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June 30, 2026
 

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UTILITIES

Keisuke Yokoo, the incoming chairman of Tokyo Electric Power Co., said he is open to forming alliances with firms outside of Japan as the nation’s largest utility seeks to restructure its operations.
BUSINESS / Companies
Jun 2, 2026
Incoming Tepco chair open to alliance partners outside of Japan
Yokoo’s remarks to reporters come as the utility pushes ahead with a business plan unveiled in January.
Chubu Electric Power's Hamaoka nuclear power station in Shizuoka Prefecture on May 17, 2013
JAPAN
May 27, 2026
Japan weighs criminal penalties for nuclear plant data fraud
The plan is being considered following earthquake risk data fraud by Chubu Electric Power over its Hamaoka nuclear power plant in Shizuoka Prefecture.
Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings' headquarters in Tokyo
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
May 22, 2026
Tepco employees recorded civil trials in violation of court rules
On the same day, Shikoku Electric Power and Chugoku Electric Power also admitted to making audio recordings in the courtroom.
The government doesn't plan to ask businesses and households to save electricity this summer despite fuel shortages arising from the war in the Middle East.
JAPAN
May 20, 2026
Japan says it has enough power to meet scorching summer demand
Households and businesses won’t be asked to conserve power, as all regions are expected to have ample supply, according to documents.
Electricity and city gas fees are likely to start rising around June as prices for crude oil and liquefied natural gas have been soaring because of the war in Iran.
JAPAN
May 14, 2026
Japan considers electricity and city gas subsidies in summer
Fees are likely to start rising around June as prices for crude oil and liquefied natural gas have been soaring due to the war in Iran.
The 30-day moving average for coal generation across Japan’s main islands was up 17% on Tuesday compared with the same period last year, and has been consistently higher since late March.
BUSINESS
May 13, 2026
Japan’s coal power generation climbs as war makes LNG more expensive
The 30-day moving average for coal generation across Japan’s main islands was up 17% on Tuesday compared with the same period last year.
Japan has cut dependence on the Middle East for its liquefied natural gas in recent years, but utilities remain exposed to the cost of importing fuel.
BUSINESS / Companies
May 1, 2026
Japanese utilities withhold earnings guidance amid fuel volatility
The war in the Middle East has driven a 70% increase in LNG prices in Asia, while the Strait of Hormuz remains effectively closed.
Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings is facing significant financial challenges stemming from the triple meltdown at its tsunami-stricken Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant.
BUSINESS / Companies
Apr 25, 2026
Chief of government-backed JIC could become next Tepco chairman
If the appointment is approved, the 74-year-old will become the fifth chairman in a row picked from outside the major power company.
Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings resumed commercial operations of reactor No. 6 at its Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear plant in Niigata Prefecture on Thursday.
JAPAN
Apr 16, 2026
Tepco resumes commercial operations at Niigata plant for first time in 14 years
The restart of reactor No. 6 at the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear power plant comes roughly 50 days later than scheduled.
If the timeline for constructing an anti-terrorism facility is eased, the No. 6 reactor at Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings' Kashiwazaki-Kariwa plant in Niigata Prefecture is expected to see their deadline delayed to April 2031 from September 2029.
JAPAN
Apr 2, 2026
Japan eases timeline for creating nuclear plant anti-terrorism facilities
Out of the 12 reactors across the nation for which anti-terrorism facilities have been completed, only one met the deadline.
Some utilities, for instance, tout that the utility costs will be cheaper under their plan without accounting for a variable fuel adjustment charge.
JAPAN
Mar 30, 2026
Utility contract complaints persist nearly a decade after deregulation
Consumer officials are urging caution as complaints over electricity and gas contracts remain almost 10 years since Japan opened its utility markets.
Water utilities will be required to conduct PFAS tests every three months in principle under new tap water quality standards that will take effect next month.
JAPAN
Mar 23, 2026
Japan to mandate inspections for PFAS in water from April
The Environment Ministry aims to assess PFAS concentrations in water supplies nationwide.
Chubu Electric Power President Kingo Hayashi speaks at a news conference to explain its quarterly earnings in Nagoya earlier this month.
BUSINESS / Companies
Feb 24, 2026
Chubu Electric eyes stake in Indian renewable company Continuum
The Japanese power developer is nearing a deal to buy about $150 million to $200 million of new shares in Continuum at a valuation of over $1 billion.
Tohoku Electric President Kazuhiro Ishiyama (center) and other executives bow in apology during a meeting with officials of Aomori Prefectural Government on Wednesday.
JAPAN / Society
Feb 19, 2026
Tohoku Electric submits improvement plan after improper tests at nuclear plant
Irregularities at the plant were due to lack of awareness of the importance of work to protect nuclear materials and insufficient involvement by senior officials, the firm said.
Japan Gas Association leader Takashi Uchida speaks during an interview in Tokyo's Minato Ward on Jan. 15.
BUSINESS
Jan 30, 2026
Japan Gas Association leader says it’s hard to give up Russian LNG
Securing alternative suppliers will not be easy since Russian LNG has an “economic advantage,” says Takashi Uchida.
Nine regional power utilities announced Thursday that average household electricity bills will rise in February, due to higher liquefied natural gas costs and reduced government subsidies.
BUSINESS
Jan 30, 2026
Nine of Japan’s 10 regional power utilities to raise bills in February
Kansai Electric Power is the only utility not to raise its bills.
The No. 6 reactor at the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear plant in Niigata Prefecture. Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings expects to return to profitability in the next fiscal year on the assumption that the reactor is restarted.
BUSINESS / Companies
Jan 26, 2026
Tepco to make cost cuts of ¥3.1 trillion over 10 years under new business plan
The cost cuts will be achieved through business streamlining, reduced investment and asset sales.
Chubu Electric Power President Kingo Hayashi (center) bows in apology during his meeting with Masaru Shimomura, mayor of Omaezaki, Shizuoka Prefecture, in the city on Thursday.
JAPAN / Society
Jan 15, 2026
Chubu Electric chief apologizes to mayor over nuclear plant data fraud
It was the first time for Chubu Electric’s president to offer an apology to the Hamaoka plant host municipality in Shizuoka Prefecture since the scandal came to light.
Under the new business reconstruction program, Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings aims to improve its profitability as huge costs are expected for compensation to victims of the March 2011 nuclear accident at its tsunami-stricken Fukushima No. 1 power plant and for decommissioning reactors at the plant.
BUSINESS / Companies
Jan 11, 2026
Tepco submits new business reconstruction plan
The new plan includes a policy to promote preparations for the decommissioning of the nuclear plant, such as securing human resources.
Nuclear Regulation Authority Chairman Shinsuke Yamanaka (left) attends a regular commissioner meeting on Wednesday in Tokyo.
JAPAN
Jan 7, 2026
Japan stops Chubu Electric’s nuclear review due to flawed seismic data
The country’s nuclear watchdog said it was halting the screening needed to restart Chubu Electric Power’s only nuclear power ​plant.
Uruguay federation reportedly cancels charter flight after World Cup exit
Uruguay's Jose Maria Gimenez reacts after the team's loss against Spain at the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Friday.
Inside Japan’s rigid adoption system, a British family finds a way
James Benstead, his wife, Jesse, and their three children. Their adopted son is in the rear stroller.
India’s gig workers pay the price for exposure to New Delhi’s hazardous air
Rohit Kushwaha waits for a customer as he delivers his last parcel of the day, in New Delhi in January. His work as a delivery driver has helped pay the family’s bills, but has had a significant impact on his health.
Chinese and Russian bombers and fighter jets stage joint patrol near Japan
A Chinese Air Force H-6 bomber is seen during a joint patrol with Russian military aircraft on Saturday.
U.S. missile moves in Japan send China clear message: A new era has arrived
Soldiers conduct the first Typhon midrange capability live-fire exercise outside of the continental United States, firing an SM-6 missile in July last year in Australia's Northern Territory during Exercise Talisman Sabre.
Japan’s fertility system offers few safe paths for same-sex couples
A Tokyo Pride parade participant holds a sign that says "we want to be a married couple, not a couple."
Inside Japan’s rigid adoption system, a British family finds a way
James Benstead, his wife, Jesse, and their three children. Their adopted son is in the rear stroller.
A French ship with close ties to Japan combines arts and sciences on the high seas
Romain Troublé, the executive director of Tara Ocean Foundation, speaks to visitors aboard the Tara during a rare port call in Tokyo in April.
In Kyushu’s far south, Senti.U sparks a culinary destination
Chef Yasuhiko Uchida was born in Saga Prefecture but has made his home in Kanoya, Kagoshima Prefecture, since 2012.
‘The colors speak for themselves’: How Japan’s chroma bible went global
“A Dictionary of Color Combinations” is meant to function as a quick-reference guide for artists, designers and anyone with a passing interest in aesthetics as a quantifiable pursuit.

Podcast

One of the many entrances to the Kabukicho neighborhood in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward.
Kabukicho: Tokyo’s ‘stadium of desire’

Longform

The Terasaka Rice Terraces are seen with Mount Buko in the background.
What Yokoze can teach Japan about rural revival
By Alex K.T. Martin

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