Main news(2025/05/07)
Boat capsizes off the coast of Nagato City, Yamaguchi Prefecture; Coast Guard searches for two men on board
2025-05-07 23:11:00
According to the Senzaki Coast Guard in Nagato City, Yamaguchi Prefecture, a report was received at around 8:00 pm on the 7th that "a boat appears to have capsized off the coast of Nagato City." A search by the Coast Guard and others revealed that a boat measuring about 3 meters in length was found capsized in the sea west of Nagato City. There is also information that a boat had set out at noon and never returned, with two men on board, so the Coast Guard and others are continuing their search.
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Two China Coast Guard vessels invade Japanese territorial waters off the Senkaku Islands in Okinawa
2025-05-07 22:09:00
On the afternoon of the 7th, two China Coast Guard vessels entered Japanese territorial waters off the coast of the Senkaku Islands in Okinawa Prefecture. The Japan Coast Guard is continuing to warn and monitor the vessels to immediately leave the territorial waters.
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PFAS blood test: US academic institution reveals health risks exceeding levels in Kamagaya, Chiba
2025-05-07 21:13:00
On the 7th, Kamagaya City in Chiba Prefecture, where high concentrations of PFAS, an organic fluorine compound some of which are considered hazardous, were detected in well water, released the results of blood tests conducted on residents who used well water for drinking. Nine out of 10 people had levels that exceeded the threshold indicated by an American academic institution as a health risk.
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Man arrested after brandishing knife, multiple injuries reported Tokyo Metro Namboku Line
2025-05-07 19:59:00
According to information received by the Metropolitan Police Department, a man brandished a knife on the platform of Todaimae Station on the Tokyo Metro Namboku Line just before 7 p.m. on the 7th, injuring people. There is also information that several people were injured, and the Metropolitan Police Department has taken the man into custody and is investigating the details.
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LDP Senator Nishida does not retract "History rewriting remarks about the Himeyuri Monument"
2025-05-07 19:50:00
On May 3, Liberal Democratic Party Senator Masashi Nishida commented on the explanation of the Himeyuri Monument, which commemorates the female students who died in the Battle of Okinawa, saying, "This is what happens when you rewrite history." Nishida said he was talking about his impression of the exhibit he saw when he was there, and that he would not retract his statement.
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Rotavirus outbreak at elementary school in Miyagi prefecture, Shiogama Public Health Center Kurokawa branch
2025-05-07 19:45:00
From April to the 7th, 116 children and others at an elementary school under the jurisdiction of the Kurokawa branch of the Shiogama Public Health Center in Miyagi Prefecture complained of diarrhea and vomiting, and rotavirus was detected in five of them. The prefecture believes that a mass infection caused by rotavirus has occurred, and is calling for thorough infection control measures such as hand washing and disinfection.
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"Conclave" begins late tonight, interest growing among countries
2025-05-07 19:14:00
The conclave, the election to decide the next pope, will begin in the Vatican late on the 7th, Japan time. Interest is building as many people from around the world visit to see who will succeed Pope Francis, who passed away last month.
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Accident in Yokosuka, Kanagawa - Driver arrested on suspicion of drunk driving attempted to flee
2025-05-07 18:54:00
On the 5th, in an accident in Yokosuka, Kanagawa Prefecture, where a passenger car collided with a route bus and other vehicles, injuring eight people, it was learned from an investigation that the passenger car stopped after the initial rear-end collision, then backed up and started moving again. Police are continuing their investigation, believing that the driver, who was arrested on suspicion of drunk driving, may have attempted to flee the scene.
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Japan Airport Terminal Co., Ltd.'s subsidiary outsourced services to consultants who fail to report
2025-05-07 18:29:00
In connection with the issue of a subsidiary of Japan Airport Terminal Co., which operates the terminal building at Haneda Airport, being accused of concealing income in a tax audit by the National Tax Agency, interviews with related parties have revealed that a Tokyo-based consulting firm that received funds from the subsidiary as outsourcing fees was also found to have failed to declare approximately 90 million yen in 2019.
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Ishikawa Prefecture: New earthquake damage forecast: Major damage predicted in Kanazawa in addition to Noto
2025-05-07 18:27:00
New damage estimates have been presented for Ishikawa Prefecture, which was hit by the Noto Peninsula earthquake on New Year's Day last year. They envision a major earthquake caused by nine fault zones, and depending on the earthquake, it is expected that major damage will occur not only in the affected areas of the Noto region, but also in Kanazawa City and other areas. As recovery and reconstruction work progresses in the affected areas, the issue is how to implement countermeasures.
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Emperor and family to visit Okinawa next month, 80 years after ground battle at the end of the Pacific War
2025-05-07 18:08:00
The Imperial Family will visit Okinawa Prefecture from the 4th of next month for two days to mark the 80th anniversary of the ground battle at the end of the Pacific War.
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Central Nippon Expressway issues stern warning for inconsistent response to ETC system failure
2025-05-07 18:00:00
Following the large-scale ETC system failure that occurred in April, Central Nippon Expressway Co., Ltd. received a stern warning from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism for its inconsistent response to toll charges and for causing confusion.
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Three Chinese arrested in Kagoshima for possessing thousands of hermit crabs without permission
2025-05-07 17:52:00
Three Chinese nationals were arrested on suspicion of violating the Cultural Properties Protection Act for possessing several thousand hermit crabs, a national natural monument, without permission in Amami City, Kagoshima Prefecture.
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Mitsubishi Motors to receive and sell EVs from Taiwan's Hon Hai
2025-05-07 17:29:00
Mitsubishi Motors announced that it will receive EVs from Taiwan's Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd., which is involved in the EV (electric vehicle) business. The company plans to sell the vehicles in Australia and other countries from the second half of next year, and intends to strengthen its EV business by receiving supplies from other companies.
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JA to raise farmers' advance payments by 30-40% to secure rice
2025-05-07 17:11:00
In an effort to secure rice for the autumn harvest this year, JAs across the country are increasingly raising the "estimated payments" they make in advance to farmers by around 30 to 40 percent compared to last year.
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Saitama: Mother arrested for murdering 4-month-old son, "Postpartum depression was painful"
2025-05-07 17:06:00
A 38-year-old mother was arrested on suspicion of murder after she killed her eldest son, who was just four months old at the time, in Toda City, Saitama Prefecture. During questioning, she reportedly said that she was suffering from "postpartum depression."
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Average supermarket price of rice: 4,233 yen for 5 kg, 17th consecutive week of price increase
2025-05-07 16:54:00
The average price of rice sold at supermarkets nationwide in the week ending April 27 was 4,233 yen per 5 kg including tax, up 12 yen from the previous week. Although distribution of government stockpiled rice has progressed since late March this year, the average price has risen for 17 consecutive weeks, and prices continue to soar.
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Fire in Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi, burns down multiple buildings
2025-05-07 16:08:00
On the afternoon of the 7th, a fire broke out in a house in Shimonoseki City, Yamaguchi Prefecture, and the fire department is continuing its firefighting efforts. According to the police, there has been no information on injuries so far.
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Shionogi Pharmaceuticals to acquire JT's pharmaceutical business for approximately 160 billion yen
2025-05-07 15:59:00
The pharmaceutical giant Shionogi & Co. has announced that it will acquire the pharmaceutical business of Japan Tobacco Inc. for a total of approximately 160 billion yen. The company hopes to improve efficiency and strengthen research and development through the acquisition.
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Mother given suspended sentence in Susukino man's murder case Sapporo District Court
2025-05-07 15:25:00
In a case in which a man was murdered in a hotel in Susukino, downtown Sapporo, two years ago and three parents and children were indicted, the Sapporo District Court handed down a suspended sentence of one year and two months in prison to the 62-year-old mother, who was charged with helping her daughter dispose of the body.
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Trial of former leader of South Korea's largest opposition party after June 3 presidential election
2025-05-07 15:24:00
On the 7th, the Seoul High Court announced that the trial of Lee Jae-myung, former leader of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea, who is accused of violating the Public Offices Election Act, will begin on the 18th, after the South Korean presidential election on the 3rd of next month.
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Venture company's lunar lander successfully enters lunar orbit
2025-05-07 14:21:00
On the 7th, a Tokyo venture company announced that it had successfully placed its lunar lander, which was launched in January of this year, into orbit around the moon. The company plans to become the first Japanese private company to attempt a lunar landing on the 6th of next month.
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KDDI announces new pricing plan, improves communication quality in crowded areas, and raises prices
2025-05-07 14:12:00
KDDI has announced a new rate plan that includes services such as direct communication between the satellite communication network "Starlink" and smartphones. As this will be accompanied by a price increase, major mobile phone companies are actively trying to balance customer acquisition by strengthening their services with raising the bottom line.
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Akita city to interview 11 other businesses over falling wind turbine blades
2025-05-07 14:08:00
Following the accident in which a blade fell from a wind turbine at Akita City's seaside park, the city has decided to conduct a survey to interview operators of wind turbines on land within the city about safety measures, etc.
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Takamatsu: Mother and three children on bicycle hit by light vehicle, mother dies
2025-05-07 13:56:00
On the morning of the 7th, a bicycle carrying a mother and her two small children was hit by a light passenger vehicle at an intersection in Takamatsu City, Kagawa Prefecture, resulting in the death of the 39-year-old mother and the 5-year-old and 1-year-old children being taken to the hospital. The police have arrested the 20-year-old company employee who was driving the light passenger vehicle on suspicion of negligent driving causing injury, and are currently investigating the details of the incident.
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Theft at brand-name goods store: Search for trio in Suginami, Tokyo
2025-05-07 13:52:00
On the 6th, luxury brand bags and other items worth 50 million yen were stolen from a brand-name goods store in Suginami Ward, Tokyo. The Metropolitan Police Department is investigating the whereabouts of three people who fled the scene as a theft.
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Movie "Pope Election" attracts attention, interest in it grows as more theaters show it in Japan
2025-05-07 12:58:00
The conclave, the election to decide the next pope, will begin in the Vatican on the evening of the 7th, Japan time. The movie "Papal Election," which depicts the negotiations of the candidates in the "conclave," has been attracting attention again since Pope Francis died on the 21st of last month, and interest in the movie is growing, with more theaters showing it in Japan.
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"Anne Frank's Roses" bloom in vibrant colors at Suginami Junior High School in Tokyo
2025-05-07 12:39:00
"Anne's Roses", which were given to a junior high school in Suginami Ward, Tokyo, by the father of Anne Frank, a Jewish girl known for "The Diary of Anne Frank", about 50 years ago, are blooming in vivid colors again this year, delighting visitors.
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LDP and Komeito secretaries meet to assess impact of tariff measures and implement economic measures before Upper House elections
2025-05-07 12:32:00
The secretaries-general of the Liberal Democratic Party and Komeito met and agreed that it is necessary to assess the impact of the tariff measures imposed by the Trump administration and then consider new economic measures ahead of the House of Councillors election this summer.
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Accident in Yokosuka, Kanagawa - Driver ran a red light and was drinking until the moment
2025-05-07 12:21:00
On the 5th, in Yokosuka, Kanagawa Prefecture, a car collided with eight vehicles, including a bus, injuring eight people. Police say the car was running a red light and was running recklessly. The driver, who was arrested on suspicion of drunk driving, was found to have a large amount of alcohol in his system, and police believe he may have been drinking nearby until just before the incident, so they are also investigating him on suspicion of dangerous driving causing injury.
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Saitama Shiraoka City Hall: All counter services at the city hall suspended due to a fire last night
2025-05-07 12:14:00
On the night of the 6th, a fire broke out at Shiraoka City Hall in Saitama Prefecture, burning approximately 1,300 square meters of the first floor. As a result, all counter services at the city hall have been suspended.
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Two suspects arrested for selling fake limited edition sneakers to stores at inflated prices
2025-05-07 11:39:00
Two suspects were arrested on suspicion of fraud for allegedly passing off counterfeit limited edition Nike sneakers, popular among collectors, as genuine items and selling them to second-hand shops at inflated prices. The Metropolitan Police Department is investigating the possibility that they may have brought counterfeit sneakers to multiple stores.
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Pertussis cases exceed 10,000 this year, more than double the number last year
2025-05-07 11:25:00
The epidemic of whooping cough, which mainly infects children and causes persistent severe coughing, continues. According to the National Institute for Health and Risk Management, the number of patients reported by medical institutions nationwide in the week ending April 27 was 2,176, an increase of 292 from the previous week, setting a new record for the fifth consecutive week. The total number of patients so far this year is 11,921, exceeding 10,000, more than double the number for the whole of last year.
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NASA: Part of half-century-old Soviet probe may fall to Earth this month
2025-05-07 11:11:00
It has been discovered that a probe launched by the former Soviet Union more than 50 years ago, which was unable to reach its destination of Venus due to a malfunction, is likely to enter the Earth's atmosphere around the 10th of this month and a part of it may fall to the ground. Experts say that the most likely scenario is that it will fall into the ocean.
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Former Hankyu Hanshin Holdings Chairman Kazuo Kado passes away
2025-05-07 11:10:00
Kazuo Kado, who led the Hankyu Hanshin Holdings Group for about 20 years as its top executive, which operates a wide range of businesses including railways, distribution, the Hanshin Tigers baseball team, and the Takarazuka Revue Company, passed away on April 26. He was 76 years old.
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China to cut short-term interest rates from 1.5% to 1.4% amid trade tensions
2025-05-07 11:00:00
As trade friction intensifies with the Trump administration in the United States imposing additional tariffs, Pan Gongsheng, governor of China's central bank, the People's Bank of China, announced plans to lower short-term interest rates, which are considered the main policy interest rate, from 1.5% to 1.4%. This was announced at a press conference held in Beijing on the 7th, and it is believed that the additional monetary easing is intended to support corporate financing and prop up the economy.
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Fire breaks out at apartment building in Edogawa Ward; no one evacuates in time
2025-05-07 10:15:00
According to the Tokyo Fire Department, a fire broke out at around 9:00 a.m. on the 7th at a two-story apartment building in Nishi-Mizue, Edogawa Ward, and firefighting efforts are underway. There were reports that the safety of several residents was unknown, but after checking, it was determined that none of them had escaped in time. The scene of the fire was in a residential area about 300 meters east of Ichinoe Station on the Toei Shinjuku Line.
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Man dies in accident while climbing Yatsugatake, one of many accidents during the holiday season
2025-05-07 09:32:00
On the 6th, a man got lost while climbing near Akadake in the Yatsugatake mountain range, which straddles Nagano and Yamanashi prefectures. After a police search, he was found collapsed on the slope and later died. There have been a series of mountain climbing accidents in Nagano prefecture during this long holiday, and five people have died, including this man.
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Dodgers Shohei Ohtani hits 10th solo home run of the season
2025-05-07 09:20:00
Shohei Ohtani of the Dodgers started as the designated hitter in the game against the Marlins on the 6th, and hit his 10th solo home run of the season in his third at-bat in the 6th inning. This is Ohtani's second consecutive home run, and he has now hit double-digit home runs for the 5th consecutive year and the 7th time overall.
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New exhibit begins to commemorate Ichiro's induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame
2025-05-07 08:16:00
A new exhibit celebrating the achievements of Ichiro, the first Japanese player to be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in New York, USA, has begun at the New York Baseball Hall of Fame.
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UK and India announce agreement to conclude FTA, accelerating efforts to strengthen trade ties
2025-05-07 07:25:00
The UK has announced that it has agreed to conclude a free trade agreement (FTA) with India. This comes as the two countries rush to strengthen trade cooperation amid concerns about the impact of tariffs imposed by the Trump administration in the US on their economies.
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U.S. Treasury Secretary Bessent and others to hold talks with Chinese representatives this week
2025-05-07 07:22:00
As trade friction between the United States and China intensifies, the U.S. Treasury Department and the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) announced on the 6th that Treasury Secretary Bessent and Trade Representative Gurría will visit Switzerland this week to discuss economic and trade issues with their Chinese counterparts.
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Indian Ministry of Defence attacks Pakistan-controlled area targeting militant bases
2025-05-07 07:10:00
On the 7th, the Indian Ministry of Defense announced that it had carried out military attacks on nine locations in the Kashmir region, where India and Pakistan are disputing sovereignty, including areas under Pakistani control. This is believed to be a retaliatory attack for the terrorist attack in the Kashmir region that killed 26 Indian tourists, raising concerns that military action between the two countries may escalate.
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Movement to launch mini-vehicle EVs in the domestic market Chinese companies such as BYD launch new models
2025-05-07 06:25:00
With China's BYD planning to launch a new model, there will be a series of mini electric vehicles (EVs) being introduced into the domestic market from this fiscal year to next. Until now, cars jointly developed by Nissan Motors and Mitsubishi Motors have led the way in sales, but competition is likely to intensify.
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President Trump: "We will stop bombing the Houthis in Yemen"
2025-05-07 06:24:00
Regarding the Yemeni Houthi rebels, US President Trump stated that he would "stop bombing the Houthis," indicating his intention to halt US military attacks. The Omani Foreign Ministry said it mediated talks between the US and the Houthis, and announced that both sides had agreed not to launch attacks.
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Germany elects Merz as chancellor in unprecedented second vote
2025-05-07 06:16:00
On the 6th, Germany launched a new government by inaugurating Mr. Merz of the center-right Christian Democratic Union, who won the general election in February this year. However, an unusual event occurred in which he was not selected as chancellor in the first round of parliament voting, which has led to some speculating that the government was dealt a major blow at the start.
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U.S.-Canada summit: Conflict stands out ahead of tariff talks
2025-05-07 06:16:00
On the 6th, US President Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Carney held their first face-to-face summit. Prime Minister Carney repeatedly refuted President Trump's previous claim that "Canada should become the 51st state of the US," and differences between the two sides have already become evident ahead of talks on tariff measures.
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Major automakers to begin announcing financial results in earnest, with U.S. tariffs in focus
2025-05-07 05:31:00
As listed companies announce their financial results one after another, major automakers, including Toyota Motor Corporation, will begin announcing their financial results in earnest from the 8th. With the Trump administration in the United States imposing an additional 25% tariff on imported cars, the focus is on how Japanese automakers will present their performance forecasts for this fiscal year.
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Railroad and airline industries are allowing employees to wear sneakers
2025-05-07 05:10:00
There is a growing movement in the railroad and airline industries to allow employees who work long periods of time standing to wear sneakers.
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U.S. Treasury Secretary believes agreement on tariffs could come as early as this week
2025-05-07 04:17:00
Regarding negotiations with various countries over the Trump administration's tariff measures, Treasury Secretary Bessent indicated that negotiations are underway with 17 major trading partners, excluding China, and that he believes an agreement could be reached with several major trading partners as early as this week.
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