Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and her Italian counterpart, Giorgia Meloni, have agreed to promote the joint development of a next-generation fighter jet in ... Show more
Japan and Italy agree to promote fighter jet development with U.K.
Japan and Italy agree to promote fighter jet development with U.K.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi held talks with U.S. President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the G7 summit, exchanging views on the Indo-Pacific even as the ... Show more
Takaichi and Trump talk Indo-Pacific as Mideast crisis overshadows G7 summit
Takaichi and Trump talk Indo-Pacific as Mideast crisis overshadows G7 summit
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has proposed a new framework to G7 leaders for coordinating critical mineral stockpiles among the grouping and like-minded ... Show more
Takaichi proposes G7 framework for stockpiling critical minerals
Takaichi proposes G7 framework for stockpiling critical minerals
The Netherlands won't back down from regular military deployments to the Indo-Pacific despite a recent tense naval encounter with China in the South China ... Show more
Dutch defense chief says Chinese naval encounter won’t deter Europe in Indo-Pacific
Dutch defense chief says Chinese naval encounter won’t deter Europe in Indo-Pacific
BREAKING: A magnitude 5.5 earthquake, measuring a lower 5 on Japan's seismic intensity scale, struck southern Ibaraki Prefecture at 7:46 p.m. on Tuesday ... Show more
Magnitude 5.5 quake jolts Tokyo area
Magnitude 5.5 quake jolts Tokyo area
In a worrying development for bookworms across Japan, the number of bookstores in the country has dropped below 10,000 for the first time.
👉 Number of bookstores in Japan drops below 10,000 for the first time
Another 10 crested ibises have been released into the wild in the city of Hakui in the Noto region of Ishikawa Prefecture.
👉 Another 10 crested ibises released in Ishikawa Prefecture
OpinionWho’s afraid of ‘Japanese neo-militarism’? Nobody: More countries see a stronger Japan not as a danger, but a counterweight to China’s actions and growing U.S ...
japantimes.co.jp/commentary/2026/06/15/japan/japanese-neo-militarism/
While on an official trip to the Netherlands, Emperor Naruhito visited Het Loo Palace, a museum adjacent to Het Oude Loo Castle ... Show more
Emperor Naruhito visits palace museum in Netherlands
Emperor Naruhito visits palace museum in Netherlands
The Japanese government has adopted a basic plan under a law aimed at promoting understanding of LGBTQ+ people and other sexual minorities.
Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako watched the live broadcast of Japan's World Cup draw with the Netherlands alongside Dutch King Willem-Alexander and ... Show more
Emperor and empress watch World Cup match with Dutch royals
Emperor and empress watch World Cup match with Dutch royals
Japan's Fair Trade Commission conducted on-site inspections for six ice cream makers for allegedly forming a price-fixing cartel to secure profits for ... Show more
Japan’s FTC raids six ice cream makers over allegedly creating price cartel
Japan’s FTC raids six ice cream makers over allegedly creating price cartel
Bear sightings and attacks have continued across Japan as the animals have begun to encroach further into urban areas, terrifying residents and causing ... Show more
Why more bears are entering urban areas
Why more bears are entering urban areas
Chuya Nakahara died relatively unknown in 1937 at only 30 years old. Today, everyone in Japan knows his name. A first complete works translation in English ... Show more
Postwar poet Chuya Nakahara’s complete works get a new life in English
Postwar poet Chuya Nakahara’s complete works get a new life in English
Japan scored a tying goal in the 88th minute to earn a draw with the Netherlands in a thrilling match at the World Cup.
👉 Japan strikes late to earn thrilling draw with Netherlands in World Cup opener
China is capable of a direct missile strike on Australia as Beijing amasses long-range and hypersonic weapons and builds islands in the South China Sea ... Show more
China direct strike threat to Australia ‘growing’: report
China direct strike threat to Australia ‘growing’: report
Los Angeles Dodgers two-way star Shohei Ohtani leads all major league players in early All-Star Game vote tabulations, ahead of the July 14 contest at ... Show more
Shohei Ohtani leads all players in early MLB All-Star Game voting
Shohei Ohtani leads all players in early MLB All-Star Game voting
BREAKING: The Bank of Japan has taken rates to 1%, the highest level since 1995, with inflation and the weak yen forcing its hand and making it difficult to ... Show more
Bank of Japan takes rates to 1%, the highest level since 1995
Bank of Japan takes rates to 1%, the highest level since 1995
Key FactsBank of Japan Raises Rates to 1% Amid Inflation
1 days ago · Reading time: ~45 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: cnbc.com
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: cnbc.com
- The Bank of Japan increased its policy rate by 25 basis points to 1%, the highest level in more than 30 years.
- The rate hike was approved by seven out of eight board members, with one dissenting vote against the move.
- This adjustment addresses inflation pressures partly driven by the Iran war and a weakened yen.
- The BOJ will continue tapering government bond purchases before maintaining steady monthly purchases starting April 2027.
Intervention without changing domestic monetary policy is like tapping the brake while keeping your right foot firmly on the accelerator — at best, your passengers have a little fun, at worst, you're burning through your brake pads.— Jesper Koll, expert director at Tokyo-based financial services firm Monex Group, told CNBC.
Mayor of Ibaraki city found dead in drainage ditch: Ibaraki Prefectural Police believe, based on surrounding circumstances, that Toyoji Sudo killed himself.
japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/06/15/japan/ibaraki-mayor-found-dead/
About 10 Nippon Yusen cargo vessels remain stranded in the Persian Gulf due to the virtual blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, said Takaya Soga ... Show more
10 Nippon Yusen freighters still in Persian Gulf
10 Nippon Yusen freighters still in Persian Gulf
Japan is highly likely to enact legislation that would criminalize vandalism of the national flag, after the opposition Democratic Party for the People threw ... Show more
Japan set to enact bill criminalizing vandalism of the national flag
Japan set to enact bill criminalizing vandalism of the national flag
Fujitsu Chairperson Hidenori Furuta has resigned after the company confirmed his "woman-related inappropriate conduct ... Show more
Fujitsu chairman quits following ‘woman-related’ improper behavior
Fujitsu chairman quits following ‘woman-related’ improper behavior
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's ruling Liberal Democratic Party is continuing to focus on whether to cut the sales tax on food to zero ... Show more
LDP still considering cutting sales tax to zero for food
LDP still considering cutting sales tax to zero for food
The novelist's hometown honors his memory with signs and plaques on the sites of buildings no longer there, but it is Osamu Dazai fans keeping his legacy ... Show more
The search for Osamu Dazai’s memory in his hometown Mitaka
The search for Osamu Dazai’s memory in his hometown Mitaka
An outbreak of E. coli at a Costco store in Nagoya has led to at least five people falling ill, including a child who remains in serious condition.
👉 Five fall ill from E. coli outbreak at Nagoya Costco store
China's ability to militarily strike Australia will grow over the next decade, though the most immediate threats will come through cyberattacks and the ... Show more
China’s strike capacity over Australia set to expand, think tank says
China’s strike capacity over Australia set to expand, think tank says
Tokyo prosecutors have decided to suspend indictment against Shinnosuke Abe, the former manager of the Yomiuri Giants, who had been referred to prosecutors on ... Show more
Ex-Giants manager Abe spared indictment over alleged assault of daughter
Ex-Giants manager Abe spared indictment over alleged assault of daughter
This summer, a shuttered elementary school in Akitakata, Hiroshima Prefecture, is to begin a new life as a museum celebrating some of Japan's most iconic ... Show more
Former Mazda engineer leads sports car museum project in Hiroshima
Former Mazda engineer leads sports car museum project in Hiroshima
Commentary: A growing number of young consumers are turning to analog and single-purpose devices like cyberdecks and e-readers as a form of resistance to ... Show more
What is the hottest Gen-Z tech trend? Anti-AI
What is the hottest Gen-Z tech trend? Anti-AI
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and British leader Keir Starmer have agreed to bolster supply chain resilience, citing "serious concerns" over export ... Show more
Takaichi and Starmer use talks to push Japan-U.K. ties toward ‘quasi-alliance’
Takaichi and Starmer use talks to push Japan-U.K. ties toward ‘quasi-alliance’
News consumers around the world are now turning more to social media and video platforms than traditional outlets for information, a report has found.
👉 Social networks and online video outweigh traditional media in 2026
Chinese President Xi Jinping is shifting tactics in his campaign to pressure Taiwan, ramping up diplomatic isolation of the island while dialing down ... Show more
Xi swaps fighter jets for diplomatic hardball to squeeze Taiwan
Xi swaps fighter jets for diplomatic hardball to squeeze Taiwan
Daichi Kamada credited former Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner for an international renaissance that has seen the midfielder become a vital cog in a Japan ... Show more
Goalscorer Kamada credits ex-Palace boss Glasner for his Japan turnaround
Goalscorer Kamada credits ex-Palace boss Glasner for his Japan turnaround
As Japan prepares to revise its three strategic security documents, a debate is emerging over how to adapt to new forms of warfare ... Show more
Chinese bombers put Japan’s defense strategy in jeopardy, report finds
Chinese bombers put Japan’s defense strategy in jeopardy, report finds
Companies are introducing new products to help consumers cope with an expected heat wave this summer, with the Japan Meteorological Agency predicting that ... Show more
New cooling products launched ahead of above-average summer heat
New cooling products launched ahead of above-average summer heat
Ex-teacher given eight years in prison over voyeuristic images of children: Fumiya Kosemura, 38, secretly photographed girls in underwear at an elementary school ...
japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/06/15/japan/crime-legal/yokohama-teacher-voyerisum/
Japan hopes a U.S.-Iran peace deal will bring the volatile situation in the Middle East to a swift conclusion and for a final agreement on outstanding matters ... Show more
Japan welcomes U.S.-Iran peace deal
Japan welcomes U.S.-Iran peace deal
Many prefectures and municipalities in Japan are enacting ordinances to help businesses combat "customer harassment," but while some say it's ... Show more
‘Customer harassment’ continues in Japan despite moves to end it
‘Customer harassment’ continues in Japan despite moves to end it
Commentary: The U.S.-Iran agreement opening the Strait of Hormuz highlights how the digitization of diplomacy may undermine credibility ... Show more
Trump, Iran and the wily ‘art’ of the digital deal
Trump, Iran and the wily ‘art’ of the digital deal
JR Tokai is set to operate a specially colored bullet train on its Tokaido Shinkansen line from Friday to commemorate the 25th anniversary of Tokyo DisneySea ... Show more
JR Tokai to run Disney shinkansen starting Friday
JR Tokai to run Disney shinkansen starting Friday
Taiwan launched a website to encourage Chinese nationals to report intelligence tips, offering a secure channel to what it says is an increasing number of ... Show more
Taiwan launches website for Chinese nationals to report intelligence
Taiwan launches website for Chinese nationals to report intelligence
Panel to consider expanding victims’ involvement in criminal proceedings: There is currently no legal provision allowing victims in Japan to participate in or ...
japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/06/15/japan/crime-legal/japan-judicial-panel-crime-victims-involvement/
Japanese farmers are being charged more for imported fertilizer products amid uncertainties in the Middle East due to the effective closure of the Strait of ... Show more
Fertilizer prices rise in Japan due to Strait of Hormuz squeeze
Fertilizer prices rise in Japan due to Strait of Hormuz squeeze
The Nikkei 225 has broken 70,000 for the first time ever on hopes for peace and a stable supply of oil after the U.S. and Iran reached a preliminary agreement ... Show more
Nikkei 225 breaks 70,000 on hopes for peace and a stable supply of oil
Nikkei 225 breaks 70,000 on hopes for peace and a stable supply of oil
Japanese Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako in Amsterdam for an official visit to the Netherlands and Belgium.
👉 Japan’s Emperor, Empress arrive in Netherlands
Komazawa University professor Naotaka Kimizuka has praised the ongoing visit to the Netherlands and Belgium by Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako as ... Show more
Imperial couple’s European trip ‘significant’: expert
Imperial couple’s European trip ‘significant’: expert
Japan's imperial family has a male-only lineage for emperors — and the potential male heirs are dwindling. | via @nytimes
👉 Japan is running out of royals. Are more men the answer?
U.S. President Donald has moved to embrace China as a peer power, a stark shift in policy toward Beijing that has stirred questions and anxieties across Asia ... Show more
Trump’s sharp turn on China: Embracing it as a peer power
Trump’s sharp turn on China: Embracing it as a peer power
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has vowed to boost international cooperation to ensure free and safe navigation through the Strait of Hormuz and resilient supply ... Show more
Takaichi vows ‘persistent diplomatic efforts’ to help secure Strait of Hormuz
Takaichi vows ‘persistent diplomatic efforts’ to help secure Strait of Hormuz
German envoy hopeful of Japan joining Eurodrone project: In addition to Germany, the Eurodrone project includes such countries as Italy and Spain ...
japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/06/14/japan/politics/german-envoy-japan-eurodrone-project/
Organizers of a major sumo event in Paris say the tournament couldn't happen without salt. The sport's rituals required hundreds of kilograms over ... Show more
French salt enters the sumo ring in Paris
French salt enters the sumo ring in Paris
Editorial: Xi Jinping's visit to Pyongyang reflects a changing China-North Korea relationship in which Beijing seeks closer strategic coordination despite ... Show more
China-North Korea ties: New heights and new realities
China-North Korea ties: New heights and new realities
Ryusuke Hamaguchi's "All of a Sudden," whose leads jointly won the best actress award at Cannes, delivers an emotionally resonant story about ... Show more
‘All of a Sudden’: A tender triumph from Ryusuke Hamaguchi
‘All of a Sudden’: A tender triumph from Ryusuke Hamaguchi
Speculators have boosted their bets against the yen to a nine-year high, signaling the revival of the yen carry trade despite intervention risks and a ... Show more
Yen short bets jump to nine-year high as carry trade revives
Yen short bets jump to nine-year high as carry trade revives
Commentary: Artificial intelligence cannot convince a frightened young person their voice matters. Only people can, writes Toshiaki Sasao.
👉 Japan’s real AI problem is not technology. It is trust.
Japan led the world in robotics for decades. But now, the lead belongs to China. | via The New York Times
👉 Why it’s nearly impossible to build a robot without China
Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 stock average has closed above 69,000 for the first time ever following an announcement that a deal had been reached to end ... Show more
Nikkei average closes above 69,000 for the first time
Nikkei average closes above 69,000 for the first time
Japan's opposition parties have criticized Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi for asking the ruling bloc first to work out details related to securing a ... Show more
Japan opposition raps Takaichi over imperial law revision
Japan opposition raps Takaichi over imperial law revision
Starmer to meet Japan’s Takaichi as fighter jet funding sputters: The Global Combat Air Program has faced roadblocks including delays to Britain’s financial ...
japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/06/14/japan/politics/starmer-meeting-takaichi-fighter-jet/
The Chiba Prefectural Police arrested television personality Bobby Ologun on Sunday on suspicion of nonconsensual sexual intercourse with a female acquaintance ... Show more
TV personality Bobby Ologun held for alleged sexual assault
TV personality Bobby Ologun held for alleged sexual assault
What does it mean to be neurodivergent in a society built on unwritten rules? As more Japanese adults receive autism and ADHD diagnoses ... Show more
The challenge of being neurodivergent in Japan’s culture of conformity
The challenge of being neurodivergent in Japan’s culture of conformity
Japanese political parties are considering having social media users bear the responsibility of not spreading false or wrong information during election ... Show more
Japan eyes responsibility of social media users during elections
Japan eyes responsibility of social media users during elections
Two days after Japanese captain Wataru Endo withdrew from the World Cup due to an ankle injury, his coach Hajime Moriyasu told reporters that he took ... Show more
Japan coach takes responsibility for Wataru Endo going home
Japan coach takes responsibility for Wataru Endo going home
Tomomi Duquette, the woman behind newly opened Snow Satoyama Sake, Niigata's 90th brewery, is quickly demonstrating how innovation can dovetail ... Show more
Newcomer to hallowed Niigata sake scene is already winning awards
Newcomer to hallowed Niigata sake scene is already winning awards
Ant Group is testing an overhaul to its Alipay super app that would introduce an AI agent interface, a major escalation in its battle for users with archrival ... Show more
Jack Ma-backed Ant group set for high-stakes overhaul of billion-user app
Jack Ma-backed Ant group set for high-stakes overhaul of billion-user app
Funny, ferocious, raw: How high school buddies from Hokkaido channeled their energy into a viral track, Fuji Rock appearances and a studio album.
👉 TV Tairiku Ondo channels the chaotic creativity of youth
Quentin Tarantino paid homage to her in "Kill Bill." Now, the 79-year-old Meiko Kaji looks back on the twists and turns of her career and the roles ... Show more
Meiko Kaji studied hard to smolder on screen
Meiko Kaji studied hard to smolder on screen
The H3 Launch Vehicle No. 6 successfully lifted off from the Tanegashima Space Center in Kagoshima Prefecture at 9:53 a.m. on Friday ... Show more
Japan successfully launches H3 rocket
Japan successfully launches H3 rocket
Bar Trench has been a haven for Tokyo's cocktail lovers since 2010. Now, the retro chic watering hole is hoping it can quench the thirst of Japan's ... Show more
A Tokyo cocktail institution sets its sights on Kyoto
A Tokyo cocktail institution sets its sights on Kyoto
Commentary: Some are calling for a review of Australia's AUKUS submarine pact due to costs and other concerns, but strategic realities make the agreement ... Show more
Hard scrutiny of AUKUS won’t scuttle that deal
Hard scrutiny of AUKUS won’t scuttle that deal
Commentary: From a Hungarian choir in Budapest to EU diplomacy in Brussels, the fate of minority languages reveals how states define themselves — and whom they ... Show more
Language, power and the price of entry
Language, power and the price of entry
Nearly 40% of older adults in Japan want to keep working: The main motivation cited was the need to earn an income, followed by the notion that working helps ...
japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/06/12/japan/japan-older-adults-jobs/
Japan kicks off its 2026 World Cup on Sunday with a strong, confident squad and the kind of expectations the Samurai Blue have not carried into a tournament ... Show more
Japan aiming to live up to heightened expectations with deep run at World Cup
Japan aiming to live up to heightened expectations with deep run at World Cup
Japan captain Wataru Endo has withdrawn from the World Cup squad due to injury in a blow for Samurai Blue, with the midfielder also announcing his retirement ... Show more
Japan captain Wataru Endo pulls out of World Cup due to injury and retires from national team
Japan captain Wataru Endo pulls out of World Cup due to injury and retires from national team
Memory chipmaker Kioxia Holdings replaced Toyota Motor to become Japan's largest company by market value, underscoring how the global artificial ... Show more
Kioxia becomes Japan’s most valuable firm as AI mania goes on
Kioxia becomes Japan’s most valuable firm as AI mania goes on
An informal collective of Eastern European states supporting Taiwan called the "Dumpling Alliance" burst to life during COVID-19 ... Show more
Taiwan’s ‘Dumpling Alliance’ fades under China’s economic squeeze
Taiwan’s ‘Dumpling Alliance’ fades under China’s economic squeeze
Consumption tax cut on groceries could do more harm than good if the cost of the plan dents confidence, weakens the yen and causes interest rates to rise ... Show more
Consumption tax cut on groceries could do more harm than good
Consumption tax cut on groceries could do more harm than good
The Philippines has asked China to remove a floating structure that it has monitored in a disputed shoal in the South China Sea ... Show more
Philippines urges China to remove structure in disputed shoal
Philippines urges China to remove structure in disputed shoal
The Liberal Democratic Party has proposed tougher land acquisition controls in security-sensitive areas and stricter screening of foreign residents.
👉 LDP pushes tougher land and visa rules while avoiding nationality trap