Although the government released 210,000 tons of reserve rice into the market, only about 10 percent has reached supermarkets and restaurants, equivalent to the nation’s average daily rice consumption. (News On Japan)

With rice prices continuing to hover at historically high levels and empty store shelves becoming more common, the Japanese government is under increasing pressure to implement consumer- and producer-friendly policies. In response, authorities are revising the bidding system for releasing reserve rice stocks, aiming to make it more accessible to smaller wholesalers. (News On Japan)

Agriculture Minister Taketaka Eto of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party stated during a speech in Saga City on May 18th that he has never purchased rice, explaining, "I receive a lot from supporters—enough that I could practically sell it. That's how much is in my household pantry." (News On Japan)

A peace march calling for the reduction of the burden caused by U.S. military bases was held in Okinawa on May 17th, marking 53 years since the prefecture's reversion to Japan. (News On Japan)

The government approved a long-awaited pension reform bill in a cabinet meeting on May 16th, aiming to eliminate the so-called "1.06 million yen barrier" that has prevented many part-time workers from enrolling in the welfare pension system. (News On Japan)

Japan has launched its new "security clearance" system, which restricts access to sensitive economic security information to individuals deemed suitable through a national screening process. The program, which began operation on May 15th, is intended to enhance international collaboration by aligning Japan’s information handling standards with those of key allies. (News On Japan)

The Japanese government has set a new wage policy target aimed at achieving a real wage increase of around 1% by fiscal 2029, taking inflation into account. To support this goal, it plans to mobilize public and private investment totaling approximately 60 trillion yen over the next five years to boost corporate productivity. (News On Japan)

A growing number of Chinese tourists in Japan are converting their foreign driver's licenses into Japanese ones by listing their hotel addresses as proof of residence, drawing criticism and prompting a policy shift from authorities. (News On Japan)

Hyogo Governor Motohiko Saito and senior prefectural officials have participated in an anti-power harassment training session aimed at fostering a more open and communicative workplace environment. (News On Japan)

A stolen Buddhist statue from Tsushima was returned to Japan on May 10th, marking a significant step toward resolving a diplomatic dispute that has strained Japan-South Korea relations for over a decade. (News On Japan)

Across Japan, road collapses have been occurring with increasing frequency, often blamed on aging infrastructure. In one recent incident in Ashioshi, Saitama Prefecture, a truck was swallowed by a gaping sinkhole. (News On Japan)

The Japanese government’s long-anticipated pension reform plan is at risk of being significantly watered down, as the core proposal to raise the basic pension appears to have been dropped from the bill currently under deliberation in the National Diet. (News On Japan)

China has pushed back against Japan's protest over a recent incursion by a Chinese helicopter into Japanese airspace near the Senkaku Islands, claiming instead that it was a Japanese civilian aircraft that violated Chinese airspace. (News On Japan)

Reporters Without Borders has released its 2025 World Press Freedom Index, ranking Japan 66th out of 180 countries and regions surveyed, just behind Timor-Leste (65th) and Fiji (64th). (News On Japan)

Shizuoka Governor Heita Suzuki announced on April 30th that the prefecture will implement its “Cool Biz” dress code throughout the year starting in May 2025. Previously limited to the warmer months from May through October, the initiative encourages relaxed attire for government workers, such as going without neckties, to create a more comfortable working environment. (News On Japan)

The Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan has submitted a bill to allow married couples the option of keeping separate surnames, but the initiative has little momentum in the current Diet session due to a lack of support from other parties. (News On Japan)

Tensions between the United States and North Korea have been intensifying behind the scenes, despite the recent spotlight on former President Donald Trump. On April 15th, two U.S. Air Force B-1B bombers participated in a joint training exercise with the South Korean Air Force over South Korean airspace. (News On Japan)

The Japanese government held its first meeting on April 25th to address support measures for the Employment Ice Age Generation, a group that has recently become the focus of active policy discussions across political parties. (News On Japan)

In response to a third-party committee confirming five cases of power harassment involving senior officials in Ōnojo, including the deputy mayor, the city government held a press conference on April 24th. (News On Japan)

Tottori Prefecture and the Kingdom of Jordan, both exhibitors at Expo 2025 Osaka-Kansai, have formed a symbolic partnership dubbed the "Sand Alliance," uniting over their shared cultural and environmental connection to sand. (News On Japan)