News

A new report by the Japan Meteorological Agency and the science ministry warns that Japan could experience annual once-in-a-century heat waves if temperatures continue to rise significantly, with potentially devastating consequences for human health, agriculture, and the environment. The report emphasizes the urgency of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and mitigating the impacts of climate change.

Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance and Aioi Nissay Dowa, currently Japan's third and fourth largest non-life insurers, are merging in April 2027 to create the nation's largest non-life insurer, surpassing current leader Tokio Marine & Nichido Fire Insurance Co. This move aims to address market challenges caused by a declining population and changing consumer behavior.

Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba will form a panel of experts to study the origins of World War II and issue a message to the public based on their findings, marking the 80th anniversary of the war's end. This decision comes despite opposition from conservative factions within the LDP who believe a new statement is unnecessary.

Japanese Prime Ministers have been handing out gift vouchers to newly elected Lower House members for over a decade, a practice that has recently come under scrutiny for its legality and ethical implications. While Prime Minister Ishiba has acknowledged the practice, he has declined to commit to investigating it further.

Asian stock markets fell on Friday, March 28, 2025, as investors reacted to U.S. President Donald Trump's latest tariffs on imported automobiles, with Japan's Nikkei 225 index experiencing a particularly sharp decline of 2.2%. Meanwhile, Wall Street closed with modest losses on Thursday, with the S&P 500 slipping 0.3% and the Dow Jones Industrial Average falling 0.4%.