European Central Bank cuts interest rates by another 0.25% for the third consecutive rate cut
2024-12-12 22:36:00
The European Central Bank held a monetary policy meeting on the 12th and decided to cut interest rates by an additional 0.25%.
Main news(2024/12/12)
J-League opens new base in Europe from January, promoting overseas expansion
2024-12-12 21:31:00
The J.League has established a new base in Europe, which will become operational in January 2025, to promote overseas expansion with a view to raising the overall level of the league and expanding its business.
Grand Master of the Imperial Household Agency expresses regret over Prince Akishino's "Imperial family members are living people" remark
2024-12-12 21:15:00
Regarding the Diet debate over how to ensure stable succession to the throne, Prince Akishino stated at a press conference that "the imperial family are living people," and pointed out that the Imperial Household Agency needed to understand the thoughts of the imperial family members who would be affected. In response, Grand Master of the Imperial Household Agency Nishimura Yasuhiko said at a regular press conference on the 12th, "That is absolutely correct, and I regret that we did not have a sufficient opportunity to hear from them."
Syria: Chemical weapons used by Assad regime; attention on anti-government response
2024-12-12 21:12:00
Regarding the use of chemical weapons by the collapsed Assad regime in Syria, which drew international criticism, a leader of an opposition group told Reuters that they were investigating possible storage sites and cooperating with international organizations. The United States has stated that "words and actions must match," and attention is focused on whether an effective response will be taken.
Yamanashi Police officer driving patrol car while drunk, dismissed and papers referred to prosecutor
2024-12-12 19:34:00
In October of this year, the Yamanashi Prefectural Police Headquarters sent papers to the prosecutor's office regarding a 62-year-old police inspector who rushed to the scene of illegal parking in Minami-bu Town, Yamanashi Prefecture, on suspicion of driving a patrol car while under the influence of alcohol, and dismissed him from his position.
Police warn of shady part-time job of signing new smartphone contracts and then handing them over
2024-12-12 18:51:00
There have been a series of robberies and other crimes involving "illegal part-time workers," but on the Internet and social media, there are solicitations claiming that you can "legitimately receive compensation" and asking people to sign new contracts for smartphones and hand them over. Police and others are calling for caution, as there are cases where people are shown compensation and follow the instructions to sign contracts, despite the possibility of committing a crime.
Prosecutors appeal eight-year prison sentence for dangerous driving resulting in death in fatal accident at 194 km/h
2024-12-12 18:34:00
On the 12th, the prosecution appealed to the Fukuoka High Court against the 8-year prison sentence given to a defendant, then 19 years old, who was charged with dangerous driving resulting in death for causing a fatal accident while driving a car at 194 km/h on a prefectural road in Oita City three years ago in 2021.
Six opposition parties resubmit impeachment motion against President Yoon; citizens rally held in Seoul
2024-12-12 18:15:00
President Yoon Seok-yeol issued a speech to the nation on the 12th, justifying the declaration of "emergency martial law" and emphasizing that he will face impeachment and investigation. The opposition party again submitted a bill to impeach the president to the National Assembly on the 12th, and the focus is on how many ruling party lawmakers will support it.
Suntory Holdings to promote founding family member Nobuhiro Torii to new president
2024-12-12 18:07:00
Suntory Holdings, a major beverage company, has announced that it has decided to promote Nobuhiro Torii, a member of the founding family, to vice president. This will be the first time in about 10 years that a member of the founding family has become president.
Man whose parents are members of the former Unification Church petitions family court to change name
2024-12-12 17:59:00
It has been learned that a man in his 30s whose parents are members of the former Unification Church has applied to the family court to change his name, claiming that it is painful for him to live with the name given to him by the cult.
Hometown tax return gifts are changing, with the introduction of "point-based return gifts"
2024-12-12 16:43:00
Hometown tax donations, which saw total donations exceed 1 trillion yen in fiscal 2023, are reaching a peak in applications toward the end of the year. A major intermediary website analyzed this year's trends and found that rising prices and other factors have led to a change in trends, with daily necessities such as rice and toilet paper becoming more popular as return gifts.
Survey of promising overseas destinations for Japanese companies: Number of companies choosing "China" as their target is at an all-time low
2024-12-12 16:17:00
In a survey asking Japanese companies about promising overseas destinations for future expansion, the percentage of companies that answered China dropped to 17%, the lowest since the survey began in 1992. This suggests that the business environment in China is becoming increasingly tough due to fierce competition with other companies and the economic slowdown.
Masaharu Fukuyama Project: New design "Peace Bus" begins operation
2024-12-12 16:06:00
Amid growing interest in peace following the award of the Nobel Peace Prize, a "Peace Bus" wrapped in designs created by elementary school students has begun operating in Nagasaki as part of a project involving Nagasaki-born artist Masaharu Fukuyama.
South Korea requests arrest warrant for National Police Agency chief and others over suspicion of civil unrest and "emergency martial law"
2024-12-12 16:04:00
In response to South Korean President Yoon Seok-yeol's "emergency martial law," police announced on the 12th that they had requested arrest warrants for National Police Agency Commissioner Cho Ji-ho and the head of police in the capital, Seoul, on suspicion of civil unrest.
Prime Minister Ishiba: "We will work to create a mechanism to ensure transparency regarding corporate donations"
2024-12-12 15:55:00
During intensive deliberations in the House of Representatives Budget Committee, the opposition parties repeatedly called for a ban on corporate and organizational donations regarding political reform, while Prime Minister Ishiba emphasized his intention to move forward with the creation of a system to ensure transparency.
Shogi "Ryu-o Tournament" Seven-time champion Sota Fujii defends his title by defeating 8-dan Sasaki
2024-12-12 15:55:00
The sixth game of the Ryuo tournament, one of the eight major titles in shogi, was held in Kagoshima Prefecture, where seven-time champion Sota Fujii (22) defeated eighth-dan player Yuki Sasaki (30), defending his title and claiming his fourth consecutive victory in the Ryuo tournament.
National Police Agency Commissioner General considers introducing "pretend employment strategy" to crack down on illegal part-time work
2024-12-12 15:00:00
Amid a rise in crimes committed through illegal part-time jobs, National Police Agency Commissioner General Tsuyuki Yasuhiro said at a press conference on the 12th that he would positively consider introducing a new investigative technique that incorporates "fictitious identity investigations," in which investigators apply for illegal part-time jobs using fictitious people's driver's licenses and other documents and contact criminal groups.He named this technique the "pretend to be employed" operation, and stated that he would positively consider introducing it, as it would be effective in cracking down on and preventing crime.
Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare considers reviewing "high-cost medical care system" and raising upper limit by around 10%
2024-12-12 14:55:00
Regarding the revision of the "High-cost Medical Care System," which limits the out-of-pocket expenses of patients with high medical expenses to a certain amount, it has been learned that the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare is considering a proposal to raise the upper limit for average annual income categories by around 10% from the current level.
The House of Councillors Political Ethics Committee held a public review meeting for LDP member Eriko Yamatani and three others
2024-12-12 14:53:00
A meeting of the House of Councillors Political Ethics Review Committee was held, and it was confirmed that a public review meeting would be held for four LDP lawmakers, including Eriko Yamatani, who were not included in the income and expenditure report. It was decided that preparations would be made to hold the meeting within the next week.
[LIVE] The kanji of the year for 2024 is "gold" at Kiyomizu-dera Temple in Kyoto
2024-12-12 14:13:00
The "Kanji of the Year," which represents the state of affairs of the year in one kanji character, was announced at Kiyomizu-dera Temple in Kyoto, and the character "kin" (gold) was chosen. The reading is a combination of the katakana "kin," which represents light, such as the success of Japanese athletes at the Olympics and Paralympics and Shohei Ohtani, and the hiragana "kane," which represents shadow, such as the problem of secret funds in politics and robberies by illegal part-timers.
Wakayama District Court acquits ex-wife in murder case of "Kishu Don Juan"
2024-12-12 13:58:00
The Wakayama District Court has acquitted a 28-year-old ex-wife who was charged with murder and other charges for allegedly giving a wealthy Wakayama company president known as "Don Juan of Kishu" stimulants and killing him.
Steel beam falls from viaduct on Keisei Main Line in Tokyo's Adachi Ward, no injuries
2024-12-12 13:10:00
On the morning of the 12th, an approximately 11-meter-long steel beam fell from an elevated bridge on the Keisei Main Line in Adachi Ward, Tokyo, blocking traffic on the road. No one was injured.
Two Vietnamese arrested for allegedly breaking into the former JMA building to steal copper wires
2024-12-12 12:48:00
On the night of the 10th, two Vietnamese suspects were arrested for breaking into the former building of the Japan Meteorological Agency in Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo, and attempting to steal copper cables.
Brothers, junior high school students, arrested and reported for breaking into a home with the intent to steal in Yokohama
2024-12-12 12:36:00
On the 11th, in Isogo Ward, Yokohama City, a pair of junior high school brothers chased a 58-year-old suspect who had broken into their home with the intent of stealing and then fled for about 80 meters before apprehending him and calling the police, who then arrested the suspect.
This year's supplementary budget bill to be passed by the House of Representatives Budget Committee soon
2024-12-12 12:10:00
The supplementary budget for this fiscal year, which will underpin the new economic measures, will soon be put to a vote in the House of Representatives Budget Committee, and is expected to pass with a majority vote in favor from the LDP, Komeito, Japan Restoration Party, and the Democratic Party for the People. The general account total for this fiscal year's supplementary budget is approximately 13.9 trillion yen. Following intensive deliberations, the House of Representatives Budget Committee held a closing question-and-answer session with Prime Minister Ishiba and all Cabinet members in attendance. The supplementary budget, along with amendments submitted by the Constitutional Democratic Party, will soon be put to a vote, and is expected to pass with a majority vote in favor from the LDP, Komeito, Japan Restoration Party, and the Democratic Party for the People. After some amendments, it will also be passed in the House of Representatives plenary session and sent to the House of Councillors.
UN General Assembly Resolution Supporting UNRWA's Mission in Response to Israeli Ban on Activities
2024-12-12 11:58:00
Amid growing concerns that the Israeli government will implement a law from January banning UN agencies working to support Palestinian refugees in the Gaza Strip and elsewhere, the UN General Assembly on the 11th overwhelmingly adopted a resolution supporting the work of UN agencies.
A man in his 30s was arrested on suspicion of extorting over 1 million yen under the false accusation of "voyeurism"
2024-12-12 11:23:00
A 36-year-old suspect was arrested on suspicion of extortion at an electronics retail store in Akihabara, Tokyo, for falsely accusing a male customer who was taking photos of products of "secretly taking photos of women, weren't you?", and extorting more than 1 million yen in cash from him.
Opening ceremony of the exhibition introducing the Japan Confederation of A-bomb Sufferers Organizations at the Nobel Peace Center
2024-12-12 11:20:00
An opening ceremony was held in Oslo, the capital of Norway, to showcase the Nobel Peace Prize-winning Japan Confederation of A-bomb Sufferers Organizations (HASU), with atomic bomb survivors in attendance.
Juan Soto signs with Mets, transfer negotiations intensify
2024-12-12 11:06:00
The Winter Meetings, the climax of Major League transfer negotiations, is now in its third day. Transfer talks are intensifying with the official announcement of the contract of Yankees player Juan Soto, the biggest focus of this offseason. There is also continued interest in the future of pitcher Roki Sasaki, who is aiming to transfer to the Major Leagues from professional baseball team Lotte.
Japan Restoration Party announces "intention to support this year's supplementary budget proposal"
2024-12-12 10:55:00
Japan Restoration Party co-leader Maehara expressed his intention to support this year's supplementary budget bill, which will support the new economic measures, taking into account that revisions are expected to be made to the budget toward the recovery and reconstruction of the Noto Peninsula.
"President-elect Trump expresses dissatisfaction with FBI director's resignation" US media
2024-12-12 10:47:00
American media reported that FBI Director Wray, with whom President-elect Trump has expressed dissatisfaction, has expressed his intention to resign mid-term in January when Trump takes office as president.
[Breaking News] South Korean President Yoon issues statement to the nation regarding "emergency martial law"
2024-12-12 10:10:00
South Korean President Yoon Seok-yeol delivered a video address to the nation regarding "emergency martial law" at around 9:30 a.m. on the 12th.
Nikkei Stock Average temporarily recovers to the 40,000 yen range for the first time in about two months since October this year
2024-12-12 10:02:00
On the 12th, buying orders spread immediately after trading began on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, and the Nikkei Stock Average temporarily recovered to the 40,000 yen range. This was the first time during trading hours that it had risen to the 40,000 yen level in about two months since October of this year. Following a significant rise in the Nasdaq stock price index, which is dominated by tech-related stocks on the New York Stock Exchange on the 11th, buying orders are spreading in the Tokyo market, mainly for semiconductor-related stocks.
2030 FIFA World Cup to be hosted by Spain and 3 other countries, 2034 to be hosted by Saudi Arabia
2024-12-12 09:04:00
FIFA has decided that the 2030 men's World Cup will be co-hosted by Morocco, Portugal and Spain, while the 2034 tournament will be hosted by Saudi Arabia.
US reports: President-elect Trump to invite Chinese President Xi Jinping to inauguration
2024-12-12 08:34:00
On the 11th, CBS Television in the United States reported, citing multiple sources, that President-elect Trump has invited Chinese President Xi Jinping to the presidential inauguration in January. It is unclear whether President Xi will accept the invitation.
Freight train derails at JR Sendai Station in Kagoshima, no injuries, some lines out of service
2024-12-12 07:12:00
A freight train derailed at Kawauchi Station on the JR Kagoshima Main Line in Satsumasendai City, Kagoshima Prefecture, early in the morning on the 12th. JR Kagoshima Main Line has been unable to operate since the first train near the incident, and there is no prospect of it resuming operation.
Nasdaq stock index hits 20,000 mark for first time; buying orders rise as interest rate cut prospects grow
2024-12-12 07:07:00
On the 11th, the New York Stock Exchange saw buying orders coming in mainly from major IT companies, and the Nasdaq stock index, which has many technology-related stocks, rose sharply, exceeding 20,000 for the first time.
Wakayama District Court sentences ex-wife in murder case of "Kishu Don Juan" today
2024-12-12 06:15:00
On the 12th, the Wakayama District Court will hand down a sentence to a 28-year-old ex-wife accused of murder and other crimes for allegedly giving stimulant drugs to a company president in Wakayama Prefecture who was known as the "Don Juan of Kishu" and killed him. While the prosecution has sought a life sentence, the defense has consistently maintained innocence, and attention is focused on how the court will rule in the absence of direct evidence.
Syrian opposition forces to hold accountable those involved in torture under Assad
2024-12-12 06:08:00
In Syria, the rebel forces that brought down the dictatorial Assad regime announced on the 11th that they would pursue accountability for those involved in torture under the Assad regime, and their future moves are attracting attention.
IAEA convoy attacked: Ukraine and Russia each accuse the other
2024-12-12 05:37:00
On the 10th, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on social media that a Russian drone had attacked a convoy of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Zaporizhia in the south of the country, but the Russian Foreign Ministry countered that the attack was carried out by Ukraine, leading to an exchange of accusations.
South Korean Presidential Office Refuses Police Search: "It's Just a Matter of Time Before the President is Forced to Be Searched"
2024-12-12 05:28:00
Following the declaration of "emergency martial law" by South Korean President Yoon Seok-yeol, police and others began a search of the presidential office on the 11th, but the presidential office refused the search and only submitted some documents. On the other hand, it has been reported that "it is only a matter of time before a forced investigation into President Yoon takes place," and interest in the outcome of the investigation continues to grow.
Supplementary budget bill to be passed in the House of Representatives today, with the public in favor
2024-12-12 05:13:00
On the 11th, the Liberal Democratic Party, Komeito Party, and the Democratic Party for the People signed an agreement to revise the "1.03 million yen annual income barrier." In response, the Democratic Party for the People indicated its intention to support this year's supplementary budget bill, which is expected to be passed by a majority vote on the 12th and sent to the House of Councillors.
Japan Confederation of A- and H-Bomb Sufferers Organizations to once again call on government to join Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons
2024-12-12 05:05:00
The day after the Nobel Peace Prize award ceremony, three representatives of the Japan Confederation of A- and H-Bomb Sufferers Organizations met with the Norwegian Prime Minister. At a press conference afterwards, Representative Hiromi Tanaka expressed his intention to once again call on the Japanese government to join the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, which prohibits the development and use of nuclear weapons, in order to realize nuclear abolition.
