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July 24, 2026
 

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UPPER HOUSE

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.
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.
The House of Councilors plenary session enacted a bill Wednesday to revise the Civil Code to overhaul the country's adult guardianship system for certain people such as those with dementia.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Politics
Jun 17, 2026
Japan enacts bill overhauling guardianship system
The revision will allow people to opt out of support under the adult guardianship system based on their needs.
The parliament enacted legislation Wednesday allowing local governments to issue digital debt securities.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Politics
May 27, 2026
Japan enacts bill enabling digital issuance of local government bonds
At a plenary meeting, the Upper House passed legislation to revise multiple laws related to local autonomy, based on proposals from local governments.
Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama speaks to reporters at the Prime Minister's Office on Monday.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Crime & Legal
Apr 20, 2026
Knife-carrying man arrested at Upper House office building
The Metropolitan Police Department arrested the man on suspicion of violating the firearms and swords control law.
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.
Chairperson Hiroyuki Nagahama (center rear) and others attend a House of Councilors constitutional review committee hearing at the Diet building on Wednesday.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Politics / ANALYSIS
Apr 17, 2026
Four things to understand in Japan¡¯s constitutional debate
Japan¡¯s legislature started debate on constitutional amendment as Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi pledged to have a proposal ready in a year.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks during an Upper House Budget Committee session on Wednesday.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Politics
Mar 29, 2026
Some LDP members eye passing fiscal 2026 budget on April 7
The government and ruling parties aim to get the budget bill through parliament next week, but the opposition camp is demanding ¡°sufficient¡± deliberations.
Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama answers questions during an Upper House plenary session on Monday. Katayama said Tuesday that a provisional budget would be compiled to prepare for unexpected events, while noting that passing the fiscal 2026 budget bill by the end of fiscal 2025 remains "necessary."
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Politics
Mar 24, 2026
Preparations begin for stopgap budget in case fiscal 2026 bill slips deadline
The prime minister is still aiming for the fiscal 2026 budget to be passed this month, but appears to be showing flexibility as ruling parties lack an Upper House majority.
Komeito leader Toshiko Takeya shake hands with Centrist Reform Alliance leader Junya Ogawa (right) and Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan chief Shunichi Mizuoka during a Komeito party convention in Tokyo on Saturday.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Politics
Mar 15, 2026
Komeito chief open to full integration with Centrist Reform Alliance
The CRA currently comprises only lawmakers of the House of Representatives, the lower chamber of parliament.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and other LDP leaders celebrate at the Diet after the dissolution of the House of Representatives on Jan. 23, days after calling for a snap election.
EDITORIALS
Feb 6, 2026
Takaichi and the LDP appear poised for a big win
Takaichi¡¯s performance has surprised most observers. Not only did she take office with sky-high approval ratings, but she has maintained them since October.
Reiwa Shinsengumi leader Taro Yamamoto takes part in a debate with leaders of other political parties at the Japan National Press Club in Tokyo in July.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Politics
Jan 21, 2026
Reiwa Shinsengumi leader Taro Yamamoto resigns from Upper House due to health
Yamamoto, who founded the party in 2019, said he will focus on his health for an ¡°indefinite¡± period but stay on as the party¡¯s leader.
An Upper House plenary session on Dec. 16
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Politics
Jan 5, 2026
Japan¡¯s new Upper House lawmakers have ?30.82 million of assets on average
The number of lawmakers with assets amounting to ?100 million or more has doubled from four to eight.
As the oldest member of the upper chamber, Toranosuke Katayama was known for voicing his opinions during parliamentary questioning.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Politics
Dec 19, 2025
Former internal affairs minister Katayama dies at 90
Toranosuke Katayama, a native of Okayama Prefecture, was first elected to the House of Councilors in 1989.
Lawyer Hidetoshi Masunaga (front, left) and others seeking the invalidation of the July Upper House election walk to the Nagoya High Court's Kanazawa branch on Oct. 1.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Crime & Legal
Oct 29, 2025
Court finds July poll was held in an unconstitutional state
A group of lawyers sought the invalidation of the Upper House election.
The special investigation squad of the Tokyo District Public Prosecutor's Office searches the office of Upper House lawmaker Akira Ishii in the city of Toride, Ibaraki Prefecture, on Thursday.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Crime & Legal
Aug 29, 2025
Nippon Ishin lawmaker¡¯s alleged fraud likely totals ?8 million
Akira Ishii is suspected of receiving salaries for a state-paid public secretary who actually did not work for him.
Upper House lawmaker Akira Ishii
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Crime & Legal
Aug 27, 2025
Upper House member¡¯s office raided over alleged fraud
Akira Ishii is suspected of receiving public funds by filing a report about hiring a government-paid secretary who never actually worked for him.
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba answers questions from Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan leader Yoshihiko Noda during a Lower House Budget Committee session on Monday.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Politics
Aug 6, 2025
Ruling parties to discuss corporate donation issue with CDP and DPP
Now that the ruling parties are short of a majority in both chambers, the coalition is set to meet halfway with the opposition in an effort to kick-start the stalled debate.
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba speaks to reporters on Thursday at the Prime Minister's Office.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Politics
Jul 25, 2025
Various tactics to force Ishiba out of power emerge within the LDP
The LDP has been thrown into a political power game between those who want Ishiba ousted immediately and those supporting him staying on.
Voters cast their ballots at a polling station in Tokyo on Sunday.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Politics
Jul 21, 2025
47% turn to social media and videos for voting decisions: exit poll
Of those, the largest proportion, at 23.9%, cast proportional representation votes for Sanseito.
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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