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TOKYO – The following is the most recent compilation of selected news summaries from Kyodo News.

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Countries come together for a review of the nuclear nonproliferation treaty while conflict continues in Iran.

NEW YORK – Leaders in politics and anti-nuclear campaigners from various nations gathered in New York on Monday as authorities began examining the global nuclear nonproliferation system amidst continuing instability in Iran and other regions.

The central issue is whether signatories of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty can reach a unified statement at a moment when global stability is shifting due to Russia’s conflict in Ukraine and the U.S.-Israel confrontation with Iran, as nuclear-armed nations aim to increase their weapons stockpiles.

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Japanese Prime Minister pledges to enhance defense capabilities via updates to policy documents

TOKYO – Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi stated on Monday that she aims to advance active measures to significantly enhance Japan’s defense capabilities by revising important security policy documents later this year, as the government convened the initial meeting of an advisory panel tasked with the revision.

Takaichi mentioned during the meeting, which allowed partial media access, that Japan needs to get ready for “new forms of warfare” leveraging artificial intelligence and other technologies to conduct continuous combat missions, as emphasized by Russia’s extended conflict in Ukraine and the ongoing tensions in the Middle East.

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Japan’s unemployment rate in March increases to 2.7%

TOKYO – According to official figures released on Tuesday, Japan’s unemployment rate increased to 2.7 percent in March, up from 2.6 percent in the prior month.

The job availability ratio decreased by 0.01 point from February to 1.18, indicating there were 118 job openings for every 100 individuals seeking employment, as per additional data.

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Meteorological authority concludes one-week alert following a M7.7 earthquake in northeastern Japan

TOKYO – On Monday, the weather agency concluded a seven-day warning regarding a heightened possibility of a powerful earthquake following a 7.7-magnitude tremor that occurred off the Pacific coast in northeastern Japan, while urging ongoing daily readiness for emergencies.

In the early hours of the day, a 6.2 magnitude earthquake shook Hokkaido in northern Japan. The Japan Meteorological Agency stated that it does not believe the two tremors were directly connected and that it will not release an updated warning.

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Members of the government panel in Japan call for a review of the education system to improve its alignment with AI.

TOKYO – Members of the Japanese government’s advisory panel from the private sector called on Monday for an assessment of the nation’s education system, suggesting a move away from rote learning and precise calculations toward fostering the capacity to learn new skills that will aid in adapting more effectively to artificial intelligence.

They cautioned that Japanese schools are emphasizing skills with a “limited lifespan that may quickly become outdated or unnecessary” because of the swift rise of AI, as outlined in submissions to the Council on Economic and Fiscal Policy.

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Toyota achieves a new high in global sales for fiscal year 2025, driven by its hybrid vehicle models.

NAGOYA – Toyota Motor Corporation reported on Monday that it sold a new global high of 10.48 million vehicles, exceeding its previous peak for the first time in two years, driven by strong demand for hybrid models primarily in North America, even amid the negative effects of significant U.S. tariffs.

The worldwide sales for fiscal year 2025 showed a 2.0 percent rise compared to the previous year, while total production rose by 2.2 percent to 9.89 million vehicles, representing the first growth in two years, as reported by the leading automaker globally.

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Nissan increases its fiscal year 2025 forecast to 50 billion yen in operating profit due to a weaker yen

TOKYO – Nissan Motor Co. announced on Monday that it anticipates an operating profit of 50 billion yen ($314 million) for the fiscal year concluding in March, marking a positive change from its previous estimate of a 60 billion yen loss, which is credited to a weaker yen and reduced expenses associated with environmental regulations.

The Japanese automaker facing difficulties announced a projected net loss of 550 billion yen, a decrease from an estimated 650 billion yen, with sales reaching 12 trillion yen, which is higher than the previously estimated 11.9 trillion yen.

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A Taiwanese court imposes a fine of $4.7 million on a subsidiary of Tokyo Electron for the TSMC data theft.

TAIPEI – A Taiwanese court imposed a fine of NT$150 million ($4.7 million) on the local branch of Japan’s Tokyo Electron Ltd. and sentenced a former employee to 10 years in prison for stealing trade secrets from Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co.

The Intellectual Property and Commercial Court noted in its decision that the case concerning sensitive data from the world’s leading contract chip manufacturer presented a risk to Taiwan’s semiconductor industry’s global competitiveness and its economic security.

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