35 received, 35 listed, 2 sources
One place for news and notices from 2 countries/regions: Taiwan, 20 items from 1 source; Japan, 15 items from 1 source.
One edition every 180 minutes: every item from every source received in the period, with the original link.
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi visited Australia and met with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. Key topics included economic security, energy and defense cooperation, and a joint statement on responding to China’s rare-earth pressure is expected to be coordinated.
Companies mentioned：読売新聞、毎日新聞
Original台湾の頼清徳総統がエスワティニを訪問し、「戦略的石油備蓄基地」と「台湾産業イノベーションパーク」が両国にとって建交以来最大かつ最も戦略的な協力計画であると強調した。
Companies mentioned：海外投資開発公司、台灣世曦工程顧問公司
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi expressed her desire to revise the Constitution, but an NHK public opinion poll found that a majority of the public wanted civilian issues prioritized, with constitutional revision ranking low on the list of priorities.
Companies mentioned：NHK、共同社
Originalバチカンの高官筋によると、アメリカのルビオ国務長官が5月7日にイタリアを訪れ、ローマ教皇レオ14世に謁見する予定。これはトランプ大統領の教皇批判が続く中での米閣僚と教皇の約1年ぶりの対面接触となる。
Companies mentioned：路透社、共和報 (La Repubblica)、晩郵報 (Corriere della Sera)
Taipei City’s Department of Environmental Protection denied online rumors that the city was “spraying rodenticide indiscriminately.” It stressed that disinfection teams receive specialized training and that spraying locations follow central government guidelines.
Major OPEC+ members agreed to increase oil production by 188,000 barrels per day in June, but the impact is expected to be limited and largely symbolic due to conflicts in the Middle East. A real increase in production would be difficult if the Strait of Hormuz blockade continues.
Companies mentioned：OPEC+
紙風車劇團’s Taiwanese-language play “Shunfeng’er’s New Incense Burner” began performances at Miaoli’s Baishatun Gongtian Temple, with Mazu also appearing on stage to offer blessings. The devotional performance came about after the Baishatun Mazu Houli branch visited the troupe’s rehearsal in the past, and also aims to promote mother-tongue education.
Companies mentioned：紙風車劇團、紙風車文教基金會
Sri Lankan police raided an internet fraud center in the capital, Colombo, and arrested 37 Chinese nationals suspected of involvement. The operation was part of a wider crackdown by Sri Lankan authorities on cyber fraud by foreign nationals.
Several Chinese village and township banks were approved for dissolution in a wave of action at the end of April due to risks from bad loans, media reports said, with their major shareholders, commercial banks, taking over their assets and liabilities. The move is part of reforms to small and medium-sized financial institutions and reflects the Chinese government’s drive to “reduce numbers and improve quality” in the sector.
Companies mentioned：江蘇大豊江南村鎮銀行、江蘇江南農村商業銀行、騰衝民生村鎮銀行、中國民生銀行、潼南民生村鎮銀行、普洱民生村鎮銀行、林芝民生村鎮銀行、天津農村商業銀行、天津津南村鎮銀行、青島農商銀行、青島即墨惠民村鎮銀行
While visiting Taiwan’s diplomatic ally Eswatini, President Lai Ching-te highlighted high-quality red-heart guavas produced with support from an agricultural technology mission. The fruit symbolizes the deep and steady ties between Taiwan and Eswatini, and demonstrates how agricultural technology cooperation is strengthening the countries’ friendship.
Companies mentioned：國合會 (国際協力開発基金)
In the final regular-season game of the Taiwan Professional Basketball League (TPBL), 新北中信特攻 defeated 新北國王 111-87 to secure 4th place in the regular-season standings. As a result, the team will have a 1-win advantage in the playoff qualifying round.
Companies mentioned：新北中信特攻、新北國王、桃園台啤永豐雲豹、福爾摩沙夢想家、新竹御嵿攻城獅、台北台新戰神、高雄全家海神
佛光山 launched its “International Ten Thousand Buddhas Three-Platform Ordination Pilgrimage and Alms Round” in Kaohsiung, with 250 newly ordained monks and nuns setting out on an 8-day alms pilgrimage. On the first day, they reached the Buddha Museum, forming a procession stretching several kilometers. Many devotees and tourists made offerings and prayed for good health and family harmony.
Companies mentioned：佛光山
Original台湾内政部は、反浸透法違反で起訴された徐春鶯が代表を務める「中華両岸婚姻家庭服務聯盟」が、理事・監事の任期満了にもかかわらず改選を怠ったため、人民団体法に基づき処分を行うと発表しました。この団体は、台湾在住の中国籍配偶者を中共当局が「不法監控」していた疑いも報じられています。
Companies mentioned：中華両岸婚姻家庭服務聯盟、中華両岸婚姻協調促進會、中共民政部海峽兩岸婚姻家庭服務中心、中共中國國民黨革命委員會上海市委員會祖國和平統一促進委員會
South Korea’s independently developed Next-Generation Medium-Sized Satellite 2 was successfully launched from California aboard a Falcon 9 rocket operated by U.S. company SpaceX. The satellite will be used for land-resource management and disaster response, and is expected to promote the development of private-sector space technology.
Companies mentioned：SpaceX、韓国航空宇宙産業（KAI）、韓国宇宙航空庁（KASA）
Zhu Yuxian of the Wei Chuan Dragons of the Chinese Professional Baseball League hit 2 home runs against the Fubon Guardians, helping his team come from behind to win. Zhu said with a laugh that manager Yeh Chun-chang was so focused on the tense game that he did not notice Zhu’s second home run.
Companies mentioned：味全龍隊（味全ドラゴンズ）、富邦悍將隊（富邦ガーディアンズ）
Overseas exposure among Taiwan’s financial holding companies (金控) reached a record NT$30.6 trillion in the first quarter of this year. Exposure to Japan rose 41.46% year-on-year, placing it among the top 3 destinations for the first time, as financial holding companies expanded their investments in Japan.
Companies mentioned：金控、台積電（TSMC）
South Korea’s Next-Generation Medium-Sized Satellite 2 was successfully launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from a Space Force base in California. The satellite was developed under the leadership of Korea Aerospace Industries and will be used for land-resource management and disaster response.
Companies mentioned：美國太空探索科技公司（SpaceX）、韓國宇宙航空廳（KASA）、韓國航空宇宙產業公司（KAI）
Taiwan’s Uni-Lions defeated the Rakuten Monkeys 4-1 to claim their 3rd consecutive win. Starting pitcher Jiang Shaoqing, making his return from injury, allowed no earned runs over 3 innings, while Pan Chieh-kai was named MVP after recording 2 hits and 1 RBI.
Companies mentioned：統一7-ELEVEn獅隊、樂天桃猿、中央通訊社
Ahead of the Trump-Xi summit, official contacts between the United States and China have increased significantly. At the same time, the United States is advancing legislation to restrict the transfer of AI technology to China, leaving the 2 sides in a complex relationship involving both cooperation and pressure.
Companies mentioned：美國國務院、美國財政部、中國國務院
A German chemical plant with a history of more than 100 years is stepping up mass production of urea and ammonia to address fertilizer shortages caused by the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. The supply shortage is raising concerns that global food security could be threatened.
Companies mentioned：SKW、世界貿易組織（WTO）、德國肥料生產商協會
Okayama University released an analysis of the status of COVID-19 and other infectious diseases, as well as medical care provision in Okayama Prefecture, based on data as of April 20, 2026. It reported that COVID-19 cases had edged up but remained generally stable, seasonal influenza was on a downward trend, and group A streptococcal pharyngitis was spreading.
Companies mentioned：国立健康危機管理研究機構、津山中央病院、岡山市立市民病院、川崎医科大学、デンタルダイヤモンド社
Yamaguchi, a player with professional esports team ZETA DIVISION, won the Street Fighter 6 division at the fighting game tournament EVO Japan 2026, becoming the first Japanese player to achieve the feat. The victory earned him places at CAPCOM CUP 13 and the Esports World Cup 2026, where he will aim for the top spot in the world.
Companies mentioned：GANIMEDE株式会社
Anime song dance performer とぅーし will hold release events for the 2nd single “PLAY PARADE” at HMV&BOOKS locations in Tokyo, Osaka and Okinawa. Mini-live performances and events where fans can receive merchandise directly from the performer are planned, along with the sale of special merchandise sets.
Companies mentioned：HMV&BOOKS、REAL AKIBA BOYZ、RAB ESPICE
Fourth-year Okayama University Faculty of Education students 吉岡千晴 and 宮原彩花瑠 received volunteer awards from 独立行政法人国立青少年教育振興機構. Their achievements in balancing their studies with volunteer work at 国立吉備青少年自然の家 were recognized.
Companies mentioned：独立行政法人国立青少年教育振興機構、国立吉備青少年自然の家
Poppin'Party and Roselia held their joint live show “DREAMS GO ON” at Ariake Arena on May 3, 2026, marking a highly successful return to performing in Japan after about 5 years. The show featured new and classic songs, covers and collaborative performances. New announcements included a Blu-ray release, a new single and a 10th-anniversary album for Roselia.
Okayama University held an awards ceremony on March 23, 2026, for volunteer coaches supporting extracurricular activities in fiscal 2025, academic society award recipients, Student Culture Encouragement Award recipients and Student Sports Award recipients. The university honored 7 volunteer coaches, 13 students who received academic society awards, 104 individual students and 19 student organizations, demonstrating its commitment to supporting students’ diverse pursuits and growth.
ワイハウ has completed its acquisition of 日本純金行社, making a full-scale entry into the precious metals and asset preservation fields. The strategic M&A aims to combine these areas with the company’s existing digital technologies to create new value and accelerate corporate growth.
Companies mentioned：日本純金行株式会社、THE WHY HOW DO COMPANY株式会社
The General Incorporated Association Space Beauty Organization published “SPACE BEAUTY BOOK B: ISS Edition” on April 28, 2026, a comprehensive guide that systematizes the realities and challenges of life and beauty on the ISS. It serves as a practical resource to support research and development and business ventures in the emerging field of “space × beauty.”
Companies mentioned：NASA、ESA、JAXA、Amazon
Oishii Lab Inc. will hold a completely free charity event for children in Nishi-Azabu on Mother’s Day, May 10, 2026. The event will help address disparities in food experiences and provide a setting for emotional education, creating an opportunity for parents and children to nurture gratitude together through an acai bowl workshop.
Companies mentioned：Aubrey House、ダルマット西麻布本店、一般社団法人怪物の恩返し
群馬クレインサンダーズ won after prevailing in overtime against 仙台89ERS on May 3. 中村 sealed the hard-fought game with the winning shot, as the team reached 42 wins, its best record since being promoted to B1. The victory gave the team momentum heading into the championship.
Companies mentioned：群馬クレインサンダーズ、仙台89ERS、りそなグループ、三遠
MOON LLC announced that it will present “THE WAVE,” an ambient live performance at Komyoin, a subtemple of Tofukuji in Kyoto, as the 8th installment of its “TIME & SPACE ™︎” project, a philosophy of sound that engages in dialogue with nature. Japanese candles will illuminate a dry landscape garden at night for this one-night-only concert, inviting audiences to experience time and space.
Companies mentioned：MOON LLC
The new commercial for the class T-shirt production service “クラTスタジオ,” created in collaboration with 白鵬女子高等学校’s dance club, began airing on TVer and ABEMA on April 6, 2026. It expresses the theme of students’ “bonds with their friends” through the dynamic energy of dance and will be available through the end of June.
Companies mentioned：白鵬女子高等学校、株式会社chikyubito
BAR Tokyo Bourbon Club will host a special seminar on bourbon-style whiskey on May 17, 2026, with Whiskey&Co. and distillery head Masatoshi Yamaura as a speaker. The seminar will introduce industry professionals to a distinctly Japanese bourbon style.
Companies mentioned：株式会社ロイヤルマイル、Whiskey&Co.株式会社
STPR Inc. will hold the arena tour “Strawberry Memory Vol.10th anniversary ~Strawberry Prince ARENA TOUR~” from June 2026, visiting 4 cities across Japan to mark the 10th anniversary of its idol group Strawberry Prince. Advance ticket applications opened on May 3, 2026.
Companies mentioned：イープラス、チケットぴあ、ローソンチケット
The 8-member idol group CUTIE STREET has released a Korean-language version music video of its debut song “かわいいだけじゃだめですか？” Its popularity in South Korea is surging, with the group appearing on M COUNTDOWN in March and its performance video reaching 11 million views. The group is set to appear at Weverse Con Festival in June and hold its first solo concert in South Korea in July. In Japan, it plans to hold its 2nd anniversary concert at Nippon Budokan in August.