Main news(2024/10/29)
DeNA wins first victory over SoftBank in Japan Series, 1 win, 2 losses
2024-10-29 22:57:00
On the evening of the 29th, the third game of the professional baseball Japan Series was held at the Mizuho PayPay Dome in Fukuoka City, where DeNA defeated SoftBank 4-1, earning their first victory of the series and bringing their record to 1 win and 2 losses. With the loss, SoftBank's record of the most consecutive wins, which had continued since the third game of the 2018 Japan Series, came to an end at 14.
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Hungarian Prime Minister visits Georgia: "Parliamentary elections were held fairly"
2024-10-29 21:29:00
In the parliamentary elections in the former Soviet republic of Georgia, the ruling party friendly to Russia won a majority, but the opposition party is strongly protesting, claiming that the elections were rigged. Meanwhile, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, known for his pro-Russian stance, visited Georgia and stated that he believed the elections were fair.
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Princess Kako visits Ishikawa Prefecture and meets with Living National Treasures affected by the earthquake
2024-10-29 21:25:00
Princess Kako, the second daughter of Prince and Princess Akishino, visited Ishikawa Prefecture and met with traditional craftspeople affected by the Noto Peninsula earthquake, before attending the country's largest craft exhibition.
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Foreign Minister Iwatake speaks by phone with Lebanese Foreign Minister to explain position calling for immediate ceasefire
2024-10-29 21:15:00
As fighting continues between Israeli forces and Hezbollah, a Shiite Islamic organization in neighboring Lebanon, Foreign Minister Iwao Iwasaki spoke by telephone with Lebanese Foreign Minister Bouhabib to explain Japan's position of calling for an immediate ceasefire and asked for cooperation in ensuring the safety of Japanese people in the area.
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Conservative leader Momota: "We are not considering cooperation with the LDP in principle"
2024-10-29 20:59:00
Hyakuta, leader of the Japanese Conservative Party, which won three seats in the House of Representatives election, said he cannot praise the current politics of the LDP and expressed his opinion that there will basically be no cooperation with the party.
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Former president's side claims that the special investigation unit's chief prosecutor condoned illegal interrogations; government side refutes
2024-10-29 20:42:00
In a civil trial, the former president of a real estate company who was found not guilty in an embezzlement case investigated by the Osaka District Public Prosecutors Office Special Investigation Division is seeking compensation from the government. The former president's side argued that "the chief prosecutor of the special investigation division, who led the investigation, condoned illegal interrogations," and that this was systematic illegality. On the other hand, the government countered, "The chief prosecutor did not watch all of the audio and video recordings of the interrogations."
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US presidential election final stage: Intensifying voter outreach in battleground states
2024-10-29 20:32:00
The US presidential election will be held on the 29th, with one week to go until the voting day. The latest opinion polls show a fierce race between Democratic Vice President Harris and Republican former President Trump, with both parties stepping up their efforts to reach out to voters in battleground states in the final stages.
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Mycoplasma pneumonia: Record high for 4 consecutive weeks [Expert Q&A]
2024-10-29 19:46:00
The epidemic of mycoplasma pneumonia, which is characterized by symptoms such as fever and prolonged cough and often infects children, is spreading further. The number of patients reported from medical institutions nationwide in the week ending October 20 was 2.01 per medical institution, a record high for the fourth consecutive week.
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The percentage of this year's new rice that is "first-class rice" is 77.3%, the same as the average
2024-10-29 19:43:00
The inspection results for this year's new rice were announced at the end of last month, with the proportion of "first grade rice," the highest grade, at 77%, which is about the same as average years.
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NHK estimates that LDP will reduce subsidies for political parties in light of Lower House election results, while CDP and Kokumin will increase
2024-10-29 19:19:00
According to an NHK calculation, this year's political party subsidy amounts, which will be reviewed in light of the results of the House of Representatives election, the Liberal Democratic Party, which saw a large loss of seats, is expected to see a reduction of approximately 400 million yen, while the Constitutional Democratic Party, which saw a large increase in seats, is expected to see an increase of just over 200 million yen, and the Democratic Party for the People, which saw an increase of just over 100 million yen.
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JR East: Local lines in deficit of about 75 billion yen JR West: Over 23.3 billion yen
2024-10-29 19:10:00
JR East has released its financial results for last year's sections with low passenger numbers, showing a total deficit of approximately 75 billion yen for 72 sections on 36 lines.
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Miyagi Onagawa Nuclear Power Plant Unit 2 restarted, the first of its kind to be built at Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant
2024-10-29 19:07:00
At around 7pm on the 29th, Tohoku Electric Power Company started up the reactor at the Onagawa Nuclear Power Plant Unit 2 in Miyagi Prefecture, restarting it more than 13 and a half years after it was shut down due to the Great East Japan Earthquake. This is the same type of nuclear power plant as the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant of Tokyo Electric Power Company, which was involved in the accident, and this is the first time that this type of nuclear power plant has been restarted, as well as the first time that a nuclear power plant in a disaster-stricken area has been restarted.
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"No request for power saving this winter" - METI expects stable supply
2024-10-29 18:39:00
Regarding electricity supply and demand this winter, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry has decided not to request power conservation, as it did last year, stating that the "reserve margin," an indication of surplus supply, is expected to be able to maintain the level necessary for stable supply in all regions of the country.
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South Korea: "Units including North Korean military officials moving to Ukraine front line?"
2024-10-29 17:50:00
Regarding the dispatch of North Korean troops to Russia, South Korean intelligence agencies have expressed the view that some of the troops, including senior military officials, may have been moved to the front line with Ukraine.
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"ZEN University" to open, with all classes available online
2024-10-29 17:05:00
A correspondence university where all classes can be taken over the internet, which was aimed at by a major IT company, is set to open in April next year. The enrollment quota will be 3,500, making it an unusually large-scale correspondence university, given the declining population of 18-year-olds.
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Independent investigation committee set up to investigate insider trading allegations against TSE employees Japan Exchange Group
2024-10-29 16:30:00
Japan Exchange Group has announced that it has set up a committee of independent outside directors to investigate the cause of the issue after the Securities and Exchange Surveillance Commission investigated an employee of its subsidiary, the Tokyo Stock Exchange, for allegedly passing on information about a company's tender offer to his family. The company plans to make the results of the investigation public as soon as possible after it is completed.
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Telecommunications companies interviewed regarding NTT Law review report
2024-10-29 15:53:00
The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications' working group, which is discussing the NTT Act, has compiled a report stating that fixed-line telephones using mobile phone networks should be included in the nationwide uniform telephone service, and that the conditions currently imposed on NTT as a provider should be reviewed.Hearings were held with the four major telecommunications companies in regard to the report.
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Hino Motors posts final deficit of 219.5 billion yen from April to September due to inspection data falsification issue
2024-10-29 15:37:00
Hino Motors posted a net loss of 219.5 billion yen in its interim financial statements for the period from April to September this year. This was due to the company recording an extraordinary loss of 230 billion yen to cover the costs of settling with the U.S. authorities over the certification issue over the falsification of exhaust gas and other testing data, as well as the estimated costs of settling a lawsuit in Canada.
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Former CEO of fund management company arrested on suspicion of special breach of trust
2024-10-29 13:37:00
The former president of a Tokyo fund management company was arrested by the Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office Special Investigation Division on suspicion of special breach of trust and other charges for allegedly making fraudulent expenditures under the guise of outsourcing fees, causing damages totaling more than 40 million yen to two companies where he served as president or director. According to sources, the former president has denied the charges, telling those around him that "the outsourcing was real."
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Lawsuits filed in five locations nationwide against fake celebrity ads that "cause damage if ignored"
2024-10-29 12:49:00
Amid a series of fraud cases involving fake advertisements on social media sites impersonating celebrities, victims from the Kansai and Kanto regions have simultaneously filed lawsuits in five courts across the country against Meta, the company that operates Facebook and other social media sites, seeking a total of over 400 million yen in damages, claiming that the fake advertisements were allowed to continue and caused the damage.
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The first cabinet meeting after the House of Representatives election was attended by defeated Minister of Justice Makihara and Minister of Agriculture Osato.
2024-10-29 12:47:00
Prime Minister Ishiba greeted reporters with a "Good morning" as he entered the Prime Minister's Office just before 10 a.m. He then attended the first Cabinet meeting since the Lower House election. Also attending the Cabinet meeting were Justice Minister Makihara and Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Osato, who lost in the election and were unable to secure seats.
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House of Councillors President Otsuji decides to resign due to poor health
2024-10-29 12:38:00
The President of the House of Councillors, Otsuji, has decided to resign from his position as Speaker, citing poor health which makes it difficult for him to continue his duties.
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US presidential election: Major newspaper changes course, not endorsing specific candidate, sparking controversy
2024-10-29 12:11:00
With the US presidential election taking place on November 5th next week, major newspapers The Washington Post and the Los Angeles Times have announced that they will no longer endorse specific presidential candidates as they have traditionally done, causing a stir.
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Democratic Party of Japan leader Tamaki: "We will not join the LDP-Komeito coalition government and will decide on cooperation on a policy-by-policy basis"
2024-10-29 11:57:00
At a press conference, Democratic Party for the People leader Tamaki reiterated his party's intention not to join a coalition government with the LDP and Komeito, and emphasized that he would like to decide whether they could cooperate on each policy to realize the policies the party has put forward.
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Government decides to introduce "Minor Driver's License" on March 24 next year
2024-10-29 11:47:00
The government has decided to start using the "My Number License," which combines the My Number Card and driver's license, from March 24th next year.
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US and Israel warn against Iran airstrikes as UN Security Council holds emergency meeting
2024-10-29 11:42:00
Following the Israeli airstrikes on Iran on the 26th, an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council was held, in which Iran strongly condemned Israel, while the US and Israel warned Iran not to retaliate.
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Four people, including a teenager and a female university student, arrested in the case of the death of a university student in Ebetsu, Hokkaido
2024-10-29 10:58:00
On October 26th, a 20-year-old male university student was found unconscious and undressed in a park in Ebetsu, Hokkaido, and later died. Police have arrested three people, including a 17-year-old boy, on suspicion of injury resulting in death, and a 20-year-old female university student who is believed to have been in a relationship with the victim, on suspicion of injury. The deceased university student had numerous bruises, mainly on his face and arms, and the police are investigating the case as being assaulted by multiple people, and are investigating the details of the events leading up to the incident.
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NASA narrows down astronaut landing sites to nine
2024-10-29 09:16:00
NASA, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, has announced that it has narrowed down the number of possible landing sites to nine for astronauts exploring the lunar surface, which is scheduled for the year after next. It has been pointed out that there may be ice near the south pole of the moon, one of the possible landing sites, and if this is confirmed, the plan is to explore whether it can be used for drinking water in the future.
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Unemployment rate in September was 2.4%, down 0.1 percentage point from the previous month
2024-10-29 08:39:00
According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, the nationwide unemployment rate last month was 2.4%, down 0.1 percentage point from the previous month.
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Israeli parliament passes bill banning UN refugee agency
2024-10-29 07:48:00
On the 28th, the Israeli parliament passed a bill banning the activities of UNRWA, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, which provides support to Palestinian refugees in the Gaza Strip and elsewhere, from operating in Israel. Since coordination with the Israeli side is essential for providing support, there are concerns that this will have a major impact on their activities.
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North Korean Foreign Minister departs for official visit to Russia
2024-10-29 07:42:00
The Rodong Sinmun, the official newspaper of the Workers' Party of North Korea, reported on the 29th that Foreign Minister Choe So-ni departed from the airport in the capital, Pyongyang, on the 28th for an official visit to Russia.
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Dodgers vs Yankees World Series Game 3 [Breaking news]
2024-10-29 06:54:00
Shohei Ohtani of the Dodgers will play as the designated hitter and leadoff hitter in Game 3 of the World Series against the New York Yankees. Ohtani will be returning in just two days from a partial dislocation of his left shoulder that he sustained in Game 2.
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Russian Foreign Minister: "Western countries justify military aid by pointing out North Korean troops dispatched"
2024-10-29 06:49:00
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov warned that the West is trying to use the allegation that North Korean troops have been sent to Ukraine as Russia continues its military invasion of Ukraine to justify sending military personnel to the country.
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Miyagi's Onagawa Nuclear Power Plant Unit 2 restarted today, the first of its kind to be of the same type as the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant
2024-10-29 06:30:00
Tohoku Electric Power's Onagawa Nuclear Power Plant Unit 2 in Miyagi Prefecture will start up its reactor on the 29th, restarting operations more than 13 and a half years after it was damaged in the Great East Japan Earthquake. This is the same type of nuclear power plant as the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, which was hit by the disaster, and this will be the first time that this type has been restarted, as well as the first time that it has been restarted in a disaster-stricken area.
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National referendum on Supreme Court justices: all six judges voted in favor of confidence [Expert Q&A included]
2024-10-29 06:18:00
The Supreme Court referendum, which took place on the 27th along with the House of Representatives election, saw all six judges in question receive a vote of confidence. However, the percentage of voters who voted for their removal from office was the highest in the last 20 years, leading experts to suggest that "voters' voting behavior may be changing, with people now gathering information on social media, for example."
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Chiba Ichikawa Illegal part-time job robbery and assault case: Did the perpetrator change his appearance to escape?
2024-10-29 05:35:00
In a case where a group of unlicensed part-time workers broke into a house in Ichikawa City, Chiba Prefecture this month and stole a car and other items, a 21-year-old suspect who was arrested on the 28th on suspicion of robbery and assault had changed his hair color and hairstyle before and after the incident, according to an interview with an investigator. Police are investigating further, believing that he tried to change his appearance in an attempt to continue his escape.
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Komeito leader Ishii to announce resignation soon after defeat in lower house election
2024-10-29 05:32:00
Following his defeat in the House of Representatives election, Komeito leader Ishii is making arrangements to announce his soon to step down as leader.
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Ruling and opposition parties move aggressively to form majority in prime ministerial nomination election
2024-10-29 05:30:00
The Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) is trying to maintain its coalition government with the Komeito Party and is working behind the scenes with the opposition parties to ensure that Ishiba is nominated in the election for prime minister. In response, the Constitutional Democratic Party (CDP) plans to ask other opposition parties for their cooperation in voting for Noda, and the ruling and opposition parties are actively working to form a majority in the election.
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