News On Japan

Japan's top court rules state not liable for Fukushima disaster

Jun 17 (Nikkei) - Japan's top court on Friday dismissed claims that the government should pay damages in cases involving around 3,700 people whose lives were seriously affected by the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster, absolving the state of responsibility for mass evacuations in the crisis.

The decision by the Supreme Court's Second Petty Bench was the first for the top court and covered four lawsuits filed in Fukushima, Gunma, Chiba and Ehime prefectures. Around 30 such lawsuits have been filed across Japan by people who had to evacuate from their home or whose lives were greatly impacted by the earthquake- and tsunami-triggered disaster.

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The ongoing debate over the legalization of separate surnames for married couples in Japan is a topic that has polarized both politicians and the public for over three decades.

Two Liberian men have been arrested on suspicion of stealing 34 million yen through a trick using copper particles plated with gold.

The Yokohama District Court on Monday sentenced a former manager of Bigmotor's Kawasaki branch to a fine of 200,000 yen for damaging public property by cutting azaleas in front of the store.

A lightning strike at a live event venue in Moka City, Tochigi Prefecture, injured nine people, but none are in life-threatening condition.

The Japan Shogi Association celebrated its 100th anniversary on Sunday, hosting a commemorative ceremony in Tokyo, along with the unveiling of a newly completed Shogi Hall.

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Shinjiro Koizumi, the former Environment Minister and son of former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, recently announced his candidacy for the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) leadership. During the press conference, Koizumi emphasized his reform agenda, frequently using phrases like 'reforms without sanctuary' and 'trinity reforms,' reminiscent of the slogans used by his father.

Tachibana Takashi spent thirteen years building a popular political movement, and immediately destroyed it all with extremely simple blunders. (Japanalysis)

In ongoing investigations over power harassment, Governor Saito of Hyogo Prefecture allegedly issued more than 2,000 work-related directives via chat to senior officials during nights and holidays over the course of a year.

Japan and Australia have framed a series of new initiatives and dialogues, ranging from economic security, Pacific digital development, working with the US on strategic communications to bolster the commitment to collective deterrence against force and coercion in the Indo-Pacific. (aspistrategist.org.au)

Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Hayashi Yoshimasa has announced that he will run for president of the country's main ruling Liberal Democratic Party. (NHK)

The mayoral election for Odate City in Akita Prefecture, which took place on the 1st, concluded with the election of former city council member Kensuke Ishida. At 27 years old, Ishida is now the youngest mayor in Japan.

Former Upper House member Megumi Hirose (58) has been indicted by the Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office's special investigation unit for fraudulently obtaining the salary of her publicly appointed secretary from the government.

Parents in Japan can now submit birth registrations and related documents online from August 30, a move aimed at reducing the burden of visiting local government offices.