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Defense ministers from Japan and the United States will attend a joint memorial service on Iwo Jima for the first time, marking 80 years since the fierce battle and symbolizing the strength of the alliance. This historic gathering underscores the transformation of the two nations from wartime adversaries to cornerstones of peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region.

The Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA) has developed a more accurate method to estimate radiation exposure doses for people living near the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant. This new method, which is available for free online, takes into account individual daily life patterns and provides more realistic estimates of exposure levels.

Canadian convenience store giant Alimentation Couche-Tard is exploring the sale of its U.S. stores to facilitate its proposed $47 billion takeover of Japan's Seven & i Holdings, aiming to address antitrust concerns and gain regulatory approval. However, Seven & i remains opposed to the bid, citing significant regulatory hurdles, particularly in the United States.

Seven political parties in Japan have submitted legislation to prevent a repeat of the chaotic 2024 Tokyo gubernatorial election, where a record number of candidates led to campaign posters being used for commercial advertising. The bill aims to uphold the dignity of elections and regulate the use of social media in campaigns, with discussions on the latter issue to continue in the future.

Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's approval rating saw a boost following his summit with President Trump, though concerns linger regarding his ability to navigate Trump's unpredictable nature. The survey also revealed a public divided on the issue of political donations from corporations and organizations, with some favoring increased transparency and others advocating for a complete ban.