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April 25, 2025
The Independent Voice in Asia
April 25, 2025
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Finance Minister Katsunobu Kato is is expected to meet with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent in Washington.
BUSINESS / Economy
U.S. indicates no hard target for yen ahead of key trade talks
By Francis Tang
The United States has argued that the yen is too weak, making its value against the dollar a top agenda item in trade discussions.
Finance Minister Katsunobu Kato is is expected to meet with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent in Washington.
An Apple store in Tokyo's Shibuya Ward in September. Prices for the newest iPhone models start at around ¥100,000 ($700) in Japan.
BUSINESS / Companies
Amid uncertain tariffs, is now the time to buy a new iPhone?
By Elizabeth Beattie
The tariffs add another layer of uncertainty for consumers already hesitating due to the yen's weakness and inflation.
Japan is planning to implement by March 2029 a new online screening system in which foreign visitors who don’t need a visa apply for a certification before entering the country.
JAPAN
Japan brings forward deadline for electronic travel authorization system
By Yukana Inoue
In fiscal 2028, Japan aims to introduce the system for certifying foreign visitors who don't need a visa ahead of their arrival in the country.
Under new rules, those who use smartphones while riding a bicycle would be subject to the maximum fine of ¥12,000.
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Japan set to fine cyclists on the spot for rule violations from 2026
By Karin Kaneko
Until now, police have usually responded to cycling violations by issuing verbal warnings or handing out red tickets that can lead to prosecution.
Kengo Kuma & Associates oversaw the construction of the Malaysia pavilion, which is encased in interwoven rows of bamboo that appear to ripple.
LIFE / Style & Design
Built in a flash, Osaka Expo pavilions wrestle with sustainability
By Thu-Huong Ha
Architects of country pavilions speak on the challenges that shaped their design choices.
Kengo Kuma & Associates oversaw the construction of the Malaysia pavilion, which is encased in interwoven rows of bamboo that appear to ripple.

JAPAN

Police believe Daisuke Nishimura may have been involved in roughly 20 incidents in the 90 minutes leading up to his arrest, including a fatal hit-and-run and multiple assaults.
Naked man’s rampage in Saitama linked to one fatality and 10 injured
Police believe he may have also been involved in roughly 20 incidents in the 90 minutes leading up to his arrest.
The levels of a type of "forever chemical" found in seven current and former employees at Daikin Industries' Yodogawa plant in Osaka Prefecture were about 38 times those for nearby residents, according to a survey conducted by a team including Kyoto University.
High levels of PFAS found in blood of Osaka factory workers
The levels for seven current and former employees were about 38 times those for residents, with three showing signs of interstitial lung disease.
LDP plans to submit pension reform bill in mid-May
Government ordered to pay over sexual assault by lawmaker's ex-aide
Narita Airport reports 16% increase in passengers
Improper alcohol and health checks on drivers found at 75% of Japan Post offices

BUSINESS

An attendee plays with the Nintendo Switch 2 gaming device at a media event in Tokyo on April 3.
Nintendo says demand for Switch 2 console in Japan is overwhelming
"We have received 2.2 million applications for the lottery sale at our official online store for customers in Japan alone," said Nintendo President Shuntaro Furukawa.
While Nissan slightly raised its sales forecast late Thursday, its statement warned that its net loss could be ¥700 billion to ¥750 billion.
Nissan sees $5.3 billion red hole as restructuring losses mount
By Reed Stevenson
While Nissan slightly raised its sales forecast late Thursday, its statement warned that its net loss could be ¥700 billion to ¥750 billion.
Japanese supermarket sales up for fifth straight year in fiscal 2024
Regional lenders Daishi Hokuetsu and Gunma Bank agree to consolidate
By Taiga Uranaka
Japanese carmakers’ U.S. sales surge ahead of Trump tariffs
By Nicholas Takahashi
KDDI aims to use direct satellite link for drones

WORLD

Pope Francis' body is carried in a coffin to Saint Peter's Basilica, on the day of its translation, at the Vatican, on Wednesday.
Thousands honor Pope Francis in St. Peter's Basilica
By Crispian Balmer and Joshua McElwee
Mourners flood the Vatican to bid farewell to the late Pope Francis, whose funeral will be held Saturday, with world leaders set to attend.
A Sudanese soldier prays in front of a burned-out armored vehicle in Khartoum, Sudan, on March 28.
'No one else will': Sudan's journalists risk all to report the war
By Lobna Monieb
Since fighting erupted between the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces in April 2023, at least 28 reporters have been killed, according to Sudan's journalist union.
Who will be the next pope? Some hints to watch for
By Joshua McElwee
South Korea prosecutors indict ex-President Moon Jae-in for corruption
By Kang Jin-kyu
Trump's Cabinet ready to take back power with Musk stepping back, sources say
By Nandita Bose and Alexandra Alper
India downgrades ties with Pakistan after attack on Kashmir tourists kills 26
By Fayaz Bukhari, Sakshi Dayal and YP Rajesh

Sports

Panathinaikos BC celebrates after winning the Euroleague title in Berlin on May, 26, 2024.
Euroleague CEO pushes back as NBA ponders new league in Europe
Motiejunas said the Euroleague is staunchly opposed to a new operator in the region.
Titans expected to take QB Cam Ward with top pick of NFL draft
Australians eye NFL draft in hopes of finding next Jordan Mailata
Celtics beat Magic in physical battle in Game 2
Norwegian athletes advised to avoid meat in China over doping fears

Opinion

Last year was the hottest on record in Japan and globally. An enduring stretch of peak warm weather worldwide has prompted scientists to look for the causes as they try to understand whether we have entered a dangerous phase of accelerated heating.
Creating the best possible climate models is existential
Alexander Pui
Scientists' work in building and interpreting climate models must be fine-tuned so that this data can inform the policies capable of living up to the challenge of global heating.
Asia would welcome trade deals that exclude China
By Mihir Sharma
China’s catch-22: Rapid growth with tight social control
By Naoko Eto
Don't let governments break encryption
By Jessica Dickinson Goodman and Passeron Kitroser
Will Canada find its path again after the election?
By Stephen R. Nagy

ENVIRONMENT

A photo taken from a Norwegian surveillance aircraft shows Russian aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov in international waters off the coast of Norway in October 2016.
Global warming is a security threat and armies must adapt, experts say
Defense departments have already underscored that a warming planet poses major national security challenges, and militaries need to adapt to respond to these evolving threats.
Indonesia food plan risks 'world's largest' deforestation
By Marchio Gorbiano and Sara Hussein
Tentative tree planting 'decades overdue' in sweltering Athens
By John HADOULIS
Big bets on speculative carbon capture tech ignore today’s solutions
By Michelle Ma and Dave Merrill
Clean streets versus business woes: Pollution charge divides Londoners
By Akshata Kapoor

CULTURE

An immature college student (Riku Hagiwara, left) is caught in the middle of a love triangle in “She Taught Me Serendipity.”
‘She Taught Me Serendipity’: A quiet reminder not to take people for granted
By Mark Schilling
While Akiko Ohku’s latest seems like a rom-com on its surface, the ensemble piece delves deeper into the importance of appreciating loved ones while you can.
Thumbelina's bedtime is before 8. Her exhibition runs till 5 a.m.
By Tomohiro Osaki
The floor is art: Takuro Tamayama transforms mundanity
By Kim Kahan
Japan wanted a cultural do-over. Ado gave it one.
By Patrick St. Michel
Kyotographie 2025 opts for laughter and levity in the face of global strife
By Thu-Huong Ha

LIFE

Kengo Kuma & Associates oversaw the construction of the Malaysia pavilion, which is encased in interwoven rows of bamboo that appear to ripple.
Built in a flash, Osaka Expo pavilions wrestle with sustainability
By Thu-Huong Ha
Architects of country pavilions speak on the challenges that shaped their design choices.
Craft Sake Week is back with its usual brand of cool
By Weiwen Lin
Thumbprint cookies with a tangy Japanese filling
By Simon Daly
Japan’s first Waldorf Astoria brings art deco luxury to Osaka
By Tan Pin Yen
Calling all Potterheads: ‘The Goblet of Fire’ comes to Tokyo
By Gendel Gento

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

BUSINESS
Japan weighs using U.S. rice imports as tariff negotiation tool with Trump
By Yukana Inoue
A restaurant owner pours California-grown Calrose rice into a rice cooker at his restaurant in Tokyo
JAPAN
Is Japan’s parliament ready to welcome more youth to its ranks?
By Gabriele Ninivaggi
Lower House lawmaker Kai Odake in his Tokyo office on Wednesday
LIFE
Crow meat, goat tartare: Mauvaise Herbe raises its game
By Andrew Lee
Crow meat, shaped into a ball and attached to a foot of the bird, is one of the peculiar offerings of game at Mauvaise Herbe.
JAPAN
Cases of epidural use in labor rise in Japan alongside concerns
By Yukana Inoue
Of the 721,000 childbirths reported in 2024 in Japan, 13.8% involved the use of an epidural, according to the Japan Association of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.
BASEBALL
Nothing sells like Shohei Ohtani, MLB’s marketing megastar
By Mai Yoshikawa
People walk past an advertisement featuring Los Angeles Dodgers two-way star Shohei Ohtani outside Tokyo Dome on March 18.

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

Smile! It’s ‘Sanrio Time,’ now and ever after
Smile! It’s ‘Sanrio Time,’ now and ever after

WHAT’S TRENDING

BUSINESS
Japan must correct Trump’s false data for trade talks, says Kono
By Shery Ahn and Sakura Murakami
Former Foreign Minister Taro Kono
JAPAN
Japan wants to 'separate' tariff and security issues. That may be tough.
By Jesse Johnson
Japan’s chief tariff negotiator, Ryosei Akazawa, poses with a "Make America Great Again" cap at the White House in Washington on April 16.
JAPAN
Social media helps fuel growing 'sex tourism' in Japan
By Caroline Gardin
People walk down a street in the red-light entertainment area of Kabukicho in the Shinjuku district of Tokyo on March 31.
BUSINESS
Nintendo says demand for Switch 2 console in Japan is overwhelming
An attendee plays with the Nintendo Switch 2 gaming device at a media event in Tokyo on April 3.
BUSINESS
Top Japanese firms scrap employment system that held women back
By Nao Sano
MUFG Bank, a unit of the nation’s biggest banking group, is among firms that recently scrapped a clerical job category that consisted almost exclusively of women, a sign that the financial sector is finally getting more serious about reducing gender inequalities.