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December 29, 2024

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December 29, 2024

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Rescue personnel are seen near the tail section of a Jeju Air Boeing 737-800 series aircraft after the plane crashed and burst into flames at Muan International Airport in Muan, South Korea, on Sunday.

ASIA PACIFIC

Nearly all feared killed in South Korea's deadliest plane crash in decades

Investigators are looking into bird strikes and weather conditions as possible factors in the crash of the Jeju Air plane.

Rescue personnel are seen near the tail section of a Jeju Air Boeing 737-800 series aircraft after the plane crashed and burst into flames at Muan International Airport in Muan, South Korea, on Sunday.

The Maritime Self-Defense Force Raigei submarine is launched during a ceremony in October 2023.

JAPAN / FOCUS

Japan defense spending goals hit by inflation, weak yen and political uncertainty

By Gabriel Dominguez

A slew of obstacles are jeopardizing Tokyo's pursuit of raising defense spending to 2% of gross domestic product by fiscal 2027.

A Japan Coast Guard vessel sails in front of Uotsuri island, one of the disputed Senkaku Islands, which are claimed by Beijing as the and Diaoyu, in the East China Sea in August 2013.

JAPAN

Chinese government vessels seen near Senkakus for record 353 days in 2024

By Kathleen Benoza

The record comes as Beijing continues to ramp up its activities near the tiny islets that it also claims in the East China Sea.

A Toyota RAV4 at a car dealership in California on Dec. 18. U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's pledge to impose additional tariffs on imports has sparked concern among Japanese automakers with significant operations in Mexico.

BUSINESS / Companies / FOCUS

Trump tariffs spark concern among Japanese automakers

The pressing question now is how Japan will navigate and respond to the emerging order shaped by deepening global divisions.

Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani and his wife, Mamiko Tanaka, attend a Lakers game in Los Angeles on Dec. 8.

BASEBALL / MLB

Shohei Ohtani ends blockbuster year with baby announcement

By Jason Coskrey

Ohtani announced on Instagram on Saturday that he and his wife are expecting their first child, capping a huge year for the Dodgers star.

Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani and his wife, Mamiko Tanaka, attend a Lakers game in Los Angeles on Dec. 8.

A temporary shelter in Wajima, Ishikawa Prefecture, in January. Japan is preparing to create a disaster management agency, with Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba particularly keen to improve the conditions of emergency shelters for disaster evacuees.

Japan preparing to create disaster management agency

Disaster-related deaths exceeded 220 in the 2016 quake disaster in Kumamoto Prefecture and topped 240 in the Noto Peninsula temblor.

As an adult member of the Imperial Family, Princess Kako has performed various official duties at home and abroad this year.

Japanese Princess Kako turns 30

As an adult member of the Imperial Family, Princess Kako has performed various official duties at home and abroad this year.

Nursing care needs surge in Noto quake-hit areas

Japan's Wajima craftmakers see hope in disaster-hit region

By Hiroshi Hiyama

Ground improvement work begins in Okinawa's Henoko

Japanese lawmaker dies in Maldives

A poster depicting the characters of "JoJo's Bizarre Adventure" in Tokyo's Shibuya Station in 2023.

Sony's Crunchyroll finds its early lead in anime under attack

By Takashi Mochizuki

Netflix, Walt Disney and Amazon are all digging into their deep pockets to license shows, making it more expensive for anime-steaming site to compete.

A Nissan dealership and a Honda dealership in Tokyo. As the two firms negotiation a potential merger, Nomura Holdings is advising Honda, while Nissan has retained Mizuho Financial Group and Bank of America.

Honda-Nissan deal sets up next fight for bankers in Japan M&A boom

By Manuel Baigorri

At roughly $200 billion, the volume of transactions including mergers and acquisitions in the country is up 48% this year.

Trump asks Supreme Court to pause law threatening TikTok ban

Japan's Nidec takes aim at Makino Milling with $1.6 billion unsolicited bid

By Kantaro Komiya and Rocky Swift

Kawasaki Heavy found to have pooled ¥1.7 billion in slush funds

Osamu Suzuki, who ran Suzuki Motor for five decades, dies at 94

By Yuki Hagiwara

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un attends a meeting of the country's ruling party in Pyongyang in this photo released Sunday.

North Korea launches 'toughest' U.S. strategy at key party meeting

By Jesse Johnson

In a signal to U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, North Korea has used a key party meeting overseen by leader Kim Jong Un to announce its “toughest” ever strategy to counter the United States, Pyongyang's state-run media said Sunday.

Russian President Vladimir Putin holds a Security Council meeting via videoconference in Moscow on Saturday.

Russia's Putin apologizes to Azerbaijan over 'tragic' airliner crash

Four sources with knowledge of the preliminary findings of Azerbaijan's investigation said that Russian air defenses had mistakenly shot the airliner down.

For the Rohingya, tormentors change but not the torment

By Hannah Beech

Trump sides with Musk in rightwing row over worker visas

WHO chief says he narrowly escaped death in Israeli strikes on Yemen airport

Ukraine risks losing all Russian land it seized within months, U.S. says

Stuttgart's Anrie Chase applauds the fans after a match against Bayer Leverkusen on Nov. 1.

How Anrie Chase went from a Fukushima high school to playing against Real Madrid

By Mark Lomas

Just three years ago, the Stuttgart defender was still playing for Shoshi High School in Koriyama. Now he's competing against the likes of Kylian Mbappe.

Drama and dreams: Japan's wildly popular school soccer tourney breeds future stars

By Andrew MCKIRDY

Shohei Ohtani ends blockbuster year with baby announcement

By Jason Coskrey

Olympic champion Evenepoel eyes return in time for cycling's Ardennes classics

Chargers clinch playoff berth with dominating win over Patriots

The next 12 months will be more challenging, with some countries pursuing quick interest-rate cuts while others will proceed cautiously.

A view to 2025: Enough with the central bank hawks and doves

Daniel Moss

Interest-rate cuts will be a feature, including at institutions that resisted easing in 2024. But mind the nuances.

An economic requiem for the Biden administration

By Barry Eichengreen

Will the guardrails of U.S. democracy hold?

By Erwin Chemerinsky

To serve humankind, AI must be shaped by U.N. values

By Tshilidzi Marwala

When Russia fights the wrong enemy

By S.C.M. Paine

Steam rises from a geothermal plan in Yuzawa, Akita Prefecture. Despite its long history and potential, geothermal provided just 0.3% of Japan's overall energy mix in the fiscal year from April 2023

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

By Eric Johnston

Japan boasts the world’s third-largest potential supply of geothermal energy, but this renewable energy resource has mostly been untapped.

The mighty Mekong River's growing plastic problem

By Anton L. Delgado

Japan's draft climate strategy spurs calls for bolder cuts in carbon emissions

By Makiko Yamazaki and Ritsuko Shimizu

Japanese study links heavy Hokkaido snowfall in 2021 to climate change

By Tomoko Otake

Companies challenged by fewer weeks of winter

By Ethan M Steinberg

One of conductor Seiji Ozawa’s most enduring contributions is the Seiji Ozawa Matsumoto Festival, which brings together young musicians and seasoned artists. The maestro passed away in February.

The cultural luminaries we lost in 2024

By Alyssa I. Smith

While Japan’s culture marked notable triumphs at home and overseas, the year also saw the passing of many greats in the arts.

‘The War of the Rohirrim’: Striking visuals, insipid storytelling

By Matt Schley

‘Moving’: A profound, poetic coming-of-age masterpiece restored in 4K

By Mark Schilling

Demand for Japanese content booms after 'Shogun' success

By Mathias Cena

Step into ukiyo-e: A digital journey through Japan’s traditional art form

By Masaru Urano

Of the many new openings in Tokyo in 2024, the elegant Sushi Oya run by Yoji Oya stands out from the pack.

From Michelin stardom to humble meals, Tokyo dining had an eclectic 2024

By Robbie Swinnerton

As traditional pubs close and inbound tourism spurs openings, this year saw plenty of new faces make their mark on the city’s dining landscape.

True blue tradition: How Japan's coveted jeans are made

By Natsuko Fukue

Small letter, big impact: A little 'tsu' makes all the difference

By Peter Backhaus

'Don't mess with our mince pies,' some Brits plead

By Helen ROWE

The secret to living to 110? Bad record-keeping, says Ig Nobel Prize winner.

By Daniel Lawler

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’

Visitors to Kyoto walk along a street near Kiyomizu Temple in April. A popular tourist spot, Kyoto has seen what locals feel to be an overwhelming amount of tourists in 2024.

Is Japan ready for 60 million tourists?

By Kathryn Wortley

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