2025-02-12 22:52:00
Following the collapse of sewer pipes in Yashio City, Saitama Prefecture, an emergency inspection of sewer pipes nationwide revealed new abnormalities such as corrosion in three locations in Saitama Prefecture. The government plans to announce the results soon and take measures promptly.
2025-02-12 22:17:00
The Liberal Democratic Party has resumed discussions in a working group on optional separate surnames for married couples for the first time in six months. Discussions will focus on five points, including how to resolve the inconvenience caused by restrictions on the use of maiden names and the impact on children if the system is introduced.
2025-02-12 20:54:00
The Liberal Democratic Party has resumed discussions in a working group on optional separate surnames for married couples for the first time in six months. Discussions will focus on five points, including how to resolve the inconvenience caused by restrictions on the use of maiden names and the impact on children if the system is introduced.
2025-02-12 20:43:00
In January, a Japanese woman was killed in Hungary and her ex-husband was subsequently arrested on suspicion of murder. Foreign Minister Iwaki Naotoshi revealed at a press conference that three years ago, the woman had sought advice from the Japanese Embassy in Hungary about domestic violence perpetrated by her ex-husband.
2025-02-12 19:51:00
Dewi Sukarno, who is known as Mrs. Dewi, a TV personality, has announced that she has established a new political organization with the main policy of protecting dogs and cats in the run-up to this summer's House of Councillors election. She is also aiming to run for office herself, and is in the process of obtaining Japanese citizenship.
2025-02-12 19:38:00
The "High-cost Medical Care System" reduces the out-of-pocket expenses of patients who have incurred high medical expenses. The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare plans to gradually raise the monthly upper limit of the "High-cost Medical Care System" from August this year. Regarding the plan to raise the upper limit, Minister of Health, Labor and Welfare Fukuoka met with representatives of organizations made up of cancer patients on the 12th and conveyed that they are considering a revision plan that takes into consideration the financial burden of patients who continue treatment for a long period of time.
2025-02-12 19:17:00
Prime Minister Ishiba met with President Whipps of Palau, a Pacific island nation who is visiting Japan, and confirmed their intention to cooperate toward realizing a "free and open Indo-Pacific."
2025-02-12 19:09:00
The Liberal Democratic Party has resumed discussions in a working group on optional separate surnames for married couples for the first time in six months. Discussions will focus on five points, including how to resolve the inconvenience caused by restrictions on the use of maiden names and the impact on children if the system is introduced.
2025-02-12 19:03:00
Regarding the upcoming House of Councillors election this summer, Japan Restoration Party Secretary-General Iwatani has indicated his intention to revise the plan for primary elections that he had previously put together in order to unify opposition candidates. Based on a proposal from the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, he plans to conduct opinion polls using the names of candidates instead of party names.
2025-02-12 18:56:00
Foreign Minister Iwao Naotoshi announced at a press conference that he will visit Germany from the 14th to attend the Munich Security Conference and the G7 foreign ministers' meeting.
2025-02-12 18:33:00
The "High-cost Medical Care System" reduces the out-of-pocket expenses of patients who have incurred high medical expenses. The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare plans to gradually raise the monthly upper limit of the "High-cost Medical Care System" from August this year. Regarding the plan to raise the upper limit, Minister of Health, Labor and Welfare Fukuoka met with representatives of organizations made up of cancer patients on the 12th and conveyed that they are considering a revision plan that takes into consideration the financial burden of patients who continue treatment for a long period of time.
2025-02-12 17:31:00
A local hearing was held by the House of Representatives Budget Committee, and opinions were expressed from the perspective of local governments regarding the review of the "1.03 million yen annual income barrier," education policy, and other issues for which policy discussions are ongoing between the ruling and opposition parties with the ruling party now in the minority.
2025-02-12 16:44:00
The policy chiefs of the Liberal Democratic Party, the Komeito Party, and the Japan Restoration Party met. They confirmed that they will meet again this week to further advance discussions among the three parties on specific measures for making high school tuition free.
2025-02-12 16:36:00
Regarding the disparity in the value of one vote of up to 2.06 times in the October 2024 House of Representatives election, the Hiroshima High Court ruled that it does not violate the Constitution, saying that "the new electoral districting system is sufficiently rational, and the degree of disparity cannot be said to have widened significantly," and dismissed a lawsuit seeking to invalidate the election.
2025-02-12 16:24:00
Bank of Japan Governor Ueda said that rising food prices, including fresh produce, are "having a strong negative impact on people's lives," and indicated that he would like to closely monitor this impact when deciding future monetary policy.
2025-02-12 13:48:00
Regarding the recent Japan-U.S. summit, Prime Minister Ishiba emphasized the success of the summit, saying that the two leaders confirmed that they would elevate the Japan-U.S. alliance to new heights. On the other hand, he explained that the government will thoroughly examine the content and impact of the tariffs imposed by the Trump administration on steel products and other items, and take the necessary measures, such as lobbying for exemptions from the measures.
2025-02-12 12:33:00
Defense Minister Nakatani announced that the Maritime Self-Defense Force's latest destroyer will be dispatched to Australia for training starting next week. With Australia planning to introduce a new frigate, it is believed that the aim is to demonstrate the capabilities of the destroyer in preparation for joint development.
2025-02-12 12:21:00
On the 11th, the Japan Coast Guard revealed that a Chinese buoy that had been installed in Japan's exclusive economic zone (EEZ) around the Senkaku Islands in Okinawa Prefecture had disappeared.
2025-02-12 12:07:00
With the moving season set to begin next month, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism is calling on private companies and others to consider measures to spread out moving seasons in order to avoid congestion in logistics.
2025-02-12 12:02:00
Regarding the disparity in the value of one vote of up to 2.06 times in the October 2024 House of Representatives election, the Hiroshima High Court ruled that it does not violate the Constitution, stating that "the new electoral district system is sufficiently rational, and the degree of disparity cannot be said to have widened significantly," and dismissed a lawsuit seeking to invalidate the election.
2025-02-12 12:00:00
Regarding the recent Japan-U.S. summit, Prime Minister Ishiba emphasized the success of the summit, saying that the two leaders confirmed that they would elevate the Japan-U.S. alliance to new heights. On the other hand, he explained that the government will thoroughly examine the content and impact of the tariffs imposed by the Trump administration on steel products and other items, and take necessary measures, such as lobbying for exemptions from the measures.
2025-02-12 11:52:00
In response to U.S. President Trump's announcement that he would impose a 25% tariff on steel and aluminum products imported into the United States, Chief Cabinet Secretary Hayashi revealed on the 12th (Japan time) that he had requested through diplomatic channels that Japan be excluded from the measures.
2025-02-12 11:27:00
Senior officials of the Liberal Democratic Party and Komeito met and agreed to respond sincerely to policy discussions with the Japan Restoration Party and the Democratic Party for the People regarding the new fiscal year's budget proposal, and to accelerate the discussions while also considering revising the budget proposal.
2025-02-12 11:16:00
Regarding Nippon Steel's plan to acquire U.S. Steel, President Trump stated that a large-scale investment is required as a condition for the deal to be completed. Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Muto expressed his hope that the talks will move forward.
2025-02-12 11:14:00
Minister for Regional Revitalization Ito was hospitalized due to poor health and was absent from the Cabinet meeting on the 12th. He will rest for at least the rest of this week, and deputy ministers will handle Diet deliberations and other matters.
2025-02-12 10:35:00
In response to U.S. President Trump's announcement that he would impose a 25% tariff on steel and aluminum products imported into the United States, Chief Cabinet Secretary Hayashi revealed on the 12th (Japan time) that he had requested through diplomatic channels that Japan be excluded from the measures.
2025-02-12 09:14:00
(Prime Minister Ishiba's Activities, February 11, 2025) Spent the entire day at the Official Residence (Prime Minister Ishiba's Activities, February 10, 2025) Left the Official Residence on foot at 9:30, arrived at the Official Residence at 9:31, left the Official Residence at 10:40, arrived at the Imperial Palace at 10:49. Signing the return book at 10:56 Departure from the Imperial Palace at 11:06 Arrived at the Prime Minister's Office at 14:05 Met with Director-General of the National Security Secretariat Okano Masataka, Administrative Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Funakoshi Takehiro, Deputy Ministers for Foreign Affairs Namazu Hiroyuki and Akahori Takeshi, Director-General of the Disarmament, Non-Proliferation and Science Bureau Nakamura Hitoshi, Director-General of the North American Affairs Bureau Arima Yutaka, and Director-General of the Middle East and Africa Bureau Ando Toshihide (until 14:45). 14:50 Met with Director-General of the Defense Policy Bureau of the Ministry of Defense Yamato Taro (until 15:17). 15:25 Met with Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Tachibana Keiichiro, Assistant Chief Cabinet Secretary Suzuki Atsuo, Deputy Director-General for Foreign Affairs Namazu, Director-General of the International Cooperation Bureau of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ishizuki Hideo, and Deputy Director-General for Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Watanabe Yoichi (until 15:59). 16:56 Departure from the Prime Minister's Office at 16:57 Arrived at the National Diet at 16:59 Entered the LDP President's office at 17:02. LDP Executive Meeting (until 17:12) 17:15 Leave the room 17:16 Leave the Diet 17:18 Arrive at the Prime Minister's Office 18:36 Leave the Prime Minister's Office 18:42 Arrive at the members-only social club "Tokyo Club" in Roppongi, Tokyo. Dinner with classmates from the Keio University law club "Ritsuho-kai" 20:23 Leave the same place 20:29 Arrive at the Prime Minister's Office
2025-02-12 05:14:00
Foreign Minister Iwaya is scheduled to visit Germany this week to attend an international security conference and a meeting of foreign ministers of the G7 countries. He is also arranging a meeting of the foreign ministers of Japan, the United States and South Korea, and Iwaya hopes to confirm cooperation in dealing with North Korea, taking into account the results of the recent Japan-U.S. summit.
2025-02-12 04:52:00
Following the recent Japan-U.S. summit, Prime Minister Ishiba will report to the Diet and each party will ask questions at plenary sessions of both the House of Representatives and the House of Councillors from the 12th. Debates are expected to be held on the acquisition plan of U.S. Steel and the impact of President Trump's tariff policy.
