Long-running tensions surrounding Iran are expected to push up household electricity bills, with Japanese power companies bracing for higher costs this summer as crude oil prices remain elevated, even as Japan has shifted its energy mix toward renewables, now accounting for more than 20% of total power generation following the Great East Japan Earthquake. (News On Japan)

Japan’s benchmark stock index plunged sharply at the start of the week, at one point dropping more than 2,800 points, as surging crude oil prices driven by tensions surrounding Iran rattled markets and raised fresh concerns over the stability of alternative energy supply routes. (News On Japan)

A month has passed since the United States and Israel launched attacks on Iran, and while Japan holds oil reserves equivalent to roughly eight months of domestic consumption, concerns are growing that rising crude prices and supply disruptions could begin to affect everything from plastic bottles to medical IV tubes. (News On Japan)

In construction, the cost of even the smallest error is measured not only in money but also in time, reputation, and often the safety of people. (News On Japan)

Many project teams remember when work was primarily based on email chains, phone calls, and endless spreadsheets. However, digital transformation is rapidly changing the way businesses manage plans, tasks, and priorities. (News On Japan)

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)