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26.02.2026

The Day the Nikkei Broke 59,000

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This page is an archive of main headlines from Japan for 26.02.2026.

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

26.02.2026 ⇢ The Day the Nikkei Broke 59,000
⌨The morning began with the Nikkei Stock Average's historic surge above 59,000 yen for the first time, with multiple outlets reporting the milestone driven by U.S. stock gains and receding expectations of early Bank of Japan rate hikes.
Concurrently, coverage focused on the National Conference's first meeting, where Prime Minister Takaichi pushed for swift legislation on consumption tax cuts while opposition parties largely abstained, raising questions about the forum's legitimacy.
By afternoon, attention shifted to the release of 2025 birth figures showing approximately 705,000 births—a record low for the tenth consecutive year—prompting renewed discussion about Japan's demographic challenges.
26.02.2026
27.02.2026

00:18 (15:18)⇢Skytree's Cable-Frayed Reopening

⌨Japanese media editors are prioritizing the resolution of the Tokyo Skytree elevator incident, with multiple outlets reporting the identified cause as cable damage and confirming the landmark's reopening tomorrow (Yomiuri Shimbun, NHK News). Concurrently, coverage continues on Microsoft Japan's antitrust inspection by the Fair Trade Commission (Mainichi Shimbun) and the posthumous retrial decision for the 1984 Hinomachi murder case (Chunichi Shimbun).
09:10
09:16

09:17 (00:17)⇢Nikkei's 59,000 Yen Ascent

⌨Japanese media editors are prioritizing the Nikkei Stock Average's historic surge above 59,000 yen, with multiple outlets reporting the milestone driven by U.S. stock gains and receding expectations of early Bank of Japan rate hikes (TBS News, NHK News, Yahoo News Japan). Concurrently, coverage continues on Nvidia's record quarterly earnings and warnings about China uncertainties (Nikkei Asia, Nikkei Shimbun) and preparations for water security during disasters (Sankei Shimbun).
09:35
Kyodo News

Tokyo Skytree to restart operations Thursday after 5-hour elevator halt

Tokyo Skytree tower will restart operations on Thursday, days after 20 visitors were trapped in an elevator for more than five hours, the operator said as safety checks have been completed.
09:35 (00:35 in your timezone)
10:19
日本経済新聞

メキシコ「残業週12時間」に制限超過なら3倍支給、日本企業に衝撃

【メキシコシティ=市原朋大】メキシコの国会下院は25日、2030年から週の労働時間を40時間（現在は48時間）に制限する憲法改正案を承認した。残業時間も週12時間までとし、最長でも16時間に厳しく制限する。中南米ではエクアドル、チリと並び労働時間の短い国となる。上限を超過すれば3倍の給料支払いを企業に義務付ける。 制限は2027年1月から段階的に始まり、30年まで1年に週2時間ずつ労働時間の上限…
10:19 (01:19 in your timezone)
11:16
11:16

11:17 (02:17)⇢The Diet's Questioning Echo

⌨Japanese media editors are prioritizing coverage of the Diet's ongoing representative questioning sessions, with multiple outlets reporting live broadcasts and analysis of Prime Minister Takaichi's policy address responses (TBS News, Mainichi Shimbun, Yahoo News Japan). Concurrently, coverage continues on Mexico's new labor hour restrictions impacting Japanese companies (Nikkei Shimbun) and the World Baseball Classic preparations (Sankei Shimbun).
11:35
11:41
日本経済新聞

メキシコ「残業週12時間」に制限超過なら3倍支給、日本企業に影響

【メキシコシティ=市原朋大】メキシコの国会下院は25日、2030年から週の労働時間を40時間（現在は48時間）に制限する憲法改正案を承認した。残業時間も週12時間までとし、最長でも16時間に厳しく制限する。中南米ではエクアドル、チリと並び労働時間の短い国となる。上限を超過すれば3倍の給料支払いを企業に義務付ける。 制限は2027年1月から段階的に始まり、30年まで1年に週2時間ずつ労働時間の上限…
11:41 (02:41 in your timezone)
11:54
12:06
Kyodo News

Tokyo Skytree tower's operations resume after elevator trouble

Tokyo Skytree tower reopened to visitors on Thursday after a three-day suspension caused by an elevator malfunction, its operator said.
12:06 (03:06 in your timezone)
12:16
朝日新聞

切り札「備蓄米」の放出　巨大倉庫で見た3億杯分のコメ、期待が暗転

2025年2月中旬、住宅地や畑が広がる埼玉県の郊外を訪れると、産業団地の一角でグレーの巨大な体育館のような建物が目に入った。　中には、バスケットボールコート四つほどの広さの倉庫が八つあった。数十センチの分厚さの倉庫の扉が開くと、通路の両脇に…
12:16 (03:16 in your timezone)

13:13 (04:13)⇢The Diet's Questioning Echo

⌨Japanese media editors are prioritizing coverage of the Diet's ongoing representative questioning sessions, with multiple outlets reporting live broadcasts and analysis of Prime Minister Takaichi's policy address responses to opposition parties (TBS News, Sankei Shimbun, Yomiuri Shimbun). Concurrently, coverage continues on the government's release of emergency rice reserves (Asahi Shimbun) and the Nikkei Stock Average's historic surge above 59,000 yen (NHK News, Nikkei Shimbun).
14:16
朝日新聞

輪島で学んだ漆で再び大船渡へ　3度の災害に「後ろめたさ」を抱えて

3度の災害を経験した岩手県大船渡市出身の25歳が今春、漆職人としての道を歩み出そうとしている。昨年2月に発生した大船渡市の山林火災から1年。学んだ技術が地元への「恩返し」につながると願って。　装飾技法「螺鈿（らでん）」を用いて、アワビの貝殻…
14:16 (05:16 in your timezone)
14:16
日本経済新聞

2025年の出生数70.5万人少子化は推計より17年早く、人口減も進行

日本で2025年に生まれた子どもの数（外国人を含む）は前年比2.1%減の70万5809人だった。10年連続で過去最少を更新した。国の将来推計より17年早いペースで少子化が進んでおり、政策判断の前提は揺らぐ。社会保障などを持続可能にするには給付と負担の見直しを含む制度の再設計が不可避だ。 厚生労働省が26日、人口動態統計の速報値を公表した。出生数は比較可能な1899年以降で最も少なく、10年間で3…
14:16 (05:16 in your timezone)
15:16
Kyodo News

BOJ policymaker calls for more interest rate hikes in "gear shift"

The Bank of Japan should stay on the path for more interest rate hikes to deal with rising prices in "another gear shift" in its monetary policy following the end of unorthodox monetary easing steps two years ago, a policymaker said Thursday.
15:16 (06:16 in your timezone)
15:28
朝日新聞

25歳の漆職人が願う恩返し　「なぜ自分の身近な場所ばかり被害に」

3度の災害を経験した岩手県大船渡市出身の25歳が今春、漆職人としての道を歩み出そうとしている。昨年2月に発生した大船渡市の山林火災から1年。学んだ技術が地元への「恩返し」につながると願って。　装飾技法「螺鈿（らでん）」を用いて、アワビの貝殻…
15:28 (06:28 in your timezone)

15:30 (06:30)⇢The Record-Low Births of 2025

⌨Japanese media editors are prioritizing coverage of the nation's record-low birth rate, with multiple outlets reporting the 2025 figure of approximately 705,000 births—a 10-year consecutive decline and the lowest since comparable records began in 1899 (NHK News, Nikkei Shimbun). Concurrently, coverage continues on the Diet's representative questioning sessions (TBS News, Mainichi Shimbun) and a court ruling dismissing a resident lawsuit over the Shuri Castle fire (Sankei Shimbun).
15:48
16:16
朝日新聞

矛盾だらけの米国、絶望とエリート攻撃の行方　日本の取るべき道は？

第2次トランプ政権発足から1年余り。「力の論理」に基づく言動が、国際社会を揺さぶり続けています。建国250年を迎えるアメリカはどこへ向かい、日本はどう向き合っていくのか。「従来のアメリカの理念を破壊してしまうパワー」への危機感が高まり、「豊…
16:16 (07:16 in your timezone)
16:50
16:56
Kyodo News

Japan's figure skating gold pair rewarded 20 mil. yen each by sponsor

Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara, Japan's pairs figure skating gold medalists at the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics, received 20 million yen ($130,000) each as a reward from their corporate sponsor on Thursday.
16:56 (07:56 in your timezone)
17:02
17:09

17:10 (08:10)⇢The Opposition's Empty Chairs

⌨Japanese media editors are prioritizing coverage of the National Conference's first meeting, with multiple outlets reporting that opposition parties are largely abstaining from the forum intended to discuss consumption tax cuts (Yomiuri Shimbun, Yahoo News Japan). Concurrently, coverage continues on the record-low 2025 birth figures (NHK News, Nikkei Shimbun) and the Nikkei Stock Average's continued record highs (TBS News).
17:33
18:16
日本経済新聞

ラピダス、政府議決権を1割強に抑制経営悪化時は半数超に引き上げ

最先端半導体の量産を狙うラピダスへの政府出資の全体像が26日わかった。政府の議決権を1割強に抑えつつ、筆頭株主になる。株式の大半は議決権のない形で保有し、経営が悪化して再建が困難な場合は議決権を引き上げられるようにする。重要な経営判断に拒否権を行使できる「黄金株」も持ち、経済安全保障上のリスクに備える。 経済産業省は近く、所管する独立行政法人の情報処理推進機構を通じた1000億円の出資を発表する…
18:16 (09:16 in your timezone)
18:37

19:18 (10:18)⇢The National Conference's Hollow Opening

⌨Japanese media editors are prioritizing coverage of the National Conference's first meeting, with multiple outlets reporting Prime Minister Takaichi's push for swift legislation on consumption tax cuts while noting the forum's limited opposition participation (TBS News, NHK News, Mainichi Shimbun, Yomiuri Shimbun, Yahoo News Japan). Concurrently, coverage continues on China's dual-use export bans targeting Japan (Yomiuri Shimbun) and the government's strategic investment in semiconductor manufacturer Rapidus (Nikkei Shimbun).
20:26
Kyodo News

Births in Japan fall in 2025 to 706,000, record low for 10th straight year

The number of children born in Japan in 2025 fell from a year earlier to 705,809, the fewest since data became available in 1899 and hitting a new low for the 10th consecutive year, health ministry data showed Thursday.
20:26 (11:26 in your timezone)
21:04
22:16
朝日新聞

社会保障「国民会議」始動、食品消費税ゼロを議論　主要野党参加せず

政府・与党とチームみらいは26日、食料品の消費税ゼロや給付付き税額控除などについて超党派で議論する「社会保障国民会議」の初会合を首相官邸で開いた。野党からの出席はみらいのみにとどまり、中道改革連合と国民民主党は、参加政党に条件を付けた会議の…
22:16 (13:16 in your timezone)
23:18
朝日新聞

見切り発車の「国民会議」　野党はみらいのみ出席、政権主導に不信感

高市早苗首相が「国民的議論」を掲げて設けた「国民会議」の初会合は、野党からの出席がチームみらい1党のみとなった。衆院選圧勝を背景に、食料品消費税ゼロや給付付き税額控除の実現に向けた議論を推し進める構えの政権に、野党は批判を強めている。■「夏…
23:18 (14:18 in your timezone)

23:22 (14:22)⇢The Hollow Consensus on Tax Cuts

⌨Japanese media editors are prioritizing coverage of the National Conference's first meeting, with multiple outlets reporting Prime Minister Takaichi's push for swift legislation on consumption tax cuts while noting the forum's limited opposition participation and concerns about predetermined conclusions (Sankei Shimbun, NHK News, Asahi Shimbun, Mainichi Shimbun, Yomiuri Shimbun, Yahoo News Japan, TBS News). Concurrently, coverage continues on the record-low 2025 birth figures (Kyodo News English).
23:56
Kyodo News

Baseball: Dodgers superstar Ohtani joins Samurai Japan ahead of WBC

Los Angeles Dodgers two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani joined his Japan teammates Thursday as they continued tuning up for the World Baseball Classic starting next week.
23:56 (14:56 in your timezone)
26.02.2026   archives
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