The number of cases involving fraudulent home inspection scams by unscrupulous renovation companies reached a record high in 2024, according to a report by the National Police Agency. (News On Japan)

The Japan Financial Services Agency (FSA) and PDT Partners have officially signed an agreement, with Masaki Suzuki and an FSA representative jointly signing the deal. The partnership will focus on financial regulation, capital operations, technological innovation, and corporate social responsibility, aiming to enhance market transparency and drive internationalization. (News On Japan)

Japan has agreed to invest up to 20 billion dollars in low-carbon energy projects in Vietnam. This comes amid a regional push to reach carbon neutrality in the coming decades. (News On Japan)

Japan's Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group says it will leave an international group that fights climate change. It is the first Japanese company to do so. (NHK)

Sekisui House, a major homebuilder headquartered in Osaka, has been found to have underreported its tax obligations related to consumption tax deductions on payments to subcontractors. (News On Japan)

U.S. President Donald Trump on March 3rd voiced concern over the depreciation of the yen, stating that the weakening yen and strengthening dollar had gone too far. (News On Japan)

Honda and Nissan had been in discussions about a potential management integration, aiming to form a joint holding company that would oversee both automakers. However, the talks have collapsed, leaving many questioning what went wrong. (News On Japan)

A new series of homes designed with families in mind is now available, featuring expansive storage spaces to accommodate modern lifestyles. (News On Japan)

The city of Nagoya has announced plans to demolish the Asunal Kanayama shopping complex by February 2028 and construct a new multi-purpose facility in its place. The redevelopment project will also include renovations to nearby parks and the city’s civic hall, aiming to revitalize the entire Kanayama district. (News On Japan)

The world’s largest Muji store has opened in Kashihara, Nara Prefecture, boasting a retail space of approximately 8,000 square meters and offering a diverse range of products spanning clothing, food, and home goods. (News On Japan)

The planned opening of Starbucks’ first store in Gyoda, Saitama Prefecture, has sparked mixed reactions among residents. As of February 26th, the project has been put on hold. (News On Japan)

Despite government assurances of ample rice supply, farmers are facing pressure to increase production as demand continues to soar. (News On Japan)

As March approaches, while some regions in Japan struggle with heavy snowfall, foreign tourists continue to arrive in search of the country’s renowned winter sports experience. (News On Japan)

In 2024, Japanese companies engaged in a record 4,700 mergers and acquisitions (M&A), marking a new high. Kyodo News economic editor Satoshi Matsuo explains the factors behind this surge. M&A has become a key strategy for Japanese businesses facing a wave of retirements and business closures. While some acquisitions aim to expand overseas, others focus on ensuring business continuity in Japan’s rapidly aging economy. (News On Japan)

US prominent investor Warren Buffett has written that he is looking to increase his company's holdings in Japan's five largest trading houses in his annual letter to shareholders. (NHK)

Vision Megane, widely known for its catchy commercial jingles, faced a major crisis in 2013 when it applied for civil rehabilitation, effectively declaring bankruptcy. Surprisingly, the man who led the company’s revival was none other than a CEO chosen through an amidakuji (lottery-style drawing). (News On Japan)

Socks from a leading manufacturer in Nara Prefecture, Japan’s top producer, have been chosen for the official uniforms of staff at the Osaka-Kansai Expo. On February 21st, 10,000 pairs were shipped to Osaka. (News On Japan)

Japan's nationwide Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 3.2% in January compared to the previous year, marking the highest increase in a year and seven months, according to the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications. (News On Japan)

The wholesale price of rice in Japan continues to climb, with the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries announcing on February 19th that the average price for rice traded in January under the 2024 harvest reached 25,927 yen per 60 kilograms of brown rice. (News On Japan)

SBI Shinsei Bank will double the interest rate on savings accounts for individuals aged 60 and older starting in April. (News On Japan)