Main news(2025/02/13)
28 injured in car crash in Munich, Germany
2025-02-13 21:02:00
On the 13th, a car crashed into a large group of people in Munich, southern Germany, and according to local police, 28 people have been injured so far. Local police have detained the driver of the car and are investigating whether the crash was intentional. A security conference attended by world leaders is scheduled to be held in Munich from the following day, the 14th, but it is unclear whether there is any connection between the incident and the car crash.
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Former construction company chairman to be referred to prosecutors over fatal accident involving collapsed staircase in Hachioji apartment
2025-02-13 20:55:00
In connection with the accident four years ago in which part of a staircase collapsed in an apartment in Hachioji City, Tokyo, killing a woman in her 50s, the Metropolitan Police Department plans to refer the documents to the prosecutor's office as early as the 14th on suspicion of professional negligence resulting in death, for failing to take precautions despite being aware of the risk of the staircase collapsing.
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NATO defense ministers' meeting opens to discuss defense spending increase and aid to Ukraine
2025-02-13 19:30:00
The NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) defense ministers' meeting began in Belgium, with US Secretary of Defense Hegseth of the Trump administration attending for the first time. As the Trump administration steps up its diplomatic efforts to bring about an early end to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the ministers are expected to discuss increasing defense spending by member states and providing support to Ukraine.
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Medical business operator opens cafe as place for disaster victims to interact in Wajima, Ishikawa
2025-02-13 19:27:00
A cafe utilizing a vacant storefront opened in Wajima City, Ishikawa Prefecture on the 13th in an effort to create a place where victims of the Noto Peninsula earthquake can interact.
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Trump and Musk's post spreads "misinformation" regarding USAID
2025-02-13 19:09:00
"Billions of dollars have been stolen from USAID and other organizations and given to fake news media." False information is spreading on social media about USAID (United States Agency for International Development), the US government's agency responsible for overseas aid, claiming that the media in the US and Japan are being manipulated through funding. Similar information is also spreading in Japan, and experts are calling for people to separate fact from speculation.
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LDP and Komeito meet to resume talks with the public to review "1.03 million yen barrier"
2025-02-13 19:05:00
Senior officials of the Liberal Democratic Party and Komeito Party's Tax System Research Council met to discuss revising the "1.03 million yen annual income barrier," and exchanged opinions on issues such as the extent to which income tax deductions should be increased in preparation for the resumption of discussions with the Democratic Party for the People.
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Japan Medical Association: "Unacceptable" for over-the-counter drugs to not be covered by insurance
2025-02-13 18:05:00
The Japan Restoration Party has proposed to the ruling party to exclude medicines with the same efficacy as over-the-counter drugs from public health insurance coverage as a measure to reduce the burden of social insurance premiums. The Japan Medical Association has stated that it cannot accept this proposal, as it would increase the burden on patients and prevent them from receiving appropriate treatment.
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Inagawa-kai executive arrested for allegedly masterminding fraud case in which woman in her 80s was victim
2025-02-13 17:52:00
A senior member of the Inagawa-kai, a designated crime syndicate, who is believed to have been involved as a leader in a special fraud case in which an 80-year-old woman in Tokyo was defrauded of 1.3 million yen in cash, has been arrested. The Metropolitan Police Department is searching the headquarters of the Inagawa-kai and is investigating the organization's involvement and the flow of funds.
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Fire breaks out in Sakate Town, Joso, Ibaraki; no injuries reported; evacuation order issued for entire town
2025-02-13 17:17:00
On the afternoon of the 13th, a fire broke out in undergrowth in a wooded area in Joso City, Ibaraki Prefecture, and was fanned by strong winds to spread to nearby buildings, and firefighting efforts are ongoing. No injuries have been confirmed so far, but the city issued an evacuation order for the entire Sakate town area of the city at around 4:00 p.m.
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Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries decides to release 210,000 tons of government rice stockpiles
2025-02-13 17:15:00
The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries has decided to release a total of 210,000 tons of the government's rice stockpile, which is estimated to be about 1 million tons. This will be the first time that the government will release stockpiled rice in order to facilitate smooth rice distribution.
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[Commentary] Why Honda and Nissan terminated merger talks
2025-02-13 17:03:00
Honda and Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. decided to end discussions on a business integration at a board meeting on the 13th, and the business integration between Japan's leading automakers did not come to fruition. Why did they end the discussions? What is the cooperative relationship between the two companies? What is Honda's future strategy? How will Nissan try to turn things around? This is an explanation by Keita Suzuki, a reporter in the Automotive section of the Economic Department.
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Honda and Nissan terminate merger talks
2025-02-13 15:11:00
Honda and Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. decided to terminate discussions toward a business integration at a board meeting on the 13th. This was because Nissan did not accept Honda's proposal to make Nissan a subsidiary, deepening the rift between the two companies, and the business integration between Japan's leading automakers did not come to fruition.
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Prime Minister holds policy discussions with opposition parties over new fiscal year budget proposal: "We will listen carefully to proposals and come to an agreement"
2025-02-13 14:45:00
Regarding the policy consultations with the opposition parties on the new fiscal year budget, Prime Minister Ishiba instructed LDP Policy Research Council Chairman Onodera to listen carefully to each party's proposals and work toward an agreement. Onodera told reporters that he believes the climax of the discussions will be next week in order to pass the budget within the fiscal year.
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Rengo to hold nationwide telephone consultation session for workplace problems and worries ahead of end of fiscal year
2025-02-13 14:14:00
With the end of the fiscal year approaching, when there is a risk of an increase in terminations of employment and encouragement to resign, a federation of labor unions is holding nationwide telephone consultation sessions to respond to problems and concerns in the workplace.
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Explosion at department store in Taichung, Taiwan: 3 in cardiac arrest, 7 injured, local fire department
2025-02-13 14:06:00
An explosion occurred at the Shin Kong Mitsukoshi department store in Taichung, central Taiwan, on the morning of the 13th. Local firefighters say that three people are in cardiac arrest and seven people are injured. The cause of the explosion is unknown. Taiwanese TV station TVBS has reported footage of the explosion scattering the exterior walls near the top of the building.
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Kansai Electric Power Co., Inc. presents "New nuclear fuel removal plan for Fukui Prefecture" to Fukui Prefecture
2025-02-13 14:05:00
Following the postponement of the completion of its spent nuclear fuel reprocessing plant in Aomori Prefecture, Kansai Electric Power Co. has revised its plans for transporting nuclear fuel from its nuclear power plant in Fukui Prefecture and presented a new plan to the prefecture, which includes doubling the amount of fuel to be transported to France.
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Actor Atom Shimojo dies at age 78. He appeared in many TV dramas.
2025-02-13 14:01:00
Actor Shimojo Atom, who appeared in many TV dramas and movies and was also active as a narrator for variety shows, passed away on January 29th at a hospital in Tokyo. He was 78 years old.
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Financial Affairs Council's new fiscal year budget proposal: "Pay close attention to discussions to avoid becoming too general"
2025-02-13 13:59:00
At a meeting held on the 13th, the Fiscal System Council, an advisory body to the Minister of Finance, expressed the opinion that it is necessary to keep a close eye on discussions between the ruling and opposition parties regarding revisions to the new fiscal year's budget proposal, so as not to end up with a one-size-fits-all budget.
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LDP spring offensive in full swing: Calls on business community to "achieve wage increases above last year's"
2025-02-13 13:56:00
As spring labor negotiations get underway in earnest, the Liberal Democratic Party has called on the business community to achieve wage increases that exceed last year's levels.
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Highest energy neutrino ever detected
2025-02-13 13:54:00
An international research team from Europe and elsewhere has announced that they have detected a neutrino, a type of elementary particle, with the highest energy ever recorded, far exceeding previous observations. The origin of the neutrino from space and the mechanism by which it is generated are unknown, and they plan to continue their observations in the future.
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Aomori Hachinohe Hospital Murder in Hospital Room: Initially Not Reported, Investigation Underway on Suspicion of Concealing Perpetrator
2025-02-13 12:44:00
In a case where a patient in a hospital in Hachinohe City, Aomori Prefecture killed another patient in the same room two years ago, the hospital initially did not report the incident to the police, and instead prepared a medical certificate stating that the patient died of pneumonia, and there is suspicion that the hospital attempted to cover up the incident, according to an interview with an investigator. The police are continuing their investigation into the possibility of concealing the perpetrator.
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Company president arrested on suspicion of violating waste disposal law, including fraudulent receipt of waste disposal fees
2025-02-13 12:37:00
The president of a waste disposal company in Kunitachi, Tokyo, was arrested for submitting false documents stating that sludge that had been entrusted to him by local governments had been "finally disposed of" even though it had not been finalized. The Metropolitan Police Department is investigating the matter further, as it has been alleged that he fraudulently received approximately 10 million yen in disposal fees from six local governments.
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Strong winds intensify across the country, with caution in the Kanto, Koshinetsu and Tohoku regions
2025-02-13 12:04:00
Due to the influence of the winter pressure pattern, winds are getting stronger nationwide. The Japan Meteorological Agency is calling for caution against strong winds and high waves, especially in the Tohoku and Kanto-Koshinetsu regions.
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Long-term interest rates: Government bond yields rise to 1.37% at one point, the highest level in 14 years and 10 months
2025-02-13 10:48:00
In the bond market on the 13th, the yield on 10-year government bonds, which is a representative indicator of Japan's long-term interest rates, rose to 1.37% at one point, the highest level in 14 years and 10 months since April 2010. The US Consumer Price Index for last month exceeded market expectations, and there is a growing view that interest rates will remain high.
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Demolition of Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant treated water storage tank postponed until after the 14th due to strong winds
2025-02-13 10:45:00
Dismantling work on some of the tanks storing treated water at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant was scheduled to begin on the 13th, but Tokyo Electric Power Company has decided to postpone the work until after the 14th, citing concerns that safety at the site cannot be ensured due to strong winds.
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Roki Sasaki repeats "I was nervous" on the first day of training camp [Question and answer]
2025-02-13 10:12:00
Pitcher Roki Sasaki was in his brand new Dodger blue uniform with the number 11 on the back on the first day of training camp. When he answered questions from the press, he had a rather stiff expression and repeatedly said, "I was nervous."
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Last year saw a record number of journalists killed in fighting
2025-02-13 09:21:00
An international non-profit organization announced that at least 124 journalists were killed in fighting or other incidents around the world last year, the highest number since statistics began being kept, and that around 70 percent of them were killed in Israeli attacks.
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January Corporate Price Index increased 4.2% year-on-year
2025-02-13 09:01:00
The CGPI, which measures the prices of goods traded between companies, rose 4.2% in January compared to the same month last year, up from 3.9% in the previous month.
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U.S. Defense Secretary: Ukraine joining NATO "not realistic"
2025-02-13 08:02:00
U.S. Secretary of Defense Hegseth, who is visiting Belgium to attend a meeting of NATO defense ministers, stressed the need for an early end to the invasion of Ukraine, but also expressed the view that Ukraine's desire to join NATO is not realistic at this time.
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260 foreigners rescued in Thailand: were they forced to commit fraud in Myanmar?
2025-02-13 07:56:00
On the 12th, 260 foreigners who are believed to have been involved in fraud in Myanmar were taken into custody in neighboring Thailand. The nationalities of the foreigners span 20 countries and regions across Africa and Asia, and Thai authorities are planning to conduct a detailed investigation into how they traveled to Myanmar.
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Hamas releases hostages and maintains ceasefire; tensions continue as Egypt holds talks
2025-02-13 07:55:00
Regarding the ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu has strongly warned the Islamic organization Hamas that fighting will resume if the hostages are not released as planned, while Hamas is discussing future responses with Egypt, the intermediary country, and the situation remains tense as to whether the ceasefire can be maintained.
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Trump and Putin in phone call: "We agree that we want to stop the mass deaths"
2025-02-13 07:11:00
US President Donald Trump and Russian President Putin spoke by phone, and President Trump said they "agreed to stop the mass deaths caused by the war between Russia and Ukraine," and agreed to begin negotiations to end the fighting.
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Children's use of social media: Strengthening protection against harmful information discussed at Children and Families Agency
2025-02-13 06:41:00
In response to the increasing number of cases of children becoming involved in crimes through social media and other platforms, and the current situation in other countries where regulations are being implemented, the Agency for Children and Families has begun considering ways to strengthen domestic measures to protect children from harmful information.
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Olympic gold medalist Kitaguchi receives guidance from gymnast Uchimura
2025-02-13 06:20:00
Kitaguchi Haruka, who won the gold medal in the women's javelin throw at the Paris Olympics, visited fellow Olympic gold medalist and gymnast Uchimura Kohei to seek new training methods in order to make further progress, and received instruction on how to use her body to exert her strength efficiently.
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Hungarian police discipline staff for failing to respond to domestic violence incident involving death of Japanese woman
2025-02-13 05:26:00
In the case of a Japanese woman's death and her ex-husband's arrest on suspicion of murder in Hungary late last month, local police have admitted to a mistake in not responding to the woman's consultation about domestic violence by her ex-husband, and have announced disciplinary action against staff members.
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Nippon Steel's US Steel investment deal comes into focus in negotiations
2025-02-13 05:03:00
Following President Trump's intention to hold talks with Nippon Steel executives regarding Nippon Steel's plan to acquire U.S. Steel, company executives departed for the U.S. on the 12th. They are expected to proceed with coordination with the U.S. government while in the U.S., and with the president expressing his view that he cannot hold a majority stake in U.S. Steel, the focus of negotiations will be on the nature of the investment and the scale of the investment.
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Honda and Nissan board of directors today to decide to terminate merger talks
2025-02-13 04:52:00
Honda and Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. will hold board meetings on the 13th to decide whether to terminate discussions on a business integration. Both companies will be forced to review their strategies, but the big focus is on whether Nissan, whose performance is deteriorating, can put together specific measures to turn around its business and steadily implement them.
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KAT-TUN to disband at the end of March this year, member Kazuya Kamenashi to leave the group
2025-02-13 04:03:00
The popular idol group KAT-TUN will be disbanding at the end of March this year.
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