M5.9 earthquake hits capital region, maximum intensity 5-lower, 44 injured, transport disrupted

M5.9 earthquake in capital region, maximum intensity 5-lower; 44 injured in 1 metropolis and 4 prefectures An earthquake centered in southern Ibaraki Prefecture struck at around 2 a.m. on the 23rd, with intensity 5-lower observed in Tokyo, Ibaraki, Saitama, and Chiba. At least 44 people were injured, including from falls, and the Meteorological Agency called for caution against similar shaking for the coming week. The Tohoku, Joetsu, and Hokuriku Shinkansen lines experienced temporary power outages but operated from the first train. 12

Takaichi Cabinet approval rating at 50.2%, lowest ever; 71.7% have fiscal concerns over consumption tax cut In a nationwide telephone opinion poll by Kyodo News, the approval rating for the Takaichi Cabinet fell 3.5 points from the previous July survey to 50.2%, the lowest since its inauguration. A total of 71.7% expressed concerns about the fiscal impact of the government's proposed consumption tax cut, while 73.8% opposed appointing lawmakers disciplined over the slush fund scandal to important posts. 3

LDP goes all-out to reclaim Okinawa governorship for first time in 12 years, sending executives one after another In the Okinawa gubernatorial election (officially announced on the 27th, voting and counting on September 13), the Liberal Democratic Party has dispatched executives including election strategy committee chairman Nishimura to the prefecture to secure victory for its endorsed candidate, former Naha vice mayor Genta Koja. The strategy avoids emphasizing the 'Takaichi color' too much to prevent Komeito votes from defecting, and the prime minister may refrain from making a campaign appearance. 4

Strong Typhoon No. 18 to bring storm zone near Okinawa main island as early as 26th; triple typhoon According to the Meteorological Agency, strong Typhoon No. 18 is expected to enter the storm zone in the Daito Islands region on the 25th and the main island region as early as the 26th. It may overlap with Okinawa's Bon holiday season and the official announcement of the gubernatorial election (27th), prompting the Okinawa Meteorological Observatory to call for early typhoon preparations. Typhoons No. 19 and No. 20 have also formed, making it a 'triple typhoon.' 5

Prime Minister Takaichi to offer up to 50% tax credit for AI, quantum R&D; stresses 'new technology nation' In an X post on the 23rd, Prime Minister Takaichi explained that a system has been created under the revised Act on Strengthening Industrial Technology Capabilities to provide tax credits of up to 50% of test and research expenses to companies engaged in R&D in strategic technology fields such as AI and quantum technology. Certification will begin in fiscal 2027, and she expressed enthusiasm to 'win with technology and win in business.' 6

Government to mandate third-party inspections for mobile batteries amid surge in fire incidents The government is moving to fundamentally strengthen safety regulations for mobile batteries, which have seen a series of fire incidents, by mandating inspections by third-party organizations. According to NITE, the number of incidents increased from 51 in 2021 to 192 in 2025, roughly fourfold, and the government aims to establish the system within the current fiscal year. 7

Tochigi police search Tobu group company over fatal accident killing 4 on limited express In the accident in which the limited express Spacia X struck and killed four workers engaged in weed removal on the tracks at Shin-Kanuma Station in Kanuma, Tochigi Prefecture, the prefectural police searched a Tobu group company on suspicion of professional negligence resulting in death. The deployment of lookouts and the safety management system are the focus of the investigation. 8

Woman from Taiwan arrested for pouring oil on Yakushiji Temple's national treasure 'Bussokuseki' On the 22nd, the Nara Police Station arrested a self-described emcee from Taiwan, suspect Tsai I-chen (39), on suspicion of violating the Cultural Property Protection Law for pouring liquid on the national treasure 'Bussokuseki' (Buddha's footprint stone) at Yakushiji Temple. She was quoted as saying, 'I pour oil on things that moved me and pray,' and glycerin was detected in the liquid. 9

Disinformation about 'foreign terrorism' spreads after temple fire in Saga; experts urge verifying accurate information Regarding the fire at Sairinji Temple in Saga City, posts on social media hinting at foreign involvement and conspiracy theories have spread, with related posts viewed more than 1.7 million times. According to Fire and Disaster Management Agency statistics, temple and shrine fires are actually on a declining trend, and experts are urging people to 'check the accuracy of information.' 10

LDP Osaka chapter sets up project team to realize 'subcapital Osaka'; chairman Matsukawa says 'take the shortest route' On the 22nd, the Liberal Democratic Party's Osaka Prefectural Chapter announced it would establish a 'Subcapital Osaka and Growth Strategy Project Team' to discuss the desired governance structure, following the enactment of legislation related to the subcapital concept. With next spring's unified local elections in mind, the team will bring together national lawmakers and local assembly members elected in the prefecture to formulate ideas. 11

Megabanks reform corporate payments; accelerating tokenized deposits for near-instant overseas remittances The three megabanks — Mitsubishi UFJ, Mizuho, and Sumitomo Mitsui — are simultaneously accelerating the joint issuance of stablecoins and the development of interbank settlement using tokenized deposits, with an eye toward actual transactions in fiscal 2026. Financial Services Minister Katayama stressed that 'advancing financial infrastructure is essential.' 12

Photojournalist Bunyo Ishikawa dies at 88; covered Vietnam War and Cambodian genocide Bunyo Ishikawa, a photojournalist who covered the front lines of the Vietnam War as a freelancer and also reported on the massacres committed by the Pol Pot regime in Cambodia, died on the 23rd at a hospital in Chino, Nagano Prefecture, due to malignant lymphoma. He was 88. 13