Overview
- A UNESCO advisory body recommended listing the Asuka‑Fujiwara archaeological sites in Nara Prefecture for World Cultural Heritage status, with the World Heritage Committee due to consider the nomination at its July 19–29 meeting in Busan and ICOMOS urging further conservation work on palace ruins and tomb murals.
- The ruling Liberal Democratic Party has drawn up a proposal to cut lower‑house seats by about 10 percent by reducing proportional representation slots, a plan reported by party sources that has not become formal legislation.
- All Nippon Airways and Japan Airlines are reported by industry sources to plan record high fuel surcharges for international tickets issued for July and August as jet fuel costs surge, a development framed as likely but not officially confirmed by the carriers.
- Toyota has confirmed it will begin 'reverse‑importing' U.S.‑built Camry sedans for sale in Japan as early as this fall and aims to sell roughly 10,000 units a year to address market demand and trade concerns by offering right‑hand‑drive U.S. models.
- Japan’s National Police Agency has placed suspect Kazuhiko Masuda on an international wanted list in connection with a May 14 robbery‑murder in Tochigi Prefecture after reports he left the country, and China told Myanmar it will work with Naypyidaw to combat cross‑border organized crime.