March 19, 2024
The Bank of Japan has decided to end the negative interest rate policy introduced in 2016. This marks a significant shift in the massive easing measures, resulting in the first interest rate hike since 2007.

The limited express Thunderbird has completed its last run, but not without controversy, after a foreigner was caught without a proper ticket, leading to a scuffle with the conductor.

The Japanese Cabinet on Tuesday approved a bill for the "Japanese DBS," which will verify the presence or absence of sexual offense history for individuals working with children.


SOCIETY | March 19, 2024
A concert by the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) Central Band and soprano singer Mai Tsugane was held Sunday in Wajima City, Ishikawa Prefecture, which suffered significant damage from the Noto Peninsula earthquake.

The Imperial Household Agency announced that Princess Aiko, the eldest daughter of Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress, is scheduled to visit Ise Shrine in Mie Prefecture on March 26th.

A fishing boat was found adrift in northern Japan, with a deceased 75-year-old fisherman inside.

The Osaka Prefectural Police announced that they had arrested a teenager for possessing plant material suspected of being marijuana under the Cannabis Control Law, but later released him after no cannabis components were detected in the plant material.


A popular tourist train will grind to a halt on March 23rd as JR Kyushu retires Japan's oldest active steam locomotive "SL Hitoyoshi."

Monday saw the strongest winds of the year blow across Japan, stoking numerous fires, and creating a dust cloud visible from space.

The annual March timetable revision for JR has been implemented that includes a new commuter express train coinciding with the opening of the Hokuriku Shinkansen extension.

Coinciding with the extension of the Hokuriku Shinkansen to Fukui, known as the "Dinosaur Kingdom," local shrines have introduced new goshuin (red stamps) featuring dinosaur designs.

At Hakkeijima Sea Paradise in Yokohama, visitors can experience harvesting wakame seaweed.


Comedian duo Shinagawa Shoji's Tomoharu Shoji and talent Miki Fujimoto attended a new product launch event in Tokyo as a couple, where they revealed what they would like each other to change about themselves.

At the "Famitsu Dengeki Game Awards 2023" award ceremony held on Sunday, the best game of 2023 chosen by game fans was "The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom," which won the grand prize "Game of the Year."

The manga "Stardust Telepath" is set to be adapted into a live-action drama series, featuring members of AKB48.

The film 'La Campanella' began production on Sunday with actor Tsuyoshi Ihara and crew arriving at Togari Fishing Port in Saga City to shoot the first scenes.

The teaser trailer, teaser art, and stills for the Netflix movie "City Hunter," starring Ryōhei Suzuki, have been released.


In the process of making butter from milk, 90% becomes skim milk, which is traded at low prices, posing a challenge for dairy farmers. However, "Butter no itoko [Butter's Cousin]," a confectionery made from this reduced fat byproduct, is enjoying brisk sales.

Terutsuyoshi, a former top division sumo wrestler known for his dynamic movement and vigorous salt-throwing ritual, has decided to retire.

Aiming for future human habitation on the moon, a Japanese private company has announced the world's first initiative to produce hydrogen and oxygen on the lunar surface.

In an effort to address the severe shortage of teachers, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) has decided to implement an exemption from the repayment of scholarships for those who have completed practical training at graduate schools of education or other graduate programs, starting with the successful applicants of the new fiscal year's hiring exams.


BUSINESS | March 19, 2024
In the bid-rigging case surrounding the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games, prosecutors have sought a 200 million yen fine for the advertising giant Hakuhodo as a corporation.

The Bank of Japan's monetary policy meeting today is anticipated to center on negative interest rates, with speculation in the market that monetary easing might come to an end, particularly after this year's spring wage negotiations resulted in a series of complete responses to demands for wage increases.

The Hokuriku Shinkansen's Kanazawa-Tsuruga section, which opened on March 16, connects all three Hokuriku prefectures by bullet train for the first time in over half a century since the project's conception.

U.S. Steel, a major American steel company, has announced that the acquisition process by Nippon Steel is expected to be completed this year, despite opposition from President Biden.

The Japan Fair Trade Commission conducted inspections on four major sesame oil manufacturers on Wednesday, suspecting them of colluding in price-fixing.