Main news(2025/03/10)
Suspect in Kitakyushu murder case involving two junior high school students to be detained for evaluation for one month
2025-03-10 21:21:00
In connection with the incident in which two junior high school students were killed at a fast food restaurant in Kitakyushu City, the prosecution has decided to extend for one month the evaluation detention of a 44-year-old suspect arrested on suspicion of murder and other charges, to determine his criminal responsibility, which was scheduled to run until March 14, according to interviews with investigators.
TOP
LDP, Komeito and Nippon Ishin no Kabushiki Kaigi to set up consultative bodies on social security reform, free high school tuition, etc.
2025-03-10 20:53:00
The policy research council chairmen of the Liberal Democratic Party, Komeito Party and the Japan Restoration Party met and agreed to set up consultative bodies to focus on three themes: social security reform, free high school tuition, and tax system. The first meetings will be held in March.
TOP
Party support rate: LDP 29.2%, Citizens 8.4%, CDP 7.5%. Most people have no support.
2025-03-10 19:22:00
These are the approval ratings for each party in March.
TOP
Prime Minister Ishiba revises budget proposal: "Policy not yet decided" at House of Councillors Budget Committee
2025-03-10 19:14:00
In the Diet, the House of Councillors Budget Committee held an intensive discussion. Regarding the review of the high-cost medical care system, the Japan Restoration Party requested that if the new fiscal year budget proposal is to be revised again, it should be submitted promptly. In response, Prime Minister Ishiba explained that there are various opinions within the ruling party and it has not been decided whether to revise it again, and that he will consider how to respond based on the status of the discussion.
TOP
Ishiba Cabinet "approval" falls 8 points to 36%, "disapproval" to 45% in opinion poll
2025-03-10 19:02:00
According to an NHK opinion poll, the number of people who said they "support" the Ishiba Cabinet was 36%, down 8 points from the February survey, while those who said they "do not support" the Cabinet rose 10 points to 45%.
TOP
Pessimistic about the future...Father murders bedridden eldest son after 34 years of care
2025-03-10 18:52:00
An 82-year-old father who had been caring for his bedridden eldest son in Yasu City, Shiga Prefecture, for 34 years was charged with murdering his eldest son with his consent, after becoming pessimistic about his future due to his own deteriorating health. At the trial on the 10th, the Otsu District Court sentenced him to three years in prison, suspended for four years. During the trial, it was revealed that the defendant had become isolated, despite having contact with those around him, without relying on them.
TOP
Investigator suspected of destroying records in Okawara Chemical Machinery false accusation case not indicted again
2025-03-10 18:28:00
In a case involving a wrongful conviction involving a chemical machinery manufacturer in Yokohama, one of the investigators from the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department's Public Security Bureau was criminally charged with destroying interrogation records, among other things, but was not indicted. Following a resolution by the Prosecutorial Review Board that deemed the decision not to indict to be unjust, the prosecution conducted a reinvestigation and, on the 10th, once again decided not to indict him for the destruction of interrogation records.
TOP
[Details] Survey of 1,000 people affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake: What are the current thoughts of the affected areas?
2025-03-10 18:08:00
It has been 14 years since the Great East Japan Earthquake and the accident at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. NHK conducted a survey of 1,000 people aged 18 and over in Iwate, Miyagi, and Fukushima prefectures. It revealed changes in what people think is important for reconstruction and changes in how they view support. In the first part, we will talk about how to support people living in public housing for disaster victims, and current disaster prevention and mitigation measures.
TOP
Experts' panel proposes reform of National Sports Festival: "Flexible timing"
2025-03-10 17:46:00
On the 10th, a panel of experts that has been examining the direction of reform for the former National Athletic Meet, or National Sports Festival, compiled a draft proposal that includes making the dates of the events more flexible to make it easier for top athletes to participate, as well as measures to reduce the burden on host cities.
TOP
JETRO: "Supporting businesses by providing accurate information" regarding the U.S. administration's tariff measures
2025-03-10 16:55:00
As the Trump administration in the United States is poised to impose tariffs on steel and aluminum products, Norihiko Ishiguro, chairman of the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), has expressed his intention to support companies by providing accurate information to ensure that this does not adversely affect their overseas expansion.
TOP
Number of applicants for "career bureaucrat" spring recruitment exams lowest for two consecutive years
2025-03-10 16:25:00
The number of applicants for the exam to be held this spring to hire so-called "career bureaucrats" for next year was just over 12,000, down 11.6% from the previous fiscal year, the lowest figure for two consecutive years since the current exam system was introduced.
TOP
Forest fire extinguishing efforts underway in Kawakami Village, Nara
2025-03-10 16:06:00
According to a report received by the Nara Prefecture Regional Fire Department, a forest fire broke out in Shiraya, Kawakami Village, Nara Prefecture, at around 1:00 p.m. on the 10th, and firefighters are currently working to extinguish the fire. According to the police, as of 3:30 p.m., no damage to people or buildings has been confirmed.
TOP
Daichi Oguri wins bronze at Parasnovo World Championships Men's Snowboard Cross
2025-03-10 15:54:00
At the Para Snowboarding World Championships, Daichi Oguri won a bronze medal in the men's snowboard cross class for athletes with severe leg disabilities, becoming the first Japanese athlete to win a medal in this event.
TOP
Nagoya City bus and light vehicle accident: 6 people injured, including passengers
2025-03-10 15:48:00
On the afternoon of the 10th, an accident involving a city bus and a light passenger vehicle occurred in Nagoya's Meito Ward. According to police and fire departments, a total of six people, including bus passengers, were injured.
TOP
Former Mitsubishi UFJ Bank employee re-arrested for stealing cash from safe deposit box after transfer
2025-03-10 15:18:00
On the 10th, the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department re-arrested a 46-year-old former Mitsubishi UFJ Bank employee who had been arrested and indicted for stealing gold bars worth approximately 280 million yen from a safe deposit box at the bank's Nerima branch, on suspicion of stealing 16.5 million yen in cash from a safe deposit box after being transferred to the bank's Tamagawa branch.
TOP
South Korean military: "North Korea launches multiple ballistic missiles into the Yellow Sea"
2025-03-10 14:43:00
South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said North Korea fired several ballistic missiles from inland toward the Yellow Sea on the west side of the Korean Peninsula at around 1:50 p.m. on the 10th.
TOP
Toyota to expand production suspension to three plants due to explosion at partner factory
2025-03-10 13:58:00
Toyota Motor Corporation has been unable to procure some parts due to an explosion that occurred at a factory of a business partner on the 6th of this month, and has decided to suspend operations at a total of four production lines at three factories, including those of its subsidiaries, from the evening of the 10th.
TOP
Long-term interest rates: 10-year government bond yields temporarily hit 1.57%, highest since 2008
2025-03-10 13:57:00
In the bond market, long-term interest rates continued to rise on the 10th, with the yield on the representative 10-year government bond temporarily rising to 1.57% in afternoon trading, the highest level since 2008. Interest rates have continued to rise due to speculation that the Bank of Japan may raise interest rates further in the future, but interest rates have risen further due to the sluggish auction of five-year government bonds held on the 10th and the trend of rising long-term interest rates in the United States.
TOP
Nissan demonstrates self-driving car in busy city streets without a driver
2025-03-10 13:19:00
In order to alleviate the shortage of public transport operators, Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. has demonstrated to the press a self-driving car that runs through busy urban areas without a driver. The company aims to start a transportation service in fiscal year 2027.
TOP
Tohoku Shinkansen service suspended on both lines between Tokyo and Shin-Aomori
2025-03-10 13:13:00
The Tohoku Shinkansen has been suspended due to track inspections, but the suspension has been expanded to both inbound and outbound lines between Tokyo and Shin-Aomori. At around 7:30 a.m. on the 10th, a train traveling between Fukushima and Koriyama detected an abnormal noise, so the location is being checked. Operations are expected to resume around 2:15 p.m.
TOP
Japanese companies introduce AI analysis technology at SXSW, the US's cutting-edge technology festival
2025-03-10 12:59:00
At SXSW, a festival of cutting-edge technology held in the United States, exhibits by participating companies began on the 9th, with Japanese startups also showcasing technology such as AI that analyzes emotions from images and voices.
TOP
Smoke erupts from control panel room of Kashiwazaki-Kariwa Nuclear Power Plant Unit 6 in Niigata
2025-03-10 12:57:00
On the morning of the 10th, smoke briefly emerged from the control panel room of the emergency diesel generator of the No. 6 reactor at the Tokyo Electric Power Company's Kashiwazaki-Kariwa Nuclear Power Plant in Niigata Prefecture. TEPCO conducted firefighting operations and the smoke subsided, and the fire department is currently investigating the details of the incident.
TOP
Prime Minister Ishiba will not push through increase in upper limit of high-cost medical care expenses, House of Councillors Budget Committee
2025-03-10 12:55:00
In the Diet, the House of Councillors Budget Committee held an intensive discussion. Regarding the review of the high-cost medical care system, the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan questioned whether the increase in the upper limit of the burden would be forced through after the House of Councillors election in the summer. In response, Prime Minister Ishiba emphasized that the increase would not be forced through, and that efforts would be made to listen widely to the opinions of those involved and to gain their understanding.
TOP
Seven & i Holdings asks Canada to sell U.S. stores to accept acquisition
2025-03-10 12:27:00
Seven & i Holdings has revealed that it has asked a major Canadian convenience store chain that is making a takeover bid to sell more than 2,000 stores in the U.S. as a prerequisite for accepting the takeover. This represents roughly 30% of the company's stores in the U.S., so the focus going forward will be on how the company will respond.
TOP
LDP and Komeito ask opposition parties, including CDP, to hold talks on pension reform bill
2025-03-10 12:02:00
Regarding the handling of the pension system reform-related bill that the government plans to submit to the current Diet, senior officials from the Liberal Democratic Party and Komeito Party met and confirmed that they will call for discussions with opposition parties such as the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan to discuss the contents of the bill.
TOP
Stock prices rise as semiconductor-related stocks that fell last week are bought back
2025-03-10 12:00:00
On Monday the 10th, stock prices on the Tokyo Stock Exchange rose as investors bought back semiconductor-related stocks, which had fallen sharply last week.
TOP
Downtown's Masatoshi Hamada to take temporary leave due to poor health, agency announces
2025-03-10 11:50:00
Hamada Masatoshi, a member of the popular comedy duo "Downtown," will be taking a temporary break due to poor health, his agency has announced.
TOP
Romania makes progress using social media; pro-Russia candidate not allowed to run
2025-03-10 10:25:00
In the Eastern European country of Romania, where the presidential election will be rescheduled this May, a candidate with a pro-Russian stance who made great strides in last year's election by using social media will not be allowed to run, and this is expected to lead to growing backlash from his supporters.
TOP
[Video] 14 years since the Great East Japan Earthquake in Miyagi, Iwate, and Fukushima
2025-03-10 10:21:00
It has been 14 years since the Great East Japan Earthquake and the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant disaster. NHK has been filming fixed-point footage of the disaster-stricken areas from the same location since the disaster occurred. Each fixed-point footage shows the progress of each area over the past 14 years.
TOP
All evacuation orders lifted after forest fire in Ofunato, Iwate
2025-03-10 10:17:00
In response to the forest fire in Ofunato City, Iwate Prefecture, which was declared "under control" as there was no longer any risk of the fire spreading, the city lifted the evacuation order for 979 households and 2,424 people in the entire Ayasato area of Sanriku Town and three districts of Akasaki Town at 10:00 a.m. on the 10th. As a result, all evacuation orders have been lifted 12 days after the fire began.
TOP
[Breaking News] January current account balance in deficit for first time in two years
2025-03-10 09:07:00
According to the Ministry of Finance's current account statistics, which show how much Japan earned from trade and investment with other countries, the current account balance in January of this year was in the red by 257.6 billion yen. This is the first time in two years since January 2023 that Japan has had a deficit.
TOP
January real wages down for the first time in three months as rising prices affect wage increases
2025-03-10 08:36:00
Although the total amount of cash wages per worker in January this year increased by 2.8% compared to the same month last year, wage growth has not kept up with rising prices, and real wages turned negative for the first time in three months.
TOP
[Breaking News] Carney becomes new leader of Canada's ruling Liberal Party, set to become prime minister
2025-03-10 07:36:00
In Canada, the ruling Liberal Party held a leadership election to choose a successor to Prime Minister Trudeau, and Mr. Carney, who served as Governor of the Central Bank, was selected as the new leader. Mr. Carney will take over as Prime Minister from Mr. Trudeau, and his biggest challenge will be how to deal with the Trump administration in the United States, which is increasing pressure on Canada through tariffs and other measures.
TOP
Russia's Kursk Oblast: "North Korean military and drone attacks disadvantage Ukraine"
2025-03-10 06:00:00
Regarding the situation in Kursk Oblast in western Russia, where the Russian military is stepping up its offensive, Ukrainian media have reported, citing local troops, that Ukraine is at a disadvantage due to attacks by North Korean forces supporting the Russian military and a large number of drones.
TOP
China to raise tariffs on U.S. agricultural products from the 10th, intensifying trade friction
2025-03-10 05:35:00
In response to the additional tariffs imposed by the Trump administration in the United States, the Chinese government will raise tariffs on some agricultural products from the United States from the 10th. With both the United States and China imposing additional tariffs on each other, trade friction is intensifying.
TOP
US and South Korea begin regular joint military exercises, heightening vigilance over North Korea's movements
2025-03-10 05:32:00
The US and South Korean militaries began their regular joint military exercises on the 10th. Both the US and South Korean militaries are on high alert for North Korea's actions in opposition to the exercises.
TOP
Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Muto, who is currently visiting the U.S., will meet with Secretary of Commerce Rutnick and others on the 10th
2025-03-10 05:29:00
Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Muto, who is visiting Washington, D.C., is scheduled to meet with Secretary of Commerce Rutnick, who is in charge of tariffs and trade policy in the Trump administration, on the 10th local time. He plans to directly request that Japan be excluded from the 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum products and the tariffs on automobiles, which are scheduled to be implemented on the 12th.
TOP
80 years since the Great Tokyo Air Raid, 100,000 victims: Efforts to preserve memory
2025-03-10 05:16:00
It's been 80 years since the Great Tokyo Air Raid, which claimed the lives of 100,000 people, in 10 days. As those who experienced the air raids grow older and more die, new documents showing the damage are still being discovered, and efforts to train "successors" to pass on the stories of those who experienced them are becoming more widespread. This calls for even more efforts to pass on the memory of the damage caused by the attack on the capital.
TOP
Canada's ruling Liberal Party leadership election vote count begins; winner becomes new prime minister
2025-03-10 05:10:00
The ruling Liberal Party is holding a leadership election to choose a successor to Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau, and the results will be announced shortly. The winner of the leadership election will become the new prime minister, and the focus will be on how he or she will deal with the Trump administration in the United States, which is increasing pressure on Canada through tariffs and other measures.
TOP
LDP and Komeito to revise budget proposal for new fiscal year; pension-related bill also under discussion
2025-03-10 05:02:00
In response to the postponement of the August increase in the upper limit of medical expenses due to the review of the high-cost medical care system, the Liberal Democratic Party and Komeito are planning to revise the new fiscal year budget proposal again and will expedite adjustments such as how to proceed with future deliberations. The two parties will also discuss how to handle the bill related to pension system reform that the government plans to submit to the current Diet.
TOP
Stockpiled rice bidding begins today, expected to be available in stores from late March
2025-03-10 04:55:00
The first ever tender for government stockpiled rice to facilitate smooth distribution will begin on the 10th. It is expected that rice will be available in supermarkets and other locations from late March onwards, and attention is focused on whether its release onto the market will lead to price stabilization.
TOP
Forest fire in Ofunato, Iwate "put under control" Evacuation orders expected to be lifted today
2025-03-10 00:03:00
On the 9th, 11 days after the forest fire broke out in Ofunato City, Iwate Prefecture, the city of Ofunato declared the fire "under control," saying that the fire had subsided and there was no longer any risk of it spreading. The city plans to lift all evacuation orders for all areas by noon on the 10th.
TOP
