Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi moved on July 30 to turn food-tax relief from a campaign promise into government policy, instructing the ruling Liberal Democratic Party to proceed with a temporary cut in the sales tax on food as the Bank of Japan began a policy meeting that could shape the next phase of Japan’s currency, inflation and fiscal debate. (News On Japan)

The magnitude 7-level earthquake that struck Kumamoto Prefecture on July 28 has disrupted operations at semiconductor-related facilities across one of Japan's most important chipmaking centers, raising concerns about possible delays in equipment shipments and their impact on the global industry. (News On Japan)

Tokyo stocks ended mixed on July 30, with the Nikkei 225 closing at 61,683.96, up 0.4%, as gains in electronics and selected semiconductor-related shares offset selling in financial stocks ahead of the Bank of Japan’s policy decision. (News On Japan)

Sapporo TV Tower tested the countdown display that will signal the start of the Hokkaido Marathon, with about one month remaining before the race on August 30. (News On Japan)

A plan to open an international school at a former elementary school in Sapporo has been scrapped after the company selected as the preferred buyer withdrew, citing risks posed by misinformation and protest activity. (News On Japan)

A 41-year-old doctor has been arrested on suspicion of stealing a high school girl's gym uniform from her bag on a train in Hyogo Prefecture, marking his third arrest over alleged offenses involving female students' clothing. (News On Japan)

A metal screw about 1.5 centimeters long was found inside the mouth of a 4-year-old child having lunch at a kindergarten in Toyota, Aichi Prefecture, city officials said. (News On Japan)

Japan's Japanese-national population fell below 120 million as the country recorded its largest annual decline since comparable data began, according to a survey released Wednesday. (News On Japan)

Rescue operations continued across Kumamoto Prefecture more than 24 hours after a powerful earthquake registered the maximum seismic intensity of 7, leaving 12 people dead, six in cardiac arrest and three Aeon Mall Kumamoto employees still unaccounted for. (News On Japan)

A Tokyo prosecutor who played a leading role in a major political funds investigation has been dismissed for having a sexual relationship with a female suspect before her criminal case was resolved and accepting electronic money from her. (News On Japan)

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi moved closer on July 29 to adopting a sharp temporary cut in Japan’s food sales tax, turning cost-of-living relief into the next major political test for her government as markets remained uneasy over the weak yen, rising bond yields and the administration’s expansionary fiscal agenda. (News On Japan)

Tokyo stocks diverged sharply on July 29, with the Nikkei 225 closing at 61,434.19, down 930.73 points, or 1.49%, as selling in artificial intelligence and semiconductor-related heavyweights continued, while the broader TOPIX rose as investors bought back banks, domestic-demand shares and selected value stocks. (News On Japan)

The powerful earthquake that struck Kumamoto Prefecture on July 28 was caused by essentially the same mechanism as the devastating earthquakes that hit the region 10 years ago, according to a leading seismologist, who warned residents to prepare for strong aftershocks and take precautions against heatstroke even during the night. (News On Japan)

Japan's national average minimum wage is set to rise by 55 yen, or 4.9%, to 1,176 yen per hour in fiscal 2026 after a labor ministry panel agreed on guidelines for this year's increase. (News On Japan)

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s government moved on July 28 to reassure investors that it respects the Bank of Japan’s independence, as Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama said relations between the government and the central bank remain smooth despite market concern over rising bond yields, yen weakness and the administration’s growth-oriented fiscal agenda. (News On Japan)

Negotiations over Japan's minimum wage for the current fiscal year have entered their final stage, with a national guideline likely to be set in the upper 1,100-yen range per hour and a government panel expected to reach a conclusion this week. (News On Japan)

The Japan Coast Guard has searched Doshisha International High School on suspicion of professional negligence resulting in death and injury following a boat accident off Henoko in Nago, Okinawa Prefecture, that killed a female student and a boat captain. (News On Japan)

Authorities in Laos have detained 51 foreign nationals, including five Japanese men and women, on suspicion of involvement in an online fraud operation selling furniture and home appliances. (News On Japan)

The Nikkei Stock Average plunged more than 2,500 points at one stage in Tokyo trading on July 28 as heavy selling spread through artificial intelligence and semiconductor-related shares following a sharp decline in U.S. chip stocks. (News On Japan)

Japan is unlikely to end its heavy reliance on Middle East crude oil, even as geopolitical tensions expose the risks of depending on the region for more than 90% of its imports, leaving the country to pursue a gradual mix of diversification, electrification, renewable energy and technological innovation. (News On Japan)