Today's top headlines:

BREAKING: Incumbent Yuriko Koike is set to win her third term as governor of the nation’s capital, according to an NHK exit poll. Dark horse Shinji Ishimaru came in second, with Renho in third. jtim.es/4eVKhN2

For live updates on #TyphoonShanshan disaster.japantimes.co.jp

Tokyo's nod to greater involvement of third-party inspectors — a key demand from Beijing — paves the way for a lifting of China's ban on Japanese seafood imports. japantimes.co.jp/news/2024/09/2…

While we're waiting, it's very interesting how poorly Kono Taro performed, particularly among the party rank-and-file. He was once considered, like Ishiba, someone who could energize the base, even if lawmakers didn't like him. Nice analysis here: japantimes.co.jp/news/2024/09/2…

Long-time Doraemon voice actor Nobuyo Oyama had passed away at age 90 last month, it was reported on Friday. japantimes.co.jp/culture/2024/1…

A day after Nihon Hidankyo was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, members of the group expressed gratitude for the award, but also noted the pressing need to ensure that nuclear weapons remain taboo. jtim.es/3zWRv3J

Japanese actor Nishida Toshiyuki, known for his role in "Tsuribaka Nisshi," Takeshi Kitano's "Beyond Outrage" and more recently the "Doctor X" franchise passed away at 76 on Thursday. japantimes.co.jp/culture/2024/1…

Japanese actor Toshiyuki Nishida, known for his roles in works including “Beyond Outrage” and “Tsuribaka Nisshi,” was found dead at his residence in Tokyo on Thursday. He was 76. japantimes.co.jp/culture/2024/1…

Follow here for The Japan Times live updates on Japan's Lower House Election tonight as the numbers roll in. Compiled by me, Yukana Inoue and Jesse Johnson. japantimes.co.jp/news/2024/10/2…

The Japan Times Yukana Inoue Jesse Johnson The ruling Liberal Democratic Party and its junior partner Komeito may lose their majority in the Lower House election Sunday, according to early projections by NHK, which would require PM Shigeru Ishiba to seek a third party to join the coalition. japantimes.co.jp/news/2024/10/2…

The Japan Times Yukana Inoue Jesse Johnson The PM's strategy of a surprise battle seemingly backfired. But the oppositions' failure to form a united front and their indistinguishable econ policies compared with the ruling coalition might have cushioned some of the damage for the LDP. The Japan Times japantimes.co.jp/news/2024/10/2…

The traditional knowledge and techniques of making Japanese sake with kōji mold has been added as the newest addition to UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list for its high level of technique as well as its sociocultural relevance in Japan. japantimes.co.jp/news/2024/12/0…

Japanese actor and singer Miho Nakayama, known for starring in popular film "Love Letter" (1995) as well as for her early career work as an idol in the 1980s, was found dead at her residence in Tokyo’s Shibuya Ward on Friday. She was 54. japantimes.co.jp/culture/2024/1…

Honda and Nissan may merge to form the world’s No. 3 auto group, achieving the scale needed to go up against foreign competition and make massive investments into advanced electric vehicle technologies. japantimes.co.jp/business/2024/…

The Japanese passport is one of the strongest in the world, but only around 17% of the population holds one, considerably low compared to many Western countries. ebx.sh/ST46WB