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January 31, 2025
The Independent Voice in Asia
January 31, 2025
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Part of the wreckage is seen as rescue crews search the waters of the Potomac River Thursday morning after a passenger plane on approach to Reagan National Airport crashed into the river after colliding with a U.S. Army helicopter, near Washington, D.C., on Wednesday evening.
WORLD
No survivors from jet and helicopter collision in Washington, officials say
By David Shepardson and Trevor Hunnicutt
More than 60 people, including former world champion skaters, are feared dead after a passenger jet collided with a U.S. Army helicopter and crashed into the icy Potomac River

More coverage

World champion Russian skaters reportedly on plane involved in midair collision
Part of the wreckage is seen as rescue crews search the waters of the Potomac River Thursday morning after a passenger plane on approach to Reagan National Airport crashed into the river after colliding with a U.S. Army helicopter, near Washington, D.C., on Wednesday evening.
Masayoshi Son's SoftBank Group is in talks to invest as much as $25 billion in OpenAI.
BUSINESS / Companies
SoftBank in talks to invest up to $25 billion in OpenAI
By Rachel Metz
SoftBank has already committed $15 billion to Project Stargate, a joint venture with OpenAI to build data centers and other AI infrastructure.
Shukan Bunshun published an editorial from the editor-in-chief on Thursday apologizing for the inaccuracy in its reporting on the Masahiro Nakai scandal.
JAPAN / Media
Shukan Bunshun criticized by former Osaka governor for not being upfront about correction
By Yukana Inoue
Toru Hashimoto has been critical of how the magazine had not been upfront about the change, despite it being a core issue of the scandal.
The Lower House Budget Committee vote to summon Jun Matsumoto, a former LDP faction's accountant, in Tokyo on Thursday.
JAPAN / Politics
Budget Committee votes to summon former LDP faction accountant
By Himari Semans
The move ends a stalemate between the LDP and opposition parties, the latter of which had conditioned the start of budget deliberations on the inquiry.
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and members of the Liberal Democratic Party take a group photo at the party's headquarters in Tokyo during the Oct. 27 Lower House elections.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Adjusting to the new normal in Japanese politics
Michael MacArthur Bosack
The upheaval of the past year has forced a fundamental rethinking of how political watchers must observe things in Tokyo
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and members of the Liberal Democratic Party take a group photo at the party's headquarters in Tokyo during the Oct. 27 Lower House elections.

JAPAN

Efforts continued Thursday to rescue a 74-year-old truck driver trapped in a massive sinkhole in Yashio, Saitama Prefecture.
74-year-old truck driver trapped in Saitama sinkhole for third day
By Jessica Speed
Witnesses reported that the ground collapsed moments before the truck drove over the area, sending the vehicle plummeting into the chasm.
Nippon Ishin no Kai leaders Hirofumi Yoshimura (left) and Seiji Maehara attend the party's executive meeting in the city of Osaka in December.
Shared concerns could bring LDP and Nippon Ishin together on 2025 budget
By Eric Johnston
Nippon Ishin's challenge is to get the LDP to secure free high school education and ensure support for the financially troubled Osaka Kansai Expo.
Court nixes Finance Ministry decision against document disclosure
Dentsu Group ordered to pay ¥300 million over Tokyo Games bid-rigging
Amami Oshima sea turtle nesting declines to second-lowest level
Japan's emperor and empress will likely visit Mongolia in July

BUSINESS

Bank of Japan Deputy Gov. Ryozo Himino speaks during an interview in June 2023.
BOJ deputy signals more room to hike given negative real rates
The deputy governor cemented the BOJ’s message that the central bank is looking to hike rates further in the future.
Honda and Nissan announced in December that they plan to unite both brands under a single holding company.
Case for Honda-Nissan tie-up strengthened as sales fall at both automakers
By Nicholas Takahashi
In the competitive China market, Nissan’s sales fell 12% last year while Honda saw a 30% decline.
Rakuten scraps plan to list securities unit on Tokyo bourse
Takeda picks first female CEO of centuries-old drugmaker
JPX and TSE cut executives' pay over 'unprecedented' insider trading case
Japan's Finance Ministry raises its economic view for Hokkaido

WORLD

An attendee records a virtual address by U.S. President Donald Trump at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, on Jan. 23.
Trump threats risk stretching Europe's fragile unity to breaking point
By Jorge Valero, Alberto Nardelli, Shawn Donnan and Michael Nienaber
The European Commission urged member states in a private meeting last week to remain united, with some comparing the situation to the Brexit negotiations.
Phishing and its social-engineering cousin "pretexting" together accounted for more than 20% of almost 10,000 data breaches worldwide last year.
Age of deepfakes means internet users must be more alert than ever
By Tom Barfield
AI chatbots powered by large language models save attackers time and allow for more elaborate fake messages.
Analysts are skeptical about U.S. and Russia's nuclear talks
By Mathieu RABECHAULT
Trump issues orders to promote school choice, end 'anti-American' teaching
By Helen Coster and Nathan Layne
Trump’s transactional foreign policy leads to flurry of pledges
By Iain Marlow
What is happening in Congo and why are M23 rebels fighting?
By Bate Felix

Sports

Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (right) and head coach Andy Reid will be looking for their fourth title in six seasons in this year's Super Bowl.
Rob Gronkowski says Patriots' legacy secure as Chiefs chase history
Gronkowski said his former team's legacy is secure — for now.
McLaren boss envisions four-way battle for title during 2025 Formula One season
No. 1 Scheffler ready to go in season debut at Pebble Beach
NBA Commissioner floats idea of move 10-minute quarters
France set to open Six Nations campaign against 'transitioning' Wales

Opinion

Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and members of the Liberal Democratic Party take a group photo at the party's headquarters in Tokyo during the Oct. 27 Lower House elections.
Adjusting to the new normal in Japanese politics
Michael MacArthur Bosack
The upheaval of the past year has forced a fundamental rethinking of how political watchers must observe things in Tokyo
Trump’s bigger China cyber threat isn’t TikTok
By Catherine Thorbecke
A pop-star sex scandal shows the death throes of old Japan
By Gearoid Reidy
How to secure Taiwan as drumbeats of a looming invasion grow louder
By Edo Naito
New era for U.S.-Japan depends on adapting to Trump’s America
By Joshua W. Walker

ENVIRONMENT

Though vegan restaurants have been on the upswing since 2017, Japanese vegans still lack a wide variety of options.
In meat- and fish-loving Japan, veganism is making a comeback
By Sachi Kitajima Mulkey and Joseph Winters
Tourism, climate goals and animal rights concerns are sparking a plant-based renaissance in a country famous for sushi and pork ramen.
Dead Sea an 'ecological disaster,' but no one can agree how to fix it
By Ruth EGLASH
Oceans are warming faster and faster as the Earth traps more energy
By Danielle Bochove
Rubbish roads: Nepal explores paving with plastic
By Paavan MATHEMA
South Africa's patchwork climate plans risk widening inequality
By Kim Harrisberg

CULTURE

Gensho Yasuda’s “Make a Girl” follows an inventor whose relationship with the robot girlfriend he builds becomes increasingly complicated as she develops an unexpected sense of independence.
Indie animator Gensho Yasuda paves his own way with a DIY spirit
By Matt Schley
With “Make a Girl,” the young Japanese creator takes the leap from short videos to full-length films.
'Cute and murderous': How the iconic killer doll in 'Squid Game' came to life
By Minwoo Park and Hyunsu Yim
‘The Rose of Versailles’ opts for empty opulence
By Matt Schley
‘Welcome to the Village’: Tradition takes a twisted turn in the countryside
By Mark Schilling
Mika Ninagawa transforms the Kyocera Museum into a vibrant dreamworld
By Erik Augustin Palm

LIFE

Yellowtail caught during the coldest period of the year is delicious enough — but paired with a classic method of marinade and pan-searing, it's divine.
For two weeks only, cold-water yellowtail can give you chills
By Elizabeth Andoh
According to Japan’s hyperseasonal calendar, January brings with it the chance for yellowtail at the peak of flavor.
Of sake and spirits: Indulging in Yamanashi’s best
By Kimberly Hughes
Where to begin when it comes to Japanese wine
By Weiwen Lin
Japan’s love affair with Dragon Quest spreads worldwide
By Oliver Jia
Why tatami is going from the floor to the dining table
By Phoebe Amoroso

COMMUNITY

Rodgers (right) was a longtime managing editor of Kyoto Journal and, alongside colleagues like Susan Pavloska (left) and John Einarsen (center), helped make it one of Japan’s leading English-language publications.
Ken Rodgers, a fixture of the Kyoto literary scene, dies at 72
By Eric Johnston
Hailing from Australia, Rodgers made a home and community for himself in Japan’s ancient capital across more than four decades.
Kenny Colvin: ‘Work hard, drink hard, eat hard … relax hard’
By Mike Fu
Namnam reborn: A queer, anarchist space resettles in Tokyo's Koenji
By Aku Owaka-Haigh
Due north: Foreign-born guides introduce Hokkaido’s unique charms
By Justin Randall
Kaz Shiomi: ‘I want to show people … how to color outside the lines’
By Laura Pollacco

Editors' Picks

LIFE
For two weeks only, cold-water yellowtail can give you chills
By Elizabeth Andoh
Yellowtail caught during the coldest period of the year is delicious enough — but paired with a classic method of marinade and pan-searing, it's divine.
ENVIRONMENT
In meat- and fish-loving Japan, veganism is making a comeback
By Sachi Kitajima Mulkey and Joseph Winters
Though vegan restaurants have been on the upswing since 2017, Japanese vegans still lack a wide variety of options.
JAPAN
Who are the key figures involved in the growing Fuji TV scandal?
By Yukana Inoue
Fuji TV adviser Hisashi Hieda in 2005
JAPAN
What we learned at Fuji TV's marathon Nakai scandal news conference
By Yukana Inoue
Members of the media raise their hands for questions as outgoing Fuji TV President Koichi Minato attends a news conference in Tokyo on Monday.
MORE SPORTS
Kanoa Igarashi dreams big as surfing championship tour gets underway
By Jason Coskrey
Kanoa Igarashi surfs in the Hurley Pro Sunset Beach competition in Oahu, Hawaii, on Feb. 18.

Podcast

One of the many entrances to the Kabukicho neighborhood in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward.
Kabukicho: Tokyo’s ‘stadium of desire’

Longform

Ayumi Matsuki, a priestess at Yoshiwara Shrine, shows off some "o-mamori" charms. She says visitors to the shrine have increased since the NHK drama “Unbound” began airing this month.
Tracing Tsutaya Juzaburo, Edo’s media maverick
By Alex K.T. Martin

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WHAT’S TRENDING

BUSINESS
Japan begins feeling the pain of BOJ rate hikes more concretely
By Akemi Terukina and Erica Yokoyama
People were more concerned about the direct and specific impact of the Bank of Japan's latest rate hike on their personal lives, according to an artificial intelligence-driven analysis of various platforms, including social media.
SUMO
Sumo’s newest yokozuna is all smiles — but major challenges await
By John Gunning
Hoshoryu (front, second from left) celebrates after being promoted to yokozuna on Wednesday in Tokyo.
JAPAN
Japanese man ends his 6,000 kilometer Africa rickshaw trek in Cape Town
Yuji "Gump" Suzuki, the Japanese runner and social media sensation, runs with supporters while pushing his rickshaw as he nears his goal in Cape Town, South Africa, on Sunday.
WORLD
No survivors from jet and helicopter collision in Washington, officials say
By David Shepardson and Trevor Hunnicutt
Part of the wreckage is seen as rescue crews search the waters of the Potomac River Thursday morning after a passenger plane on approach to Reagan National Airport crashed into the river after colliding with a U.S. Army helicopter, near Washington, D.C., on Wednesday evening.
JAPAN
Cherry blossom season predicted to begin in Tokyo on March 21
By Jessica Speed
Tokyo is expected to lead the season with its first cherry blossoms on March 21, followed by Fukuoka, Kochi and Hiroshima prefectures as well as the city of Yokohama on March 22.