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April 18, 2025
The Independent Voice in Asia
April 18, 2025
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Ryosei Akazawa (third from right), Japan's tariffs negotiator, in a meeting with U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent (second from right) and other senior government officials on Wednesday in Washington
BUSINESS
Trump reiterates opposition to Nippon Steel’s purchase of U.S. Steel
By Francis Tang
Whether there is interplay between the tariff negotiations and the Nippon Steel-U.S. Steel deal has never been made clear.
Ryosei Akazawa (third from right), Japan's tariffs negotiator, in a meeting with U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent (second from right) and other senior government officials on Wednesday in Washington
The head of Godzilla, a Japanese monster movie character, is seen on a building of Toho Cinema in Tokyo. Toho is one tariff-defensive stock being recommended by brokers.
BUSINESS / Markets
Tokyo stock picker advises Trump-proofing portfolios with Godzilla-creator Toho
By Kazuaki Nagata
Investor sentiment may favor Japanese companies that continue to issue earnings forecasts, especially during this period of uncertainty and market volatility.
A vegetable stand displays prices at a supermarket in Tokyo in 2023. Some lawmakers are proposing lowering the consumption tax on food to 0%, which is expected to result in a loss of up to ¥5 trillion in tax revenue annually.
JAPAN / Politics
LDP and CDP lawmaker groups propose 0% consumption tax on food
By Himari Semans
Reducing the tax to 0% is expected to result in a loss of up to ¥5 trillion in tax revenue annually.
A revised child welfare bill passed the Upper House plenary session on Friday as cases of child abuse rise.
JAPAN / Society
New bill blocks visitations for parents suspected of child abuse
By Yukana Inoue
The revision to the child welfare law is intended to protect children in cases where contact with their parents could cause emotional or physical harm.
People walk past an advertisement featuring Los Angeles Dodgers two-way star Shohei Ohtani outside Tokyo Dome on March 18.
BASEBALL / MLB
Nothing sells like Shohei Ohtani, MLB’s marketing megastar
By Mai Yoshikawa
The Los Angeles Dodgers two-way player is at the peak of his stardom, and brands are rushing to cash in with huge sponsorship deals.
People walk past an advertisement featuring Los Angeles Dodgers two-way star Shohei Ohtani outside Tokyo Dome on March 18.

JAPAN

Defense Minister Gen Nakatani speaks to reporters in Tokyo on April 11.
Japan defense chief says 'no reason' to change current U.S. troop deal
By Jesse Johnson
Gen Nakatani said that spending “is appropriately shared between the Japanese and U.S. governments based on mutual agreement, with a set time frame.”
U.S. Ambassador to Japan George Glass speaks to reporters on Friday in Tokyo just after he arrived at Haneda Airport.
New U.S. envoy arrives in Japan with focus on trade, defense and reining in China
By Gabriel Dominguez and Jesse Johnson
Ambassador George Glass said Washington will aim to deepen cooperation with Tokyo on pushing back against China's economic and military moves.
'Miss Sake India' contest held in New Delhi to promote the Japanese drink
Nude photos of deceased singer Aki Yashiro spark row in Japan
Ishiba not to visit Yasukuni Shrine during spring festival
Japan upper house begins debates on active cyberdefense bill

BUSINESS

Mazda will halt production of CX-50 sport utility vehicles destined for Canada at its Alabama plant effective May 12.
Mazda to pause U.S. production of CX-50 cars destined for Canada
By Nicholas Takahashi
The Japanese automaker will halt production of CX-50 sport utility vehicles destined for Canada at its Alabama plant effective May 12.
Shares of Eli Lilly & Co. surged on the New York Stock Exchange on Thursday after early reports of its experimental weight-loss drug put in a par with market leader Ozempic. The stocks of the drug’s originator, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., also saw an uptick.
Weight-loss pill orforglipron shines in study, boosting Lilly and Chugai
By Madison Muller
Eli Lilly’s orforglipron pill, licensed from Chugai Pharmaceutical, could reshape the booming weight-loss drug market, early data shows.
Wholesaler rice prices in Japan see first drop in eight months
Major Japan life insurer to pile into domestic super-long bonds
By Mia Glass and Masahiro Hidaka
Japanese municipal bond deals fail to sell as rate swings surge
By Takahiko Hyuga and Issei Hazama
Japan’s inflation quickens as rice prices gain the most in over 50 years
By Toru Fujioka

WORLD

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the French Foreign Ministry in Paris on Thursday.
U.S. will abandon Ukraine peace push if no immediate progress, Rubio says
"We need to figure out here now, within a matter of days, whether this is doable in the short term, because if it's not, then I think we're just going to move on," he said.
A video circulating on Chinese social media depicting a "U.S. sweatshop"
Chinese vent anger at Trump's trade war with memes, mockery
Chinese online warriors have taken advantage of the massive strides in AI to create memes highlighting that many of the goods bought by Americans are made in their country.
With his promises of peace unmet in Gaza and Ukraine, Trump may find Iran just as tough
By Matt Spetalnick and Steve Holland
U.S. peace framework for Russia's war in Ukraine gets 'encouraging reception'
Luigi Mangione faces federal charges in health executive’s killing
Hamas says it is ready to release remaining hostages for an end to Gaza war

Sports

Yokohama F. Marinos players after the team dropped into the relegation zone of the J. League's top flight following a loss to Shimizu S-Pulse on Wednesday.
Yokohama F. Marinos fire Steve Holland as loss sends club to relegation zone
Holland leaves the five-time J. League champion after a 3-2 loss to Shimizu S-Pulse on Wednesday saw F. Marinos drop to 19th in the 20-team top flight.
Refugee girls in Kenya find strength in taekwondo
Capitals great Alex Ovechkin seeks ultimate prize to cap historic season
USOPC says White House gave reassurances about visas for Los Angeles Olympics
Red Bull star Max Verstappen feeling ‘very relaxed’ amid rampant speculation

Opinion

Pro-Yoon Suk Yeol supporters gather on the side of a road as they wait for the arrival of the former South Korean president outside the Central District Court in Seoul on Monday.
New leadership in South Korea should stay the course on Japan ties
Democracy should be frustrating. It is intended to force compromise, a process that will inevitably be slow and exasperating.
Is this Canada’s moment?
By Thomas O. Falk
Will a 'low-altitude economy' make Chinese growth soar again?
By Hotaka Machida
What economists 'don’t get' about Trump tariffs
By Kuni Miyake
Can Trump’s tariffs restore U.S. manufacturing?
By Keun Lee

ENVIRONMENT

Microsoft is set to use energy from new reactors at the Three Mile Island nuclear power plant in Middletown, Pennsylvania.
AI surge to double data center electricity demand by 2030, report says
By Nathalie ALONSO
AI can also unlock opportunities to produce and consume electricity more efficiently, the International Energy Agency said in its first report on the technology's implications.
Clean streets versus business woes: Pollution charge divides Londoners
By Akshata Kapoor
Once-dying Mexican river delta slowly nursed back to life by conservationists
By Daniel Rook
As Chile revs up lithium plans, Indigenous people demand more control
By Daina Beth Solomon
Global temperatures at near-historic highs in March, says EU monitor

CULTURE

Palestinian American photographer Adam Rouhana’s exhibition at this year’s Kyotographie festival shows Palestinian life, not death and rubble.
Kyotographie 2025 opts for laughter and levity in the face of global strife
By Thu-Huong Ha
Artists at the 13th edition of the international photography festival find humor and heart in their portrayals of humanity.
Japan wanted a cultural do-over. Ado gave it one.
By Patrick St. Michel
Actor Hiroyuki Sanada among Time's 100 most influential people
‘Ya Boy Kongming! The Movie’: J-pop spectacle goes heavy on performances
By Mark Schilling
'Bullet Train Explosion’: High-speed disaster movie doesn’t get the pulse racing
By James Hadfield

LIFE

The Tokyo version of the globe-trotting exhibition features a Ministry of Magic set, which includes an imposing replica of the Magic Is Might monument representing magical fascism.
Calling all Potterheads: ‘The Goblet of Fire’ comes to Tokyo
By Gendel Gento
The grand scale and attention to detail is likely to impress — just make sure to withdraw some galleons at Gringotts before coming.
Voicing intentions and a peek into a traditional Japanese engagement ceremony
By Yaeko Kabe
Dior shows fall fashion collection in gardens of ancient Kyoto temple
By Irene Wang
A new tour of Tokyo’s most underground attraction
By Owen Ziegler
In California, a Nikkei vintner finds his heritage and purpose
By Weiwen Lin

COMMUNITY

Customers line up patiently for some early-afternoon baked goods outside Truffle, which is located close to Hiroo Station on the Hibiya Line.
How to spend the perfect day in Hiroo, Tokyo’s expat enclave
By Eric Margolis
A stroll through Hiroo reveals both the comforts of expat luxury and the quiet intrusions of a changing Tokyo.
Noriko Shakti: ‘Music reflects my journey and learnings’
By Miikka J. Lehtonen
Tokyo Humanities Cafe feeds hungry minds
By Jessica Kozuka
Montessori head educates Tokyo’s children for life
By Louise George Kittaka
How to navigate Japan’s e-commerce platforms and online flea markets
By Jessica Speed

Editors' Picks

JAPAN
Tokyo hotel operators face possible warnings over suspected price cartel
By Karin Kaneko
Foreign tourists gather on a platform at Kyoto Station on Wednesday.
CULTURE
Kyotographie 2025 opts for laughter and levity in the face of global strife
By Thu-Huong Ha
Palestinian American photographer Adam Rouhana’s exhibition at this year’s Kyotographie festival shows Palestinian life, not death and rubble.
JAPAN
Privacy and transparency clash in debate over bill on artificial insemination
By Himari Semans
Sachiko Ishizuka, who was born via artificial insemination by donor (AID), tells her story to lawmakers from the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan on April 9.
JAPAN
Why Ishiba became the first prime minister to hold talks with Rengo in 16 years
By Himari Semans
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and Japanese Trade Union Confederation chief Tomoko Yoshino in a meeting Tuesday at the Prime Minister's Office
BUSINESS
In a first, Japan issues cease-and-desist order against Google
By Yukana Inoue
The Google logo is seen at the company's Bay View campus in Mountain View, California. Japanese authorities on Tuesday issued a cease-and-desist order to Google over an alleged violation of the country's anti-monopoly law.

Podcast

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

Longform

Visitors walk past Sou Fujimoto's Grand Ring, which has been recognized as the largest wooden structure in the world.
Can a World Expo still matter? Japan is about to find out.
By Tomoko Otake

JT Directory Service

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SUSTAINABLE JAPAN

BOARDING & INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL DAY 2025 (Sunday, April 20)
BOARDING & INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL DAY 2025 (Sunday, April 20)

WHAT’S TRENDING

BUSINESS
In a first, Japan issues cease-and-desist order against Google
By Yukana Inoue
The Google logo is seen at the company's Bay View campus in Mountain View, California. Japanese authorities on Tuesday issued a cease-and-desist order to Google over an alleged violation of the country's anti-monopoly law.
BUSINESS
Japan and the U.S. begin tariff talks on good terms, but without breakthroughs
By Francis Tang
Ryosei Akazawa, Japan's chief tariff negotiator, speaks to reporters in Washington on Wednesday.
JAPAN
Trump calls the U.S.-Japan alliance ‘one-sided.’ Tokyo says otherwise.
By Jesse Johnson
U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during a Cabinet meeting at the White House on Thursday in Washington.
JAPAN
Tokyo hotel operators face possible warnings over suspected price cartel
By Karin Kaneko
Foreign tourists gather on a platform at Kyoto Station on Wednesday.
JAPAN
China executes man over Japanese school bus stop murder
The bus stop in Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, China, where a Japanese mother, her child, and a Chinese woman were attacked in June 2024