Overview
- The central government is considering removing the purchase-premium support for new large-scale solar projects starting in fiscal 2027, according to local reporting.
- The Bank of Japan’s December Tankan shows large manufacturers’ sentiment at plus 15, up one point for a third straight improvement, with labor shortages at very tight levels.
- Sapporo’s fire department disclosed it misdirected an ambulance after a 119 call, delaying arrival by about three minutes; a woman in her 80s later died, with any causal link unconfirmed.
- In Hokkaido, a Chitose house fire left one man dead on Dec. 14, and an early Dec. 15 collision in Fukagawa killed a 20-year-old driver and lightly injured a truck driver.
- The Sapporo District Public Prosecutors Office decided not to indict two Floweri-gumi executives over an alleged March workplace assault, citing an assessment of the evidence including post-incident circumstances.