KeyLang Daily News Japan - 2026年10月3日

📰 English Version

Hello, and welcome to KeyLang Daily News Japan for October 3, 2026. Today we have twelve stories from across Japan, covering the economy, politics, society and entertainment. We report the facts, and where opinions differ, we give you both sides. Let's begin.

💹 Tokyo Inflation Reaches 2.7% as Some Subsidies End

Consumer prices in Tokyo rose two point seven percent in September from a year earlier, excluding fresh food. The increase was larger than economists had expected. One reason is that some government subsidies for energy bills came to an end. Market watchers say the figure could point to a higher chance of an interest rate rise by the Bank of Japan. The central bank has said it will judge the situation at each meeting based on data.

🚨 TEPCO Starts Robot Arm Work at Fukushima Daiichi

Tokyo Electric Power began inserting a remote-controlled robotic arm into the containment vessel of a damaged reactor at the Fukushima Daiichi plant on Friday. The arm is designed to reach melted fuel debris and collect a small sample. Earlier attempts used a simpler, fishing-rod style device. The company says the work is one step toward full removal, a process expected to take decades. Local residents have asked for careful safety checks at every stage.

💹 Leafy Vegetable Prices Surge After Weeks of Rain

Prices of leafy vegetables such as spinach and komatsuna have risen sharply at supermarkets across Japan. Wholesalers point to long periods of rain, which slowed growth and reduced harvests. Shoppers in Shizuoka and other areas said the higher prices are difficult for household budgets. Some stores are promoting alternatives such as bean sprouts and mushrooms. Officials say supplies may recover if the weather settles, though the timing remains unclear.

💹 Nidec Books Four Billion Dollar Impairment Loss

Motor maker Nidec reported an impairment loss of about four billion dollars and a net loss of roughly three point six billion dollars. The figures follow an accounting investigation at several group companies. Its auditor, PwC, withheld an opinion on the financial statements for a second year. Nidec says it is strengthening internal controls and will cooperate fully with the review. The Tokyo Stock Exchange is examining the company's listing status.

🏛️ Companies to Report Details of Beneficial Owners

The government plans to require companies to report details of their beneficial owners, meaning the individuals who ultimately control them. Officials say the rule should shed light on groups known as tokuryu, which recruit members online for criminal work, and clarify land ownership by foreign nationals. Business groups have asked for simple procedures to limit extra paperwork. The government says it will discuss the details before the system takes effect.

🚨 Okinawa Police Investigate Death of Woman in Her Twenties

A woman in her early twenties was found collapsed outside her apartment in Okinawa on Wednesday and was later confirmed dead. Police say she had been stabbed and are investigating the case as a murder. Investigators are looking into whether she had earlier reported being followed. No arrest has been announced so far. Police have urged anyone who feels they are being stalked to contact a consultation desk as early as possible.

🏛️ Japan Adds Sanctions Targeting Russian Oil Tankers

Japan has announced new sanctions targeting what it calls Russia's shadow fleet of tankers, used to move oil outside Western price limits. The measures are the first since the Russian president visited one of the islands at the center of a territorial dispute, known in Japan as the Northern Territories and in Russia as the southern Kurils. Tokyo says it is acting together with the Group of Seven. Moscow has described such steps as unfriendly.

🏛️ Ukraine Seeks Drone Defense Cooperation With Japan

A Ukrainian official said the country hopes to work with Japan on technology to intercept drones, as attacks continue. Ukraine is seeking joint development and investment from Japanese companies, the official said. Japan's export rules limit transfers of defense equipment, and officials say any cooperation must follow those rules. Some Japanese firms have shown interest in dual-use sensors and communication systems. No formal agreement has been announced at this stage.

🚨 Shibuya Department Store Closes After 58 Years

The Seibu department store in Shibuya closed after fifty-eight years of business. On the final day, customers gathered to bid farewell, taking photographs of the sales floors and the entrance. The operator says the site will be redeveloped as part of a wider project in the area. Staff members will move to other stores in the group. Some long-time shoppers said the closure marks the end of a familiar part of Shibuya.

🎭 'Midnight Diner' Returns After Seven-Year Break

The television drama Midnight Diner is returning for a sixth season after a break of seven years. The series follows a small late-night restaurant in Tokyo, where each episode centers on one dish and one customer. The production team says the new season will also explore the Master's own story. The show has found a wide audience overseas through streaming. Part of the cast has been announced, and broadcast is planned for later this season.

🎭 Documentary Explores the Culture of Fugu

A new documentary explores the culture around fugu, the pufferfish that can carry a powerful toxin when it is not prepared correctly. The film follows licensed chefs, fishers and researchers, and sheds light on the strict rules that govern preparation. The director says the aim was to record skills passed down over generations. The film also looks at farmed fugu and changing demand. It will open in a limited number of cinemas first.

🎭 Shinto Ceremony Marks British Library Expansion

A Japanese-style groundbreaking ceremony was held in London for the expansion of the British Library. The developer, Mitsui Fudosan, used sand and traditional farm tools instead of scissors and ribbon. The project is valued at about one point one billion pounds, or roughly two hundred thirty billion yen. The company says the Shinto ritual is performed in Japan to pray for safety during construction. Library officials say the expansion will add research and public spaces.

That's all for today's twelve stories from Japan. Before you go, take a moment to review today's key phrases and try using one of them in your own sentence. Thank you for listening, and see you again tomorrow on KeyLang Daily News Japan.