Overview

• At a Sept. 26 cabinet meeting, the government set April 1, 2027 as the enforcement date for revised immigration laws that create the ikusei shuro system.
• The change is slated to coincide with the phaseout of the 1993 technical trainee program when the new regime begins, according to official announcements.
• A ministerial meeting at UN headquarters on Sept. 25 confirmed continued UNRWA funding from more than 40 countries, with Japan included among the supporters.
• Kawasaki police arrested an 86-year-old woman on Sept. 25 on suspicion of killing her 91-year-old husband, and she told investigators she was fatigued from caregiving.
• This year’s saury catch has topped 20,000 tons in about six weeks—more than double last year—driving large-fish prices down roughly 30% and leading to temporary fishing pauses.