News

Alimentation Couche-Tard's $47 billion bid for Seven & i Holdings faces challenges due to antitrust concerns and resistance from the Japanese company. Despite these obstacles, Couche-Tard remains optimistic about the deal and is actively engaging with Seven & i to address concerns and ensure deal certainty.

At least 17 foreigners who applied for refugee status in Japan have been deported since stricter provisions took effect last year, raising concerns about the potential for asylum seekers to be forced back to their homelands where they could face persecution. The revised law allows for the deportation of individuals whose refugee applications have been rejected twice.

The Japanese government plans to export 350,000 tons of rice by 2030 to prevent future shortages and stabilize domestic supply, while also addressing declining domestic demand and high production costs. This move comes amidst criticism from the United States regarding Japan's high tariffs on rice imports.

The reconstructed head of a woman who lived in Tottori about 1,800 years ago was unveiled at the Aoya Kamijichi Historical Park on March 20. The bust, based on DNA analysis of her skull, depicts her with light skin, straight hair, and double eyelids, offering a glimpse into the appearance of ancient Japanese people.

Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba hosted a private dinner for 15 first-time ruling party lawmakers on March 3rd at the Prime Minister's Official Residence. The dinner, which started at 6:33 p.m. and lasted for a little over two hours, sparked controversy due to Ishiba's gift certificates to the lawmakers and his denial of the event being a political activity.