News On Japan

'Flea market app' may soon be listed on TSE

Apr 20 (NHK) - NHK has learned that the operator of a popular app used for buying and selling goods in Japan is expected to be listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange.

Mercari could make its debut on the TSE's section for start-up firms Mothers as early as June this year.

Sources say the company's market capitalization could exceed 200 billion yen, or more than 1.8 billion dollars. That would make it one of the biggest initial public offerings of the year in Japan.

Mercari has been growing rapidly since its launch 5 years ago. It was one of the first in Japan to offer a flea market app for consumers to buy and sell their used items.

The TSE's screening of Mercari has been slow going, due to issues with some of the offerings through its app. A number of users offered to sell cash and other questionable items. But Mercari has stepped up preventive measures, including clarifying sellers' identities.

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New Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) President Ishiba is moving forward with personnel appointments, aiming to appoint former Defense Minister Iwaya as the new Foreign Minister.

Japanese weather officials say that over the next few days Typhoon Krathon will likely approach the southwestern islands of Okinawa Prefecture. (NHK)

Autumn foliage is advancing early in the Tateyama region of the Northern Alps in Toyama Prefecture, with vibrant red and yellow hues starting to appear.

The Hakamada case, a decades-long legal struggle, ended with an acquittal for Iwao Hakamada (88), who, along with his sister Hideko, fought for 58 years. Hakamada was suspected of the 1966 murder of a miso company executive’s family.

A Japanese government information-gathering satellite has successfully been put into a planned orbit around Earth. (NHK)

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A large dog was caught on camera running down a road in Yoshioka, Gunma Prefecture, as police officers wielding nets were in hot pusuit.

A 17-year-old girl was found dead in a hotel in Osaka on Saturday at around 11 p.m., when a hotel employee reported, 'A woman is wrapped in bedding and not breathing.'

Three men broke into the Paris home of renowned chef Kei Kobayashi, 47, who has earned three Michelin stars, on September 26th, assaulting Kobayashi's wife who suffered severe injuries. Kobayashi commented, saying, 'This is unforgivable.'

Four Japanese men have been caught at an Australian airport on suspicion of trying to smuggle a large amount of cigarettes into the country. (NHK)

The Hakamada case, a decades-long legal struggle, ended with an acquittal for Iwao Hakamada (88), who, along with his sister Hideko, fought for 58 years. Hakamada was suspected of the 1966 murder of a miso company executive’s family.

Japan's National Police Agency is introducing new patrol cars equipped with red lights designed to assist people with hearing impairments, flashing differently depending on whether the vehicle is on an emergency run or a routine patrol.

The former representative of the martial arts event company 'Breaking Down,' Yugo Itagaki, along with two other individuals, has been arrested by the Tokyo Metropolitan Police on charges of defrauding a company executive out of 80 million yen.

Strange incidents involving a woman placing black tape on outlets have been occurring around zoos in the Izu area of Shizuoka Prefecture.