Overview
- JR Central’s Maglev line between Tokyo and Nagoya remains slated for “2027 or later,” with the Nagano stretch dominated by tunnels and uneven progress, including about 40% of one main tunnel section dug by late February.
- Fukuoka City announced 1,067 personnel moves effective April 1, and women now hold 20.0% of section‑chief and higher posts, the city’s highest share on record.
- Upper house leaders debated the 2026 budget on NHK as the ruling party pressed for a quick vote and the opposition prepared amendments focused on fuel and electricity and gas bill relief, pointing to passage in April.
- A fireworks ember at the Grand Snow Okuibuki ski area in Shiga burned about 7,000 square meters of dry grass before crews put it out in about an hour, and police reported no injuries.
- Across sports, Osaka Toin reached the national high school baseball final, FC Gifu beat AC Nagano 5–1 to go top of their group, BR Tokyo won 33–7 in League One, and the White Sox’s Murakami homered in a second straight MLB game.