Japan's Fair Trade Commission has issued a recommendation to publishing giant KADOKAWA and its subsidiary, citing violations of the Subcontract Act over 'unjust price cutting' practices involving compensation paid to freelance writers and photographers. (News On Japan)

Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare's advisory panel has outlined a proposal for amending the law to prohibit working more than 14 consecutive days. Under the current system, workers can technically work up to 48 days in a row through a system known as 'four-day-off-per-four-weeks,' while labor agreements also allow for holiday work, meaning there are no effective restrictions on consecutive workdays. (News On Japan)

Renowned guitar brand Fender has partnered with the beloved character Hello Kitty in a new collaboration. (News On Japan)

The number of corporate bankruptcies across Japan in October surpassed 900 cases, reaching a level not seen in 11 years. (News On Japan)

November 11th in China is celebrated as 'Singles Day,' marked by extensive sales campaigns from e-commerce giants, with Japanese companies also joining the fray to ride this wave of consumer interest. (News On Japan)

Major izakaya chain operator Watami has acquired Subway Japan in a large-scale acquisition it views as a 'second founding,' aiming to establish a foothold in the fast-food market. (News On Japan)

Kioxia Holdings, a major semiconductor firm, has announced plans to seek listing on the Tokyo Stock Exchange between next month and June of next year. (News On Japan)

A proposal has emerged to sell the operating company of Tsutenkaku Tower, an iconic symbol of Osaka’s Shinsekai district. As inbound tourism rebounds in the post-pandemic era, questions are rising over the future of this popular landmark. (News On Japan)

China is currently experiencing an unprecedented pet boom, with Japanese companies seizing the opportunity to promote pet-related products. (News On Japan)

Nissan Motor Co. has announced it will cut 9,000 jobs globally in response to declining business performance. (News On Japan)

During the regular Diet session in 2024, the Japanese government amended the Basic Law on Food, Agriculture and Rural Areas for the first time. The Basic Law was promulgated in 1999 and is the so-called ‘constitution of agricultural policy’ in Japan. (East Asia Forum)

During the regular Diet session in 2024, the Japanese government amended the Basic Law on Food, Agriculture and Rural Areas for the first time. The Basic Law was promulgated in 1999 and is the so-called ‘constitution of agricultural policy’ in Japan. (East Asia Forum)

The Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE) will extend its trading hours by 30 minutes starting on November 5th. This marks the first extension of trading hours in 70 years, with the last change occurring in 1954. (News On Japan)

The Consumer Affairs Agency announced it has ordered a mail-order business based in Tokyo's Shibuya Ward, which sells medicinal toothpaste and similar products, to halt certain business operations for three months due to exaggerated advertising. (News On Japan)

The '1.03 million yen income cap' raised by Democratic Party for the People leader Tamaki has become a pressing issue for many students and part-time workers. How are they managing the realities of this policy? (News On Japan)

In Toyama Bay, known as a 'natural fish preserve,' a small shrimp called the 'yokoebi' has seen an explosive surge since the Noto Peninsula earthquake, causing significant damage to brand fish species. (News On Japan)

Post offices around Japan have begun selling New Year's greeting cards that are priced higher this year due to a postal rate hike in October. (NHK)

Japan's Fair Trade Commission has ordered four major insurance companies — Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance, Sompo Japan, Aioi Nissay Dowa Insurance, and Tokio Marine & Nichido Fire Insurance — to pay fines totaling over 2 billion yen for collaborating to discuss estimates and bid amounts, leading to premium increases. (News On Japan)

The Japan Association of Corporate Executives has expressed support for Prime Minister Ishiba's goal of raising the minimum wage to ¥1,500 by the 2020s, calling for it to be achieved within three years. (News On Japan)

Honda Motor Co. has filed a recall with Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism for over 650,000 motorcycles due to the risk of rear wheels locking from oil leaks, potentially leading to accidents. (News On Japan)