World Bank’s IFC mobilized record $3.6B for Türkiye in FY 2024

The World Bank’s private investment arm implemented a record $3.6 billion investment package for Türkiye in its financial year to the end of June, according to a senior executive.

This confirms Türkiye’s position as the third largest country of activity of the International Fi…[Read more]

Erdoğan receives Iraqi Premier Al Sudani for talks in Istanbul

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Friday received Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed S. Al Sudani of Iraq in Istanbul, Erdoğan’s office said.

Erdoğan welcomed Al Sudani at the Vahdettin Mansion and gave him a tour of the historical landmark that overlooks the Bosporus from the city’…[Read more]

Witness to activist’s killing says getting justice crucial for all killed by Israel

ssuring justice for Ayşenur Ezgi Eygi and all those killed by Israel is crucial, according to one of the witnesses to the killing of the Turkish American activist in the occupied West Bank in early September.

Australian citizen Helen Maria O’Sullivan testified as…[Read more]

Hope still exists for Turkey-PKK detente, despite deadly attack

A push for a rapprochement, spearheaded by an unlikely source, could end a decades-long conflict.

The sight of Devlet Bahceli, the leader of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) walking across the floor of the Turkish parliament on October 1 and shaking hands with politicians from a…[Read more]

How Japan’s youngest CEO transformed Hello Kitty

Hello Kitty, arguably Japan’s best loved creation, is celebrating her 50th anniversary.

But all has not always been well at Sanrio, the Japanese company behind the character. The business has been on a spectacular journey of financial peaks and valleys.

Hello Kitty has been ranked the…[Read more]

Japan, EU Officials Condemn N. Korea’s Latest ICBM Launch

Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani and Josep Borrell, the European Union’s high representative for foreign affairs and security policy, met in Tokyo on Friday and condemned North Korea’s launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile the previous day.

Nakatani criticized the ICBM…[Read more]

Japan, EU announce new defense pact

Japan and the European Union announced a sweeping new security and defense partnership in Tokyo on Friday. EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell hailed it as a historic and “very timely” step.

Borrell and his Japanese counterpart, Takeshi Iwaya, unveiled the pact to develop cooperation on joint military…[Read more]

Sekiguchi Eyed as Next Head of Japan’s Upper House

Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party is planning to push Masakazu Sekiguchi as the next president of the House of Councillors, the upper chamber of the Diet, several party sources said Friday.

Sekiguchi, 71, who currently leads LDP members in the Upper House, would succeed current Upper House…[Read more]

Japanese man convicted of creating malware using generative AI

A Japanese court has convicted a man for creating malware using generative conversational artificial intelligence.

The Tokyo District Court sentenced Ryuki Hayashi, 25, to three years imprisonment, suspended for four years, for producing code that could be used as ransomware in…[Read more]

Fujikyu Railway weighs legal action over foreign tourist dance video

Fujikyu Railway is considering taking legal action over a dance video posted on social media that features people who appear to be foreign tourists performing in the middle of a train.
“We will not tolerate any dangerous or disruptive behavior in our vehicles, or any behavior t…[Read more]

Japan’s parliamentary election: Why it matters

Japanese voters go to the polls after new Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba called a snap election. The outcome could strengthen him, or further weaken the governing LDP.

Voters in Japan head to the polls on Sunday to elect members of their House of Representatives in an election seen as a test for t…[Read more]

Japan’s ruling party loses its majority in blow to new PM

The coalition led by Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) has lost its majority in parliament, its worst result for over a decade.

Opposition parties secured more than half the seats in the lower house, provisional election results showed.

With 22 seats left to declare, the L…[Read more]

Turkish prosecutor seeks 500 years in jail for gang behind infant deaths

Turkish prosecutors are pursuing over 500 years in prison for the alleged leaders of a gang accused of causing multiple infant deaths by placing newborns in intensive care units for financial gain. A comprehensive 494-page indictment against 47 suspects, including health…[Read more]

Emine Erdoğan discusses women’s empowerment at MÜSİAD in Istanbul

In her address at the International Awareness Summit at the Independent Industrialists and Businessmen’s Association (MÜSİAD), first lady Emine Erdoğan highlighted the progress of women’s rights in Türkiye over the past two decades. Her speech focused on raising awareness ab…[Read more]

KADEM hosts international summit on AI, women’s rights in Istanbul

The 6th International Women and Justice Summit, organized by the Foundation for Women and Democracy (KADEM), will take place on Nov. 8-9 in Istanbul.

According to a statement from the foundation, experts, academics and researchers from various countries will come together to…[Read more]

A Japanese boy was killed in China. Was cyber-nationalism to blame?

On a Tuesday morning in September, a 10-year-old boy was approaching the gates of a Japanese school in Shenzhen in southern China, when a stranger walked up and stabbed him.

He died of his injuries. The killing shocked Japan and China, and sparked a diplomatic furore.

The…[Read more]

Japan aid agency official punished for Philippines project info leak

An official of the Japan International Cooperation Agency leaked information regarding a bid for a railway rehabilitation project in the Philippines financed by low-interest yen loans, the Japanese government said Tuesday.

JICA imposed a one-month suspension on the official in…[Read more]

Only own-goals as Japan and Australia draw 1-1 in Asian World Cup qualifying

Two own-goals saw the points shared Tuesday as Japan and Australia drew 1-1 in Asian World Cup qualifying.

Shogo Taniguchi accidentally put Australia ahead just before the hour at Saitama Stadium, but Australia’s Cameron Burgess returned the favor soon after to leave…[Read more]

Election to test Ishiba’s ability to build a strong political base

The Oct. 27 general election — the first nationwide vote since a slush funds scandal was uncovered within the ruling Liberal Democratic Party — comes as an early test of the leadership of Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, who is already grappling with a fragile party support base and…[Read more]

Bahçeli denies new process with DEM Party

Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahçeli has called his unexpected handshake with Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) officials an act of “brotherhood rather than the start of a new political process.”

“It is well-known where those who take my extended hand out of context a…[Read more]