The Nagoya High Court has upheld the acquittal of a 47-year-old man in a cannabis possession case, ruling that the evidence was seized through illegal procedures. This decision highlights the importance of procedural legality in Japan's strict drug enforcement landscape, particularly following recent amendments to cannabis laws.
Japan's Air Self-Defense Force scrambled fighter jets on October 24, 2025, in response to Russian nuclear-capable Tu-95 bombers and Su-35 fighters flying near its airspace over the Sea of Japan. The incident, confirmed by Japan's Ministry of Defense, underscores rising regional tensions and prompted strong statements from Japanese officials regarding national security.
Japan is grappling with rising egg price concerns following the season's first highly pathogenic avian influenza case in Hokkaido. Approximately 459,000 laying hens are being culled, impacting an already strained supply chain and pushing prices near record highs.
Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako, and Princess Aiko visited the Tokyo Metropolitan Memorial Hall on Thursday to honor victims of the 1945 Tokyo Air Raids and the 1923 Great Kanto Earthquake. The visit concludes a series of commemorations marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II.
Japan has voiced its understanding of recent United States sanctions targeting major Russian oil companies, including Rosneft and Lukoil, which aim to diminish Russia's energy revenues and pressure an end to the conflict in Ukraine. While aligning with G7 partners, Tokyo continues to navigate its own energy security needs, particularly regarding crucial liquefied natural gas imports from the Sakhalin-2 project.
China has voiced significant concern following the election of Sanae Takaichi as Japan's first female Prime Minister. Beijing's apprehension stems from Takaichi's hawkish stance on China, her friendly approach to Taiwan, and her ultraconservative views on historical issues, including visits to the controversial Yasukuni Shrine.
Eight major Japanese telecommunication companies, including NTT Group, KDDI, SoftBank, and Rakuten Mobile, have launched a new initiative to coordinate evacuation shelter support and standardize information dissemination during large-scale disasters. This system, unveiled on October 22, 2025, aims to prevent redundant efforts and ensure efficient aid delivery, building on previous collaborative frameworks established after the January 2024 Noto Peninsula earthquake.
North Korea launched multiple short-range ballistic missiles on October 22, 2025, marking a significant challenge for Japan's newly formed Takaichi Cabinet on its first full day in office. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi promptly instructed officials to gather information and ensure public safety.
In November 2017, then-Foreign Minister Taro Kono announced Japan's intent to bolster its defense capabilities and update its security strategy, a message conveyed during President Donald Trump's visit. This move reflected a response to regional security challenges and a commitment to the Japan-U.S. alliance.
A ransomware attack on Asahi Group Holdings in late September 2025 has crippled its Japanese operations, suspending orders and shipments. The prolonged system failure has led to beer shortages, forcing rival brewers Suntory and Sapporo to scale back their year-end gift offerings to prioritize regular product supply during Japan's crucial oseibo season.
A woman in her 30s was arrested after allegedly using pepper spray on a Tokyo Yamanote Line train during a dispute over priority seating. The incident, which occurred on Monday evening, October 20, injured two male passengers in their 60s and caused significant train delays.
Four men were attacked and injured by a bear in an urban area around JR Yuzawa Station in Yuzawa, Akita Prefecture, Japan, on Monday morning. One victim sustained serious injuries. Authorities have set traps as bear sightings increase across the region.
Japan's new Liberal Democratic Party leader, Sanae Takaichi, opted not to visit the controversial Yasukuni Shrine during its recent autumn festival. This decision, a departure from her past practice, is widely seen as a strategic diplomatic gesture to avoid tensions with neighboring countries as she prepares for a likely nomination as Japan's next prime minister.
Princess Kako, daughter of Crown Prince Akishino, attended Girls Messe 2025 in Shibuya, Tokyo, on October 19. Hosted by the Girl Scouts of Japan, the event saw the Princess engage with and commend students from junior high to university levels who are addressing social issues from a female perspective.
Canadian tennis player Leylah Fernandez has won the Kinoshita Group Japan Open in Osaka, securing her fifth career title and second of the 2025 season. She defeated 18-year-old qualifier Tereza Valentova in a hard-fought final after advancing past Sorana Cîrstea in the semifinals.
Japan and Malaysia signed a memorandum in Kuala Lumpur on Friday, October 17, 2025, to jointly promote carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology. The agreement, signed by ministers from both nations, aims to accelerate decarbonization efforts, enhance information sharing, and leverage Malaysia's geological storage potential for CO2 from Japan.
Princess Aiko, the only child of Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako, will undertake her first official overseas visit to Laos from November 17 to 22. The six-day trip commemorates the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and Laos and includes meetings with Laotian officials and visits to cultural sites.
Japan's Securities and Exchange Surveillance Commission (SESC) and Financial Services Agency (FSA) are set to introduce new regulations by 2026, explicitly banning insider trading of digital assets. This move aims to integrate cryptocurrencies under the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act, granting the SESC powers to investigate, fine, and prosecute offenders, thereby enhancing market fairness and investor protection.
Japanese Finance Minister Katsunobu Kato called for a unified G-7 response to China's new rare earth export restrictions during meetings in Washington. The controls, announced in early October 2025, have sparked global concern over critical supply chains for advanced technologies and green energy. G-7 finance leaders discussed potential coordinated actions.
Japan's National Diet is scheduled to elect a new prime minister on October 21. This follows the recent resignation of Shigeru Ishiba. Sanae Takaichi, the newly elected leader of the Liberal Democratic Party, is the leading candidate, but her path to premiership is complicated by the LDP's loss of majority and the withdrawal of its coalition partner.
