September 2026
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September 7
- Trump Declines Saudi Crown Prince's Request to Strike Houthis, Reports Say
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman asked US President Donald Trump to attack the Houthis, but Trump refused the request, according to reports. The refusal was reported by Reuters and carried by multiple Japanese outlets.
- Saudi East-West Pipeline Halted After Attack; Iraq-Based Pro-Iran Group Suspected
Saudi Arabia's East-West pipeline was attacked and its operations temporarily halted. A pro-Iran group based in Iraq is suspected of involvement in the attack.
- Takaichi moves to appoint Murai as Diet affairs chief in cabinet reshuffle
Prime Minister Takaichi is preparing a cabinet reshuffle and a round of Liberal Democratic Party leadership appointments. She met Chief Cabinet Secretary Kihara at the Prime Minister's Office for about three hours to discuss the plans.
- Okinawa governor election held as early voting totals 347,170, down 0.41 points
Okinawa Prefecture held its gubernatorial election on September 13, with voting and ballot counting taking place that day. The race was contested over issues including regional development measures and the US military base problem, and the outcome was expected to become clear late at night.
- Japanese cross-party young lawmakers visit Beijing, first since Takaichi Taiwan remarks
A group of younger lawmakers from the cross-party Japan-China Friendship Parliamentary League arrived in Beijing on the 13th. The delegation is led by former senior vice justice minister Masahiro Komura, who was photographed at the Beijing airport. The visit is the first of its kind since remarks by Prime Minister Takaichi concerning a Taiwan contingency.