Japan Approves New Laws to Combat Stalking and Domestic Violence
TOKYO – The Japanese government has approved new legislation aimed at tightening restrictions on the use of Bluetooth tags for stalking. This move comes in response to growing concerns over the misuse of such devices, which can be used to track a person’s location without their consent.
The previous revision of the anti-stalking law in 2021 already banned the use of GPS devices for unauthorized location tracking. However, Bluetooth tags, often used to locate valuable items, were not previously regulated. The new bills will now address this gap, ensuring that these devices cannot be exploited for malicious purposes.
UNESCO Considers Adding Six Japanese Cultural Items to Intangible Heritage List
TOKYO – An advisory panel for UNESCO has recommended the inclusion of six cultural elements from Japan into the organization’s list of intangible heritage. These items span traditional festivals and craftsmanship, including handmade paper and tatami mat making.
The six items include festivals from Ibaraki, Niigata, Shiga, and Toyama prefectures, as well as two types of craftsmanship related to paper and tatami mats. Their formal inscription is expected to be endorsed during the U.N. Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization’s intergovernmental committee session in New Delhi, scheduled from December 8 to 13.
Renowned Japanese Actor Tatsuya Nakadai Passes Away at 92
TOKYO – Tatsuya Nakadai, a celebrated Japanese actor known for his roles in Akira Kurosawa’s films, including “Kagemusha,” has passed away at the age of 92. His contributions to Japanese cinema have left a lasting legacy.
Nakadai began his career in 1952 and gained fame through his role in the “Ningen no joken” trilogy, directed by Masaki Kobayashi. His work often highlighted themes of pacifism and the human condition, resonating with audiences worldwide.
Sony Adjusts Profit Forecast Amid Reduced Tariff Impact
TOKYO – Sony Group Corp. has raised its net profit forecast for the year ending March 2026 to 1.05 trillion yen ($6.8 billion), up from an earlier projection of 970 billion yen. This adjustment is due to a reduced impact from U.S. tariffs.
Strong performance in the music and semiconductor segments has led to an increase in fiscal 2025 revenue outlook to 12 trillion yen, compared to the previous estimate of 11.7 trillion yen. Operating profit is also expected to rise to 1.43 trillion yen, up from 1.33 trillion yen.
Japan Records Historic Current Account Surplus
TOKYO – Japan’s current account surplus for the first half of fiscal 2025 reached a record high of 17.51 trillion yen ($113 billion), marking a 14.1 percent increase from the previous year. This surge was driven by a shift in the goods trade balance from deficit to surplus.
The current account surplus, one of the broadest measures of international trade, represents the highest level recorded for any fiscal half-year period since comparable data became available in 1985, according to the Finance Ministry.
George Takei’s Book on Wartime Internment to Be Translated into Japanese
LOS ANGELES – Actor and civil rights activist George Takei is expanding his reach with a children’s book about the World War II-era incarceration of Japanese Americans. The book, which has already won awards, is set to be translated into Japanese.
Takei was among the approximately 120,000 civilians of Japanese ancestry who were forcibly removed from their homes and placed in internment camps across seven U.S. states during the war. His work continues to educate new generations about this significant chapter in history.
Man Injured in Bear Attack in Northeastern Japan
YAMAGATA, Japan – A 75-year-old man sustained non-life-threatening injuries after being attacked by a bear while walking alone in northeastern Japan. The incident occurred in Yonezawa, Yamagata Prefecture, where the man was scratched on his cheek and shoulder by a bear measuring about 80 centimeters in length.
The man encountered the bear after hearing movement in the bushes behind him. There was a persimmon tree nearby, which may have attracted the animal.
Video: Kyoto Temple Illuminated for Nighttime Autumn Foliage Viewing