooding of low-lying areas, and river flooding.
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Worried about the spread of polio in Gaza as sanitation worsens? WHO to start vaccination drive
2024-08-30 06:54:00
In the Gaza Strip in Palestine, the prolonged fighting between Israel and the Islamic organization Hamas has led to a deterioration in sanitary conditions, raising concerns about the spread of polio. In an interview with NHK, the mother of a young child diagnosed with polio complained about her plight, saying that she had not been able to receive the vaccination due to the fighting and her life as a refugee.
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Governor Saito "power harassment suspicion" Governor questioned today at 100-article committee
2024-08-30 06:36:00
Regarding the documents that accuse Governor Saito of power harassment, the Hyogo Prefectural Assembly's Article 100 Committee will hold a witness hearing for Governor Saito on the 30th. The focus is on what kind of explanation he will give regarding the facts and his perception.
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Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office special investigation unit conducts final investigation into former Senator Megumi Hirose's indictment without stay in custody
2024-08-30 06:33:00
It has been learned from interviews with people familiar with the matter that the Tokyo District Public Prosecutors' Office Special Investigation Division is finalizing its investigation with the aim of soon indicting former House of Councillors member Megumi Hirose, who left the Liberal Democratic Party and resigned from her seat in the Diet, on suspicion of defrauding a public secretary who did not actually work there out of several million yen in salary.
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[Typhoon No. 10 Traffic impacts] Shinkansen, air travel, and expressways [30th]
2024-08-30 05:24:00
As Typhoon No. 10 approaches, Shinkansen service is being affected, and some sections of expressways in various regions have been closed. Air travel is also being affected.
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