Main news(2025/03/12)
Financial Services Agency to revise financial institution supervision guidelines following series of safe deposit box scandals
2025-03-12 22:45:00
In response to a series of scandals involving safe deposit boxes, the Financial Services Agency has decided to soon revise its supervision guidelines for financial institutions. It is expected that financial institutions will be required to review regulations to prevent fraud, such as by checking the items that are held, and will create stricter rules, such as not accepting safe deposit box storage.
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30 years since Tokyo subway sarin gas attack: Families ask government to continue monitoring successor groups
2025-03-12 22:05:00
With this month marking the 30th anniversary of the Aum Shinrikyo Tokyo subway sarin gas attack, surviving members have called on the government to continue to monitor the successor groups that remain active.
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Toyota to resume operations at Aichi spring factory after explosion
2025-03-12 21:54:00
Chuo Spring, a spring manufacturer that experienced an explosion at its factory in Aichi Prefecture in March, has announced that it has partially resumed production at the affected factory. Toyota Motor Corporation has also announced that it will resume operations at its suspended factories from the evening of the 13th, as it has secured a supply of parts.
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Two helicopters recovered after crash off the coast of Izu Islands; several bodies found
2025-03-12 21:27:00
On the 12th, the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force announced that it had recovered the two helicopters from the seabed in the accident that occurred last year when two of the Self-Defense Force helicopters collided and crashed during training off the coast of the Izu Islands, leaving seven crew members missing. Several bodies were found inside the helicopters, and the Self-Defense Forces will bring them ashore in the future to identify the bodies.
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Report recommends that eight people in Ishikawa be newly recognized as disaster-related deaths following the Noto Peninsula earthquake
2025-03-12 20:53:00
Regarding the eight people who died in Ishikawa Prefecture after the Noto Peninsula earthquake, a committee of experts has recommended that they be recognized as disaster-related deaths. If the deaths are officially recognized by the local government, the death toll from the Noto Peninsula earthquake is expected to be 557.
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Ofunato forest fire "similar to the urban fire in Wajima, Ishikawa" - Experts
2025-03-12 20:44:00
More than 200 buildings were damaged in the forest fire in Ofunato City, Iwate Prefecture. Experts analyzed that the fire in the buildings was intense and similar to the fire in Wajima City, Ishikawa Prefecture, which occurred during the Noto Peninsula earthquake, and pointed out that as a future measure, it is necessary to identify areas with a high risk of forest fires and support disaster prevention activities in surrounding urban areas.
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Miyazaki couple sues after wife's employment terminated and disciplinary action taken against husband who married colleague at university
2025-03-12 19:37:00
A married couple, who worked as an assistant professor and a professor at a private university in Miyazaki City, have filed a lawsuit against the university, seeking confirmation of their status as faculty members and the invalidation of the disciplinary action, alleging that the wife was notified of the termination of her employment and that both of them received disciplinary action because they married a coworker.
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78-year-old father given suspended sentence after guilty verdict: "It's cruel to blame only the defendant"
2025-03-12 19:21:00
In 2024, in Chiba Prefecture, a 78-year-old father was charged with murdering his 44-year-old second son, who had severe intellectual disabilities and whom he was caring for at home. The Chiba District Court handed down a guilty verdict with a suspended sentence, stating that "it is cruel to blame only the defendant, given that the son was in a very desperate situation where he was not receiving sufficient support."
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Orix pitcher Taisuke Yamaoka to resume activities after using online casino
2025-03-12 19:07:00
Following the issue of professional baseball team Orix Buffaloes pitcher Taisuke Yamaoka admitting to using online casinos in the past and being ordered to suspend activities, the team announced that they had agreed to allow him to resume activities from the 13th, stating that they "have determined that he is deeply remorseful."
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Ofunato forest fire leaves over 900 households unable to use tap water for drinking, water supply cut off and murky
2025-03-12 18:39:00
In the area of Ofunato City, Iwate Prefecture, which was hit hard by the forest fire, over 900 households are no longer able to use tap water for drinking. The city has set up water stations, and people living nearby could be seen filling water bags with water.
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Sukiya to raise beef bowl prices by 20 to 50 yen for the second time due to rising rice prices
2025-03-12 18:14:00
In response to rising rice prices, major beef bowl chain Sukiya has announced that it will raise the price of its beef bowls by 20 to 50 yen from the 18th of this month. This is the second price increase due to the recent rise in rice prices, and the company has said it will also consider purchasing stockpiled rice released by the government.
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Ofunato: A seasonal sight heralding spring - The sardine fishing season, postponed due to forest fires, begins
2025-03-12 18:09:00
In Ofunato City, Iwate Prefecture, the sardine fishing season has begun, which had been postponed due to forest fires.
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The JMSDF's latest destroyer arrives in Australia: what's its purpose?
2025-03-12 17:52:00
The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force's latest destroyer has arrived in the area to conduct joint training with the Australian Navy. Australia is planning to jointly develop a number of frigates with other countries, and as Japan is one of the final candidates, it is believed that this is also an attempt to demonstrate its capabilities. What is the background to aiming to jointly develop a vessel that has never been tested before?
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Doctor acquitted of sexual assault on woman after surgery, Tokyo High Court finds
2025-03-12 17:29:00
In a trial where a doctor was charged with quasi-forcible indecency for allegedly performing lewd acts on a female patient after surgery, the Tokyo High Court acquitted him, stating that "it cannot be recognized that the doctor's actions resulted in saliva coming into contact with the woman's body."
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Training for releasing the Japanese crested ibis, a special natural treasure, into the wild Niigata, Sado
2025-03-12 17:11:00
Training for releasing the Japanese crested ibis, a national special natural monument, into the wild has begun in Sado City, Niigata Prefecture. Ten Japanese crested ibises, wearing leg bands for identification and with their feathers dyed with special paint, have been released into a large cage.
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Cherry blossoms expected to bloom earlier than average in some areas this year
2025-03-12 16:58:00
This year, cherry blossoms are expected to bloom earlier than average, especially in northern Japan.
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Hiroshima Minami Ward: Crane collapses during tree felling, entangles power lines, causing power outage in surrounding area
2025-03-12 16:56:00
At around 2:30 p.m. on the 12th, in Danbara, Minami Ward, Hiroshima City, a crane fell over while cutting down trees, entangling electric wires, and the electric pole that was pulled down hit the roof of a nearby house. According to the police, no one was injured, and the details of the incident are currently being investigated. According to the Chugoku Electric Power Network, as of 4 p.m., approximately 240 homes in the surrounding area are without power due to the accident. There is no prospect of power being restored.
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Ofunato forest fire: "Debris flows are likely to occur, so monitoring is required and measures should be considered"
2025-03-12 16:05:00
The forest fire in Ofunato City, Iwate Prefecture, has burned an area of approximately 2,900 hectares. Experts say that rainwater is less likely to seep into the slopes where the fire occurred, making mudslides more likely than usual, and that monitoring of soil and sand and considering countermeasures are necessary ahead of the heavy rain season. The forest fire in Ofunato City, Iwate Prefecture, was declared under control on the 9th of this month, but approximately 2,900 hectares, or 9% of the city's area, have burned so far. In this situation, experts point out that caution is needed during periods of heavy rain.
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Ofunato forest fire NPO to provide grants to children affected by the disaster
2025-03-12 15:42:00
In order to support children affected by the forest fire that occurred in Ofunato City, Iwate Prefecture, a Tokyo-based nonprofit organization will provide financial support to families with children, including the cost of school supplies and toys.
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Arizona Supreme Court adopts AI-generated "journalists" to use social media
2025-03-12 14:55:00
The Supreme Court of Arizona in the western United States has announced that it will employ two AI-generated "reporters" to disseminate information on social media and other platforms.
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Susukino man murdered, father receives suspended sentence for helping daughter kill
2025-03-12 14:31:00
In a case where a man was found dead in a hotel in Susukino, a downtown Sapporo district, two years ago and three people, a father and his daughter, were indicted, the Sapporo District Court sentenced the 61-year-old father, who was accused of aiding his daughter in the murder, to one year and four months in prison, suspended for four years.
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Meeting between House of Representatives and House of Councillors Budget Committee Chairs: Budget Committee to be held tomorrow in the House of Representatives
2025-03-12 13:57:00
Chairman of the House of Representatives' Budget Committee, Yasuzumi, and Chairman of the House of Councillors' Budget Committee, Tsuruho, met to discuss the review of the high-cost medical care system. Yasuzumi said he needed to confirm the reasons for the change in policy with the government, and requested that a budget committee meeting be held in the House of Representatives on the 13th, even though the budget was currently being deliberated in the House of Councillors. Tsuruho agreed, on the condition that this would not be a precedent.
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Cooking expert Nahomi Edamoto passes away at age 69. Appeared on TV shows such as "Today's Cooking."
2025-03-12 13:51:00
Nahomi Edamoto, a cooking expert who appeared on many cooking shows, including NHK's "Today's Cooking," and conveyed the appeal of home cooking, passed away on the 27th of last month from interstitial pneumonia. She was 69 years old.
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Trump administration imposes 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum products, including Japan
2025-03-12 13:06:00
The Trump administration in the United States implemented measures to impose 25% tariffs on imported steel and aluminum products at around 1:00 pm on the 12th (Japan time). All countries will be subject to the measures, including Japan.
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Hyogo, Akashi: Fire breaks out in shopping street near JR Akashi Station Firefighting efforts continue
2025-03-12 13:04:00
A fire broke out at a store in a shopping district near JR Akashi Station in Akashi City, Hyogo Prefecture, around noon on the 12th, and firefighting efforts are still ongoing.
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LDP Senator Nishida: "A new president should be re-elected after the new fiscal year budget bill is passed"
2025-03-12 13:00:00
At the LDP's general meeting of House of Councillors members, Senator Masashi Nishida expressed his view that the party is not able to compete in the House of Councillors election this summer under its current structure, and that a new party president to replace Prime Minister Ishiba should be selected after the new fiscal year budget bill is passed.
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[Breaking News] Spring Labor Offensive: Concentrated Response Day: Latest Situation on Wage Increases, Full Responses Continue
2025-03-12 12:18:00
This year's spring labor offensive was concentrated on the 12th, and large companies in the automobile and electronics industries responded with high levels of pay, including the full amount. In the future, the trend of wage increases will continue at other large companies, and the focus will be on whether this momentum will spread to small and medium-sized companies and lead to the correction of the disparity with large companies. We will provide updates on the latest situation as it occurs.
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White House spokesman singles out Japan for tariffs; what about rice tariffs?
2025-03-12 12:17:00
At a press conference on the 11th, White House Press Secretary Levitt named Japan as one of the countries that imposes high tariffs on American exports, criticizing Japan for "imposing a 700% tariff on rice."
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Kazuo Ishikawa, who sought a retrial in the Sayama Incident 62 years ago, dies at age 86
2025-03-12 12:10:00
Kazuo Ishikawa, who was sentenced to life imprisonment for the "Sayama Incident" in which a high school girl was murdered in Sayama City, Saitama Prefecture 62 years ago and who had been seeking a retrial, passed away on the 11th at the hospital where he was hospitalized. He was 86 years old.
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Unauthorized renovation work case: Will business continue under new company after administrative guidance?
2025-03-12 11:53:00
In a case where a group of suspects in their 40s calling themselves "Super Salaryman Shimizu" were arrested for carrying out unauthorized renovation work, it was learned from an investigation that the suspects are believed to have set up a new company and continued their business when a renovation company under their umbrella received administrative guidance. The Metropolitan Police Department is investigating the details of the case, believing that this was to avoid punishment such as a business suspension order.
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Minister Iwatake leaves for Canada to attend G7 Foreign Ministers' Meeting
2025-03-12 10:53:00
Foreign Minister Iwasaki left for Canada on the morning of the 12th to attend the G7 Foreign Ministers' Meeting. He will stress the importance of the G7 uniting on the situation in Ukraine and share the view that unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force are unacceptable.
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Musk faces protests: "We will double Tesla production in the U.S. within two years"
2025-03-12 10:34:00
Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, the American electric vehicle manufacturer currently facing protests from citizens, spoke to reporters alongside President Trump on the 11th and said that Tesla will double its production in the United States within the next two years.
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February Corporate Price Index increased 4.0% year-on-year
2025-03-12 09:10:00
The CGPI, which measures the prices of goods traded between companies, rose 4.0% in February compared to the same month last year, down from 4.2% in January.
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Index showing business confidence of large companies +2.0 points, up for fourth consecutive quarter in January-March period
2025-03-12 09:05:00
According to the "Corporate Economic Outlook Survey" released by the Ministry of Finance and other organizations, the index showing the business confidence of large companies from January to March this year was up 2.0 points, the fourth consecutive quarter of positive growth. The manufacturing industry was down 2.4 points, and the non-manufacturing industry was up 4.1 points.
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Dodgers' Roki Sasaki pitches scoreless 4th inning, set to start in second game of season
2025-03-12 08:43:00
In the final exhibition game before the start of the season, the Dodgers faced the Guardians, and in his second game on the mound, pitcher Roki Sasaki pitched four scoreless innings. After the game, manager Roberts stated that Sasaki would be the starting pitcher for the second game of the opening series to be held in Tokyo on March 19th.
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US decides to resume military aid to Ukraine; Ukraine expresses readiness to accept temporary ceasefire
2025-03-12 06:59:00
Regarding the situation in Ukraine, high-ranking officials from the United States and Ukraine held talks, and Ukraine expressed its readiness to accept the 30-day ceasefire proposed by the United States. The focus will be on how Russia, with whom the United States is planning to hold talks soon, responds.
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Dow falls by more than $700 as President Trump orders tariffs on Canada
2025-03-12 06:52:00
On the 11th, the New York stock market saw the Dow Jones Industrial Average fall by more than $700 due to concerns that trade frictions would intensify in the wake of President Trump's tariff measures and have a negative impact on the American economy.
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President Trump reconsiders 50% tariffs on Canadian steel, etc.
2025-03-12 06:06:00
On the 11th, US President Trump mentioned the possibility of reviewing his announcement that tariffs on steel and aluminum products imported from Canada would be 50% instead of 25%. He said that this was a countermeasure to the Canadian province of Ontario's decision to impose surcharges on electricity to the US, but Ontario later announced that it would suspend the surcharge. In response to this, when asked by reporters, "Will you make a different decision on tariffs on Canada from now on, or will you lower them?", President Trump replied, "Probably."
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Fortune teller arrested on suspicion of instigating suicide visited beach with two deceased followers
2025-03-12 05:45:00
In a case five years ago in which suspects working as fortune tellers were arrested for allegedly persuading two male followers to commit suicide at sea, interviews with the police have revealed that the suspects are suspected of having visited the beach with the two men who died at the time.
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Takadanobaba woman murder case: One-sided grudge, stabbed dozens of times with a knife?
2025-03-12 05:29:00
In a case where a 22-year-old woman who was streaming videos was killed with a knife on the street in Shinjuku Ward, Tokyo on the 11th, it was learned from an interview with an investigator that the arrested 42-year-old suspect is believed to have stabbed the woman repeatedly dozens of times. The suspect stated that he had lent money to the victim but was not repaid, and the Metropolitan Police Department believes that he had a one-sided grudge and is investigating the details of the incident.
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Pension reform bill: Discussion or deliberation? Coordination between ruling and opposition parties continues
2025-03-12 05:26:00
Regarding bills related to pension system reform, the Liberal Democratic Party has called on opposition parties, including the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, to hold discussions, but the opposition parties are refusing to hold prior consultations and are demanding that deliberations be held after the bills are submitted to the Diet, so negotiations between the ruling and opposition parties are ongoing.
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Nissan's successor as president, Espinosa, faces challenges in restructuring management and alliance strategy
2025-03-12 05:20:00
Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. announced that President Makoto Uchida will step down at the end of this month to take responsibility for the company's deteriorating performance, and that he will be shaking up the management team. Ivan Espinosa, who is in charge of product planning, will be the new president, and the company will be tasked with restructuring its management and rethinking its alliance strategy.
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