Japan Today

Welcome to another episode of Japan This Week, your weekly roundup of trending news stories from the Japan Today website. This week, Jeff Richards runs solo to bring you the latest stories and reader reactions, including Japan's new prime minister Shigeru Ishiba, prices rising yet again across the country, Tokyo's Shibuya and Shinjuku districts’ expanded alcohol ban and the 60th anniversary of Japan's famous shinkansen bullet train. POLITICS: Japan's new prime minister, Shigeru Ishiba (01:03 - 06:08) Shigeru Ishiba replaces Fumio Kishida as Japan's prime minister amid low public confidence, economic challenges and security concerns. Ishiba’s new cabinet features security-focused leaders and only two female ministers. He also plans a general election on October 27. Key reader comments: "Good luck to Ishiba, U.S.-Japan alliance is vital." "The dude is clueless and incompetent." BUSINESS: Rising prices in Japan (06:09 - 10:04) About 3,000 food and drink items are set to rise in price across Japan — along wit