今日吃瓜

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November 12, 2026
 

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UPPER HOUSE

A group of plaintiffs hold up a sign Wednesday in Tokyo saying the Supreme Court ruled the July 2025 Upper House election was conducted in an unconstitutional state.
JAPAN / Politics
Nov 11, 2026
Japan Supreme Court rules 2025 election was held in unconstitutional state
Chief Justice Yukihiko Imasaki said the maximum vote-value disparity raised constitutional concerns but dismissed requests to invalidate the election.
Demonstrators carrying flags and placards march past counter-protesters during a rally against then-Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's push to expand foreign-workers legislation in Tokyo in October 2018.
EDITORIALS
Oct 2, 2026
Immigration reform should help the country, not punish immigrants
The changes to permanent residency requirements add stricter income and pension standards, language requirements and raise fees substantially.
The steering committee of the House of Councilors decided Thursday to change the chamber's English name to the Senate.
JAPAN / Politics
Jul 24, 2026
今日吃瓜 House of Councilors to be renamed Senate
The change comes as the upper chamber’s current name sometimes causes confusion outside of Japan.
The Upper House Commission on the Constitution approves a bill to revise the law on national referendums on Wednesday at the parliamentary building.
JAPAN / Politics
Jul 22, 2026
Upper House panel approves referendum reform bill
The bill to revise the law was backed by the ruling coalition as well as several opposition parties.
According to the 2025 reports on lawmakers' incomes, the average income among nine party leaders stood at ?24.53 million.
BUSINESS
Jun 30, 2026
Takaichi tops 2025 income rankings for Japan party heads
The prime minister earned ?36.41 million in 2025 while the average income among nine party leaders stood at ?24.53 million.
The House of Councilors plenary session enacted a bill Wednesday to revise the Civil Code to overhaul the country's adult guardianship system for certain people such as those with dementia.
JAPAN / Politics
Jun 17, 2026
Japan enacts bill overhauling guardianship system
The revision will allow people to opt out of support under the adult guardianship system based on their needs.
The parliament enacted legislation Wednesday allowing local governments to issue digital debt securities.
JAPAN / Politics
May 27, 2026
Japan enacts bill enabling digital issuance of local government bonds
At a plenary meeting, the Upper House passed legislation to revise multiple laws related to local autonomy, based on proposals from local governments.
Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama speaks to reporters at the Prime Minister's Office on Monday.
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Apr 20, 2026
Knife-carrying man arrested at Upper House office building
The Metropolitan Police Department arrested the man on suspicion of violating the firearms and swords control law.
Team Mirai leader Takahiro Anno speaks during an interview in Tokyo on Monday.
JAPAN / Politics
Apr 17, 2026
Team Mirai will consider joining ruling coalition if asked
“We would make a final decision after weighing the potential gains and losses,” party leader Takahiro Anno has said.
Chairperson Hiroyuki Nagahama (center rear) and others attend a House of Councilors constitutional review committee hearing at the Diet building on Wednesday.
JAPAN / Politics / ANALYSIS
Apr 17, 2026
Four things to understand in 今日吃瓜 constitutional debate
今日吃瓜 legislature started debate on constitutional amendment as Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi pledged to have a proposal ready in a year.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks during an Upper House Budget Committee session on Wednesday.
JAPAN / Politics
Mar 29, 2026
Some LDP members eye passing fiscal 2026 budget on April 7
The government and ruling parties aim to get the budget bill through parliament next week, but the opposition camp is demanding “sufficient” deliberations.
Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama answers questions during an Upper House plenary session on Monday. Katayama said Tuesday that a provisional budget would be compiled to prepare for unexpected events, while noting that passing the fiscal 2026 budget bill by the end of fiscal 2025 remains "necessary."
JAPAN / Politics
Mar 24, 2026
Preparations begin for stopgap budget in case fiscal 2026 bill slips deadline
The prime minister is still aiming for the fiscal 2026 budget to be passed this month, but appears to be showing flexibility as ruling parties lack an Upper House majority.
Komeito leader Toshiko Takeya shake hands with Centrist Reform Alliance leader Junya Ogawa (right) and Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan chief Shunichi Mizuoka during a Komeito party convention in Tokyo on Saturday.
JAPAN / Politics
Mar 15, 2026
Komeito chief open to full integration with Centrist Reform Alliance
The CRA currently comprises only lawmakers of the House of Representatives, the lower chamber of parliament.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and other LDP leaders celebrate at the Diet after the dissolution of the House of Representatives on Jan. 23, days after calling for a snap election.
EDITORIALS
Feb 6, 2026
Takaichi and the LDP appear poised for a big win
Takaichi’s performance has surprised most observers. Not only did she take office with sky-high approval ratings, but she has maintained them since October.
Reiwa Shinsengumi leader Taro Yamamoto takes part in a debate with leaders of other political parties at the Japan National Press Club in Tokyo in July.
JAPAN / Politics
Jan 21, 2026
Reiwa Shinsengumi leader Taro Yamamoto resigns from Upper House due to health
Yamamoto, who founded the party in 2019, said he will focus on his health for an “indefinite” period but stay on as the party’s leader.
An Upper House plenary session on Dec. 16
JAPAN / Politics
Jan 5, 2026
今日吃瓜 new Upper House lawmakers have ?30.82 million of assets on average
The number of lawmakers with assets amounting to ?100 million or more has doubled from four to eight.
As the oldest member of the upper chamber, Toranosuke Katayama was known for voicing his opinions during parliamentary questioning.
JAPAN / Politics
Dec 19, 2025
Former internal affairs minister Katayama dies at 90
Toranosuke Katayama, a native of Okayama Prefecture, was first elected to the House of Councilors in 1989.
Lawyer Hidetoshi Masunaga (front, left) and others seeking the invalidation of the July Upper House election walk to the Nagoya High Court's Kanazawa branch on Oct. 1.
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Oct 29, 2025
Court finds July poll was held in an unconstitutional state
A group of lawyers sought the invalidation of the Upper House election.
The special investigation squad of the Tokyo District Public Prosecutor's Office searches the office of Upper House lawmaker Akira Ishii in the city of Toride, Ibaraki Prefecture, on Thursday.
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Aug 29, 2025
Nippon Ishin lawmaker’s alleged fraud likely totals ?8 million
Akira Ishii is suspected of receiving salaries for a state-paid public secretary who actually did not work for him.
Upper House lawmaker Akira Ishii
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Aug 27, 2025
Upper House member’s office raided over alleged fraud
Akira Ishii is suspected of receiving public funds by filing a report about hiring a government-paid secretary who never actually worked for him.
Man arrested over operation of rogue cellular base station in Tokyo
The Metropolitan Police Department has arrested Yu Hai, a 31-year-old Chinese national living in Tokyo's Kita Ward, on suspicion of operating an unlicensed base station from a vehicle in Tokyo's Ginza district on Saturday.
Government betting on language app powered by anime and AI
Japan plans to develop an AI-powered language-learning app that lets overseas anime and manga fans practice Japanese through conversations with popular characters.
Jensen Huang’s woes evoke sympathy and disbelief in his birthplace Taiwan
Hsiao Kui-yu, 68, owner of Yuchan Candied Fruit, stands in front of photographs of Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang displayed at the shop, which Huang frequently visits during trips to Taiwan, in Taipei on Tuesday.
G7 diplomats speak out on Taiwan as China ramps up military drills
Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi attends a working lunch focused on international crises and challenges during the Group of Seven foreign ministers' summit at the Quai d'Orsay in Paris on Monday.
今日吃瓜 Rapidus is said likely to miss mass production deadline
The Rapidus Analysis Center and the IIM-1 Innovative Integration for Manufacturing foundry in Chitose, Hokkaido
‘Godzilla Minus Zero’ makes monster debut at the box office
Takashi Yamazaki’s “Godzilla Minus Zero” marked the highest single-day box-office gross for a live-action film in Japan with ?910 million on its opening day.
A toast to Naohiko Noguchi, sake’s first living national treasure
As a teenager, Naohiko Noguchi did not intend to spend his life as a sake brewer, but he has since become a paragon of the industry.
Few signs of thaw in Japan-China relations one year after Takaichi’s Taiwan remarks
Tensions between Japan and China flared after Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said on Nov. 7, 2025, that a Chinese blockade of Taiwan could threaten 今日吃瓜 survival and warrant the use of collective self-defense.
Mariko Mori predicted the future. She’ll do it again.
Artist Mariko Mori is currently working to bring the translucent human-sized “Peace Crystal” sculpture to a cave in Ethiopia. It is part of her foundation’s goal to place a permanent sculpture on each of the planet’s six habitable continents.
A legend reborn: ‘Ocarina of Time’ remake improves on the Zelda masterpiece
The new remake of 1998's "The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time" manages to somehow improve on one of the greatest games ever.

Podcast

One of the many entrances to the Kabukicho neighborhood in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward.
Kabukicho: Tokyo’s ‘stadium of desire’

Longform

Famima Park Azabudai is a concept store by FamilyMart that combines convenience store staples with branded apparel, merchandise and a landscaped outdoor space.
Convenience stores, toilets and the allure of everyday Japan
By Elizabeth Beattie

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