Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has quickly become Japan’s newest fashion icon. Since taking office just ten days ago, the 63-year-old leader’s signature style -- defined by her understated black tote bag and soft pink pen -- has sparked a nationwide shopping craze. (News On Japan)

Prime Minister Takaiichi’s first face-to-face meeting with U.S. President Trump drew high praise from officials at the Prime Minister’s Office, who described the atmosphere as friendly and open. According to government sources, the two leaders addressed each other by their first names, “Sanae” and “Donald,” a gesture that one senior official called “120 points,” underscoring the success of the meeting. (News On Japan)

The Defense Ministry is considering deploying the Self-Defense Forces to Akita Prefecture following a series of bear attacks that have injured residents in recent weeks. (News On Japan)

Defense Minister Koizumi inspected Self-Defense Force bases and expressed his intention to boost defense equipment exports through stronger top-level sales efforts. (News On Japan)

Osaka City has decided to stop accepting new applications for “special zone minpaku” lodging facilities at the end of May 2026 following a sharp rise in neighborhood disputes over noise and garbage disposal. (News On Japan)

At around 1:45 p.m. on October 21, Sanae Takaichi won a majority of 237 votes in a key vote in the House of Representatives (more than the 233 votes required for half), and was successfully elected as Prime Minister, becoming the first female Prime Minister in Japanese history. (News On Japan)

Prime Minister Takaichi made her de facto diplomatic debut by joining an online summit of a coalition supporting Ukraine, where she expressed Japan’s commitment to continue providing assistance. (News On Japan)