19.03.2025

Day BOJ Stood Still As Kishida Joined Voucher Scandal

THE

HEAR

This page is an archive of main headlines from Japan for 19.03.2025.

It displays 45 headlines from many sources chronologically, as they appeared throughout the day, accompanied by AI overviews that were written in real time.

19.03.2025 ⇢ Day BOJ Stood Still As Kishida Joined Voucher Scandal

⌨The Bank of Japan maintained its interest rate at 0.5% amid escalating trade war concerns, with Governor Ueda emphasizing potential future hikes while monitoring Trump's tariff impacts. This decision followed previous days' speculation about monetary tightening and rising long-term interest rates.

The political gift voucher controversy widened to include former Prime Minister Kishida, who reportedly distributed 100,000 yen worth of vouchers to parliamentary vice ministers in 2022. This extends the scandal beyond current PM Ishiba, whose approval ratings had already plummeted due to similar allegations.

In international news, Putin agreed to halt strikes on Ukraine's energy infrastructure but rejected a full ceasefire in talks with Trump, suggesting Russian advantage in negotiations. Meanwhile, Chinese automaker BYD's breakthrough in 5-minute EV charging disrupted the market, continuing the technological competition trend with Japanese manufacturers.

19.03.2025

20.03.2025

01:06

日本経済新聞

トランプ氏とプーチン氏、ウクライナ停戦巡り電話協議

【ワシントン=坂口幸裕】トランプ米大統領とロシアのプーチン大統領は米東部時間18日午前（日本時間同日夜）、電話協議した。米国が示した一時停戦案を踏まえ、ロシアが実効支配するウクライナの領土や原子力発電所、停戦後の同国の安全保障のあり方などで取引を探るとみられる。米ホワイトハウスによると、協議は米東部時間18日午前10時（日本時間同日午後11時）ごろに始まった。2人が直接対話するのは2月12日以…

01:06 (16:06 in your timezone)

01:08 (16:08)⇢Trump-Putin Ukraine Ceasefire Talks

⌨The newspapers report on a major MLB season opener in Tokyo, where Japanese pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto helped the Dodgers defeat the Cubs (Kyodo News English). International diplomacy features prominently with Trump and Putin holding phone discussions about potential ceasefire arrangements in Ukraine, focusing on territories under Russian control and post-ceasefire security (Nikkei Shimbun). Meanwhile, the Gaza ceasefire appears to be in jeopardy after two months in effect (Yahoo News Japan). Other continuing stories include challenges to Prime Minister Ishiba's leadership (Japan Times) and Indonesia's stock market troubles (Nikkei Asia).

01:48

Nikkei Asia

As Trump eyes reciprocal tariffs, Japan's red tape draws fire

American Chamber of Commerce faults nontariff barriers in tech, autos and pharmaceuticals

01:48 (16:48 in your timezone)

03:40

日本経済新聞

米ロ首脳、ウクライナ部分停戦で合意インフラ施設対象

03:40 (18:40 in your timezone)

03:56

Yahoo! Japan

米露エネ施設への攻撃停止で合意

03:56 (18:56 in your timezone)

06:06

Japan Business Press

もしもの時は銃を持ってサティアン内部に突入せよ！自衛隊はいかにオウムの「幻の作戦計画」に備えていたか

06:06 (21:06 in your timezone)

06:07 (21:07)⇢Russia-US Agree On Limited Energy Infrastructure Protection

⌨The newspapers report on US-Russia diplomatic developments, with limited progress in ceasefire negotiations. While failing to achieve a full ceasefire in Ukraine, the leaders agreed to stop attacks on energy infrastructure (Nikkei Shimbun, Yahoo News Japan). Trade tensions continue as Trump's potential reciprocal tariffs raise concerns about Japan's non-tariff barriers in technology, automotive, and pharmaceutical sectors (Nikkei Asia). A historical piece examines Self-Defense Forces' contingency plans for entering Aum Shinrikyo's compound during the 1995 crisis (Japan Business Press).