Main news(2025/02/17)
LDP executives propose new "gradual income tax deduction amount" to tackle 1.03 million yen annual income barrier
2025-02-17 23:19:00
Regarding the review of the "1.03 million yen annual income barrier," a senior LDP official told reporters that a new proposal to increase income tax deductions will be presented at tax policy talks with the Democratic Party for the People, which resume on the 18th, and revealed that the party is considering ways to gradually change the deduction amounts depending on annual income.
TOP
US and Russian delegations to meet in Saudi Arabia on 18th
2025-02-17 22:54:00
The United States and Russia announced that delegations from both countries will meet in Saudi Arabia on the 18th. Secretary of State Rubio and other officials from the US side, and Foreign Minister Lavrov and other officials from Russia will attend the meeting, and attention is focused on the outcome of the talks.
TOP
Road collapses in residential area of Fujinomiya, Shizuoka, no damage, cause to be investigated
2025-02-17 21:59:00
On the evening of the 17th, a road collapsed in a residential area of Fujinomiya City, Shizuoka Prefecture, leaving a hole more than one meter deep. There were no injuries to people or cars, and Shizuoka Prefecture is investigating the cause of the collapse.
TOP
"Taliban interim government officials invited to Japan" Nippon Foundation
2025-02-17 20:47:00
On the 17th, the Nippon Foundation announced that it had invited to Japan high-ranking officials from the Taliban's interim government, the Islamist group that holds real power in Afghanistan. On the 15th, Deputy Minister of Economy Nazari, who is responsible for economic policy in the Taliban's interim government, posted on the social media site X that a delegation of high-ranking officials from the interim government had departed for Japan.
TOP
Parties express opinions at meeting on stable imperial succession
2025-02-17 20:42:00
A meeting was held between the Speakers and Vice Speakers of the House of Representatives and the House of Councillors and representatives of each political party to discuss how to ensure stable succession to the throne, and each party expressed their opinion on whether or not a female member of the imperial family, who remains in the imperial family after marriage, should also become a member of the imperial family with her spouse and children.
TOP
Judoist Maruyama Joshiro retires to compete for Olympic spot with Abe Hifumi
2025-02-17 19:25:00
Judo athlete Joshiro Maruyama, who has been active for many years, including winning the World Championships in the men's 66 kg class, has announced his retirement.
TOP
What will happen? Wage increases for the "employment ice age generation"
2025-02-17 19:23:00
This year's spring labor offensive is in full swing, with negotiations for wage increases approaching the deadline for collective responses next month (March). One area of focus is wage increases for middle-aged and older workers, but wage growth is slower than for younger workers, and experts point out that "some middle-aged and older workers, including those who lived through the "employment ice age," have worked non-regularly for a long time, and if wages do not rise in the future, they are at risk of becoming impoverished in the future." (Social Affairs Department Reporters Goto Shunsuke and Nakatani Keisuke)
TOP
Heavy snow expected in northern and western Japan, mainly on the Sea of Japan side, through the 19th
2025-02-17 19:18:00
Heavy snow is expected to fall on the Sea of Japan side of northern and western Japan through the 19th due to the influence of strong cold air above and winter pressure patterns. Cold air will continue to flow in intermittently, so heavy snow is likely to continue for about a week, mainly on the Sea of Japan side. Snowfall is expected to increase, especially along the mountains, and the Japan Meteorological Agency is calling for caution regarding the impact on traffic, as well as power outages, fallen trees, and avalanches due to snow accumulation.
TOP
Himeji city council member's SNS posts inappropriate: Political ethics committee established for Hyogo gubernatorial election etc.
2025-02-17 19:05:00
Eight factions of the city council requested the establishment of a political ethics review committee to investigate the reasons for the posts, etc., after the content posted on social media by members of the Himeji City Council regarding the Hyogo Prefectural gubernatorial election was deemed inappropriate, and the review committee was established. The Hyogo Prefectural Police Headquarters protested to the Liberal Democratic Party prefectural federation, claiming that the posts made by members regarding the gubernatorial election were not true.
TOP
GDP has increased for three consecutive quarters, but what is the impact of rising prices and Trump tariffs?
2025-02-17 19:01:00
The "GDP = Gross Domestic Product" for October to December of last year was announced today. The growth rate compared to the previous three months was +2.8% on a real annualized basis, marking the third consecutive quarter of positive growth. On the other hand, as prices continue to rise, there have been "changes" in customer demographics and consumer behavior at the consumer frontline. Another concern for companies is "President Trump's policies."
TOP
Former Russian Prime Minister: "Gap between US and Russian leaders makes negotiations difficult"
2025-02-17 18:47:00
In an interview with NHK, former Russian Prime Minister Kasyanov, a continuous critic of the Putin regime, said of U.S. President Donald Trump's announcement that he would begin negotiations with Russia to end the fighting between Russia and Ukraine, "I don't think President Trump really understands President Putin's objectives in the negotiations," indicating that there is a large gap between the intentions of the two leaders and that negotiations will be difficult.
TOP
LDP, Komeito, and Nippon Ishin continue discussions on maximum amount of financial support for private high schools
2025-02-17 18:45:00
Regarding the free high school tuition, policy chiefs from the Liberal Democratic Party, Komeito Party and the Japan Restoration Party met and confirmed that they would continue to discuss the nature of educational support, including how to handle the upper limit on subsidies for private high schools, which Prime Minister Ishiba said "is likely to be raised."
TOP
Bain Capital announces abandonment of Fujisoft TOB acquisition
2025-02-17 18:16:00
On the 17th, one of the two investment funds that had been in a fierce battle to acquire the software giant Fujisoft announced that it was abandoning the bid. The reason for this is believed to be that the acquisition price had been raised several times during the bidding process, exceeding the expected level.
TOP
Information session for businesses considering bidding to release stockpiled rice
2025-02-17 18:08:00
An information session for businesses considering participating in the bidding for the release of the government's stockpiled rice began on the 17th. The first batch of 150,000 tons of stockpiled rice is expected to be handed over to businesses from mid-March onwards.
TOP
Mayor Nagano of Kishiwada, Osaka, loses job after second no-confidence motion passed today
2025-02-17 17:38:00
On the 17th, a motion of no confidence was submitted again to the city council against Mayor Nagano Kohei of Kishiwada City, Osaka, who reached a settlement in a lawsuit over sexual relations with a woman. All members present voted in favor and passed the motion. The mayor will lose his position on the 17th, and a mayoral election will be held within 50 days.
TOP
[Live broadcast] Slope collapse along prefectural road in Saijo, Ehime, isolating six tourists
2025-02-17 17:00:00
At around 1pm on the 17th, the prefecture was notified that a slope along a prefectural road in the mountains in Saijo City, Ehime Prefecture had collapsed. When the prefecture checked, it found that rocks and other objects had fallen from the slope along the prefectural road in Ishizuchi, Komatsu Town, Saijo City, blocking the road for about 20 meters. There have been no reports of injuries so far, but six tourists have been isolated by the collapse. The prefecture has closed off the road in the area and is working with the fire department and others to quickly rescue tourists and restore the road.
TOP
78-year-old father pleads guilty to murder of disabled 44-year-old son
2025-02-17 16:49:00
The first hearing of a 78-year-old father accused of murdering his disabled 44-year-old second son at their home in Chosho village, Chiba prefecture, in July last year was held, and the father admitted to the charges, stating, "I have done nothing wrong."
TOP
Tokaido Shinkansen Nagoya-Gifu-Hashima Upbound Service Suspended
2025-02-17 16:45:00
According to JR Central, services on the Tokaido Shinkansen line between Nagoya and Gifu-Hashima have been suspended since around 4:30 p.m. on the 17th due to a flying object attaching to the overhead wires.
TOP
Japan-China Economic Association visits China to strengthen cooperation to solve issues such as decarbonization
2025-02-17 16:22:00
On the 17th, a delegation from the Japan-China Economic Association, currently visiting China, met with senior officials in charge of economic policy at the Chinese government and agreed to strengthen cooperation to resolve common issues facing the two countries, such as decarbonization and responding to an aging society.
TOP
Stock price: Small price movements
2025-02-17 16:05:00
The Tokyo stock market saw a mix of buying and selling in the morning on the 17th, the start of the week, with the Nikkei average stock price fluctuating little.
TOP
10-year government bond yields rise to 1.385%
2025-02-17 16:03:00
In the bond market on the 17th, the GDP (gross domestic product) announced on the morning of the 17th exceeded market expectations, leading to a widespread view that the Bank of Japan may decide to raise interest rates further at an early stage, and the yield on 10-year government bonds, which is a representative indicator of Japan's long-term interest rates, temporarily rose to 1.385%.
TOP
Akihiro Arimoto passes away - Sakie Yokota and others express their sadness
2025-02-17 14:40:00
Akihiro Arimoto, the father of Keiko Arimoto, who was abducted by North Korea, passed away on the 15th at the age of 96 due to old age, without being able to be reunited with his daughter, and other victims' families are voicing deep sadness and anger.
TOP
Fukushima: High schools in Aizuwakamatsu and other areas closed due to record snowfall resume classes for the first time in 13 days
2025-02-17 14:38:00
High schools in Aizuwakamatsu City, Fukushima Prefecture and other areas that had been closed due to record-breaking snowfall resumed classes for the first time in 13 days on the 17th, as train services had partially resumed.
TOP
Fuji Media Holdings' outside directors committee considers new proposals
2025-02-17 14:08:00
A committee made up of outside directors of Fuji Media Holdings, the parent company of Fuji Television, has revealed that it is considering making new recommendations to the company's board of directors scheduled for next week, with the aim of quickly restoring trust in the company.
TOP
LDP considers inviting former Abe faction accounting officer to appear as witness, reports say
2025-02-17 13:03:00
Regarding the issue of political fundraising parties for the Liberal Democratic Party faction, the former Abe faction's accounting officer said he would like to consider inviting a reference person to the House of Representatives Budget Committee. The format of the reference person invitation will be discussed by the heads of the ruling and opposition parties.
TOP
Moritomo Gakuen document falsification: Prime Minister Ishiba briefly speaks with Akagi's wife
2025-02-17 12:54:00
Prime Minister Ishiba briefly spoke in the Diet this afternoon with Masako Akagi, the wife of Toshio Akagi (54 at the time), an employee of the Kinki Finance Bureau who committed suicide, in connection with the falsification of the Ministry of Finance's approval documents related to Moritomo Gakuen.
TOP
At the House of Representatives Budget Committee, the CDP urges the government to "revise the budget plan"; Prime Minister Ishiba says "We will consider doing so based on discussions"
2025-02-17 12:30:00
The Diet held intensive deliberations in the House of Representatives Budget Committee, where Constitutional Democratic Party leader Noda urged revisions to the new fiscal year budget proposal, claiming that the party had secured financial resources to realize its policies. In response, Prime Minister Ishiba indicated that the government would consider its response based on discussions between the Constitutional Democratic Party and the Liberal Democratic Party and the Komeito Party.
TOP
Trump administration: "Ukraine ceasefire by Easter, April 20th" US report
2025-02-17 12:22:00
On the 16th, US media reported, citing sources, that the Trump administration had conveyed to European officials its intention to achieve a ceasefire in Ukraine by April 20th.
TOP
Saitama Kawaguchi Truck and wagon collide, 0-year-old baby goes into cardiac arrest
2025-02-17 12:00:00
According to reports from the police and fire department, a truck collided with a station wagon at around 10:00 a.m. on the 17th in Angyo Nishitateno, Kawaguchi City, Saitama Prefecture. According to the fire department, a 0-year-old baby in the station wagon was taken to the hospital in a state of cardiac arrest, and a man and woman in their 30s were also taken to the hospital. A man in his 20s who was in the truck was also taken to the hospital. The accident occurred on a road that runs through a residential area about 400 meters south of Totsuka-Angyo Station on the Saitama Rapid Railway, and the police and fire department are currently investigating the details of the incident.
TOP
Aomori hospital murder case: perpetrator isolated in closed ward to avoid detection?
2025-02-17 11:55:00
In a case where a former hospital director and two others were arrested for attempting to cover up a murder case at a hospital in Hachinohe City, Aomori Prefecture, it was revealed through interviews with investigators that after the murder, the perpetrator's patient was moved to a closed ward that could be locked from the outside. Police are investigating the possibility that the two men isolated the perpetrator to avoid the crime being discovered.
TOP
European leaders to hold informal talks on Ukraine situation and security
2025-02-17 10:45:00
As the gap in positions between the Trump administration and European countries becomes clear as the country seeks to end Russia's military invasion of Ukraine, European leaders are gathering in France for emergency talks.
TOP
Dodgers' Roki Sasaki individually checks pitching form for over an hour
2025-02-17 10:32:00
The Major League Baseball Dodgers' training camp was held on Sunday the 16th, and many fans were in attendance. After the team practice, pitcher Roki Sasaki worked energetically on his pitching form, checking it over and over for over an hour. Shohei Otani, who had practiced pitching in the bullpen the day before, practiced in the indoor training field on this day.
TOP
Nominal GDP to exceed 609 trillion yen in 2024, exceeding 600 trillion yen for the first time
2025-02-17 09:16:00
In 2024, Japan's nominal GDP (gross domestic product) for the past year was just over 609 trillion yen, exceeding 600 trillion yen for the first time as an annual nominal GDP.
TOP
GDP Oct-Dec +2.8% annualized, real growth rate positive for three consecutive quarters
2025-02-17 09:10:00
GDP (gross domestic product) from October to December last year grew at a real annualized rate of 2.8% compared to the previous three months, marking the third consecutive quarter of positive growth.
TOP
President Trump says meeting with Putin "is very close"
2025-02-17 06:58:00
When asked by reporters on the 16th about when he would meet with Russian President Putin, U.S. President Trump said, "It could be very soon," and when asked "within this month?" he replied, "It will probably be soon. Let's see what happens."
TOP
US Secretary of State and Prime Minister Netanyahu Meet to Discuss President Trump's Plan
2025-02-17 06:54:00
While US President Trump is insisting that the US should own the Gaza Strip and that the residents be relocated, US Secretary of State Rubio met with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu. They reportedly exchanged views on how to realize President Trump's ideas regarding the Gaza Strip.
TOP
Heavy snow expected in northern and western Japan, mainly on the Japan Sea coast, through the 19th
2025-02-17 06:04:00
Due to a strong winter pressure pattern, heavy snow is expected to fall mainly on the Sea of Japan side of northern and western Japan through the 19th. The Japan Meteorological Agency is calling for caution regarding the impact on traffic, as well as warning people to be careful of power outages, fallen trees, and avalanches due to snow accumulation.
TOP
Policy talks between ruling and opposition parties reach a climax this week as they look to revise the new fiscal year budget
2025-02-17 05:10:00
Policy talks between the ruling and opposition parties, with a view to revising the new fiscal year budget, will reach a climax this week. The Liberal Democratic Party and Komeito plan to accept the opposition parties' demands and revise the budget if financial resources are secured in order to pass the budget within the fiscal year.
TOP
International research group observes hot gas flow at the center of a galaxy cluster in detail
2025-02-17 04:22:00
An international research group including the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) has succeeded in making detailed observations of the flow of high-temperature gas at the center of a "galaxy cluster," a group of many galaxies. The research group believes that this evidence shows the process in which galaxy clusters expand through collisions and merging, and that it will provide an important clue to understanding the evolution of various celestial objects.
TOP
Akihiro Arimoto dies at age 96. Father of Keiko Arimoto, abducted by North Korea
2025-02-17 02:03:00
Akihiro Arimoto, the father of Keiko Arimoto, a Kobe native who was abducted by North Korea while studying abroad in Europe, has passed away. He was 96 years old.
TOP
