Main news(2024/12/11)
Financial Services Agency issues report on theft of Mitsubishi UFJ Bank's safe deposit box
2024-12-11 22:48:00
Regarding the case of Mitsubishi UFJ Bank's managerial staff stealing money and valuables from a branch's safe deposit box, the Financial Services Agency has decided to issue a legal demand for the bank to report the incident. The agency is taking seriously the bank's failure to detect the theft in a safe deposit box that is supposed to be under strict management, and is seeking an investigation into the cause.
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U.S. Consumer Price Index rises 2.7% year-on-year in November
2024-12-11 22:46:00
The US Consumer Price Index for last month was announced, showing a 2.7% increase compared to the same month last year. The rate of increase was 0.1 percentage point higher than the previous month. In the US, inflation has been noted to be strong against the backdrop of robust personal consumption, and attention is focused on the pace at which the Federal Reserve Board will continue to lower interest rates.
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Bain Capital intends to raise price for Fujisoft TOB
2024-12-11 21:17:00
Two investment funds have proposed to acquire the software giant Fujisoft, and one of them, Bain Capital, has revealed its intention to raise the price of its tender offer (TOB) from the initial price. The price is higher than that of the other fund that had already made a TOB, and the battle for the company has intensified.
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[One night after the award ceremony] Three representatives of the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Confederation visit the Norwegian Parliament
2024-12-11 19:48:00
On the 11th, one day after the Nobel Peace Prize award ceremony, three representatives of the Japan Confederation of A- and H-Bomb Sufferers Organizations (Nihon Hidankyo), including Mr. Hiromi Tanaka, visited the Norwegian Parliament. They expressed their hope that young people in Japan and Norway will work together to abolish nuclear weapons.
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Female prosecutor who was the victim of sexual assault trial of former Osaka District Prosecutor's Office chief holds press conference
2024-12-11 19:16:00
In a trial in which a former prosecutor-general of the Osaka District Public Prosecutors Office is accused of sexually assaulting a female subordinate who was drunk and unable to resist, the former prosecutor-general suddenly changed his plea of innocence. The female prosecutor who was the victim held a press conference and said, "I was speechless and broke down in tears. I never imagined that reporting a sexual assault committed by the head of an organization would be so frightening." The woman said she wanted to directly question the former prosecutor-general in the upcoming trial and clarify the circumstances of the incident.
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Prime Minister Ishiba: "We cannot make arbitrary decisions regarding expenditures" in the House of Representatives Budget Committee
2024-12-11 18:48:00
On the 11th, the House of Representatives Budget Committee held a debate, and the opposition parties questioned the LDP's plan to establish a new category of "disclosure method devised expenditures" in the revision of the Political Funds Control Law, saying that doubts would arise if politicians were to decide on the targets. In response, Prime Minister Ishiba emphasized that a third-party organization would make the strict judgment and that politicians would not be allowed to make arbitrary decisions.
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Government finalizes plan to not explicitly state "reduced dependence on nuclear power"
2024-12-11 18:14:00
As discussions toward the formulation of a new Basic Energy Plan are reaching a climax, it has been learned that the government is making final adjustments to remove the phrase "reducing dependence on" nuclear power, which is included in the current plan.
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Hyogo Prefecture announces investigation results and corrective measures: "No evidence of power harassment found"
2024-12-11 18:08:00
Regarding the public interest report by a former senior official of Hyogo Prefecture on suspicion of power harassment by Governor Saito, the prefecture announced the results of an internal investigation on the 11th, stating that "we have not been able to confirm that power harassment occurred." Based on this, the prefecture announced corrective measures, such as setting up an external reporting system starting next week.
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Man serving time for murder of junior high school student 38 years ago likely to be acquitted in retrial
2024-12-11 17:16:00
In the case of the murder of a junior high school girl in Fukui City 38 years ago, the court, the defense team, and the prosecution held their first meeting for a retrial of a 59-year-old man who was imprisoned for murder, and the prosecution made it clear that they would not submit any new evidence. The first hearing of the retrial will be held in March next year, and the hearing is expected to be completed in one day, and it is highly likely that the man will be found not guilty.
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An exhibition of the latest semiconductor-related technologies and materials, including robots for generative AI
2024-12-11 16:57:00
An exhibition showcasing the latest semiconductor-related technologies and materials began on the 11th, and features robots equipped with semiconductors for generative AI and the latest manufacturing equipment.
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Fakes? Around 90 paintings by German artist still for sale
2024-12-11 16:28:00
In response to the issue of paintings in the collections of the Tokushima and Kochi Prefectural Art Museums being pointed out as possibly being forgeries by a German artist, we interviewed the German police who previously investigated the artist and found out that there are approximately 90 paintings around the world that are suspected to be forgeries by this artist. Of these, over 30 paintings are still missing, and the German police have pointed out that "fakes by this artist have been discovered one after another recently, and it is possible that counterfeits are being bought and sold in Asia as well."
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JR Freight president and chairman to have their salaries cut over data falsification issue
2024-12-11 16:12:00
JR Freight has announced that it has decided to reduce the compensation of five people, including the president and chairman, in connection with the issue of falsifying data in the process of attaching axles to railway vehicle wheels.
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Tokyo's first arrest for drunk driving on bicycle
2024-12-11 16:06:00
A 41-year-old suspect was arrested by the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department for driving a bicycle while drunk on the road in Taito Ward, Tokyo. Drunk driving on a bicycle was newly added to the penalties in the revised Road Traffic Act that came into effect in November, and this is the first arrest in Tokyo for this offense.
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Democratic Republic of Congo: Unknown disease, malaria test positive
2024-12-11 15:27:00
Regarding the influenza-like illness spreading in the Democratic Republic of Congo in central Africa, the World Health Organization (WHO) has revealed that some of the samples collected from infected individuals tested positive for malaria. The WHO has decided to continue its investigation, as there is a possibility that multiple diseases may be involved.
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Honda cancels self-driving taxi service planned with GM
2024-12-11 15:24:00
Honda has decided to cancel a self-driving taxi service that it had planned to launch in Japan two years' time in collaboration with General Motors, following GM's decision to withdraw from the fully self-driving taxi business.
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Defense tax increase: Proposal to implement corporate tax from April 2026 and income tax from January 2027
2024-12-11 15:09:00
Regarding tax increases to secure defense funding, the government and ruling parties have decided to proceed with a proposal to implement corporate taxes from April 2026 and income taxes from January 2027. The proposed tax increases are called a "special defense corporate tax" and a "special defense income tax," respectively.
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Alicia Clinic, the medical hair removal company, begins bankruptcy proceedings
2024-12-11 15:03:00
The operating corporation of "Alicia Clinic," which operates more than 40 medical hair removal clinics across the country, has run into financial difficulties and received a court order to start bankruptcy proceedings. It is estimated that more than 90,000 customers and others will be affected.
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Taiwan strongly condemns China's deployment of numerous naval vessels, saying it must stop military intimidation
2024-12-11 14:41:00
Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has strongly condemned China for deploying numerous naval vessels every day in the waters around the so-called "First Island Chain" that stretches from the Nansei Islands through Taiwan to the Philippines, saying it "demands an immediate end to military intimidation."
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South Korea's former defense minister attempts suicide, police search presidential palace [11th's developments]
2024-12-11 14:28:00
Regarding the "emergency martial law" proposed by South Korean President Yoon Seok-yeol, it has been discovered that Kim Yong-hyun, who is said to have suggested the "emergency martial law," attempted to commit suicide using his clothes in a toilet in a detention center before his arrest. He is said to be in no danger of dying. In addition, the South Korean police announced that they have begun searches of the presidential office and the National Police Agency. Here is a summary of the movements on the 11th.
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Prince Hisahito passes recommendation entrance exam at University of Tsukuba
2024-12-11 13:53:00
It has been learned from an interview with a source at the Imperial Household Agency that Prince Hisahito, the eldest son of Prince and Princess Akishino, has passed the recommended entrance exam to the University of Tsukuba, a national comprehensive university in Ibaraki Prefecture.
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U.S. Secretary of Defense inspects Japan-U.S.-Australia joint exercise at JSDF camp
2024-12-11 13:52:00
U.S. Secretary of Defense Austin, who is visiting Japan, inspected a joint exercise between the Japan Self-Defense Forces, U.S. military, and Australian military at a Self-Defense Forces garrison on the 11th, and emphasized the three countries' intention to work together to improve operational capabilities.
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Hyogo Kakogawa: Suspect in custody for evaluation begins for murder of girl 17 years ago
2024-12-11 13:50:00
Prosecutors began "evaluation detention" on the 11th to examine the criminal responsibility of a 45-year-old suspect who was arrested for stabbing and killing a second-grade elementary school girl in Kakogawa City, Hyogo Prefecture 17 years ago.
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GM withdraws from self-driving "robo-taxi" business due to intensifying competition
2024-12-11 13:49:00
General Motors, a major American automaker, has announced that it will withdraw from the self-driving taxi, or "robo-taxi," business, citing increasing competition in the market and high development costs as the reason.
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South Korean prosecutors raid Army Special Forces Headquarters, storm National Assembly under "emergency martial law"
2024-12-11 13:36:00
On the 11th, prosecutors announced that they were searching the Army Special Warfare Command, which sent troops into the National Assembly in response to the "emergency martial law" imposed by South Korean President Yoon Sung-ryul. The commander at the time testified on the 10th that he had received phone orders from President Yoon to "break down the door quickly, get in, and pull out the lawmakers inside the chamber."
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Nippon Life Insurance announces acquisition of foreign-affiliated company operating in Europe, the US, etc. for approximately 1.2 trillion yen
2024-12-11 12:19:00
Nippon Life Insurance Co. has announced that it will acquire a foreign company that operates insurance businesses in Europe, the United States, and other countries for approximately 1.2 trillion yen. This will be the largest acquisition by a Japanese insurance company, with the aim of strengthening its overseas business amid an expected shrinkage of the domestic market due to a declining population.
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South Korean police search presidential office and other locations, arrest National Police Agency chief and others on suspicion of civil unrest
2024-12-11 12:18:00
In response to South Korean President Yoon Sung-ryul's "emergency law," police announced on the 11th that they had begun searches of the presidential office, the National Police Agency, and other locations.
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Former South Korean Defense Minister Kim Young-hyun attempts suicide, no injuries sustained
2024-12-11 12:06:00
A senior official from the South Korean Ministry of Justice revealed at a National Assembly committee on the 11th that former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun, who is said to have advised President Yoon Seok-yeol to impose "emergency martial law," committed suicide in detention. The former Defense Minister's life is not in danger. Kim was detained on suspicion of civil unrest and was reportedly arrested by prosecutors late on the night of the 10th.
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Fourth tax consultation between LDP and Komeito regarding review of "1.03 million yen barrier"
2024-12-11 12:04:00
The Liberal Democratic Party, the Komeito Party, and the Democratic Party for the People held their fourth tax consultation regarding the review of the "1.03 million yen annual income barrier." It is believed that they exchanged opinions on the extent to which the annual income requirement for the "special dependent deduction," which reduces the income tax for households supporting university students and other dependents, should be raised.
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North Korea mentions South Korea's "emergency martial law" for the first time, saying "the whole of South Korea will be in an uproar"
2024-12-11 11:54:00
North Korea's Workers' Party newspaper mentioned for the first time on the 11th the temporary "emergency martial law" declared by South Korean President Yun Song-ryol, providing detailed information that it "plunged the entire country into a state of panic."
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CDP submits revised supplementary budget proposal to strengthen support for disaster-stricken areas of Noto Peninsula
2024-12-11 10:51:00
Regarding this year's supplementary budget proposal, the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan has submitted an amendment to the Diet that would reduce the government's contribution by more than 1.36 trillion yen, citing high spending on "funds" that are of low urgency, while also strengthening support for the disaster-stricken areas of the Noto Peninsula.
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South Korea's top police official arrested on suspicion of civil unrest
2024-12-11 10:23:00
In response to South Korean President Yoon Seok-yeol's declaration of "emergency martial law," the police announced on the 11th that they had arrested the head of the National Police Agency, Commissioner Cho Ji-ho, on suspicion of rebellion. They also said they had arrested the head of the police in the capital, Seoul, on suspicion of rebellion.
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Roki Sasaki in MLB transfer negotiations: "More than 20 teams have contacted me" - agent
2024-12-11 07:38:00
Negotiations with major league teams for pitcher Roki Sasaki, who is aiming to transfer to the major leagues from the professional baseball team Lotte via the posting system, were allowed from the 10th. According to Sasaki's agent, more than 20 teams have already contacted him, so it looks like there will be a fierce battle for him.
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Biden formally intends to block US Steel acquisition plan: US reports
2024-12-11 07:35:00
Regarding Nippon Steel's plan to acquire U.S. Steel, a major American steel manufacturer, American media outlet Bloomberg reported that President Biden intends to officially block the plan, based on the results of a review of security risks by the U.S. government's Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States, which will be released by the 23rd of this month.
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Fire breaks out at Kitakyushu house; two bodies found in ruins, one woman taken to hospital
2024-12-11 07:15:00
A fire broke out at a house in Kitakyushu City early on the morning of the 11th, and two bodies were found in the ruins, with one woman being taken to the hospital. According to the police, they have been unable to contact the two people living in the house, and are currently investigating the cause of the fire while confirming their identities.
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The House of Representatives Budget Committee sees active movement among ruling and opposition parties as vote on supplementary budget bill approaches
2024-12-11 06:50:00
The ruling coalition is aiming to pass this year's supplementary budget, which will underpin the new economic measures, in the House of Representatives by the 12th. In response, the Constitutional Democratic Party is considering submitting an amendment, while the Democratic Party for the People has indicated that it may not approve the budget if there is no progress in tax negotiations with the ruling party, and the ruling and opposition parties are becoming more active with an eye on the vote.
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Suspected murder disguised as suicide: President ordered man to clean up room
2024-12-11 06:40:00
In a case where the president of a Tokyo company and his employees were arrested for forcing a former colleague to step onto train tracks and then killing him to make it look like a suicide, one of the employees explained in voluntary questioning before his arrest that "after the man was hit by a train, the president instructed me to clean up the man's room, so I threw away his clothes and other things," according to an interview with an investigator. The Metropolitan Police Department is investigating the details of the incident, suspecting that they were trying to cover up traces that lead to the crime.
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US President-elect Trump mocks Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau as "state governor"
2024-12-11 06:05:00
US President-elect Trump mocked Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau, who has expressed opposition to his tariff policy, calling him a "state governor" on social media instead of a "prime minister." Trump has repeatedly made similar remarks, and it is believed he is trying to warn the Canadian side.
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Rules on extra pay for people with side jobs and dual careers to be revised, aiming to improve working conditions
2024-12-11 05:30:00
The rule is that people who have side jobs or dual jobs are paid extra pay by adding up the hours they work in their main job, but a study group from the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare has proposed abolishing this rule, citing the burden on companies to manage these total working hours. The aim of the review of the rule is to create an environment in which it is easier to work in side jobs or dual jobs.
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South Korean prosecutors arrest former Defense Minister Kim over "emergency martial law" - South Korean media
2024-12-11 02:22:00
Several South Korean media outlets reported that former Defense Minister Kim Young-hyun, who was allegedly advising South Korean President Yoon Sung-ryul to declare "emergency martial law" and for whom an arrest warrant had been requested on suspicion of civil unrest, was arrested by prosecutors late on the night of the 10th. This is the first time that a senior administration official has been arrested in connection with the "emergency martial law" declared by President Yoon.
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