Russia Bans Entry of 13 Japanese Business Leaders

Jul 24 (News On Japan) - Russia's Foreign Ministry has announced a ban on entry for 13 top executives from Japanese companies in response to Japan's sanctions over the Ukraine invasion.

On the 23rd of July, the Russian Foreign Ministry released a list of Japanese individuals who are indefinitely prohibited from entering Russia. This list includes prominent figures such as Akio Toyoda, Chairman of Toyota Motor Corporation, and Hiroshi Mikitani, Chairman and President of Rakuten Group, among others.

The ministry stated that the ban is a part of their countermeasures against Japan's ongoing sanctions related to Russia's "special military operation" in Ukraine. However, the specific reasons for selecting these individuals were not disclosed.

In 2022, Russia also announced an indefinite entry ban on Prime Minister Kishida and other government officials.

Source: ANN

More Snow and Freezing Temperatures Blast Hokkaido

Hokkaido is facing another day of heavy snow, freezing temperatures and strong winds on Tuesday, November 10, as midwinter-like cold air sweeps across northern Japan, with snowfall of up to 30 centimeters forecast in some areas and blizzard conditions threatening to disrupt transportation. As of 6 a.m. on November 10, snow advisories remained in effect for parts of Hokkaido, including Sapporo, where a heavy snow advisory was scheduled to remain in place until 9 a.m.

Typhoon No. 32 Approaches Japan Islands With Strong Winds and High Waves

As of 3 a.m. on November 10, Typhoon No. 32 was moving northeast over waters south of Japan, with the powerful storm expected to approach the Ogasawara Islands late Tuesday through Wednesday morning, November 11, bringing strong winds, heavy rain and waves exceeding 6 meters in some areas.

270-Kilogram Bear Killed in Hokkaido After Repeated Farm Attacks

A male bear weighing approximately 270 kilograms was killed by hunters in Iwamizawa, Hokkaido, on November 8th after being caught in a box trap, with local hunters suspecting it was responsible for a series of attacks on a nearby poultry farm that left more than 100 chickens and ducks dead since August.

Magnitude 5.7 Earthquake Shakes Central Japan

A magnitude 5.7 earthquake struck central Japan early on November 8th, registering an upper 5 on Japan's seismic intensity scale in Aichi Prefecture and injuring at least 21 people, while damaging buildings and disrupting Shinkansen and conventional railway services across the region.

Railways Reopen Following Aichi Earthquake

The Tokaido Shinkansen resumed normal-speed operations across its entire route at 8:57 a.m. on November 8th after a magnitude 5.7 earthquake disrupted rail services across central Japan, with JR Central reporting delays to 29 bullet trains affecting approximately 17,000 passengers, while Meitetsu restored services across its entire network by 9:15 a.m. following widespread morning suspensions.

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MORE Politics NEWS

Four LDP Lawmakers Disciplined Over Tax Cut Vote Walkout

Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party reprimanded former Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and three other lawmakers on November 9th for leaving the House of Representatives before a vote on legislation to reduce the consumption tax on food, as party leaders sought to prevent further defections that could jeopardize the bill's passage through the upper house.

Putin Places Japan Tobacco Under Russian Control

Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree placing the Russian operations of Japan Tobacco (JT) under the temporary management of a local company, effectively stripping the Japanese tobacco giant of control over its business in the country and prompting a formal protest from Tokyo demanding that the measure be immediately withdrawn.

Japan Approves 10 Billion Yen in Emergency Cybersecurity Funding

The Japanese government approved the allocation of 10 billion yen from its fiscal 2026 general account reserve funds on November 6 to strengthen cybersecurity measures, including inspections of vulnerabilities in government computer systems and upgrades to security equipment.

Food Tax Reduction Bill Clears Lower House Committee

A government bill to reduce Japan's consumption tax on food from 8% to 1% for two years starting in April 2027 was approved by the House of Representatives Committee on Financial Affairs on November 6, with the ruling Liberal Democratic Party and Japan Innovation Party securing a majority in favor of the legislation.

Japan to Establish Cyber Rescue Team to Combat Rising Cyberattacks

The Japanese government is preparing to establish a new cybersecurity response team comprising experts from the public and private sectors, with plans to dispatch specialists to companies and organizations facing serious cyberattacks following a series of unauthorized intrusions and information leaks.

Japan Introduces AI to Reduce Civil Servants' Workloads

Japan's Digital Agency began offering a trial version of a generative artificial intelligence application on October 30 to help government officials prepare responses to parliamentary questions, aiming to reduce the workload of approximately 180,000 government employees and address the long working hours faced by national civil servants.

Japan's Tax Relief Plan Sparks Debate Over Middle Income Threshold

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Should City Councilor Remove His Mask?

A city council in Hyogo Prefecture has postponed a decision on whether newly elected councilor and professional wrestler Billyken Kid, 52, should be allowed to wear his trademark mask during assembly sessions, following his first-place finish in the Kawanishi City Council election held in October.

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