World news, briefly.
Updated daily at 7 AM Japan time
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First published 26 October 2026
A rebuilt historic baseball diamond at the former Manzanar incarceration camp in California is being used to convey the trauma of the Japanese American incarceration and the significance baseball held for those detained there.
theguardian.com (English) ↗＋ SaveFirst published 25 October 2026
Japan’s revised Imperial House Law took effect on October 24, retaining male-only succession. It allows certain distant male relatives to join the Imperial Family but excludes Princess Aiko and any future children from succession.
apnews.com (English) ↗＋ SaveFirst published 24 October 2026
The Trump administration is using Japanese funding in an unusual deal involving a government-owned chip factory in upstate New York, giving the US government a share of the semiconductor business.
nytimes.com (English · subscription) ↗＋ SaveFirst published 24 October 2026
Ryu Murakami, the Japanese novelist and filmmaker known for subversive fiction exploring violence, drug use and sex, has died at 74. His publisher said he died at home on October 17.
theguardian.com (English) ↗＋ SaveFirst published 23 October 2026
The Guardian profiles Giada Ripa’s project combining archive photographs from the 1860s, a contemporary figure and the story of a relative who became a muse to 19th-century artists and intellectuals.
theguardian.com (English) ↗＋ SaveFirst published 22 October 2026
A podcast examines whether Sanae Takaichi can remain in power during her second year as Japan’s prime minister after surviving a party crisis and winning an election, while facing relations with the United States and tensions with China over Taiwan.
theguardian.com (English) ↗＋ SaveFirst published 21 October 2026
Japan recorded a trade deficit of 536.6 billion yen in September, its fifth consecutive monthly deficit, as higher oil-import costs linked to the Middle East conflict outweighed exports. The government said it was working closely with the Bank of Japan.
apnews.com (English) ↗＋ SaveFirst published 21 October 2026
Sanae Takaichi became Japan’s first female prime minister and later won convincingly at an election, according to the report. Her handling of President Trump and relations with China have helped her public standing, but she may need closer allies at home to remain in power.
theguardian.com (English) ↗＋ SaveFirst published 21 October 2026
Japan successfully launched the Martian Moons Exploration spacecraft on an H3 rocket to collect samples from Phobos, one of Mars’s moons. Scientists hope the material will help illuminate the origins of the solar system and life on Earth.
theguardian.com (English) ↗＋ SaveFirst published 20 October 2026
Concerns are growing over the safety of Japan’s traditional festivals after Saijo’s deputy mayor was reportedly crushed beneath a float and died. The incident followed two fatal float accidents in Osaka prefecture earlier in October, in which 16 people were injured.
theguardian.com (English) ↗＋ SaveFirst published 20 October 2026
Japan’s space agency is preparing to launch the world’s first mission to collect and return samples from Phobos, one of Mars’s moons. The five-year mission is expected to investigate the moon’s origins and may provide insights relevant to future Mars exploration.
theguardian.com (English) ↗＋ SaveFirst published 20 October 2026
Japanese and U.S. troops began one of their largest joint exercises on October 19, focusing on defending Japan’s southwestern islands and northern waters. About 45,000 Japanese troops and 12,000 U.S. service members are participating, with forces from seven other countries involved in some elements.
apnews.com (English) ↗＋ SaveFirst published 16 October 2026
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said the additional work she undertakes as a woman, including chores and makeup, adds hours to her workday. Her comments prompted debate about gender roles in Japan and scrutiny of her performance.
apnews.com (English) ↗＋ SaveFirst published 15 October 2026
Japan lodged a protest with Russia over the arrest of a Japanese journalist on suspicion of spying. Tokyo demanded an explanation, consular access and humane treatment for the detainee.
apnews.com (English) ↗＋ SaveFirst published 14 October 2026
Russia’s domestic security agency said a Japanese journalist suspected of spying was arrested on Sakhalin Island amid heightened tensions between Russia and Japan over the disputed Kuril Islands.
apnews.com (English) ↗＋ SaveFirst published 14 October 2026
North Korea launched multiple ballistic missiles amid an expanding series of weapons tests, raising security concerns for Japan and South Korea as it develops systems designed to evade regional missile defenses.
apnews.com (English) ↗＋ SaveFirst published 13 October 2026
Debate is intensifying over Japan’s male-only succession law, which bars Princess Aiko from becoming empress, as the imperial family shrinks; a recent poll found 72% support for allowing a woman to become emperor.
theguardian.com (English) ↗＋ SaveFirst published 12 October 2026
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi opposed US sanctions on the International Criminal Court and pledged continued Japanese support for the court.
bloomberg.com (English) ↗＋ SaveFirst published 12 October 2026
Japan's inflation-adjusted household spending fell 3.1% year over year in August, marking its ninth consecutive monthly decline despite rising wages.
bloomberg.com (English) ↗＋ SaveFirst published 11 October 2026
Japan urged security checks following cyberattacks affecting companies including SoftBank and Daiwa Securities.
bloomberg.com (English) ↗＋ SaveFirst published 10 October 2026
Japan's government urged ministries, local public bodies and private companies to strengthen cybersecurity as attacks become more frequent and sophisticated, emphasizing updated protection, strong passwords and safeguards across supply chains.
apnews.com (English) ↗＋ SaveFirst published 10 October 2026
Japan protested Russia's request that the Netherlands extradite International Criminal Court president Tomoko Akane, a Japanese national, and eight other court officials, calling measures targeting ICC personnel unjust and unacceptable.
apnews.com (English) ↗＋ SaveFirst published 09 October 2026
Japan's government warned Friday that cyberattacks are increasing and becoming more sophisticated, urging greater vigilance.
washingtonpost.com (English) ↗＋ SaveFirst published 09 October 2026
After a Marine was arrested on suspicion of robbing and killing a local woman, Okinawa Governor Genta Koja urged Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi to ensure more effective US military discipline, while the military announced a 48-hour operational pause for training, restrictions on leaving bases and drinking, and a subsequent 30-day overnight curfew.
apnews.com (English) ↗＋ SaveFirst published 09 October 2026
Japan’s Fair Trade Commission raided Asahi, Kirin, Suntory and Sapporo over suspicions that the companies coordinated beverage price increases in violation of antimonopoly law.
theguardian.com (English) ↗＋ Save