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July 12, 2026
 

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DIET

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks during a news conference in Tokyo in April
JAPAN / Politics
Jun 25, 2026
Japan unveils multiyear framework as part of budget reform
The mechanism is expected to start next fiscal year and will be used to fund measures including investments in economic security and crisis preparedness.
Eighteen officials have been certified to be eligible to handle critical economic security information, with those results included in a draft of the government's upcoming report on economic security information.
JAPAN / Politics
Jun 25, 2026
Japan clears 18 officials to handle economic security info
The personnel were qualified under the security clearance assessment system based on the law, which was enacted in May 2024.
A bill to revise the law on punishment of acts causing death or injury by automobile driving is enacted at a plenary session of the Lower House on Thursday.
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Jun 25, 2026
Japan enacts bill that sets numerical standards for dangerous driving
The bill stipulates the charge of dangerous driving be uniformly applied to accidents causing death or injury by drivers exceeding the speed limit by over 50 kph on ordinary roads.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks during a parliamentary meeting in Tokyo on Monday.
JAPAN / Politics / ANALYSIS
Jun 25, 2026
Takaichi’s smear video scandal shows Japan’s digital campaign rules are behind the curve
A scandal involving alleged AI-generated attack videos has exposed gaps in Japan’s laws governing online election campaigns.
A draft by a tax panel calls for reducing the consumption tax rate to 1% for food for two years from April 2027.
BUSINESS / Economy
Jun 25, 2026
Interim draft on two-year food tax cut presented
The proposal calls for reducing the tax rate to 1% for food for two years from April 2027.
Senior Japan Innovation Party member Seiji Maehara speaks to reporters after his party submitted national security proposals to Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi at the Prime Minister's Office in Tokyo on Wednesday.
JAPAN
Jun 24, 2026
JIP takes sharper nuclear stance than LDP in security proposals
The junior coalition partner in the ruling bloc is pushing for a “realistic review” of allowing nukes into the country, while the LDP is looking to bolster extended deterrence.
Debate on constitutional revision is intensifying in commissions on the Constitution in both chambers of the Diet, Japan's parliament, during the ongoing special session.
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Jun 24, 2026
Constitutional debates intensify in Japan parliament over emergency clause
Lower House lawmakers have been debating an emergency clause that would allow legislators’ terms to be extended in the event of a disaster or crisis.
Shunichi Suzuki
JAPAN / Politics
Jun 21, 2026
Japan ruling LDP’s Suzuki negative on Diet extension
The remarks came after Hiroshi Nakatsuka, secretary-general of the JIP, called for an extension of the Diet session in talks with Suzuki on Monday.
Eisuke Mori (second from right), speaker of the House of Representatives, speaks to reporters in Tokyo's Nagatacho area on Friday.
JAPAN / Politics
Jun 20, 2026
Parliament leaders OK outline of Imperial House Law amendment bill
The outline calls for allowing male members of the male line of former imperial family branches who are 15 or over to be adopted into the family.
The bill enacted by parliament on Friday calls on Japan Post, the mail and parcel delivery company wholly owned by Japan Post Holdings, to improve its operational efficiency through digital technologies and make more effective use of business resources.
BUSINESS / Companies
Jun 19, 2026
Bill to revise postal laws clears parliament
The development paves the way for the government to provide subsidies to preserve the nationwide post office network.
A Lower House committee votes on a revised constitutional referendum bill in Tokyo on Thursday.
JAPAN / Politics
Jun 19, 2026
Bill easing referendum procedures for constitutional amendments clears Lower House
While the bill addresses concerns about counting votes and public service announcements, the question of legislating internet and social media commercials about amendments remains.
Over 53% of respondents to a recent survey support a plan to reduce 45 of the 176 proportional representation seats in the Lower House.
JAPAN
Jun 18, 2026
38% back parliament’s proposal on imperial family, poll shows
The government and the ruling coalition aim to enact the revision during the current parliamentary session ending July 17.
Sanseito leader Sohei Kamiya speaks to reporters in parliament on Wednesday.
JAPAN / Politics
Jun 17, 2026
Sanseito submits bill to create agency on policies related to foreign nationals
After submitting the bill, Sanseito leader Sohei Kamiya expressed his dissatisfaction with the government’s policies on foreign nationals.
Democratic Party for the People leader Yuichiro Tamaki speaks during a news conference at the Diet building in Tokyo on Tuesday.
JAPAN / Politics
Jun 17, 2026
Japan set to enact bill criminalizing vandalism of the national flag
Backing from the opposition Democratic Party for the People paves the way for the bill’s passage through the Upper House, where the ruling bloc is a minority force.
Hirofumi Yoshimura (left), head of the Japan Innovation Party, and Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, who is also Liberal Democratic Party president, during a meeting at the Diet in Tokyo on March 17
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Jun 15, 2026
Bills on JIP’s signature policy goals in limbo as parliamentary session nears end
The party, also known as Nippon Ishin no Kai, continues to push for the creation of a secondary capital and a reduction of seats in the Lower House.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi attends a House of Councillors budget committee session at the Diet in Tokyo on June 5.
JAPAN / Politics
Jun 14, 2026
Japan opposition raps Takaichi over imperial law revision
Some opposition lawmakers said that her move could undermine previous discussions held by the Diet to form its consensus on the measures.
Centrist Reform Alliance leader Junya Ogawa during a news conference in Tokyo on Friday.
JAPAN
Jun 13, 2026
Komeito aims to merge with CRA before next parliamentary session
Informed sources say the party plans to declare its plan to join the CRA in July and formally approve the move at a party convention by September.
The Judicial Affairs Committee of the House of Representatives approves a bill to revise Japan's criminal retrial system on Friday.
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Jun 12, 2026
Lower House panel approves retrial system reform bill
The bill is expected to clear the Lower House on Tuesday and be enacted during the current Diet session ending in July.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara holds a news conference at the Prime Minister’s Office in Tokyo on Thursday.
JAPAN / Politics
Jun 12, 2026
Japanese government starts work to draft Imperial House Law amendment
The government hopes to submit the legislation to the Diet late this month, aiming to secure its enactment during the ongoing parliamentary session.
Katsunobu Kato, head of the Liberal Democratic Party's political system reform headquarters, addresses a meeting held at the party's headquarters in Tokyo on Thursday.
JAPAN / Politics
Jun 11, 2026
LDP approves bill to cut 45 seats in Lower House
As reducing only the number of proportional representation seats could affect smaller parties more severely, some in the LDP were cautious of the idea.
China’s demand for Soviet-style apartments shows limits to revival
Apartments built during a Soviet Union-inspired construction drive in the 1970s and 1980s tend to suffer from poor insulation and outdated plumbing, but they are seeing a revival in interest due to their attractive locations.
Japanese scientists identify neural mechanism that may explain why we dislike people
The aggressive mouse (left) used in the experiment and a mouse defending itself
Japanese payment processor’s collapse hits banks and restaurants
Zentoshin served around 200,000 shops, many of which rely on early payments to maintain cash flow, raising concerns over their financial stability following the disruption.
Over 70% of accommodations in Japan say they are understaffed amid tourism influx
The number of foreign visitors to Japan reached a high of 42.68 million in 2025.
Lenders seek $700 million after Japanese payments firm’s collapse
The financial failure of Osaka-based Zentoshin has left 63 creditors with claims totaling ¥115.16 billion, according to Tokyo Shoko Research.
Japan’s largest exhibition of women photographers rights a wrong in cultural history
Miwa Yanagi’s “Elevator Girl House” series skewers the superficiality of gender roles through staged images.
Over 70% of accommodations in Japan say they are understaffed amid tourism influx
The number of foreign visitors to Japan reached a high of 42.68 million in 2025.
‘Princess Mononoke’ comes alive in Super Kabuki staging
The “Princess Mononoke” adaptation was created under Shochiku’s Super Kabuki initiative, a modern form of kabuki with more technology in staging and open to pop culture collaborations.
The beating heart inside ‘Human Vapor’
Different forms of love and connection form the emotional backbone of Netflix’s “Human Vapor,” says actor Shun Oguri, who plays troubled detective Kenji Okamoto.
Japan bets on character IP to drive global growth
Born on social media platforms in 2022, Opanchu Usagi has become a major hit, especially among Generation Z.

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One of the many entrances to the Kabukicho neighborhood in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward.
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