Overview
- Cabinet plans for the 2026 initial budget have solidified at more than ¥122 trillion, signaling an expansionary stance under the Takaichi administration with reported concessions on education and welfare.
- The government approved raising the monthly ceiling on out-of-pocket payments under the high-cost medical expense program and will introduce a new annual cap after a roughly nine-and-a-half-month pause in the review.
- Cultural authorities moved to widen state recognition by allowing up to 10 new holders of Important Intangible Cultural Properties in the newly added living culture field, increasing the cap from 116 to 126.
- Local governments and travel companies are intensifying efforts to attract visitors from Taiwan, pointing to high load factors on Taipei charter flights and planning tours that cover three prefectures including Kochi.
- Police in Hokkaido are probing a residential fire in Otofuke in which a burned body was recovered, with investigators examining whether the victim is the home’s male resident in his 70s.