The Hokkaido Shinkansen marked its 10th anniversary on March 26, as a town in southern Hokkaido known for its deep ties to tunnel construction put forward a bold proposal to build a second undersea tunnel to help achieve faster travel between Sapporo and Tokyo. (News On Japan)

Japan’s oil supply is facing what experts describe as the largest crisis in its history, as global competition for energy intensifies following the attack on Iran, triggering widespread disruptions across logistics networks and medical services. (News On Japan)

Prime Minister Takaichi announced on March 27th that Japan will increase the operating rate of coal-fired power plants in preparation for a prolonged de facto closure of the Strait of Hormuz, aiming to reduce reliance on liquefied natural gas. (News On Japan)

Fuel prices have surged to levels that could begin to impact transportation infrastructure, as industry groups warn of worsening supply constraints and mounting financial pressure. (News On Japan)

The yen weakened sharply, briefly falling past 160 to the dollar, as concerns grew that instability in the Middle East would persist and weigh on global markets. (News On Japan)

Electricity and gas bills across Japan are set to rise in April, as government subsidies introduced to ease the impact of rising prices come to an end. (News On Japan)

Medical institutions across Japan are coming under increasing financial strain as rising prices for plastic and rubber—key materials in essential medical supplies—begin to weigh heavily on operations, prompting the government to release national oil reserves on March 26th in an effort to curb inflation and stabilize supply. (News On Japan)