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The Mainichi
4 days ago
- General
- The Mainichi
East Japan town forgets to air siren for prayers for Hiroshima A-bomb victims
YOKOHAMA -- The Yugawara town office in Kanagawa Prefecture failed to sound a siren at the stroke of 8:15 a.m. on Aug. 6 to coincide with the time the United States dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima 80 years ago, the Mainichi Shimbun has learned. The town will investigate the exact cause of the mishap and strive to prevent a recurrence, officials said. According to the town's community policy division, every year at 8:15 a.m. on Aug. 6, the town had played a one-minute siren via its broadcast speakers to urge residents to observe a moment of silence to remember those who died in the 1945 atomic bombing. The town also used to broadcast a heads-up about the siren at 7:30 a.m. each time. This year, however, an official in charge apparently forgot to set the machine for the broadcasts. "We believe there was no similar mistakes in the past. We will investigate the cause and take measures to prevent a recurrence," the division told the Mainichi. A 75-year-old man who has lived in the town for over 20 years said he offers a silent prayer every year on Aug. 6 upon hearing the siren. "For the town to forget the broadcast in this critical year, which marks the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, is disrespectful and rude to those who perished in the atomic bombing," he fumed. He added that the incident appears to reflect the trends of society today, where the memory of the war is fading. "An incident like this is a reminder that the atmosphere of society as a whole may be changing little by little," he commented.
The Mainichi
6 days ago
- Politics
- The Mainichi
Amid Sanseito's rise, 8 upper house election winners favor Japan's nuclear armament: survey
TOKYO -- Eight of the 125 successful candidates in the July House of Councillors election believe Japan should arm itself with nuclear weapons, a survey by the Mainichi Shimbun has revealed. The Mainichi conducted a questionnaire targeting all candidates in the upper house race, and later analyzed the responses from 125 of them who won the election regarding their stance on each policy. In response to a question about Japan possessing or sharing nuclear arms, eight successful candidates answered that the country "should possess nuclear weapons." By party, six of the eight lawmakers belong to the right-wing opposition party Sanseito, one to the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and one to the Conservative Party of Japan. In recent national elections called in 2022 and prior, only one or no successful candidates answered that Japan should possess nuclear arms in Mainichi surveys, though a simple comparison cannot be made due to differences in survey questions. The latest figure indicates that the number of election winners in favor of Japan's possession of nuclear weapons has spiked due to Sanseito's gains in the July 20 upper house contest. Among the 465 winners in last fall's House of Representatives election, three had answered to a Mainichi survey that Japan should have nuclear weapons, with two of them belonging to the LDP and one to Sanseito. In the 2022 upper house poll, Sanseito leader Sohei Kamiya was the only successful candidate who had responded that Japan should possess nuclear arms. With the latest election outcome, more than 10 lawmakers now advocate for Japan's nuclear armament in the twin chambers of the Diet. The pro-nuclear armament claim runs counter to the three non-nuclear principles of "not possessing, manufacturing or introducing" such weapons that the country has long upheld to this day. If Japan is to turn around its fundamental policy of non-possession of nuclear arms, it will likely draw a strong backlash. Akira Kawasaki, a member of the International Steering Group of ICAN, formally the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons, expressed concern over the rise in the number of pro-nuclear arms lawmakers, saying, "The figure is surprising and alarming." If Japan were to go nuclear, it would need to withdraw from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, but Kawasaki pointed out that it would practically be difficult for the country to do so, and said the lawmakers' claims are "not carefully thought-out, but rather casual, catchphraselike assertions." He emphasized, "Due in part to the increasingly severe international situation, radical claims tend to be well received. If the lawmakers face up to what happened to the atomic bombed cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, they shouldn't be able to carelessly engage in reckless arguments." In its list of policies, Sanseito states, "In order to protect Japan, which is surrounded by nuclear powers, and in light of the harsh realities facing the international community, Japan should have deterrent power that prevents nuclear states from using atomic weapons, while making nuclear abolition a long-term goal." Of the upper house election winners, 25 lawmakers, or 20%, said Japan "should not possess nuclear weapons but should consider nuclear-sharing." By party, nine of them belong to the LDP, four to the Democratic Party for the People, five to Nippon Ishin (the Japan Innovation Party), six to Sanseito and one was independent. Meanwhile, 75 successful candidates, or 60%, replied that Japan "should neither possess nor share nuclear arms."
The Mainichi
27-07-2025
- General
- The Mainichi
Retro Japan in Photos: 1907 French Renaissance-style mansion in Tottori retains elegance
Image 1 of 18 The Jinpukaku mansion, completed in 1907, is seen in the city of Tottori, April 4, 2023. It survived the 1943 Tottori earthquake and the 1952 Great Tottori Fire, retaining its majestic appearance. (Mainichi/Takao Kitamura)
Daily Tribune
23-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Tribune
Japan's Prime Minister Ishiba Expected to Step Down
Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba is reportedly preparing to resign by the end of August, according to several local media outlets. The news comes after his party suffered a major defeat in the recent upper house elections and shortly after finalizing a major trade deal with the United States. Sources say Mr. Ishiba has already informed close aides of his intention to step down, taking responsibility for the election results where his ruling coalition lost its majority. The Liberal Democratic Party leader has been facing increasing pressure from within his party to resign. According to Japan's Yomiuri newspaper, Mr. Ishiba told his inner circle on Tuesday that he would speak publicly about his future after wrapping up negotiations with the US. Both Mainichi and Sankei newspapers reported that his formal resignation announcement is likely to come next month, after key national events conclude. Adding to the timing of the news, US President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday via his Truth Social platform that a 'massive' trade agreement had been reached with Japan. The deal reportedly includes $550 billion in Japanese investments into the US and a reduction in planned tariffs on Japanese goods from 25% to 15%. If Mr. Ishiba steps down as expected, Japan will soon be preparing for a leadership transition amid shifting political and economic priorities.
The Mainichi
23-07-2025
- Business
- The Mainichi
The Mainichi: Staff reviser and translator wanted
The Mainichi is seeking a translator and English language reviser and writer to join its news team in Tokyo, for a one-year contracted position opening in September 2025. Upon mutual agreement, the contract may be extended up to two times, the total maximum period being three years. This position would be ideal for candidates seeking a limited-term role at one of Japan's top news organizations. The job will include translation of Japanese news into English, proofreading and rewriting English articles, and may also include writing original news and features in English. Required/desired qualifications: - Native level English proficiency - Excellent Japanese to English translation skills - Excellent English writing skills - Ability to work as part of a team - Ability to work well under pressure - Familiarity with Japanese current events, politics and business - Basic software experience (Word, Excel) and photo editing skills a plus - Media industry experience a plus (Note: Applicants must have a status of residence allowing them to work legally in Japan.) Working hours: 10 a.m. to 6:15 p.m. / 11 a.m. to 7:15 p.m., approximately two to five days per week (monthly shifts may include Saturdays and public holidays) Salary: Discussed at offering of position To apply, please send your CV to: inquiry@ Applicants contacted by The Mainichi will be required to sit at least one test. The Mainichi editorial team
