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Members of Komeito, the junior coalition partner with Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), have become increasingly irritated, feeling sidelined as the LDP seeks support from other opposition parties for the upcoming elections and budget approvals. Tensions have escalated due to disagreements on crucial matters like nuclear disarmament discussions, controversial finance scandals, and tax reform initiatives.

A major coral bleaching event this summer killed 61.2% of corals off Amami-Oshima island, likely caused by warmer ocean temperatures up to 2 degrees higher than in 2023. While the event is comparable to the 1998 mass bleaching, researchers remain optimistic about the corals' ability to recover quickly.

Canada's Alimentation Couche-Tard insists on pursuing a friendly acquisition of Japan's Seven & i Holdings, operator of 7-Eleven, despite having its offer previously rejected. Seven & i responded by appointing a new CEO, launching a share buyback, selling subsidiaries, and citing antitrust issues, while Couche-Tard stresses its commitment to a mutually cooperative deal.

Japan dispatched the Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyer Akizuki through the Taiwan Strait in early February as a political signal to counter China's increased military presence near Japan. It is anticipated that Japan will persist in sending ships if China's military maintains its heightened activities.

Japan's decision to allow individuals from Taiwan to list Taiwan as their place of origin on family registration certificates, effective May, has sparked a strong reaction from China. This move, seen as a symbolic gesture of support for Taiwan's sovereignty, has further strained relations between the two countries, with China viewing Taiwan as a breakaway province and warning Japan against interfering in its internal affairs.