Business
The Nikkei average stock price fell on May 1st due to concerns that the start of US rate cuts might be delayed. In the morning, the decline exceeded 300 yen at one point.
Image of Market Watch: Nikkei Struggles with US Fiscal Policy

A large-scale commercial facility, boasting about 50 stores from shopping to lodging and operating entirely cashless, has opened in Kishiwada City, Osaka Prefecture.

May 1st marks the celebration of the international labor movement known as May Day. In Osaka, a rally was held where attendees called for the extension of recent substantial wage increases to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) as well.


The earnings reports from Japan's five major securities firms are in, showing strong performances boosted by the rising stock market.

Japan's Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications announced on April 30th that the number of vacant homes across the country has reached 9 million, setting a new record high.

Market insiders estimate that the government and the Bank of Japan (BOJ) might have conducted a forex intervention scaled at 5 trillion yen.

Starting May 1, a new president will take the helm at the company that franchises "Curry House CoCo Ichibanya" in Gunma and eight other prefectures. Remarkably, the appointee is a 22-year-old woman who currently works there as a part-time employee, making this a highly unusual promotion.