PM Takaichi performs unusual Yasukuni remote worship on first end-of-war anniversary, wary of conservative backlash

PM Takaichi performs unusual Yasukuni remote worship on first end-of-war anniversary, omits "reflection" from address On the 15th, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi performed a "two bows, two claps, one bow" remote worship toward Yasukuni Shrine from the parking lot of Nippon Budokan ahead of the national memorial ceremony for the war dead, and privately offered a tamagushi fee as LDP president. Although she refrained from visiting the shrine, the unusual move reflected concern over conservative supporters defecting; in her address she avoided the word "reflection" and emphasized continuity with Abe's policies. 1234

House of Councillors effectively revises Imperial House Act; allows adoption from former imperial families but rejects female-line emperor The House of Councillors passed a bill to revise the Imperial House Act, the first substantive revision since 1947. From October 24, it will allow adoption of male-line males from the 11 former imperial branch families, while continuing not to allow a female emperor. Opinion polls show 70–80% support for allowing a female emperor, making this a focus of future debate. 5

Government to effectively reduce consumption tax on food to zero from next April; first tax cut since introduction The Cabinet approved a policy to lower the consumption tax rate on food to 1% and provide the remaining 1% as benefits to low- and middle-income earners, and will submit a bill to the autumn extraordinary Diet session. It would be the first tax cut since the consumption tax was introduced in 1989, but there are strong concerns about price pass-through and fiscal deterioration. 6

5 months after Henoko offshore accident: Heiwa Maru captain testifies Captain Kanai led decision to depart In the accident in which two protest ships capsized off Henoko, Okinawa, killing two people, it has been learned that the captain and crew of the Heiwa Maru told the 11th Regional Coast Guard Headquarters that the decision to depart and the selection of the route had been led by the late Captain Kanai of the Fukutsu. Sixteen days after the accident marks five months, and executives of the operating group offered flowers near the site. 7

Man, Okayama prefectural education board employee, arrested for attempted voyeurism with smartphone attached to shoe Kazunori Murata (51), an employee of the Okayama Prefectural Board of Education, was arrested by Hiroshima Prefectural Police on suspicion of attempted filming of sexual images after trying to photograph up the skirt of a teenage woman with a smartphone at a commercial facility in Hiroshima City. He is said to have admitted to the allegation. 8

House of Representatives to add women's restrooms in main building; stalls increased from 2 to 4 after PM Takaichi and others raised issue The House of Representatives will increase the number of stalls in the women's restroom on the second floor of the National Diet Building's main hall, where the plenary chamber is located, from two to four. Fifty-eight female lawmakers including Prime Minister Takaichi submitted a request stating that "congestion and waiting times are a daily occurrence," and completion is expected around December. 9

Three tropical depressions south of Japan; 17 typhoons formed, faster than average pace According to the Japan Meteorological Agency's forecast weather chart, a new tropical depression is expected to form in the waters southeast of Japan, and three tropical depressions are present south of Japan. Even after Typhoon No. 15, which brought heavy rain to Chiba last week, caution is needed regarding the effects of warm, moist air. 10

Man in his 70s injured after being attacked by Asian black bear while running in Ikeda, Gifu On the morning of the 16th, a man in his 70s who was running on a forest road on Mount Ikeda in Ikeda Town, Gifu Prefecture, was attacked by an Asian black bear believed to be a cub and suffered minor injuries to his right cheek. The number of bear sightings in the prefecture this fiscal year has reached 525, and the town has decided to ban entry into the mountain and close the forest road. 11

Final day of Bon holiday: return rush at Haneda, Shinkansen also at U-turn peak On the 16th, the final day of the Bon holiday, Haneda Airport expected about 39,200 arrivals, and JR Central's Shinkansen was nearly full from the morning, as the return travel rush peaked. 12