Kyodo News Digest: July 5, 2025
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Japan's ruling bloc not yet assured of upper house majority: poll
TOKYO - Japan's ruling coalition is locked in a fierce battle with the opposition to secure a majority in the House of Councillors in the July 20 election, a Kyodo News poll and analysis showed Friday, leaving Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's goal of maintaining control of the chamber uncertain.
The ruling Liberal Democratic Party is expected to lose ground from its pre-election strength in the 248-member chamber, as the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan and the Democratic Party for the People are likely to gain seats. The ultraconservative Sanseito party also appears to be gaining momentum.
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M5.4 quake shakes southwestern Japan islands as temblors continue
TOKYO - A quake with a preliminary magnitude of 5.4 rattled islands in southwestern Japan on Saturday, the latest in a series of temblors that have prompted some residents to evacuate.
The quake struck off the Tokara island chain at 6:29 a.m. at a depth of about 19 kilometers, though no tsunami warning was issued, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency. It measured upper 5 on the Japanese seismic intensity scale of 7.
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TSMC to delay Japan plant, prioritizes U.S. to avoid tariffs: report
TAIPEI - The world's largest contract chipmaker, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., plans to delay construction of its second plant in Japan to prioritize investment in its U.S. operations to avoid tariffs, The Wall Street Journal reported Friday.
Construction was initially scheduled to begin early this year but was pushed back, and further delays to the second plant in Kumamoto Prefecture are likely, with the start of construction no longer predictable with accuracy, the WSJ reported citing people familiar with TSMC's plans.
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Gov't to hold "golden share" in Rapidus to guard chip technologies
TOKYO - The Japanese government plans to strengthen its support for chip venture Rapidus Corp. by holding a "golden share" in the company and gaining veto power on important management decisions, it said Friday.
The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry expects the government's close involvement in the chip company's operations to prevent leaks of next-generation chip technologies.
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Japan PM counters Trump's view on rice imports ahead of election
TOKYO - Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba on Friday pushed back against U.S. President Donald Trump's claim that Japan is not importing U.S. rice, saying the misconception should be corrected.
Ishiba's comment, made during a meeting with farmers on the second day of campaigning for a nationwide parliamentary election, followed his remark the previous day that Trump may be misinformed about Japan's imports of rice and cars from the United States.
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Sales of cooling goods picking up in Japan amid sweltering heat
TOKYO - Intense summer heat in Japan is prompting more people to buy items to prevent heat stroke and heat exhaustion, ranging from parasols for children to workwear with built-in cooling functions.
Ogawa Co., an umbrella and parasol manufacturer in Nagoya, said sales of its mainstay products among all-weather umbrellas for children increased 1.7-fold in the first half of this year compared with a year ago.
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Tennis: Osaka beaten by Pavlyuchenkova in Wimbledon 3rd round
LONDON - Japan's former World No. 1 Naomi Osaka was beaten by third-round opponent Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova at Wimbledon on Friday, exiting the tournament 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 in a thrilling 2-hour, 3-minute battle.
The 27-year-old Osaka was aiming to reach the fourth round of the grass court Grand Slam for the first time in her career.
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Video: Painted cypress fans aired out at World Heritage-listed shrine
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