Cyber Bill Passes Japan's Lower House

TOKYO, Apr 09 (News On Japan) - A bill to introduce a proactive cyber defense system, allowing preemptive measures against cyberattacks, was passed by the Lower House on April 8th with majority support from the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, the Constitutional Democratic Party, and others.

The new framework allows the government to monitor communications data even during peacetime. It also mandates that core infrastructure operators—such as those in electricity and rail transport—must report any incidents of cyber damage to the government.

Source: Kyodo

Former Princess Mako Komuro Has First Child in U.S.

Mako Komuro, the eldest daughter of the Akishino family and now living in the United States, has given birth to her first child, the Imperial Household Agency announced on May 30th. The agency stated that the birth was disclosed during a press conference after some media reports surfaced, despite their intention to allow Komuro to live in a quiet environment following her departure from the Imperial family.

Akie Abe Moved to Tears During Kremlin Visit with Putin

Akie Abe, widow of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, visited the Kremlin on May 29th and met with Russian President Vladimir Putin. During the meeting, Akie was seen tearfully listening to Putin’s words, reflecting the emotional nature of their exchange. Following the conversation, she was invited to ride in Putin’s official limousine to the Bolshoi Theatre, where the two attended a ballet performance together.

Cylinder Marked November 1964 Found at Site of Tokyo Explosion

A gas cylinder recovered from the scene of an explosion in Tokyo’s Edogawa Ward bore a stamp indicating it was manufactured in November 1964, according to investigative sources. The blast, which occurred on May 27th at a construction site, injured 10 people.

AI-Themed Poem Takes First Place in Salaryman Senryu

Every year, the “Salaryman Senryu” competition captures the mood of the times through humorous verse, and this year’s top ten results were announced on May 29th.

Osaka University to Accept Researchers from U.S. After Harvard Ban

Osaka University has announced it will accept up to 100 medical researchers from the United States in response to a policy by the Trump administration that suspended the acceptance of international students at Harvard University.

MEDIA CHANNELS

MORE Politics NEWS

Montenegrin Prime Minister Delivers Opening Remarks in Japanese in Landmark Summit

Prime Minister Ishiba met with Montenegrin Prime Minister Spajic in Tokyo on May 28th during the latter’s official visit to Japan, marking what both leaders described as a historic occasion.

Koizumi Announces Suspension of Discretionary Contracts for Rice Reserves

The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries has temporarily halted new applications for discretionary contracts to purchase rice from government reserves, Agriculture Minister Koizumi announced on May 27th. The decision comes after applications for 2022-harvest rice reached the quota limit of 200,000 tons.

Nineteen Firms Apply for 90,000 Tons of Reserve Rice Under Direct Contracts

Japan’s Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Koizumi announced that 19 companies have applied to purchase a total of 90,824 tons of government reserve rice under a discretionary contract framework. He added that distribution could begin as early as May 29th, with sales expected to start in stores during the first week of June.

Cheaper Rice Rollout Sparks Concerns Over Access and Equity

As rice prices hit historic highs, the government is moving to counter rising costs by offering reserve rice to major retailers at a target price of around 2,000 yen for 5 kilograms, Agriculture Minister Koizumi announced on May 26th.

Reserve Rice to Hit Stores in Early June at 2,000 Yen / 5kg

The Japanese government will begin selling its stockpile of rice directly to major retailers, aiming to put 5-kilogram bags on supermarket shelves for around 2,000 yen (before tax) as early as early June, Agriculture Minister Koizumi announced on Monday.

Revised Family Registry Law Takes Effect

A revised Family Registry Act requiring kana (phonetic reading) to be included alongside names in the official family registry came into effect on May 26th. Postcards listing the planned kana readings will now be sent by municipalities to all residents across Japan.

New Combat Vehicle Unveiled During Moriyama Garrison Ceremony

An event commemorating the 63rd anniversary of the founding of the 10th Division of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Forces was held on Sunday, featuring shooting drills and other training exercises as part of the program. The training was open to the public, allowing visitors to observe the drills firsthand.

Israeli Army Fires Warning Shots at Japanese Diplomat

The Israeli military has fired warning shots at a diplomatic delegation visiting the West Bank, including a Japanese official, during a tour of the Jenin refugee camp on May 21st. Although no one was injured in the incident, the move has drawn sharp criticism from several countries.

< 2 3 4 5 >