Japan's Supreme Court To Investigate Disposal Of High-profile Trial Records

Japan's Supreme Court to investigate disposal of high-profile trial records

The Supreme Court of Japan has decided to investigate how records were handled in about 100 high-profile juvenile and civil trials after it recently came to light that some of the records have been discarded.

The court has instructed lower courts across Japan to permanently keep records of juvenile and civil trials that had a social impact and were deemed to be deserving of preservation.

Optimism High Among Japanese Fans Heading To World Cup

Optimism high among Japanese fans heading to World Cup

The Japan men's soccer team faces Costa Rica on Sunday at the FIFA World Cup, and expectations are running high among fans heading to the tournament in Qatar.

At Narita Airport near Tokyo on Friday afternoon, a 66-year-old man said he was already excited, adding that he is optimistic about the Samurai Blue advancing to the knockout stage.

Tokyo Consumer Inflation Hits 40-year High

Tokyo consumer inflation hits 40-year high

Consumer prices in Tokyo have been rising this month at their fastest pace in four decades. City residents were hit especially hard by soaring costs for food, electricity and gas.

The internal affairs ministry says the consumer price index for November rose 3.6 percent from a year ago in the capital's 23 wards. That was the highest figure since April 1982.

Japan's Defense Budget Likely To Be Record High

Japan's defense budget likely to be record high

NHK has learned that Japan's defense budget for fiscal 2021 is likely to be around 51 billion dollars -- a record high. The budget would be higher for nine years in a row.

The Defense Ministry has been negotiating its budget request with the Finance Ministry before the government compiles the budget plan late this month.

High-risk Groups Urged To Avoid Tokyo Travel

High-risk groups urged to avoid Tokyo travel

Japan's government will urge seniors and people with underlying health issues not to use its domestic tourism campaign to travel to and from Tokyo. The decision is in line with a request from the capital where coronavirus cases are surging.

Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide and Tokyo Governor Koike Yuriko agreed on Tuesday that they will ask people aged 65 and older and those with existing health conditions to refrain from making such trips.

Serious Coronavirus Cases Hit Record High In Japan

Serious coronavirus cases hit record high in Japan

The number of seriously ill patients with COVID-19 across Japan hit 472 on Monday. That's a new record high, and the health minister says it's another sign the situation is growing more serious.

Health Minister Tamura Norihisa said, "The number of people in serious condition tends to lag behind new cases. So the fact that serious ones have increased to nearly 500 means we're facing a sense of crisis."

Tokyo Reports Record-high Coronavirus Infections

Tokyo reports record-high coronavirus infections

Tokyo's daily tally of coronavirus infections reached an all-time high of 570 cases on Friday. The previous record was 539, reported last Saturday.

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government says the newly confirmed cases involve people aged under 10 to over 100.