News

The merger of Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance and Aioi Nissay Dowa, currently the third and fourth-largest non-life insurers in Japan, is set to take place in April 2027. This strategic move will create the nation's largest non-life insurance company, aiming to enhance efficiency and adapt to a shrinking market characterized by a declining population and reduced car ownership among young people.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi met with Okinawa Governor Denny Tamaki on March 16 to address rising concerns over sexual assaults by U.S. military personnel and to discuss measures for easing Okinawa’s burden of hosting American bases. The officials deliberated on the implementation of preventive measures and the gradual return of land from U.S. military control, highlighting ongoing efforts to reduce local military presence.

The article details a longstanding practice among Japanese prime ministers, dating back to 2012, of gifting new Liberal Democratic Party lawmakers vouchers worth 100,000 yen during official gatherings. The narrative covers similar instances under Shinzo Abe, Shigeru Ishiba, and Fumio Kishida, highlighting both firsthand accounts and political scrutiny regarding the customary nature of these distributions.

Opposition leader Yuichiro Tamaki sparked controversy by suggesting measures to prevent foreigners from exploiting medical fee caps and advocating for the exclusive use of social insurance premiums for Japanese patients. Despite criticism for xenophobia, his remarks highlight the ongoing debate surrounding healthcare access and funding for foreigners in Japan.

A new report warns that if current trends continue, Japan could face annual heat waves that were once considered centennial events, along with more frequent extreme weather incidents. The study explores two future warming scenarios and highlights serious implications for both terrestrial and marine environments, prompting enhanced measures from central and local governments.