The United States has indefinitely suspended the delivery of hundreds of Tomahawk missiles to Japan due to an arms shortage caused by the ongoing conflict involving Iran, according to a report by the Financial Times. The report states that U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth informed Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi of the decision during a phone call in early May.

Citing multiple sources familiar with the discussions, the Financial Times reported that the military situation surrounding Iran has placed pressure on U.S. weapons stockpiles, prompting the delay in Japan’s scheduled missile deliveries. American Enterprise Institute Asia security expert Zack Cooper noted that despite pledges to prioritize Asia, the Pentagon is currently giving greater attention to the Middle East.

Analysts suggest the decision reflects how rising tensions in the Middle East are directly influencing U.S. global military supply chains and strategic priorities, with potential long-term effects on Washington’s Asian allies even after the Iran conflict ends.

A Japanese-managed oil tanker named Idemitsu Maru has successfully crossed the Strait of Hormuz for the first time since a blockade, according to Japan’s public broadcaster NHK. The Panama-flagged vessel is carrying about two million barrels of crude oil from Saudi Arabia and is expected to arrive at a refinery in Japan’s Aichi Prefecture next Monday. NHK reported that three crew members holding Japanese citizenship on board are safe and in good condition.

The successful passage marks a significant development for Japan’s energy transport operations following the disruption caused by the blockade. The tanker’s journey underscores Japan’s continued reliance on Middle Eastern crude oil and the importance of secure maritime routes through the Strait of Hormuz.

The report did not specify details about the blockade’s duration or the conditions that allowed the tanker to resume passage, leaving some uncertainty about the broader regional situation.

An Indian restaurant owner living in Japan for three decades has been ordered to leave the country after his business visa renewal was denied under new immigration policies. Manish Kumar, who has run his restaurant in Saitama Prefecture for 18 years, shared his distress at a protest in Tokyo, saying he and his family, who have grown up in Japan, now face forced return to India.

The case has become a symbol of growing anxiety among small foreign entrepreneurs in Japan following major changes to the country’s business visa regulations. Since the new rules took effect in October 2025, applications for business manager visas have dropped by about 96 percent, from around 1,700 per month to just 70.

Japanese authorities say the stricter requirements aim to prevent misuse of long-term residence by non-operational businesses. Critics argue that genuine small business owners are being disproportionately affected. The minimum investment requirement for visa eligibility has also been raised from 5 million yen to 30 million yen.

Japanese shipping company Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) stated that three of its vessels passed through the Strait of Hormuz in April without paying any transit fee or toll. The company confirmed this in an interview with Reuters on Friday. Iran had earlier proposed imposing tolls on ships passing through the strait as a condition for halting attacks by the United States and Israel. However, an MOL spokesperson said the company has no plans to pay such fees in the future.

When asked how the ships managed to cross without paying, the company credited the efforts of relevant countries and stakeholders. MOL currently has several other vessels operating in the Persian Gulf. The spokesperson emphasized that the safety of the crew, ships, and cargo remains the company’s top priority.

Two Indian-flagged LPG carriers under MOL also recently passed through the same route. The Strait of Hormuz remains a strategically vital waterway, handling about one-fifth of the world’s seaborne crude oil and LPG shipments, amid ongoing regional tensions over its control.

Japan’s stock market responded positively on Thursday to reports of a possible diplomatic agreement between the United States and Iran. Following the news, the Nikkei 225 index rose more than 4 percent shortly after trading began, reaching 61,937.78 points at 9:31 a.m. local time (GMT 00:31).

Alongside the geopolitical developments, investors were closely monitoring movements in the Japanese yen. Market speculation suggested that the Japanese government might intervene in the currency market to prevent further depreciation of the yen.

The report, citing Al Jazeera, indicates that optimism over potential diplomatic progress between Washington and Tehran has temporarily boosted investor confidence in Japan’s equity market.

Bangladesh’s opposition leader and Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman visited the Peace Park and Peace Museum in Hiroshima, Japan, on Wednesday as part of his ongoing Japan tour. He was accompanied by Saiful Alam Khan Milon MP, a member of Jamaat’s central executive council, and Barrister Mir Ahmad Bin Kasem Arman MP, his foreign affairs adviser. Bangladeshi teachers from Hiroshima University and PhD researchers from Bangladesh also joined the visit.

The Hiroshima Peace Park and Museum commemorate the atomic bombing of the city on August 6, 1945, when the bomb named “Little Boy” was dropped. Three days later, another bomb, “Fat Man,” was detonated over Nagasaki. By December 1945, about 140,000 people in Hiroshima and 74,000 in Nagasaki had died, with an additional 214,000 later succumbing to radiation-related illnesses.

Even in 2026, Hiroshima remains a solemn reminder of that tragedy, with the ruins of the bombed building still standing as a historical witness.

Japan has received its first shipment of crude oil from Russia since the outbreak of the Iran war, according to multiple media reports. The tanker arrived Monday at the Imabari coast carrying crude produced under the Sakhalin-2 project. Japanese outlets said the cargo was received by Taiyo Oil, though the company has not officially confirmed the delivery. The closure of the Hormuz Strait due to the ongoing Iran conflict has severely disrupted global oil supply.

Japan, which relies on the Middle East for about 95 percent of its oil imports, has been seeking alternative sources since the strait’s closure following the start of the Iran war on February 28. The Sakhalin-2 project remains outside international sanctions imposed on Moscow after the 2022 Ukraine invasion, allowing Japan to import oil from it without restrictions.

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, during her visit to Australia, said the global oil crisis is having a major impact on the Asia-Pacific region and announced that Japan and Australia will take joint emergency measures to ensure stable energy supply.

Japan and Australia held a high-level meeting to strengthen energy security and cooperation on critical minerals as global oil supply disruptions intensify. Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi met Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in Canberra on Monday to discuss energy, critical minerals, and defense collaboration, according to AFP.

Before the meeting, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong emphasized that gas plays a vital role in ensuring joint energy security between the two nations, describing it as the foundation of their energy partnership. She also noted that export partners rely on consistent and reliable supply. The talks come as oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz face disruptions following U.S. and Israeli attacks and Iran’s restrictions on maritime traffic.

Japan expressed interest in securing stable supplies of critical minerals essential for semiconductors, electric vehicle batteries, and defense equipment. Both countries are also deepening defense cooperation, including a major naval deal signed last year. Prime Minister Takaichi reaffirmed Japan’s commitment to a “free and open Indo-Pacific,” a strategy that has drawn criticism from China.

A massive wildfire that spread across Japan’s Iwate region has finally been brought under control after 11 days of continuous efforts by firefighters and military personnel. Officials said it was the country’s second-largest wildfire in 30 years, burning about 1,600 hectares of mountainous forest—roughly five times the size of Central Park. According to the Fire and Disaster Management Agency, at least eight buildings were damaged and two people sustained minor injuries, while thousands were evacuated for safety.

Otsuchi Mayor Kozo Hirano stated that the fire was contained through extensive aerial and ground operations combined with heavy rainfall, though he warned that small pockets of fire might still remain. Kyodo News also described the blaze as Japan’s second-largest in three decades.

Experts noted that increasingly dry winters are heightening wildfire risks. Scientists have long warned that climate change driven by fossil fuel use is intensifying droughts, potentially leading to more severe wildfires in the future.

Japan has decided to release part of its national oil reserves starting May 1 to address supply disruptions caused by the ongoing Middle East crisis that has affected crude oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz. The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry announced the decision on Friday, stating that efforts are underway to secure oil through alternative routes.

According to the ministry, the release will amount to roughly 5.8 million kiloliters of oil, equivalent to about 20 days of national demand, valued at approximately 540 billion yen (around 3.38 billion US dollars). Japan expects to source more than half of its crude oil from alternative suppliers by May compared to last year, which would help maintain stable supply through the end of the year while limiting the need for further reserve releases.

The ministry said the move is being carried out under Article 31 of the Petroleum Stockpiling Act to ensure stable energy supply. As one of the world’s largest oil importers, Japan remains vulnerable to instability in the Hormuz Strait region, which poses a significant risk to its energy security.

A severe wildfire has spread across a northern Japanese city, prompting authorities to urge more than 2,500 residents to evacuate to safe locations. Government spokesperson Minoru Kihara said the fire began two days earlier and by Friday morning had burned over 400 hectares of mountainous land in the Iwate region. Flames were advancing toward homes in the local town of Otsuchi, while thick smoke was visible from nearby forests.

Officials said the prolonged dry winter has heightened the risk of wildfires. Last year, a blaze in Iwate’s Ofunato city was considered Japan’s most severe wildfire in half a century. Kihara added that firefighting efforts have been intensified, with around 700 firefighters and 13 aircraft deployed to contain the flames.

As of 5 a.m. Friday, public broadcaster NHK reported that 329 residents had taken shelter in evacuation centers. Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely as firefighting operations proceed.

Three soldiers were killed when a tank exploded during a military exercise in Japan’s Oita region, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi confirmed on April 21, 2026. According to AFP, the explosion occurred at a training ground of Japan’s Self-Defense Forces in the southwestern part of the country. The blast was reportedly caused by a misfire of ammunition inside the tank, killing three crew members and injuring another.

Prime Minister Takaichi described the incident as extremely tragic and expressed deep condolences for the victims. Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the exact cause of the explosion and circumstances surrounding the misfire.

Further details about the investigation or the condition of the injured soldier have not yet been released.

A powerful earthquake measuring 7.4 on the Richter scale struck off the coast of Iwate Prefecture in northern Japan on Monday, April 20, 2026, at 4:53 p.m. local time. Following the quake, tsunami warnings were issued for Aomori Prefecture, Hokkaido, and nearby coastal regions, with authorities warning that waves up to three meters high could hit the shore. Tremors were also felt in Tokyo, where buildings swayed for several minutes.

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi urged residents to move quickly to safe areas, advising people to avoid rivers and coastal zones and seek higher ground. Japan’s national broadcaster NHK displayed English alerts reading “Tsunami! Evacuate!” and “Don’t turn back” to warn foreign residents and visitors.

The Japan Meteorological Agency confirmed that the quake originated at a depth of 10 kilometers. Authorities continued to monitor the situation as precautionary measures remained in place across affected regions.

Japan has introduced a new term, 'Kokushobi', to describe the country's increasingly severe heat conditions. The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) announced the term after last summer’s record-breaking temperatures reached up to 40 degrees Celsius. The word combines 'koku', meaning 'extremely high', to denote days of intense heat. The decision followed a national online survey conducted between February and March, in which 478,000 people participated to select the most fitting term from 13 options.

According to the Japan Times, Japan experienced its hottest summer since temperature records began in 1898, with the 2025 season averaging 2.36 degrees Celsius above normal. During June to August, nine days exceeded 40 degrees, and Isesaki city recorded a national high of 41.8 degrees Celsius. Tokyo saw 25 days above 35 degrees, while Kyoto recorded 52 such days. The JMA has forecast that temperatures from June to August this year will again remain above normal.

The new terminology reflects Japan’s growing concern over climate change, as fossil fuel use and human activities continue to drive global warming.

Japan’s Nikkei share index declined on April 9, 2026, as earlier optimism over a potential United States–Iran ceasefire weakened. Investors turned cautious following a strong rally in the previous session. According to market data, the Nikkei fell 0.4 percent to 56,036.75 points at 02:00 GMT, while the broader Topix index dropped 0.5 percent to 3,755.52 points. The decline raised concerns that the market’s four-day upward trend might end.

The previous session had seen the Nikkei jump 5.4 percent to its highest level in more than a month, driven by expectations that the Strait of Hormuz could reopen after Donald Trump agreed to a two-week ceasefire with Iran. Overnight, Nikkei 225 futures traded above 57,000 points on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, reflecting earlier optimism that has since cooled.

If the current trend continues, Japan’s stock market may see a pause in its recent rally as investors await clearer signals regarding the ceasefire situation.