Main news(2025/04/26)
How to respond to your child's "SOS" that they "don't want to go to school" after the holidays
2025-04-26 21:48:00
The long holiday season is finally upon us. It's a time of great fun, with plenty of travel and leisure activities. However, after the long holidays, more children start complaining that they don't want to go to school. *At the end of the article, we've put together a checklist for parents to refer to when their child's behavior changes after the long holidays and they're unsure whether they should keep them home from school.
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Russian Presidential Office: "Recapture of areas in Kursk Oblast from Ukrainian control"
2025-04-26 20:56:00
According to the Russian Presidential Office, on the 26th, Russian Chief of General Staff Gerasimov reported to President Putin about the Kursk Oblast in western Russia, where the Ukrainian military has launched a cross-border attack, stating that "the last settlement has been liberated," and revealing that the seized area has been recaptured. Gerasimov also stated that "North Korean soldiers performed their duties side by side with the Russian military," marking the first time that Russia has officially acknowledged that North Korean troops have participated in combat.
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"Explosion at southern Iranian port, building collapses, 406 injured" state TV
2025-04-26 20:38:00
Iranian state television reported on the 26th that a large explosion occurred in the southern port city of Bandar Abbas overlooking the Strait of Hormuz, causing nearby buildings to collapse and injuring 406 people.
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Prime Minister Ishiba visits the University of Tokyo: "Government united to support development in the field of AI"
2025-04-26 20:01:00
Prime Minister Ishiba received an explanation about the latest developments in generative AI research at the University of Tokyo. He stated that AI will play a major role in the face of a declining population, and that the government intends to work together to support development in this field.
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Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda sign US-brokered peace declaration
2025-04-26 18:01:00
As fighting continues in the Democratic Republic of Congo in central Africa between the government forces and rebel armed groups believed to be backed by neighboring Rwanda, the two countries signed a declaration on the 25th aimed at peace and economic development, mediated by the US government. It is believed that the US is aiming to use this to acquire mineral resources in the region.
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FBI arrests sitting judge on suspicion of obstructing arrest of illegal immigrants
2025-04-26 17:57:00
The US FBI has announced that it has arrested a judge for harboring illegal immigrants and obstructing authorities' arrests. It is unusual for a sitting judge to be arrested, and there are concerns that this could threaten the independence of the judiciary.
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Unstable atmosphere in northern and eastern Japan: Watch out for lightning, gusts of wind and sudden heavy rain
2025-04-26 17:50:00
The Golden Week holidays have begun, but the cold air above is expected to cause extremely unstable atmospheric conditions in the Kanto region until late on the night of the 26th. The Japan Meteorological Agency is calling for caution against lightning strikes, tornadoes, and other violent gusts of wind, as well as sudden heavy rain.
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Trump and Zelensky to meet before Pope's funeral, reports say
2025-04-26 17:49:00
Ukrainian state media and public broadcasting reported that U.S. President Donald Trump, who is visiting Rome, Italy to attend the funeral of the Pope, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met in Rome. The report was quoted as saying by Zelensky's spokesman, but details have not been released. This is the first meeting between the two leaders since their February meeting at the White House, which turned into a heated argument.
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[Updated regularly] Pope Francis' funeral to begin soon
2025-04-26 17:05:00
The funeral of Pope Francis of the Roman Catholic Church is scheduled to begin in the evening of the 26th (Japan time), and many people have gathered around the venue. The funeral is scheduled to be attended by world leaders such as US President Trump and Ukrainian President Zelensky, and there is also interest in whether diplomacy regarding the ceasefire in Ukraine will take place.
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Zelensky: "We don't have the weapons to retake Crimea" - First, ceasefire
2025-04-26 16:23:00
Regarding the southern Crimea that Russia unilaterally annexed, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said, "We do not have the weapons to retake it by force," and expressed the view that a complete ceasefire should first be achieved before discussing the territorial issue.
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21-year-old suspect arrested for abandoning body in Miyagi Iwanuma nursery teacher murder case
2025-04-26 15:53:00
In connection with the case in which Yuka Yukishi (35), a nursery school teacher from Sendai City, was found murdered this month on a beach in Iwanuma City, Miyagi Prefecture, with stab wounds to the chest and other areas, police have arrested a man of unknown occupation, Renma Sato (21), also from Iwanuma City, on suspicion of abandoning a body.
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Abduction Victims' Families Association takes to the streets to collect signatures for the first time in 12 years while the parents' generation is still alive
2025-04-26 14:21:00
The family association of victims abducted by North Korea held a signature campaign in the streets of Tokyo for the first time in 12 years. Of the abductees recognized by the government, only one of the parents is still alive: Megumi Yokota's mother. The families are growing increasingly concerned that time is running out.
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Bipartisan lawmakers send letter to President Trump urging him to make abduction issue a priority
2025-04-26 13:58:00
Seventeen bipartisan members of the U.S. Congress sent a letter to President Trump urging him to make the return of Japanese abductees to North Korea a priority for his administration.
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Following lightning strike in Nara, the Prefectural High School Baseball Federation installs detectors at stadium to decide whether to suspend games
2025-04-26 13:34:00
Following an accident in which lightning struck the grounds of a school in Nara City, sending six students who were participating in club activities to the hospital, the Nara Prefectural High School Baseball Federation is installing lightning detectors at baseball stadiums from the 26th and strengthening safety measures.
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North Korean leader Kim Jong Un claims new destroyer will be equipped with missiles at launching ceremony
2025-04-26 13:24:00
North Korean media reported that General Secretary Kim Jong Un attended the launching ceremony of a new destroyer, which is said to be equipped with ballistic missiles and other weapons, emphasizing the country's intention to strengthen its naval power.
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Mets' Kodai Senga gives up 2 runs in the 6th inning but the game is still undecided, ending the team's winning streak
2025-04-26 13:18:00
Kodai Senga, pitcher for the Mets in Major League Baseball, took the mound in the game against the Nationals on the 25th, allowing only two runs in the sixth inning, but the batting line did not support him and he left the mound trailing 0 to 2. After that, the team temporarily reversed the score, so Senga was not credited with a win or loss, but the team lost in a walk-off, bringing their winning streak to an end at seven.
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Apple to move iPhone production for US market from China to India
2025-04-26 13:17:00
Multiple Western media outlets have reported that American IT giant Apple plans to assemble most of the iPhones it sells in the U.S. in India. As the U.S. and China continue to trade tariffs, the move is likely intended to reduce risk.
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[Earthquake Alert] Earthquake magnitude 3 hits Kumamoto Prefecture
2025-04-26 12:12:00
An earthquake occurred at around 12:06 pm on the 26th. There is no need to worry about a tsunami caused by this earthquake. The epicenter was in the Amakusa and Ashikita areas of Kumamoto Prefecture, the depth of the epicenter was 10 kilometers, and the magnitude of the earthquake was estimated to be 4.2.
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"Rengo" May Day Central Conference Declaration "Increased wage increases for small and medium-sized enterprises" adopted
2025-04-26 11:57:00
The labor organization Rengo held its May Day central conference and adopted a declaration calling for efforts to expand wage increases to small and medium-sized enterprises by addressing disparities and appropriate price transfers.
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Shohei Ohtani's error in the game against the Cubs on the 22nd was turned into a hit by Major League Baseball
2025-04-26 11:43:00
On the 22nd of this month, in a game between the Dodgers and Cubs in the major leagues, Shohei Ohtani hit a ball to third base off pitcher Shota Imanaga in his first at-bat. The Major League Baseball organization corrected the record and changed it from an error to an infield hit. As a result, Ohtani's batting average rose to .272, and Imanaga's ERA fell to 3.18.
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Airports and stations start to get crowded as people travel abroad or to their hometowns for the long holiday
2025-04-26 11:40:00
With the start of the Golden Week holidays, Narita Airport is bustling with many travelers departing for overseas destinations.
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LDP seeks to expand support for ruling coalition to maintain majority of seats in summer House of Councillors election
2025-04-26 11:03:00
Regarding the upcoming House of Councillors election in the summer, the LDP wants to maintain a majority of seats as a ruling coalition with the Komeito Party, and is using all of the party's resources to expand support.
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Cubs' Seiya Suzuki gets two hits in game against Phillies, team wins third straight game
2025-04-26 11:02:00
On the 25th, Chicago Cubs player Seiya Suzuki hit two doubles in a game against the Phillies, helping his team win the game with a shutout and record their third consecutive victory.
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Toyota Industries considers delisting, discusses fundraising for share acquisition
2025-04-26 06:38:00
It has been learned that Toyota Industries Corporation, a company with the roots in Toyota Motor Corporation and currently listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, is considering delisting its shares and is in discussions with its main banks and other institutions about raising the funds needed to acquire shares.
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Pope Francis' funeral: World leaders to attend; ceasefire diplomacy
2025-04-26 06:31:00
The funeral of Pope Francis of the Roman Catholic Church will be held on the evening of the 26th, Japan time. The funeral is scheduled to be attended by leaders of various countries, including US President Trump and Ukrainian President Zelensky, and attention will be focused on whether diplomacy regarding the ceasefire in Ukraine will be developed.
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CDP proposes 0% consumption tax on food products for one year in principle, but dissatisfaction within party over pledge for upper house election
2025-04-26 06:04:00
Regarding measures to combat rising prices, the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan has decided to include in its campaign pledges for the summer House of Councillors election a proposal to reduce the consumption tax rate on food products to 0%, in principle for one year only. However, the specific design of the system, including funding, has yet to be decided, and there are complaints within the party that "it is half-hearted and indistinguishable from other opposition parties that are calling for tax cuts."
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Job intermediation sites ban editing requests for politically-themed videos in succession
2025-04-26 05:22:00
There is a movement among job intermediary sites to prohibit requests for "political clipping videos," which are edited versions of politicians' statements and posted on YouTube and other sites. It has been pointed out that there is a risk that the payment of money violates the Public Offices Election Act, and one major company has stated that this is "due to the possibility of violating laws and regulations."
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Trump: "Good relationship with Japan, very close to agreement" on tariffs
2025-04-26 03:10:00
U.S. President Donald Trump said the Japan-U.S. negotiations over tariffs are "very close to an agreement," indicating he believes progress is being made.
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South Korea: Family members of former comfort women seek compensation in lawsuit; Japan ordered to pay compensation
2025-04-26 00:37:00
In a lawsuit filed by the surviving family members of former Korean comfort women seeking damages from the Japanese government, a South Korean district court ruled in favor of the plaintiffs on the 25th, ordering the Japanese government to pay compensation. According to the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, this is the third such lawsuit to order Japan to pay compensation.
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