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July 24, 2026
 

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JIP¡¯s priorities take center stage even as household relief stalls
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Politics
JIP¡¯s priorities take center stage even as household relief stalls
The Liberal Democratic Party no longer finds itself strictly needing the Japan Innovation Party¡¯s support, yet the latter¡¯s priorities continue to shape the parliamentary agenda.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Politics
Japan and China¡¯s top diplomats hold first chat since Takaichi¡¯s Taiwan remarks
Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi said Thursday he had spoken briefly with his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, a day earlier on the sidelines of ASEAN-related meetings in Manila.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Politics
Parliament extension grounds some lawmakers from overseas travel
The Lower House¡¯s rules committee turned down requests from senior Liberal Democratic Party officials so they would be available to respond to questions during the extension.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks to Democratic Party for the People head Yuichiro Tamaki in parliament in Tokyo on July 15.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Politics / FOCUS
Jul 23, 2026
How Japan¡¯s would-be kingmakers lost their edge
By Kenji Yoshida
The nationalist Sanseito and the centrist Democratic Party for the People are struggling to maintain the momentum ¡ª and distinct political identities ¡ª that powered their rise.
Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi (left) and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte at NATO's headquarters in Brussels on Wednesday
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Politics
Jul 23, 2026
Koizumi calls for breaking taboo on nuclear debate
¡°Unless discussions are held without any taboos, no country can any longer ensure its own security on its own,¡± the defense minister told reporters at NATO headquarters.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi attends a meeting on fundamental national policies at the National Diet in Tokyo last week.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Politics
Jul 23, 2026
Cabinet spokesman defends Takaichi¡¯s grueling sleep schedule
The prime minister¡¯s social media post about being unable to get enough sleep drew criticism for running counter to workstyle reform efforts.
The Upper House Commission on the Constitution approves a bill to revise the law on national referendums on Wednesday at the parliamentary building.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Politics
Jul 22, 2026
Upper House panel approves referendum reform bill
The bill to revise the law was backed by the ruling coalition as well as several opposition parties.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is facing growing criticism over the lack of unity between her Liberal Democratic Party and ruling coalition partner Japan Innovation Party.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Politics / FOCUS
Jul 22, 2026
Takaichi faces growing headache over LDP and JIP¡¯s lack of unity
By Eric Johnston
Poor communication and mistrust were major sources of governance problems and parliamentary chaos that led to an extension of the current session of the Diet.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi answers a question in parliament in Tokyo last week.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Politics
Jul 21, 2026
Takaichi¡¯s popularity dips after prioritizing controversial laws
By Sakura Murakami and Akemi Terukina
Support for Takaichi¡¯s government decreased to 53% from 60% in June in an Asahi Shimbun poll, while broadcaster ANN found her popularity fell over 10 points to 49.2%.
The Self-Defense Forces' Type 16 mobile combat vehicle fires during a joint live-fire drill with U.S. Marines as part of the annual Resolute Dragon exercises in Yufu, Oita Prefecture, on June 28.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Politics
Jul 21, 2026
Japan reveals hint of new defense spending target in fiscal blueprint
By Jesse Johnson
The annual economic policy guidelines referenced goals announced by NATO and two U.S. allies and pledged to ¡°transform the country¡¯s defense capabilities within five years.¡±
Ichiro Aisawa of the Liberal Democratic Party topped the list of asset holders among Lower House lawmakers who won seats in February's general election.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Politics
Jul 21, 2026
Lower House members¡¯ assets average ?32.82 million
The figure rose by ?6.09 million from the previous average disclosed in April 2025.
Shoko Kawata, the mayor of the city of Yawata in Kyoto Prefecture, during an interview at city hall on Friday
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Politics
Jul 20, 2026
Japanese mayor makes history with maternity leave that caused a stir
By Joseph Campbell
Shoko Kawata, the mayor of Yawata in Kyoto Prefecture, ?became Japan¡¯s ?youngest female mayor in 2023 at the age of 33.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi (left) meets with his Japanese counterpart, Toshimitsu Motegi, in Tokyo in November 2020.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Politics / FOCUS
Jul 20, 2026
ASEAN meetings offer chance of China-Japan encounter ¡ª for better or worse
By Jesse Johnson
When Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi visits Manila for ASEAN meetings this week, a familiar face will also be in attendance: his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi.
Team Mirai leader Takahiro Anno answers reporters' questions after the party's first convention, in Tokyo's Chiyoda Ward on Saturday.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Politics
Jul 20, 2026
Team Mirai faces challenge of how to confront Takaichi administration
There is a view that the LDP and coalition partner JIP are taking advantage of the small opposition party to secure a majority vote in the House of Councilors.
Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi attends an annual training session near Mount Fuji at Higashifuji Training Field in?Gotemba, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan last month.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Politics
Jul 19, 2026
Japan ¡®cannot avoid¡¯ nuclear weapons debate, defense chief Koizumi says
By Jesse Johnson
Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi¡¯s remarks come as the government weighs revising the country¡¯s decades-old pledge not to produce, possess or host nuclear arms.
Imperial family members attend the spring garden party in April. Under the revised imperial house law, female members of the imperial family will be able to remain within the institution after marriage.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Politics / FOCUS
Jul 19, 2026
After years, Takaichi achieves Imperial House Law revision by force of numbers
The common male ancestor of the former 11 imperial family branches and the current emperor goes back about 600 years.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi attends a parliamentary meeting on Wednesday.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Politics / FOCUS
Jul 19, 2026
Takaichi expected to struggle during an extended Diet session
The ruling LDP and the Japan Innovation Party hopes to enact a secondary capital bill during this limited time.
The current session of parliament has been extended for eight days through July 25.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Politics
Jul 17, 2026
Parliament extends current session through July 25
By Eric Johnston
The extension will allow further discussion on a bill to establish the concept of a secondary capital.
Shine Muscat grapes
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Politics
Jul 17, 2026
Japan passes bill to prevent unauthorized overseas crop sales
The bill aims to better protect the rights related to Japan-developed fruits that are popular overseas and prevent a loss of profit.
A bill to amend the Code of Criminal Procedure was enacted at an Upper House plenary session on Friday.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Politics
Jul 17, 2026
Japan¡¯s parliament passes bill to revise retrial system
The revised code will prohibit prosecutors from appealing court orders to initiate retrials in principle, while some exceptions will be allowed on sufficient grounds.
A package of bills on the imperial family clears the Upper House plenary session on Friday.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Politics
Jul 17, 2026
Bills to preserve imperial family clear Upper House
By Kanako Takahara
They pave the way for the first major revision of the Imperial House Law since its establishment in 1947.
A fan holds Japanese flags at a public viewing in Tokyo for a 2026 World Cup match in June.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Politics
Jul 17, 2026
Upper House passes flag-desecration bill despite constitutional concerns
By Kenji Yoshida
The law, to take effect in August, will punish anyone who publicly damages, removes or defaces the flag in a way deemed likely to cause ¡°extreme discomfort or disgust to others.¡±
A bill on establishing a backup capital clears the Lower House plenary session on Wednesday.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Politics
Jul 16, 2026
Parliament likely to seek extension as time runs out on backup capital bill
By Eric Johnston
The ruling bloc is expected to submit a request for an extension ¡ª up to 10 days ¡ª by Friday.

Japan scientists identify clusters of protein believed to trigger Alzheimer¡¯s disease
A team of researchers said they found a ¡°seed¡± that accelerates the amyloid beta accumulation process in the brain, naming it ¡°Peak 1 amyloid beta,¡± as seen in a mouse's brain.
Indian brothers make manga debut in Japan
Two Indian brothers made their manga debut in Japan with "Kung Fu Kung Fool" ¡ª an action-comedy series that follows the adventures of a notorious thief and a young boy.
Low-income families in Japan cut food and air conditioning during summer break
Yumiko Watanabe, the chairperson of nonprofit Kidsdoor, explains the results of a survey in Tokyo's Chiyoda Ward on July 1.
Iran strikes on CIA facilities prompt questions about possible Russian role
Iranian drones are displayed in an undisclosed location in Iran, in this handout image obtained on Jan. 13, 2025.U.S. officials have acknowledged that Russia has ?provided targeting ?and other support for Iran in its drone strikes on U.S. targets in the Persian Gulf region.
Intervention is the word after yen moves beyond ?163 and sits there
The government could prop up the yen at any moment, though its signaling is hard to read.
Can Japanese comedy get laughs in English? Yoshimoto Kogyo lets the jokes rip
Wes-P has millions of followers and his viral clips made him recognizable out of Japan.
The 180-day locals: Life on Japan¡¯s digital nomad visa
Christopher Flinn works remotely from Tokyo earlier this month. Japan issued 646 digital nomad visas in 2025, but tourism officials are hoping to increase that figure in the coming years, with Japan's relatively cheap cost of living and the weak yen seen as potential draws for young professionals.
Japan reveals hint of new defense spending target in fiscal blueprint
The Self-Defense Forces' Type 16 mobile combat vehicle fires during a joint live-fire drill with U.S. Marines as part of the annual Resolute Dragon exercises in Yufu, Oita Prefecture, on June 28.
Summer has arrived in Japan and so have hot sleepless nights
Amid the heat and humidity in Japan, a good night¡¯s sleep is growing increasingly elusive without the heavy use of air conditioning.

Podcast

One of the many entrances to the Kabukicho neighborhood in Tokyo¡¯s Shinjuku Ward.
Kabukicho: Tokyo¡¯s ¡®stadium of desire¡¯

Longform

For many people, utility poles and power lines have become such a familiar part of Japan¡¯s landscape that they often go unnoticed.
Why Japan¡¯s utility poles won¡¯t be disappearing anytime soon
By Alex K.T. Martin

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