Japan

NHK | English | News | Jan. 23, 2026 | Geopolitical Conflict and Disputes

Russia's Defense Ministry reported that Tupolev-95 strategic bombers conducted a flight over international waters in the Sea of Japan lasting more than 11 hours. The bombers were accompanied by Sukhoi fighter jets, and the ministry released video footage showing the aircraft in flight.

The Tupolev-95 bombers, which are capable of carrying nuclear weapons, regularly fly over international waters in various regions including the Arctic, North Atlantic, and Pacific. The ministry emphasized that these flights comply with international laws and cited similar missions conducted in January, August, and October of the previous year. Additionally, a joint patrol involving Russian and Chinese bombers took place in December.

The Mainichi | English | News | Jan. 23, 2026 | Accidents

A sightseeing helicopter crashed on January 20, 2026, inside the main crater of Mount Nakadake, part of Mount Aso in Kumamoto Prefecture, a popular tourist destination in Japan. Mount Aso is known for helicopter tours that offer close-up views of its craters, attracting many foreign visitors, with about 1.18 million inbound tourists visiting Aso-Kuju National Park in 2024, making it Japan’s second most visited national park.

Despite the volcano's active status, with an eruption alert level of 1 and generally low volcanic activity, manned helicopter flights are regularly allowed in the area as long as weather conditions are favorable. Drones and unmanned aircraft are banned within a 1-kilometer radius of Mount Nakadake’s craters to avoid difficult recoveries after crashes. The crashed helicopter was found on the northern slope of the first crater, with ongoing rescue efforts monitoring volcanic gas levels.

Local authorities expressed surprise over the accident as flying around the crater was not previously considered dangerous. Decisions on how to respond to the crash have not yet been made. The incident raises questions about the safety protocols surrounding aerial tours above active volcanic sites.

The Mainichi | English | News | Jan. 23, 2026 | UndeterminedTaxes

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi announced on January 19, 2026, that the ruling Liberal Democratic Party will propose eliminating the consumption tax on food and beverages for two years in the upcoming House of Representatives election campaign. This measure aims to ease the financial burden on middle- and low-income earners amid persistently high food inflation.

Takaichi plans to fund the tax cut by reallocating existing subsidies, special tax measures, and non-tax revenue rather than issuing deficit-financing bonds. She emphasized the need to consider impacts on financial markets, including interest rates, exchange rates, and local government finances. The timing of the tax cut was not discussed during the press conference despite prior speculation about a potential reduction around September.

The tax reduction is expected to cause an annual revenue loss of about 5 trillion yen ($31.6 billion), with roughly 2 trillion yen ($12.6 billion) impacting local governments. This has raised concerns about fiscal deterioration, reflected in rising government bond yields and potential yen depreciation, which could further increase inflation through higher import costs.

The opposition Centrist Reform Alliance advocates for a permanent zero consumption tax on food and beverages, making tax reduction a realistic prospect regardless of the election outcome. However, some economic officials warn that continued fiscal loosening by both major parties risks long-term fiscal collapse.