Fukuoka Assembly Members Forego Costly 18-Karat Gold Badges

Oct 15, 2025 | News On Japan

FUKUOKA - Fukuoka Prefectural Assembly decided on October 14th to replace its traditional 18-karat gold member badges with gold-plated ones, in response to soaring gold prices that recently hit a record high.

The assembly had long used 18-karat gold for its official member badges, but costs have surged in recent years. According to the assembly, a single badge cost 32,400 yen in fiscal 2018, rising to 66,000 yen by fiscal 2022. With the next assembly election scheduled for two years from now, estimates for purchasing new badges in the next fiscal year — including spares and those for former members — put the total cost at more than 30 million yen.

Faced with this sharp increase, the assembly’s steering committee voted to switch badge materials from solid gold to gold plating and to abolish badges for former members. The change is expected to slash total costs from around 30 million yen to about 2 million yen.

Source: FBS

Bear Sightings Continue Across Utsunomiya as Schools Remain Closed

A state of heightened alert remained in place in Utsunomiya, Tochigi Prefecture, on June 9th after a series of bear sightings continued across the city, with authorities warning that as many as two bears may be moving through residential neighborhoods. All 94 municipal elementary and junior high schools remained closed for a second day as officials searched for the animals.

Sakurajima Eruption Blankets Kagoshima in Volcanic Ash

A prolonged eruption at Sakurajima on June 7th blanketed parts of Kagoshima City in volcanic ash, turning roads gray and prompting long lines of vehicles seeking car washes after a plume of smoke rose 1,300 meters above the crater.

Japan Lifts Tsunami Advisories After Philippines Quake

A powerful earthquake struck off Mindanao Island in the southern Philippines at 8:38 a.m. (Japan time) on June 8th, generating tsunami waves across parts of the Pacific, causing building collapses and casualties near the epicenter, and prompting the Japan Meteorological Agency to issue tsunami advisories along a wide stretch of Japan's Pacific coastline before lifting all of them at 4:50 p.m.

Unlicensed Peruvian Man Conducts Risky Medical Procedure During Delivery

A clinic director and a former Peruvian staff member have been referred to prosecutors after the man allegedly performed medical procedures without a license, including an external cephalic version—a procedure used to manually turn a baby into the correct position before birth—at an obstetrics and gynecology clinic in Fukuoka City, raising concerns about patient safety and oversight in maternity care.

Bear Spotted Running Through Central Utsunomiya Shopping District

A large bear was captured on security camera footage running through a shopping arcade in central Utsunomiya, Tochigi Prefecture, in the early hours of June 7th, as authorities stepped up warnings following a series of bear sightings across the city.

MEDIA CHANNELS

MORE Politics NEWS

Japan Parliament Backs Female Royals Retaining Status After Marriage

The speakers and vice speakers of both houses of Japan's parliament formally presented a proposal on June 8th aimed at securing a stable number of Imperial Family members, seeking legislation on two measures previously recommended by a government expert panel.

Nationalism on the rise: Anti-foreign rhetoric gains ground in Japan?

For several months, Japan has been moving in a more nationalist and conservative direction. The shift has been fuelled by economic challenges at home and growing regional tensions with China.

Controversy Erupts Over Prime Minister Takaichi’s Alleged Smear Video

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's administration is facing mounting scrutiny over allegations that members of her campaign were involved in distributing online videos that disparaged rival candidates during the February House of Representatives election, with opposition parties intensifying their questioning in the Diet and demanding further clarification.

Japan Calls for Next Generation Hunters; Bear Sightings Exceed 50,000

The Japanese government approved its 2026 Environment White Paper at a Cabinet meeting on June 5th, warning that a record-high 50,000-plus bear sightings recorded nationwide during fiscal 2025 have become a serious threat to public safety while also highlighting growing concerns over Japan's aging hunting population and the need to train a new generation of hunters.

Prime Minister Takaichi Says 'I Won't Become a Paid Member'

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi faced intense questioning in the House of Representatives Budget Committee on June 4th over allegations surrounding defamatory campaign videos, telling lawmakers she had not verified newly released audio published by Weekly Bunshun because she had no intention of becoming a paid subscriber to the magazine's online service.

Japan Weighs 1% Food Tax as Speedy Alternative to Zero

The Japanese government has presented estimates showing how long it would take to implement a reduction in Japan's consumption tax on food products, indicating that cutting the rate to either zero percent or 1 percent would require significant preparation time.

Cabinet Approves Supplementary Budget Including Middle East Contingency Reserve

The Japanese government approved a supplementary budget proposal exceeding 3 trillion yen on June 3rd, including the creation of a new contingency reserve aimed at responding to developments in the Middle East and addressing rising energy prices.

Opposition Leader Opposes National Flag Desecration Bill

The leader of the Democratic Party for the People, Yuichiro Tamaki, suggested on June 2nd that his party may oppose a bill drafted by the Liberal Democratic Party to establish a new criminal offense for desecrating the national flag, arguing that it could unduly restrict freedom of expression.

< 2 3 4 5 >