February 17, Tuesday, 2026

  1. Japan’s Miura Riku and Kihara Ryuichi won the gold medal in the pairs figure skating competition at the Milan Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games on Monday. It is the first time ever that a Japanese pair has won a medal in Olympic pairs figure skating. Miura and Kihara slipped to fifth after an error on a lift in Sunday’s short program.
  2. Japan’s transport ministry has simplified inspections for US automobile imports based on a bilateral tariff agreement.  The transport ministry revised an ordinance on automotive safety standards to allow imports of US vehicles without additional tests as long as they confirm to US safety standards.
  3. Tokyo police have arrested three Chinese men in connection with what they believe is a group cheating scheme targeting the Test of English for International Communication, also known as the TOEIC exam.