Overview
- Chubu Electric formally withdrew its application to restart the Hamoka nuclear plant after a probe found irregularities in seismic inspections that regulators and experts say have eroded public confidence in the utility.
- The withdrawal leaves the company facing extended safety reviews and reputational damage that experts warn will slow any near‑term push to return the plant to service.
- JR Hokkaido has briefed local mayors on a new government‑led council to sustain eight unprofitable regional rail segments known as the “yellow” lines, and Abashiri Mayor Yoichi Mizutani said he will attend and engage constructively with the talks.
- On Sept. 29 former Yokohama mayor Takeharu Yamanaka announced he will run in the rerun mayoral election after resigning on Sept. 7 following a third‑party finding of workplace power harassment.
- Police arrested Shinobu Ishihara on Sept. 29 on suspicion of providing information to an anonymous, fluid criminal group tied to a March attempted robbery, and parallel announcements named Tokyo University’s first female president and TV Asahi’s plan to air Kuramoto So’s posthumous drama.