Supreme Court rejects special appeal, dissolution order for former Unification Church finalized

Dissolution order for former Unification Church finalized by Supreme Court, freedom of religion not infringed The Supreme Court's Third Petty Bench upheld the Tokyo High Court's decision to dissolve the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification (formerly the Unification Church) and dismissed the church's special appeal. This marks the first time a dissolution order under the Civil Code has been finalized, with the court ruling it 'necessary and unavoidable.' 12

Prime Minister Takichi responds to heckling at Okinawa memorial: 'Peaceful nation is Japan's pride' During Prime Minister Takichi's address at the Okinawa Memorial for All War Dead, heckling such as 'Oppose war' and 'Protect Article 9' occurred, leading to five individuals being removed. The Prime Minister stated, 'Japan's path as a peaceful nation is a source of pride,' and emphasized the need to strengthen defense capabilities. 34

Prime Minister Takichi criticizes governance at Doshisha International High School following Henoko accident Following an accident off Henoko where two boats capsized, resulting in the deaths of two students, Prime Minister Takichi pointed out that 'there were extremely serious problems with the school's governance' at Doshisha International High School. He stressed that the Ministry of Education's guidance was 'not excessive intervention.' 3

Vice Capital Bill: Ishin agrees to remove supplementary provisions, to be submitted to Diet as early as the 24th In a meeting between Prime Minister Takichi and Ishin leader Yoshimura, Ishin agreed to remove the supplementary provisions of the Vice Capital Bill (expanding the scope of the referendum on the Osaka Metropolis Plan) as requested by the Prime Minister. The Liberal Democratic Party also agreed, and the bill is expected to be submitted to the Diet soon. Yoshimura noted, 'Passage might become somewhat more difficult.' 56

National flag desecration bill to enter deliberations on the 24th, likely to pass this Diet session The ruling and opposition parties have agreed that the bill to criminalize desecration of the Japanese national flag, jointly submitted by the LDP, Ishin, the Democratic Party for the People, and the Party of Political Participation, will begin deliberations in the House of Representatives Committee on Internal Affairs and Communications on the 24th. Aiming for a committee vote on the 26th, passage during the current Diet session is considered certain. 7

Kanazawa University professor dismissed for receiving money from contractor; chaired committee on Noto earthquake Kanazawa University dismissed Professor Shin Fujio of the Institute of Frontier Science and Innovation for receiving money from a contractor with a conflict of interest. Fujio served as chairman of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism's expert committee on Noto reconstruction. The university has filed a damage report with the Ishikawa Prefectural Police. 8

Nissan shareholder meeting rejects reappointment of director Nagai; doubts raised over Mizuho FG independence At Nissan Motor's shareholder meeting, the reappointment of Director Nagai, a former Mizuho Financial Group executive, was rejected. This is believed to stem from concerns over his independence. 9

Fire in shopping arcade in Izumo City, Shimane; 8 buildings burning, no injuries Around 7:30 p.m. on the 23rd, a fire broke out in the 'Sun Road Nakamachi' shopping arcade in Izumo City, Shimane Prefecture. Eight buildings, including restaurants, were burning, but no injuries or missing persons have been confirmed. 10

Skeletal remains found in apartment in Ibaraki City, Osaka; possible corpse abandonment case On the morning of the 23rd, skeletal remains were discovered in a closet of an apartment in Ibaraki City, Osaka Prefecture, by a cleaning worker. Police are investigating the possibility of a corpse abandonment case. 11

Women referred to prosecutors for filming videos of letting passersby touch exposed chest in Shibuya; earned 10 million yen in about a year A 27-year-old unemployed woman and two others were referred to prosecutors on suspicion of violating public nuisance prevention laws for filming videos on a street in Shibuya, Tokyo, where a woman let passersby touch her exposed chest. It is believed they earned approximately 10 million yen in total over about a year. 12

Ministry of Health considers easing care worker staffing standards in areas with declining populations aged 75 and over The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare is considering easing staffing standards for care facilities in areas with small populations aged 75 and over. This would allow operations with fewer staff than currently required, aiming to maintain long-term care insurance services. 13

Three centrist opposition parties request postponement of deliberations on bill to reduce House of Representatives seats Secretaries-general of the Centrist Reform League, the Constitutional Democratic Party, and Komeito met and criticized the ruling party's bill to reduce the number of House of Representatives seats as 'partisan,' agreeing to demand that deliberation be postponed. 14