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January 09, 2025
The Independent Voice in Asia
January 09, 2025
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Firms in Japan are becoming more proactive to fend off global rivals and activist investors showing renewed interest in the country after decades of stagnant growth.
BUSINESS / Companies
Japan’s ¥36.4 trillion M&A boom expected to grow as activist investors circle
By Lisa Du
Firms are becoming more proactive to fend off global rivals and activist investors showing renewed interest in the country after decades of stagnant growth.
Firms in Japan are becoming more proactive to fend off global rivals and activist investors showing renewed interest in the country after decades of stagnant growth.
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.
JAPAN / Society
Hair removal for kids — boosting confidence or preying on insecurities?
By Karin Kaneko
Hair removal treatments are increasingly being extended to children as young as three years old in Japan, raising concerns over the risks.
Takeshi Ebisawa poses with a rocket launcher during a meeting with an informant and two undercover Danish police officers at a warehouse in Copenhagen, Denmark on Feb. 3, 2021.
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Yakuza leader pleads guilty in U.S. court to conspiring to sell nuclear material
The leader was charged in February 2024 with conspiring to sell weapons-grade nuclear material and lethal narcotics from Myanmar and purchasing military weaponry.
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 is expected to be rearrested Thursday on a charge of murder.
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Police to rearrest suspect in McDonald's attack on murder charge
Authorities plan to rearrest Masanori Hirabaru, 43, over the double stabbing in Fukuoka Prefecture in December that left one of two teenage victims dead.
Terunofuji performs during a ceremony at Meiji Shrine in Tokyo on Tuesday.
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
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.
Terunofuji performs during a ceremony at Meiji Shrine in Tokyo on Tuesday.

JAPAN

Okinawa Gov. Denny Tamaki
U.S. Marine suspected of sexual assault in Okinawa
The U.S. Marine is suspected of sexually assaulting and injuring a woman indoors on Okinawa's main island last November.
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.
Japan to deepen U.S. alliance, former Prime Minister Suga says in Washington
Ishiba leaves for Malaysia, Indonesia
Carbon magnet brought closer to practical use
Japan authorities raise alarm over China-linked cyberattacks

BUSINESS

For store managers in their first or second year at Fast Retailing, the monthly salary is set to increase to ¥410,000 from the current ¥390,000.
Fast Retailing to raise starting monthly salary to ¥330,000
The operator of the Uniqlo casual clothing stores said that it wants to attract talented university graduates in a bid to reinforce the company's global competitiveness.
According to NHK's budget for fiscal 2025, the public broadcaster will post a deficit of ¥40 billion in the year from April.
NHK to be in the red for third straight year after viewing fee cut
The public broadcaster is set to post a deficit of ¥40 billion in the year from April.
Former BOJ board member sees rising chance of March rate hike
By Toru Fujioka and Sumio Ito
Biden to further limit AI chip exports in final push
By Mackenzie Hawkins and Jenny Leonard
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

WORLD

A McDonald's is showered in embers during the Eaton fire in Pasadena, California on Tuesday.
Displaced LA residents in shock at scale of fire destruction
By Romain FONSEGRIVES
Authorities warn that the danger is far from over, with treacherous windy conditions set to remain until later in the week.
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.
Drug from bowel bacteria helps blood cancer patients facing deadly complication
By Jason Gale and Thomas Gibson
Why is Trump interested in Greenland?
By Camille BAS-WOHLERT
Anxious but undeterred, migrants brace for Trump presidency
By Diana Baptista
U.S. warns that North Korea is becoming better prepared for war
By Michelle Nichols

Sports

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.
Aryna Sabalenka set to take center stage again at Australian Open
Daizen Maeda and Reo Hatate help Celtic extend lead in Scottish Premiership
U.S. withholds payment to WADA amid dispute over Chinese doping tests
How Nikola Jokic channeled Larry Bird to become even more dominant

Opinion

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

ENVIRONMENT

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

CULTURE

"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 Solitary Gourmet’: Palatable movie adaptation may leave you wanting more
By James Hadfield
‘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
'Emilia Perez' heads into Golden Globes as strong favorite
By Romain FONSEGRIVES

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.
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

Editors' Picks

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.
JAPAN
Blinken in final Japan visit as Trump's return weighs on Tokyo's mind
By Jesse Johnson
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken shakes hands with Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya at the start of their working lunch at a hotel in Tokyo on Tuesday.
JAPAN
2720 — the year when Japan is left with just one child
By Yukana Inoue
Children at a traditional festival in the city of Wajima, Ishikawa Prefecture, on Thursday. A forecast made by Tohoku University professor Hiroshi Yoshida estimates that Japan will be left with just one child on Jan. 5, 2720, based on current birthrate trends.
CULTURE
‘Fracture’ dissects 100 years of Japanese graphic design
By Ray Masaki
Ian Lynam's "Fracture" is the result of 15 years of research and production and excavates 100 years of Japanese graphic design history from the Meiji (1868-1912) to Showa eras (1926-89).

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

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WHAT’S TRENDING

JAPAN
2720 — the year when Japan is left with just one child
By Yukana Inoue
Children at a traditional festival in the city of Wajima, Ishikawa Prefecture, on Thursday. A forecast made by Tohoku University professor Hiroshi Yoshida estimates that Japan will be left with just one child on Jan. 5, 2720, based on current birthrate trends.
JAPAN
TV networks drop Japan boy band star over sex allegations
By Tomohiro Osaki
Masahiro Nakai in Tokyo in October 2017
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.
BUSINESS
Japan warns on speculative FX moves after yen hits six month low
By Erica Yokoyama
The yen hit its lowest level against the dollar since July on Tuesday, prompting a warning from Finance Minister Katsunobu Kato over speculative moves.
JAPAN
Tokyo looks to ease the pain — both physical and financial — of childbirth
By Yukana Inoue
A subsidy for epidural childbirths was one of Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike's campaign promises when she ran for her position last year.