News

Opposition leaders in Japan are demanding Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's explanation for gifting 100,000 yen certificates to 15 rookie lawmakers, citing potential violations of the Political Fund Control Law and the involvement of high-ranking officials in the politically-charged dinner meeting. The controversy has further tarnished the LDP's image amidst existing criticism over unreported political funds.

Narita Airport is preparing for expansion to accommodate increasing flight demand, aiming to raise its annual takeoff and landing cap to 340,000 in October 2023 and eventually to 500,000. However, the plan faces challenges such as human resource shortages, safety concerns, and noise pollution from surrounding communities.

Japan's new energy policy prioritizes nuclear power and renewables to meet rising electricity demand and achieve decarbonization goals, despite concerns about safety and waste disposal. The government aims to increase nuclear's share to 20% and renewables to 40-50% by 2040, while reducing reliance on thermal power.

Alaskan state representatives will visit Japan this month to court investors for a natural gas project, despite skepticism from Japanese energy firms about its feasibility. President Trump is pushing the project, claiming it could pump trillions of dollars into the U.S. and help reduce Japan's trade deficit with the U.S.

Asian markets rose on Friday, defying another decline on Wall Street, as China's state-run banks and other financial institutions were ordered to boost consumer spending. The positive trend was driven by gains in China, where the Shanghai Composite index surged 1.9% after the National Financial Regulatory Administration urged financial institutions to support consumer finance and encourage credit card use.