A survey by Nikkei Inc. and the Japan Center for Economic Research found that 66% of economists believe Japan needs measures to curb petroleum consumption in response to rising crude oil prices. (News On Japan)

Japan's House of Representatives on Thursday passed a bill to establish a National Intelligence Council aimed at strengthening the government's intelligence-gathering and analytical capabilities. (News On Japan)

Three members of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force were killed in a tank shell explosion during a live-fire exercise at a training ground in Oita Prefecture, with the force now planning to examine radio communications at the time of the accident. (News On Japan)

Four more Japanese crew members have disembarked from Japan-related vessels staying in the Persian Gulf, reducing the number of Japanese nationals still aboard ships in the area to 16. (News On Japan)

The Japanese government on April 21 revised the Three Principles on Transfer of Defense Equipment and related guidelines, in principle allowing the export of weapons with lethal capabilities. The move marks a major turning point in Japan's postwar security policy. (News On Japan)

The approval rating for the cabinet of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi rose 3.1 percentage points from March to 70.2%, recovering to the 70% range for the first time in two months, according to an FNN public opinion survey. (News On Japan)

North Korea launched several missiles on Sunday morning, with reports suggesting they may have included a submarine-launched ballistic missile, or SLBM. (News On Japan)

Australia has formally decided to jointly develop its next-generation frigate with Japan, marking a major step forward in defense cooperation between the two countries. (News On Japan)

Japan will release around 50 million stockpiled medical gloves from next month as concerns grow over shortages of medical supplies linked to tensions in the Middle East, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said. (News On Japan)

Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi held telephone talks on the night of April 15 with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, conveying Japan’s hopes for the resumption of ceasefire talks between the United States and Iran and for an early agreement. (News On Japan)

Prime Minister Takaiichi met with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk on April 15th, marking their first summit talks, where the two leaders agreed to elevate bilateral ties to a "comprehensive strategic partnership" amid growing global security tensions. (News On Japan)

Yonaguni Town Mayor Tsuneo Uechi met Defense Minister Koizumi on April 13th and conveyed his intention to accept the deployment of a missile unit at the Yonaguni garrison, marking a shift in his previously neutral stance on the issue. (News On Japan)

Members of the globally renowned hard rock band Deep Purple paid a courtesy visit to Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on April 10th during their visit to Japan. (News On Japan)

Japan’s House of Representatives Commission on the Constitution convened on April 9th for its first round of deliberations since the ruling party’s landslide victory in the February lower house election, with lawmakers beginning discussions on potential constitutional revisions. (News On Japan)

A citizens’ group advocating the preservation of Japan’s pacifist constitution held a large-scale rally in front of the National Diet on April 8th, drawing approximately 30,000 participants according to organizers, while similar events and street demonstrations were held across the country. (News On Japan)

Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Kihara said during a press conference that one Japanese national detained in Iran in January 2026 has been released on bail. (News On Japan)

A third vessel linked to Japan has been confirmed to have passed through the Strait of Hormuz, where a de facto blockade remains in place following heightened tensions in the region. (News On Japan)

U.S. President Donald Trump expressed dissatisfaction with Japan over its response to a military operation involving Iran, stating that Japan "did not help" during the campaign. (News On Japan)

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said on April 6th that Japan is making arrangements for separate high-level talks with Iran in response to the worsening situation in the Middle East, as a deadline for negotiations set by U.S. President Donald Trump approaches. (News On Japan)

Kyoto Governor Takatoshi Nishiwaki won a third term after defeating two first-time challengers in the prefectural election held on April 5th, securing more than half of the total votes cast with backing from the Liberal Democratic Party, Komeito, the Constitutional Democratic Party, the Democratic Party for the People, and other centrist groups. (News On Japan)