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September 15, 2024
The Independent Voice in Asia
September 15, 2024
Shohei Ohtani
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A water tower at the United States Steel Edgar Thomson Works steel mill in Braddock, Pennsylvania, on Sept. 4
BUSINESS / Companies
Biden administration is likely to delay decision over U.S. Steel
By Alan Rappeport, Lauren Hirsch and Andrew Duehren
The White House has faced backlash for politicizing its review of Nippon Steel’s takeover of the company.
A water tower at the United States Steel Edgar Thomson Works steel mill in Braddock, Pennsylvania, on Sept. 4
Candidates for Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party presidential election stand together onstage at the Japan National Press Club in Tokyo on Saturday.
JAPAN / Politics
LDP presidential hopefuls outline approach to U.S. and China concerns
By Jesse Johnson
In addition to foreign policy, they discussed ways to restore public trust following a political funds scandal that rocked the party.
The construction site of the Rapidus chip factory in Chitose, in the northern prefecture of Hokkaido. The Rapidus chip factory in Chitose is a collaboration with IBM and backed by billions of dollars in government funding.
BUSINESS / Tech
Japan tries to reclaim its clout as a global tech leader
By Patricia Cohen and River Akira Davis
To do this, Japan is working with foreign tech leaders — an outward-looking, collaborative approach that decades earlier would have been unthinkable.
An undated image shows the tail of Japanese eel escaping via the gill of a dark sleeper after being eaten by the river-dwelling fish.
JAPAN / Science & Health
The terrifying way that eels escape a hungry fish’s stomach
By Annie Roth
Scientists at Nagasaki University used X-ray video to show juvenile Japanese eels staging Houdiniesque feats of escape.
A model displays a creation by Japanese designer Norio Surikabe during a runway show on Sept. 6 for the latest edition of Rakuten Fashion Week Tokyo.
LIFE / Style & Design
Tokyo’s top fashion showcase pushes rising stars to the world stage
By Mike Fu
Rakuten Fashion Week Tokyo celebrated industry veterans while shining a spotlight on emerging talent.
A model displays a creation by Japanese designer Norio Surikabe during a runway show on Sept. 6 for the latest edition of Rakuten Fashion Week Tokyo.

JAPAN

There are at least 17 murder retrials in which guilty sentences have been overturned in Japan since the end of World War II, and public prosecutors had appealed court decisions to hold retrials in 12 of the cases, resulting in delays in the completion of the retrials, according to sources.
70% of murder retrials with acquittals delayed by prosecutors
Retrial decisions where prosecutors didn't appeal to the top court took a short amount of time to finalize.
A guest uses chopsticks to grab and taste raw meat from a fin whale at the exhibition and business meeting of domestically produced fin whales hosted by Japan's whaling company Kyodo Senpaku at Tokyo's Toyosu market on Friday.
Hearts, tails and blubber at Japan fin whale tasting
By Natsuko Fukue
"Once young people eat it and they realize it's good, they will eat it more and more," said Hideki Tokoro, the head of Japan's main whaling firm.
Japan and Russia bureau-chief-level officials hold talks
Forced sterilization victims to receive ¥15 million in compensation
By Karin Kaneko
LDP presidential candidates field questions on political reform and economy
By Gabriele Ninivaggi and Eric Johnston
Japan may require more elderly people to foot 30% of their medical costs

BUSINESS

Employees work on an electric car production line near Ningbo, China, in April 2021. In new measures announced Friday, the Biden administration is moving to block off a popular tariff-free path for Chinese apparel coming into the United States, and added stiff levies on electric vehicles, solar panels and other products.
U.S. locks in steep China tariff hikes, as some industries warn of disruptions
By David Lawder
The tariffs include a 100% duty on Chinese EVs, 50% on solar cells and 25% on steel, aluminum, EV batteries and key minerals.
A secretive program called Secure Enclave and involving Intel and the Pentagon seeks to establish production for advanced chips with military and intelligence applications.
Intel solidifies $3.5 billion deal to make chips for U.S. military
By Mackenzie Hawkins and Ian King
The secretive program, called Secure Enclave, seeks to establish production for advanced chips with military and intelligence applications.
Nippon Steel may bid for Italy’s ex-Ilva plant, report says
By Flavia Rotondi
Boeing and union negotiators to resume talks next week amid strike
Seven & I gets new designation, a potential hurdle for takeover
By Koh Yoshida and Takashi Umekawa
Nippon Steel and U.S. Steel send letter to Biden on merger plans
By Yuka Obayashi

WORLD

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken speaks with British Foreign Secretary David Lammy as he arrives at the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office in London on Tuesday.
Diplomacy over Ukraine war is about weapons more than peace talks
By Edward Wong and Marc Santora
For both Ukraine and Russia, battlefield gains now might provide an upper hand in any negotiations later. That’s reflected in their discussions over arms with allies.
The Baden-Württemberg frigate and a support vessel sailed through the strait on Friday, Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said at a news conference in Berlin.
Germany sails first warship through Taiwan Strait in 22 years
The move defied Chinese warnings as relations between the two sides fray over trade and Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Slain Ugandan Olympian buried with full military honours
Philippines fishermen call for justice after oil tanker sinks
By Mariejo Ramos
Biden hasn’t let Ukraine strike seep into Russia. Could Britain change that?
By Mark Landler
Russia produces new kamikaze drone with Chinese engine
By Anthony Deutsch and Tom Balmforth

Sports

Naomi Osaka and coach Wim Fissette attend a training session ahead of the Brisbane International tennis tournament at Pat Rafter Arena in Brisbane, Australia, last December.
Former world No. 1 Naomi Osaka announces split with coach
The four-time Grand Slam champion has struggled to put together victories since she returned to the WTA Tour at Brisbane in January.
Report clears WADA in doping case involving Chinese swimmers
Canelo Alvarez will try to score knockout blow against Edgar Berlanga in title defense
MLB confirms A's will play in Sacramento in 2025
Swallows great Norichika Aoki to retire
By Jason Coskrey

Opinion

The deepening rift and growing geopolitical divide between the United States and Europe threatens the trans-Atlantic alliance.
The U.S. will abandon Europe. But when and how?
Andreas Kluth
The deepening rift and growing geopolitical divide between the United States and Europe threatens the trans-Atlantic alliance.
The genie is out of the bottle and headed for your phone
South Korea is facing deepfake porn crisis
By Catherine Thorbecke
Epic yen rally is a lesson in the lost art of FX intervention
By Daniel Moss
How Japanese and U.S. election coverage differs
By Kuni Miyake

ENVIRONMENT

A construction worker in Tokyo's Akasaka district on Aug. 21. With 886 cases, 54 of them fatal, during the period from 2019 to 2023, the construction industry leads Japan’s tally for occupational heatstroke.
Clocking off: Japan’s hotter summers put limit on outdoor work
By Annelise Giseburt
Climate change is forcing businesses to sacrifice productivity in the name of safety in industries ranging from construction to transportation.
A continent ablaze: South America surpasses record for fires
By Jake Spring and Stefanie Eschenbacher
Japan considers company support measures for long-term LNG contracts
By Yuka Obayashi
Australian airports face the worst climate-change risks
By Angus Whitley
As the Amazon’s biggest champion approaches 100, he’s still fighting
By Olivia Rudgard

CULTURE

Oasis band members Liam and Noel Gallagher are the subjects of a mural by artist Pic.One.Art in the Burnage area of Manchester, England.
A potential reunited Oasis gig in Japan should have promoters salivating
By Patrick St. Michel
The British rock act has a huge Japanese following, one that could provide a much-needed shot in the arm for the country's summer festivals.
Amy Adams gets real about motherhood in 'Nightbitch'
By Susan Stumme
The Tokyo Ballet marks year of rebirth with tributes to history and innovation
By Kris Kosaka
‘All About Suomi’: The leading lady shines, but the film lacks sparkle
By James Hadfield
‘My Sunshine’ brings together realism and lyricism to a rare degree
By Mark Schilling

LIFE

Japan has many rivers that run through its cities, but few offer the level of serenity and relaxation as Kyoto's Kamo River.
The enduring allure of Kyoto’s Kamo River
By Shawn B. Swinger
Many foreign tourists seek advice online about how much time they should devote to lounging by the lazy currents of the Kamo River.
AI fried chicken, retro chic collabs: Retailers rebrand Japan's New Year's cuisine
From kanji to math, what does a day at a Japanese elementary school look like?
By Yuko Tamura
'Dream men': Female cosplayers in China fulfill fantasies for young women
By Rita Qian
From People’s Park to Ikea, Shanghai’s seniors look for love
By Alexandra Stevenson

COMMUNITY

When it comes to a career in cuisine, chef Andreas Fuchs thinks newcomers will know within three months whether they want to commit to it or not.
Andreas Fuchs: ‘I love that no two days are the same’
By Louise George Kittaka
As the Grand Hyatt Tokyo’s executive chef, Andreas Fuchs is responsible for overseeing extensive menus across multiple venues.
Philippine envoy highlights climate and smart farms
By Louise George Kittaka
Over half a century, seeds of change grow at a Tochigi farm
By Madeleine Cuckson
Verdi is looking for a home as affectionate as him
Adrian Bianco: ‘Leaving your comfort zone keeps you alive’
By Ora Margolis

Editors' Picks

CULTURE
Tokyo Comedy Bar supersizes laughs with 11-night festival
By Zoria Petkoska
Since opening in 2022 in Shibuya Ward, Tokyo Comedy Bar has hosted comedy workshops, roast battles, open mics and international guests.
JAPAN
Scientists win Ig Nobel for discovering anal breathing in mammals
By Himari Semans
Takanori Takebe (behind the lectern) speaks after his team of researchers and he were awarded the Ig Nobel Prize in physiology at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge, Massachusetts, on Thursday.
BUSINESS
iPhone 16 to land in Japan without Apple Intelligence 
By Sam Byford
Apple CEO Tim Cook unveils the iPhone 16 at the Steve Jobs Theater on the company's campus in Cupertino, California, on Monday.
JAPAN
Small Hokkaido town ranked most comfortable place to live in Japan
By Jessica Speed
Asahidake in Daisetsuzan is located in the town of Higashikawa, Hokkaido, which ranked as the most comfortable municipality in 2024.
JAPAN
Updated Meiji Jingu Gaien redevelopment plan to keep more trees
By Yukana Inoue
Redevelopment of the Meiji Jingu Gaien district has trees in the area marked according to their status — trees marked in red were to be cut down in the original plan while those in blue were to be transplanted. In the updated plan, trees marked in red will no longer be felled, and those in blue will remain where they are.

Podcast

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

Longform

A store clerk tries to cool things down in front of their shop by spraying a hose.
Is extreme weather changing the way Japan shops?
By Alex K.T. Martin

JT Directory Service

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SUSTAINABLE JAPAN

Azabudai Hills, Tokyo’s green new downtown ‘village’
Azabudai Hills, Tokyo’s green new downtown ‘village’

WHAT’S TRENDING

BUSINESS
Japan jumps to No. 2, from sixth place, in Best Countries index
By Elizabeth Beattie
Pedestrians cross an intersection in the Shibuya district of Tokyo. Japan has experienced a postpandemic travel boom, with tourists pouring back in after restrictions closed the country’s borders to travelers.
COMMENTARY
South Korea is facing deepfake porn crisis
By Catherine Thorbecke
Activists hold up symbolic eye masks during a protest against deepfake porn in Seoul on Aug. 30.
JAPAN
Scientists win Ig Nobel for discovering anal breathing in mammals
By Himari Semans
Takanori Takebe (behind the lectern) speaks after his team of researchers and he were awarded the Ig Nobel Prize in physiology at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge, Massachusetts, on Thursday.
JAPAN
Chief priest of Tokyo shrine allegedly took ¥250 million from amulet sales
The Tokyo Regional Taxation Bureau in Tokyo's Chuo Ward
JAPAN
LDP presidential candidates field questions on political reform and economy
By Gabriele Ninivaggi and Eric Johnston
(From left) Economic security minister Sanae Takaichi, former economic security minister Takayuki Kobayashi, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi, former Environment Minister Shinjiro Koizumi, Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa, former Chief Cabinet Secretary Katsunobu Kato, digital minister Taro Kono, former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba and Liberal Democratic Party Secretary-General Toshimitsu Motegi pose for photographs at the ruling party's headquarters in Tokyo on Friday.