Timeline for November 2018
Newsfrom Japan
Society- English
- 日本語
- 简体字
- 繁體字
- Français
- Español
- العربية
- Русский
1
The Ministry of Defense resumes landfill work on the Henoko coast in Nago, Okinawa, the planned site for relocation of the US air base at Futenma. The national and prefectural governments arrange talks lasting around a month, but fail to reach agreement. On November 27, Okinawa Governor Tamaki Denny announces the prefecture will hold a referendum on the base relocation on February 24.
Related articles
- Japan Govt Resumes Base Relocation Work in Okinawa
- Abe Government, Okinawa Remain Apart over US Base Relocation
- Okinawa Eyes Base Relocation Referendum on February 24
2
Journalist Yasuda Junpei holds his first press conference in Tokyo following his release from three years and four months of captivity after he went missing in Syria.
Related article
Hitachi Chemical announces it has discovered new cases of inspection fraud on products including materials for semiconductors. Failing to conduct promised inspections and falsifying data were among the fraudulent practices that took place at seven of its Japanese plants. On November 22, it publishes a report by a special investigation committee.
Related article
4
Author Murakami Haruki announces a plan to donate his manuscripts, books, and other materials to his alma mater, Waseda University in Tokyo. The university intends to establish a new center by March 2020 for studying Murakami’s works, which have been translated into more than 50 languages.
Related article
5
Subaru announces that it will recall a further 100,000 vehicles related to its discovery of improper inspections at the company since last autumn. It will reduce production by more than 20,000 vehicles around the world to ensure thorough quality control and revise downward its performance expectations for this fiscal year.
Related article
7
The Nuclear Regulation Authority approves a 20-year extension of the operational life of Japan Atomic Power’s aging Tōkai Daini nuclear power plant in Ibaraki Prefecture, which has been in operation for almost 40 years. It is the first approval for this kind of boiling water reactor, which is the same as those at Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant.
Related article
Tokyo Medical University holds a press conference to announce that it will grant admission to 101 passing students whose entrance examination scores were inappropriately marked down by examiners.
Related article
8
Toshiba releases its five-year business plan from fiscal 2019, under which it will cut 7,000 jobs or 5% of its group workforce by the end of March 2023. Alongside these cost-cutting measures, it aims to increase profitability through active investment in growth fields.
Related article
9
Kyoto University announces that it has conducted a clinical trial in which nerve cells created from iPS cells were transplanted into the brain of a Parkinson’s disease patient in his fifties. It is the world’s first transplant of this kind.
Related article
Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko host their final autumn garden party at the Akasaka Imperial Gardens in Tokyo before next year’s abdication. The spring 2019 garden party will not take place due to scheduling issues connected with the imperial succession.
Related article
12
Ōtani Shōhei of the Los Angeles Angels is named the American League Rookie of the Year. The two-way star is the fourth Japanese player to win the award.
Related articles
- Japanese Two-Way Star Ōtani Wins MLB Rookie of Year
- Ōtani Looks Back on Rookie Season in MLB as "Good"
Related articles
- Suruga Bank Sues Former Management Team
- Suruga Bank Suffers ¥98.5 Billion Net Loss in April–September
13
Prime Minister Abe Shinzō holds talks at his official residence in Tokyo with US Vice-President Mike Pence. The two men agree to cooperate on issues relating to North Korean nuclear and missile development and abduction of Japanese citizens. They also concur on plans to expand bilateral trade and investment for mutual benefit through new trade talks to start in January.Related articles
- Abe, Pence Agree to Cooperate over North Korea Issues
- Abe, Pence Agree to Boost Japan-US Trade via Bilateral Talks
14
Prime Minister Abe meets with Russian President Vladimir Putin in a Singapore hotel, agreeing to work toward a peace treaty on the basis of the 1956 Japan-Soviet joint declaration, which states that the Habomai and Shikotan Islands will be handed over to Japan.Related articles
- Abe, Putin Agree to Accelerate Peace Treaty Talks
- Abe Says Return of Two Russia-Held Isles Not Contradicting Japan's Policy
- FOCUS: Even Partial Return of Russia-Held Isles Difficult for Japan
Related article
19
Investigators from the Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office arrest Nissan Chairman Carlos Ghosn on suspected violation of the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act by underreporting his executive remuneration by ¥5 billion. They also arrest Nissan director Greg Kelly. On November 22, Nissan directors vote unanimously to remove Ghosn as chairman at an extraordinary board meeting. On November 26, Mitsubishi’s board follows suit, removing Ghosn as chairman and stripping him of his right to represent the company.Related articles
- Nissan Chairman Ghosn Nabbed for Allegedly Underreporting Pay
- Nissan Removes Disgraced Carlos Ghosn as Chairman
- Mitsubishi Follows Nissan in Dismissing Ghosn as Chairman
20
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism announces that there have been 37 cases since 2013 where pilots for Japanese airlines have been found to be over the limit in alcohol tests performed by their companies, affecting 7 out of the country’s 25 carriers. The report came in response to incidents including one high-profile case in which a Japan Airlines copilot was detained by local police in Britain.Related articles
- JAL Copilot Detained in London for Drinking Before Duty
- Drunk JAL Copilot Fraudulently Slips Through Alcohol Test
23
Osaka is chosen as the host city for the 2025 World Expo at a general assembly meeting of the Bureau International des Expositions in Paris. The city previously hosted the event in 1970.Related articles
- Osaka Wins Bid to Host 2025 World Expo
- 2025 Osaka Expo Projected to Get 3 Million Visitors from Abroad
- INTERVIEW: Osaka Envisions Life Science Innovations at 2025 Expo
26
Police discover six bodies at a farmhouse in Takachiho, Miyazaki Prefecture, and launch a murder investigation.Related article
27
The House of Representatives passes a bill revising the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act to accept more foreign workers. Support from the ruling coalition of the Liberal Democratic Party and Kōmeitō, as well as other parties, overcomes opposition from the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan and others.Related articles
- Japan Government Adopts Bill for New Resident Status
- Japan Seen Accepting Up to 340,000 Foreign Workers in Five Years
- Japan Lower House to Pass Foreign Workers Bill Tuesday