Overview
- Party leader Hirofumi Yoshimura said reports on co-leader Fumitake Fujita do not indicate a legal violation and that he does not need to resign.
- The party will strengthen internal rules to bar public funds from going to companies represented by lawmakers or their secretaries.
- Fujita denied the allegations at a Diet news conference, saying the transactions were appropriate and rejecting calls to step down.
- Hokkaido confirmed influenza A in a red-crowned crane collected in Tsurui on October 31 and began testing to determine if it is highly pathogenic.
- Local agencies took safety and preparedness steps, with Miyagi University advising people to stay indoors after a bear sighting, three Kushiro-area towns signing a disaster mutual-aid pact, and Takikawa police warning drivers after a pedal-error crash.