Fire at elementary school in Tokyo's Kita Ward injures 11, including children

Fire at elementary school in Tokyo's Kita Ward, fire starts near music room, injures 11 including children On the morning of the 19th, a fire broke out at Takinogawa Daisan Elementary School in Kita Ward, Tokyo, burning approximately 200 square meters of the fourth floor of the school building. A total of 11 people were injured—8 children, 2 teachers, and 1 custodian—with several suffering fractures. At the time of the fire, fifth graders were in class in the music room; the fire alarm activated and evacuation was carried out. Police are investigating the cause of the fire. 12

Revised postal privatization law enacted, 65 billion yen annual subsidy to be投入 from fiscal 2027 The revised postal privatization-related law was passed and enacted at the House of Councillors plenary session on the 19th. To maintain universal postal service, the government will provide Japan Post with an annual subsidy of about 65 billion yen to stabilize the nationwide post office network. The obligation for Japan Post Group's two financial companies to hold shares will also continue "for the time being." 3

Prime Minister Takaichi again denies secretary's involvement in defamatory video issue, but opposition criticizes as "false testimony" At the House of Councillors plenary session on the 19th, Prime Minister Takaichi explained regarding the suspicion of a publicly funded secretary's involvement in creating a defamatory video related to the Liberal Democratic Party presidential election that she "conducted fact-checking as much as possible and answered sincerely." The opposition criticized her initial denial of the existence of an online meeting as "false testimony," but the Prime Minister did not apologize. 45

Collision between Shinkansen and person at JR Hamamatsu Station premises, woman dies Shortly after 5:40 p.m. on the 19th, a person who entered the tracks at JR Hamamatsu Station premises collided with the Shinkansen "Nozomi 49," and police confirmed the death of a woman. According to JR Central, this accident caused service suspensions on some sections of the Tokaido Shinkansen. 6

Revised Social Welfare Law enacted to provide comprehensive support for elderly without relatives The revised Social Welfare Law and related laws were passed and enacted at the House of Councillors plenary session on the 19th. In response to the increase in single elderly people, a system was legislated for prefectural social welfare councils to provide comprehensive support from daily life to hospitalization and post-death procedures, with low-income individuals able to use services free or at low cost. Implementation is targeted by June 2028. 7

Government presents outline of Imperial House Law revision to secure number of imperial family members, approved in principle by House Speakers and Vice-Speakers On the 19th, the government explained to the Speakers and Vice-Speakers of both Houses the outline of the Imperial House Law revision, centered on two proposals: maintaining the status of female imperial family members after marriage and adopting male-line male descendants from former imperial families. It received "approval in principle." Adoptees are to be aged 15 or older, with a provision for review every 30 years. 8

Revised Plant Variety Protection and Seed Act passes House of Representatives, new right to demand injunction against unauthorized export before variety registration The revised Plant Variety Protection and Seed Act, aimed at preventing the outflow of domestically developed agricultural products overseas, was passed at the House of Representatives plenary session on the 19th and cleared the Lower House. It includes the establishment of a new right to demand an injunction against unauthorized export even before variety registration, as well as an extension of the breeder's rights period by 10 years. 9

Large cargo ship of Ryukyu Shipping runs aground south of Izu Oshima, all 17 crew members safe The RO-RO ship "Nirai Kanai 2" of Ryukyu Shipping ran aground on Toshima Island south of Izu Oshima early on the 19th. None of the 17 crew members were injured, and no oil spill has been confirmed. The ship is stuck on rocks and unable to navigate on its own, with a rescue vessel expected to arrive on the evening of the 20th. 10

Fire in radiation-controlled area of Japan Atomic Energy Agency, another fire occurred on the 15th The Japan Atomic Energy Agency announced on the 19th that a fire broke out in the radiation-controlled area of the tandem accelerator building at the Nuclear Science Research Institute in Tokai Village, Ibaraki Prefecture. There was no leakage of radioactive materials and no injuries. The agency had also experienced successive fires at the same institute and elsewhere on the 15th. 11