Japan | News

Viral rumours of impending disaster stemming from a comic book prediction have taken the sheen off Japan’s tourism boom, with some airlines cancelling flights from Hong Kong where passenger numbers have plunged. Japan has seen record numbers of visitors this year, with April setting an all-time monthly high of 3.9 million travellers. That dipped in May, however, with arrivals from Hong Kong — the superstitious Chinese-controlled city where the rumours have circulated widely — down 11 per cent year-on-year, according to the latest data. Steve Huen of Hong Kong-based travel agency EGL Tours blamed a flurry of social media predictions tied to a manga that depicts a dream of a massive earthquake and tsunami hitting Japan and neighbouring countries in July 2025. “The rumours have had a significant impact,” said Huen, adding that his firm had seen its Japan-related business halve. Discounts and the introduction of earthquake insurance had “prevented Japan-bound travel from dropping to zero,” he added. Branden Choi,...

Japan will from January attempt to extract rare earth minerals from the ocean floor in the deepest trial of its kind, the director of a government innovation programme said on Thursday. Earlier this week, the country pledged to work with the United States, India and Australia to ensure a stable supply of critical minerals, as concern grows over China’s dominance in resources vital to new technologies. Rare earths — 17 metals difficult to extract from the Earth’s crust — are used in everything from electric vehicles to hard drives, wind turbines and missiles. China accounts for almost two-thirds of rare earth mining production and 92 per cent of global refined output, according to the International Energy Agency. A Japanese deep-sea scientific drilling boat called the Chikyu will from January conduct a “test cruise” to retrieve ocean floor sediments that contain rare earth elements, said Shoichi Ishii, director of Japan’s Cross-ministerial Strategic Innovation Promotion Programme. “The test to retrieve the sed...

Pakistan defeated Japan 64-39 to storm into the final of the Asian Youth Netball Championship in Jeonju-si, South Korea, on Thursday, remaining unbeaten throughout the tournament. The Green Shirts had a strong start with a 21-7 lead over Japan in the first quarter. By halftime, they extended the score to 34-19. The third quarter saw Pakistan lead 42-28 before ending the game at 64-39 and sealing their spot in tomorrow’s final. View this post on Instagram Leya Raza Shah, Alisha Naveed, Sumayya Kouser , Haleema ,Jasmine Farooq, Sumayya ,Jasmine, Amani, Parisa and Farah Rasheed displayed top notch performances during the match, said a press release. The president, chairman and secretary general of the Pakistan Netball Federation congratulated the Pakistan team on winning the semi-final. Pakistan will play the final either against the Maldives or Chinese Taipei on Friday. On Sunday, Pakistan downed Japan 79-39 during their fourth group match.

In a significant step to strengthen national stability, the Japanese government has approved a revised disaster mitigation plan designed to decrease the disastrous impact of a potential Nankai Trough earthquake. The plan was permitted during a Central Disaster Management Council meeting held on Tuesday at the official residence of the Prime Minister. The revised plan […]

Pakistan proved their dominance yet again after crushing Japan 79-39 on Monday at the Asian Youth Netball Championship in South Korea. The victory was the fourth consecutive for Pakistan, who now lead Pool B with 8 points. The green shirts were 16-9 in the first quarter before extending their lead to 39-17 by halftime. The score jumped to 60-26 in the third quarter, with the women cruising to 79-39 to end the match. Leya Raza Shah, Alisha Naveed, Haleema, Sarina Hussain, Jasmine Farooq, Farah Rasheed, Amani, Parisa, Sumayya Ahmed and Alina played exceptional roles in securing the team’s victory. Senior officials of the Pakistan Netball federation, including chairman Mudassar Arain, president Samreen Malik, and secretary general congratulated Muhammad Riaz congratulated the team on their impressive win over Japan. Pakistan now faces Maldives tomorrow. Pakistan thrashed hosts South Korea 91-6 yesterday after opening the tournament with a strong 71-15 over Saudi Arabia on Friday, followed by a 56-32 victory over...

Japan executed a man on Friday who killed nine people after contacting them on social media, the first use of capital punishment in the country in nearly three years. Takahiro Shiraishi had been sentenced to death for his 2017 strangling and dismembering of eight women and one man in his apartment in Zama city in […]

Japan executed a man on Friday who killed nine people after contacting them on social media, the first use of capital punishment in the country in nearly three years. Takahiro Shiraishi had been sentenced to death for his 2017 strangling and dismembering of eight women and one man in his apartment in Zama city in Kanagawa near Tokyo. He was dubbed the “Twitter killer” as he contacted victims via the social media platform. Justice Minister Keisuke Suzuki, who authorised Shiraishi’s hanging, said he made the decision after careful examination, taking into account the convict’s “extremely selfish” motive for crimes that “caused great shock andunrest to society.” It followed the execution in July 2022 of a man who went on a stabbing rampage in Tokyo’s shopping district Akihabara in 2008. It was also the first time a death penalty was carried out since Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba’s government was inaugurated last October. In September last year, a Japanese court acquitted Iwao Hakamada, who had spent the world’s...

TOKYO: Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries has validated that around 30% of the rice auctioned from government holdings has been transported to retailers and restaurants, as part of a larger undertaking to stabilise rising rice prices across the country. Three rice auctions were conducted in March and April 2025 by the ministry, selling […]

Bitcoin climbs above $105K as bullish catalysts stack: Japan eyes ETF tax reform, Trump defends crypto banking, and USDB stablecoin launches. The post Bitcoin Price Soars 2.49% on Thrilling News from Japan, Trump, and USDB—$109K Breakout on the Horizon appeared first on Cryptonews.

Japan’s FSA proposed classifying crypto as financial products, potentially allowing ETFs and a flat 20% capital gains tax. Japan’s Financial Services Agency (FSA) proposed a sweeping reclassification of cryptocurrencies that would clear a path for the launch of crypto exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and introduce a flat 20% tax on digital asset income. The proposal, introduced on Tuesday, suggests recognizing crypto as “financial products” under the scope of the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act (FIEA), the same regulatory framework that governs securities and traditional financial products. The proposed reclassification could also shift Japan’s current progressive tax system, which taxes crypto gains at rates up to 55%, to a uniform 20%, mirroring the treatment of stocks. That change could make crypto investing more attractive to both retail and institutional players. Read more

OKAYAMA: As temperatures increase across Japan, residents and tourists in the western region of Okayama are embracing a delightful and traditional way to cool down, Nagashi Somen, a treasured summer ritual in Japan. In the lovely Yamanori Valley of Maniwa City, a restaurant with over 40 years of history has reopened for the season, offering […]

Jonge talenten krijgen vaak vijf of zes banen aangeboden – het doet denken aan de ‘talentoorlogen’ tijdens de economische hoogtijdagen van Japan in de jaren tachtig. 

Pakistan beat Japan 3-2 in their second match of the FIH Hockey Nations Cup at Kuala Lumpur’s National Stadium on Monday. Ghazanfar Ali gave Pakistan the lead when he scored in the first quarter. Less than a minute later, Japan’s Kazumasa Matsumoto scored to level the field 1-1. Koji Yamasaki scored Japan’s second goal of the match within two minutes, bringing the score to 2-1. The second quarter saw the score remain steady, but vice-captain Waheed Ashraf Rana scored for Pakistan in the third quarter to tie the score at 2-2 once more. Sufyan Khan scored a decisive goal in the final quarter to take the score to 3-2 and give the Green Shirts their first win of the eight-team tournament. A day earlier, Pakistan and Malaysia played out a pulsating 3-3 draw in their opening fixture of the Nations Cup, with the Green Shirts relinquishing a lead late in the match. Pakistan will now face New Zealand on Wednesday, June 18 at 3pm PKT. The 20-member national squad was announced earlier this month, with Imad Butt being a...

The decentralized physical infrastructure platform wants to scale and improve data infrastructure for vehicles in Japan.

The Bank of Japan’s June meeting could trigger a Bitcoin rally if it restarts quantitative easing, as bond yield concerns push institutions toward BTC as a hedge. The Bank of Japan’s (BOJ) upcoming monetary policy meeting in June may provide the next significant catalyst for global risk assets like stocks and cryptocurrencies. The BoJ is set to take its next interest rate decision at its upcoming monetary policy meeting on June 16–17. The central bank may provide the next significant catalyst for Bitcoin (BTC) and other risk assets if it pivots to quantitative easing (QE), according to Arthur Hayes, co-founder of BitMEX and chief investment officer of Maelstrom. Read more

Japan’s Metaplanet plans to hold 100,000 BTC by 2026, revising its target from 21,000 and issuing shares to accelerate its Bitcoin treasury strategy. Metaplanet, also known as Japan’s Strategy, has updated its Bitcoin acquisition plans to acquiring 100,000 BTC by the end of 2026. Metaplanet on June 6 posted its new Bitcoin (BTC) plan, increasing its previous target of 21,000 BTC. “Our previous target — to hold 21,000 BTC by the end of 2026 — has now been dramatically revised upward. We now aim to hold 100,000 BTC by that time,” Metaplanet CEO Simon Gerovich said in an announcement posted on X. Read more

The company aims to increase its BTC holdings to over 210,000 by 2027, viewing it as a hedge against Japan’s economic challenges.

Japan’s Remixpoint boosts its Bitcoin bet with approval of additional $7M Bitcoin purchase, pushing total holdings to $84M as corporate crypto adoption gains momentum. The post Japan’s Remixpoint Announces $7M Bitcoin Purchase, Raising Total Holdings to $84M appeared first on Cryptonews.

Bitcoin is refusing to give up on its quest to revisit $108,000 and beyond, but concerns over a trend change are growing louder. Key points: Bitcoin and gold move higher in step amid jitters over Japan’s debt problem reach “boiling point.” $108,000 remains a keen target for Bitcoin bulls amid ongoing corporate buying. Read more

Met de huidige geopolitieke spanningen is het belangrijk om de banden met handelspartners als Japan aan te halen, zegt de minister voor Buitenlandse Handel op bezoek in Tokio.