16.01.2026

The Day of the Centrist Reform Alliance Formation

THE

HEAR

This page is an archive of main headlines from Japan for 16.01.2026.

It displays 39 headlines from many sources chronologically, as they appeared throughout the day, accompanied by AI overviews that were written in real time.

16.01.2026 ⇢ The Day of the Centrist Reform Alliance Formation

⌨On January 16, Japanese editorial priority focused on the formalization of the "Centrist Reform Alliance" (Chudo Kaikaku Rengo), a new political entity formed by the merger of the Constitutional Democratic Party and Komeito. Morning headlines shifted from the previous day's negotiations to the official announcement of the party name and its platform, specifically a proposal to eliminate consumption tax on food to counter the Takaichi administration’s fiscal policies.
The afternoon news cycle was dominated by the sudden retirement of former Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, who announced he would not contest the next election due to health concerns. This news shared top billing with a major infrastructure failure as a power outage paralyzed the Yamanote and Keihin-Tohoku lines during the morning rush, affecting over 670,000 commuters. By evening, editors turned their attention to corporate scandals, notably the 3.1 billion yen embezzlement case at Prudential Life Insurance, and high-level diplomacy between Prime Minister Takaichi and Italy’s Giorgia Meloni regarding economic security and China.

16.01.2026

00:05

Kyodo News

Sumo: Injury-hit Onosato narrowly escapes 2nd loss at New Year meet

Injury-hampered yokozuna Onosato survived a close call against former sekiwake Takanosho to improve to 4-1 at the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament on Thursday.

00:05 (15:05 in your timezone)

09:00

Yahoo! Japan

解散の意向争点に「積極財政」

09:00 (00:00 in your timezone)

09:58

Nikkei Asia

Taiwan and US clinch chip-focused trade deal to lower tariffs

'Reciprocal' levy on Taiwanese goods to be capped at 15%, Commerce Department says

09:58 (00:58 in your timezone)

10:11

日本経済新聞

市場の巨象、踊れ日本企業IBM再建・ガースナー氏の遺言

日本の株高が進む。だが肝心の企業は変革を遂げているのか。先週の米テクノロジー見本市「CES」で気になったのは、日本企業の影の薄さだ。特設サイトで数えると、参加したのは約100社。韓国は700社、中国は900社をそれぞれ超えていた。会場を訪れたベンチャー投資家の山本康正氏は「ビジネス相手とつながる場所なのに……」と嘆く。世界最大級の見本市は、顧客の本音を探る貴重な機会だ。今こそ振り返るべき経…

10:11 (01:11 in your timezone)

10:12 (01:12)⇢Darkness Stills the Iron Loop

⌨Japanese media focus on a major infrastructure failure as a power outage paralyses the Yamanote and Keihin-Tohoku lines, with reports of smoke near Tamachi Station (Yomiuri, TBS, NHK). Simultaneously, editors analyze the 'Centrist Reform' merger's friction in Central Japan (Chunichi) and the Takaichi administration's move toward 'active fiscal' policy as a core election issue (Yahoo). In international affairs, the US-Taiwan chip trade deal and Trump’s diplomatic meeting with Venezuela’s Machado are prioritized (Nikkei Asia, Sankei).

10:16

朝日新聞

外国人への不安の果てに　デンマークが突き進む、移民の「強制移転」

■多民社会新シリーズ　「不安の正体」①　社会はいま、外国人への見えない「不安」にとらわれているように見える。　お互いの暮らしは様々な形で結びついているにもかかわらず、心の壁は高くなっていく。　日本の在留外国人のうち、特別永住者を除く3割近い…

10:16 (01:16 in your timezone)

10:29

HuffPost Japan

再利用パソコン、価格だけじゃない価値

10:29 (01:29 in your timezone)

10:29

Kyodo News

Japan, U.S. defense chiefs confirm strong alliance amid concerns in Asia

The defense chiefs of Japan and the United States on Thursday agreed to reinforce the deterrence and response capabilities of the bilateral alliance amid concerns in Asia that Washington's focus is drifting from the region.

10:29 (01:29 in your timezone)

10:42

Yahoo! Japan

新党名は中道改革連合立憲と公明

10:42 (01:42 in your timezone)

10:48

Kyodo News

Tokyo's Yamanote loop line trains out of service due to power outage

All train services on the Yamanote loop line in central Tokyo have been out of service from early morning on Friday due to a power outage, its operator said.

10:48 (01:48 in your timezone)

11:16

朝日新聞

全壊した家にも二重ローン　震災から30年たっても返済義務

1995年の阪神・淡路大震災では住宅約25万棟が全半壊し、多くの被災者が二重ローンを抱えた。兵庫県西宮市に住む60代の女性は震災から30年過ぎたいまも、返済を続けている。　「『あしたのご飯、どうしよう』と思ったこともあり、ほんまに大変やった…

11:16 (02:16 in your timezone)

11:18 (02:18)⇢The Severed Iron Loop

⌨The Japanese media is currently dominated by a major infrastructure failure as a power outage paralyzes the Yamanote and Keihin-Tohoku lines during the morning rush, with reports of smoke at Tamachi Station causing significant commuter chaos (Kyodo, Yomiuri, Sankei, TBS, NHK). Simultaneously, the editorial focus remains on the political seismic shift of the 'Centrist Reform' merger between the CDP and Komeito, highlighting its potential to reshape the regional and national electoral landscape (Hokkaido, Yahoo, Chunichi).

11:32

朝日新聞

全壊した家でも抱える二重ローン　震災から30年たっても返済義務

1995年の阪神・淡路大震災では住宅約25万棟が全半壊し、多くの被災者が二重ローンを抱えた。兵庫県西宮市に住む60代の女性は震災から30年過ぎたいまも、返済を続けている。　「『あしたのご飯、どうしよう』と思ったこともあり、ほんまに大変やった…

11:32 (02:32 in your timezone)

12:16

朝日新聞

プルデンシャル生命、顧客500人から着服など31億円　社長辞任へ

プルデンシャル生命保険の社員ら約100人が、約500人の顧客に対し、金銭をだまし取ったり、お金を借りて返さなかったりといった不適切な行為をしていたことが、同社の社内調査で分かった。顧客から受け取った総額は約31億4千万円に上り、間原寛社長兼…

12:16 (03:16 in your timezone)

12:16

日本経済新聞

赤字国債法案が火種に、「積極財政」前提揺らぐ立国公5年延長に慎重

12:16 (03:16 in your timezone)

13:16

Kyodo News

Tokyo's Yamanote Line to resume around 1 p.m. after power outage halted services

East Japan said Friday the inner and outer loops of Tokyo's Yamanote Line, which saw commuter chaos when they were suspended from the morning's first train due to a power outage, are expected to restart at around 1 p.

13:16 (04:16 in your timezone)

13:16

Nikkei Asia

For India's gig workers, Modi reforms skip rights protections

Relatively good pay attracts army of delivery, home service providers, but job conditions poor

13:16 (04:16 in your timezone)

14:39

Kyodo News

Tokyo's Yamanote loop line train services fully restored after power outage

Tokyo's Yamanote Line fully resumed train services early Friday afternoon after a power outage paralyzed the vital part of the capital's transportation network from the day's first scheduled run, the operator JR East said.

14:39 (05:39 in your timezone)

15:15

朝日新聞

「弟もしんどい」兄は医師に伝えた　山上被告に訪れた立て直しの機会

幼いころ、兄は友人の多いタイプに見えた。　自宅に友人を招き、山上徹也被告（45）も一緒にテレビゲームやミニ四駆で遊んだ。　その自宅を母親が売り、得られた金まで世界平和統一家庭連合（旧統一教会）に捧げた。　兄は19歳、山上被告は18歳。2人が…

15:15 (06:15 in your timezone)

15:15

日本経済新聞

立民・公明の新党名「中道改革連合」両党トップが発表、略称「中道」

15:15 (06:15 in your timezone)

15:16

Nikkei Asia

Japan's Mitsubishi to acquire US shale gas assets in $7.5bn deal

Trading house's biggest ever transaction will help it build 'natural gas value chain'

15:16 (06:16 in your timezone)

15:16

Yahoo! Japan

新党「中道改革連合」設立を発表

15:16 (06:16 in your timezone)

15:17 (06:17)⇢The Centrist Reform Alliance Emerges

⌨The Japanese media has shifted its focus to the formal naming of the 'Centrist Reform Alliance' (Chudo Kaikaku Rengo), a new political entity formed by the Constitutional Democratic Party and Komeito to challenge the Takaichi administration (Hokkaido, Nikkei, TBS, Yahoo). While infrastructure reports note the restoration of the Yamanote loop line (Kyodo), editors are increasingly prioritizing domestic corporate scandals and the fallout from the Osaka Expo's financial legacy (Yomiuri, Mainichi, NHK).

16:14

Nikkei Asia

China, Canada signal thaw as Xi seeks 'new type' of partnership with Carney

Two sides reset relationship with cooperation pacts as US tensions simmer

16:14 (07:14 in your timezone)

16:44

Yahoo! Japan

菅義偉元首相衆院選不出馬の意向

16:44 (07:44 in your timezone)

16:57

Yahoo! Japan

菅義偉元首相政界引退の意向

16:57 (07:57 in your timezone)

17:08

日本経済新聞

日銀1月会合、政策金利は据え置きへ成長率見通し引き上げ検討

日銀は22〜23日に開く金融政策決定会合で、政策金利を0.75%で維持する見通しだ。2025年12月に利上げしたばかりで、当面は国内の経済・物価に与える影響を見極める。政府の経済対策の効果などをふまえ25〜26年度の経済成長率の見通しを上方修正する。政府の経済対策、26年度の成長押し上げ 1月会合では3カ月に一度更新する「経済・物価情勢の展望（展望リポート）」をまとめる。25年10月の前回の展…

17:08 (08:08 in your timezone)

17:10 (08:10)⇢Yoshihide Suga Leaves the Stage

⌨The Japanese editorial landscape is currently dominated by the sudden retirement of former Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, who cited physical health as the reason for not contesting the next general election (Yomiuri, Sankei, Yahoo). Simultaneously, the formal announcement of the 'Centrist Reform Alliance' by the CDP and Komeito is being analyzed as a direct challenge to the ruling LDP, though its cohesion is questioned by other opposition leaders (TBS).

17:15

Kyodo News

Ex-Japan PM Suga not to run in election, will retire from politics: sources

Former Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, who stepped down in 2021 amid criticism over his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, will not run in the next lower house election and intends to retire from politics, sources familiar with the matter said Friday.

17:15 (08:15 in your timezone)

17:20

朝日新聞

菅義偉元首相、衆院選に立候補せず　官房長官7年8カ月は歴代最長

自民党の菅義偉元首相（77）=衆院神奈川2区=が次期衆院選に立候補せず、今期限りで引退することが16日、分かった。菅氏が周囲に明らかにした。17日にも支援者に説明する方向で調整している。　菅氏は1996年初当選で、現在10期目。2012年末…

17:20 (08:20 in your timezone)

17:27

Yahoo! Japan

新党「生活者ファースト視点で」

17:27 (08:27 in your timezone)

18:03

日本経済新聞

大型工事「26年度受注できず」建設会社の7割成長投資阻む人手不足

大手・中堅の建設会社の約7割が2026年度内は大型工事を新規受注できないとみていることが日本経済新聞の調査で分かった。建設業界の深刻な人手不足が響く。4割弱は契約済みの工事で工期が遅れる可能性があると回答した。受注余力の縮小は民間の設備投資や公共投資を制約し、経済成長の足かせとなる。調査は国内の建築工事売上高（単体ベース）の上位71社を対象に実施した。25年12月中旬までに45社から回答を得た…

18:03 (09:03 in your timezone)

18:16

朝日新聞

仕掛けた出直し選、維新内外から批判噴出　選挙手法「せこい」の声も

大阪府の吉村洋文知事（日本維新の会代表）と大阪市の横山英幸市長（同副代表）は16日、辞職願を議長宛てにそれぞれ提出した。次期衆院選に合わせ、大阪都構想への再挑戦の是非を問う出直しダブル選に臨むとしているが、その手法には党内からも批判が続出し…

18:16 (09:16 in your timezone)

18:37 (09:37)⇢The Centrist Reform Alliance Crystalizes

⌨Japanese media focus on the formalization of the 'Centrist Reform Alliance' as the Constitutional Democratic Party and Komeito solidify their merger to challenge the LDP (NHK, TBS, Yahoo). Parallel to this realignment, editors across the political spectrum are analyzing the retirement of former PM Yoshihide Suga (Kyodo) and the controversial resignation of Osaka’s Governor Yoshimura to force a snap double election (Asahi).

18:47

Yahoo! Japan

新党「中道」食品消費税ゼロ方針

18:47 (09:47 in your timezone)

18:53

Nikkei Asia

BOJ set to hold policy rate at January monetary policy meeting

Growth upgrade likely as government measures bolster spending and capital investment

18:53 (09:53 in your timezone)

20:16

朝日新聞

トランプ氏に安倍氏「これだけ兵器を買う」　不均衡な防衛の日米契約

米政府から防衛装備品を購入する「有償軍事援助」（FMS）の契約額が、6年間で3兆5千億円超にのぼったことが会計検査院の調べでわかった。検査では、納入の遅れなどにより、現場に影響が出ている実態も明らかになった。　航空自衛隊の早期警戒機E2Dは…

20:16 (11:16 in your timezone)

20:18 (11:18)⇢Zero Food Tax Vow

⌨Japanese editors are prioritizing the structural shifts within the new 'Centrist Reform Alliance', specifically the proposal to eliminate consumption tax on food (TBS, Yahoo). While the BOJ's anticipated rate hold (Nikkei Asia) and the fallout from Chubu Electric's data manipulation at Hamaoka (Chunichi, Hokkaido) remain prominent, the ongoing discourse regarding Yoshihide Suga’s retirement (Kyodo) continues to signal a major generational transition in national politics.

21:03

日本経済新聞

新党・中道改革連合、政策の柱は「反高市」家計への分配重視にリスク

新党「中道改革連合」が主要政策で高市早苗政権との違いを鮮明にする。「責任ある積極財政」に修正を迫り、集団的自衛権の全面容認や非核三原則の見直しに反対する。「生活者ファースト」の政策理念は家計負担の軽減策をはじめとする分配に傾斜するリスクを抱える。「対立点はあるかもしれないが、熟議を通じて解を見いだすという基本姿勢だ」。立憲民主党の野田佳彦代表は16日の記者会見で「中道」を定義した。公明党の斉藤…

21:03 (12:03 in your timezone)

21:15

Yahoo! Japan

新党「中道改革連合」狙いと不安

21:15 (12:15 in your timezone)

21:16

朝日新聞

稼ぐ社員は「神様扱い」の一方で…　生保の巨額不正、背景に業績偏重

プルデンシャル生命保険の100人を超える営業社員らが、約500人の顧客から計31億円もの不適切な金銭受領を繰り返していた。背景には、稼ぐ社員を「神様扱い」する一方で、収入が不安定な社員を生む報酬体系もあった。　「絶対利益が出て元本は保証する…

21:16 (12:16 in your timezone)

21:27

Nikkei Asia

BOJ set to hold policy rate steady at January meeting

Growth upgrade likely as government measures bolster spending and capital investment

21:27 (12:27 in your timezone)

21:52

Kyodo News

Japan protests China's latest resource development move in East China Sea

Japan has protested China's latest move to install a new structure in the East China Sea, calling it a "unilateral resource development," its Foreign Ministry said Friday.

21:52 (12:52 in your timezone)

22:18 (13:18)⇢The Centrist Reform Challenge Crystallizes

⌨Japanese editors are highlighting the formalization of the 'Centrist Reform Alliance' as its policy platform emerges to directly challenge the Takaichi administration's fiscal and security stances (Nikkei, Yahoo). Simultaneously, the impending retirement of former PM Yoshihide Suga (TBS, Kyodo) and high-level diplomatic alignment between PM Takaichi and Italy's Meloni regarding China are dominating the political narrative (Sankei).

23:07

日本経済新聞

新党「中道改革連合」食品消費税ゼロを基本政策に、財源とセット

23:07 (14:07 in your timezone)

23:50

Kyodo News

Japan's Tourism Agency issues bear-warning pictogram signs

Japan's Tourism Agency said it created new pictogram signs warning visitors that feeding bears, approaching them and leaving trash are prohibited, aiming to alert foreign travelers and people of all ages through simple visuals.

23:50 (14:50 in your timezone)

16.01.2026 archives