TOKYO - The following is the latest list of selected news summaries by Kyodo News.
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Japan gov't mulls mentioning BOJ's autonomy in economic policy guidelines
TOKYO - The government is considering referring to the Bank of Japan's independence in its annual economic and fiscal policy guidelines, a source familiar with the matter said Thursday, in a bid to allay fears it intends to strongly intervene in monetary policy amid surging government bond yields.
The move reflects the government of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's strong sense of urgency over the recent rapid rise of the yield on its benchmark 10-year bond, which briefly hit 2.900 percent earlier in the day, its highest level in almost three decades.
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Imperial law revision bill to pass Japan lower house as Diet gridlock ends
TOKYO - Ruling and opposition parties have formally agreed to hold a House of Representatives plenary session on Friday to deliberate a bill to ensure the sustainability of the imperial family system, moving a step closer to bringing about the controversial changes.
The deliberation schedule was fixed on Thursday after a deal was struck to end a stalemate in the lower house over what opposition parties viewed as the government and ruling parties' high-handed way of handling parliamentary proceedings regarding other bills.
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2009 quake may have prompted data rigging by central Japan nuclear operator
NAGOYA - Chubu Electric Power Co. may have begun manipulating earthquake resistance data for its nuclear power plant in central Japan after a 2009 earthquake subjected one of its reactors to shaking beyond its design limits, a source familiar with the matter said Thursday.
The latest revelation came after the utility admitted earlier this year that it had, by no later than 2012, begun cherry-picking favorable data to set earthquake-resistance standards for the Nos. 3 and 4 reactors at its Hamaoka nuclear power plant, which it has been seeking to restart.
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Minor opposition Reiwa party head to stand down after speeding case
TOKYO - Taro Yamamoto, head of minor opposition party Reiwa Shinsengumi, said Thursday he will step down as leader, after the party said last week he was fined for speeding in October.
Voting in a leadership contest will be held on July 31, he told a press conference in Tokyo, with the new head expected to change the party's name.
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Uniqlo operator raises FY 2026 net profit outlook to record 500 bil. yen
TOKYO - Fast Retailing Co., operator of the Uniqlo clothing chain, on Thursday lifted its net profit outlook for the year to August to a record 500 billion yen ($3.1 billion), helped by strong sales at home and abroad.
The latest projection compares with its earlier forecast of 480 billion yen and represents a 15.5 percent increase from the previous fiscal year.
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Sony promoting character business, sees resurgence in popularity of "Pingu"
TOKYO - Sony Group Corp. is promoting character goods and events sales as a part of its efforts to strengthen its thriving content business, with one such character, Swiss-born "Pingu," recently seeing a resurgence in its popularity.
Merchandise sales of the penguin character, the marketing rights of which have been held in Japan by Sony since 1991, doubled in fiscal 2025 from the previous year, as the company has promoted it on social media and through collaborations with other companies.
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Taiwan airline unveils plane featuring Japanese artist Sorayama's design
TAOYUAN, Taiwan - Taiwan's Starlux Airlines on Thursday unveiled a plane designed by Japanese illustrator Hajime Sorayama, best known for his involvement in the design of Sony Group Corp.'s robotic pet dog Aibo.
Featuring a striking unique silver livery, the Airbus A350-1000, which will enter regular commercial service in October, was unveiled at a ceremony at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport.
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Baseball: Yakult fires combined no-hitter, 6th such feat in Japan pro baseball
HIROSHIMA, Japan - Three foreign-born pitchers combined to throw a no-hitter for the Yakult Swallows against the Hiroshima Carp on Thursday, marking the sixth combined no-hitter by a Japanese professional baseball team.
Yakult accomplished the feat at Mazda Stadium in a game between the Central League clubs, using a succession of pitchers to hold Hiroshima hitless and scoreless.
