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December 27, 2024
The Independent Voice in Asia
December 27, 2024
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2024 in review
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Osamu Suzuki, a former president of Suzuki Motor, in October 2016
BUSINESS / Companies
Osamu Suzuki, who ran Suzuki Motor for five decades, dies at 94
By Yuki Hagiwara
Suzuki is known for spearheading the carmaker’s entrance in the Indian market, starting manufacturing there in 1983.
Osamu Suzuki, a former president of Suzuki Motor, in October 2016
South Korea's ruling People Power Party lawmakers (bottom) argue to National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik (second right top) during the plenary session for the impeachment vote of acting president Han Duck-soo at the National Assembly in Seoul on Friday.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
South Korea's parliament impeaches acting president Han Duck-soo
The move plunged the country deeper into political chaos, as the Constitutional Court also said it would swiftly trial suspended President Yoon Suk Yeol.
Authorities are calling for utmost vigilance as Japan heads into the New Year holiday season, when many people plan getaways.
JAPAN / Science & Health
Flu cases surge above ‘warning’ levels in much of Japan
By Tomoko Otake
An estimated 1.67 million people became sick and sought medical care from doctors in the week through last Sunday.
Cabinet ministers at the Prime Minister's Office in Tokyo on Friday
JAPAN / Politics
Japan's Cabinet approves ¥115.5 trillion budget
By Himari Semans
The proposal exceeded ¥110 trillion for the third consecutive year in order to increase spending on defense and social welfare costs.
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.
CULTURE / 2024 in Review
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.
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.

JAPAN

A transport ministry panel experiments with a dummy to determine how quickly a person lying on the road during the night would be spotted when drivers use low and high beam lights.
Japan drivers warned to steer clear of drunk pedestrians sleeping on road
By Karin Kaneko
Collisions involving pedestrians asleep on the road typically spike in December, when more people get imbibed at New Year's gatherings.
A bear trap in Hokkaido Prefecture. Bears have recently been found inside homes and shops.
Increasing number of Japanese bears find human dwellings ‘just right’
By Yukana Inoue
Cases of bears making their way into homes and shops are on the rise across the country as the animal's natural food sources become scarce.
Japan and U.S. draw up guidelines for extended deterrence
Ishiba hints at snap poll if budget fails to pass
Japan uncovers 100 new cases of mishandled security secrets at SDF
Prosecutors drop cases against LDP lawmakers over slush fund scandal
By Eric Johnston

BUSINESS

Storage tanks at the BP Cherry Point Refinery near Blaine, Washington
Big Oil backtracks on renewables push as climate agenda falters
By Ron Bousso
The likes of BP and Shell this year sharply slowed their plans to spend billions on wind and solar power projects.
Inflation in Tokyo accelerated for a second month in December, as the government temporarily phased out utility subsidies, a result that will likely support expectations of an interest rate hike next year.
Inflation in Tokyo accelerates, keeps rate hike prospects intact
By Leika Kihara and Satoshi Sugiyama
The Tokyo core consumer price index, which excludes volatile fresh food costs, rose 2.4% in December from a year earlier.
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
Some BOJ policymakers called for rate hike soon, December summary shows
By Leika Kihara
Inflation in Tokyo accelerates, keeps rate hike prospects intact
By Leika Kihara and Satoshi Sugiyama

WORLD

Protesters hold a banner depicting South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol's face on a cartoon train, as they take part in a rally calling for his impeachment. Ten days earlier, Yoon shocked the world by declaring martial law, a decision that was reversed hours later.
World news images of 2024: A year of power plays and shifting tides
From a surprise martial law declaration in South Korea to the toppling of a tyrant in Syria, here is a look back on the year's international news.
Emergency specialists work at the crash site of an Azerbaijan Airlines passenger plane near the city of Aktau, Kazakhstan, on Wednesday.
Russian air defenses downed Azerbaijan Airlines flight, sources say
By Nailia Bagirova and Gleb Stolyarov
Flight J2-8243 crashed on Wednesday in a ball of fire near the city of Aktau in Kazakhstan after diverting from an area of southern Russia.
Manmohan Singh, India's reluctant prime minister, dies age 92
By Devjyot Ghoshal and Matthias Williams
Images show new Chinese military aircraft designs, experts say
By Gerry Doyle
Israel hits Houthis in Yemen in response to slow escalation
By Dan Williams and Alisa Odenheimer
Guatemala open to accepting Trump's Central American deportees: sources
By Sarah Kinosian

Sports

Dodgers announcers Stephen Nelson and Jessica Mendoza pose with Ichiro Suzuki before a game against the Mariners in Seattle in 2023.
Dodgers voice Stephen Nelson paves way for Japanese Americans in media
By Jason Coskrey
Nelson strongly believes representation matters in media and is aware that he might be helping inspire the next generation of Asian Americans in sports media.
Liverpool powers to seven-point lead in Premier League
Jets QB Aaron Rodgers deflects questions about future with Jets
JFA hopes Nils Nielsen's international focus leads Nadeshiko Japan back to glory
By Alex Bishop
World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka hungry for more success in 2025

Opinion

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.
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
Why cultural heritage must be protected in wartime
By Karel Komarek
Rejecting the Nippon Steel bid is a slap in the face to Japan

ENVIRONMENT

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

CULTURE

Hip-hop duo Creepy Nuts' uptempo “Bling-Bang-Bang-Born” quickly became a TikTok favorite after its release days into 2024, which helped turn the song into a Billboard Japan Hot 100 topper for 19 weeks before rising up viral streaming charts around the world.
Bling-Bang, baby: The J-pop soundtrack of 2024
By Patrick St. Michel
Japanese music made waves globally, fueled by Coachella debuts, TikTok virality and unexpected hits like Creepy Nuts' "Bling-Bang-Bang-Born."
‘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

LIFE

At each shrine and temple, priests create festive, decorative go-shuin stamps, and you can collect the marks of all seven of the lucky gods on one piece of paper (called a shikishi) to serve as a good-luck talisman.
Start the new year not with one temple visit, but seven
By Zoria Petkoska
The seven lucky gods pilgrimage is a less hurried alternative to the often-crowded first temple or shrine visit of the year.
True blue tradition: How Japan's coveted jeans are made
By Natsuko Fukue
'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
Is Japan ready for 60 million tourists?
By Kathryn Wortley

COMMUNITY

Writer Baye McNeil and his wife, Miki, host a Kwanzaa gathering in Yokohama together. The end of the year at the McNeil’s home is a mix of several different holiday traditions, including those of Kwanzaa.
A holiday season built on creativity and care
By Baye McNeil
Fusing African heritage with Japanese spirituality, our columnist crafted a holiday season that celebrates cultural understanding.
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
Kumiko Shichijo: ‘Living abroad helped me appreciate Japanese etiquette’
By Ansel Swindells

Editors' Picks

JAPAN
Human error caused JAL jet collision at Haneda Airport: safety board
By Kathleen Benoza
The wreckage of a Japan Airlines plane after a collision with a Japan Coast Guard aircraft, at Haneda Airport in Tokyo on Jan. 5, three days after the crash.
JAPAN
High levels of PFAS found in water from 44 private suppliers across Japan
By Tomoko Otake
The Self-Defense Forces facilities are believed to have become sources of PFAS contamination because they used firefighting foam containing the toxic chemicals in the past.
LIFE
Start the new year not with one temple visit, but seven
By Zoria Petkoska
At each shrine and temple, priests create festive, decorative go-shuin stamps, and you can collect the marks of all seven of the lucky gods on one piece of paper (called a shikishi) to serve as a good-luck talisman.
LIFE
Small letter, big impact: A little 'tsu' makes all the difference
By Peter Backhaus
Casual Japanese usage increasingly sees the "i" at the end of exclamations like "yabai" (dangerous) replaced by a small "tsu."
BASEBALL
For baseball fans, 2024 brought The Summer of Shohei Ohtani
By Jason Coskrey
Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani reacts to a standing ovation from fans after hitting his 50th home run of the season, against the Marlins in Miami on Sept. 19.

Podcast

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

Longform

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

JT Directory Service

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mission sustainability vol.14 : Unicharm Corp.Unicharm recycles diapers back into diapers
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WHAT’S TRENDING

JAPAN
Ex-PM Miyazawa aired doubts about China's democratization to Clinton in '93
Then-Prime Minister Kiichi Miyazawa (left) and then-U.S. President Bill Clinton meet for talks at the White House on April 16, 1993.
JAPAN
Human error caused JAL jet collision at Haneda Airport: safety board
By Kathleen Benoza
The wreckage of a Japan Airlines plane after a collision with a Japan Coast Guard aircraft, at Haneda Airport in Tokyo on Jan. 5, three days after the crash.
JAPAN
Noto quake inspires more focus on getting disaster info to non-Japanese
International students and others participate in a disaster preparedness drill in Osaka City, where disaster information was conveyed in foreign languages.
JAPAN
Japan Airlines reports cyberattack on system, impacting flights
By Yukana Inoue and Francis Tang
Japan Airlines jets at Tokyo's Haneda Airport in August. On Thursday, JAL announced its systems had been targeted in a cyberattack.