On the afternoon of Oct. 16, the Japan Meteorological Agency issued an earthquake early warning for a magnitude 9.9 quake across a wide area from Hokkaido to Tokai, then canceled it about eight minutes later. The actual quake was a magnitude 6.9 off the Kamchatka Peninsula, and part of the Tokaido Shinkansen was briefly halted.
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The Kyoto District Court acquitted a senior member of a Kudo-kai-affiliated group charged in the 2013 shooting death of the president of Gyoza no Ohsho’s operator outside its Kyoto headquarters. Prosecutors had sought life imprisonment.
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Oct 17, 2026Culture & Society
The Mie Prefectural Assembly on Oct. 16 unanimously passed Japan’s first customer harassment (‘kasuhara’) ordinance with penalties. Violating a governor’s prohibition order could bring a fine of up to 500,000 yen, and the ordinance takes effect in April 2027.
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Oct 17, 2026Tech & Economy
The Nikkei 225 fell 4.9% on Oct. 15 and then rose 1.4% to close at 65,324.29 on Oct. 16. Analysts called it a partial recovery that did not recoup losses from the plunge in AI-related stocks.
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Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi told the Diet she spends three to four hours more than a male prime minister on things like makeup and morning chores, igniting a debate over gender roles. Opposition lawmakers criticized the answer as diminishing the status of women.
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Oct 17, 2026Tech & Economy
Japanese family restaurant chain Saizeriya will raise prices on more than 80% of its menu by an average of 6% from Oct. 29. Its signature Milano-style doria is expected to go from 300 yen to 320 yen.
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Oct 17, 2026Culture & SocietyGen Z trend
Gong cha Japan launched a limited-time ‘Beni Haruka Milk Tea’ made with Beni Haruka sweet potatoes from Ibaraki, topped with the chain’s first ‘sweet potato pearls.’ Korean trend outlet Careet also featured it as a micro-trend rising on Instagram and X.
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