JR East Group Faces Fraud Accusations Over Fake Staff

TOKYO, May 31 (News On Japan) - JR East Japan's group company has come under suspicion for overcharging labor costs in a government-commissioned project, claiming 65 people were working on a project while on 3 were involved.

According to JR East Japan Planning, a subsidiary of East Japan Railway Company, the firm falsely reported to the Agency for Natural Resources and Energy that 65 people were working on a disaster prevention infrastructure subsidy project during fiscal 2023. In reality, only three individuals were primarily involved in the project, while wages for the remaining 62 nonexistent staff were fraudulently claimed.

Further investigations suggest similar irregularities in 85 projects commissioned by 13 different ministries and agencies between fiscal 2019 and fiscal 2023.

Source: TBS

Trump Doubles Tariffs While Calling Nippon Steel’s $14 Billion US Deal Historic

U.S. President Donald Trump announced on May 30th that his administration plans to double the current tariffs on imported steel and aluminum to 50 percent. Speaking at a plant owned by major American steelmaker U.S. Steel, Trump declared that the existing 25 percent tariff on steel imports would be raised to 50 percent starting June 4th. The same rate will also apply to aluminum products, with the measure expected to affect exporters globally.

Japan’s Healthcare in Crisis, Doctors Overworked as Research Time Dwindles

Amid mounting financial strain and work reform policies, Japan’s university hospitals are struggling to maintain the quality of their medical research, threatening the future of healthcare in the country. A recent survey of approximately 3,000 physicians working in university hospitals revealed that 60% spend less than five hours a week on research, with 22% reporting zero research time. The main reason: they are simply too busy with clinical duties to conduct research.

Former Princess Mako Komuro Has First Child in U.S.

Mako Komuro, the eldest daughter of the Akishino family and now living in the United States, has given birth to her first child, the Imperial Household Agency announced on May 30th. The agency stated that the birth was disclosed during a press conference after some media reports surfaced, despite their intention to allow Komuro to live in a quiet environment following her departure from the Imperial family.

Akie Abe Moved to Tears During Kremlin Visit with Putin

Akie Abe, widow of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, visited the Kremlin on May 29th and met with Russian President Vladimir Putin. During the meeting, Akie was seen tearfully listening to Putin’s words, reflecting the emotional nature of their exchange. Following the conversation, she was invited to ride in Putin’s official limousine to the Bolshoi Theatre, where the two attended a ballet performance together.

Cylinder Marked November 1964 Found at Site of Tokyo Explosion

A gas cylinder recovered from the scene of an explosion in Tokyo’s Edogawa Ward bore a stamp indicating it was manufactured in November 1964, according to investigative sources. The blast, which occurred on May 27th at a construction site, injured 10 people.

MEDIA CHANNELS

MORE Business NEWS

Fourth Round of Japan-US Tariff Talks Ends with Progress Toward Agreement

Japan and the United States held their fourth ministerial-level talks on tariffs on May 30th, with Economic Revitalization Minister Akazawa stating that "progress toward an agreement was confirmed" during the meeting.

JR East Group Faces Fraud Accusations Over Fake Staff

JR East Japan's group company has come under suspicion for overcharging labor costs in a government-commissioned project, claiming 65 people were working on a project while on 3 were involved.

SoftBank Startup Aims to Revolutionize AI Chips

SoftBank has teamed up with Intel and the University of Tokyo to establish a new semiconductor memory development company in Japan focused on artificial intelligence applications. Named SAIMEMORY, the new firm aims to develop cutting-edge memory chips with enhanced performance and lower energy consumption.

Yokohama Bank Pushes for Stronger Local Identity

Concordia Financial Group, which will change its name to Yokohama Financial Group in October, is seeking to reinforce its identity as a strong regional bank group centered on Yokohama Bank. President Tatsuya Kataoka, who also serves as head of Yokohama Bank, discussed the strategy behind the rebranding, the group's structural reforms, and its ambitions for stronger financial performance during a joint interview with Nikkei Financial.

Business recycling boosts environmental gains across continents

In a time when environmental concerns are reaching a critical point, businesses across the world, but mainly in Europe and the Middle East are ramping up their recycling efforts, an increasingly powerful driver of both ecological protection and economic opportunity.

Toyota's Overseas Sales Hit Record High in April on Tariff Rush

Toyota Motor announced that its overseas vehicle sales in April reached a record 756,190 units, up 9.7% from the same month last year. The surge was driven in part by last-minute demand in the United States ahead of additional tariffs on imported vehicles proposed by the Trump administration.

Hidden Clues in Japan’s New Banknotes

Ten months after the release of Japan’s redesigned banknotes, an unusual detail has caught the public’s eye: the letter F on the new bills appears oddly rounded.

NTT Docomo Moves into Banking Sector

NTT Docomo is set to acquire major online bank Sumishin SBI Net Bank as it prepares to enter the banking sector, marking a significant shift for the mobile carrier as it looks to catch up with rivals in the growing financial services space.

< 2 3 4 5 >