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12.02.2026

The Day the Nikkei Pierced Fifty-Eight Thousand

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This page is an archive of main headlines from Japan for 12.02.2026.

It displays 30 headlines from many sources chronologically, as they appeared throughout the day, accompanied by AI overviews that were written in real time.

12.02.2026The Day the Nikkei Pierced Fifty-Eight Thousand
Japanese editors prioritized the Nikkei Stock Average’s historic surge past the 58,000 mark during morning trading, a milestone fueled by market expectations of fiscal expansion under Prime Minister Takaichi. While the index retracted slightly by the closing bell, the narrative of 'Takaichi-nomics' dominated financial desks. This economic optimism contrasted sharply with grim afternoon reports from the corporate sector, where Nissan projected a 6500-billion-yen loss and Dentsu recorded its largest deficit to date.
Political coverage shifted to the formal start of the Chudo Reform Coalition leadership race, with editors focusing on the duel between Takashi Nagae and Junya Ogawa to salvage the fractured opposition. Evening headlines centered on the Milan-Cortina Olympics, specifically Ikuma Horishima securing a second consecutive bronze medal in men’s moguls. Simultaneously, the National Police Agency reported record-high fraud losses exceeding 300 billion yen, highlighting the emergence of AI-generated 'deepfake' deceptions in organized crime.
12.02.2026

00:50 (15:50)Fractured Opposition Seeks New Center

Japanese media are currently fixated on the aftermath of the Chudo Reform Coalition's electoral collapse, with reports detailing the internal friction over Komeito's preferential treatment and the resulting leadership race (Asahi, Mainichi, Yahoo, Japan Business Press). Simultaneously, editors are highlighting individual narratives of athletic redemption at the Milan-Cortina Olympics, focusing on Sara Takanashi’s return from disqualification and Kokomo Murase’s gold medal (Hokkaido, Kyodo).
09:04
09:49
Kyodo News

Olympics: Recovering defending champ Hirano into final, James tops q'fying

Japan's injury-hit defending men's snowboard halfpipe gold medalist Ayumu Hirano advanced to the final of the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics on Wednesday as Beijing Games runner-up Scotty James of Australia topped the qualifying round.
09:49 (00:49 in your timezone)

09:51 (00:51)Nikkei Shatters Fifty-Eight Thousand Milestone

Japanese editors are highlighting the Nikkei's unprecedented surge past 58,000 yen, driven by expectations of fiscal expansion under the Takaichi administration (NHK, Nikkei). Concurrently, a consensus on constitutional reform is emerging, with surveys showing 93% of new lawmakers favor revision, specifically to include the Self-Defense Forces (Asahi, Nikkei Asia). These developments underscore a shift toward a hawkish, market-oriented domestic stability despite regional tensions and corporate realignment (Mainichi, Sankei).
10:08
11:16
全国で2025年にあった特殊詐欺とSNS型投資・ロマンス詐欺の被害は計3241億円(暫定値)で、前年の1.6倍にのぼり過去最悪となった。警察庁が12日に発表した。警察庁は「きわめて深刻で危機的な状況だ」とし、取り締まりと被害防止の対策に力を…
11:16 (02:16 in your timezone)
11:33

11:35 (02:35)The Artificial Face of Fraud

The Japanese media has shifted its focus toward a sharp rise in sophisticated crime, with editors prioritizing the National Police Agency's report on record-high fraud losses exceeding 300 billion yen involving AI-generated deceptions (Asahi, Yomiuri). Simultaneously, the Chudo Reform Coalition's leadership race is gaining traction as candidates announce their bids following the recent electoral collapse (NHK, Yahoo). Financial editors are highlighting a climate of 'extreme fear' as Bitcoin ETFs see massive outflows (Nikkei).
12:05
12:16
■連載「帝国の幻影~壊れゆく国際秩序~あらがうグローバルサウス」 1月3日午前2時前。ベネズエラの首都カラカス近郊のアパート2階に住む消防士のヘスス・リナレスさん(48)は、ロケット花火のような爆発音で目を覚ました。電話取材に、「最初は新年…
12:16 (03:16 in your timezone)
12:31
12:57
13:03
13:15
Kyodo News

Japan's main opposition begins 2-horse leader race after election loss

Japan's main opposition party the Centrist Reform Alliance on Thursday officially began a brief two-horse race to select its new leader, as the recently established party seeks to rebuild after a crushing defeat in the recent general election.
13:15 (04:15 in your timezone)

13:17 (04:17)Two Horse Race for a Broken Center

The Japanese media is prioritizing the leadership race within the Chudo Reform Coalition following its electoral collapse, as candidates Takashi Nagae and Junya Ogawa officially begin their campaign (NHK, TBS, Kyodo). Simultaneously, editors are highlighting the rise of 'Overseas Tokuryu' crime syndicates utilizing AI for sophisticated fraud (Mainichi), alongside lingering diplomatic friction regarding a Chinese diplomat's verbal attacks on Prime Minister Takaichi (Sankei).
14:42
15:16

15:17 (06:17)Fractured Center Seeks a Face

Japanese media focus on the Chudo Reform Coalition leadership race as Takashi Nagae and Junya Ogawa clash over 'power harassment' allegations and tax policies (Sankei, NHK, TBS, Kyodo). Simultaneously, a shift toward regional development is emerging as Aichi Prefecture restarts plans to attract an Integrated Resort (IR) at Chubu Airport (Chunichi, Mainichi), while national crime statistics reveal fraud losses nearing 100 billion yen (Yomiuri, Asahi).
15:33
伝説のフィギュアスケート「バックフリップ」がミラノ五輪で28年ぶりに復活。98年長野大会で成功させた黒人女性選手は減点になっていた
15:33 (06:33 in your timezone)
15:46
ソフトバンクグループ(SBG)が12日発表した2025年4〜12月期の連結決算(国際会計基準)は、純利益が前年同期比5倍の3兆1726億円だった。同期間として過去最高だった。出資先の米オープンAIの評価額上昇が利益を押し上げた。 オープンAIへの出資に伴う投資利益2兆7965億円を計上した。12月の出資完了でSBGは累計347億ドルを投資し、出資比率が約11%の大株主となった。 人工知能(AI)…
15:46 (06:46 in your timezone)
15:46
16:22
16:48
17:16
経営再建中の日産自動車は12日、2026年3月期の純損益が6500億円の赤字になる見通しだと発表した。これまでは未定としていた。見通しどおりであれば、6708億円の純損失を計上した25年3月期に続き、2年連続の巨額赤字となる。 26年3月期…
17:16 (08:16 in your timezone)
17:16
ソフトバンクグループ(SBG)が12日発表した2025年4〜12月期の連結決算(国際会計基準)は、純利益が前年同期比5倍の3兆1726億円だった。同期間として過去最高だった。出資先の米オープンAIの評価額上昇が利益を押し上げた。 オープンAIへの出資に伴う投資利益2兆7965億円を計上した。12月の出資完了でSBGは累計346億ドルを投資し、出資比率が約11%の大株主となった。保有資産を時価では…
17:16 (08:16 in your timezone)

17:18 (08:18)OpenAI Windfall Lifts SoftBank High

Japanese financial and corporate reporting is dominated by SoftBank's record-breaking profits, driven by its investment in OpenAI (Nikkei, Nikkei Asia). This contrast in corporate fortunes is sharp, as Nissan projects a massive second consecutive annual loss (Asahi). Domestically, editors are focusing on the financial burdens of education in Hokkaido (Hokkaido Shimbun) and the contentious leadership race within the Chudo Reform Coalition (Sankei, NHK, Kyodo).
17:21
ソフトバンクグループ(SBG)が12日発表した2025年4〜12月期の連結決算(国際会計基準)は、純利益が前年同期比5倍の3兆1726億円だった。同期間として過去最高だった。出資先の米オープンAIの評価額上昇が利益を押し上げた。 オープンAIへの出資に伴う投資利益2兆7965億円を計上した。12月の出資完了でSBGは累計346億ドルを投資し、出資比率が約11%の大株主となった。保有資産を時価では…
17:21 (08:21 in your timezone)
17:21
17:52
18:05
電通グループの2025年12月期の連結最終損益(国際会計基準)が過去最大の赤字だったことが12日わかった。海外事業の買収に関わる損失が発生し前の期(1921億円の赤字)を大きく上回る。配当は初のゼロとする。五十嵐博社長(65)が退任し、中核会社の電通の佐野傑社長(55)が次期社長に就く人事も固めた。新体制で再建を急ぐ。 13日に決算や社長人事などを発表する。25年12月期の最終赤字額は、前の期の…
18:05 (09:05 in your timezone)

19:27 (10:27)Giant Losses Shadow the Center

Japanese editors are concentrating on the leadership race within the Chudo Reform Coalition (Sankei, TBS, NHK, Kyodo), emphasizing the internal alliances between Junya Ogawa and Yoshihiko Noda as the party faces an existential crisis. Concurrently, a corporate crisis dominates the business sector as Nissan and Dentsu report historic, multi-billion dollar losses due to failed restructuring and overseas underperformance (Nikkei Asia, Nikkei, Asahi).
19:32
20:54
21:16
12日に告示された中道改革連合の代表選は、立憲民主党出身者による一騎打ちとなった。衆院選の惨敗で党の基盤が大きく揺らぐなか、最優先したのは「分断」を表面化させないことだった。 立候補したのは、元総務大臣政務官の階猛氏(59)と元立憲幹事長の…
21:16 (12:16 in your timezone)

21:41 (12:41)Horishima Retains Mogul Bronze Glow

Japanese editors are currently prioritizing the dual narratives of athletic achievement and political fragmentation. Sports desks are celebrating Ikuma Horishima’s bronze in men’s moguls, marking his second consecutive Olympic medal (NHK, Yomiuri, Mainichi). Meanwhile, political coverage highlights a growing rift within the Chudo Reform Coalition, as the Constitutional Democratic Party and Komeito have decided to forego a unified caucus in the House of Councillors (Sankei, Asahi, Yahoo).
22:16
生命保険会社の社員らが出向先の金融機関から無断で持ち出していた情報は、大手4社で計3517件に上った。いずれも「組織的な指示」を否定したが、顧客の最適な商品選びを妨げかねない悪習が業界を覆っていた。 第一生命ホールディングス(HD)は12日…
22:16 (13:16 in your timezone)
23:05
ソフトバンクグループ(SBG)傘下のスマホ決済大手PayPayが3月に米NASDAQ(ナスダック)市場に上場する。想定時価総額は3兆円を超える見通し。SBG側が売り出す株式は1割程度にとどめる。PayPayは12日に米クレジットカード大手のビザとの提携を発表しており、米国中心に世界でのサービス展開を急ぐ。 2月中に米証券取引委員会(SEC)に株式公開計画に関する資料を提出する。仮条件をもとに機関…
23:05 (14:05 in your timezone)

23:40 (14:40)Second Bronze Glow for Horishima

Japanese editors are prioritizing the ongoing Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, specifically Ikuma Horishima's second consecutive bronze in men's moguls (Sankei, Chunichi, Yomiuri, Mainichi). In the corporate sector, SoftBank-backed PayPay's upcoming 3-trillion-yen NASDAQ listing has emerged as a major business focus (Nikkei). Meanwhile, political outlets remain centered on the leadership race within the fragmented Chudo Reform Coalition (TBS, Kyodo, Sankei, NHK).