Main news(2024/12/19)
Acquaintance arrested for obstruction of justice in Chiba Kashiwa couple murder case, possible involvement in murder
2024-12-19 20:10:00
On the night of the 18th, in Kashiwa City, Chiba Prefecture, a couple was killed with what appeared to be a knife, and on the night of the 19th, police arrested a male suspect in his 70s, an acquaintance of the suspect, on suspicion of obstruction of justice. Police believe that the suspect was also involved in the murder of the couple, and have an arrest warrant for him in connection with an arson incident that occurred nearby shortly after the incident, and police are currently investigating the details of the incident.
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LDP and Komeito confirm "1.23 million yen income tax deduction" clearly stated in tax reform outline
2024-12-19 20:00:00
Regarding the review of the "1.03 million yen annual income barrier," the chairmen of the tax system research committees of the Liberal Democratic Party and Komeito Party met and confirmed that the tax reform outline for next year, to be decided on the 20th, will clearly state that the income tax deduction amount will be raised to 1.23 million yen. However, in consideration of the Democratic Party for the People, which is calling for a further increase, it was decided to include the phrase "We will continue to hold sincere discussions."
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U.S. Department of Defense: China Estimates More Than 600 Nuclear Warheads, China Criticizes
2024-12-19 19:05:00
The United States has released a report stating that China's operational nuclear warheads have increased by about 100 since last year, to an estimated 600. Senior government officials expressed concern that China is not only increasing its nuclear warheads, but is also diversifying its nuclear arsenal.
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Hearing ends for 158 people seeking compensation for "exhaust fumes causing asthma"
2024-12-19 19:02:00
A hearing in which both sides presented their arguments at the National Pollution Adjustment Commission, which filed a lawsuit against the government and automakers, ended on the 19th, in which 158 people, including residents of Tokyo and Kanagawa, filed a lawsuit against them, claiming that relief measures have been insufficient despite the fact that they developed asthma and other conditions due to air pollution caused by car exhaust fumes. If no agreement is reached in upcoming closed-door discussions, the commission is expected to issue a ruling as early as next year on whether the government and automakers are liable for compensation.
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Former Johnny's talent files lawsuit in US court over "sexual assault in the US"
2024-12-19 18:20:00
In relation to the issue of sexual assault by Johnny Kitagawa, the founder of the former Johnny & Associates, two former talents have filed a lawsuit in a US court against the company that changed its name from Johnny & Associates, among others, seeking a total of 300 million dollars, or more than 46 billion yen, alleging that they were sexually assaulted and suffered physical and mental distress by Kitagawa while they were staying in the US.
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LDP, Komeito, and Nippon Ishin to discuss specific policy issues, including free education
2024-12-19 17:55:00
The first meeting of a specialist team focusing on the field of education consisting of the Liberal Democratic Party, Komeito Party and the Japan Restoration Party was held, and the three parties confirmed their intention to discuss specific policy issues, including the Restoration Party's proposal to make education free of charge.
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President Putin to hold end-of-year press conference and Q&A with citizens
2024-12-19 17:26:00
Russian President Putin is scheduled to hold his end-of-year press conference and his traditional event where he answers questions directly from the public on the evening of the 19th (Japan time). The focus of his remarks will be on the military invasion of Ukraine and relations with the incoming Trump administration in the United States.
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Japan Fair Trade Commission issues cease and desist order to major Fukuoka furniture wholesaler, refusing to allow retailers to lower prices
2024-12-19 17:12:00
A major furniture wholesaler in Fukuoka Prefecture has violated the Antimonopoly Act by asking retailers not to sell foreign brand desk chairs at discounted prices, and the Fair Trade Commission has issued an exclusion order to the company, calling for it to prevent recurrence.
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The average price of a new apartment in the Tokyo metropolitan area in November was 79.88 million yen, remaining at a high level
2024-12-19 16:59:00
The average price of new condominiums released in the greater Tokyo area in November was 79.88 million yen. Although this is lower than the same month last year, it continues to remain at a high level due to rising construction costs.
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"Meeting with Prime Minister Ishiba in mid-January in the U.S." Trump's side has sounded out
2024-12-19 16:32:00
Regarding a meeting between Prime Minister Ishiba and the next US President Trump, it has been learned from an interview with a government official that Trump's side has sounded out whether it would be possible to hold the meeting in the US in mid-January. Prime Minister Ishiba is expected to make a decision based on the date of the convening of the regular Diet session, etc.
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House of Representatives Ethics Committee: Fukuda: "Secretary did not include information in income and expenditure report at the instruction of faction"
2024-12-19 15:50:00
Regarding the issue surrounding political fundraising parties held by LDP factions, Fukuda, the former acting secretary-general of the Abe faction, who appeared before the House of Representatives Political Ethics Committee, explained that following instructions from the faction, secretaries had taken measures not to include the refunds in the income and expenditure reports.
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Former sumo wrestler Abusaki: "I'm no longer in good enough shape to wrestle" at retirement press conference
2024-12-19 15:47:00
Abusaki, a former komusubi in sumo who was active in the top division for a total of more than seven years, retired on the 18th and held a press conference where he explained the reason for his decision to retire, saying, "I'm no longer in good enough shape to wrestle sumo."
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Prime Minister Ishiba: "I intend to take every possible measure to prevent child suicide" in next year's budget proposal
2024-12-19 14:55:00
With measures to prevent suicide among children and students becoming an issue, Prime Minister Ishiba met with members of a bipartisan parliamentary group and, in response to a request to set aside sufficient funds in next year's budget proposal, conveyed his intention to take all possible measures to protect children's lives.
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South Korea: "North Korean soldiers dispatched to Russia killed about 100, injured 1,000"
2024-12-19 14:55:00
South Korea's intelligence agency said it believes around 100 North Korean soldiers have been killed and 1,000 wounded in fighting in western Russia.
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First discussions held under the chairmanship of the House of Representatives Constitutional Review Committee, Edano
2024-12-19 14:40:00
The House of Representatives Constitutional Review Committee held its first discussions under the chairmanship of Constitutional Democratic Party member Edano, who took over after the recent House of Representatives election, and each party expressed their opinions on how to proceed with future discussions.
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Special exhibition on past earthquake disasters ahead of 30 years since the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake Fire Museum
2024-12-19 12:54:00
With the 30th anniversary of the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake approaching, a special exhibition featuring materials from past earthquake disasters is being held at the Fire and Disaster Management Museum in Shinjuku, Tokyo.
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11 years after the murder of Gyoza no Ohsho's president, investigation continues to clarify the whole story
2024-12-19 12:53:00
It has been 11 years since the president of the company that operates Gyoza no Ohsho was murdered on the 19th. The trial of the gang leader who was indicted on charges of murder and other crimes for carrying out the shooting has been decided to be excluded from the lay judge trial, and procedures are underway for the first hearing. Meanwhile, the police believe that there was someone who gave the orders and are continuing their investigation to clarify the whole picture.
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Bank of Japan Monetary Policy Meeting Decides Not to Raise Interest Rates, Maintains Monetary Policy
2024-12-19 12:03:00
The Bank of Japan decided to postpone any further interest rate hikes at the Monetary Policy Meeting held until the 19th. It is believed that the Bank of Japan decided to keep the policy interest rate at around 0.25% and wait to see how wage increases will develop after the New Year and the impact of the policies of the next US President, Trump.
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National Police Agency to submit bill to amend entertainment law to ban "romance business" to Diet next year
2024-12-19 11:36:00
In response to a series of problems involving female customers at host clubs being charged excessive fees and forced into debt, the National Police Agency has decided to ban so-called "romance business," which exploits romantic feelings to force expensive meals and drinks. It plans to submit a bill to amend the Entertainment and Amusement Business Act to the next ordinary Diet session, incorporating new regulations and tougher penalties.
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Bill to amend the old Correspondence Expenses Act is expected to be passed in the current Diet session
2024-12-19 11:14:00
The ruling and opposition parties agreed on a proposed amendment to the Appropriations Law that would require the former correspondence expenses, now called "research, public relations and residence expenses," to disclose their use annually and return any remaining amounts. The amendment is expected to be passed in the current Diet session, with both the ruling and opposition parties agreeing to put it to a vote in the House of Councillors committee and plenary session on the 20th.
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[Breaking News] A man in his 40s who lives nearby was arrested after two junior high school students were killed in Kitakyushu
2024-12-19 11:05:00
In connection with the incident on the 14th of this month at a fast food restaurant in Kokuraminami Ward, Kitakyushu City, in which two junior high school students, a boy and a girl, were stabbed with a knife, leaving the 15-year-old girl dead and the boy injured, investigators say a man in his 40s has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder of the male student.
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Final adjustments made to Mount Fuji toll to be levied at 4,000 yen per person from next year in Yamanashi
2024-12-19 10:24:00
Regarding restrictions on climbing Mount Fuji, Yamanashi Prefecture is making final adjustments toward charging 4,000 yen per person as an access fee starting next summer mountain season.
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Tsuneo Watanabe passes away at age 98. Yomiuri Shimbun Group Inc. CEO and editor-in-chief
2024-12-19 10:05:00
Tsuneo Watanabe, the CEO and editor-in-chief of the Yomiuri Shimbun Group, who also had an impact on the political and professional sports worlds, passed away in a hospital in Tokyo in the early hours of the 19th. He was 98 years old.
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Tokyo Hachioji: Man found collapsed on street in hit-and-run accident, transported to hospital but dies
2024-12-19 09:58:00
On the morning of the 19th, a man was found collapsed on the street in Hachioji, Tokyo, and was taken to the hospital, but was confirmed dead. Based on the situation at the scene, the Metropolitan Police Department is investigating the case, believing that the man on his bicycle was hit and run by a car.
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First severe bird flu case in the US: "Low risk to the general public"
2024-12-19 08:50:00
On the 18th, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced that the first case of a patient infected with the avian influenza virus "H5N1" in the country had become seriously ill. No human-to-human transmission has been confirmed, and the risk to the general public remains low.
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Gasoline prices expected to rise by around 5 yen per liter as government subsidies shrink
2024-12-19 08:23:00
In order to keep gasoline prices down, the government will reduce subsidies it has been providing to oil refiners from the 19th. This will be reflected in retail prices in about two to three weeks, and is expected to lead to a price increase of about 5 yen per liter.
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Nippon Steel's plan to acquire US Steel is reportedly on track to be blocked
2024-12-19 06:48:00
Reuters reported that the U.S. government committee reviewing Nippon Steel's plan to acquire U.S. Steel, a major American steel manufacturer, has not yet reached a decision to approve the acquisition, and the acquisition is likely to be blocked.
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Snow in the mountains along the Sea of Japan coast, beware of traffic disruptions, lightning strikes and gusts of wind
2024-12-19 06:45:00
Due to the influence of strong cold air, the atmospheric conditions in western and eastern Japan have become very unstable, and snow is falling mainly along the mountains on the Sea of Japan side. The Japan Meteorological Agency is calling for caution against the impact on traffic and strong gusts of wind such as lightning strikes and tornadoes.
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[Breaking News] Fed decides to cut interest rates by 0.25%, marking third consecutive rate cut
2024-12-19 06:15:00
The US Federal Reserve Board held a meeting to decide monetary policy and announced on the 18th that it had decided to cut interest rates by 0.25%. This is the third consecutive rate cut. Meanwhile, participants at the meeting also presented their outlook, revealing their assumption that the pace of interest rate cuts next year will be slower than before.
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LDP and Komeito continue discussions with Democratic Party for the People to raise tax to 1.23 million yen and clarify tax outline
2024-12-19 05:57:00
Regarding the review of the "1.03 million yen annual income barrier," the Liberal Democratic Party and Komeito are moving to raise the income tax deduction amount to 1.23 million yen and include this in the tax reform outline for next year. As they will be in the minority government, they intend to continue discussions with the Democratic Party for the People in the future, with an eye toward cooperation in passing the next fiscal year's budget bill.
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Honda and Nissan to sign memorandum of understanding next week, considering setting up holding company
2024-12-19 05:47:00
Honda and Nissan Motor, who are in talks to merge, are expected to sign a memorandum of understanding as early as next week and enter into concrete negotiations. They are considering establishing a holding company to bring both companies under its umbrella, with the investment ratio and schedule for the merger being key issues.
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Chiba Kashiwa man and woman stabbed to death on residential property, investigation underway into murder case
2024-12-19 04:28:00
On the night of the 18th, a man and woman believed to be a married couple living in a house on the grounds of a house in Kashiwa City, Chiba Prefecture, were stabbed with what appeared to be a knife, and were confirmed dead at the hospital where they were taken. The police are investigating the case as a murder. Meanwhile, a fire broke out nearby, completely burning down eight houses, and the police are investigating whether there is a connection between the incident and the incident.
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