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July 24, 2026
 

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LOWER HOUSE

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.
The women's restroom next to the Lower House's main chamber has only two individual toilet cubicles for women, but that number will be expanded to four.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Politics
Jul 3, 2026
Following petition, female lawmakers in Japan get two more toilets
The cross-party petition, whose 58 signatories included Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, asked for more toilets for women in the parliament building.
According to the 2025 reports on lawmakers' incomes, the average income among nine party leaders stood at ?24.53 million.
BUSINESS
Jun 30, 2026
Takaichi tops 2025 income rankings for Japan party heads
The prime minister earned ?36.41 million in 2025 while the average income among nine party leaders stood at ?24.53 million.
Kazuhiko Shigetoku (third from right), Lower House parliamentary affairs chief of the Centrist Reform Alliance, and other members submit a request to Shunichi Yamaguchi (center), chair of the Committee on Rules and Administration, regarding a bill to reduce the number of seats in the House of Representatives, at the parliament building in Tokyo on Thursday.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Politics
Jun 28, 2026
Shrinking Lower House by 45 seats to hit smaller parties hard
Debates on the LDP-JIP bill are slated to start Monday at a political reform special committee of the Lower House.
Lawmakers who proposed a bill banning the desecration of the national flag bow as the bill was approved at a meeting of the Lower House Cabinet Committee on Friday.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Politics
Jun 26, 2026
Lower House committee approves flag bill in appeal to conservatives
The proposed law would prohibit publicly damaging, removing or defacing the national flag in a way that ¡°causes extreme discomfort or disgust to others.¡±
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.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / 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.
A bill to criminalize the act of damaging the national flag is among the measures the Liberal Democratic Party and the Japan Innovation Party plan to enact during the current special Diet session under their deal to form a ruling coalition.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Politics
Jun 24, 2026
Lower House begins discussions on flag-vandalism bill
Under the bill, those who publicly deface the flag in a way that causes the public to feel extremely uncomfortable or disgusted would be subject to imprisonment or a fine.
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
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / 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.
The Judicial Affairs Committee of the House of Representatives approves a bill to revise Japan's criminal retrial system on Friday.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / 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.
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.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / 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.
Katsunobu Kato, head of the Liberal Democratic Party's task force for political system reform, speaks during a meeting in Tokyo on Tuesday.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Politics
Jun 9, 2026
LDP mulls proposal to automatically cut 45 Lower House seats
The proposal was presented by Katsunobu Kato, head of the party¡¯s task force for political system reform.
Liberal Democratic Party Secretary-General Shunichi Suzuki speaks during the party's meeting on political system reform in Tokyo on Thursday.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Politics
Jun 4, 2026
LDP considering cutting 45 proportional representation seats in Lower House
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is said to be seeking consensus within the party on reducing Lower House seats through cuts to proportional representation seats.
The House of Representatives passes a bill to revise the personal information protection law with support from the ruling bloc and the Democratic Party for the People on Tuesday at parliament.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Politics
May 26, 2026
Lower House approves bill to revise personal information protection law
The bill includes a provision requiring businesses that repeatedly commit violations to pay fines equivalent to the earned profit to state coffers.
Lawyer Hidetoshi Masunaga (left) criticizes the ruling handed down by the Fukuoka High Court in Fukuoka on Tuesday.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Crime & Legal
May 20, 2026
Two courts find February¡¯s Lower House election constitutional
The lawyers who filed the lawsuits claimed that the maximum vote-value disparity of 2.10 times in the election failed to meet the equal value of votes under the Constitution.
A new disaster management agency, to be placed directly under the Cabinet, will draw up basic disaster management policy and coordinate responses to large-scale calamities.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Politics
May 19, 2026
Japan Lower House passes bill to create disaster management agency
The bill is expected to be enacted during the current parliamentary session, with the government aiming to set up the agency this autumn.
Keiji Furuya (center rear), chair of the House of Representatives¡¯ Commission on the Constitution, attends a meeting of senior committee members at parliament on Tuesday.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Politics
May 13, 2026
Draft of emergency clause for Constitution includes extending lawmakers¡¯ terms
The draft did not show an upper limit for how long lawmakers¡¯ terms can be extended, while stating there are opinions calling for setting it to ¡°one year¡± or ¡°six months.¡±
A bill to revise the immigration control and refugee recognition law is approved at a Lower House plenary meeting on Tuesday.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Crime & Legal
Apr 29, 2026
Japan to likely pass bill raising immigration fees
If the bill also clears the House of Councilors,?the new immigration fees would be implemented within this fiscal year, which ends next March.
Japan Innovation Party co-leader Hirofumi Yoshimura and Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi meet in parliament on March 17.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Politics
Apr 19, 2026
LDP less eager than JIP on Lower House seat cut
For the 10% cut, the JIP aims to reduce the number of proportional representation seats by 45 from the current 176.
Team Mirai leader Takahiro Anno speaks during an interview in Tokyo on Monday.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Politics
Apr 17, 2026
Team Mirai will consider joining ruling coalition if asked
¡°We would make a final decision after weighing the potential gains and losses,¡± party leader Takahiro Anno has said.
Members of the House of Representatives council on the electoral system meet in the parliamentary building on Thursday.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Politics
Apr 17, 2026
LDP wants Lower House panel to discuss seat cuts
Reducing the number of Lower House seats is a signature policy for the Japan Innovation Party and was included in its coalition agreement with the LDP.
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.
Japan weighs regulating Pokemon cards amid trading mania
A Pokemon event is held in Jakarta on July 11
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.
The sci-fi sensibilities of electronic trio Black Boboi
Black Boboi was formed in 2018 when solo artists Julia Shortreed, Utena Kobayashi and Ermhoi came together under Kobayashi¡¯s newly founded label, Bindividual.
A perfect storm: Kaze Fujii fans flock to Fuji Rock
Okayama-born singer-songwriter Kaze Fujii has carved out a distinctive place in Japanese pop since his major-label debut in 2019.
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.

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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