Japan, US defense chiefs agree to advance security cooperation
TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi and U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth agreed in phone talks to advance bilateral securit
Summary by The Tokyo Editorial Desk · As published by The Mainichi (English) · · 1 min read
TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi and U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth agreed in phone talks to advance bilateral securit

News
How closely have you been following events in Japan? Try The Mainichi News Quiz for Sept. 19 to test your news knowledge. Ready?What nighttime event i
The Mainichi (English) · Sep 19, 2026

Local
TOKYO (Kyodo) -- The Bank of Japan raised its key interest rate to 1.25 percent from 1.0 percent on Friday, accelerating monetary tightening as it see
The Mainichi (English) · Sep 19, 2026

News
TSU -- A project is underway to reconstruct stone markers donated late in life by 19th-century Japanese explorer Matsuura Takeshiro to shrines across
The Mainichi (English) · Sep 19, 2026

safety
TOKYO -- A junior high school student in Iwate Prefecture was arrested after allegedly spraying bear repellent at students after the school's vice pri
The Mainichi (English) · Sep 19, 2026

government
TOKYO (Kyodo) -- The U.S. dollar jumped above 157 yen on Friday after two of the Bank of Japan's nine policy board members voted against an interest r
The Mainichi (English) · Sep 19, 2026

Local
TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Japan's farm ministry on Friday began procedures to buy back 210,000 tons of rice to replenish government reserves drawn down by rele
The Mainichi (English) · Sep 19, 2026

Local
TOKYO (Kyodo) -- North Korea-linked hackers have targeted engineers in more than 100 countries and regions, including Japan, stealing cryptocurrency a
The Mainichi (English) · Sep 19, 2026

Local
TOKYO (Kyodo) -- All Nippon Airways Co. unveiled Friday its second decorated aircraft marking the 30th anniversary of the popular "Pokemon" game franc
The Mainichi (English) · Sep 19, 2026

Local
TOKYO (Kyodo) -- New sekiwake Fujinokawa stunned ozeki Aonishiki, handing the Ukrainian star his third straight defeat at the Autumn Grand Sumo Tourna
The Mainichi (English) · Sep 19, 2026

Local
TOKYO (Kyodo) -- A Kyodo News poll showed Friday that the approval rating for Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's Cabinet rose 3.2 percentage poi
The Mainichi (English) · Sep 19, 2026

schools
I first thought about Japan as a place to visit in 2020. The pandemic had just started, and I suddenly had a lot more time on my hands. A new TV show
The Mainichi (English) · Sep 19, 2026

News
OMITAMA, Ibaraki -- Omitama city started to use six tablets this month. The tablets have a translation app. People can use them at service counters.Re
The Mainichi (English) · Sep 19, 2026