藤田剛／T.Fujita　The Mainichi news corp.

石破首相、式辞に13年ぶり「反省」復活　全国戦没者追悼式 | 毎日新聞 石破茂首相は15日の全国戦没者追悼式の式辞で、「進む道を二度と間違えない。あの戦争の反省と教訓を、今改めて深く胸に刻まねばならない」と述べ、先の大戦に対する「反省」の語句を13年ぶりに復活させた。

Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba, in his speech at the National War Memorial Ceremony, said, "We must once again deeply remember the remorse and lessons of that war,“ he said, reviving the phrase ”remorse" for for the first time in 13 years.
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Japan marks 80th anniversary of World War II defeat - The Mainichi TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Japan on Friday marked the 80th anniversary of its surrender in World War II, as the aging of survivors and ongoing global conflicts

Japan marked the 80th anniversary of its surrender in World War II, as the aging of survivors and ongoing global conflicts underscored the importance of renewing its commitment to peace.
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Japan eyes 100 bil. yen budget for defense drone mass deployment - The Mainichi TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Japan is considering earmarking over 100 billion yen ($670 million) for the fiscal 2026 initial budget for mass deployment of defense

Japanese government plans to introduce a large number of drones for defense purposes. This is in response to the severe security environment, including airspace violations by Chinese aircraft, but the challenge is to improve the operational capability of these drones.
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Mt. Takao is known for tengu worship. Yakuoin Temple, located in the mountain, is dedicated to tengu statues and single-toothed geta worn by tengu.

Japan PM Ishiba urges party to unite as crucial upper house vote looms - The Mainichi TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba on Saturday urged senior members of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party to come together to

If the ruling party loses its majority in the Upper House election in July, a change of government will become a reality. Prime Minister Ishiba is struggling to find a decisive step to boost his approval rating.
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While resting on a park bench, an elderly man called out to me.
"A circle with several centers"
The old man said abruptly.
"A circle with many centers, or sometimes countless centers, but without a circumference. Can you think of such a circle?"

Japan executes man convicted of 9 murders, 1st hanging since 2022 - The Mainichi TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Japan executed on Friday a man convicted of the 2017 serial murders of nine people near Tokyo, the government said, marking the count

Only a few developed countries have the death penalty, including Japan and some states in the United States. In Japan, the majority of people approve of the death penalty, considering crime deterrence and victim sentiment.
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At the end of the cape, on a cliff overlooking the rough sea, stands a lighthouse.

The white paint is peeling off in the sea breeze.

No one visits, only time has fallen.

But the light is still the same.

It is the compass of silence.

It is the North Star shining on the earth.

NATO just set its defense spending target at 5% of GDP. Can Japan do the same? - The Mainichi TOKYO --

"Rather than a simple call for military expansion, this probably reflects the issue of how allies respond financially to the burden felt by the United States."
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College graduates face toughest job market in more than a decade as hiring slows - The Mainichi WASHINGTON (AP) -- While completing a master's degree in data analysis, Palwasha Zahid moved from Dallas to a town near Silicon Valley. The location m

While completing a master's degree in data analysis, Palwasha Zahid moved from Dallas to a town near Silicon Valley. The location made it easy to visit the campuses of tech stalwarts such as Google, Apple, and Nvidia.
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Explainer: -What is NATO's new 5% defence spending target? NATO leaders are expected to endorse a big new defence spending target at an alliance summit in The Hague on Wednesday, as demanded by U.S. President Donald Trump.

With NATO's adoption of a summit declaration to raise defense spending to 5% of GDP, similar discussions
are becoming a reality in Japan. U.S. President Trump intends to reconfigure security policy as well as tariff policy.
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One day, as the traffic light at an intersection turned green, a crow slowly swooped down.

Flapping his wings just in front of people's feet, he deftly snatched away a piece of bread that had fallen.

No one is surprised. The crow is so familiar as a resident of the city, as a shadow.

World leaders gather for historic NATO summit with unity on the line - The Mainichi THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) -- World leaders were gathering in the Netherlands on Tuesday for the start of a historic two-day NATO summit that could u

World leaders were gathering in the Netherlands on Tuesday for the start of a historic two-day NATO summit that could unite the world's biggest security organization around a new defense spending pledge or widen divisions among the 32 allies.
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Lawson opens next-generation AI-powered convenience store in Tokyo - The Mainichi TOKYO -- Major Japanese convenience store operator Lawson Inc. opened a next-generation convenience store here on June 23, utilizing artificial intell

Major Japanese convenience store operator Lawson Inc. opened a next-generation convenience store here on June 23, utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) and other new technologies to enhance customer convenience and address labor shortages.
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Japan maps out support steps for key game, anime industries - The Mainichi TOKYO (Kyodo) -- The Japanese government said Tuesday that it is seeking to provide support for video game production costs and improve working condit

The Japanese government said Tuesday that it is seeking to provide support for video game production costs and improve working conditions in the anime industry under a five-year plan to further boost the country's entertainment sector, a key source of exports.
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Okinawa marks 80th anniversary of end of WWII ground battle - The Mainichi NAHA Japan (Kyodo) -- Okinawa on Monday pledged to preserve and pass on the lessons of history at a ceremony marking the 80th anniversary of the end o

Okinawa on Monday pledged to preserve and pass on the lessons of history at a ceremony marking the 80th anniversary of the end of a fierce World War II ground battle between Japan and the United States that claimed more than 200,000 military and civilian lives.
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Japan PM Ishiba weighs skipping NATO summit: gov't source - The Mainichi TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has decided to cancel his visit to the Netherlands for a NATO summit, the government said Mond

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has decided to cancel his visit to the Netherlands for a NATO summit, the government said Monday, as U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear sites have heightened tensions in the Middle East.
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イラン国会、ホルムズ海峡の封鎖「承認」　最終決定は今後　空爆受け | 毎日新聞 イランメディアは22日、イラン国会が海上交通路（シーレーン）の要衝であるホルムズ海峡を封鎖することを承認したと報じた。ただ、実施には大統領が議長を務める最高安全保障委員会（SNSC）の最終決定が必要とされ、現時点では実行に踏み切るかは不明だ。

Iranian media reported that the Iranian parliament has approved the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, a key sea lane. If the blockade is actually initiated, it will inevitably have a major impact on the world's energy supply, including that of Japan.
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The results of the Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly election are coming in. The Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) is struggling due to a political fund scandal. Amid the multipolar dispersion trend, the “Tomin First no Kai,” a political group led by well-known Governor Koike, has the upper hand.

Japan vigilant amid Iran conflict, mum on support for US attacks - The Mainichi TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said Sunday that Japan is monitoring with

PM Shigeru Ishiba said Sunday that Japan is monitoring with "grave concern" the developments in the Middle East after the US attacked Iranian nuclear facilities, though he refrained from expressing immediate support for the military action taken by its closest ally.
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US has struck 3 Iranian nuclear sites, Trump says, joining Israeli air campaign - The Mainichi WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Donald Trump said Saturday that the U.S. military struck three sites in Iran, directly joining Israel 's effort to decapi

Donald Trump said that the U.S. military struck three sites in Iran, directly joining Israel 's effort to decapitate the country's nuclear program in a risky gambit to weaken a longtime foe amid Tehran's threat of reprisals that could spark a wider regional conflict.
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Kobe is my hometown. I love the atmosphere where port town and downtown coexist.

Chinese ships seen near Senkakus for record-tying 215th straight day - The Mainichi NAHA (Kyodo) -- Chinese coast guard ships were spotted near the Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea for the 215th consecutive day, the Japan Coast G

Chinese coast guard ships were spotted near the Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea for the 215th consecutive day, the Japan Coast Guard said Saturday, matching the longest streak since Japan put the islets under state control in 2012.
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米、アジアの同盟国にも防衛費GDP比5％を要求　NATOに続き | 毎日新聞 米国防総省のパーネル報道官は21日、日本を含むアジアの同盟国が防衛費を国内総生産（GDP）比で5％に引き上げるべきだとの認識を示した。トランプ米政権は同盟国が過度に米国に依存してきたと主張し、防衛費の「応分の負担」を要求。米欧で作る北大西洋条約機構（NATO）ではGDP比5％への引き上げの議論が進

The U.S. is demanding a large increase in Japan's defense spending, apparently seeking an increase to 3.5% of GDP first, with 5% as the global standard. As with the tariff policy, is this a strategy of throwing a high ball and bringing it to individual negotiations?
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Despite cost, nearly half in Japan buy usual rice brands, just 16% trying reserve: survey - The Mainichi TOKYO -- About half of consumers in Japan continue to buy their usual brand-name rice despite surging prices, while fewer than 20% are willing to purc

Rice, the staple food of the Japanese people, has become a luxury item. If prices and supply-demand conditions remain unstable, the food control system may be revived, as it was during the war.
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Chinese aircraft carrier moves from Pacific to East China Sea: Japan - The Mainichi TOKYO (Kyodo) -- One of the two Chinese aircraft carriers operating in the Pacific moved to the East China Sea on Friday, the Japanese Defense Ministr

Chinese Navy aircraft carriers are prolonging their activities in the Pacific Ocean. The scope of operations has also expanded.It is believed to be aimed at preventing U.S. military intervention in the event of a Taiwan contingency.
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Japan lower house removes panel chief for 1st time in postwar era - The Mainichi TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Japan's House of Representatives on Wednesday approved a resolution, proposed by several opposition parties, to dismiss a committee c

The escalating war between Israel and Iran has affected the political situation in Japan. Citing fears that oil prices could soar, opposition parties have submitted a bill to the Diet to lower the tax rate on gasoline. The conflict with the ruling party is deepening.
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Japan firm supporting refugees to donate glasses to war-torn Ukraine - The Mainichi MOSCOW (Kyodo) -- A Japanese company that makes glasses will donate 5,100 pairs of spectacles to people displaced by Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

A Japanese company that makes glasses will donate 5,100 pairs of spectacles to people displaced by Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
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YouTube video by negipon 【長嶋茂雄さん追悼曲】永久の背番号３【感動をありがとう】（再掲載）#長嶋茂雄 ♯追悼

Shigeo Nagashima, honorary manager for life of the professional baseball Giants and a man of brilliant achievements as a player and manager who gained national popularity, passed away on March 3 at the age of 89.
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Tengu have the spiritual power to move at a moment's notice, fly in the sky, and read minds. On the other hand, "tengu ni naru" in Japanese is a negative proverb meaning to be arrogant. Tengu have a curious duality.