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21.03.2025

Day Cherry Blossoms Arrived While Fuji Eruption Plans Revealed

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This page is an archive of main headlines from Japan for 21.03.2025.

It displays 29 headlines from many sources chronologically, as they appeared throughout the day, accompanied by AI overviews that were written in real time.

21.03.2025Day Cherry Blossoms Arrived While Fuji Eruption Plans Revealed

The Pentagon's reported plan to freeze U.S. Forces Japan upgrades emerged in early morning coverage, continuing the previous day's defense focus but shifting toward bilateral relations. The gift voucher scandal that has plagued Prime Minister Ishiba since mid-March widened further, with revelations that Liberal Democratic Party member Ooka also received vouchers during the Abe administration, complicating the prime minister's position.

Tokyo's cherry blossoms received ecological attention, forecast to bloom on March 24, earlier than other regions, marking spring's arrival. Economic preparations dominated afternoon coverage with an expert panel presenting Mount Fuji eruption countermeasures, estimating potential damage at ¥2.5 trillion. Railways and utilities shared business continuity plans addressing ash fallout scenarios. International coverage remained varied but secondary, touching on Trump's Ukraine minerals deal, Chinese automakers' global expansion, and deteriorating China-Canada relations.

21.03.2025
00:48
【コスタナバリノ(ギリシャ)=鱸正人】国際オリンピック委員会(IOC)の会長選挙が20日、ギリシャ南部のコスタナバリノで行われ、元競泳女子の五輪金メダリスト、カースティ・コベントリー氏(ジンバブエ)が第10代会長に選出された。歴代9人の会長は全て男性で、約130年の歴史で初の女性トップが誕生した。欧米出身でない会長も初めて。日本人で初めて立候補した渡辺守成・国際体操連盟(FIG)会長(66)は落…
00:48

00:50First Female IOC President Makes History

The newspapers report on a historic leadership change at the International Olympic Committee, with Zimbabwean Kirsty Coventry elected as the first female IOC president, marking the first time in 130 years a woman will lead the organization (Nikkei Shimbun). This election also represents the first non-European/American president in IOC history. Japanese candidate Morinari Watanabe was unsuccessful in his bid. Meanwhile, earlier reporting continues on Japan qualifying for the 2026 World Cup (Kyodo News), the Foxconn-Mitsubishi EV partnership (Nikkei Asia), and the sarin attack anniversary (Japan Times).
01:05
02:13
JERAは2026年度にも閑散期に一部の石炭火力発電所を休止する。冷暖房の使用が減る春と秋は電力の需要が下がるため通年運転をやめ、夏と冬を中心とした運転にする。ベースロード電源として電力を安定供給してきた石炭火力は二酸化炭素(CO2)の排出量が多く、欧州では縮小の動きが広がる。日本でも石炭火力の役割が転機を迎えている。 JERAは石炭火力で国内首位。首都圏や中部圏など5地点で計1000万キロワッ…
02:13

06:36Sarin Attack Memories Surface Three Decades Later

The newspapers report on the 30th anniversary of the Tokyo subway sarin gas attack, with current coverage focusing on staff perspectives on the chaos from that day (Yahoo News Japan, Japan Times). Environmental news highlights JERA's plans to halt coal power plants during spring and autumn starting in 2026 as part of decarbonization efforts (Nikkei Shimbun), alongside discussions about new sustainable lifestyles (Huffington Post Japan). International coverage addresses Trump's tariff policies affecting South Korea amid its political power vacuum (Nikkei Asia) and America's shifting approach to Ukrainian peace negotiations and global trade (Japan Business Press).
06:59
08:02
Japan became the first non-host nation to clinch a 2026 World Cup berth after beating Bahrain 2-0 at home through goals from Daichi Kamada and Takefusa Kubo on Thursday in the Asian final-round qualifiers, reaching the tournament for the eighth straight time.
08:02

10:48Japan Secures 2026 World Cup Berth

The newspapers report on Japan's football success, becoming the first non-host nation to qualify for the 2026 World Cup after defeating Bahrain 2-0 (Kyodo News English). International news includes Trump's announcement about an upcoming Ukraine minerals deal (Japan Times) and Bangladesh's economic challenges despite inflation improvements (Nikkei Asia). A "large-scale eruption" somewhere has occurred, but without tsunami impact on Japan (Yahoo News Japan). Earlier reporting continues on Ukraine peace negotiations (Japan Business Press) and JERA's plans to halt coal plants during off-seasons starting in 2026 (Nikkei Shimbun).
12:11
12:27

12:28Pentagon May Freeze U.S. Forces Japan Upgrade

The newspapers report on Pentagon plans to potentially halt U.S. Forces Japan upgrades (Japan Times), alongside Trump's executive order to abolish the Department of Education (Yahoo News Japan). Economic coverage focuses on U.S. stock market dependencies with discussion of the "Powell Put" safety net (Nikkei Shimbun), while Chinese automakers accelerate global expansion despite geopolitical risks and tariffs (Nikkei Asia). A specialized report explains "convergence fires" (Huffington Post Japan), while earlier reporting continues on Ukraine peace negotiations (Japan Business Press) and Japan's World Cup qualification (Kyodo News English).

15:09Prime Minister Faces Gift Voucher Scrutiny

The newspapers report on the ongoing gift voucher distribution scandal, with Prime Minister Ishiba facing continued questioning over the issue (Yahoo News Japan). Earlier coverage remains on "convergence fires" (Huffington Post Japan), potential halting of U.S. Forces Japan upgrades (Japan Times), America's abandonment of "common good" amid Ukraine negotiations and global tariff increases (Japan Business Press), Japan qualifying for the 2026 World Cup (Kyodo News), U.S. stock market dependencies and the "Powell Put" safety net (Nikkei Shimbun), and Chinese automakers expanding globally despite geopolitical challenges (Nikkei Asia).
15:14
15:30
確実にいえるのは「不確実性が高い」ことだけだ――。今の市場にはこんな皮肉が飛び交う。経済の枠組みを描き直そうとするトランプ米政権の本気度とその影響を測りかねているからだ。次の焦点は相互関税へ踏み出す日付の「4.2」。不確実性を嫌うマネーはトランプ氏から「遠い場所」を選び始めている。 野村アセットマネジメントが17日に東京都内で催したカンファレンス。胡桃沢瑠美チーフ・エコノミストは市場で語られてき…
15:30
17:30

17:32Cherry Blossoms Lead Spring's Early Arrival

The newspapers report on Tokyo's cherry blossoms forecast to bloom on March 24, earlier than any other region in Japan (Kyodo News English). Political coverage continues with revelations that Liberal Democratic Party member Ooka received gift vouchers during the Abe administration (Yahoo News Japan), extending the ongoing scandal. Economic reporting focuses on market uncertainty surrounding Trump's April 2 tariff implementation date, with investors diversifying away from Trump-affected sectors (Nikkei Shimbun). International coverage highlights South Korea's growing political polarization amid President Yoon's prolonged impeachment process (Nikkei Asia).
18:11
NECやパナソニックホールディングス(HD)など電機大手10社は、取引先の中小企業の人権侵害の防止で連携する。2025年中にも専門組織を立ち上げ、実務的なノウハウを学べる講座を提供する。サプライチェーン(供給網)の人権侵害を規制する国際的なルール作りが進むなか、対応が遅れている中小企業の取り組みを後押しする。 電子情報技術産業協会(JEITA)内に専門組織「サステナブル調達パートナーシップ(SP…
18:11
19:08

19:36Tourism Tax Expands to Eleven New Regions

The newspapers report on Japan's expanding accommodation taxes, with 11 more cities and prefectures implementing such duties from this fall amid the post-pandemic tourism boom (Kyodo News English). Major electronics companies including NEC and Panasonic are collaborating to help prevent human rights violations in their supply chains by establishing a specialized organization to provide practical expertise to small and medium-sized enterprises that are lagging in compliance with international regulations (Nikkei Shimbun). In international news, a former Japanese military official has been appointed as a political advisor to Taiwan (Yahoo News Japan).
20:54
富士山の大規模噴火について内閣府の有識者検討会は21日、首都圏の降灰対策の指針案を示した。日本経済へのダメージを最小限に抑えるためにはライフラインや交通の早期復旧が欠かせない。電力や鉄道、水道などに加え、小売りでも対策は進みつつある。事業継続計画(BCP)が未策定の企業もあり、産業界全体で取り組みを充実させる必要もある。 国が2020年に公表した宝永噴火(1707年)クラスの首都圏の被害想定によ…
20:54