Stricter screenings halve Japan driver's license conversion pass rates
World 15:43 03/03/2026TOKYO -- The pass rates for tests required to convert driver's licenses issued abroad to Japanese ones fell by more than half following the introduction of stricter screenings last October, the National Police Agency said Monday.
Japan eyes Pacific island for nuclear waste disposal site
World 15:34 03/03/2026TOKYO -- The Japanese government is considering Minamitorishima, a remote Tokyo island in the Pacific, as a possible site for the final disposal of highly radioactive waste from nuclear power plants, it was learned Tuesday.
Japan govt may compile extra budget if Iran conflict continues
World 15:34 03/03/2026TOKYO -- Japan may compile a supplementary budget for fiscal 2026 if the conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran continues for a prolonged period, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said Tuesday.
Japanese firms tap self-driving to ease local transport woes
World 17:50 02/03/2026TOKYO -- As Japan struggles with a nationwide shortage of drivers, major automakers, leading telecommunications companies and startups are ramping up efforts to introduce autonomous driving on local public bus routes.
Japan to launch mediation office at Foreign Ministry
World 17:42 02/03/2026TOKYO -- The Japanese government will establish an office within the Foreign Ministry in mid-March to broker peace in countries in conflict, Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi said Monday.
Lamborghini to withdraw current EV launch plan
World 17:13 27/02/2026TOKYO -- Lamborghini will withdraw its current plan to launch electric vehicles globally around 2030, CEO Stephan Winkelmann has said in a recent interview.
Japan struggles to boost share of female airline pilots
World 17:12 27/02/2026TOKYO -- Japan is working to increase the number of female pilots in an effort to address the aging of commercial airline pilots and growing air travel demand, but progress has been slow.
Japan's Space One to launch Kairos No. 3 rocket on Sunday
World 16:55 27/02/2026TOKYO -- Japan's Space One Co. said Friday that it will launch the No. 3 unit of its Kairos small rocket carrying artificial satellites on Sunday morning.
Japan govt oks bill to make high school tuition free
World 16:42 27/02/2026TOKYO -- The Japanese government on Friday adopted at a cabinet meeting Friday a bill to revise legislation to make high school tuition effectively free starting in the year from April.
Damaged cable led to Tokyo Skytree elevator incident
World 17:21 26/02/2026TOKYO -- A recent incident in which an elevator at Tokyo Skytree stopped and 20 people were trapped inside for about six hours was caused by damage to a cable that supplies electricity and transmit signals to the elevator car, the operator of the 634-meter-tall tower has said.
TEPCO unveils new robot arm for nuclear debris removal
World 17:21 26/02/2026FUKUSHIMA -- Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings Inc. on Wednesday unveiled a new robot arm to be used in the project to remove nuclear fuel debris at its tsunami-crippled Fukushima No. 1 nuclear plant in northeastern Japan.
Child victims of social media crimes in Japan hit 10-year high
World 17:20 26/02/2026TOKYO -- The number of elementary school children in Japan who became victims of sex crimes and other offenses through social media totaled 167 in 2025, the highest level in the past 10 years for which data are available, the National Police Agency said Thursday.
