Japan has reaffirmed its commitment to the International Criminal Court (ICC) amid U.S. sanctions against the entity, with Chief Cabinet Secretary Minori Kihara expressing "deep concerns" over the move. In a TV program, Kihara stated that the sanctions "run counter to Japan's position," echoing earlier remarks by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. The U.S., a longtime ally of Japan, imposed sanctions on the ICC on Friday, raising tensions over the rule of law.
Meanwhile, Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd. has set ambitious defense sales targets, aiming to double its current fiscal year's estimated sales of 510 billion yen to 1 trillion yen ($6.3 billion) or more by the mid-2030s. This shift aligns with Japan's increased defense spending and focus on advanced technologies like drones and artificial intelligence.
Prime Minister Takaichi's call at the U.N. to remove World War II "enemy state" clauses from the U.N. Charter has sparked potential diplomatic friction with China. China criticizes Japan's remilitarization efforts, while Takaichi seeks to strengthen defense capabilities in response to growing security challenges.
In other news, East Japan Railway Co. (JR East) will launch its new digital payment service, "teppay," on October 20. The service, accessible via the Suica mobile app, will compete with existing platforms like PayPay using barcode and QR code technology.