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January 4 – A collision caused by tea leaves spilled from a moving truck involving 12 vehicles in Sano, Tochigi, leaves one person dead and three others injured.[2]
China bans the export of dual-use items, with military applications, to Japan, citing contentious statements made by the Japanese government regarding tensions with Taiwan.[5]
January 8 – A wildfire breaks out in the mountains of Ōtsuki and Uenohara, Yamanashi, burning at least 16 hectares (40 acres) of forest.[6]
January 12 – Former mayor Akira Ogawa is re-elected as the mayor of Maebashi in a special election following her resignation in November 2025.[7]
January 14 –
The Nikkei 225 sets an all-time high closing at 54,341 points.[8]
January 26 – The Tokyo District Court orders North Korea to pay ¥88 million(US$801,822.32) in compensation to four Zainichi Koreans who were lured to move to the country through propaganda schemes but instead experienced inappropriate conditions before escaping.[21]
January 29 – Three suitcases containing 420 million yen (US$2.7 million) in cash are stolen in a robbery near Ueno Station in Tokyo.[23]
February
February 2 – Japan announces the retrieval of sediment containing rare earth minerals at a depth of 6,000m (20,000ft) below sea level off the coast of Minamitorishima.[24]
↑Yoshida, Kei (January 14, 2026). 陸自の小型ドローン、1機が行方不明に 霧島演習場で飛行訓練中[One small drone of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force goes missing during flight training at Kirishima Training Area] (in Japanese). The Asahi Shimbun. Retrieved January 16, 2026.
↑近畿大学 世界初の“ノドグロの完全養殖に成功”と発表[Kinki University announces the world's first "success in fully-fledged aquaculture of blackthroat seaperch"]. NHK (in Japanese). February 6, 2026. Retrieved February 6, 2026.
↑"山口県知事選、村岡氏の得票率69・11% 投票率30年ぶり5割超え"[Yamaguchi gubernatorial election: Muraoka receives 69.11% of votes, voter turnout exceeds 50% for first time in 30 years]. Chugoku Shimbun (in Japanese). February 9, 2026. Retrieved February 14, 2026.
↑Ichinomiya, Fuminari (February 9, 2026). "長崎県知事選、平田氏が初当選 現職との保守分裂選制す【最終得票、当選者略歴】"[Nagasaki Prefectural Gubernatorial Election: Hirata Wins First Election, Splits Conservatives with Incumbent [Final Vote Count, Winner's Profile]]. Nishinippon Shimbun (in Japanese). Retrieved February 14, 2026.
↑藤井俊男さん死去 元民主党参院議員[Former Democratic Party House of Councillors member Toshio Fujii passes away]. Hokkaido Shimbun (in Japanese). January 13, 2026. Retrieved January 25, 2026.
↑北海道・前釧路市長の蝦名大也さん(67)死去 議員秘書や北海道議などを経て4期16年釧路市長 防災インフラの整備に尽力 関係者からも悼む声[Former Kushiro Mayor Daiya Ebina (67) passes away. He served as secretary to a member of the Hokkaido Prefectural Assembly and served as mayor for four terms (16 years). He contributed to the development of disaster prevention infrastructure. His family mourns him.]. TBS News (in Japanese). January 8, 2026. Retrieved January 25, 2026.
↑元全社協会長、長尾立子氏逝く 女性初の法務大臣[Former president of the Japan Federation of Associations, Tatsuko Nagao, passes away; first female Minister of Justice]. Fukushi Shimbun (in Japanese). January 19, 2026. Retrieved January 25, 2026.
↑元幕内・戦闘竜が死去、56歳、03年に引退し格闘家へ転身、元大関魁皇の浅香山親方は29日にお見舞いも体調急変し会えず[Former Makuuchi wrestler Sentoryu has passed away at the age of 56. He retired in 2003 and became a martial artist. Former Ozeki Kaio's stablemaster Asakayama visited him on the 29th but was unable to meet due to his sudden deterioration in health.]. Chunichi Shimbun (in Japanese). January 30, 2026. Retrieved February 6, 2026.
↑映画監督の長谷川和彦さん死去 80歳 代表作に「青春の殺人者」[Film director Kazuhiko Hasegawa passes away at age 80. His most famous work is "Murderer of Youth."]. Mainichi Shimbun (in Japanese). February 1, 2026. Retrieved February 6, 2026.
↑長唄鳴物の人間国宝、藤舎名生さんが84歳で死去[Living National Treasure Nagauta narimono player Tōsha Meishō passes away at age 84]. Nishinippon Shimbun (in Japanese). February 6, 2026. Retrieved February 6, 2026.
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