Main news(2025/01/30)
JR Yamanote Line outer loop service suspended due to fatal accident
2025-01-30 22:09:00
JR Yamanote Line has suspended operations on the outer loop due to a fatal accident that occurred at Shibuya Station just after 9:30 pm. Operations are expected to resume around 10:30 pm.
TOP
Israel releases three Israeli and five Thai hostages held by Hamas
2025-01-30 21:44:00
Following the ceasefire agreement between Israel and the Islamic organization Hamas in the Gaza Strip, Hamas released three more Israeli hostages and five Thai hostages on the 30th.
TOP
[Earthquake Alert] Magnitude 3 earthquake in Ogasawara, no risk of tsunami
2025-01-30 21:06:00
An earthquake occurred around 9:00 pm on the 30th. There is no need to worry about a tsunami caused by this earthquake. The epicenter was off the coast of Chichijima, the depth of the epicenter was 50 km, and the magnitude of the earthquake was estimated to be 4.7. The seismic intensity of each city and town is as follows. Seismic intensity 3: Hahajima in the Ogasawara Islands, Tokyo.
TOP
Prosecutor's evidence list for "Iizuka case" to be presented at judge-only hearing
2025-01-30 21:02:00
On the 30th, the Fukuoka High Court recommended that the prosecution present a list of evidence requested by the defense team in a hearing held only by the judges in the retrial of the so-called "Iizuka case," in which two elementary school girls were murdered in Iizuka City, Fukuoka Prefecture, 33 years ago. The prosecution responded that they would comply, and the court will decide in the future whether or not to disclose the evidence to the defense team.
TOP
[Video] Fukui Sakai gust of wind damage determined to be a "tornado" by meteorological observatory
2025-01-30 20:54:00
On the morning of the 29th, a strong gust of wind caused damage including the collapse of a shed near the coast of Sakai City, Fukui Prefecture. After an investigation, the meteorological observatory determined that it was a tornado.
TOP
JR Central President: "We want to increase the number of Shinkansen trains that stop in Shizuoka Prefecture with the opening of the Linear Shinkansen"
2025-01-30 20:49:00
JR Central President Shunsuke Niwa met with Shizuoka Governor Suzuki, who has not approved the start of construction of the Linear Chuo Shinkansen, and conveyed his intention to increase the number of stops on the Tokaido Shinkansen "Hikari" trains in Shizuoka Prefecture if the Linear opens.
TOP
Fuji TV President Shimizu corrects Shukan Bunshun article, "Timing questionable"
2025-01-30 20:46:00
Regarding Shukan Bunshun's correction of an article about the dinner that took place on the day the incident between Nakai Masahiro and the woman occurred, Fuji Television President Shimizu Kenji said, "What puzzled me most was why they issued the correction at that time. I think they needed to respond more appropriately."
TOP
Government decides not to fully subsidize Tokyo Women's Medical University this year
2025-01-30 18:46:00
The government has decided not to provide any subsidies for fiscal 2024 to Tokyo Women's Medical University, whose former president was arrested in connection with a breach of trust case involving the construction of facilities on the university campus.
TOP
"Seat like a bed" to be trialled on late night buses for the first time in Japan
2025-01-30 18:35:00
Bus companies in Kochi Prefecture have announced that they have developed "full-flat seats" where the backrests can be folded down horizontally to become like beds, and will be trialing their introduction on late-night buses connecting Tokyo and Kochi from March this year. According to the bus companies, this is the first time in the country that such seats have been introduced on highway buses, and they hope to capture demand from budget-minded passengers amid soaring hotel prices.
TOP
Deputy Governor of the Bank of Japan: "If the economy and prices move in line with forecast, we will consider raising interest rates"
2025-01-30 18:06:00
Bank of Japan Deputy Governor Himino, who decided to raise interest rates further last week, gave a speech in Tokyo on the 30th and indicated that if the economy and prices continue to develop as expected, the bank will consider further interest rate hikes.
TOP
Seven & i Holdings' founding family requests large investment from major Thai conglomerate
2025-01-30 18:03:00
Seven & i Holdings, which has received a takeover bid from a major Canadian convenience store chain, has been asked by the founding family, who are proposing to delist the company, to make a new large-scale investment of several hundred billion yen from a major Thai conglomerate. The founding family is currently making arrangements to finalize the takeover bid within the fiscal year.
TOP
CDP, Ishin, and Kokumin submit bill to improve working conditions in the nursing and disability welfare sectors
2025-01-30 17:56:00
Arguing that improved working conditions are necessary to resolve the labor shortage in the nursing care and welfare for people with disabilities sectors, three opposition parties including the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan have jointly submitted a bill to the House of Representatives that includes provisions for providing subsidies to enable businesses to raise employee wages.
TOP
Two Brazilians arrested for stealing a Land Cruiser
2025-01-30 17:01:00
Two Brazilians were arrested for stealing a Toyota Land Cruiser luxury car. The Metropolitan Police Department is investigating whether they may have stolen about 60 other luxury cars, and it is believed that they used a method known as "CAN Invader," which breaks into the car's communication system.
TOP
Fire breaks out at JFE Steel West Japan Works in Okayama, no reports of injuries
2025-01-30 16:48:00
On the afternoon of the 30th, a fire broke out at the JFE Steel West Japan Works in Kurashiki, Okayama Prefecture, and fire engines were dispatched. According to the company, there have been no reports of injuries so far.
TOP
LDP rushes to consider concrete measures to prevent spread of false information on social media from negatively affecting elections
2025-01-30 16:36:00
A joint meeting was held with the LDP's Election System Research Committee and other groups to discuss the use of social media, and it was confirmed that they would expedite consideration of concrete measures, citing the need to prevent negative effects on elections from the spread of false information.
TOP
"Active Cyber Defense" Bill approved by LDP to be submitted to Diet soon
2025-01-30 16:22:00
A bill to introduce "active cyber defense" to prevent cyber attacks before they occur was approved at a meeting of the Liberal Democratic Party on the 30th. The bill includes provisions for the police and the Self-Defense Forces to access the source of the attack and take measures to neutralize it, and the government plans to submit the bill to the Diet soon with the aim of passing it.
TOP
Canada and Mexico: "Take measures to combat drugs to avoid tariffs"
2025-01-30 14:53:00
Howard Lutnick, the nominee for U.S. Secretary of Commerce, said he believes that President Trump's proposed tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico could be avoided if the two countries take measures to combat drug trafficking into the United States.
TOP
Osaka High Court rules to revoke decision not to disclose documents related to Moritomo Gakuen
2025-01-30 14:44:00
In a lawsuit filed by the wife of a male employee of the Kinki Finance Bureau who committed suicide after being implicated in the falsification of Ministry of Finance documents related to Moritomo Gakuen, the Osaka High Court, in the second instance, handed down a ruling that overturned the decision not to disclose related documents, in a contrary decision to the first instance, without even disclosing the existence of the documents.
TOP
"Meta Trump's social media suspension: settlement reached for 3.8 billion yen" US media
2025-01-30 14:39:00
In a lawsuit filed four years ago by U.S. President Trump against the IT giant Meta, dissatisfied with the suspension of his Mizugara social media account, local media reported that Meta agreed to pay $25 million, or more than 3.8 billion yen, to settle the case.
TOP
Toyota Group's global sales total more than 10.82 million units, topping the list for the fifth consecutive year
2025-01-30 14:09:00
Toyota Motor Corporation announced that its group-wide global car sales for the past year totaled more than 10.82 million units, surpassing Germany's Volkswagen to become the world's top car manufacturer for the fifth consecutive year.
TOP
House of Representatives Budget Committee votes by majority to call on former Abe faction accounting officer as witness
2025-01-30 13:16:00
In a case involving a political fund-raising party for a faction of the Liberal Democratic Party, the House of Representatives Budget Committee voted to call in the former Abe faction's accounting officer as a witness, and the motion was passed with a majority in favor from the opposition. Chairman Yasuzumi will request the accounting officer to appear before the committee around the 10th of next month.
TOP
Komeito Secretary-General Nishida: "Tokyo's 21st district is a strong option for running in the Lower House election"
2025-01-30 12:59:00
Regarding preparations for the next House of Representatives election, Komeito Secretary-General Nishida stated that the party is coordinating with the LDP on candidates for Tokyo's single-seat constituencies, and expressed the view that Tokyo's 21st constituency, where there is no incumbent LDP member, is a strong option for fielding a candidate.
TOP
New arrest of adult entertainment scout group executive, uncovering store that received illegal referrals
2025-01-30 12:08:00
In connection with a case in which a scout group is alleged to have received 7 billion yen in compensation for introducing women they recruited on social media to sex entertainment establishments across the country, the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department has arrested a senior member of the group and raided a sex entertainment establishment in a hot spring resort town in Kaga City, Ishikawa Prefecture, that had received the illegal introductions.
TOP
Plane hits military helicopter near Washington, crashes into Potomac River
2025-01-30 12:04:00
An aircraft crashed near Reagan National Airport near Washington, the capital of the United States. CNN reported that the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) stated that the aircraft had come into contact with a US military helicopter, a Blackhawk. The aircraft crashed into the Potomac River near the airport. Reagan National Airport is currently restricting takeoffs and landings.
TOP
Fuji TV and parent company board of directors to discuss future management structure
2025-01-30 12:02:00
In response to the series of issues surrounding Nakai Masahiro's troubles with women, Fuji Television and its parent company will hold a board meeting on the 30th to begin full-scale discussions aimed at rebuilding governance and restoring trust. With regard to the selection of new management, which is the focus of attention, the seven outside directors have shown an active involvement in the matter by making recommendations to the company, and the board meeting on the 30th is expected to discuss the future shape of the management structure based on the recommendations of the outside directors.
TOP
Organized crime group member arrested for instructing young people to commit special fraud at "Toyoko" in Shinjuku, Tokyo
2025-01-30 11:03:00
There have been a series of cases in which young people in the "Toyo Yoko" area of Shinjuku, Tokyo, have been arrested for participating in special fraud, and on the 29th, the Metropolitan Police Department arrested a 34-year-old gang member believed to be the leader. The Metropolitan Police Department is investigating the possibility that gangs are using young people in the downtown area to get involved in crimes and other crimes, and using them as a source of funding.
TOP
Vaccine skeptic Kennedy Jr.: "Vaccines are important"
2025-01-30 10:23:00
Robert Kennedy Jr., who has been nominated to be Secretary of Health and Human Services in the Trump administration, attended his confirmation hearing and, in spite of being known as a "vaccine skeptic," emphasized that "vaccines play an important role" and that he is not opposed to vaccines.
TOP
Kanagawa Hadano helicopter accident: "Sudden maneuvers caused loss of control" investigation report
2025-01-30 10:13:00
In the accident four years ago in which a helicopter crashed into a field in Hadano City, Kanagawa Prefecture, killing the male pilot, the National Transport Safety Board has compiled a report stating that it is believed that when the rotor speed slowed and an alarm sounded, the captain made a sudden operation, causing the aircraft to lose control and leading to the crash.
TOP
Report on Oita hovercraft accident: Did it approach seawall, get blown away by wind and collide?
2025-01-30 10:08:00
In 2023, an amphibious vessel, a hovercraft, collided with a seawall while undergoing pre-service training at Oita Airport. The Japan Transport Safety Board compiled a report stating that the vessel was blown away by the wind while sailing close to the seawall and collided. Four other collisions have occurred, and the Japan Transport Safety Board is currently investigating them.
TOP
Omotesando jewellery store robbery: UK court quashes first-instance ruling, trial to be rescheduled
2025-01-30 08:33:00
In connection with the theft of approximately 100 million yen worth of jewels from a jewelry store in Omotesando, Tokyo 10 years ago, a British court has overturned the first-instance ruling that had denied the extradition of two British men who were on an international wanted list by the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department to Japan, and ordered a retrial.
TOP
October-December financial results: Microsoft and Metacritic increase in revenue and profits, Tesla increase in revenue and decrease in profits
2025-01-30 08:29:00
In the United States, IT giants Microsoft and Meta, formerly Facebook, announced their financial results one after another, both reporting increased revenue and profits. Meanwhile, electric vehicle manufacturer Tesla saw its revenue increase and profits decrease.
TOP
Conditions necessary for the emergence of life may have been widespread in the early solar system, according to NASA and other researchers
2025-01-30 08:05:00
A research team including NASA has analyzed samples taken from an asteroid between Earth and Mars and found that they contained organic matter necessary for making proteins and DNA. The team believes that the conditions necessary for the emergence of life may have been widespread in the early solar system.
TOP
Emergency release of wastewater begins three days after road collapse in Yashio, Saitama
2025-01-30 07:12:00
A large-scale road collapse believed to have been caused by a broken sewer pipe in Yashio City, Saitama Prefecture, has occurred for the third day on the 30th, but a man in his 70s who is believed to have been left behind in a truck that fell into the hole created by the collapse has not been rescued and his whereabouts are unknown. Meanwhile, there is no prospect of the sewer pipes being restored, and the impact is spreading, with Saitama Prefecture starting an emergency discharge of sewage into the river from the night of the 29th.
TOP
Frozen accounts seized due to false allegations: Court procedure abuse?
2025-01-30 07:06:00
Accounts used in fraud cases are frozen according to law, and the funds are used to repay the victims. However, it has been discovered that there have been cases where companies unrelated to the victims have seized accounts that should have been frozen under false pretenses. This appears to have been an abuse of court procedures, and the Supreme Court has conducted an investigation to ascertain the actual situation.
TOP
Snowfall to intensify locally from Tohoku to Hokuriku Heavy snowfall expected through the 31st
2025-01-30 06:59:00
Due to the influence of winter pressure patterns and cold air above, snow is intensifying locally from the Sea of Japan side of Tohoku to Hokuriku. Heavy snow is expected through the 31st, and the Japan Meteorological Agency is calling for caution against the impact on traffic and snow falling from roofs, as well as avalanches.
TOP
[Breaking News] US Fed announces postponement of interest rate cut, wary of re-accelerating inflation
2025-01-30 06:57:00
The US Federal Reserve Board held a meeting to decide monetary policy and announced on the 29th that it had decided to postpone any interest rate cuts and to keep the policy interest rate unchanged. This is the first time in four meetings since July last year that the Fed has kept the policy interest rate unchanged.
TOP
The new fiscal year budget bill will be deliberated on January 31st. What are the policies of the ruling and opposition parties?
2025-01-30 05:33:00
The new fiscal year budget proposal, with a general account total of over 115 trillion yen, the largest ever, will enter into actual deliberation in the House of Representatives Budget Committee on the 31st. As the ruling minority, the Liberal Democratic Party and Komeito plan to seek the passage of the budget within the fiscal year with the cooperation of the opposition parties, while the Constitutional Democratic Party and others are pointing out problems, including how to deal with rising prices, and are preparing to revise the budget proposal.
TOP
Experts' panel to set up "Disaster Prevention Agency" meets for first time today, to begin full-scale review
2025-01-30 05:20:00
The first meeting of the government's expert panel will be held on the 30th in preparation for the establishment of the Disaster Prevention Agency. The panel will discuss strengthening pre-disaster prevention measures and improving the environment at evacuation shelters, and is aiming to compile a policy direction by this summer.
TOP