Politics

Kumagaya Thermometer in Saitama Marks New "kokusho-bi" for 40°C Days Kumagaya’s thermometer in Saitama now marks "kokusho-bi", the Japan Meteorological Agency’s new term for days reaching 40°C, with twice-daily temperature …

Trump Visit to China: Xi Warns Taiwan Policy Could Lead to Conflict as Leaders Discuss Trade and Iran During President Trump’s visit to China, Xi Jinping warned mishandling Taiwan could …

House Commission Debates Draft Emergency Provisions to Allow Diet Term Extensions May 14, 2026 — The Lower House commission debated draft emergency provisions allowing Diet term extensions and authorizing Cabinet …

Japan Gains Access to Anthropic’s Claude Mythos to Harden Financial Cyberdefenses Japan secures access to Anthropic’s Claude Mythos for government and megabanks, accelerating cyberdefense collaboration and recovery planning by May …

Emergency provisions debate intensifies in Lower House as parties split on emergency decrees Japan’s Lower House constitutional review panel heard party statements on May 14, 2026, focusing on proposed emergency …

Shimanami Japan bicycle rental records 173,279 hires in fiscal 2025 as inbound tourists surge Shimanami Japan bicycle rental set a record with 173,279 hires in fiscal 2025 as inbound visitors …

Trump and Xi meeting in Beijing begins as leaders seek to steady U.S.-China ties Trump and Xi meeting in Beijing begins May 14, 2026, as leaders discuss trade, AI, Taiwan …

LDP Approves Bill to Bar Prosecutors from Appealing Retrial Orders Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party on May 13, 2026 approved a government-drafted bill to effectively bar prosecutors from appealing court …

Osaka Metro to Scrap 190 Expo EV Buses, Record Losses as Supplier Dispute and Subsidy Talks Escalate Osaka Metro will stop using 190 EV buses acquired for the Osaka-Kansai Expo …