Main news(2024/09/12)
European Central Bank further cuts interest rates by 0.25%, first cut in two meetings
2024-09-12 21:48:00
The European Central Bank, which oversees the monetary policy of the 20 eurozone countries including Germany and France, held a board meeting on the 12th and decided to further cut interest rates. The policy interest rate, which is the interest rate on deposits from financial institutions, will be reduced by 0.25%. At its meeting in June this year, the ECB decided to cut interest rates for the first time in 4 years and 9 months, and this will be the first interest rate cut in two meetings. The growth rate of the eurozone's consumer price index in August was 2.2% compared to the same month last year, the lowest level in about three years, and there was speculation in the market that the ECB would decide on further interest rate cuts in light of the declining trend in inflation rates.
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Young man crushed by fallen tree, rescued but unconscious in Hino, Tokyo
2024-09-12 21:00:00
On the night of the 12th, a young man was crushed by a fallen tree in Hino City, Tokyo, and is now in critical condition and unconscious.
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LDP to submit motion of no confidence against Hyogo Prefecture Governor on 19th unless he resigns
2024-09-12 19:25:00
In response to accusations against Hyogo Prefecture Governor Saito of power harassment, the Liberal Democratic Party, the largest faction in the prefectural assembly, has decided to submit a motion of no confidence and aim for a vote on the 19th of this month, the first day of the regular assembly, if the governor does not respond to demands for his resignation.
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In the LDP presidential election, the main issue is the issue of "undercover politicians" and how the opposition parties react
2024-09-12 18:56:00
With the announcement of the LDP presidential election, the opposition parties have been making a series of statements. Constitutional Democratic Party leader Izumi said, "There are still over 80 'undercover politicians' in the LDP, and how to deal with them is a major issue."
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Typhoon No. 13 is expected to approach Okinawa and Amami from the 14th onwards, so be on high alert for strong winds
2024-09-12 18:26:00
Typhoon No. 13 is expected to develop and move northwestward, approaching Okinawa and Amami with strong force after the 14th. There is a risk of strong winds and severe seas, and the Meteorological Agency is calling for people to be on high alert for strong winds and high waves in the future.
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Ricoh to offer voluntary retirement to around 2,000 employees as it anticipates a shrinking multifunction printer market
2024-09-12 17:52:00
Ricoh, a major precision equipment manufacturer, has announced that it will be soliciting voluntary retirements from approximately 2,000 employees both in Japan and overseas by March of next year. This represents just over 2% of its workforce both in Japan and overseas, and approximately 1,000 employees in Japan will be soliciting voluntary retirements between October 1st and the end of February of next year. The company predicts a shrinking multifunction printer market and plans to focus on businesses related to DX (digital transformation), and says that the resignation is part of a business restructuring effort.
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A group of about 30 dolphins photographed by a JCG patrol boat off the coast of Matsuyama, a remote island
2024-09-12 17:43:00
On the 12th, a group of about 30 dolphins was photographed swimming off the coast of a remote island in Matsuyama City.
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Board of Audit: "More than 2.1 billion yen in Fukushima reconstruction funds not returned to national treasury"
2024-09-12 17:20:00
After investigating funds for reconstruction work carried out by local governments surrounding the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant using government subsidies, the Board of Audit found that more than 2.1 billion yen had not been returned to the national treasury even though the work had already been completed and there was no prospect of it being used in the future.The Board of Audit has asked the three ministries under its jurisdiction to instruct the relevant local governments to return the funds.
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Candidates in the CDP leadership election debate "versus the LDP" [September 12th events]
2024-09-12 16:56:00
In the Constitutional Democratic Party leadership election, the four candidates participated in a debate in which they answered questions from local assembly members affiliated with the party, and discussed how they would deal with the LDP following the announcement of the LDP presidential election.
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Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism official arrested for taking secret photos of woman on JR Yamanote Line train, Metropolitan Police Department
2024-09-12 16:45:00
A Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism employee in his 30s was arrested by the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department for attempting to take a photo up a woman's skirt on a JR Yamanote Line train.
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Government and ruling party to convene extraordinary Diet session on October 1 to nominate new prime minister
2024-09-12 16:11:00
The government and ruling parties are making arrangements to convene a special session of the Diet to elect a new prime minister on the 1st of next month.
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JR Freight resumes all freight train operations; inspection reveals 67 more freight cars with irregularities
2024-09-12 16:06:00
JR Freight resumed all freight train operations that were temporarily suspended on the 11th due to the issue of falsifying data and other irregularities in the installation of axles on freight train wheels by noon on the 12th. Meanwhile, as a result of further inspections, irregularities have been found in 67 more cars.
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Private lunar lander to launch as early as December in second attempt to land on the moon
2024-09-12 16:05:00
A Tokyo-based venture company aiming to carry out a private lunar landing has announced plans to launch a newly developed lunar lander on an American rocket as early as December of this year.
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Nagoya High Court allows Afghan refugee child to obtain Japanese citizenship
2024-09-12 15:32:00
In a petition filed by Afghan parents seeking Japanese citizenship for their child born in Aichi Prefecture two years ago, the Nagoya High Court ruled that "Afghanistan had essentially lost its substance as a nation at the time," and allowed the child to acquire Japanese citizenship. According to the lawyer representing the child, this is believed to be the first time such a petition has been granted.
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The National Police Agency will not appeal the ruling to erase fingerprints of a person who was found innocent
2024-09-12 14:24:00
Regarding the Nagoya High Court's ruling ordering the government to delete the fingerprints, DNA types, and other data of people who have been found not guilty in criminal trials, on the grounds that the police's continued storage of such data "violates the Constitution," National Police Agency Commissioner General Tsuyuki Yasuhiro has made clear his intention not to appeal to the Supreme Court, stating that "there is no reason to dispute the decision to delete records such as fingerprints."
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56 children killed nationwide from abuse; newborns abandoned to death the most common cause
2024-09-12 14:18:00
The number of children who died as a result of abuse in fiscal year 2022, excluding double suicides, reached 56 nationwide, of which 26% were newborns who died as a result of being abandoned. The Child and Family Agency has said it will strengthen support for pregnant women who are worried about unexpected pregnancies or financial difficulties.
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Four Paris Paralympic judo medalists hold press conference; gold medal winners Seto and Hirose express joy
2024-09-12 14:08:00
The four judo athletes who won medals at the Paris Paralympics held a press conference in Tokyo, and gold medal winners Yujiro Seto and Junko Hirose expressed their joy.
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An explosion was reported at a facility managed by Osaka City, and three people, including a city employee, were injured.
2024-09-12 14:07:00
A little after noon on the 12th, the fire department was notified of an explosion at a facility in Nishi-ku, Osaka, which sends wastewater to a sewage treatment plant. The facility is managed by Osaka City, and according to the city, three people, including a city employee, were injured. At the time, construction work was being carried out at the facility to fill gaps in manholes to prevent odors, and it is believed that the explosion occurred when a drainage pump was test-run after the work was completed. The police, city government, and others are currently investigating the situation at the time.
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Two arrested for breaking into high school and stealing musical instruments, affecting club activities
2024-09-12 12:37:00
Two suspects in their 50s were arrested for breaking into the brass band room of a high school in Saitama Prefecture and stealing clarinets, electronic organs, and other items worth 4.6 million yen. A concert was scheduled for a few days after the theft, so the club's activities were affected, with the club having to suddenly borrow instruments from alumni and neighboring high schools.
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Bank of Japan Commissioner Tamura: "Policy interest rates need to be raised to at least 1%"
2024-09-12 12:25:00
Naoki Tamura, a member of the Bank of Japan's monetary policy committee who is involved in deciding monetary policy, gave a speech in Okayama City on the 12th in which he stated that there is a risk that price increases will exceed expectations in the future, and expressed the view that in order to stabilize prices, it is necessary to gradually raise the policy interest rate to at least around 1%.
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Nippon Steel executives meet with U.S. government officials to seek approval for U.S. Steel acquisition
2024-09-12 12:11:00
Amid speculation that President Biden will block Nippon Steel's plan to acquire U.S. Steel, a major American steel manufacturer, executives of Nippon Steel met with senior U.S. government officials on the 11th. They are believed to have sought understanding for approving the acquisition.
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[Updated regularly] Candidates for the LDP presidential election begin their campaign, pray for victory and express their enthusiasm
2024-09-12 12:05:00
The LDP presidential election was announced today. Candidates have already begun their campaign, holding campaign ceremonies and praying for victory. We will provide you with regular updates on the day's activities.
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Shohei Ohtani hits his 47th solo home run, breaking his own record for most home runs by a Japanese player
2024-09-12 11:53:00
Shohei Ohtani of the Dodgers hit his 47th solo home run in a game against the Cubs on the 11th, breaking his own record for the most home runs hit in a season by a Japanese player.
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My Number Card to be integrated with driver's license from March next year. What will it mean?
2024-09-12 11:43:00
The National Police Agency has decided to start using the "My Number License," which combines the My Number Card and driver's license, from March 24th next year. People can choose to obtain a "My Number License" or continue to use their traditional driver's license, and it is also possible to have both, and the National Police Agency plans to make this known in the future.
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Tokyo Regional Taxation Bureau accuses chief priest of misappropriating part of shrine revenue for personal use
2024-09-12 11:37:00
It has been learned from interviews with people involved that the Tokyo Regional Taxation Bureau has accused the religious corporation that runs Akabane Hachiman Shrine and its chief priest in his 60s of concealing approximately 250 million yen in income, including misappropriating part of the shrine's income for personal use.
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Ex-wife of "Kishu Don Juan" murder defendant pleads innocent at first hearing
2024-09-12 11:13:00
The first hearing of the 28-year-old ex-wife, who is accused of murder and other crimes for allegedly killing a wealthy company president from Tanabe City, Wakayama Prefecture, who was also known as "Don Juan of Kishu," was held at the Wakayama District Court.The ex-wife claimed innocence, stating, "I did not kill the president, and I did not give him stimulants."
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Stock prices rise by more than 1,100 yen at one point as optimism grows for the U.S. economy
2024-09-12 10:27:00
On the 12th, the Nikkei Stock Average rose by more than 1,100 yen at one point on the Tokyo Stock Exchange. On the 11th, the CEO of Nvidia, a major American semiconductor company, gave a bullish outlook for demand for semiconductors for AI, and all major stock indexes on the New York Stock Exchange, including the Nasdaq, which has many tech-related stocks, rose. In response to this, optimism about the future of the American economy spread in the Tokyo market on the 12th, and buy orders for a wide range of stocks increased immediately after trading began, causing stock prices to rise.
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LDP presidential election announced: Record number of nine candidates to run
2024-09-12 10:01:00
Candidates for the LDP presidential election to choose the successor to Prime Minister Kishida began accepting applications at 10 a.m., and nine candidates are expected to register, the highest number ever under the current system.
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Japan Business Federation and foreign business associations send joint letter to US government over US Steel acquisition plan
2024-09-12 09:56:00
Amid speculation that President Biden will block Nippon Steel's plan to acquire U.S. Steel, a major American steel manufacturer, the Japan Business Federation and economic organizations made up of foreign companies and others have jointly issued a letter to Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen expressing concern about political pressure.
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Former Peruvian President Alberto Fujimori dies at age 86
2024-09-12 09:01:00
Former Peruvian President Alberto Fujimori, who was the first Japanese to become president and led the rescue operation in the 1996 Japanese ambassador's residence hostage crisis, passed away on the 11th. His daughter Keiko announced the news on social media. He was 86 years old.
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Possible North Korean ballistic missile falls outside Japan's EEZ
2024-09-12 08:00:00
According to the Ministry of Defense, on the morning of the 12th, North Korea launched what is believed to be a ballistic missile. It is believed to have fallen outside of Japan's EEZ (exclusive economic zone), and the Ministry of Defense is continuing to monitor and be on alert. (We will provide updates as they occur.)
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Okinawa Governor Tamaki conveys concerns directly to the U.S. side regarding sexual assault by U.S. soldiers
2024-09-12 06:00:00
Okinawa Governor Tamaki, who is visiting the United States, met with Japanese officials from the State Department and the Department of Defense and directly expressed his concerns about the series of sexual assaults committed by U.S. soldiers that have come to light in the prefecture.
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Four candidates in the Democratic Party leadership election discuss disaster prevention measures in Ishikawa Prefecture
2024-09-12 05:10:00
On the 11th, the Constitutional Democratic Party's leadership election saw four candidates visit areas affected by the Noto Peninsula earthquake, then engage in policy debates and exchange opinions on issues such as disaster prevention measures.
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Hyogo Prefectural Assembly's largest faction, the Liberal Democratic Party, and others to demand Governor Saito's resignation today
2024-09-12 05:02:00
Regarding the issue of Hyogo Prefecture Governor Saito being accused of power harassment, the largest faction in the prefectural assembly, the Liberal Democratic Party, and others have decided to call on the governor to resign on the 12th, citing that trust in the prefectural government has been greatly damaged. Governor Saito said, "I feel regretful towards myself. I am not a perfect person, but I will do my best," and with tears in his eyes, he reiterated his intention not to resign.
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[Commentary] LDP presidential election announced today, record number of nine candidates to run
2024-09-12 05:01:00
The LDP presidential election to choose the successor to Prime Minister Kishida was announced today, the 12th, and nine candidates are expected to run, the highest number ever under the current system. What will be the main issues and what kind of debate is expected? And how will the vote go? We will explain.
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"Don Juan of Kishu" murder case: ex-wife's first hearing today at Wakayama District Court
2024-09-12 04:45:00
The first hearing of the 28-year-old ex-wife, accused of murder and other crimes for allegedly killing a wealthy company president from Tanabe City, Wakayama Prefecture, also known as "Don Juan of Kishu," will be held at the Wakayama District Court on the 12th. According to sources, the defense is expected to argue for innocence, and the focus will be on how much of the circumstances of the incident will be revealed in court.
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Nine university hospitals across the country cancel or consider canceling dispatching doctors to other medical institutions
2024-09-12 04:29:00
A survey conducted by a hospital association has found that as a result of the work style reforms for doctors that began in April this year, nine university hospitals across the country are canceling or considering canceling the dispatch of doctors to other medical institutions.
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