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Japan has finalized a plan to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 60% from 2013 levels by 2035, aligning with the Biden administration's new U.S. target under the Paris climate agreement. However, environmentalists and politicians argue that the target remains insufficient for the world's fifth-biggest carbon emitter, which heavily relies on fossil fuels.

A recent study has found that the number of Japanese eel larvae reaching the northern island of Hokkaido has increased by an estimated 20 times in the past two decades. This phenomenon is attributed to changes in ocean currents caused by global warming, which have made it easier for the larvae to be carried to higher latitudes.

Tomoko Yoshino, head of Japan's largest labor group Rengo, pressed Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's ruling Liberal Democratic Party at its annual meeting to support legislation allowing married couples to have separate surnames. Her speech caught many attendees off guard and put the issue firmly in the political spotlight.

U.S. President Donald Trump questioned the terms of the U.S.-Japan treaty alliance, highlighting the one-sided obligation of the U.S. to protect Japan without reciprocal protection. He also commented on the economic benefits Japan receives from the U.S., questioning the negotiation of the agreement.

The Japanese government is considering introducing human challenge trials for vaccine development, aiming to accelerate the process and bring Japan's clinical trials in line with international standards. This initiative follows concerns about the slow development of domestic COVID-19 vaccines and acknowledges ethical considerations while emphasizing adherence to safety guidelines.