#gravitas | The adoption of husband’s last name has been a major political issue over the past three decades in Japan. There is divulging views among the contenders to replace the outgoing Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, elections of which will take place on Friday. Japan is the only country that compels women to take their husband’s last name by law. Watch in for more details!

Gravitas: Law In Japan Compels Women To Adopt Husband's Last Name

Japan could get its first woman or youngest-ever prime minister on Friday when the ruling party holds a leadership vote described as the most "unpredictable" in many years.

A record nine candidates are in the running after the long-powerful factions of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) disbanded earlier this year over a funding scandal.

Because the conservative LDP holds a parliamentary majority, the winner is certain to become prime minister, and will likely call a snap election to shore up their mandate.

Three frontrunners have emerged in polling: former defence minister Shigeru Ishiba, 43-year-old Shinjiro Koizumi <meta charset="utf-8" />–&nbsp;the son of a popular ex-premier&nbsp;<meta charset="utf-8" />–&nbsp;and nationalist hardliner Sanae Takaichi, who would be the first woman in the job.

Whoever wins must face down regional security threats, from an increasingly assertive China and its deepening defence ties with Russia to North Korea's banned missile tests.

At home, the leader will be tasked with breathing life into the economy, as the central bank moves away from decades of monetary easing that has slashed the value of the yen.

In debates and campaigning, many candidates "have claimed that 'I'm the one who can handle Trump' or 'I'm the one who can stand up to China'", Jeffrey J&nbsp;Hall, a lecturer at Kanda University of International Studies, told AFP.

But there are significant differences in their approach to such issues, and although some of the nine have "no hope whatsoever", the race remains "a toss-up".

"This is the most unpredictable that an LDP election has been in many years," Hall said.

<h2>- 'Fair and square' Ishiba -</h2>

LDP presidents are in office for three years and can serve up to three straight terms. Unpopular Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is not running for re-election.

With the factions dissolved, it's unlikely that any one candidate will win enough votes&nbsp;<meta charset="utf-8" />–&nbsp;split between lawmakers and rank-and-file party members&nbsp;<meta charset="utf-8" />–&nbsp;to win outright.

That makes a run-off between two top candidates the most likely scenario, with the winner announced Friday afternoon.

Ishiba, 67, has come close to the top job before, including in 2012 when he lost to arch-rival Shinzo Abe, Japan's longest serving leader who was later assassinated.

The military model-maker with an affinity for 1970s pop idols once alienated party veterans with his "outspoken criticism of LDP policies under Abe", said Yu Uchiyama, a political science professor at the University of Tokyo.

But this time, "with public discontent with the LDP rising, the tide is in favour of Ishiba and his 'fair and square' attitude," Uchiyama told AFP. 
Economic Security Minister Takaichi, 63, is "the most conservative of the top three" and "not the candidate that feminists would want", Hall said.

She is opposed to changing the law to allow separate surnames for married couples, and regularly visits Tokyo's Yasukuni war shrine&nbsp;<meta charset="utf-8" />–a flashpoint in relations with South Korea and China.

However, Naofumi Fujimura, a professor at the Graduate School of Law at Kobe University, said that while for now she needs the support of the LDP's right-wingers, she could perhaps be "more centrist, or more pragmatic" as prime minister.

<h2>- Koizumi offers 'rejuvenation' -</h2>

Photogenic former environment minister Koizumi would be Japan's youngest ever prime minister, but critics&nbsp;<meta charset="utf-8" />–&nbsp;including his own father, former premier Junichiro Koizumi <meta charset="utf-8" />–&nbsp;say he is too inexperienced to lead the country.

Keen surfer Koizumi "best personifies the idea of rejuvenation and change for the LDP" among the frontrunners, but LDP voters could think he "lacks stability", Uchiyama said.

The other six candidates include reformist Taro Kono, 61, and Toshimitsu Motegi, dubbed the "Trump whisperer" for his handling of the former US president in tough trade talks.

Also running are chief cabinet secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi and Takayuki Kobayashi, the only other candidate under 50 <meta charset="utf-8" />–&nbsp;seen as a wild card by some experts

Whoever emerges victorious on Friday will be formally elected by parliament on October 1.

<meta charset="utf-8" />

The LDP has governed Japan almost uninterrupted for decades, with the main opposition parties rarely seen as viable alternatives.

During his term, Kishida has taken steps to double Japan's defence spending, opening the door for military exports as the LDP seeks to revise Japan's pacifist post-war constitution.

He welcomed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to a G7 summit in Hiroshima, and has strengthened Japan's often testy ties with its neighbour South Korea.

But his rule was also tarnished by scandals, voter anger over rising prices and sliding poll ratings.

Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Japan could get its first woman or youngest-ever prime minister on Friday when the ruling party holds a leadership vote described as the most "unpredictable" in many years.

Japan could get its first woman or youngest-ever prime minister on Friday when the ruling party holds a leadership vote described as the most "unpredictable" in many years. A record nine candidates are in the running after the long-powerful factions of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) disbanded earlier this year over a funding scandal. Because the conservative LDP holds a parliamentary majority, the winner is certain to become prime minister, and will likely call a snap election to shore up their mandate. Three frontrunners have emerged in polling: former defence minister Shigeru Ishiba, 43-year-old Shinjiro Koizumi – the son of a popular ex-premier – and nationalist hardliner Sanae Takaichi, who would be the first woman in the job. Whoever wins must face down regional security threats, from an increasingly assertive China and its deepening defence ties with Russia to North Korea's banned missile tests. At home, the leader will be tasked with breathing life into the economy, as the central bank moves away from decades of monetary easing that has slashed the value of the yen. In debates and campaigning, many candidates "have claimed that 'I'm the one who can handle Trump' or 'I'm the one who can stand up to China'", Jeffrey J Hall, a lecturer at Kanda University of International Studies, told AFP. But there are significant differences in their approach to such issues, and although some of the nine have "no hope whatsoever", the race remains "a toss-up". "This is the most unpredictable that an LDP election has been in many years," Hall said. - 'Fair and square' Ishiba - LDP presidents are in office for three years and can serve up to three straight terms. Unpopular Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is not running for re-election. With the factions dissolved, it's unlikely that any one candidate will win enough votes – split between lawmakers and rank-and-file party members – to win outright. That makes a run-off between two top candidates the most likely scenario, with the winner announced Friday afternoon. Ishiba, 67, has come close to the top job before, including in 2012 when he lost to arch-rival Shinzo Abe, Japan's longest serving leader who was later assassinated. The military model-maker with an affinity for 1970s pop idols once alienated party veterans with his "outspoken criticism of LDP policies under Abe", said Yu Uchiyama, a political science professor at the University of Tokyo. But this time, "with public discontent with the LDP rising, the tide is in favour of Ishiba and his 'fair and square' attitude," Uchiyama told AFP. Economic Security Minister Takaichi, 63, is "the most conservative of the top three" and "not the candidate that feminists would want", Hall said. She is opposed to changing the law to allow separate surnames for married couples, and regularly visits Tokyo's Yasukuni war shrine –a flashpoint in relations with South Korea and China. However, Naofumi Fujimura, a professor at the Graduate School of Law at Kobe University, said that while for now she needs the support of the LDP's right-wingers, she could perhaps be "more centrist, or more pragmatic" as prime minister. - Koizumi offers 'rejuvenation' - Photogenic former environment minister Koizumi would be Japan's youngest ever prime minister, but critics – including his own father, former premier Junichiro Koizumi – say he is too inexperienced to lead the country. Keen surfer Koizumi "best personifies the idea of rejuvenation and change for the LDP" among the frontrunners, but LDP voters could think he "lacks stability", Uchiyama said. The other six candidates include reformist Taro Kono, 61, and Toshimitsu Motegi, dubbed the "Trump whisperer" for his handling of the former US president in tough trade talks. Also running are chief cabinet secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi and Takayuki Kobayashi, the only other candidate under 50 – seen as a wild card by some experts Whoever emerges victorious on Friday will be formally elected by parliament on October 1. The LDP has governed Japan almost uninterrupted for decades, with the main opposition parties rarely seen as viable alternatives. During his term, Kishida has taken steps to double Japan's defence spending, opening the door for military exports as the LDP seeks to revise Japan's pacifist post-war constitution. He welcomed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to a G7 summit in Hiroshima, and has strengthened Japan's often testy ties with its neighbour South Korea. But his rule was also tarnished by scandals, voter anger over rising prices and sliding poll ratings. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Japan could get its first female Prime Minister on Friday after ‘toss-up’ vote

India stomped ahead of Japan and emerged as the third-largest power in the Asia Power Index, stated the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting in an official statement on Wednesday (September 25).

The ministry emphasised that this success was driven by the country's dynamic growth, its expanding economy, youthful population and solidification of its position as the region's leading force.

The shift in ranking also reflects the increasing geopolitical stature of the country.

"In a major shift, India surpassed Japan to become the third-largest power in the Asia Power Index, reflecting its increasing geopolitical stature," the ministry announced.

<h2>India's rise gets marked on API&nbsp;</h2>

Australia’s Lowy Institute think tank publishes the annual Asia Power Index, which measures resources and influence for assessing the countries' relative power in Asia.&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/indian-economy-to-grow-at-71-in-fy25-moodys-analytics-761683">Indian economy to grow at 7.1% in FY25: Moody’s Analytics</a>

The report takes into consideration 27 countries across the Asia-Pacific, from Pakistan to Russia to as far as the Pacific, New Zealand, Australia and the United States.

“India is rising, although a tad bit slowly. India has overtaken Japan to become the third-ranked power in Asia, but its clout remains below the potential promised by its resources,” stated the survey report.

“The Asia Power Index shows that New Delhi still has limited ability to project power and influence east of the Malacca Strait. However, the fact that its influence remains well below the level promised by its resources suggests it still has ample potential for further growth as a major power,” it added.

<h2>Ministry emphasises on India's growing influence&nbsp;</h2>

The ministry stated that India's gradual rise and growing influence in the region has been clearly reflected in the 2024 Asia Power Index.

"India has shown remarkable post-pandemic economic recovery, contributing to a 4.2-point rise in its Economic Capability. India's massive population and strong GDP growth reinforce its standing as the world's third-largest economy in PPP terms," the ministry stated.

Watch:&nbsp;Why Is India Not Taking A Tougher Stand On Crimes Against Bangladeshi Hindus?

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/why-is-india-not-taking-a-tougher-stand-on-crimes-against-bangladeshi-hindus-761655/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Meanwhile, commenting on the report, Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas and BJP leader Hardeep Singh Puri said that this is the reflection of the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"India's rise is no accident. This is the direct result of Prime Minister Modi's aggressive diplomatic strategy and his bold ambitions to reshape India's place in the world. Without his leadership, India would still be languishing behind, but today, we see a nation on the verge of superpower status," Puri said, as per a press release on NaMo app.

(With input from agencies)

India stomped ahead of Japan and emerged as the third-largest power in the Asia Power Index, stated the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting in an official statement on Wednesday (September 25).

India stomped ahead of Japan and emerged as the third-largest power in the Asia Power Index, stated the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting in an official statement on Wednesday (September 25). The ministry emphasised that this success was driven by the country's dynamic growth, its expanding economy, youthful population and solidification of its position as the region's leading force. The shift in ranking also reflects the increasing geopolitical stature of the country. "In a major shift, India surpassed Japan to become the third-largest power in the Asia Power Index, reflecting its increasing geopolitical stature," the ministry announced. India's rise gets marked on API Australia’s Lowy Institute think tank publishes the annual Asia Power Index, which measures resources and influence for assessing the countries' relative power in Asia. Also Read: Indian economy to grow at 7.1% in FY25: Moody’s Analytics The report takes into consideration 27 countries across the Asia-Pacific, from Pakistan to Russia to as far as the Pacific, New Zealand, Australia and the United States. “India is rising, although a tad bit slowly. India has overtaken Japan to become the third-ranked power in Asia, but its clout remains below the potential promised by its resources,” stated the survey report. “The Asia Power Index shows that New Delhi still has limited ability to project power and influence east of the Malacca Strait. However, the fact that its influence remains well below the level promised by its resources suggests it still has ample potential for further growth as a major power,” it added. Ministry emphasises on India's growing influence The ministry stated that India's gradual rise and growing influence in the region has been clearly reflected in the 2024 Asia Power Index. "India has shown remarkable post-pandemic economic recovery, contributing to a 4.2-point rise in its Economic Capability. India's massive population and strong GDP growth reinforce its standing as the world's third-largest economy in PPP terms," the ministry stated. Watch: Why Is India Not Taking A Tougher Stand On Crimes Against Bangladeshi Hindus? Meanwhile, commenting on the report, Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas and BJP leader Hardeep Singh Puri said that this is the reflection of the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "India's rise is no accident. This is the direct result of Prime Minister Modi's aggressive diplomatic strategy and his bold ambitions to reshape India's place in the world. Without his leadership, India would still be languishing behind, but today, we see a nation on the verge of superpower status," Puri said, as per a press release on NaMo app. (With input from agencies)

India rises in Asia Power Index, clinches third spot after surpassing Japan

Japan's Defense Ministry said Monday that a Russian military aircraft violated the country's airspace three times, prompting an Air Self-Defense Force fighter jet to fire a signal flare for the first time.

Russian Military Plane Violates Japan Airspace

Officials in Japan's Izu Island issued a tsunami warning after an earthquake of 5.6 magnitude struck near the remote Islands. Watch to know more.

Japan: Tsunami Warning Issued After 5.6 Magnitude Earthquake

Japan: Tsunami hits Izu Islands after earthquake

Japan: Earthquake Sparks Tsunami Warning

Japan has launched a very serious protest against Moscow after a Russian airplane violated Japan's airspace three times according to the Japanese defense minister this is the first confirmed incursion since 2019. Watch in for more details!

Japan Warns Russia Over Violating Airspace

Unprecedented rainfall has triggered floods and landslides in Central Japan. Which is still reeling from the after effects of a massive earthquake in January this year. Watch to know more.

Heavy Rains Triggered Floods in Central Japan

Floods and landslides killed one person and left at least 11 missing in central Japan, with recovery teams at work on Sunday in a remote peninsula already devastated by a major earthquake this year.

"Unprecedented" heavy rains that lashed the area from Saturday began to subside, leaving muddy scenes of destruction as the national weather agency urged people to stay vigilant for loose ground and other dangers.

In the city of Wajima, splintered branches and a huge uprooted tree piled up at a bridge over a river whose raging brown waters almost reached ground level.

People were seen wading into the mud to try to dig out half-buried cars, while elsewhere flood waters inundated emergency housing built for those who had lost their homes in the New Year's Day earthquake that killed at least 318 people.

Akemi Yamashita, a 54-year-old resident, told AFP she had been driving on Saturday when "within only 30 minutes or so, water gushed into the street and quickly rose to half the height of my car".

"I was talking to other residents of Wajima yesterday, and they said, 'it's so heart-breaking to live in this city'. I got teary when I heard that," she said, describing the earthquake and floods as "like something from a movie".

Eight temporary housing complexes were affected in Wajima and Suzu, two of the cities on the Noto Peninsula ravaged by the magnitude-7.5 quake, which toppled buildings, triggered tsunami waves and sparked a major fire.

More than 540 millimetres (21 inches) of rainfall was recorded in Wajima in the 72 hours to Sunday morning -- the heaviest continuous rain since comparative data became available in 1976.

Landslides blocked roads, complicating rescue efforts, and tens of thousands of people in the wider region were urged to evacuate.

Muddy rivers ran high in Anamizu, south of Wajima, where more rain fell on Sunday morning onto quake-damaged houses and the shattered stone columns of a shrine still lying on the ground months after they were toppled.

A message blared from the city's loudspeaker disaster prevention system warning residents that the rain could flood the sewer system and dirty water could rise up.

Hideaki Sato, 74, stood on a bridge holding a blue umbrella, anxiously looking at the swollen water in a small canal.

"My house was flattened completely in the quake," he told AFP.

"I now live in a small apartment room right there," he said, pointing at a wooden structure behind him. "If this floods, it would be a real problem."

<h2>'Secure your safety'&nbsp;</h2>

Military personnel have been sent to the Ishikawa region on the Sea of Japan coast to join rescue workers, top government spokesman Yoshimasa Hayashi said on Saturday.

Some 5,000 households were without power and at least 1,700 households were without running water, the Ishikawa regional government said.

The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) downgraded its top warning to the second-highest alert on Sunday.

The areas under the emergency warning saw "heavy rain of unprecedented levels", JMA forecaster Satoshi Sugimoto said Saturday, adding "it is a situation in which you have to secure your safety immediately".

Scientists say human-driven climate change is intensifying the risk posed by heavy rains because a warmer atmosphere holds more water.

One person had been killed, eight were missing or unaccounted for, and one was seriously injured in Ishikawa by Sunday afternoon, the regional government said.

At least a dozen rivers burst their banks and two of the missing were reportedly carried away by strong currents.

Another three people were missing who had been working for the land ministry to restore a road in Wajima, local ministry official Yoshiyuki Tokuhashi told AFP.

Municipalities in Ishikawa told 110,000 residents in the region -- including in the cities of Wajima and Suzu, as well as Noto town -- to evacuate, officials said.

Another 17,300 residents were also told to evacuate in Niigata and Yamagata prefectures, north of Ishikawa, the fire and disaster management agency said.

This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits for grammar and punctuation. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION&nbsp;audience.

Floods and landslides killed one person and left at least 11 missing in central Japan, with recovery teams at work on Sunday in a remote peninsula already devastated by a major earthquake this year.

Floods and landslides killed one person and left at least 11 missing in central Japan, with recovery teams at work on Sunday in a remote peninsula already devastated by a major earthquake this year. "Unprecedented" heavy rains that lashed the area from Saturday began to subside, leaving muddy scenes of destruction as the national weather agency urged people to stay vigilant for loose ground and other dangers. In the city of Wajima, splintered branches and a huge uprooted tree piled up at a bridge over a river whose raging brown waters almost reached ground level. People were seen wading into the mud to try to dig out half-buried cars, while elsewhere flood waters inundated emergency housing built for those who had lost their homes in the New Year's Day earthquake that killed at least 318 people. Akemi Yamashita, a 54-year-old resident, told AFP she had been driving on Saturday when "within only 30 minutes or so, water gushed into the street and quickly rose to half the height of my car". "I was talking to other residents of Wajima yesterday, and they said, 'it's so heart-breaking to live in this city'. I got teary when I heard that," she said, describing the earthquake and floods as "like something from a movie". Eight temporary housing complexes were affected in Wajima and Suzu, two of the cities on the Noto Peninsula ravaged by the magnitude-7.5 quake, which toppled buildings, triggered tsunami waves and sparked a major fire. More than 540 millimetres (21 inches) of rainfall was recorded in Wajima in the 72 hours to Sunday morning -- the heaviest continuous rain since comparative data became available in 1976. Landslides blocked roads, complicating rescue efforts, and tens of thousands of people in the wider region were urged to evacuate. Muddy rivers ran high in Anamizu, south of Wajima, where more rain fell on Sunday morning onto quake-damaged houses and the shattered stone columns of a shrine still lying on the ground months after they were toppled. A message blared from the city's loudspeaker disaster prevention system warning residents that the rain could flood the sewer system and dirty water could rise up. Hideaki Sato, 74, stood on a bridge holding a blue umbrella, anxiously looking at the swollen water in a small canal. "My house was flattened completely in the quake," he told AFP. "I now live in a small apartment room right there," he said, pointing at a wooden structure behind him. "If this floods, it would be a real problem." 'Secure your safety' Military personnel have been sent to the Ishikawa region on the Sea of Japan coast to join rescue workers, top government spokesman Yoshimasa Hayashi said on Saturday. Some 5,000 households were without power and at least 1,700 households were without running water, the Ishikawa regional government said. The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) downgraded its top warning to the second-highest alert on Sunday. The areas under the emergency warning saw "heavy rain of unprecedented levels", JMA forecaster Satoshi Sugimoto said Saturday, adding "it is a situation in which you have to secure your safety immediately". Scientists say human-driven climate change is intensifying the risk posed by heavy rains because a warmer atmosphere holds more water. One person had been killed, eight were missing or unaccounted for, and one was seriously injured in Ishikawa by Sunday afternoon, the regional government said. At least a dozen rivers burst their banks and two of the missing were reportedly carried away by strong currents. Another three people were missing who had been working for the land ministry to restore a road in Wajima, local ministry official Yoshiyuki Tokuhashi told AFP. Municipalities in Ishikawa told 110,000 residents in the region -- including in the cities of Wajima and Suzu, as well as Noto town -- to evacuate, officials said. Another 17,300 residents were also told to evacuate in Niigata and Yamagata prefectures, north of Ishikawa, the fire and disaster management agency said. This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits for grammar and punctuation. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Central Japan hit by massive rains, floods; several casualties feared

Some Japanese companies in China have offered to send their staff and their families back home after a 10-year-old Japanese boy was fatally stabbed in the Chinese city of Shenzhen, a Japanese executive and employees of Japanese firms in Beijing said on Friday. Wednesday's stabbing was the second such attack near Japanese schools in China in recent months, and took place on the anniversary of an incident in 1931 that triggered war between China and Japan.

Japanese boy's killing in China's Shenzen sparks fears among Japanese expats

China said Friday (Sep 20) that it would "gradually resume" importing seafood from Japan after imposing a blanket ban last year over the release of water from the disabled Fukushima nuclear plant.

China said Friday (Sep 20) that it would "gradually resume" importing seafood from Japan after imposing a blanket ban last year over the release of water from the disabled Fukushima nuclear plant. In August 2023, Japan began discharging treated water from Fukushima into the Pacific Ocean in an operation it insists is safe, a view backed by the UN atomic agency. The release, however, generated a fierce backlash from China, which branded it "selfish" and banned all Japanese seafood imports. Beijing and Tokyo said Friday they had come to a consensus over the wastewater release that would allow China to phase the imports back in. "China will begin to adjust the relevant measures based on scientific evidence and gradually resume imports of Japanese aquatic products that meet the regulation requirements and standards," Beijing's foreign ministry said in a statement. The ministry said officials from both sides recently conducted "multiple rounds of consultations" on the discharge from Fukushima. It said Japan had committed to "fulfilling its obligations under international law, doing its utmost to avoid leaving (a) negative impact on human health and the environment, and conducting continuous evaluations of the impact on the marine environment and marine ecosystems". Around the same time as Friday's announcement, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said Tokyo had informed Beijing of "its readiness to carry out additional monitoring of the... treated water, while the Chinese side has decided to... steadily restore imports of Japanese fishery products that meet certain standards". The IAEA said in a statement that it would "coordinate with Japan and other stakeholders, including China, to ensure that the additional measures are implemented appropriately... to ensure that water discharge levels are, and will continue to be, in strict compliance and consistent with international safety standards". In 2011, three reactors at the Fukushima-Daiichi facility in northeastern Japan went into meltdown following a massive earthquake and tsunami that killed around 18,000 people. Since then, plant operator TEPCO has collected water contaminated as it cooled the wrecked reactors, along with groundwater and rain that has seeped in. After China banned Japanese seafood imports over the wastewater release, Russia did the same in October as a "precautionary measure". Russian news agency TASS on Wednesday (Sep 18) cited a top sanitary official as saying Moscow would maintain the embargo. Watch | Tokyo Electric Power Company Suspends Operations At Fukushima Plant × Positions unchanged Both China and Japan on Friday were keen to stress that there were limits to the consensus. A spokesperson for Beijing's foreign ministry said China still "resolutely opposes the Japanese side's arbitrary discharge into the sea". "This position has not changed," Mao Ning said at a regular press conference in the capital. "The fact China and Japan have reached this consensus does not mean that the Chinese side will immediately resume imports of Japanese aquatic products in their entirety," she added. Kishida, for his part, said Tokyo also remained resolute. "Japan's position remains unchanged that the regulations should be scrapped immediately, and we will use this announcement to pave the way for the abolition of the regulations," he said. The head of Japan's national association of fisheries groups said Friday that it took the announcement as "only the first step" towards a full resumption of imports. "The Japanese government should remain fully aware of the plight of fishermen across the country who are affected by the total import suspension measures and continue to make every effort to lift the suspension as soon as possible," Masanobu Sakamoto said. Bilateral tensions Beijing and Tokyo are major trade partners, and China imported more than $500 million worth of seafood from Japan in 2022, according to customs data. But the two countries are also perennial rivals in East Asia whose ties are freighted with the baggage of Japan's imperial past and China's more recent rise to superpower status. The wastewater release has been a flashpoint recently, alongside squabbles over trade, territorial disputes and espionage allegations. Also read | Fukushima disaster: Japan says experts met in China to dispel concerns over radioactive water When a Chinese aircraft carrier this month sailed between two Japanese islands near Taiwan for the first time, Tokyo called the passage "totally unacceptable from the perspective of the security environment of Japan and the region". A Japanese boy was also stabbed to death in the southern Chinese city of Shenzhen this week, an attack that Beijing called an "individual case" but which prompted Kishida to demand an explanation. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Fukushima disaster: China to resume seafood imports from Japan, a year after imposing blanket ban

A Chinese ship ventured into Japanese water on Wednesday and this is the second time that China has breached Japan's territory. Watch to know more.

Second Chinese incursion in Japan in a month

Japan Prime Minister Fumio Kishida demanded an explanation from China after a man stabbed a schoolboy in the second knife attack on Japanese children in China in the past months.

The 10-year-old boy was stabbed by a man, while he was on his way to class on Wednesday, about 200 metres (650 feet) from the gates of the Japanese school in the southern city of Shenzhen, according to China’s foreign ministry.

The child's father is Japanese and his mother is Chinese, however, the 10-year-old is a Japanese national, the ministry stated.&nbsp;

The child was taken to a hospital but he later died of injuries, the authorities said on Thursday.&nbsp;

Japan’s foreign minister, Yoko Kamikawa, described the incident as “despicable”. She said Japan’s government had demanded that Chinese authorities “make every possible effort” to ensure the safety of Japanese nationals in China and release a detailed explanation of the stabbing.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/10-year-old-boy-enrolled-at-japanese-school-in-china-dead-after-stabbing-suspect-arrested-759986">Also read:&nbsp;10-year-old boy enrolled at Japanese school in China dead after stabbing, suspect arrested</a>

A 44-year-old suspect was apprehended at the scene and has been taken into custody, Shenzhen police said in a statement.&nbsp;

Following the deadly incident, the Japanese embassy has warned its nationals living in China to be vigilant and take precautions.

Japan’s vice foreign minister, Masataka Okano, summoned China’s ambassador to Tokyo, Wu Jianghao, to raise “serious concerns” over the attack.

Watch |&nbsp;&nbsp;Second Chinese incursion in Japan in a month

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Okano “strongly urged that security be strengthened, including around Japanese schools throughout China”, Japan’s foreign ministry said.

A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson, Lin Jian, said the case is under investigation and Beijing would "continue to take effective measures to protect the safety of all foreigners” in the country.

(With inputs from agencies)

Japan Prime Minister Fumio Kishida demanded an explanation from China after a man stabbed a schoolboy in the second knife attack on Japanese children in China in the past months.

Japan Prime Minister Fumio Kishida demanded an explanation from China after a man stabbed a schoolboy in the second knife attack on Japanese children in China in the past months. The 10-year-old boy was stabbed by a man, while he was on his way to class on Wednesday, about 200 metres (650 feet) from the gates of the Japanese school in the southern city of Shenzhen, according to China’s foreign ministry. The child's father is Japanese and his mother is Chinese, however, the 10-year-old is a Japanese national, the ministry stated. The child was taken to a hospital but he later died of injuries, the authorities said on Thursday. Japan’s foreign minister, Yoko Kamikawa, described the incident as “despicable”. She said Japan’s government had demanded that Chinese authorities “make every possible effort” to ensure the safety of Japanese nationals in China and release a detailed explanation of the stabbing. Also read: 10-year-old boy enrolled at Japanese school in China dead after stabbing, suspect arrested A 44-year-old suspect was apprehended at the scene and has been taken into custody, Shenzhen police said in a statement. Following the deadly incident, the Japanese embassy has warned its nationals living in China to be vigilant and take precautions. Japan’s vice foreign minister, Masataka Okano, summoned China’s ambassador to Tokyo, Wu Jianghao, to raise “serious concerns” over the attack. Watch | Second Chinese incursion in Japan in a month × Okano “strongly urged that security be strengthened, including around Japanese schools throughout China”, Japan’s foreign ministry said. A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson, Lin Jian, said the case is under investigation and Beijing would "continue to take effective measures to protect the safety of all foreigners” in the country. (With inputs from agencies)

Japan PM demands explanation from Beijing over boy’s stabbing at Japanese school in China

As Japan recently celebrated “Respect for the Aged Day,” new government data has cast a spotlight on a pressing national issue: the aging population. With the number of citizens aged 65 and over reaching a staggering 36.25 million, constituting 29.3 per cent of the overall population, the country faces an increasingly acute labor shortage as detailed in a CNBC report.

Record numbers highlight a growing concern<o:p></o:p>

The Statistics Bureau of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications revealed that Japan's elderly demographic has grown to the highest proportion globally. This shift poses significant challenges as the country grapples with a declining overall population.

Robert Feldman, a senior advisor at Morgan Stanley MUFG Securities, emphasised the implications of these trends, stating “The labor shortage is just as bad as ever,” particularly in labor-intensive sectors such as food service. 

Moreover, 2023 marked a notable increase in workers aged 65 and over, with the figure reaching 9.14 million. Feldman cautioned that as these seasoned workers retire, the influx of younger employees is insufficient to fill the gap, a situation worsened by a recent Teikoku Databank survey indicating that 51 per cent of companies report a full-time employee shortage.

Future projections for the Japanese economy<o:p></o:p>

Looking ahead, Japan's demographic situation is expected to worsen. Projections from the National Institute of Population and Social Security Research suggest that by 2040, elderly individuals will make up 34.8 per cent of the population. Feldman noted that based on historical trends, the total labor force could decline from approximately 69.3 million in 2023 to just 49.1 million by 2050.

In response to these trends, the Japanese government has implemented various measures aimed at combating low birth rates. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s administration has initiated policies to provide financial support for child-rearing and increase the availability of childcare facilities. Furthermore, local governments are promoting initiatives like public dating apps to encourage marriage and family formation among younger generations.

Migration and technological solutions<o:p></o:p>

While boosting birth rates may eventually help, it will not resolve the immediate labor shortages. Consequently, Japan has begun to open its doors to foreign workers, reaching a record of 2 million foreign nationals in 2024, with plans to increase this number by 800,000 over the next five years. 

However, Feldman argues that even with increased immigration, Japan will need to significantly enhance the productivity of its remaining workforce to fight with the expected demographic declines. “A large portion of that drop in the domestic labor force has to be made up by better productivity of those young people who will remain,” he explained.

The integration of advanced technologies, such as artificial intelligence and automation, will be crucial in this endeavor. Despite the promise of artificial intelligence (AI) as a solution to Japan’s labor issues, experts like Carlos Casanova, senior economist for Asia at UBP, caution that technology alone cannot address the fundamental demographic challenges. “AI can be part of the solution, but there are other things that they have to do,” he remarked, suggesting a comprehensive approach that also includes increasing female workforce participation.

As Japan recently celebrated “Respect for the Aged Day,” new government data has cast a spotlight on a pressing national issue: the aging population. With the number of citizens aged 65 and over reaching a staggering 36.

As Japan recently celebrated “Respect for the Aged Day,” new government data has cast a spotlight on a pressing national issue: the aging population. With the number of citizens aged 65 and over reaching a staggering 36.25 million, constituting 29.3 per cent of the overall population, the country faces an increasingly acute labor shortage as detailed in a CNBC report. Record numbers highlight a growing concern The Statistics Bureau of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications revealed that Japan's elderly demographic has grown to the highest proportion globally. This shift poses significant challenges as the country grapples with a declining overall population. Robert Feldman, a senior advisor at Morgan Stanley MUFG Securities, emphasised the implications of these trends, stating “The labor shortage is just as bad as ever,” particularly in labor-intensive sectors such as food service. Moreover, 2023 marked a notable increase in workers aged 65 and over, with the figure reaching 9.14 million. Feldman cautioned that as these seasoned workers retire, the influx of younger employees is insufficient to fill the gap, a situation worsened by a recent Teikoku Databank survey indicating that 51 per cent of companies report a full-time employee shortage. Future projections for the Japanese economy Looking ahead, Japan's demographic situation is expected to worsen. Projections from the National Institute of Population and Social Security Research suggest that by 2040, elderly individuals will make up 34.8 per cent of the population. Feldman noted that based on historical trends, the total labor force could decline from approximately 69.3 million in 2023 to just 49.1 million by 2050. In response to these trends, the Japanese government has implemented various measures aimed at combating low birth rates. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s administration has initiated policies to provide financial support for child-rearing and increase the availability of childcare facilities. Furthermore, local governments are promoting initiatives like public dating apps to encourage marriage and family formation among younger generations. Migration and technological solutions While boosting birth rates may eventually help, it will not resolve the immediate labor shortages. Consequently, Japan has begun to open its doors to foreign workers, reaching a record of 2 million foreign nationals in 2024, with plans to increase this number by 800,000 over the next five years. However, Feldman argues that even with increased immigration, Japan will need to significantly enhance the productivity of its remaining workforce to fight with the expected demographic declines. “A large portion of that drop in the domestic labor force has to be made up by better productivity of those young people who will remain,” he explained. The integration of advanced technologies, such as artificial intelligence and automation, will be crucial in this endeavor. Despite the promise of artificial intelligence (AI) as a solution to Japan’s labor issues, experts like Carlos Casanova, senior economist for Asia at UBP, caution that technology alone cannot address the fundamental demographic challenges. “AI can be part of the solution, but there are other things that they have to do,” he remarked, suggesting a comprehensive approach that also includes increasing female workforce participation.

Japan confronts labor shortages as elderly population reaches record high

Japan's new prime minister will be formally elected by parliament on October 1 following next week's leadership contest, a ruling party official said Wednesday.

Polls indicate that three frontrunners are emerging among the nine candidates to succeed Fumio Kishida as head of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) in the September 27 internal vote.

They are conservative economic security minister Sanae Takaichi, 63, former LDP secretary general Shigeru Ishiba, 67, and Shinjiro Koizumi, 43, son of former premier Junichiro Koizumi.

The conservative LDP -- which has governed almost uninterrupted for decades -- holds a majority in parliament, meaning the winner of the party election is essentially guaranteed to become premier.

Yasukazu Hamada, a LDP lawmaker in charge of parliament affairs, told his opposition counterpart that the party "plans to convene a parliament session on October 1" to elect the new prime minister, a LDP official told AFP.

The opposition party accepted the date, which will be formally announced by the government on Monday, media reports said.

Kishida, 67, whose three-year term was tarnished by scandals, voter anger over rising prices and sliding poll ratings, announced last month that he was stepping down.

In the leadership election, each of the LDP's 367 parliament members cast a vote, and another&nbsp;367 votes will be determined based on the preferences of rank-and-file party members and supporters.

Polls by different Japanese media have put Takaichi, Ishiba and Koizumi in the lead, although this is no guarantee any of them will emerge as the eventual winner.

Koizumi would be Japan's youngest-ever premier while Takaichi, a vocal nationalist popular with the LDP's conservative wing, would be the country's first woman leader.

As a regular visitor to the Yasukuni shrine to Japan's war dead, which includes convicted war criminals -- her nomination would likely rile victims of Japan's wartime aggression such as China and South and North Korea.

Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION&nbsp;audience. 
&nbsp;

Japan's new prime minister will be formally elected by parliament on October 1 following next week's leadership contest, a ruling party official said Wednesday. Polls indicate that three frontrunners are emerging among the nine candidates to succeed Fumio Kishida as head of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) in the September 27 internal vote.

Japan's new prime minister will be formally elected by parliament on October 1 following next week's leadership contest, a ruling party official said Wednesday. Polls indicate that three frontrunners are emerging among the nine candidates to succeed Fumio Kishida as head of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) in the September 27 internal vote. They are conservative economic security minister Sanae Takaichi, 63, former LDP secretary general Shigeru Ishiba, 67, and Shinjiro Koizumi, 43, son of former premier Junichiro Koizumi. The conservative LDP -- which has governed almost uninterrupted for decades -- holds a majority in parliament, meaning the winner of the party election is essentially guaranteed to become premier. Yasukazu Hamada, a LDP lawmaker in charge of parliament affairs, told his opposition counterpart that the party "plans to convene a parliament session on October 1" to elect the new prime minister, a LDP official told AFP. The opposition party accepted the date, which will be formally announced by the government on Monday, media reports said. Kishida, 67, whose three-year term was tarnished by scandals, voter anger over rising prices and sliding poll ratings, announced last month that he was stepping down. In the leadership election, each of the LDP's 367 parliament members cast a vote, and another 367 votes will be determined based on the preferences of rank-and-file party members and supporters. Polls by different Japanese media have put Takaichi, Ishiba and Koizumi in the lead, although this is no guarantee any of them will emerge as the eventual winner. Koizumi would be Japan's youngest-ever premier while Takaichi, a vocal nationalist popular with the LDP's conservative wing, would be the country's first woman leader. As a regular visitor to the Yasukuni shrine to Japan's war dead, which includes convicted war criminals -- her nomination would likely rile victims of Japan's wartime aggression such as China and South and North Korea. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Japan to formally elect new prime minister on October 1

A Chinese aircraft carrier entered the contiguous zone just outside Japan's territorial waters for the first time Wednesday when it sailed between remote islands in southern Japan from the East China Sea.

Chinese aircraft carrier enters Japan waters

With just 10 days until Japan’s ruling party elects a new leader—and prime minister—the race remains too close to call. Frontrunners include Shigeru Ishiba, a security expert, Shinjiro Koizumi, the youthful son of a former prime minister, and Sanae Takaichi, an ultra-conservative minister recently favored in a new poll. Explore the key candidates and what this election could mean for Japan's future.

Japan elections: Ruling party to elect Kishida's successor on September 27

The Operators of Japan's Fukushima nuclear power plant has suspended operations to remove a sample of highly radioactive material after encountering a new technical problem. Watch in for more details!

Japan: Tokyo Electric Power Company Suspends Operations At Fukushima Plant

Japan has only 13 female Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) across approximately 1,600 top-listed companies in the country, a survey by Tokyo-based Kyodo News revealed.&nbsp;

The survey highlights that the Asian country is still struggling to increase diversity among its corporate decision-makers.

According to the survey, women lead just 0.8 per cent of the 1643 firms listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange's top-tier prime market. The data is based on investigations of fiscal 2023 financial statements released by the end of August.&nbsp;

The declining number also underlines the uphill struggle Japan's government faces in reaching its target of having women in at least 30 per cent of executive roles by the end of the decade.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/japan-offers-women-4200-to-marry-rural-men-quickly-suspends-plan-758083">Also read:&nbsp;Japan offers women $4,200 to marry rural men, quickly suspends plan</a>

Ryusuke Ishii, a manager at the Japan Research Institute, said that the lack of progress in appointing female CEOs is due partly to the hiring of top officers from outside businesses rather than promoting internally.&nbsp;

Even after former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe told the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) that he would "create a society in which all women shine", the country continues to be low in international gender comparisons of politics and business.&nbsp;

The research further highlighted that the number of female board members exceeded 3,000, doubling from fiscal 2019. It underscores that Japanese companies have been progressing in promoting women to top roles.&nbsp;

Watch |&nbsp;Japan: Tokyo Electric Power Company Suspends Operations At Fukushima Plant

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Apart from the 29 firms that have been listed at the market's top tier for less than five years, the number of female CEOs at 1,614 Prime Market companies remained at between seven and nine for three years through fiscal 2022.&nbsp;

To further increase the number of female executives in the sector, the Japanese government has asked top-listed firms to raise the proportion of female executives to 30 per cent or more by 2030.&nbsp;

Last year, the figure increased to 16.2 per cent or 3,052 women, up from 1,502 in fiscal 2019.

(With inputs from agencies)

Japan has only 13 female Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) across approximately 1,600 top-listed companies in the country, a survey by Tokyo-based Kyodo News revealed.

Japan has only 13 female Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) across approximately 1,600 top-listed companies in the country, a survey by Tokyo-based Kyodo News revealed. The survey highlights that the Asian country is still struggling to increase diversity among its corporate decision-makers. According to the survey, women lead just 0.8 per cent of the 1643 firms listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange's top-tier prime market. The data is based on investigations of fiscal 2023 financial statements released by the end of August. The declining number also underlines the uphill struggle Japan's government faces in reaching its target of having women in at least 30 per cent of executive roles by the end of the decade. Also read: Japan offers women $4,200 to marry rural men, quickly suspends plan Ryusuke Ishii, a manager at the Japan Research Institute, said that the lack of progress in appointing female CEOs is due partly to the hiring of top officers from outside businesses rather than promoting internally. Even after former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe told the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) that he would "create a society in which all women shine", the country continues to be low in international gender comparisons of politics and business. The research further highlighted that the number of female board members exceeded 3,000, doubling from fiscal 2019. It underscores that Japanese companies have been progressing in promoting women to top roles. Watch | Japan: Tokyo Electric Power Company Suspends Operations At Fukushima Plant × Apart from the 29 firms that have been listed at the market's top tier for less than five years, the number of female CEOs at 1,614 Prime Market companies remained at between seven and nine for three years through fiscal 2022. To further increase the number of female executives in the sector, the Japanese government has asked top-listed firms to raise the proportion of female executives to 30 per cent or more by 2030. Last year, the figure increased to 16.2 per cent or 3,052 women, up from 1,502 in fiscal 2019. (With inputs from agencies)

Only 13 female CEOs among top 1,600 companies in Japan, reveals survey

Lets' shift our focus on the battle between international and domestic automakers in Japan. While Japan’s leading car manufacturers are struggling in the Chinese market, Chinese automaker BYD is finding its own challenges in Japan.

BYD faces hurdles to sustain in Japan

Japan's Tight Leadership Race: Who Will Become the Next Prime Minister?

Japan celebrated on Monday the record-breaking Emmy Awards triumph of "Shogun", although many confessed not having watched the series about the country's warring dynasties in the feudal era.

"Shogun" smashed all-time records at the television awards in Los Angeles on Sunday, taking home an astounding 18 statuettes and becoming the first non-English-language winner of the highly coveted award for best drama series.

Lead Hiroyuki Sanada, who played Lord Toranaga, became the first Japanese actor to win an Emmy, while Anna Sawai as Lady Mariko achieved the same feat with the best actress award.

"As a Japanese, I'm happy Sanada won," Kiyoko Kanda, a 70-year-old pensioner, told AFP in Tokyo.

"He worked so hard since he moved to Los Angeles," she said.

"In 'Last Samurai', Tom Cruise was the lead, but it's exciting that Sanada is the main character in 'Shogun'," Kanda added.

But she admitted that she only watched the trailer.

The series is available only on the Disney platform, which is relatively new in Japan.

"I want to watch it. I'm curious to know how Japan is portrayed," Kanda said.

Otsuka, who declined to give her first name, said she, too, has not watched the show.&nbsp;

"But I saw the news and I'm happy he won."

The words "historic achievements" and "Hiroyuki Sanada" were trending on X in Japanese, while Sanada's speech at the awards racked up tens of thousands of views.

Yusuke Takizawa, 41, also only watched a trailer but he said he was amazed by the quality of the show.

"I was impressed by the high-spirited acting, the attention to detail and the film technology," Takizawa told AFP outside Osaka Castle, a major historical location for the series.

"I think many young people will want to try their hand in Hollywood after watching Sanada," he said.

Tourists at the castle also welcomed the record Emmy win.&nbsp;

"I think was the best TV show that I've seen this year," said Zara Ferjani, a visitor from London.&nbsp;

I thought it was amazing... The direction was beautiful, and I really enjoyed watching something that wasn't in English as well," the 33-year-old said.

She said she had planned to watch "Shogun" after returning home from Japan.

"But one of my friends strongly advised me to watch it beforehand, just to appreciate the culture more and definitely Osaka Castle more," she added

Japan celebrated on Monday the record-breaking Emmy Awards triumph of "Shogun", although many confessed not having watched the series about the country's warring dynasties in the feudal era.

Japan celebrated on Monday the record-breaking Emmy Awards triumph of "Shogun", although many confessed not having watched the series about the country's warring dynasties in the feudal era. "Shogun" smashed all-time records at the television awards in Los Angeles on Sunday, taking home an astounding 18 statuettes and becoming the first non-English-language winner of the highly coveted award for best drama series. Lead Hiroyuki Sanada, who played Lord Toranaga, became the first Japanese actor to win an Emmy, while Anna Sawai as Lady Mariko achieved the same feat with the best actress award. "As a Japanese, I'm happy Sanada won," Kiyoko Kanda, a 70-year-old pensioner, told AFP in Tokyo. "He worked so hard since he moved to Los Angeles," she said. "In 'Last Samurai', Tom Cruise was the lead, but it's exciting that Sanada is the main character in 'Shogun'," Kanda added. But she admitted that she only watched the trailer. The series is available only on the Disney platform, which is relatively new in Japan. "I want to watch it. I'm curious to know how Japan is portrayed," Kanda said. Otsuka, who declined to give her first name, said she, too, has not watched the show. "But I saw the news and I'm happy he won." The words "historic achievements" and "Hiroyuki Sanada" were trending on X in Japanese, while Sanada's speech at the awards racked up tens of thousands of views. Yusuke Takizawa, 41, also only watched a trailer but he said he was amazed by the quality of the show. "I was impressed by the high-spirited acting, the attention to detail and the film technology," Takizawa told AFP outside Osaka Castle, a major historical location for the series. "I think many young people will want to try their hand in Hollywood after watching Sanada," he said. Tourists at the castle also welcomed the record Emmy win. "I think was the best TV show that I've seen this year," said Zara Ferjani, a visitor from London. I thought it was amazing... The direction was beautiful, and I really enjoyed watching something that wasn't in English as well," the 33-year-old said. She said she had planned to watch "Shogun" after returning home from Japan. "But one of my friends strongly advised me to watch it beforehand, just to appreciate the culture more and definitely Osaka Castle more," she added

Sho-what? Japan celebrates Emmy sweep of little heard of web series Shogun 

Is it possible to predict earthquakes? Scientists are reportedly closer than ever to the answer. Scientists have collected seismic data from more than 1000 sites and it shows a connection between the strength of faults and the size of earthquakes. The data hints at the likelihood of forecasting how close an area is to facing a major seismic event.

Japan sits on the Pacific Ring of Fire and is highly earthquake-prone. It witnesses a whopping 100,000 minor tremors annually and is also at risk of being hit with a major one. Japanese scientists are trying to study the smaller tremors to understand the processes within the Earth’s crust that trigger a major earthquake.&nbsp;

Researchers from Kyushu University and the University of Tokyo, Japan, studied the seismic activity in great detail and have identified a link between fault strength and the magnitude of an earthquake.

The study has been published in Nature Communications. The researchers propose that the strength of the fault affects the b-value, and consequently the chances of a major earthquake.&nbsp;

Professor Satoshi Matsumoto, the first author of the study, explains, “The b-value is a very important constant in seismology that characterizes the relationship between earthquake frequency and size."

A lower b-value indicates that there is a higher chance of bigger earthquakes.

“If there is a low b-value, this means there is a higher proportion of large earthquakes, while a high b-value means there is a higher proportion of smaller earthquakes.”

The b-value differs from location to location and changes over time. It often decreases right before a major earthquake.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/mega-tsunami-triggered-by-falling-mountain-created-a-9-day-long-earthquake-758418">Mega tsunami triggered by falling mountain created a 9-day-long earthquake</a>

The latest study brings the strength of the fault into the picture and says that it also plays a role.

<h2>Studying the&nbsp;Western Tottori Earthquake</h2>

The study looked at the epicentre of the Western Tottori Earthquake of magnitude 7.3 which occurred in 2000. The region still witnesses seismic action and the researchers installed more than 1000 seismic stations to accurately make observations.&nbsp;

“Under certain stress conditions on each tectonic regime, there is a favourable direction of the fault plane to slip. When faults are in unfavourable directions, this suggests that these are weak faults that can slip more easily. On the other hand, strong faults require more stress to slip, and have a much more characteristic direction,” explains Matsumoto.

“Simply put, these weak faults will likely slip before a large amount of stress builds up, which means that they aren’t able to release a large amount of force,” says Matsumoto.

While the researchers admit that it might never be possible to predict an earthquake, the latest observations might help them move closer to the “holy grail” of forecasting major tremors.&nbsp;

"Data such as fault direction and fault strength, and calculating b-values, could help us estimate when a fault has reached a critical point,” Matsumoto said. “This information is vital to know in order to be prepared for major earthquakes.”

Is it possible to predict earthquakes? Scientists are reportedly closer than ever to the answer. Scientists have collected seismic data from more than 1000 sites and it shows a connection between the strength of faults and the size of earthquakes.

Is it possible to predict earthquakes? Scientists are reportedly closer than ever to the answer. Scientists have collected seismic data from more than 1000 sites and it shows a connection between the strength of faults and the size of earthquakes. The data hints at the likelihood of forecasting how close an area is to facing a major seismic event. Japan sits on the Pacific Ring of Fire and is highly earthquake-prone. It witnesses a whopping 100,000 minor tremors annually and is also at risk of being hit with a major one. Japanese scientists are trying to study the smaller tremors to understand the processes within the Earth’s crust that trigger a major earthquake. Researchers from Kyushu University and the University of Tokyo, Japan, studied the seismic activity in great detail and have identified a link between fault strength and the magnitude of an earthquake. The study has been published in Nature Communications. The researchers propose that the strength of the fault affects the b-value, and consequently the chances of a major earthquake. Professor Satoshi Matsumoto, the first author of the study, explains, “The b-value is a very important constant in seismology that characterizes the relationship between earthquake frequency and size." A lower b-value indicates that there is a higher chance of bigger earthquakes. “If there is a low b-value, this means there is a higher proportion of large earthquakes, while a high b-value means there is a higher proportion of smaller earthquakes.” The b-value differs from location to location and changes over time. It often decreases right before a major earthquake. Also Read: Mega tsunami triggered by falling mountain created a 9-day-long earthquake The latest study brings the strength of the fault into the picture and says that it also plays a role. Studying the Western Tottori Earthquake The study looked at the epicentre of the Western Tottori Earthquake of magnitude 7.3 which occurred in 2000. The region still witnesses seismic action and the researchers installed more than 1000 seismic stations to accurately make observations. “Under certain stress conditions on each tectonic regime, there is a favourable direction of the fault plane to slip. When faults are in unfavourable directions, this suggests that these are weak faults that can slip more easily. On the other hand, strong faults require more stress to slip, and have a much more characteristic direction,” explains Matsumoto. “Simply put, these weak faults will likely slip before a large amount of stress builds up, which means that they aren’t able to release a large amount of force,” says Matsumoto. While the researchers admit that it might never be possible to predict an earthquake, the latest observations might help them move closer to the “holy grail” of forecasting major tremors. "Data such as fault direction and fault strength, and calculating b-values, could help us estimate when a fault has reached a critical point,” Matsumoto said. “This information is vital to know in order to be prepared for major earthquakes.”

Big one or small one? Scientists learn more about predicting earthquakes

While Russia is engaged in an intense war with Ukraine, its warships have begun joint drills with Chinese navy vessels in the sea of Japan. These drills are part of a major Russian naval exercise that will continue till the 16th of September. Watch to know more.

'Ocean 2024' Drills: 400 Ships & Submarines in joint drills of Russia and China

US President Joe Biden will host the leaders of allies Australia, India, and Japan in his hometown of Wilmington, Delaware, on September 21 for talks focused on tensions with China, the White House said Thursday.

The summit comes as Biden eyes his foreign policy legacy in his final months as a one-term president, after dropping out of the 2024 US election and effectively handing the Democratic Party nomination to his vice president,&nbsp;Kamala Harris.

<h2>Biden to host foreign leaders&nbsp;</h2>

"This will be President Biden’s first time hosting foreign leaders in Wilmington as president -- a reflection of his deep personal relationships with each of the Quad Leaders, and the importance of the Quad to all of our countries," his spokeswoman, Karine Jean-Pierre, said in a statement.

Biden "looks forward" to welcoming Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio, she added.

The four-way Quad grouping dates back to 2007, but Biden has strongly pushed the alliance as part of an emphasis on international alliances to rein in adversaries -- especially China.

He hosted the first-ever Quad leaders' summit at the White House in 2021 and there have been annual summits since.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-enters-us-global-chip-alliance-to-boost-semiconductor-ecosystem-757714">Also read:&nbsp;India enters US global chip alliance to boost semiconductor ecosystem</a>

The White House statement did not explicitly mention China but said the leaders would focus on "advancing our shared vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific region."

The group has frequently used similar veiled language when discussing tensions with China, particularly a series of recent confrontations between Chinese and Philippine vessels in the disputed South China Sea.

<h2>India to host next Quad Summit</h2>

The next Quad Summit will be hosted by India, the White House said.

The choice of Wilmington is a deeply personal one for Biden, who has called the town home for decades and frequently spends weekends at his house on the outskirts.

The White House did not say what venue would be used for the summit.

Watch |&nbsp;Quad Summit | Jaishankar: We need to send a message that quad is here to stay

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Biden has made foreign policy a priority since stepping aside from the election in July, following a disastrous debate performance against Republican Donald Trump.

Harris has signaled she would continue Biden's foreign policy direction, which places emphasis on strengthening US alliances, including with NATO. She took a tough tone on China in her first televised debate with Trump on Tuesday.

She said the Republican had "sold us out" on China "when a policy about China should be in making sure the United States of America wins the competition for the 21st century."

Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION&nbsp;audience.

US President Joe Biden will host the leaders of allies Australia, India, and Japan in his hometown of Wilmington, Delaware, on September 21 for talks focused on tensions with China, the White House said Thursday.

US President Joe Biden will host the leaders of allies Australia, India, and Japan in his hometown of Wilmington, Delaware, on September 21 for talks focused on tensions with China, the White House said Thursday. The summit comes as Biden eyes his foreign policy legacy in his final months as a one-term president, after dropping out of the 2024 US election and effectively handing the Democratic Party nomination to his vice president, Kamala Harris. Biden to host foreign leaders "This will be President Biden’s first time hosting foreign leaders in Wilmington as president -- a reflection of his deep personal relationships with each of the Quad Leaders, and the importance of the Quad to all of our countries," his spokeswoman, Karine Jean-Pierre, said in a statement. Biden "looks forward" to welcoming Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio, she added. The four-way Quad grouping dates back to 2007, but Biden has strongly pushed the alliance as part of an emphasis on international alliances to rein in adversaries -- especially China. He hosted the first-ever Quad leaders' summit at the White House in 2021 and there have been annual summits since. Also read: India enters US global chip alliance to boost semiconductor ecosystem The White House statement did not explicitly mention China but said the leaders would focus on "advancing our shared vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific region." The group has frequently used similar veiled language when discussing tensions with China, particularly a series of recent confrontations between Chinese and Philippine vessels in the disputed South China Sea. India to host next Quad Summit The next Quad Summit will be hosted by India, the White House said. The choice of Wilmington is a deeply personal one for Biden, who has called the town home for decades and frequently spends weekends at his house on the outskirts. The White House did not say what venue would be used for the summit. Watch | Quad Summit | Jaishankar: We need to send a message that quad is here to stay × Biden has made foreign policy a priority since stepping aside from the election in July, following a disastrous debate performance against Republican Donald Trump. Harris has signaled she would continue Biden's foreign policy direction, which places emphasis on strengthening US alliances, including with NATO. She took a tough tone on China in her first televised debate with Trump on Tuesday. She said the Republican had "sold us out" on China "when a policy about China should be in making sure the United States of America wins the competition for the 21st century." Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

US President Joe Biden to host Quad leaders in his Delaware hometown

The Japanese government is offering women in the city 600,000 yen (US$4,200 or Rs 3,52,758) for marrying men living in rural areas, according to Asahi News. This is because of the imbalance in regional development which the government says is affecting the country's social progress.&nbsp;

According to Japan’s 2023 Population Migration Report, around 68,000 more people moved to Tokyo than out of it, with more than half of them being women.

However, the incentive plan has backfired as people in the country are not happy with it, SCMP reported.

The country is jostling with more people entering big cities, shrinking the workforce in rural areas. Women have been leaving rural areas in large numbers for want of better education, and more job opportunities in the city.&nbsp;

With fewer people left in these areas, several houses are lying empty and some schools and hospitals have also had to shut down. This has also led to a decline in the number of&nbsp;babies born in the region.&nbsp;

To balance the distribution of population and economic development across regions, the government started offering incentives of up to 600,000 yen to women who were willing to leave Tokyo and marry men in rural areas.

All single women living or working in the 23 municipalities of Tokyo could make use of the subsidy. Travel costs of all women going to rural areas in search of a match would also be covered by the government.

But with anger brewing over the proposal across the country, it has now been suspended.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/japanese-man-discovers-girlfriend-is-25-years-older-than-him-on-wedding-eve-says-i-dont-749422">On wedding eve, Japanese man discovers girlfriend is 25 years older than him, says 'I don’t...'</a>

“This is disheartening. These girls left backward rural areas and came to Tokyo desperate to live a better life. Now the government wants them to return," a person said on social media.

<h2>Population crisis in Japan</h2>

Notably, Japan is facing a population crisis and the nation's birth rate is at an all-time low. In June this year, the country's health ministry described the nation’s birth rate as “critical” after registering record-low numbers for the eighth consecutive year.

Last year, fewer than 500,000 couples tied the knot, the lowest in the country in 90 years.&nbsp;

Japanese scholar Kenichi Ohmae told SCMP that people are reluctant to take risks or incur debts which has translated into fewer people getting married, a diminished desire for children, and even engaging in sexual relationships. 
&nbsp;

The Japanese government is offering women in the city 600,000 yen (US$4,200 or Rs 3,52,758) for marrying men living in rural areas, according to Asahi News. This is because of the imbalance in regional development which the government says is affecting the country's social progress.

The Japanese government is offering women in the city 600,000 yen (US$4,200 or Rs 3,52,758) for marrying men living in rural areas, according to Asahi News. This is because of the imbalance in regional development which the government says is affecting the country's social progress. According to Japan’s 2023 Population Migration Report, around 68,000 more people moved to Tokyo than out of it, with more than half of them being women. However, the incentive plan has backfired as people in the country are not happy with it, SCMP reported. The country is jostling with more people entering big cities, shrinking the workforce in rural areas. Women have been leaving rural areas in large numbers for want of better education, and more job opportunities in the city. With fewer people left in these areas, several houses are lying empty and some schools and hospitals have also had to shut down. This has also led to a decline in the number of babies born in the region. To balance the distribution of population and economic development across regions, the government started offering incentives of up to 600,000 yen to women who were willing to leave Tokyo and marry men in rural areas. All single women living or working in the 23 municipalities of Tokyo could make use of the subsidy. Travel costs of all women going to rural areas in search of a match would also be covered by the government. But with anger brewing over the proposal across the country, it has now been suspended. Also Read: On wedding eve, Japanese man discovers girlfriend is 25 years older than him, says 'I don’t...' “This is disheartening. These girls left backward rural areas and came to Tokyo desperate to live a better life. Now the government wants them to return," a person said on social media. Population crisis in Japan Notably, Japan is facing a population crisis and the nation's birth rate is at an all-time low. In June this year, the country's health ministry described the nation’s birth rate as “critical” after registering record-low numbers for the eighth consecutive year. Last year, fewer than 500,000 couples tied the knot, the lowest in the country in 90 years. Japanese scholar Kenichi Ohmae told SCMP that people are reluctant to take risks or incur debts which has translated into fewer people getting married, a diminished desire for children, and even engaging in sexual relationships.

Japan offers women $4,200 to marry rural men, quickly suspends plan

Ocean 2024 Exercise: Russian-Chinese warships begin joint drills in sea of Japan

Russian and Chinese warships commence their joint drills in the Sea of Japan on Tuesday, part of a major naval exercise that President Putin said was the largest of its kind for three decades. Watch in for more details!

Russian and Chinese warships begin joint drills in the Sea of Japan

A Japanese man secretly filmed over 1,000 women bathing in several hot springs and is now facing a jail term. The man reportedly embedded the cameras into fake rocks and placed them in the area.&nbsp;

The matter came to light after one of the women found the hidden camera at a hot spring in Yamagata prefecture. The 31-year-old accused was arrested in May from the Fukushima prefecture.

A report by the Japanese media outlet TBS News Dig stated that the woman got suspicious after noticing strange reflections in a rock. She checked the rock and realised that it had a spy camera inside it. The rock was also fake.

The woman reported the incident to the police, who went to the spot and took possession of the rock and the camera. When the man came looking for it, they arrested him. The camera has films of 44 victims, the police said.&nbsp;

<h2>How did he hide the cameras?</h2>

The man went to great lengths to hide his creepy endeavours. He told the police that he bought a telelens online and crafted a rock using clay and brown plastic in which he hid the camera. He then wrapped the camera’s cable in brown tape and connected it to a power bank so that the cords were not noticeable.

He then disguised himself as a mountain climber and hid behind a camouflage net. He observed his surroundings without raising any suspicion.&nbsp;

The man did the same thing at many more hot springs and said he had been doing so since 2022, filming over 1,000 victims. He was earlier also convicted of possessing child pornography.

The prosecutor described the crime as “planned, repeated, and fundamentally harmful" and wants at least two years in jail for him. The verdict will be delivered on September 17.

Illegally recording someone using hidden cameras is a common nuisance in Japan. In 2022, 5,737 such cases were reported by the Japan National Police Agency, with 5,730 cases being reported last year.

A Japanese man secretly filmed over 1,000 women bathing in several hot springs and is now facing a jail term. The man reportedly embedded the cameras into fake rocks and placed them in the area.

A Japanese man secretly filmed over 1,000 women bathing in several hot springs and is now facing a jail term. The man reportedly embedded the cameras into fake rocks and placed them in the area. The matter came to light after one of the women found the hidden camera at a hot spring in Yamagata prefecture. The 31-year-old accused was arrested in May from the Fukushima prefecture. A report by the Japanese media outlet TBS News Dig stated that the woman got suspicious after noticing strange reflections in a rock. She checked the rock and realised that it had a spy camera inside it. The rock was also fake. The woman reported the incident to the police, who went to the spot and took possession of the rock and the camera. When the man came looking for it, they arrested him. The camera has films of 44 victims, the police said. How did he hide the cameras? The man went to great lengths to hide his creepy endeavours. He told the police that he bought a telelens online and crafted a rock using clay and brown plastic in which he hid the camera. He then wrapped the camera’s cable in brown tape and connected it to a power bank so that the cords were not noticeable. He then disguised himself as a mountain climber and hid behind a camouflage net. He observed his surroundings without raising any suspicion. The man did the same thing at many more hot springs and said he had been doing so since 2022, filming over 1,000 victims. He was earlier also convicted of possessing child pornography. The prosecutor described the crime as “planned, repeated, and fundamentally harmful" and wants at least two years in jail for him. The verdict will be delivered on September 17. Illegally recording someone using hidden cameras is a common nuisance in Japan. In 2022, 5,737 such cases were reported by the Japan National Police Agency, with 5,730 cases being reported last year.

Japan: Man makes fake rock, embeds spy camera and films 1,000 women at hot springs

Household spending in Japan rose less than expected in July, with consumers still showing wariness in opening wallets amid high prices, a factor that could further complicate the central bank's plans for more rate hikes over the coming months.

Consumer spending inched up 0.1 per cent in July from a year earlier, against the median market forecast for 1.2 per cent growth, government data showed on Friday. On a seasonally adjusted, month-on-month basis, spending fell 1.7 per cent versus an estimated 0.2 per cent drop.

"There is a very good chance that consumer spending will be negative again in the next month," said Takeshi Minami, chief economist at Norinchukin Research Institute, adding that households appear to be sceptical about whether wage gains will continue next year.

Data a day earlier showed Japan's inflation-adjusted wages grew for a second straight month in July, propelled by a bump in summertime bonuses. Base pay, or regular pay, rose at the quickest pace in nearly 32 years, reflecting the outcome of this spring's labour-management wage talks.

However, the government said the big test would be whether real wages continue rising in August and beyond without the seasonal factor of summer bonuses.

Consumers spent more on television and travelling but cut back on food and utility expenses due to higher prices in July, an internal affairs ministry official said, adding they also put their income into savings.

Private consumption, accounting for over half of the economic output, had become a weak link in the Japanese economy over the last year or so. But it marked the first gain in five quarters in the April-to-June period, stirring hopes that a consumer-led recovery might be in store.

Strong consumption, added to solid wages and durable inflation, are the chief reasons the Bank of Japan says are indispensable in deciding on further rises in interest rates.

With a view that the economy was making progress toward durably achieving its 2 per cent inflation target, the BOJ jettisoned negative interest rates in March and raised short-term rates to 0.25 per cent in July.

The BOJ needs to confirm through relevant data before raising borrowing costs again, Minami said, adding the July rate hike was carried out without looking at the recovery of consumption.

The Japanese government last month upgraded its economic assessment for the first time in more than a year on signs of improving personal spending.

Household spending in Japan rose less than expected in July, with consumers still showing wariness in opening wallets amid high prices, a factor that could further complicate the central bank's plans for more rate hikes over the coming months.

Household spending in Japan rose less than expected in July, with consumers still showing wariness in opening wallets amid high prices, a factor that could further complicate the central bank's plans for more rate hikes over the coming months. Consumer spending inched up 0.1 per cent in July from a year earlier, against the median market forecast for 1.2 per cent growth, government data showed on Friday. On a seasonally adjusted, month-on-month basis, spending fell 1.7 per cent versus an estimated 0.2 per cent drop. "There is a very good chance that consumer spending will be negative again in the next month," said Takeshi Minami, chief economist at Norinchukin Research Institute, adding that households appear to be sceptical about whether wage gains will continue next year. Data a day earlier showed Japan's inflation-adjusted wages grew for a second straight month in July, propelled by a bump in summertime bonuses. Base pay, or regular pay, rose at the quickest pace in nearly 32 years, reflecting the outcome of this spring's labour-management wage talks. However, the government said the big test would be whether real wages continue rising in August and beyond without the seasonal factor of summer bonuses. Consumers spent more on television and travelling but cut back on food and utility expenses due to higher prices in July, an internal affairs ministry official said, adding they also put their income into savings. Private consumption, accounting for over half of the economic output, had become a weak link in the Japanese economy over the last year or so. But it marked the first gain in five quarters in the April-to-June period, stirring hopes that a consumer-led recovery might be in store. Strong consumption, added to solid wages and durable inflation, are the chief reasons the Bank of Japan says are indispensable in deciding on further rises in interest rates. With a view that the economy was making progress toward durably achieving its 2 per cent inflation target, the BOJ jettisoned negative interest rates in March and raised short-term rates to 0.25 per cent in July. The BOJ needs to confirm through relevant data before raising borrowing costs again, Minami said, adding the July rate hike was carried out without looking at the recovery of consumption. The Japanese government last month upgraded its economic assessment for the first time in more than a year on signs of improving personal spending.

Japan's sluggish consumer spending growth adds challenges to BOJ's rate hike plan

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