The ratio of women who hold senior positions at companies in Japan has inched up, but remains far below the government's target.

Credit research firm Teikoku Databank conducted a nationwide survey in July and nearly 12,000 firms responded.

Sources tell NHK that Japan's government is considering allowing corporate executives from the United States and European countries to enter the country on certain conditions.

The government plans to allow in businesspeople from countries where coronavirus outbreaks have been largely contained.

Kansai Electric Power Company has filed a lawsuit for 18 million dollars in damages against five former executives over a bribery scandal.

The utility filed the suit against former chairman Yagi Makoto, former president Iwane Shigeki and three others at the Osaka District Court on Tuesday.