Main news(2024/09/20)
Rengo decides on new policy to encourage CDP and Citizens to strengthen cooperation ahead of next House of Representatives election
2024-09-20 22:01:00
The central labor union organization, Rengo, has decided on a new policy encouraging the Constitutional Democratic Party and the Democratic Party for the People to strengthen cooperation, including calling for the two parties to coordinate their candidates as much as possible, in an effort to prevent the ruling party from losing a majority in the next House of Representatives election.
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[Earthquake Alert] Ehime Prefecture hits magnitude 4, no risk of tsunami
2024-09-20 21:54:00
At around 9:22 pm on the 20th, an earthquake measuring magnitude 4 was observed in Ehime Prefecture. There is no need to worry about a tsunami caused by this earthquake.
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Rengo: "Deregulation of dismissals is unnecessary" - Labor market reform a focus of presidential election
2024-09-20 21:14:00
Regarding the fact that labor market reform is one of the issues in the LDP presidential election, Rengo Chairman Yoshino expressed the view that there is no need to review regulations that would relax dismissal rules in order to protect workers.
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JR East to undergo special safety inspection by Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism over past irregularities in vehicle maintenance
2024-09-20 20:52:00
JR East has announced that data falsification and other irregularities have occurred in the maintenance of conventional line vehicles in the past. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism plans to conduct a special safety audit next week to investigate the safety management system, etc.
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Land subsidence confirmed near construction site for Linear Chuo Shinkansen in Gifu - On-site survey
2024-09-20 20:46:00
In the vicinity of the tunnel construction site for the Linear Chuo Shinkansen in Mizunami City, Gifu Prefecture, water levels have dropped in wells and other places, and land subsidence has been confirmed in several places. JR Central is conducting on-site investigations to see if there has been any damage to homes and other buildings.
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Tokyo Metropolitan Government to provide duplicate benefits to approximately 2,000 people under the age of 18
2024-09-20 20:02:00
The Tokyo Metropolitan Government has revealed that it has made duplicate payments to approximately 2,000 people in its "018 Support" program, which provides 5,000 yen per month to people under the age of 18, after a mistake was made in the payment process.
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"A new legend" "50-50" Shohei Ohtani to his first playoffs [Commentary]
2024-09-20 19:42:00
"He's in a story," is a phrase Dodgers manager Roberts often uses to describe Shohei Ohtani, and that was never more true than on this day. He had 6 hits in 6 at-bats, 10 RBIs, 3 home runs, and 2 stolen bases, achieving a 50-50 result. Ohtani himself said, "I've never hit this many times in my life," and it was a record-breaking day for him, qualifying for the playoffs for the first time in his seventh year in the major leagues. (Homma Yoshio, reporter, Los Angeles bureau)
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Forest fire in Yamaguchi City continues to spread; 33 households ordered to evacuate
2024-09-20 19:34:00
A forest fire broke out in Yamaguchi City on the 18th and is still spreading toward villages along the mountains. As a result, the city has issued evacuation orders to 33 households.
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Families of missing dementia patients form new organization to propose issues to national and local governments
2024-09-20 19:29:00
Families of "dementia missing persons" - people who have dementia or are suspected of having it and leave their homes and never return - have launched a new organization which will make recommendations to the national and local governments on issues that may arise if a person remains missing for a long period of time.
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Heavy rain expected in Tohoku and Hokuriku regions through the 22nd; stormy weather expected due to low pressure caused by typhoon
2024-09-20 18:54:00
Due to the influence of the front and low pressure, heavy rain is likely to fall in Tohoku, Niigata Prefecture, and Hokuriku through the 22nd, and the Japan Meteorological Agency is calling for caution against landslides, river flooding, and inundation of low-lying areas. A low pressure system that will transform from a typhoon will pass through on the 22nd, which could cause rough weather over a wide area, including Western Japan, so please pay close attention to the latest weather information during the holidays.
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LDP presidential election: Party's final local speech in Matsue - Industrial promotion and population decline
2024-09-20 18:50:00
The LDP presidential election held its final local speech event in Matsue City, where nine candidates made their case for promoting local industries and addressing the declining population.
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Situation regarding CDP leadership election: Noda receives most votes from lawmakers, followed by Edano; runoff election likely
2024-09-20 18:33:00
In the Constitutional Democratic Party leadership election, which will be held on September 23, former Prime Minister Noda has secured the most support from Diet members so far, followed by former leader Edano. However, neither candidate received a majority in the first round of voting, and it is highly likely that a runoff election will be held between the top two candidates.
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Sumo wrestler Takakeisho to retire after 4 championships and 30 tournaments as Ozeki
2024-09-20 18:15:00
Takakeisho, who won four championships in sumo and served as an ozeki for 30 tournaments, has submitted his retirement notice and will be retiring from active competition.
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Food prices continue to rise in autumn: rice, chocolate, 2,000 more items to rise in October
2024-09-20 18:03:00
Prices of various items have continued to rise this fall. The most notable are rice and chocolate. Food prices are likely to continue to rise in October.
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"X Games" opens with skateboarder Ren Yoshizawa and others competing
2024-09-20 16:59:00
The world's premier action sports competition, the X Games, kicked off in Chiba City, with skaters such as Ren Yoshizawa, gold medalist in women's street skateboarding at the Paris Olympics, showing off their world-class skills and thrilling the audience.
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Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries to investigate cause of Norinchukin Bank's unrealized losses of over 2 trillion yen on bonds
2024-09-20 16:41:00
The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries has decided to set up a panel of experts soon to investigate the Norinchukin Bank, whose unrealized losses on bonds have ballooned to over 2 trillion yen due to investment failures, and to examine whether there were any problems with its investment policies or organizational governance. Discussions are also expected to be held regarding the bank's revenue structure, which is heavily weighted toward securities investment and has little loans to the agriculture, forestry and fisheries industries.
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Princess Aiko to visit Noto Peninsula earthquake-hit areas, first solo local official visit
2024-09-20 16:23:00
Princess Aiko, the eldest daughter of the Emperor and Empress, will visit Ishikawa Prefecture for two days from September 28th, and will inspect the progress of the recovery from the Noto Peninsula earthquake in Shika Town and Nanao City. This will be her first time carrying out official duties in a local area alone.
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China to resume imports of Japanese seafood
2024-09-20 15:52:00
Regarding the ocean release of treated water accumulating at the Tokyo Electric Power Company's Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, Prime Minister Kishida told reporters that Japan and China have agreed to allow China to resume imports of Japanese fishery products that meet safety standards, based on the implementation of additional monitoring within the IAEA framework.
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Flower painting depicting Shohei Ohtani in full bloom at tourist farm in Sera town, Hiroshima
2024-09-20 15:51:00
At a tourist farm in Sera Town, Hiroshima Prefecture, a colorful flower painting of Shohei Ohtani was in full bloom, and visitors were rejoicing at the record-breaking achievement.
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AI-based system to detect fetal heart abnormalities expected to lead to early detection
2024-09-20 15:16:00
A system that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to detect heart abnormalities from video footage of fetuses in the womb has been put into practical use, and it is hoped that this will lead to early detection of diseases.
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Government announces that damage from last month's Typhoon No. 10 will likely be designated a "severe disaster"
2024-09-20 14:39:00
The government announced that it will designate the damage caused by Typhoon Faxai, which brought heavy rain and tornadoes to parts of western and eastern Japan last month, as a "disaster of extreme severity." The government will increase its subsidy rate for the restoration costs of farmland and other areas.
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Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Saito: "It shakes trust" as Tohoku Shinkansen uncoupling
2024-09-20 13:19:00
Regarding the incident on the 19th, when a coupling between cars came undone on the Tohoku Shinkansen train traveling through Miyagi Prefecture, Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Saito stated, "This is something that shakes trust in rail transport," and revealed that he had instructed JR East to investigate the cause.
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Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament Jonokuchi division winner Goseizan wins all matches, 19-year-old from Mongolia
2024-09-20 13:07:00
In the Jonokuchi division of the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament, 19-year-old Goseizan from Mongolia won all seven of his matches.
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Unseasonably hot, Shizuoka breaks September record; heatstroke prevention measures needed
2024-09-20 12:39:00
In eastern and western Japan, south of the front, high pressure has caused temperatures to rise across the country, with Shizuoka City already breaking its September record and experiencing dangerously high temperatures. Please take thorough measures to prevent heatstroke.
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Bank of Japan maintains policy interest rate at around 0.25% at monetary policy meeting
2024-09-20 12:02:00
The Bank of Japan decided to maintain its current monetary policy at the Monetary Policy Meeting held until the 20th. It is believed that the decision was made to keep the policy interest rate at around 0.25% and to assess the impact on the economy and prices of the additional interest rate hike decided last July.
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China: Emergency meeting held in Shanghai over death of Japanese boy at Japanese school
2024-09-20 11:54:00
Following the death of a 10-year-old boy attending a Japanese school in Shenzhen, southern China, who was attacked with a knife, officials from the local consulate and the Japanese school in Shanghai, where the largest number of Japanese people in China, some 37,000, live, held an emergency meeting to discuss how to respond.
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Evacuation order issued for part of Sekikawa village in Niigata
2024-09-20 11:10:00
Sekikawa Village in Niigata Prefecture issued evacuation orders to 339 households and 1,216 people in the Yuzawa, Katsura, Owada, Nakatsuka, Jabami, Minami-Naka, and Hokusaka districts at 9:45 a.m., citing an increased risk of landslides. Evacuation shelters have been set up in four locations: Onagawa Nature Center, Kawakita Nature Center, Onagawa District Hometown Hall, and Sekikawa Village Hall. The evacuation orders are Level 4 out of a five-level alert, and the village is being urged to evacuate all residents from dangerous areas.
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Stock price temporarily rises by more than 800 yen due to the NY Stock Market reaching a new record high
2024-09-20 10:16:00
On the 20th, the Tokyo Stock Exchange saw a spread of buy orders to a wide range of stocks following the large rise in major stock indexes, including the Dow Jones Industrial Average hitting a new record high on the New York Stock Exchange on the 19th, and the Nikkei Stock Average temporarily rose by more than 800 yen.
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Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani becomes the first player in major league history to hit 50 home runs and steal 50 bases
2024-09-20 08:00:00
Shohei Ohtani of the Dodgers in Major League Baseball stole two bases in the game against the Marlins on the 19th, bringing his total to 51, and then hit two home runs, bringing his total to 50 this season. This is the first time in Major League Baseball history that a player has hit 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in a single season.
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Yamagata Shinkansen service suspended on both lines between Murayama and Shinjo due to heavy rain
2024-09-20 07:51:00
According to JR East, the Yamagata Shinkansen has suspended operations on both lines between Murayama Station and Shinjo Station due to the heavy rain. There is currently no prospect of resuming operations.
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Lebanon: Hezbollah leader threatens to retaliate after telecommunications device explosion
2024-09-20 07:19:00
For two consecutive days, walkie-talkies and other communications devices exploded in various parts of Lebanon in the Middle East, killing 37 people and injuring approximately 3,000. On the 19th, Hezbollah, the supreme leader of the Lebanese Shiite Islamic organization, Ayatollah Nasrallah, made his first television address since the explosions, blaming Israel for the attacks and saying, "This can be considered a declaration of war. There is no doubt that they will be duly punished," indicating a readiness for retaliation, raising concerns about rising tensions and the expansion of fighting.
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President Putin says drone production to increase tenfold this year to 1.4 million
2024-09-20 07:04:00
Russian President Putin, speaking at a meeting of defense industry executives on the 19th, indicated his intention to increase production of drones used in the military invasion of Ukraine to 1.4 million this year, roughly 10 times the amount produced in 2023.
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147 people unable to descend mountain after landslide in Shizuoka City, transported by helicopter
2024-09-20 06:52:00
On the 19th, a slope beside a forest road passing through the mountains in the northern part of Shizuoka City collapsed, blocking the road, leaving at least 147 people, including climbers and construction workers, unable to descend the mountain. All of them spent the night in mountain huts, and from the morning of the 20th, the city began transporting people who wanted to descend by helicopter.
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More than 9,700 technical intern trainees have disappeared from their workplaces, the highest number ever
2024-09-20 06:50:00
It has been revealed that the number of foreign technical intern trainees who have disappeared from their workplaces, among those who are learning skills while working in Japan, reached a record high of over 9,700 last year. One of the reasons for this is said to be that in principle, "transfers" to change the place of work are not permitted, and the government has begun to take measures.
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Linear rain band occurs along the coast of Akita Prefecture Heavy rain expected mainly on the Japan Sea side of Tohoku
2024-09-20 06:39:00
Rain clouds are developing in Tohoku due to the influence of a front and a low pressure system, and the Japan Meteorological Agency has announced "Information on significant heavy rain" as a linear precipitation band has formed along the coast of Akita Prefecture and extremely heavy rain is continuing to fall in the same place. Heavy rain is expected to fall mainly on the Sea of Japan side of Tohoku from the day after tomorrow onwards, and the Japan Meteorological Agency is calling for people to be on high alert for landslides, flooding of low-lying areas, and rising river levels.
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Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani reaches 50 stolen bases this season
2024-09-20 05:56:00
Shohei Ohtani of the Dodgers started as the leadoff hitter and designated hitter in the game against the Marlins on the 19th. In the first inning, right after the ball was put into play, he hit a double that hit the right-center fence in his first turn at bat, and then with one out and runners on first and second, he and the runner on first base performed a double steal to steal third base, bringing his total stolen bases for the season to 50. This is Ohtani's second consecutive game of stolen bases, and he is just two home runs away from achieving the 50-50 milestone of hitting 50 home runs and stealing 50 bases, a first in major league history.
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Death of a child at a Japanese school in China: explanation session held at school, calls for measures
2024-09-20 05:15:00
Following the incident in which a 10-year-old boy attending a Japanese school in Shenzhen in southern China was attacked with a knife and killed, an information session for parents was held locally on the 19th, and there were repeated calls for immediate strengthening of safety measures.
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Hyogo Prefectural Assembly passes vote of no confidence on Governor Saito, Governor gives no clear indication of future response
2024-09-20 05:00:00
In response to the allegations of power harassment leveled against Governor Saito of Hyogo Prefecture, the prefectural assembly unanimously passed a vote of no confidence in the governor. This is the fifth such vote against a governor, and Governor Saito stated, "This is a difficult decision for the assembly, and it is also a difficult one for me, so I would like to think about it carefully," without clarifying his future response.
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