Sports

Yamashita Wins British Women's Golf Open

Aug 04 (News On Japan) - Miyu Yamashita, 24, secured her first major championship on August 3rd at the AIG Women’s British Open, held at Royal Porthcawl Golf Club in West Wales. The course, a par 72, tested the world’s best, but Yamashita prevailed to become the first Japanese golfer to win the tournament since Hinako Shibuno’s victory in 2019.

Yamashita is now the second Japanese woman to win the British Open since it was designated a major and the sixth Japanese player overall—across seven occasions—to claim a women’s major golf title. This also marks her first major victory on the U.S. LPGA Tour.

Reflecting on her long journey, Yamashita expressed deep gratitude and joy: "It took a really long time to get here, and I’ve been supported by so many people. I’ve kept working steadily and consistently, and I’m truly happy that all that effort has paid off with a win at a major tournament. Japanese players are competing at such a high level now, and their performances really inspire me. I’m so happy to have been able to win in the midst of that."

Source: Kyodo

Japan to Introduce Free High School Education Next Year

The Liberal Democratic Party, Nippon Ishin no Kai, and Komeito have reached an agreement on the framework for Japan’s new free high school tuition program, which will begin in fiscal 2026. Under the plan, tuition support for private full-time high schools will be capped at 457,000 yen, while correspondence courses will have an upper limit of 337,000 yen.

Sense of Crisis in World Heritage Shirakawa Village: ‘Never a Year with So Many Bears Before’

Bear sightings have surged across Japan, and in Gifu Prefecture’s Shirakawa Village—home to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Shirakawa-go—local authorities held a nighttime drill on October 28th to prepare for possible emergencies.

Japan Mobility Show Opens, Toyota Unveils Century Coupe

The Japan Mobility Show opened on October 29th, marking the start of Japan’s premier automotive exhibition, where foreign manufacturers are stepping up their entry into the country’s growing electric vehicle (EV) market.

Takaiichi and Trump Emphasize Importance of Japan-U.S. Alliance

Prime Minister Takaiichi’s first face-to-face meeting with U.S. President Trump drew high praise from officials at the Prime Minister’s Office, who described the atmosphere as friendly and open. According to government sources, the two leaders addressed each other by their first names, “Sanae” and “Donald,” a gesture that one senior official called “120 points,” underscoring the success of the meeting.

Woman Found Dead Near Rice Field in Akita, Bear Attack Suspected

An elderly woman was found dead in a roadside ditch in Akita City on October 27th, with police investigating the possibility that she was attacked by a bear. A local resident discovered the woman lying face down in a drainage channel around 11 a.m. and called emergency services.

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