Overview

• From October 1, companies must solicit employees’ preferred working arrangements to help balance jobs and childcare for parents of children aged 3 through pre‑elementary school, according to NHK.
• The National Police Agency launched a dedicated investigative structure to crack down on anonymous, fluid criminal groups known as “Tokuryu,” deploying full‑time officers for concentrated enforcement.
• The Liberal Democratic Party leadership race has entered its final days, with voting three days away and campaigns intensifying efforts to secure Diet member votes.
• The Japan Meteorological Agency warns of a very unstable atmosphere, urging caution for lightning, tornado‑class gusts, hail, and sudden heavy rain through October 1 in eastern Japan and October 2 in northern Japan.
• Takeshi Niinami resigned as Keizai Doyukai’s representative director‑general on September 30 after stepping down as Suntory Holdings chair, and the business group will now move to select a successor.