Latest news, breaking stories, and expert analysis on Japan. Stay informed with comprehensive coverage from trusted sources.
Waymo, GO, and Nihon Kotsu plan to launch Japan's first fully autonomous commercial taxi service in Tokyo by 2027. The timeline is contingent upon securing necessary regulatory approvals from national and local Japanese authorities, as current regulations still require a human driver.
Japan is considering raising its mid-term defense spending target to 3.5% of GDP under US pressure, aligning with NATO standards. Officials are discussing scenarios similar to South Korea's ten-year commitment, though sources indicate a lower target of 3% remains a possibility. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has already accelerated spending to nearly 2% of GDP ahead of schedule.
Japan's health ministry reported the number of centenarians reached 107,677 as of September 1, marking the first time the figure exceeded 100,000 since records began in 1963. This milestone highlights mounting fiscal strain from pensions and healthcare for one in three residents receiving public benefits.
An eight-member Japanese parliamentary delegation led by former Justice Minister Masahiro Komura arrived in Beijing on Sunday to seek renewed diplomatic engagement. This visit marks the first such high-level contact since tensions escalated over Taiwan, aiming to stabilize bilateral relations through meetings with Chinese officials.
Former Naha Deputy Mayor Genta Koja won the Okinawa governorship election, ending a 12-year anti-base administration. Scholars state Koja's victory may accelerate Japan's defense preparations along the southwestern island chain, viewed as favorable to Taiwan security.
Japanese stocks declined for a second consecutive session on Monday, September 14. The Nikkei fell 1.6%, dragged down by chip and metals stocks as investors reacted to ongoing uncertainty regarding the Iran war and the Federal Reserve's policy outlook.
The piece outlines the logistical challenges and preparations for the 2026 Asian Games in Japan, including accommodation issues and weather disruptions. It provides a schedule and viewing guide for audiences, emphasizing the event's scale and the resilience of organizers amid heavy rains and venue flooding.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi met with IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol on Monday to discuss enhanced energy security cooperation. Citing Middle East instability affecting crude oil supplies, Takaichi highlighted Japan's August policy package aimed at diversifying procurement and constructing a pipeline bypassing the Strait of Hormuz.
Defense chiefs from South Korea and Japan agreed to strengthen bilateral defense cooperation based on mutual understanding. The agreement follows recent diplomatic friction caused by Japan's defense minister visiting a controversial war shrine and skipping a key dialogue in Seoul.
Mint suggests that a new wave of entrepreneurs is revitalizing Atami, Japan, by investing in abandoned properties and embracing "Showa retro" aesthetics. The article argues that this movement offers an alternative to modern Japanese minimalism, with expats like Hillary Hewins and Blake Piper leading efforts to restore faded glamour and create boutique hospitality experiences in the declining seaside city.