Farewell ceremony for poet Shuntaro Tanikawa
2025-05-12 20:37:00
A farewell ceremony for the poet Shuntaro Tanikawa, who passed away last November, was held in Tokyo, with those who were close to him mourning his farewell.
Main news(2025/05/12)
Party support rate: LDP 26.4%, CDP 7.6%, Citizens 7.2%, no support 38.2%
2025-05-12 19:29:00
The approval ratings for each party in May were as follows: 26.4% for the Liberal Democratic Party, 7.6% for the Constitutional Democratic Party, 2.6% for the Japan Restoration Party, 3.7% for the Komeito Party, 7.2% for the Democratic Party for the People, 2.6% for the Communist Party, 2.5% for the Reiwa Shinsengumi Party, 1.5% for the Sabaku To Party, 0.8% for the Japan Conservative Party, 0.3% for the Social Democratic Party, and 38.2% for "I don't support any particular political party."
Representative of Masahiro Nakai refutes Fuji TV third-party committee's "sexual assault determination"
2025-05-12 19:22:00
In response to the determination by a third-party committee set up by Fuji Television and its parent company that a former Fuji Television female announcer was sexually assaulted by Nakai Masahiro, Nakai's lawyers have argued that "no evidence of violent or coercive sexual acts, as would normally be associated with the Japanese term 'sexual violence,' was confirmed," and that "the decision lacks neutrality and fairness, posing serious problems," and have published a document calling on the third-party committee to disclose relevant evidence and provide an explanation.
33% support Ishiba Cabinet, 48% disapprove
2025-05-12 19:00:00
According to an NHK opinion poll, the number of people who said they "support" the Ishiba Cabinet was 33%, down two points from the April survey, while those who said they "do not support" it was up three points to 48%.
Sharp to sell part of Kameyama factory in Mie to Taiwan's Hon Hai
2025-05-12 18:34:00
Sharp, a major electronics manufacturer, has announced that it will sell the second factory, which produces small and medium-sized panels at its Kameyama Factory in Kameyama City, Mie Prefecture, which produces liquid crystal panels that have attracted attention as the "global Kameyama model," to its parent company, Taiwan's Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
Buddha statue stolen from Tsushima, Nagasaki, returns to temple from Korea after 13 years
2025-05-12 18:05:00
A Buddhist statue that was stolen from a temple in Tsushima City, Nagasaki Prefecture, and then found in Korea was returned to the temple on the 12th for the first time in 13 years, marking a long-awaited reunion for local residents and others.
Nissan plans to cut more than 10,000 employees, totaling 20,000 cuts
2025-05-12 18:04:00
Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., whose business performance continues to deteriorate, has decided to further cut more than 10,000 employees both in Japan and overseas in order to turn its business around. Combined with previous plans, this will bring the total number of employees in the group to 20,000, which is about 15% of the total.
Rice price falls for the first time in 18 weeks to 4,214 yen per 5 kg, average supermarket price
2025-05-12 17:13:00
The average price of rice sold at supermarkets nationwide in the week ending on the 4th of this month was 4,214 yen per 5 kg including tax, down 19 yen from the previous week. This is the first decrease in the average price in 18 weeks, as the government's stockpiled rice has been gradually distributed since late March this year.
Kitagawa Utamaro's "Girl Playing a Poppin' Instrument" early work discovered in Japan
2025-05-12 17:01:00
It has been discovered that an early version of "Girl Playing a Poppin'" by Edo period ukiyo-e artist Kitagawa Utamaro, which was previously thought to exist only overseas, is also still in existence in Japan.
Osaka junior high school student's suicide: "Bulling in club activities was the main cause" - third-party committee
2025-05-12 16:06:00
A third-party committee set up by the city has compiled a report stating that bullying within a club activity was the main factor behind the suicide of a male junior high school student in Osaka two years ago.
Giants trade Akihiro and Oe to Softbank for Richard in a 2-for-1 exchange
2025-05-12 14:30:00
A two-for-one trade between professional baseball team Giants player Yuto Akihiro and pitcher Ryusei Oe and SoftBank Hawks player Richard has been completed and announced by both teams.
Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism issues severe warning to Haneda Airport Construction Company over profit sharing issue
2025-05-12 12:49:00
Regarding the issue of a subsidiary of Japan Airport Terminal Co., which operates the terminal building at Haneda Airport, providing benefits to a company whose president is the son of a former member of the House of Representatives, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism has issued a stern administrative warning to the company, stating that this is regrettable and undermines the trust of airport users.
Suspect re-arrested in Saitama case involving hit-and-run and cram school break-in suspected of stimulant drug use
2025-05-12 12:34:00
In April, a series of hit-and-run incidents occurred in Saitama Prefecture, leaving one person dead and 10 injured. One suspect who was arrested for breaking into a cram school has been rearrested on suspicion of using stimulants at the time, according to an interview with an investigator. Police are investigating the possibility that he may have been using stimulants when committing the series of crimes.
Photoimmunotherapy: Treatment under similar name at private medical clinics, etc., warning
2025-05-12 12:13:00
A specialist academic society is warning people about a treatment being performed at private clinics that has a similar name to "photoimmunotherapy," a cancer treatment that was the first in the world to be approved in Japan five years ago. The medical association says the treatment appears to be different from the treatment approved by the government.
Prime Minister Ishiba to lower consumption tax rate: "Consider measures based on financial situation"
2025-05-12 12:03:00
The Diet held an intensive discussion in the House of Representatives Budget Committee. Regarding measures to combat rising prices, the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan called for a temporary reduction in the consumption tax rate on food. In response, Prime Minister Ishiba said, "I don't think it's good to only take the good parts," and indicated his intention to consider effective measures in light of the country's severe financial situation.
Subway slashing incident: "I was scolded for getting a bad test score"
2025-05-12 11:39:00
It has been learned from an interview with an investigator that the suspect arrested in the stabbing incident that occurred at Todaimae Station on the Tokyo Metro Namboku Line has stated that "when I was an elementary school student, my parents severely scolded me for getting bad test scores." The Metropolitan Police Department is investigating the details of the incident, suspecting that dissatisfaction with the parents' educational policy may be behind the incident.
Last observation session with retro telescope beloved for over half a century in Kagawa
2025-05-12 11:16:00
An astronomical telescope that has been popular in Marugame City, Kagawa Prefecture for over half a century is to be removed due to the facility's closure due to deterioration, and its final observation session was held on the 10th.
Japan's current account balance to hit record high of 30.3771 trillion yen in surplus in fiscal 2024
2025-05-12 11:13:00
Japan's current account balance for the last fiscal year was a surplus of over 30 trillion yen, the largest ever. The weak yen has boosted the profits of overseas subsidiaries, boosting the surplus.
Chiba: 15-year-old boy questioned voluntarily in connection with murder of elderly woman on the street
2025-05-12 10:11:00
In connection with a murder case in which an elderly woman was found bleeding and collapsed on the street in Wakaba Ward, Chiba City on the evening of the 11th and later confirmed dead, it has been learned from interviews with investigators that police are questioning a 15-year-old boy living nearby on suspicion of involvement in the incident.
Cardinals' Nutbar hits home run in front of his mother, eager to participate in WBC
2025-05-12 09:16:00
On the 11th, Major League Baseball's Cardinals player Nootbaa played in a game wearing a pink custom-made glove bearing his mother Kumiko's name in honor of Mother's Day, and contributed to the team's victory by hitting a home run. He also expressed his desire to play again as a member of the Japanese national team in next year's World Baseball Classic.
EU official: "Investment in areas such as quantum technology is important" - Hopes for cooperation with Japan
2025-05-12 08:57:00
A senior EU official in charge of digital policy gave an interview to NHK about cooperation with Japan in the digital field, saying, "Investment in areas such as quantum technology, in which Japan excels, is important," expressing his hope for stronger ties with Japan.
New Pope Leo XIV's first Sunday gathering calls for peaceful resolution of conflicts
2025-05-12 08:55:00
On the 11th, the newly elected Pope Leo XIV attended his first regular Sunday prayer gathering as Pope. "I appeal to world leaders to never again wage war," he said, calling for a peaceful resolution to the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine, the Gaza Strip and elsewhere.
Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani has two hits and one RBI on Mother's Day, and the team also wins
2025-05-12 08:46:00
Shohei Ohtani of the Major League Baseball Dodgers played well in the game against the Diamondbacks on the 11th, contributing to his team's victory with two hits, including a timely hit, and one RBI.
US-China trade talks end: Treasury Secretary Bessent says "significant progress made"
2025-05-12 07:04:00
Trade talks between the United States and China over tariffs and other measures, which were being held in Switzerland, concluded on the 11th. Both U.S. Treasury Secretary David Bessent and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng said there had been progress in the talks and that details would be revealed on the 12th.
US and Iran continue high-level talks over nuclear program, but differences remain
2025-05-12 06:55:00
High-level talks between the United States and Iran were held regarding Iran's nuclear program. Although they agreed to continue negotiations, it is clear that there are differences in their positions, and it is believed that it will not be easy for both sides to come to an agreement.
President Zelensky "Waiting for Putin in Türkiye" - Calling for talks
2025-05-12 06:42:00
In response to Russian President Putin's proposal for direct talks with the Ukrainian side in Turkey on the 15th of this month, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said, "I am waiting for Putin in Turkey. I am ready to talk to end the war," and invited President Putin to meet.
Debate over consumption tax between ruling and opposition parties intensifies; expected to become a point of contention in summer's House of Councillors election
2025-05-12 06:20:00
The ruling and opposition parties are in a lively debate over how to handle the consumption tax. This issue, including what the tax rate should be and what alternative revenue sources would be needed if the tax were to be reduced, is expected to be one of the main points of contention in the House of Councillors election this summer.
South Korean presidential election: Official campaign period begins today
2025-05-12 06:19:00
South Korea's presidential election will be held on the 3rd of next month, and the official election campaign period will begin on the 12th. The election campaign will last for 22 days, centering on the candidate from the largest opposition party, who wants to avenge their loss in the last election, and the ruling party candidate, who is committed to maintaining power.
Elderly woman found dead on street in Chiba Prefecture with stab wound to back; murder investigation underway
2025-05-12 05:49:00
On the evening of the 11th, an elderly woman was found bleeding and collapsed on the street in Wakaba Ward, Chiba City, and was confirmed dead at the hospital where she was taken. Due to the stab wounds in her back, the police are investigating the case as a murder and are working to confirm the woman's identity.
Japan-U.S. Negotiations: Japan proposes formulating a plan to advance cooperation in shipbuilding
2025-05-12 05:06:00
The government plans to accelerate preparations for the third round of Japan-U.S. negotiations over the tariff measures imposed by the Trump administration. In the negotiations, the Japanese side has proposed formulating a plan to advance cooperation in the shipbuilding sector, and specific coordination is expected to take place with the U.S. side.
