Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party reprimanded former Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and three other lawmakers on November 9th for leaving the House of Representatives before a vote on legislation to reduce the consumption tax on food, as party leaders sought to prevent further defections that could jeopardize the bill's passage through the upper house. (News On Japan)

The Japanese government approved the allocation of 10 billion yen from its fiscal 2026 general account reserve funds on November 6 to strengthen cybersecurity measures, including inspections of vulnerabilities in government computer systems and upgrades to security equipment. (News On Japan)

A government bill to reduce Japan's consumption tax on food from 8% to 1% for two years starting in April 2027 was approved by the House of Representatives Committee on Financial Affairs on November 6, with the ruling Liberal Democratic Party and Japan Innovation Party securing a majority in favor of the legislation. (News On Japan)

Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree placing the Russian operations of Japan Tobacco (JT) under the temporary management of a local company, effectively stripping the Japanese tobacco giant of control over its business in the country and prompting a formal protest from Tokyo demanding that the measure be immediately withdrawn. (News On Japan)

The Japanese government is preparing to establish a new cybersecurity response team comprising experts from the public and private sectors, with plans to dispatch specialists to companies and organizations facing serious cyberattacks following a series of unauthorized intrusions and information leaks. (News On Japan)

Japan's Digital Agency began offering a trial version of a generative artificial intelligence application on October 30 to help government officials prepare responses to parliamentary questions, aiming to reduce the workload of approximately 180,000 government employees and address the long working hours faced by national civil servants. (News On Japan)

Japan's government is facing growing pressure from opposition lawmakers to clarify who will qualify for a new financial support program and how much they will receive, as deliberations on legislation to reduce the consumption tax on food and introduce payments for low- and middle-income earners enter their final stages in the House of Representatives. (News On Japan)

A city council in Hyogo Prefecture has postponed a decision on whether newly elected councilor and professional wrestler Billyken Kid, 52, should be allowed to wear his trademark mask during assembly sessions, following his first-place finish in the Kawanishi City Council election held in October. (News On Japan)

Japan marked the 80th anniversary of the promulgation of its Constitution on November 3rd, with demonstrators gathering outside the National Diet to defend its pacifist principles as Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi pushes for constitutional revision and an early parliamentary proposal. (News On Japan)

Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi held rare bilateral talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on the sidelines of a G20 foreign ministers' meeting in Atlanta, Georgia, on October 30 and 31, raising questions about whether Russian President Vladimir Putin could return to major international summits and how Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi would respond to a possible encounter with the Russian leader. (News On Japan)

The foreign ministers of Japan, the United States, Australia and India met in the United States on October 31st, reaffirming their commitment to strengthening cooperation on economic security, cybersecurity and artificial intelligence under the four-nation framework known as the Quad. (News On Japan)

The city of Yubari in Hokkaido, which declared financial collapse 20 years ago, is preparing to complete repayment of approximately 35.3 billion yen in debt by March 2027, paving the way for lower property taxes, improved municipal employee salaries, and a renewed focus on public services. (News On Japan)

U.S. intelligence agencies suspect that a Chinese female intelligence operative developed a close relationship with Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang in an attempt to obtain confidential corporate and U.S. government information, according to a report published by The New York Times on October 29th. (News On Japan)

The Japanese government has asked major telecommunications operators to forcibly block access to websites believed to contain personal information stolen in a cyberattack on GMO, it emerged on October 29th, as authorities moved to prevent further exposure of sensitive data online. (News On Japan)

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi announced on October 28 that Japan and Germany had agreed to establish a new high-level dialogue framework on artificial intelligence following talks with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Tokyo, marking a step toward closer cooperation between the two countries in emerging technologies. (News On Japan)

Japan has confirmed that a Hokkaido Shimbun newspaper reporter detained in Russia since October 13 is in good health following his first consular visit, with the government reiterating its demand for his immediate release. (News On Japan)

The Japanese government has outlined plans to introduce new legislation requiring individuals and organizations acting on behalf of foreign governments to disclose their activities, as part of efforts to strengthen Japan's intelligence capabilities and prevent improper foreign interference. (News On Japan)

Former Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda, who became the country's 91st prime minister in 2007 and made history as the first son of a former prime minister to hold the country's highest political office, has died at the age of 90, leaving a legacy that includes navigating a divided parliament, advancing consumer protection reforms, and securing an international agreement on climate change at the 2008 G8 summit in Hokkaido. (News On Japan)

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi marked the first anniversary of her administration on October 21 with approval ratings still above 60%, supported by her forceful political messaging and extensive use of social media, although growing dissatisfaction over rising prices and the slow delivery of economic policies is beginning to weaken support, particularly among younger voters. (News On Japan)

A 20-year-old US Marine stationed in Okinawa was indicted on October 25 on charges of robbery and murder after allegedly strangling a woman to death at a hotel in Naha and stealing her backpack containing a wallet and other belongings. (News On Japan)