Japanese editors focused on two major stories on April 23. In the morning, the Nikkei stock index briefly surpassed 60,000 for the first time, driven by Middle East peace hopes and AI/semiconductor buying, but ended lower amid concerns about overheating and geopolitical risks. Throughout the day, coverage of the forest fire in Ōtsuchi Town, Iwate Prefecture, intensified, with flames approaching residential areas, evacuation orders expanding to over 1,800 people, and the government applying disaster relief law. Other notable stories included the passage of a bill to create a national intelligence committee, the government's recommendation to block MBK's takeover of Makino on security grounds, and reports of a U.S. list categorizing NATO allies as 'good' or 'bad.'