61 received, 61 listed, 2 sources
One place for news and notices from 2 countries/regions: Taiwan, 47 items from 1 source; Japan, 14 items from 1 source.
One edition every 180 minutes: every item from every source received in the period, with the original link.
Ingrida Circene, chair of the Latvia-Taiwan Parliamentary Friendship Group, emphasized that Taiwan is an economically and strategically important partner. She highlighted the value of cooperation, particularly in high technology, democracy and security, and called for stronger bilateral relations.
Companies mentioned：里加工業大学 (Riga Technical University)
A group of Taiwanese living in Europe submitted a petition to Legislative Speaker Han Kuo-yu and others visiting London, calling on lawmakers across party lines to strengthen Taiwan’s defense capabilities. The petition stressed the importance of demonstrating Taiwan’s determination to defend itself to the international community.
Companies mentioned：中央社、歐洲台灣商會聯合總會 (ETCC)、歐洲台灣協會聯合會、曼徹斯特台灣人協會
The essay question in Taiwan’s 2026 junior high school graduation exam asked students to write on the theme of “giving things a new look.” Drawing on examples such as bartering and repurposing waste materials, the question tested students’ life experiences and creativity.
Companies mentioned：教育部
KMT Chairperson Cheng Li-wun spoke at an event for students about the essence of democracy. She said democracy is a process of persuasion and compromise, not force or money, and urged students to have open minds and respect differing opinions.
Companies mentioned：國民黨 (国民党)
The Taiwan Society of Genetic Counseling and other groups urged the integration into the healthcare system of the country’s specialist genetic counselors, of whom there are only about 90. They warned that the shortage of specialists is serious as genetic testing becomes more widespread and could leave the country unable to meet future demand.
Companies mentioned：台湾遺伝カウンセリング学会、罕見疾病基金會、中華民國人類遺傳學會、台湾大学
Original台湾鉄道の企業労働組合が、未払いの幹部手当や未実施の誕生日休暇などを理由にストライキ投票を検討。6月には交通部への抗議行動を予定しており、会社化後初のストライキに発展する可能性がある。
Companies mentioned：台鐵公司 (台湾鉄道)、交通部、行政院
A girl was bitten by a dog kept at a kindergarten in Taichung. Police referred the director, whose surname is Wang, to prosecutors on a charge of negligent injury. The Education Bureau plans to fine the kindergarten and order improvements, putting its safety management under scrutiny.
Companies mentioned：台中市警察局第一分局、台中市政府教育局、台中市動保處
In protest against the KMT central committee’s nomination of Wei Ping-zheng as its Changhua County magistrate candidate, Huang Kun-huang, a former deputy speaker of the Tianwei Township representative council, launched a campaign to “reject votes in the county magistrate election.” In response to local discontent, the party’s county branch plans to hold a briefing to explain the candidate’s platform.
Companies mentioned：中國國民黨 (Kuomintang)
The Kaohsiung Tourism Bureau held a birthday party for its mascot, “Kaohsiung Bear,” and announced the launch of a “Heartwarming Hug Campaign.” The goal is to visit social welfare institutions and give 1,000 hugs, elevating Kaohsiung Bear from a tourism IP to a goodwill ambassador spreading warmth throughout the city.
Companies mentioned：高雄捷運
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The discovery that 62 cats were being kept in an apartment in a luxury building in Taipei’s Xinyi District prompted complaints from neighbors about a foul odor. The Taipei City Animal Protection Office conducted an inspection and found no major problems with the animals’ living conditions, but some cats had not been registered or spayed or neutered. The owner is expected to face administrative penalties.
Companies mentioned：台北市動物保護處、台北市建築管理工程處
Original中国外交部は、ロシアのプーチン大統領が5月19日から20日にかけて中国を公式訪問すると発表した。習近平国家主席の招待によるもので、両首脳は二国間関係の強化や国際問題について協議する見通し。今年は中露関係にとって複数の記念すべき節目が重なっている。
Companies mentioned：中国外交部、クレムリン、上海協力組織
Original東京大学の学園祭「五月祭」が、爆破予告のメールを受け初日の16日が全面中止となった。安全確保が困難と判断されたため。また、同日に予定されていた参政党の神谷宗幣代表の講演会も、学生らの抗議活動により中止された。
Companies mentioned：東京大学、参政党、朝日新聞、時事通信社
Golden Bell Award winner Chen Kailun has released the charity single “Singing Aboard the Ark” after overcoming cancer. He said the song is a record of his life and hopes to give strength to people going through difficult times. All royalties from the single will be donated to charity.
Companies mentioned：台灣大學
At a policy briefing by the Democratic Progressive Party, Deputy Premier Cheng Li-chun criticized the Legislative Yuan for cutting 470 billion yuan from the special defense budget, including funding for drone development. The Executive Yuan said it would work to secure the related funding again.
Companies mentioned：民主進步黨 (DPP)
An international study suggests that the increased risk of hyperactivity or autism in children whose mothers took antidepressants during pregnancy may be more strongly linked to the parents’ history of mental illness than to the medication itself. Stable medication use may benefit pregnant women with moderate or more severe depression.
Companies mentioned：Lancet Psychiatry、台灣科技媒體中心 (SMC)、國立台灣大學醫學院附設醫院雲林分院
Shen Po-yang, the DPP’s candidate for Taipei mayor, responded to U.S. President Donald Trump’s remarks about Taiwan by saying that “not unilaterally changing the status quo has long been the consistent position of the United States, and it is also the view of the majority of Taiwanese people.”
Companies mentioned：民進黨 (DPP)、福斯新聞 (Fox News)
Dense fog left air services to Matsu fully booked and sea services canceled, stranding many passengers. In response, the Civil Aeronautics Administration activated Plan C, and the Ministry of National Defense dispatched 4 military aircraft to transport 280 military personnel and civilians to Taiwan.
Companies mentioned：交通部民用航空局、國防部、連江縣政府交通旅遊局
A train, a bus and several other vehicles collided in Bangkok, Thailand. At least 6 people have died and many others were injured. Rescue operations are continuing at the scene.
Companies mentioned：Thai PBS
A total of 32 violations were recorded in the Chinese-language section of Taiwan’s junior high school Comprehensive Assessment Program, most involving turning pages in the question booklet too early or exceeding the allotted time. Deliberate damage to question booklets was also reported. The Ministry of Education warned that cheating in any form is prohibited and violators will face severe penalties.
Original日本プロ野球で今月導入された新規定「危険なスイング」に対し、読売ジャイアンツの浦田俊輔選手が初めて警告を受けました。打席でバットが手から離れ、一塁方向へ飛んだため、主審から警告が言い渡されました。新規定は、審判が打者のバットに当たって昏睡状態になった事故を受けて導入されたものです。
Companies mentioned：読売ジャイアンツ、横浜DeNAベイスターズ、日本テレビ
The Chinese test was held on the first day of the 115 junior high school exam, with questions emphasizing everyday situations, cross-disciplinary reading and literary appreciation.
Companies mentioned：教育部
Taiwan’s Central Weather Administration said well-developed convective cloud systems could bring localized heavy or torrential rain to Kaohsiung City, Pingtung County and mountainous areas of Chiayi County, as well as localized heavy rain to parts of Chiayi County, Nantou, Yunlin and mountainous areas from Yunlin to Tainan. It warned of thunderstorms, strong winds, landslides and rockfalls in mountainous areas, and river flooding.
Original中華航空於5月舉辦南北淨灘活動，動員近400名員工與眷屬參與，展現環保承諾。
Companies mentioned：中華航空
The National Cultural and Arts Foundation is holding the “2026 Presidential Office Concert,” themed “Democratic Taiwan, Songs Warmed by the South Wind.” Combining history education with interactive booths, it will take place in Pingtung on May 23.
富邦悍將 closer Tseng Chun-yueh has recently been inconsistent in relief appearances. The coaching staff said his mechanics have slipped, and he is working to adjust through training.
Companies mentioned：富邦悍將、台鋼雄鷹
Bipartisan members of the US Congress have publicly demonstrated support for Taiwan’s security and reaffirmed their commitments to Taiwan policy. The Foreign Ministry expressed its sincere gratitude.
Labor unions went on strike on the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) in New York after labor negotiations broke down, bringing North America’s busiest commuter railroad to a standstill.
Companies mentioned：長島鐵路 (Long Island Rail Road)、紐約大都會運輸局 (MTA)、美國鐵路駕駛員與營運員工會 (Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen)
U.S. President Donald Trump said China has yet to approve purchases of NVIDIA’s high-performance H200 AI chips because it is prioritizing domestic chip development. The U.S. and Chinese leaders also discussed “guardrails” for the safe use of AI.
Companies mentioned：NVIDIA、Anthropic
Original中央気象署は、17日の台湾西半部は概ね晴れるが、午後は雷雨となり、高屏地区や中南部山間部で大雨の可能性があると発表した。北部では気温が30度前後、19日からは33度に達する見込み。
Companies mentioned：中央気象署
The labor union at South Korea’s Samsung Electronics said it would resume wage negotiations with the company on the 18th under government mediation. The move could ease concerns about a large-scale strike.
Companies mentioned：三星電子 (Samsung Electronics)
Original俳優・孫鵬の息子である孫安佐が、自作の火炎放射器をテストする動画をSNSに投稿し、検察と警察が捜査に乗り出した。孫安佐と友人の2人が逮捕され、士林地検で取り調べを受けている。
A fatal traffic accident occurred in Daliao District, Kaohsiung, when an 80-year-old woman riding a scooter apparently swerved to avoid a vehicle illegally parked by the roadside and collided with a truck traveling in the same direction. Police have referred the driver involved and the person responsible for the illegal parking for prosecution.
樂天桃猿 pitcher Morgan McSweeney struggled early after moving to Taiwan’s Chinese Professional Baseball League. He has recently adjusted his mindset, adopted a strategic, “chess-like” approach to pitching and exchanged ideas with teammates, delivering quality starts in 2 consecutive games.
Companies mentioned：樂天桃猿、統一7-ELEVEn獅、味全龍
Finnish President Alexander Stubb described the entry of Ukrainian drones into Baltic Sea airspace as a spillover effect of the war and said Europe should strengthen its air defense capabilities. He also emphasized the importance of dialogue with Russia.
Companies mentioned：NATO
The 2026 Nagoya Asian Games baseball training squad’s Blue-White exhibition series opened today. National Taiwan Sport University pitcher Lei Hao-po threw 3 scoreless innings in relief and clocked the game’s fastest pitch at 154 kph, helping the Blue team beat the White team 6-1.
味全龍 is the only team in Taiwan’s Chinese Professional Baseball League with a winning record of 5 or more against star pitcher Pedro Fernandez. Manager Yeh Chun-chang said he was surprised by the statistic and credited the team’s thorough scouting and players’ self-directed improvement.
Companies mentioned：味全龍、樂天桃猿
A sheet-metal factory in Lukang, Changhua, caught fire this afternoon, sending thick smoke into the air. Firefighters responded and brought the blaze under control before it spread. Two people were injured, and the cause is under investigation.
Reports say the light Huaiyang cuisine served at a banquet arranged by China during US President Donald Trump’s visit did not suit his personal preferences. Media reports noted that he has long favored Western food such as hamburgers, and reviewed his dining habits during past overseas trips.
Companies mentioned：澳洲廣播公司（ABC News）、LADbible、紐約時報、路透社
Smartphone sales in mainland China have fallen amid soaring memory prices. Apple has cut prices on its iPhone 17 series despite the downturn, and Huawei quickly followed suit, igniting a price war in the high-end phone market and putting pressure on other brands to lower prices.
Companies mentioned：Apple、Huawei、IDC、Counterpoint Research、小米
The Taichung City Government imposed a heavy fine of NT$5 million over air pollution caused by a fire at a social housing construction site in the city. Interior Minister Liu Shih-fang apologized and pledged to ensure stricter safety management in the future.
Companies mentioned：国家住宅及都市更新中心
In the winners’ bracket of the Wang Chen-chih Cup youth baseball tournament, 新北市隊 won 2-0 over 新竹市隊 on Zhang Yi-an’s 2-run homer and 11 strikeouts by the combined pitching of Luo Yu-yan and Wu Hao-hsiang.
Companies mentioned：新北市隊、新竹市隊
Rain caused flooding in Hualien’s Guangfu area yesterday. After inspecting the site, 行政院 adviser Li Meng-yen said the flooding was mainly due to gaps at a construction site and poor drainage of internal runoff, and was unrelated to the barrier lake. Residents need not panic, and the government will strengthen flood prevention.
Companies mentioned：行政院、花蓮縣府、農業部、國土署、光復鄉公所
Original富邦悍将の范國宸選手が左手指の腫脹で欠場。後藤光尊監督はジョークを交えて状況を説明し、自身の腰痛についても言及した。
Companies mentioned：富邦悍将、台鋼雄鷹
President Lai Ching-te announced the “Three Highs Prevention and Control 888 Plan” to strengthen prevention and control of cardiovascular disease, aiming to promote early detection and intervention for chronic illnesses through public-private cooperation. The initiative seeks to realize a healthy Taiwan.
Companies mentioned：中華民國心臟學會
Originalオリックス猛牛隊の中嶋聰シニア総監が新莊棒球場を訪問。富邦悍将副領隊の林威助氏によると、台湾市場に注目しており、台湾選手への高い評価を語った。
Companies mentioned：オリックス猛牛隊、富邦悍将、台鋼雄鷹
Tourist numbers surged during the first weekend after the opening of the Tamsui-Kavalan Bridge. Traffic congestion occurred, though some visitors praised the views. Concerns were also raised about safety.
Three Japanese professional basketball teams, Tokyo Alvark, Nagasaki Velca and the Ryukyu Golden Kings, have officially qualified for the 2026-27 East Asia Super League (EASL) season.
Companies mentioned：Asia League Limited、アルバルク東京、長崎ヴェルカ、琉球ゴールデンキングス、千葉ジェッツ、シーホース三河、名古屋ダイヤモンドドルフィンズ、ザック・ブロンコス、釜山KCCイージス、高陽ソノ・スカイガナーズ、桃園パウイアン・パイロッツ
The Ryukyu Golden Kings have reached the B.LEAGUE Championship final for the fifth consecutive time and will face the Nagasaki Whale Sharks for the title.
Companies mentioned：沖縄バスケットボール株式会社、りそなグループ、長崎ヴェルカ、名古屋ダイヤモンドドルフィンズ、アルバルク東京、千葉ジェッツ
According to a smileline survey, about 65% of people aged 40-60 said their dental condition affects their quality of life, with “enjoyment of meals” cited as the greatest loss.
Companies mentioned：株式会社smileline、駒込駅前歯科クリニック・矯正歯科
The Ryukyu Golden Kings set a new club home attendance record of 8,827 at a B.LEAGUE Championship semifinal.
Companies mentioned：沖縄バスケットボール株式会社、りそなグループ、名古屋ダイヤモンドドルフィンズ、島根スサノオマジック
The 2nd installment of the “Dog Plush Toy” by renowned illustrator てらおかなつ米 will go on sale May 29, 2026, alongside a commemorative pop-up shop at VINYL in Tokyo Station.
Companies mentioned：株式会社ケンエレファント
コンフィーステイ, which operates accommodation facilities, has shared feedback from owners who use its management services. Owners praise the comprehensive support, from applications and attracting guests to cleaning, which lets them get started with peace of mind even without prior knowledge.
Nagoya izakaya 青二才 金山店 will hold a 2-day special sale in thanks for customers’ support, with its signature grilled pork skewers priced at just 80 yen each.
Companies mentioned：やきとん串焼き酒場 青二才 金山店、株式会社テンポスホールディングス、株式会社テンポスフィナンシャルトラスト
TAC Corporation will offer a free online lecture for beginners preparing for civil service exams, along with a tuition coupon waiving the admission fee of ten thousand yen.
Companies mentioned：TAC株式会社
FC Tokyo goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu has been selected for South Korea’s national team for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, marking his fourth World Cup appearance.
Companies mentioned：東京フットボールクラブ株式会社、社団法人大韓サッカー協会(KFA)、DAZN
The 2026 Cannes Film Festival has designated Japan as its country of honor and will hold the official social event “CANNES GALA” and the “Preuve de Do” cultural honors.
Companies mentioned：Revanova Inc.、House of NOMA、Officina Profumo-Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella、Recording Academy、CANON INC.、Mitsubishi Research Institute, Inc.、BUD INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD.
TAC Corporation will hold the free online seminar for civil service exam preparation, “Stand out 1 year from now! How to prepare for essays and interviews,” on May 25, 2026. Instructor Mikiko Natsukari will explain essay and interview preparation strategies for candidates aiming for regional government senior-level positions, city halls and national government general service positions.
3 acts, including ザ・マミィ, have been added to “チゲコメ vol.2,” a comedy show hosted by event platform TIGET. With demand growing, additional tickets for sold-out ticket categories have also been announced, highlighting TIGET’s growing presence in the entertainment industry.
Companies mentioned：grabss
LIVE配信研究所, operated by NextHiveMedia, has released the latest 2026 edition of its “livestreamer agency map,” featuring 100 major agencies across platforms.
Companies mentioned：NextHiveMedia合同会社、TikTok、Pococha、17LIVE、ColorSing
Hiroshima remodeling company マエダハウジング has held an online study session on LGBT issues for 100 or more employees. The initiative aims to deepen understanding of customers and improve the company’s ability to respond.
Companies mentioned：株式会社マエダハウジング、マエダハウジングホールディングス