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January 09, 2025

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January 09, 2025

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The Tokyo Stock Exchange wants companies to improve governance and performance.

BUSINESS / Markets

As standards rise, Tokyo Stock Exchange delistings hit decade high

By Kazuaki Nagata

A total of 94 companies were delisted from the Tokyo exchange in 2024, the highest number since it merged with the Osaka Securities Exchange in 2013.

The Tokyo Stock Exchange wants companies to improve governance and performance.

Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba (second from right) meets with Nihon Hidankyo co-chair Terumi Tanaka (fourth from left) and other executives of the atomic bomb survivors' group at the Prime Minister's Office in Tokyo on Wednesday.

JAPAN / Politics

Nihon Hidankyo expresses disappointment over meeting with Ishiba

By Himari Semans

The group wanted to discuss Japan’s possible participation in a U.N. conference on banning nuclear weapons but did not get the opportunity to raise it.

Masahiro Nakai in Tokyo in October 2017

JAPAN

TV networks drop Japan boy band star over sex allegations

By Tomohiro Osaki

Reports say that Masahiro Nakai, a former member of SMAP, paid a woman a lump sum of ¥90 million.

Voters take pictures and videos of a candidate campaigning for the Tokyo gubernatorial election in Tokyo's Chuo Ward in June.

JAPAN / Politics

Japanese political parties struggling to use social media effectively

Social media proved to be a powerful campaign tool in 2024 elections, shocking political parties that had stuck to old-fashioned campaigns.

The Toyama City Library, designed by Kengo Kuma, in November. The library is part of a building called Toyama Kirari that also houses the Glass Art Museum.

JAPAN / Society

New York Times chooses Toyama and Osaka as top places to go in 2025

By Yukana Inoue

The city of Toyama was praised by the Times as a place where tourists could “enjoy cultural wonders and culinary delights while skipping the crowds.”

The Toyama City Library, designed by Kengo Kuma, in November. The library is part of a building called Toyama Kirari that also houses the Glass Art Museum.

While many patients showed improvement in Fanconi syndrome, 87% still had kidney function indicators below standard levels despite two months having passed since Kobayashi Pharmaceutical urged consumers to stop taking the supplement.

Tainted beni kōji supplement linked to persistent kidney damage, study finds

The Osaka University study analyzed data from patients who reported health issues between late March and late April 2024.

Tokyo led the country's 47 prefectures with 146 traffic-related fatalities in 2024, followed by Aichi with 141 and Chiba with 131.

Japan's traffic death toll falls to third-lowest in 2024

There were 2,663 traffic-related deaths in 2024. The government has a goal of lowering the annual toll below 2,000 by 2025.

U.S. Marine suspected of sexual assault in Okinawa

Japan authorities raise alarm over China-linked cyberattacks

Automated iPS cell production to start in Japan in April

Trio who allegedly orchestrated coworker's death rearrested in Tokyo

Tencent, China’s most valuable company, is seen as a pioneer in China’s internet and private sector, creating a so-called everything app that Elon Musk has held up as a model for X.

U.S. blacklist of China’s tech giants risks even faster decoupling

The move, which experts say could backfire on Washington, comes amid an intensifying tech rivalry between the two countries.

Prototypes for Honda 0 Series EVs, set to launch in 2026, were revealed on Tuesday in Las Vegas.

Honda showcases U.S.-made EVs as it considers slowing investments

By Chester Dawson

The firm plans to introduce 30 new electric vehicles globally by 2030.

Fast Retailing to raise starting monthly salary to ¥330,000

Japan flags foreign takeover of 7-Eleven owner as a security issue

By Makiko Yamazaki

Japan Post also received FTC guidance for second subcontractor issue

India looks to new economic playbook as risks mount

By Shivangi Acharya and Nikunj Ohri

Rescue teams work amidst rubble in the aftermath of an earthquake in a location given as Shigatse City, Tibet Autonomous Region, China, in this still image obtained from a handout video released Tuesday.

Urgency mounts in search for survivors of Tibet earthquake

Survivors trapped under rubble will have endured a night in subzero temperatures and be at risk of succumbing to hypothermia and dehydration.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of Canada announces his resignation in Ottawa on Monday.

The race begins to replace Canada's Trudeau as prime minister

Canada's new leader is likely to face elections within weeks of taking over from Justin Trudeau in March.

South Korea's Yoon faces second arrest attempt in fortified compound

By Jack Kim

Wildfire triggers panicked evacuations in Los Angeles suburb

By Huw Griffith

Is the world ready for the next pandemic?

By Robin Millard

U.K. special forces soldiers tell inquiry of Afghan murder concerns

By Michael Holden

Terunofuji performs during a ceremony at Meiji Shrine in Tokyo on Tuesday.

Questions linger over Terunofuji's health ahead of year's first tournament

By John Gunning

During the Yokozuna Deliberation Council's practice session on Monday, Terunofuji’s latent power, but also his physical decline, were on full display.

How Nikola Jokic channeled Larry Bird to become even more dominant

Zheng looks to emulate Li's Australian Open success

By Ian Ransom

Sinner turns focus to Australian Open defense after 'amazing' year

Neymar hints at reunion in Miami with Messi and Suarez

Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba meets with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and U.S. Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel at the Prime Minister's Official residence in Tokyo on Tuesday.

Missteps highlight Ishiba’s foreign policy challenges

Stephen R. Nagy

Japan faces a delicate balancing act between securing its economic future and ensuring its security, with Ishiba's policies leaving much to be desired in both areas.

What you think you know about Ukraine is probably wrong

By Marc Champion

Media coverage and political tensions color reactions to Nippon Steel's U.S. acquisition

By Kuni Miyake

Japan PM struggles with both U.S. relations and China’s growing threats

By Edo Naito

China takes aim at Philippine democracy

By Adam Nelson

A maintenance worker inspects solar panels at a power plant in southern India.

Where the smart climate tech venture money is going in 2025

By Brian Kahn

The prospect of more trade wars is scrambling the economy in ways that will determine which climate tech sectors to bet on.

Japanese researchers connect rise in glass eels to climate change

After a year of hard climate talks, ‘minilateralism’ is an alternative

By Aaron Clark

Japan’s weather in 2024: Record temperatures hurt people’s health and wallets

By Tomoko Otake

Is Japan finally ready to tap its abundant geothermal energy potential?

By Eric Johnston

"Shogun" actors (from left) Cosmo Jarvis, Anna Sawai, Hiroyuki Sanada and Tadanobu Asano pose in the press room with the award for best drama television series during the 82nd annual Golden Globe Awards on Sunday.

'Shogun,' 'Hacks' win top TV honors at Golden Globes

By Danielle Broadway

FX's historical epic won four awards in total, including best actor and actress for Hiroyuki Sanada and Anna Sawai, respectively, and best supporting male actor for Tadanobu Asano.

'The Brutalist,' 'Emilia Perez' take home Golden Globes' top film honors

By Lisa Richwine, Danielle Broadway and Dawn Chmielewski

'Emilia Perez' heads into Golden Globes as strong favorite

By Romain FONSEGRIVES

Guitarist Marty Friedman goes to bat for J-pop in new autobiography

By Philip Brasor

Toru Fuyuki, composer of 'Ultraseven' theme song, dies at 89

At the new L'Abysse Osaka, Yannick Alleno both pays homage to and casts aside the tradition around Japan's national dish.

Now in Osaka, Yannick Alleno wants ‘flavors people have never experienced’

By Melinda Joe

Opened in late October, Sushi L'Abysse Osaka is the Michelin-starred chef’s first outpost in Asia.

Japan’s ‘quiet revolution’ of luxury travel nears fruition

By Tan Pin Yen

Traveling for sake's sake: The emergence of brewery tourism in Japan

By Yukana Inoue

Start the new year with a fresh approach to teaching Japanese

By Yaeko Kabe

Shed your skin and reinvent yourself in the Year of the Snake

By Kathryn Wortley

For the 20 Questions column this year, writers asked their interview subjects about everything from their lives in Japan to their thoughts on news topics.

There were plenty of hot topics to opine on in 2024

By Gendel Gento, Kimberly Hughes, Ora Margolis, David McElhinney, Zoria Petkoska, Justin Randall, Himari Semans, Patrick St. Michel and Ansel Swindells

We take a look back at some of the best answers that our interviewees gave for 20 Questions from throughout the year.

A holiday season built on creativity and care

By Baye McNeil

From the stage to the streets, make a difference this holiday season

By Kimberly Hughes

Yurie Collins: ‘Everyone seems sedated, fed-up … that’s why they turn to comedy’

By Zoria Petkoska

Seven strangers and an algorithm: Can this new dinner app help you make friends?

By Phoebe Amoroso

One of the many entrances to the Kabukicho neighborhood in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward.

Kabukicho: Tokyo’s ‘stadium of desire’

A man offers prayers at Hebikubo Shrine in Tokyo's Shinagawa Ward. The shrine is one of several across the country dedicated to the snake.

Shed your skin and reinvent yourself in the Year of the Snake

By Kathryn Wortley

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