Although the government released 210,000 tons of reserve rice into the market, only about 10 percent has reached supermarkets and restaurants, equivalent to the nation’s average daily rice consumption.
Following a wave of disturbing cases in which women were emotionally manipulated into debt and coerced into prostitution through exploitative tactics used by hosts, the revised Entertainment Business Act aimed at cracking down on abusive host club practices passed Japan's Lower House on Tuesday.
Agriculture Minister Taketaka Eto of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party stated during a speech in Saga City on May 18th that he has never purchased rice, explaining, "I receive a lot from supporters—enough that I could practically sell it. That's how much is in my household pantry."
A peace march calling for the reduction of the burden caused by U.S. military bases was held in Okinawa on May 17th, marking 53 years since the prefecture's reversion to Japan.
The government approved a long-awaited pension reform bill in a cabinet meeting on May 16th, aiming to eliminate the so-called "1.06 million yen barrier" that has prevented many part-time workers from enrolling in the welfare pension system.
Japan has launched its new "security clearance" system, which restricts access to sensitive economic security information to individuals deemed suitable through a national screening process. The program, which began operation on May 15th, is intended to enhance international collaboration by aligning Japan’s information handling standards with those of key allies.
The Japanese government has set a new wage policy target aimed at achieving a real wage increase of around 1% by fiscal 2029, taking inflation into account. To support this goal, it plans to mobilize public and private investment totaling approximately 60 trillion yen over the next five years to boost corporate productivity.
A growing number of Chinese tourists in Japan are converting their foreign driver's licenses into Japanese ones by listing their hotel addresses as proof of residence, drawing criticism and prompting a policy shift from authorities.