HISTORICAL FACTS: 20 | History Defined

Ruling parties OK policy to down unmanned aircraft

The Self-Defense Forces will be able to use weaponry to down balloons and drones violating Japanese airspace if such objects pose a safety threat to civilian aircraft, according to new criteria approved by the ruling parties.

The Japan News/Yomiuri · Feb 17, 2023

Sadako's cranes to be pitched to UNESCO Japan, U.S. groups work to register Sadako's cranes into UNESCO

Japanese and U.S. organizations have been preparing to have origami cranes and other items belonging to Sadako Sasaki, a 12-year-old girl who died as a result of the U.S. dropping an atomic bomb on Hiroshima, registered in the UNESCO Memory of the World, it has been learned.

The Japan News/Yomiuri · Feb 17, 2023

Japanese name for COVID-19 to drop 'novel'

COVID-19, which started spreading in 2019, will from May 8 no longer be referred to in Japanese as a disease caused by a new type of coronavirus.

The Japan News/Yomiuri · Feb 17, 2023

Narita Airport opponents clash with police as structures removed

NARITA, Chiba -- Skirmishes broke out Wednesday evening as authorities began the forcible removal of structures set up to block the development of Narita Airport in Chiba Prefecture and the eviction of people effectively occupying the site.

The Japan News/Yomiuri · Feb 16, 2023

Yamagata regains ramen spending crown; Miyazaki keeps gyoza title ; Miyazaki retains gyoza title

Residents of Yamagata City have regained their crown as the nation's largest spenders on ramen, while consumers in Miyazaki City splashed the most cash on gyoza dumplings.

The Japan News/Yomiuri · Feb 16, 2023

Turkey quake 'more man-made than natural' disaster

ANTAKYA, Turkey -- The severe damage caused by the earthquake that hit southern Turkey on Feb. 6 is increasingly being seen as a man-made disaster, given the country's failure to take preparatory measures despite its history of major quakes.

The Japan News/Yomiuri · Feb 16, 2023

Reinterpretation of law to shoot balloons being considered

Unmanned Chinese surveillance balloons are "strongly suspected" to have flown in Japan's airspace three times since November 2019, the Japanese government has announced.

The Japan News/Yomiuri · Feb 15, 2023

10 ammunition depots for standoff missiles to be built

The Defense Ministry plans to start building about 10 large ammunition depots at Self-Defense Forces facilities, including ones in Oita and Aomori prefectures, in fiscal 2023, several government sources have said.

The Japan News/Yomiuri · Feb 15, 2023

Auto unions seek pay increases of more than 10,000 yen per month

Amid the steepest inflation in about 40 years, labor unions at major automobile manufacturers are demanding monthly pay increases of more than 10,000 yen in the annual shunto spring wage negotiations.

The Japan News/Yomiuri · Feb 15, 2023

Auto exec Toyoda remembered for globalizing brand

Shoichiro Toyoda, honorary chairman of Toyota Motor Corp., died of heart failure on Tuesday. He was 97.

The Japan News/Yomiuri · Feb 15, 2023