Overview

• At its second meeting on August 29, the health ministry’s expert committee heard plaintiffs who sought full restitution of the 2013–15 welfare reductions and a formal apology.
• The panel, composed of nine scholars, is examining who would qualify for additional payments and potential amounts, with a conclusion possible by year-end.
• Japan’s Supreme Court ruled on June 27 that the 2013–15 public assistance cuts were unlawful for lacking required expert deliberation, annulling the reduction orders.
• Ito City’s special investigative committee decided to criminally refer Mayor Maki Takubo over alleged Local Autonomy Law violations, and the city council will vote on a no-confidence motion on September 1 after all 19 members backed submitting it.
• In the Intercity Baseball Tournament, Nippon Life advanced to the last eight with a 6–5 12th-inning tiebreak win over Seino Transportation, SUBARU beat Tokyo Gas 8–3, and Honda Suzuka fell 2–5 to JFE West Japan.