Main news(2025/02/03)
Citizens donate 25.4 billion yen to rebuild city hospital in Takarazuka, Hyogo
2025-02-03 21:26:00
The city of Takarazuka in Hyogo Prefecture has revealed that it has received approximately 25.4 billion yen in donations from citizens to help with the rebuilding of its municipal hospital.
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Vending machine offering winter delicacy "matsuba crab" installed at Yonago Airport in Tottori
2025-02-03 20:34:00
A vending machine offering prizes such as Matsuba crab, a winter delicacy from Sanin, has been installed at Yonago Airport in Tottori Prefecture.
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House of Representatives Budget Committee Prime Minister "Japan-U.S. summit meeting confirms importance of rule of law, etc."
2025-02-03 19:08:00
The House of Representatives Budget Committee was deliberating on the new fiscal year budget. In response to the opposition parties' questioning of Prime Minister Ishiba's stance on the Japan-U.S. summit to be held this week, Prime Minister Ishiba expressed his intention to confirm with President Trump the importance of a "free and open Indo-Pacific" and the rule of law.
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Earthquake and heavy rain damage: Four cities and towns in Oku-Noto region experience 8.4% population drop in one year
2025-02-03 18:13:00
The population of four cities and towns in the Oku-Noto region of Ishikawa Prefecture, which was hit by the Noto Peninsula earthquake and heavy rains last September, fell by 8.4% in the year up to January 1, according to a prefectural summary based on resident registrations in cities and towns.
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SoftBank Group and OpenAI announce joint venture
2025-02-03 18:07:00
SoftBank Group has announced that it will partner with the US company OpenAI to develop and sell AI for businesses, and to establish a joint venture. As competition among companies for development intensifies, the aim is to further accelerate AI-related business by deepening cooperation with OpenAI, which is a leader in the development of generative AI.
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A work featuring cellist L Matsumoto also won a Grammy Award
2025-02-03 16:19:00
The Grammy Awards ceremony, the highest honor in the American music industry, was held in Los Angeles, and a work featuring cellist Matsumoto El was selected for the Best New Age/Ambient/Chant Album award.
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Long-term interest rates: Government bond yields rise to 1.260% at one point, the highest level in 13 years and 9 months
2025-02-03 15:40:00
In the bond market on the 3rd, following the signing of an executive order by US President Trump to increase tariffs on imports from Canada, Mexico, and China, the yield on 10-year government bonds, which is a representative indicator of Japan's long-term interest rates, temporarily rose to 1.260% due to speculation that US inflation may accelerate again.
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80th anniversary of Manila street battle at the end of the Pacific War: Memorial ceremony for about 100,000 victims
2025-02-03 14:27:00
February 3rd marked 80 years since urban warfare between the Imperial Japanese Army and the U.S. Army began in Manila, the capital of the Philippines, at the end of the Pacific War, and a ceremony was held in the city to commemorate the approximately 100,000 victims.
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Wakayama poison curry case: Death row inmate files special appeal to Supreme Court
2025-02-03 14:23:00
It has been revealed that death row inmate Masumi Hayashi, whose death sentence was finalized for murder and other crimes in the "poison curry incident" in Wakayama City 27 years ago in which four people died, has filed a special appeal to the Supreme Court, dissatisfied with the decision of the Osaka High Court not to grant her a retrial.
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North Korea condemns US Secretary of State Rubio's "rogue nation" remarks
2025-02-03 14:14:00
North Korea's Foreign Ministry has condemned U.S. Secretary of State Rubio's description of North Korea as a "rogue state." This is the first time North Korea has criticized a member of the Trump administration by name.
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[Live broadcast scheduled for 14:00~] Heavy snow warning: Japan Meteorological Agency and Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism "Emergency Announcement"
2025-02-03 13:00:00
Due to a strong winter pressure pattern and the strongest cold front of the season, snow and winds are expected to intensify from the 4th, mainly from northern Japan to the Sea of Japan side of western Japan. The Japan Meteorological Agency and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism will hold a joint press conference at 2:00 pm to explain the future outlook and points to be aware of. The press conference will be broadcast live.
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Two YouTubers found guilty of instigating "private arrest" videos
2025-02-03 12:07:00
The Tokyo District Court handed down suspended sentences to two YouTubers who had pleaded not guilty to charges of posting false information on an internet bulletin board and encouraging people to bring stimulants for the purpose of filming a video of a so-called "private arrest."
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Dismembered body found in mountains in Higashi Osaka - 28-year-old suspect arrested on suspicion of abandoning body
2025-02-03 12:06:00
In connection with the case in which a man's dismembered body was found in the mountains of Higashiosaka City, Osaka last month, police have arrested a 28-year-old man living in Osaka City on suspicion of abandoning a body, according to interviews with investigators.
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Former president of Tokyo Women's Medical University re-arrested for allegedly receiving illegal payments for other construction work
2025-02-03 12:05:00
On the 3rd, the Metropolitan Police Department rearrested the former chairman of Tokyo Women's Medical University, who was arrested in a case of embezzlement over the construction of facilities, on suspicion of paying illegal fees to an architect for another construction project, causing damages of approximately 170 million yen to the university. It is believed that he funneled approximately 50 million yen to himself.
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Bank of Japan announces key opinions at January meeting: "Further interest rate hikes are necessary" - multiple opinions
2025-02-03 11:44:00
On the 3rd, the Bank of Japan released the main opinions expressed at last month's Monetary Policy Meeting, where it decided to raise interest rates further. It was revealed that several members expressed the opinion that if the economic and price situation continues as expected, further interest rate hikes will be necessary.
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Men's Golf US Tour Final Round Hideki Matsuyama in 48th place
2025-02-03 10:37:00
The final round of the men's golf US Tour tournament was held in California on the 2nd, and Hideki Matsuyama improved his score by one to finish in 48th place with a total of 7 under par.
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[Weather forecaster commentary] Risk of heavy snowfall of warning level from tomorrow. What is the outlook?
2025-02-03 10:33:00
Due to a strong winter pressure pattern and the strongest cold front of the season, snow and winds are expected to intensify from the 4th, mainly in the Sea of Japan side of northern and western Japan, with the risk of heavy snow and blizzards that could warrant warnings. Please take steps to prepare in advance, such as checking your fuel and other supplies and reviewing your plans, over the course of the 3rd. Meteorologist Hiyama Yasuhiro explains the outlook for future snow. This was broadcast on "Good Morning Japan" on the 3rd. *The video is 2 minutes and 13 seconds long and cannot be viewed via data broadcasting.
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Soccer: Kyogo Furuhashi's first appearance in the French first division after transferring to Rennes
2025-02-03 10:06:00
Kyogo Furuhashi, who transferred to Rennes in the French first division, played for the first time since the transfer in the match against Strasbourg on the 2nd.
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Stock prices temporarily fall by more than 800 yen after US President Trump signs tariffs
2025-02-03 09:16:00
The Nikkei average temporarily dropped by more than 800 yen on the Tokyo Stock Exchange on the 3rd, the start of the week. Following President Trump's signing of an executive order imposing a 25% tariff on imports from Canada and Mexico and an additional 10% tariff on China, concerns about the future of the global economy have intensified, and sell orders have increased since the start of trading.
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Trump: "We don't need Canadian products" over tariff retaliation
2025-02-03 09:13:00
As Canada indicated it was preparing to take retaliatory measures in response to the U.S.'s announcement that it would impose a 25% tariff on Canadian imports, President Trump posted on social media that "America doesn't need anything Canada has," emphasizing his belief that the U.S. economy would not be hit.
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US Secretary of State visits Panama to curb China's growing influence in the canal
2025-02-03 09:03:00
As US President Trump insists on demanding the return of the Panama Canal in Central America, Secretary of State Rubio visited Panama on his first overseas trip. It is believed that the US is aiming to put a stop to China's expanding influence over the operation of the Panama Canal.
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Reports of phishing emails reached a record high of over 1.7 million last year
2025-02-03 07:35:00
The number of reported "phishing" emails, which lure people to fake sites to steal their personal information, reached a record high of over 1.7 million in the past year.
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Diet continues deliberations on new fiscal year budget proposal; "Ministerial review" to be held
2025-02-03 07:17:00
The Diet will continue to deliberate the new fiscal year budget on the 3rd, with debates taking place over the Japan-U.S. summit and measures to combat rising prices. Starting on the 5th, the opposition will hold a "ministerial review" in which they will ask specialized questions to each ministry and agency.
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1,656 food items to see price hikes in February, exceeding 1,000 items for two consecutive months - a private survey
2025-02-03 06:38:00
A private research company has found that the number of food items that will see price increases this month will reach 1,656, including frozen foods, marking the second consecutive month that the number of items will exceed 1,000.
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Coldest weather this season in northern and western Japan, with warning-level snow expected from tomorrow mainly on the Sea of Japan side
2025-02-03 06:38:00
Due to the influence of a strong winter pressure pattern and the strongest cold front of the season, snow and winds are expected to intensify from the 4th, mainly in the Sea of Japan side of northern and western Japan, and there is a risk of heavy snow and blizzards that warrant warnings. Please make preparations in advance by checking your fuel and other supplies and reviewing your plans within the 3rd.
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Road collapse in Yashio, Saitama - Wastewater backflow from sewer pipes? Measures to lower water levels strengthened
2025-02-03 06:11:00
In connection with the massive road collapse accident that occurred in Yashio City, Saitama Prefecture, where a man's whereabouts are unknown, the prefecture believes that the water in the hole, which is hindering a full-scale search, is due to sewage backing up from the sewer pipes, causing the water level to rise and gushing out, and is stepping up efforts to pump sewage from manholes to lower the water level in the pipes.
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Prime Minister Ishiba to explain US investment to President Trump at Japan-US summit
2025-02-03 06:07:00
At the Japan-U.S. summit meeting to be held this week, Prime Minister Ishiba will explain to President Trump that Japan has ranked first in investment balance in the United States for the fifth consecutive year and is also contributing to job creation. He hopes to avoid economic friction and build a cooperative relationship that is in line with the national interests of both countries.
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Ukrainian Presidential Official: "No ceasefire without coercion against Russia"
2025-02-03 03:57:00
In an exclusive interview with NHK, a senior official in the Ukrainian presidential administration said, "A ceasefire is impossible without coercive force against Russia," emphasizing that the peace Ukraine seeks can only be achieved if the Trump administration in the United States, together with other countries, increases military and economic pressure on Russia.
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Ministry of Finance to strengthen regulations on foreign investment in domestic companies
2025-02-03 03:40:00
The Ministry of Finance has decided to strengthen regulations on foreign investment in domestic companies under the Foreign Exchange and Foreign Trade Act, and will require prior notification and screening of companies that may cooperate with foreign governments in collecting information.
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