Prime Minister Takaichi asks Ishin for revision of deputy capital bill; ruling party clashes as end of Diet session nears

Prime Minister Takaichi asks Ishin leader Yoshimura for partial revision of deputy capital bill Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on the 22nd held a party leader meeting with Hirofumi Yoshimura, leader of Nippon Ishin no Kai, and requested a partial revision of the "deputy capital" bill that would substitute capital functions during large-scale disasters. Within the Liberal Democratic Party, opposition to content that promotes the "Osaka Metropolis Plan" is growing, and this move is seen as an attempt to break the deadlock before the end of the Diet session. Yoshimura indicated he would decide within a day or two. 123

Prime Minister Takaichi to submit statement by secretary over slander video allegations; opposition protests as 'refusal to answer' Prime Minister Takaichi on the 22nd indicated in the House of Representatives Budget Committee her intention to submit a written statement by her publicly funded first secretary to the Diet in the near future regarding allegations of the prime minister's camp creating a slander video. The prime minister claimed that "work hours can no longer be secured," but the opposition side demanded the secretary be summoned as a witness, calling it a "refusal to answer," leading to fierce conflict. 45

Prime Minister Takaichi states food consumption tax cut is 'limited to two years' Prime Minister Takaichi on the 22nd in the House of Representatives Budget Committee stated clearly that the consumption tax cut on food items would be "reverted two years after implementation," emphasizing it is temporary. She explained that this is a "bridge" measure until the introduction of a refundable tax credit, and after its end, the current reduced tax rate of 8% will be restored. 3

Relief bill for civilian victims of air raids to be submitted to Diet for first time in 38 years A bipartisan group of lawmakers on the 22nd decided to submit to the current Diet session a bill to provide relief to civilian victims of air raids and other attacks during the Pacific War. Similar bills were submitted in the 1970s and 1980s but never passed, and this submission comes 38 years later as the victims age. The bill includes a payment of 500,000 yen per surviving victim, but the Liberal Democratic Party is expected to oppose it. 6

Nasu two-body case: Defendant Hirayama partially denies charges at first trial In the case where a couple running a restaurant in Ueno, Tokyo were murdered and their bodies found in Nasu Town, Tochigi Prefecture, defendant Renken Hirayama (27), charged with murder and other crimes, partially denied the charges at his first trial on the 22nd, stating "I did it on instructions, it was not co-perpetration but aiding." Meanwhile, defendant Hikaru Sasaki (30) admitted to the charges. 7

Top executive of international crime organization? Man arrested for false residence registration Three people, including a Cypriot man (44) believed to be a top executive of the Cambodian conglomerate "Prince Holding Group," which is suspected of involvement in international crime, were arrested by the Metropolitan Police Department for filing false notification of change of residence registration. The man reportedly stated it was "to obtain permanent residency," and the MPD is investigating their actual activities in Japan. 8

Attempted gold bullion smuggling hidden in life-sized doll; 6 men arrested, worth about 1 billion yen The Metropolitan Police Department on the 22nd arrested six Chinese men on suspicion of violating the Customs Law (attempted) for trying to smuggle about 49 kilograms of cylindrical gold bullion (worth approximately 1.075 billion yen at current prices) hidden inside a life-sized doll. 9

Elementary school fire in Kita Ward, Tokyo; Education Minister to request nationwide safety management inspections Following a fire at Takinogawa Daisan Elementary School in Kita Ward, Tokyo that left 11 children with injuries, Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Yohei Matsumoto on the 22nd announced a policy to request boards of education nationwide to inspect fire prevention equipment, evacuation drills, and other safety management systems. Multiple burned clothing items were found in the music preparation room where the fire started. 10

Asahikawa high school girl murder: Defendant Uchida sentenced to 27 years; man storms courtroom In the lay judge trial of defendant Riko Uchida (23), charged with murder by causing a high school girl to fall from a bridge in Asahikawa, Hokkaido, the Asahikawa District Court on the 22nd handed down a sentence of 27 years in prison, as requested by prosecutors. After the verdict, there was a commotion as a man stormed into the courtroom shouting, "This verdict doesn't avenge her!" and was arrested. 11

Outline of Imperial House Law revision bill: Former imperial family adoptions set at 'age 15 or older' The government on the 22nd presented to the speakers and vice-speakers of both houses of the Diet the outline of a bill to revise the Imperial House Law, which includes measures to secure the number of imperial family members, and it was approved. The outline specifies that when adopting male-line males from former imperial families, the age must be "15 years or older." Along with a plan for female imperial family members to retain their status after marriage, both plans are to be addressed through revision of the Imperial House Law. 12