Home page

 
Menu
Search
 
Menu
Search
Tokyo Weather 8℃
TOKYO
January 10, 2025
The Independent Voice in Asia
January 10, 2025
South Korea turmoil
Nippon Steel
Trump transition
Latest News
Deep Dive
 

Today's print edition

Home Delivery
Subscribe for more access
Rahm Emanuel professes that the biggest thing he has brought to the U.S.-Japan relationship might be a fresh injection of vitality.
JAPAN / Politics
Emanuel leaves reform legacy amid historic shifts in U.S.-Japan alliance
By Jesse Johnson and Gabriel Dominguez
The departing U.S. ambassador arguably oversaw the most consequential shift in the U.S.-Japan alliance in decades.
Rahm Emanuel professes that the biggest thing he has brought to the U.S.-Japan relationship might be a fresh injection of vitality.
A busy street in Tokyo on Dec. 30. The number of influenza patients per clinic on average in the final week of December was the highest since health ministry records began in 1999.
JAPAN / Science & Health
Japan's health ministry reports record-high flu cases in late December
By Yukana Inoue
In the week through Dec. 29, the total number of reported flu cases was nearly three times the number from the same period in 2023.
A government minister has said the acquisition of 7-Eleven by foreign capital is majorly related to economic security.
BUSINESS / Companies
Japan to consider 'economic security' in 7-Eleven takeover
Economic revitalization minister Ryosei Akazawa highlighted the role Japan's convenience stores can play in times of crisis, such as after major earthquakes.
"This is a year of elections," Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba (center) told peer LDP executives at a party meeting held Tuesday to mark party members' start of work for this year, at LDP headquarters in Tokyo.
JAPAN / Politics
Talk of summer double election persists in Japan
The Liberal Democratic Party and Komeito have agreed to begin preparations for the next Lower House election.
NHK’s latest taiga period drama, “Unbound,” centers on Tsutaya Juzaburo (Ryusei Yokohama), a commoner who becomes a successful bookseller and publisher.
CULTURE / TV & Streaming
‘Unbound’ breaks NHK period drama tradition with a hero of the common folk
By Mark Schilling
Public broadcaster NHK marks its 100th anniversary by flipping the script on its long-running period drama series.
NHK’s latest taiga period drama, “Unbound,” centers on Tsutaya Juzaburo (Ryusei Yokohama), a commoner who becomes a successful bookseller and publisher.

JAPAN

A meteorite from Mars found in Antarctica will be shown to the public for the first time at the Japan Pavilion during this year's World Exposition in the city of Osaka.
Japan pavilion to exhibit Mars meteorite at Osaka Expo
The meteorite, collected by an Antarctic research expedition in 2000, will be shown to the public for the first time at the expo.
Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya speaks at the Foreign Ministry in December.
Japan's top envoy to visit the Philippines next week
The Philippines and Japan are longtime allies of the United States, which has been strengthening its alliances with regional partners in recent years.
Talk of summer double election persists in Japan
Japan to convene parliament for ordinary session starting Jan. 24
Ishiba expresses eagerness to visit China soon
Police rearrest suspect in McDonald's attack on murder charge

BUSINESS

A visitor holds a ¥1,000 banknote to offer a prayer on the first business day of the year at the Kanda Myojin shrine in Tokyo on Monday. The yen has declined against the dollar for four straight years amid a wide gap between interest rates in Japan and the United States.
Yen intervention risk creeps higher as U.S. jobs report approaches
By Mia Glass and Masaki Kondo
The yen is within reach of ¥160 per dollar, a breach of which would increase concern about the weak currency’s impact on business and consumers.
A government minister has said the acquisition of 7-Eleven by foreign capital is majorly related to economic security.
Japan to consider 'economic security' in 7-Eleven takeover
Economic revitalization minister Ryosei Akazawa highlighted the role Japan's convenience stores can play in times of crisis, such as after major earthquakes.
Apollo weighs $9.5 billion stake in Seven & I management buyout
By Hideki Suzuki and Taro Fuse
Japan to step up efforts to increase food exports
BlackRock quits climate group as Wall Street lowers environmental profile
By Ross Kerber
Japan’s household spending falls, weighing on BOJ rate hike path
By Yoshiaki Nohara

WORLD

A water bomber flies over houses burned down by the Palisades Fire in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles on Thursday.
Los Angeles wildfires devour thousands of homes even as fierce winds ease
The fires menacing Los Angeles from the east and west devoured nearly 10,000 homes and other structures.
U.S. President-elect Donald Trump speaks during a meeting with Republican governors at his Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Florida, on Thursday.
U.S. Supreme Court lets Trump sentencing proceed in hush money case
By Andrew Chung and John Kruzel
The court turned down Trump's last-minute bid to prevent his sentencing, scheduled for Friday in New York state court in Manhattan.
Israeli military tightens media rules over legal action concern
U.S. court declines to block release of special counsel report on Trump
Gaza death toll 40% higher than recorded, peer-reviewed study estimates
By Daniel Lawler
South Korea's presidential security chief urges 'no bloodshed' in Yoon arrest

Sports

A ruling on whether Manchester City is guilty of breaching multiple financial regulations is expected early this year.
Man City's troubles on field would pale in comparison to loss in legal case
By Martyn Herman
While form is temporary and fixable, a much larger and darker cloud has stationed itself over the Abu Dhabi-owned club.
Jannik Sinner declares innocence in doping case ahead of Australian Open
Novak Djokovic claims he was poisoned during 2022 detention in Melbourne
NFL moves Vikings-Rams playoff game from LA to Arizona due to wildfires
NFL still planning to stage playoff game between Rams and Vikings in LA

Opinion

U.S. President Jimmy Carter and then-California Gov. Ronald Reagan greet each other before their U.S. presidential debate in Cleveland, Ohio, in October 1980.
What if Reagan's vision had been more like Carter's?
Thomas L. Friedman
Yes, Carter had his share of missteps, but he was way, way, way ahead of his time on clean energy.
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
Missteps highlight Ishiba’s foreign policy challenges
By Stephen R. Nagy

ENVIRONMENT

A beach house is engulfed by the flames of the Palisades fire as seen along the Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu, California, on Wednesday.
Extreme weather and suburban sprawl fuel LA's wildfires
By Issam AHMED
A prolonged dry spell and strong winds played key roles, though experts say it's too soon to say how much climate change contributed.
Record heat pushed 2024 above global warming threshold of 1.5 C
By Eric Roston
Japanese researchers connect rise in glass eels to climate change
Where the smart climate tech venture money is going in 2025
By Brian Kahn
After a year of hard climate talks, ‘minilateralism’ is an alternative
By Aaron Clark

CULTURE

The film version of “The Solitary Gourmet” is a directorial debut for Yutaka Matsushige, long known for his leading role as salaryman and gourmand Goro Inogashira.
‘The Solitary Gourmet’: Palatable movie adaptation may leave you wanting more
By James Hadfield
Lead actor Yutaka Matsushige’s film directing debut offers ambient pleasure for fans of the long-running TV series.
‘Mending Cracks’: A muddled drama about brotherly discord
By Mark Schilling
'The Brutalist,' 'Emilia Perez' take home Golden Globes' top film honors
By Lisa Richwine, Danielle Broadway and Dawn Chmielewski
'Shogun,' 'Hacks' win top TV honors at Golden Globes
By Danielle Broadway
‘Fracture’ dissects 100 years of Japanese graphic design
By Ray Masaki

LIFE

Japan’s ski resorts are popular with tourists and knowing some basic Japanese will help you navigate the slopes a lot easier.
Japanese ski vocabulary: Hit the books before you hit the slopes
By Eric Margolis
Knowing some basic terms will help you graduate from that linguistic bunny slope in no time.
Now in Osaka, Yannick Alleno wants ‘flavors people have never experienced’
By Melinda Joe
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

COMMUNITY

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.
And Bingo was her name-o
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

Editors' Picks

BUSINESS
Real wages fall for a fourth month, squeezing Japanese households further
By Kazuaki Nagata
Prices continue to outpace wage increases in Japan.
JAPAN
Hair removal for kids — boosting confidence or preying on insecurities?
By Karin Kaneko
Beauty salon Dione, which has over 100 branches nationwide, offers hair removal treatments for children as young as 3 years old. It uses hair removal equipment that emits a special light heated to around 38 degrees Celsius, unlike conventional equipment that involves temperatures of 60 to 80 C.
SUMO
Sumo’s brotherhood gets latest inductee
By John Gunning
Chugo Saito at Isenoumi stable on Friday. Saito has joined his older brother, Seigo, at the stable.
BUSINESS
As standards rise, Tokyo Stock Exchange delistings hit decade high
By Kazuaki Nagata
The Tokyo Stock Exchange wants companies to improve governance and performance.
JAPAN
Swiping in Japan: How Gen Z is changing the dating app game
By Yukana Inoue
Many Japanese dating apps have ways to detail specific interests that can be as narrow as one particular TV show, game or an artist.

Podcast

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

Longform

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

JT Directory Service

SPECIAL SUPPLEMENTS note

Read more

SUPPLEMENTS BINDER

Ex.Portal By Synergy Media Specialists

SUSTAINABLE JAPAN

Site designer on why expos matter more than ever
Site designer on why expos matter more than ever

WHAT’S TRENDING

JAPAN
TV networks drop Japan boy band star over sex allegations
By Tomohiro Osaki
Masahiro Nakai in Tokyo in October 2017
JAPAN
Emanuel leaves reform legacy amid historic shifts in U.S.-Japan alliance
By Jesse Johnson and Gabriel Dominguez
Rahm Emanuel professes that the biggest thing he has brought to the U.S.-Japan relationship might be a fresh injection of vitality.
JAPAN
Police rearrest suspect in McDonald's attack on murder charge
Masanori Hirabaru, 43, is escorted out of a police station in Kitakyushu on Dec. 20 to be brought to prosecutors in relation to a double stabbing at a McDonald's outlet in Fukuoka Prefecture. He was rearrested Thursday on a charge of murder.
JAPAN
New York Times chooses Toyama and Osaka as top places to go in 2025
By Yukana Inoue
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
Japan to deepen U.S. alliance, former Prime Minister Suga says in Washington
Former Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga (right) and Sen. William Hagerty, former U.S. Ambassador to Japan, hold talks in Washington on Wednesday.