Rakuten and Amazon Set to Enter Japan Satellite Market

Aug 19, 2025 | News On Japan

TOKYO - Rakuten Group and Amazon.com are preparing to enter Japan’s satellite communications market as early as 2026. The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications has begun discussions on frequency bands, transmission power, and other regulatory frameworks necessary for new entrants.

The move is expected to expand connectivity to mountainous regions and remote islands where terrestrial base stations are not available. Competition will intensify in a market previously dominated by SpaceX’s Starlink service.

In Tokyo’s stock market on August 18th, the Nikkei Stock Average closed at 43,714 yen, up 336 yen, or 0.77%, from the previous trading day. This marked a second consecutive record high following August 15th. The price-to-book ratio (PBR) approached 1.6 times, a level last seen in 2024. Investors continued to buy into relatively undervalued stocks, broadening the rally.

Toho announced on August 18th that box office revenue for its live-action film ‘A Country Report’ reached 10.5 billion yen. This is the first time in 22 years a live-action film distributed by Toho has surpassed the 10 billion yen mark, the last being ‘Bayside Shakedown 2’ released in 2003. Since its June 6th release, the film has drawn 7.47 million viewers in 73 days, ranking third in box office history among live-action films.

Convenience store operator Ministop revealed on August 18th that 23 of its stores in eastern and western Japan falsified expiration dates on in-store prepared products, including rice balls and boxed meals. Similar cases had previously been uncovered, prompting internal investigations. The company has suspended sales of some in-store prepared products across all outlets while continuing its probe.

Health authorities in Guangdong Province, China, reported nearly 10,000 infections from a mosquito-borne viral illness known as Ngonia fever so far this year. While new cases have recently declined, concerns have been raised that containment efforts resemble the strict “zero-COVID” measures once enforced during the pandemic.

Pan Pacific International Holdings, operator of discount retailer Don Quijote, announced on August 18th plans to invest more than 1.2 trillion yen over the next decade through June 2035. The investment will fund store expansion, including 250 new locations, and mergers and acquisitions. This represents a sharp increase from 549.6 billion yen invested over the past decade.

Source: テレ東BIZ

Record Rain Triggers Level 5 Emergency in Toyama

Record-breaking torrential rain struck Toyama and Ishikawa prefectures on August 27, prompting the highest-level emergency warnings as rivers overflowed, roads flooded, vehicles became submerged and power and transportation services were disrupted across the Hokuriku region.

Nine-Minute Drone Video Shows Scale of Aeon Mall Damage

A 9-minute, 13-second drone video filmed inside Aeon Mall Kumamoto two days after the deadly explosion has provided a detailed view of the destruction, showing collapsed ceilings, heavy dust and widespread damage that may have affected between one-third and nearly half of the shopping center.

Conditions Ease as Typhoon No. 18 Passes Okinawa

Strong Typhoon No. 18 was moving northwest through the East China Sea on the night of August 26, gradually pulling away from Okinawa and the Amami Islands as lingering rain, strong winds and high waves were expected to ease. As of 9 p.m. on August 26, the typhoon was over waters north-northwest of Kume Island and moving northwest.

Mystery Deepens with 39 Kg Bread Trail Across Tottori

A series of mysterious illegal dumping incidents involving about 39 kilograms of sliced bread has been reported around Mount Daisen and other parts of Tottori Prefecture in August, with officials investigating whether the food may have been deliberately placed to attract wild animals.

Osaka Couple Donate 400 Million Yen for Giant Myaku-Myaku Statue at Expo Site

An 85-year-old couple have donated a combined 400 million yen to Osaka City with a request that the money be used to create a giant Myaku-Myaku statue about 20 meters tall at the former site of the Osaka-Kansai Expo, envisioning a landmark that could become a lasting symbol of the event and of renewed prosperity for Kansai and Japan.

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