January 10, 2026 – Japan Headlines

Story gist: In Tokyo’s Omori area, a company president was found dead in a mansion. Police arrested the sales manager, a subordinate, on murder charges after he cited dissatisfaction with the president’s attitude leading to a physical struggle.

Bias summary: Left-leaning Mainichi emphasizes the suspect’s status as a ‘classmate subordinate’ and motive of ‘attitude dissatisfaction,’ potentially humanizing the accused. Center NHK uses neutral phrasing focused on location, victim status, and basic arrest facts without details. Right-leaning Yomiuri provides full motive quotes detailing the president’s anger and ensuing fight, highlighting escalation dynamics.

Story gist: A strong cold air mass will move south during Japan’s three-day holiday weekend. Heavy snow and blizzards are forecast on the Sea of Japan side.

Bias summary: Left- and right-leaning outlets provided no coverage, omitting this routine weather forecast from partisan perspectives. Center outlet Weather News used the original headline verbatim, neutrally emphasizing the southward cold air movement and risks of heavy snow and blizzards on the Sea of Japan side without added tone or spin.

Story gist: JAXA designated crew members for long-term stay on the International Space Station (ISS).

Bias summary: Left- and right-leaning outlets omitted coverage entirely, leaving those perspectives absent. Center coverage from jaxa.jp framed the story neutrally as an official announcement of ISS crew designations, using factual language without emphasis on national achievements, international partnerships, or policy implications.

Story gist: Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi and South Korean President Lee Jae-myung will meet on the 13th in Nara Prefecture, the prime minister’s hometown. Lee requested the visit to Nara.

Bias summary: Left-leaning outlets like Okinawa Times emphasize geopolitical strategy, framing the Japan-Korea summit as ‘eyeing China for economic security cooperation.’ Center outlets like Yahoo News neutrally focus on Lee’s Nara visit and the 13th summit date. Right-leaning Yomiuri mirrors the original title, stressing the personal touch of the PM’s hometown and Lee’s request. Left adds strategic emphasis absent elsewhere.

Story gist: White House reveals former President Trump is actively discussing purchase of Greenland from Denmark. Considerations include one-time payments to residents of 1.57 million to 15.7 million yen per person.

Bias summary: Left-leaning outlets like Okinawa Times emphasize large per-person payments to residents as US inducement, omitting independence angle. Center outlets like BBC neutrally report White House disclosure of active purchase talks. Right-leaning Yomiuri highlights payments’ strategic aim to boost Greenland independence from Denmark, framing positively without criticizing costs.