2025-03-18 22:28:00
On the 18th, Rakuten Group CEO Hiroshi Mikitani visited the Prime Minister's Official Residence and submitted a petition to Prime Minister Ishiba expressing opposition to the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications' decision to ban solicitation through intermediary sites that award points for hometown tax donations.
2025-03-18 21:39:00
Constitutional Democratic Party lawmakers, who aim to eliminate the consumption tax on food products, will be compiling a draft plan next month on the scope of coverage and funding sources, and will begin concrete discussions on the plan, in order to include it in the party's campaign pledges for the House of Councillors election this summer.
2025-03-18 21:19:00
Regarding the weather this winter, which saw record snowfall mainly along the Sea of Japan coast, the Japan Meteorological Agency's review committee concluded that the westerly winds meandered south near Japan, making it easier for strong cold air to flow in. On the other hand, the committee stated that the record low amount of precipitation on the Pacific coast was "considered to be an abnormal phenomenon."
2025-03-18 20:52:00
Following the agreement reached among the three parties, the Liberal Democratic Party, Komeito and the Japan Restoration Party held the first meeting of a council on the topic of social security reform, focusing on practitioners to consider specific measures such as reducing the burden of social insurance premiums, and confirmed that they would finalize their ideas by mid-May.
2025-03-18 20:05:00
Experts have investigated the scene of the forest fire in Ofunato City, Iwate Prefecture, and have pointed out that, based on the black discoloration of the ground and the bases of the cedar trees, it is likely that the fire spread through fallen leaves and other objects.
2025-03-18 19:17:00
The opening game of the Major League season between the Dodgers and Cubs will be held tonight at Tokyo Dome. Shohei Otani will be the leadoff hitter and designated hitter for the Dodgers, and Seiya Suzuki will be the second batter and designated hitter for the Cubs. The opening pitchers will be Yoshinobu Yamamoto for the Dodgers and Shota Imanaga for the Cubs, making this the first time that two Japanese pitchers will face off in an opening game in Major League Baseball. We will be reporting the latest information on the game.
2025-03-18 19:15:00
As of January this year, the average land price nationwide was up 2.7% compared to last year, marking the fourth consecutive year of increase. The rate of increase was particularly large in surveyed areas such as tourist destinations popular with foreigners and areas where semiconductor factories are under construction.
2025-03-18 17:18:00
Due to the snow, cars were stranded in several places in Aso City, Kumamoto Prefecture, including on national highways in mountainous areas, and roads were closed and snow removal work was carried out.
2025-03-18 17:14:00
As of January this year, land prices nationwide were up 2.7% on average compared to last year, marking the fourth consecutive year of increase. The rate of increase is faster than last year, with land prices particularly rising in central Tokyo and Osaka, and high rates of increase also continuing in resort areas where there is demand for second homes for foreigners. Experts analyze that "the gradual economic recovery and the influx of money and people from overseas are having a major impact. The effects are not limited to the three major metropolitan areas and regional core cities, but are spreading nationwide."
2025-03-18 17:07:00
Due to a fatal accident that occurred between Koga Station and Nogi Station, JR Utsunomiya Line has suspended operations on both lines between Tokyo Station and Utsunomiya Station since around 4:30 pm on the 18th. As a result, Shonan-Shinjuku Line has also suspended operations on the Utsunomiya Line direct section north of Shinjuku Station. Both lines are expected to resume operations around 6:10 pm.
2025-03-18 17:02:00
The remains of one of the largest buildings from the second half of the 7th century have been newly discovered at the site of the Asuka period capital in Asuka Village, Nara Prefecture. Remains of buildings of a similar size have been found in nearby areas, and experts are paying close attention to the possibility that there may have been a group of buildings related to the Emperor.
2025-03-18 16:11:00
In December of last year, a four-month-old boy died while being put to sleep face down at an unlicensed childcare facility in Setagaya Ward, Tokyo. The Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department has referred the case to the prosecutor's office on suspicion of professional negligence resulting in death, alleging that the accident was caused by the facility's then-director failing to instruct temporary staff on how to put the baby to sleep safely.
2025-03-18 16:08:00
In response to the issue of Japan Post misusing Japan Post Bank customer information at post offices nationwide for insurance solicitation without prior consent, the Japan Post Group announced that it takes serious responsibility for the situation and will reduce Japan Post President Tetsuya Senda's monthly salary by 30% for three months. In addition, Japan Post President Hiroya Masuda, Japan Post Insurance President Kunio Tanigaki, and Japan Post Bank President Takayuki Kasama will also be given salary cuts, and disciplinary measures will be taken against 14 group executives in total.
2025-03-18 15:02:00
The Matsuyama District Court has dismissed a lawsuit filed by local residents and others seeking an injunction against Shikoku Electric Power Co. to halt operations at the Ikata Nuclear Power Plant Unit 3 in Ehime Prefecture.
2025-03-18 14:23:00
Pitcher Roki Sasaki, who transferred from professional baseball's Lotte to the Major League Dodgers on a minor league contract, was announced as one of the 26 players on the bench for the opening series, marking his promotion to the major leagues.
2025-03-18 14:10:00
Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense announced that in the 24 hours up to the morning of the 18th, numerous Chinese fighter jets and ships were operating around Taiwan, and that the Chinese military had conducted "combat preparation patrols." In response to this, the Chinese Foreign Ministry criticized the US's involvement in Taiwan, and warned that "military activities are a firm response to external forces supporting 'Taiwan independence' forces."
2025-03-18 14:06:00
Following the death in March of Ishikawa Kazuo, who was sentenced to life imprisonment for the "Sayama Incident" in which a high school girl was murdered in Sayama City, Saitama Prefecture in 1963, 62 years ago, and who had sought a retrial, the Tokyo High Court decided to end the hearings by the 18th.
2025-03-18 14:04:00
Regarding the domestically produced missiles that the government plans to deploy by the end of March next year, which will also be used as a "counterattack capability," Defense Minister Nakatani said that the specific deployment locations have not been decided, but indicated that once a decision is made, appropriate information will be provided to local governments and others.
2025-03-18 13:07:00
The Tokyo District Public Prosecutors' Office has decided not to indict a 39-year-old Sri Lankan man who was arrested by the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department for allegedly keeping a stolen van, knowing that it was stolen.
2025-03-18 13:02:00
The Senbatsu High School Baseball Tournament kicked off at Koshien Stadium, and in the first game immediately after the opening ceremony, Tokyo's Nihon University High School defeated Oita's Yanagigaura High School 3-2 to advance to the second round.
2025-03-18 12:59:00
Following the road collapse that occurred in Yashio City, Saitama Prefecture, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism decided to conduct a nationwide survey of sewer pipes above a certain size, and requested local governments to conduct the survey on the 18th.
2025-03-18 12:40:00
The launch of the "My Number License" system, which combines the My Number Card and driver's license, is approaching on the 24th of this month, but under the current system, when the My Number Card expires and you renew it, you have to go through the process of integrating it with your driver's license all over again. To avoid double work and inconvenience, the National Police Agency is calling on people whose My Number cards are about to expire to first renew them before obtaining a My Number license until the system is improved in the fall.
2025-03-18 12:13:00
Winds are getting stronger mainly in western Japan due to the influence of a low pressure system, and on the 19th, winds are expected to get stronger in eastern and northern Japan as well, bringing stormy weather with rain and snow in some areas. The Japan Meteorological Agency is calling for people to be on alert for strong winds, as well as lightning strikes and tornadoes.
2025-03-18 12:11:00
Prince Hisahito, the eldest son of Prince and Princess Akishino, graduated from high school on the 18th.
2025-03-18 11:51:00
The opening game of the Major League Baseball season, between the Dodgers and Cubs, will finally be held today at the Tokyo Dome. But why is the opening game of the Major League Baseball season being held in Japan this time? We will explain the purpose in this explanatory video.
2025-03-18 11:13:00
According to JR Kyushu, due to the impact of the earthquake, which recorded a maximum seismic intensity of 4 in Kumamoto Prefecture at around 5:00 a.m. on the 18th, the Kyushu Shinkansen will suspend operations on both lines between Kumamoto and Kagoshima-Chuo from the first train in order to ensure safety.
2025-03-18 10:42:00
U.S. President Donald Trump announced that he would hold a telephone conversation with Russian President Putin on the morning of the 18th, Eastern Time, regarding the situation in Ukraine, and reiterated his desire to achieve a ceasefire in Ukraine.
2025-03-18 10:39:00
The Senbatsu High School Baseball Tournament kicked off on the 18th, with the 32 participating schools marching powerfully, including Gunma's Takasaki University of Health and Welfare High School, which is aiming for a consecutive championship.
2025-03-18 10:37:00
Regarding the fact that rice prices have continued to rise even after the announcement of the release of stockpiled rice, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Eto expressed hope that distribution and prices will stabilize, including with the second release of stockpiled rice scheduled for the near future.
2025-03-18 10:36:00
The new sumo yokozuna Toyonoryu will be taking a break from the Spring Tournament starting on the 18th, the 10th day of the tournament. This will be the first time in 39 years that a new yokozuna has taken a break since Futahaguro withdrew midway through the Autumn Tournament in 1986.
2025-03-18 10:16:00
The Israeli military announced that it had carried out a large-scale airstrike on a base of the Islamic organization Hamas in the Gaza Strip in the early hours of the 18th local time. The Middle Eastern satellite television station Al Jazeera reported that more than 30 people were killed, and it is believed to be the largest airstrike since the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip came into effect in January of this year.
2025-03-18 09:55:00
The company that runs the American retailer Forever 21, known for selling low-priced clothing, has filed for bankruptcy under the federal bankruptcy law, which is equivalent to Japan's Civil Rehabilitation Act. This is the second time the company has gone bankrupt, due in part to pressure from cheap online retailers based in China.
2025-03-18 08:25:00
The World Health Organization (WHO) has estimated that if the United States were to drastically cut foreign aid, the number of deaths from infectious diseases such as AIDS and malaria would increase significantly, and has called for a review of the Trump administration's proposed cuts.
2025-03-18 07:01:00
Demand for electric vehicles (EVs) is sluggish in Europe, but automakers are anticipating medium- to long-term market growth and are focusing on introducing new EVs that boast improved performance and lower prices.
2025-03-18 06:24:00
The Ministry of State Security, which cracks down on espionage in China, has released the names and photographs of four members of a Taiwanese unit responsible for cyber warfare, citing the Taiwanese government's policy of strengthening its response to Chinese espionage activities.
2025-03-18 06:16:00
At around 5:00 a.m. on the 18th, an earthquake measuring magnitude 4 was observed in Kumamoto Prefecture. There is no need to worry about a tsunami caused by this earthquake.
2025-03-18 06:05:00
The US Department of Justice has filed a motion to request an extension to the trial in which the two companies are seeking to invalidate the injunction issued by former US President Biden over Nippon Steel's plan to acquire US Steel, a major steel manufacturer. The extension is intended to secure time for the Trump administration and the two companies to conclude negotiations.
2025-03-18 05:43:00
U.S. President Donald Trump is scheduled to hold a telephone meeting with Russian President Putin on the 18th, and the focus will be on whether he can persuade Putin, who has said that the U.S. ceasefire proposal regarding the situation in Ukraine is insufficient.
2025-03-18 05:28:00
As the Trump administration in the United States considers imposing reciprocal tariffs and automobile tariffs next month, the Japanese government will soon begin working-level consultations with the U.S. government. We will continue to call for Japan to be excluded from the series of tariff measures, and we also hope to explore the U.S. side's requests to Japan and find a way to avoid raising tariffs.
2025-03-18 04:52:00
The Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan (CDP) plans to continue pursuing the issue of Prime Minister Ishiba distributing 100,000 yen worth of gift certificates to the offices of LDP lawmakers who have only been elected once, including by demanding a thorough explanation. Prime Minister Ishiba hopes to resolve the situation by continuing to provide a thorough explanation, leading to the passage of the new fiscal year budget bill within the fiscal year.
2025-03-18 02:15:00
Prosecutors in Russia's ally Belarus announced on the 17th that a court had sentenced a Japanese man who was detained by authorities last year for sending information about military facilities and other information to a Japanese intelligence agency to seven years in prison and other charges of espionage.
