Overview
- The Upper House constitutional review committee held its first debate of the Diet session on Wednesday and LDP lawmakers pressed to rapidly consolidate and draft amendment text that would include explicit Self-Defense Forces recognition and emergency powers.
- NTT told investors on Wednesday that detections of cyberattacks against the group rose sevenfold in October year-on-year, that several subsidiaries had suspected information leaks, and that the company plans to bolster defenses using advanced AI with emphasis on domestic sovereignty.
- The Japan Swimming Federation's ethics panel on Wednesday suspended swimmer Honda Akari for one year and nine months after a criminal conviction for dangerous driving, a penalty that the federation says effectively removes his chance to compete at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
- Agriculture Minister Takebe acknowledged on Wednesday that his political group received a total of ¥850,000 from four local firms that had won national public-works contracts during election periods and said he would confirm the facts and 'appropriately' respond, including possible refunds.
- A Kyodo News survey covering fiscal 2016–2025 found 16 prefectural assemblies set no per-member cap on overseas inspection travel costs and that councils without caps tended to spend more, a finding that has revived calls for clearer rules, tighter expense limits, and stronger local oversight.