News

More than 1,000 people have applied to run for the new regional political party Saisei no Michi in the upcoming Tokyo metropolitan assembly election, with the party aiming to field up to 60 candidates across all 42 electoral districts. The party's founder, Shinji Ishimaru, a former mayor of Akitakata in Hiroshima Prefecture, will not be running in the election himself.

At least 17 foreigners have been deported from Japan since stricter refugee application rules took effect in June 2024, raising concerns about the potential for persecution upon their return to their home countries. The revised law allows for the deportation of individuals whose refugee applications have been rejected twice, despite criticism that it puts asylum seekers at risk.

A survey reveals that nearly half of high-rise condo buyers in urban areas intend to sell for profit, highlighting the investment focus over residence. Rising construction costs and affluent "power couples" fuel the demand, but experts warn of a potential bubble and urge caution against neglecting investment fundamentals.

Japan sent a destroyer through the Taiwan Strait for the first time in February, a move seen as a response to China's growing military presence in the region. The Akizuki's passage through the strait, which is considered international waters by most countries but disputed by China, was the second such mission by an MSDF destroyer in recent months.

SoftBank Corp. and the University of Electro-Communications are collaborating on SureTalk, an AI-powered app that translates sign language into text, aiming to bridge the communication gap between the deaf and hearing communities. The app has been used in municipal governments and events like the Tokyo Deaflympics, with hopes for wider adoption in public spaces.