Stories from Japan

The Bank of Japan will hold a monetary policy meeting from April 27 to April 28. Analysts suggest a 0.25% rate hike will not significantly impact nominal growth. The meeting is confirmed to run from April 27 to April 28 with the current policy interest rate held at 0.75%.

A new book titled 'Nippon' is scheduled for release in the Netherlands this coming Thursday. The book documents the experiences of German physician Phillip Frans von Siebold, who served in the Dutch trading post of Desima near Nagasaki during the 19th century. The publication explores his time in Japan.

A Chinese-manufactured humanoid robot featuring control software developed by a Polish company has been deployed. Siemens has deployed a humanoid robot powered by Nvidia technology.

Japanese pair figure skaters Riku Kihara and Ryuichi Kihara will hold a press conference regarding their retirement on Tuesday. Olympic gold medalists Mura Kihara and Ryuichi Maki are holding a press conference to announce their retirement from figure skating. The press conference was confirmed to be for the Olympic gold medal-winning pair Miura Kihara and Ryuichi Kihara. The pair achieved the first gold medal for Japan in their category.

A ceremony was held on April 25 at a community plaza to honor the crew of the Kanrin Maru. Approximately 220 people attended, including representatives from Japan, the United States, and the Netherlands. The event commemorated the vessel's trans-Pacific voyage, which was prompted by the arrival of Commodore Perry's fleet in 1853. The ceremony aimed to strengthen international bonds between the participating nations.

International shipping surcharges will rise significantly starting with shipments departing in May. Surcharges are driven by rising crude oil prices due to Middle East tensions. The news follows a period of high demand at departure terminals.

A shipment of US crude oil arrived in Tokyo Bay yesterday after a 35-day voyage via the Panama Canal. This marks the first time US crude has reached Japan through this specific route following recent Middle East tensions. Oil companies and the government are utilizing this route to bypass the Strait of Hormuz. The move aims to secure a reliable supply source from the United States.

A magnitude 6.1 earthquake occurred off the coast of Hokkaido on Monday, April 27. A magnitude 6.1 earthquake occurred on Monday, April 27, with intensity 5-upper observed in Urakappu, Hokkaido.

A magnitude 6.1 earthquake occurred in Japan at 5:24 AM local time.

A magnitude 6.1 earthquake occurred at approximately 5:24 AM on April 27, 2026, in the southern part of the Tokachi region in Hokkaido, Japan. The earthquake occurred with a measurable focal depth, according to the German Research Centre for Geosciences. The tremor reached a maximum seismic intensity of 5-upper on the Japanese scale. No immediate casualty reports were provided in the initial broadcast.