The Japan Times

In Japan, the must-see attractions aren't just temples and landmarks. They're convenience stores, high-tech toilets and trains. But as everyday Japan draws crowds, pressure on local communities and businesses grows. 👉 ebx.sh/OFQVyj

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Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi plans to hold talks with his U.S. and Philippine counterparts at an ASEAN defense ministerial summit this week — but a meeting with China's defense chief may not be in the cards. 👉 ebx.sh/pkdRQT

ebx.shFestival de Frue offers an antidote to Japan’s samey music festivalsThe small-scale music festival has carved out its own identity without relying on deep-pocketed sponsors or pandering to the algorithm.

Festival de Frue is to Fuji Rock what an omakase menu is to a smorgasbord. The music festival hosted at a hot spring resort has been gathering steam and expanding at its own pace.

Japan will switch to a post-departure refund system for travelers from abroad on Nov. 1, following a series of cases in which purchased tax-free goods were resold in Japan at prices including tax. www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/10...

ebx.shNidec to sue former executives over accounting issuesBesides Shigenobu Nagamori, the company plans to sue former chairman Hiroshi Kobe and former chief executives Mitsuya Kishida and Jun Seki.

Japanese electric motor maker Nidec said on Tuesday it had decided to sue founder Shigenobu Nagamori and eight other former executives for damages over suspected accounting irregularities.

ebx.shCourt finds Hamaoka reactor restart unlikely after data scandalChubu Electric said at a separate news conference that it will scrutinize the content of the ruling.

The court found that a lawsuit has effectively lost its meaning because the Nuclear Regulation Authority is unlikely to approve the restart of the Hamaoka reactors due to a data manipulation scandal.

ebx.shJapan eyes using Indian test ranges for powerful missiles and small attack dronesTokyo sent officials to the South Asian nation this month as it eyes the possibility of using the sites, the GSDF’s top uniformed officer said.

Japan dispatched defense officials to India earlier this month to examine the possibility of using the nation's missile ranges for testing long-range weapons and smaller attack drones, the GSDF's chief of staff said.

ebx.shChina’s Xi calls on Japan to protect political foundation of tiesThe message came after the Chinese leader extended his condolences to the family of former Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda, who died on Thursday.

Chinese President Xi Jinping sent a message of condolences to the family of former Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda who died at the age of 90.

ebx.shNew justice minister eager to legalize sole use of maiden namesJustice Minister Takashi Yamashita noted that he does not think amendments to the Civil Code or the family register law are necessarily required.

New Justice Minister Takashi Yamashita expressed eagerness in a recent interview to legalize the sole use of maiden names after marriage.

ebx.shWhy everyone wants to meet with North Korea’s leaderKim’s involvement in the Ukraine war has given him credible alternatives, something North Korean leaders have rarely possessed.

Commentary: Kim Jong Un has become a sought-after leader, with U.S. President Donald Trump, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi wanting to meet him.

An aging Japanese village once described as "most at risk of disappearing" is turning to Peru in search of new residents. 👉 ebx.sh/ffTcE7

ebx.shClimate-threatened Fijian utopia rejects calls to relocateResidents of Serua Island want to protect their ancestral home and the culture linked to it. The island also boasts “$100 million views.”

On Fiji's tiny climate-threatened Serua Island, residents soak in one of the reasons they have rejected attempts to relocate their village — the "$100 million views."

ebx.shKoizumi heads to Philippines for ASEAN defense talks, but China meeting unlikelyDefense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi said his ministry had yet to confirm if the Chinese defense chief would even attend the summit.

ebx.shManga artist sues government over revised Imperial House LawYoshinori Kobayashi said limiting who is eligible to be adopted into the imperial family violates the Constitution.

Manga artist Yoshinori Kobayashi sued the government, saying the revised Imperial House Law allowing some descendants of former imperial family branches to be adopted into the imperial family violates the Constitution.

ebx.shApple’s foldable iPhone Duo draws early complaints of screen crackingSome customers say the foldable display cracked after just hours or days of use.

The iPhone Duo, one of Apple's biggest new products in years, is drawing a growing number of complaints from customers who say the foldable display cracked after just hours or days of use.

ebx.shHanoi’s oldest luxury hotel tested by influx of rivals amid tourism surgeThe 125-year-old Sofitel Legend Metropole faces a new generation of high-end competition amid Vietnam’s push to satisfy double-digit growth ambitions.

The rapid expansion of high-end hotels comes as Hanoi undergoes its biggest overhaul in decades, turning huge swaths of it into a construction site and exacerbating frictions over land rights and cultural heritage.

ebx.shJapan mulls registration of foreign agents under new anti-espionage lawUnder the plan, people acting on behalf of foreign governments would have to register with relevant authorities to make their activities transparent.

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Japan is looking into requiring people who lobby on behalf of foreign governments to register as foreign agents under a new law to protect against covert interference in the country's policymaking and elections.

ebx.shHigh-stakes standoff between GMO and hacker group escalates with first data leakThe cyberattackers vowed to continue leaking information on GMO account holders one by one until the company agrees to pay the $1 million ransom.

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A high-stakes standoff between GMO Internet Group and a hacker group escalated Tuesday after the cyberattackers began leaking stolen client information, threatening to disclose user data across more than 26,000 servers if their $1 million ransom demand is not met.

ebx.shJapan urges Russia to release journalist after confirming well-beingThe Hokkaido reporter, identified by Russian authorities as Yuki Imai, has been accused of conducting espionage activities.

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Japan is urging Russia to release a Hokkaido Shimbun reporter after embassy staff confirmed he is in good health.

ebx.shJapan’s UA Zensen union seeks 6% pay hike in 2027 wage talksOne of Japan’s largest labor union groups plans to seek increases in line with this year’s target, signaling sustained pressure for higher salaries.

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One of Japan's largest labor union groups plans to seek 2027 wage increases for regular employees in line with this year's target, signaling sustained pressure for higher salaries.

ebx.shFormer senior Osaka prosecutor changes plea in sexual assault case to not guiltyThe focus of the trial is expected to shift to whether the woman was unable to resist and whether Kentaro Kitagawa acted with criminal intent.

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In his first hearing, the former prosecutor said he would not contest the charge and expressed "deep regret." The defense later said it would seek an acquittal on the grounds that he believed the woman had given consent.

ebx.shRapidus partners with Indian tech giant on chip developmentThe two companies have jointly established two development centers in India, which began fully operating Monday.

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Chipmaker Rapidus has announced a partnership with India's HCL Technologies, or HCLTech, to accelerate the development of next-generation semiconductors.

ebx.shTakaichi administration approves ordinance outlining secondary capital requirementsOf the 47 prefectures, only Hokkaido, Aichi, Osaka and Fukuoka meet the necessary conditions.

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The government of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has approved an ordinance outlining the requirements for being designated Japan's secondary capital to serve as a backup in the event of a natural disaster in Tokyo.

ebx.shLDP proposes gradual reduction of fuel subsidiesPrime Minister Sanae Takaichi has ordered industry minister Ryosei Akazawa to consider reviewing the subsidy program.

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The ruling Liberal Democratic Party on Monday compiled a proposal for the government to gradually cut subsidies for gasoline and other fuels.

ebx.shGMO tells account holders to prepare for worst as hackers threaten exposureGMO Internet Group asked account holders to back up data and unplug their computers as a hacking group threatened to disclose stolen information.

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GMO Internet Group asked GMO account holders to back up their data and unplug their computers before noon on Tuesday after saying they will not negotiate with a hacking group threatening to disclose personal information.

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On nuclear policy, Koizumi agrees with Finnish defense chief: Japan ‘must not be naive’ www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/10...

japantimes.co.jpOn nuclear policy, Koizumi agrees with Finnish defense chief: Japan ‘must not be naive’The two defense ministers discussed the Nordic country’s decision to allow nuclear weapons onto its soil as Japan weighs a similar policy shift.

ebx.shOn nuclear policy, Koizumi agrees with Finnish defense chief: Japan ‘must not be naive’The two defense ministers discussed the Nordic country’s decision to allow nuclear weapons onto its soil as Japan weighs a similar policy shift.

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Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi discussed Finland's decision to allow nuclear weapons onto its soil with the Nordic country's defense chief, as they agreed that Japan "must not be naive" as it weighs a similar shift.

ebx.shEmperor Naruhito and Empress Masako meet students at braille library in KochiThe imperial couple also met with craftspeople who make traditional paper of the region, and saw an exhibition of art by people with disabilities.

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Japan's Imperial couple talked with students from Kochi's prefectural school for the visually impaired, as well as with braille translation volunteers, at a talking book and braille library.

ebx.shManga artist Tetsuya Chiba, creator of ‘Ashita no Joe,’ dies at 87Born in Tokyo in 1939, Chiba was the first manga artist to receive the Order of Culture, one of Japan’s highest cultural honors.

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Manga artist Tetsuya Chiba, best known for the boxing drama "Ashita no Joe," has died at 87, according to media reports on Tuesday.

ebx.shGMO tells account holders to prepare for the worst as hackers threaten exposureGMO Internet Group asked account holders to back up their data, turn off their computer and pull the plug connected to the computer before noon.

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GMO Internet Group asked GMO account holders to back up their data, turn off their computer and pull the plug connected to the computer before noon on Tuesday as hackers threatened to expose personal information.

ebx.shU.S. Marine signals involvement in murder-robbery in OkinawaThe 20-year-old Marine allegedly strangled a 39-year-old woman with a telephone cord in a hotel room in Naha early this month.

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A U.S. Marine indicted for an alleged murder-robbery in Okinawa Prefecture signaled his involvement in the crime during questioning by the prefecture's police, investigative sources said.

ebx.shEl Nino fires test limits of Southeast Asia’s cloud-seeding betAs countries spend more trying to alter erratic rainfall patterns with few lasting results, the question of the payoff rises for such investments.

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Cloud-seeding missions in the skies above Southeast Asia have done little to extinguish the wildfires or disperse the haze that's cloaked the region for months, exposing the limitations of attempts to change the weather.

ebx.shPoured to order: Inside the world of NPB fans and their beer vendorsA familiar face, a quick greeting and a cold pour can become an essential part of the game-day ritual, though aggressive patronage exists.

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At Japanese baseball games, a familiar face, a quick greeting and a cold pour can become an essential part of the game-day ritual, with beer vendors weaving through the packed stands.

ebx.shTrump says Brazil election looked ‘rigged,’ defeated Bolsonaro’s party recognizes Lula winFlavio Bolsonaro himself has refused to concede defeat in Sunday’s presidential election, saying he would seek the annulment of Lula’s victory.

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U.S. President Donald Trump said that leftist incumbent Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva's surprise win in Brazil "looked like another rigged election," although the party of defeated Flavio Bolsonaro acknowledged the result.

ebx.shNetanyahu touts Trump endorsement on eve of voteThe Israeli prime minister suggested Israel and the U.S. may restart their war on Iran if he wins.

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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu boasted of his endorsement from U.S. President Donald Trump on the eve of Israel's election, suggesting the two leaders could restart their war against Iran if he wins.

ebx.shGloom in Moscow as Vucic’s defeat in Serbia deprives Russia of an allyThe loss of another important partner in Europe comes just six months after ally Viktor Orban was ousted in an election in Hungary.

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Aleksandar Vucic's crushing election defeat has cast gloom over Moscow, which has lost another important partner in Europe just six months after ally Viktor Orban was ousted in an election in Hungary.

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As inflation weighs on Japanese households, huge arcades on the outskirts of major cities are installing claw machines filled with eggs, rice, laundry detergent and other necessities. 👉 ebx.sh/9rxiCW

japantimes.co.jpTomoka Nishiyama to become first woman to enter kishi shogi ranksThe holder of four women’s shogi titles said she wants to compete against strong players and “aim higher.”

Today's top headlines:

Tomoka Nishiyama to become first woman to enter kishi shogi ranks

japantimes.co.jpFormer Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda dies at 90The son of former Japanese leader Takeo Fukuda became the country’s first second-generation prime minister when he assumed office in September 2007.

Former Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda dies at 90

Today's top headlines:

japantimes.co.jpGovernment holds urgent cybersecurity meeting in response to recent data breachesThe meeting on Monday evening discussed countermeasures following a request from GMO Internet Group for the government to take action.

Government holds urgent cybersecurity meeting in response to recent data breaches

japantimes.co.jpBrazil’s Lula wins record fourth term in a shock comebackBrazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva’s victory was eked out in the 11th-hour after voters from his heartland rallied to the rescue.

Brazil’s Lula wins record fourth term in a shock comeback

Want to avoid that annoying tourist label in Japan? One long-term foreign resident has all the answers. 👉 ebx.sh/ZhYLgk

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's government held a ministerial meeting on cybersecurity on Monday evening to discuss countermeasures following reports of data breaches in recent days. 👉 ebx.sh/m2cu1z

ebx.shThe key to Japan’s growth strategy: ‘Proactive’ economic securityThe challenge is to turn ambition into sustainable growth by strengthening economic security and developing technologies that can compete globally.

Commentary: Japan can strengthen both economic security and economic growth by making its technologies, components, semiconductors and materials indispensable to global industries through proactive investment and innovation.

The Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks are Japanese baseball's most dominant force, making the certainty of them winning the Japan Series fall somewhere between death and taxes. 👉 ebx.sh/qSROlN

Sapporo's mayoral race is taking shape after Katsuhiro Akimoto announced he will not seek a fourth term next spring, with the Olympics and the city's foreign population as key issues. 👉 ebx.sh/w07Cq6

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The U.S. military has restricted vehicles made by the Chinese car manufacturer BYD from its Kadena Air Base in Okinawa Prefecture over security concerns. 👉 ebx.sh/H77ggQ

ebx.shJapan’s shipbuilders ramping up investment to double outputThe overall amount of investments is on track to exceed ¥1 trillion.

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Shipbuilders are stepping up investments in shipyards across Japan as part of efforts to meet the government's target of doubling domestic shipbuilding output, with the overall amount on track to exceed ¥1 trillion.