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Oil Distributors Admit Antimonopoly Diesel Cartel

TOKYO - Five oil distributors, including Higashinihon Usami and ENEOS Wing, admitted charges of violating Japan's Antimonopoly Act by forming a cartel to coordinate diesel fuel prices at their first trial at the Tokyo District Court on September 3.

All five companies acknowledged the charges, telling the court that the allegations were correct.

Prosecutors said in their opening statement that representatives of the five companies met once a month at restaurants in Tokyo to discuss diesel selling prices and planned increases.

The companies agreed on price targets that included raising diesel prices by 2 yen per liter, prosecutors said.

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Typhoon No. 24 (Krovanh) was moving north southwest of Amami City on September 3, with Okinawa and the Amami Islands facing stronger winds, heavy rain and high waves as the storm approaches before following an unusually complex path that could prolong its effects for several days. As of 9 p.m. on September 3, the typhoon was south of the Amami region, with Okinawa's main island, the Amami Islands and southern parts of the Osumi and Satsuma peninsulas within its strong-wind zone.

Night trains are making a comeback across Japan, with railway operators introducing new overnight services and even experimenting with overnight Shinkansen trains as demand grows for alternatives that combine transportation, accommodation and the experience of traveling through the night.

Bear sightings and attacks have been reported across Japan throughout the summer, with animals damaging sheds, attacking livestock and injuring people, while experts warn that autumn is the most dangerous season as bears expand their range in search of food.

Japan's Environment Ministry will conduct its first survey of animal cafes, where customers can interact with animals including exotic species, as concerns grow over infection risks, injuries and the welfare burden placed on animals.

Haneda Airport introduced two major changes on September 2, opening a new boarding facility at Terminal 1 while moving the checked-baggage deadline for all domestic flights to 30 minutes before departure.

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Five oil distributors, including Higashinihon Usami and ENEOS Wing, admitted charges of violating Japan's Antimonopoly Act by forming a cartel to coordinate diesel fuel prices at their first trial at the Tokyo District Court on September 3.

Tokyo stocks ended mixed on September 3, with the Nikkei 225 closing at 64,214.48, down 111.16 points, as uncertainty over interest rates and currencies kept pressure on risk assets, while the broader TOPIX rose 0.5% to 4,102.04.

Tokyo stocks fell sharply on September 2, with the Nikkei 225 closing at 64,325.64, down 1,889.70 points, as renewed U.S. strikes on Iran sent oil prices higher, pushed bond yields up globally and triggered heavy selling across semiconductor, technology and export-related shares.

Interest rates on Japanese government bonds for individual investors offered in September have risen to record-high levels, with the 10-year floating-rate bond reaching 1.95%, according to figures announced on September 2.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda that he strongly supports decisive market intervention and monetary policy measures by Japan to address excessive yen weakness, saying the currency's depreciation is contributing to inflationary pressure.

Tokyo stocks ended mixed on September 1, with the Nikkei 225 closing at 66,215.34, down 96.59 points, or 0.15%, as rising bond yields and weakness in semiconductor shares weighed on the index, while the broader TOPIX rose 25.57 points, or 0.62%, to 4,181.86 for its ninth straight gain.

Japan's benchmark long-term interest rate reached 3% on September 1, its highest level since 1996, as government bond selling accelerated on expectations of a possible Bank of Japan rate hike, rising U.S. yields and growing concerns over Japan's fiscal outlook.

Honda and Nissan Motor have agreed to jointly develop an operating system and onboard computers for next-generation vehicles, aiming to introduce the technology in new models from fiscal 2029 as they seek to compete with U.S. and Chinese automakers.