2025-04-23 23:03:00
The Trump administration in the United States has raised concerns about the fact that American-made cars are hardly selling in the Japanese market, and has criticized Japanese car safety standards, claiming that they are "non-tariff barriers."
2025-04-23 21:49:00
It has been discovered that a school lunch at an elementary school in Joetsu City, Niigata Prefecture, contained shards of a broken fluorescent light bulb, and that the teacher removed the pieces before feeding the students. Although no one was injured, some of the students noticed the pieces and spit them out, and the city's Board of Education has decided to take thorough measures to prevent a recurrence.
2025-04-23 20:25:00
It has been learned through interviews with people involved that Daishi Hokuetsu Financial Group, which owns Niigata Prefecture's Daishi Hokuetsu Bank, and Gunma Prefecture's Gunma Bank have decided to reach a basic agreement to merge their businesses. As competition among financial institutions intensifies in the "world of interest rates," it is expected that other regional banks will also become more active in the future in their efforts to restructure.
2025-04-23 19:54:00
The European Union announced that it had imposed fines on American IT giants Apple and Meta for violating the Digital Markets Act, which ensures fair competition in the digital market. Apple will be fined 500 million euros, or about 80 billion yen, and Meta will be fined 200 million euros, or about 32 billion yen. This is the first time that fines have been imposed since the law went into full operation in March last year.
2025-04-23 18:56:00
The world's largest motor show has begun in Shanghai, China. Automakers from Japan and abroad have been showing off the latest models of "new energy vehicles" such as EVs. As the fierce trade friction continues due to the "Trump tariffs," there is a growing movement to strengthen business in China, the world's largest automobile market. We interviewed Japanese manufacturers who are struggling in China, where the shift to EVs is progressing rapidly, to find out if there are any strategies to make a comeback.
2025-04-23 18:50:00
As the problems surrounding online casinos continue to grow, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications' expert panel, which is discussing ways to strengthen regulations, held its first meeting on the 23rd and decided to finalize the direction of regulations by the end of the year, including "blocking" measures to prevent access to websites.
2025-04-23 17:59:00
Health insurance premiums are deducted from your monthly salary. Do you check them? As medical expenses increase, the burden of insurance premiums on each individual has also increased, and some health insurance associations are finding it difficult to maintain their policies. We will explain in detail everything from how health insurance works to the background to the increasing burden.
2025-04-23 17:44:00
On the 23rd, 11th day after its opening, the number of visitors, including staff, to the Osaka-Kansai Expo exceeded one million, and a commemorative ceremony was held.
2025-04-23 17:03:00
In order to strengthen immigration screening of foreign nationals, the Japanese government plans to introduce a new electronic authentication system that will conduct online screening before travelling for people coming from countries that are exempt from obtaining a short-term visa. The system is scheduled to go into operation in fiscal 2028, three years from now.
2025-04-23 16:38:00
On the 22nd, US President Trump stated that he has no intention of firing Federal Reserve Chairman Powell, with whom he continues to have a conflict over monetary policy. This appears to have calmed the financial markets, which had seen a sell-off of not only US stocks but also the dollar and US government bonds due to concerns that President Trump would take the step of firing Chairman Powell. Meanwhile, businessman Elon Musk revealed his intention to significantly reduce the amount of time he spends on government activities from May.
2025-04-23 16:35:00
The results of an investigation by the Japan Fair Trade Commission into the actual transactions between taxi "ride-hailing app" operators and taxi companies have been compiled. It has been reported that there have been cases that lead to restrictions on the use of other companies' apps, and the Japan Fair Trade Commission has stated that it will take strict action if any cases that pose legal problems are found.
2025-04-23 15:22:00
The nationwide average retail price of regular gasoline was 185.1 yen per liter as of the 21st, marking the first decrease in four weeks.
2025-04-23 15:04:00
Regarding U.S. President Trump's social media post citing "Japan's bowling ball tests" as an example of a "non-tariff barrier" regarding automobile safety standards, Minister of Economic Revitalization Akazawa stated that the issue was not discussed during his recent meeting with the president.
2025-04-23 15:00:00
In the Diet, a debate between Prime Minister Ishiba and the opposition party leaders is currently taking place for the first time in about half a year. The debate is expected to focus on how to respond to the tariff measures imposed by the Trump administration in the United States. *The contents of the debate will be updated here as they become available.
2025-04-23 13:44:00
On the 22nd, in a case where a man shook off police officers who were trying to search a house in Kanagawa Ward, Yokohama City and fled in a car, the police have issued a nationwide wanted notice for the fugitive suspect, Satoshi Tamura (50), a gang leader affiliated with the designated crime organization Inagawa-kai. He is currently under investigation for attempted murder for hitting a police officer with his car, causing injury, and for obstructing public duties.
2025-04-23 13:41:00
Regarding reports that the United States has presented a peace plan that would include recognizing Russia's annexation of southern Crimea, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he had "not heard of any official proposal," but stressed that Russia must first agree to an unconditional ceasefire in order to negotiate a lasting peace.
2025-04-23 13:39:00
Regarding the preferential tax system "NISA," former Prime Minister Kishida of the Liberal Democratic Party proposed to Prime Minister Ishiba that a system be introduced that would expand the range of financial products available to seniors.
2025-04-23 12:13:00
On the night of the 21st, a suspect arrested on suspicion of breaking into a cram school in Saitama Prefecture is thought to have been involved in about 20 incidents and accidents, including a fatal hit-and-run incident, in the hour and a half prior to the incident, according to police interviews. One person was killed and about 10 people were injured, and the police are currently investigating the circumstances of the incident in more detail.
2025-04-23 11:45:00
The third round of auctions for stockpiled rice by the government to facilitate smooth distribution of rice began on the 23rd. The tender covers 100,000 tons, and from this time, wholesalers will be allowed to trade with each other to make it easier to distribute stockpiled rice. Attention is focused on whether this will lead to price stability.
2025-04-23 11:28:00
Regarding the issue of post office delivery staff not being asked to perform roll calls to check whether they had been drinking as required by law, Japan Post conducted a nationwide investigation and found through interviews with relevant parties that roll calls were not being conducted properly at more than 2,000 collection and delivery centers, including post offices. The company plans to report the results of its investigation to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism on the 23rd and make them public.
2025-04-23 11:21:00
As rice prices soar, there are concerns about the impact on rice production, which is expected to be a big hit. This month, just before the full-scale rice planting season, about 100 metal water supply valves were found missing from rice paddies in Namegata City, Ibaraki Prefecture. Similar incidents have been occurring one after another in Ibaraki Prefecture, and the police are calling for caution.
2025-04-23 10:52:00
It has become clear that Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi was trying to ask the United States, with which Iran has been in conflict over nuclear development, to enter Iran's domestic nuclear industry. With President Trump's business-oriented stance in mind, it is believed that the aim is to put pressure on the United States.
2025-04-23 09:14:00
On the 23rd, the Nikkei average rose by more than 900 yen at one point in the Tokyo Stock Exchange. In addition to the major stock indexes rising sharply on the 22nd in the New York Stock Exchange due to expectations of an easing of trade friction between the US and China, President Trump's statement that he has no intention of firing Federal Reserve Chairman Powell caused the yen to weaken against the dollar in the foreign exchange market, leading to a rise in buy orders in the Tokyo market as well.
2025-04-23 09:02:00
On the 23rd in the Tokyo foreign exchange market, US President Trump said he had no intention of firing Federal Reserve Chairman Powell, which eased concerns over the Fed's future monetary policy management and led to a rapid buying of dollars, with the yen temporarily dropping to the 143 yen per dollar range. A market insider commented, "There had been a recent sell-off of dollars due to concerns that President Trump's decision to fire Chairman Powell would undermine the Fed's independence as the guardian of the currency, but President Trump's denial of the firing led to a sudden buy-back of dollars. However, with important events coming up, such as the G20 summit and a meeting between the US and Japanese finance ministers, it is unlikely that the movement will be one-sided."
2025-04-23 08:15:00
A meeting between the finance ministers of Japan and the United States, with the topic of foreign exchange, is expected to take place in Washington on the 24th local time. We spoke to Tatsuo Yamazaki, who served as the top financial officer in the Ministry of Finance's international department from 2014 to 2015 and has experience in international negotiations such as market intervention, about the focus of the Japan-U.S. negotiations over foreign exchange.
2025-04-23 07:56:00
At Tesla's earnings presentation on the 22nd, businessman Elon Musk revealed his intention to significantly reduce the time he spends on his activities at DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency) starting next month. However, he also said, "As long as the president wants, I will continue to spend one or two days a week on government activities." Tesla has been the subject of boycotts around the world due to Musk's political comments and actions.
2025-04-23 07:39:00
A White House spokesman said negotiations on tariffs are progressing well, with 18 written proposals having been submitted by various countries, and added that they are "moving at Trump speed," emphasizing the intention to respond swiftly.
2025-04-23 07:15:00
American electric car maker Tesla announced on the 22nd that sales for the three months ending last month were down 9% compared to the same period last year to $19.335 billion, or roughly 2.7 trillion yen. In addition, final profits fell 70% compared to the same period last year to $409 million, or roughly 57.8 billion yen, a significant drop in profits. This is thought to be due to a deterioration in the brand's image around the world triggered by CEO Elon Musk's political actions and other factors.
2025-04-23 06:45:00
On the 22nd, when asked by reporters if he was considering firing Federal Reserve Chairman Powell, President Trump said, "I have no intention of firing him." However, President Trump said, "I want the Fed to be a bit more aggressive about lowering interest rates. Now is the perfect time to lower interest rates," once again calling for the Fed to lower interest rates.
2025-04-23 05:50:00
On the 22nd, a 43-year-old father was arrested on suspicion of murder for allegedly squeezing the neck of his 10-year-old son, resulting in his death in Sapporo. The father has admitted to the charges, and the police are currently investigating the details of the incident.
2025-04-23 05:23:00
As part of measures to combat rising prices, the government has decided to gradually reduce gasoline prices by 10 yen per liter starting next month. The government hopes to provide seamless support to the people, which is closely related to their daily lives, and to reduce their financial burden.
2025-04-23 05:21:00
The Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department and other joint investigation headquarters arrested three suspects, including a 37-year-old man from Osaka, on suspicion of defrauding cash through a special fraud scheme involving false billings, and are also investigating their involvement in money laundering. The suspects received criminal proceeds from multiple organizations, including the "Luffy Group," which committed a series of widespread robberies, and at one point were believed to have laundered more than 1 billion yen in a three-month period, so efforts are underway to clarify the situation.
2025-04-23 04:53:00
Regarding the tariff measures of the Trump administration, the government has asked the US side to hold the next ministerial negotiations after the middle of next week. While the US side, which is aiming to eliminate the trade deficit, is calling for an increase in automobile imports, the Japanese side is adamant on lowering tariffs, and the focus will be on whether they can find specific areas to move the discussion forward.
2025-04-23 04:07:00
In the Kashmir region, where India and Pakistan are in dispute over sovereignty, tourists were shot at in the area effectively controlled by India, and major Indian media outlets have reported that at least 26 people were killed. Prime Minister Modi has indicated his intention to thoroughly investigate the incident as a terrorist incident.
