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April 06, 2025
The Independent Voice in Asia
April 06, 2025
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U.S. President Donald Trump waves as he walks to deliver remarks on reciprocal tariffs during an event in the Rose Garden entitled "Make America Wealthy Again" at the White House in Washington on Wednesday.
BUSINESS / Economy
'Hang tough, it won't be easy': Trump defiant on tariffs
The comments came as Trump's widest-ranging trade measures took effect in a move that could trigger retaliation and escalating economic tensions.

More coverage

Ishiba says he plans speak to Trump about tariffs in coming days
Japan digs deep to address 'national crisis' caused by Trump tariffs
U.S. President Donald Trump waves as he walks to deliver remarks on reciprocal tariffs during an event in the Rose Garden entitled "Make America Wealthy Again" at the White House in Washington on Wednesday.
Leaders of ruling and opposition political parties have a meeting on Friday at Diet building in Tokyo.
JAPAN / Politics
Calls for consumption tax cut increasing in Japan
With food and other prices still rising, even ruling party officials have started to demand consumption tax cuts as a key policy for this summer's elections.
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte plans to visit Japan on Tuesday and Wednesday — his first to the Indo-Pacific region since taking office in October, as he seeks to implement lessons from the ongoing war in Ukraine.
JAPAN / Politics
‘Let’s make it practical’: NATO chief eyes greater defense-industrial ties with Japan
By Gabriel Dominguez
Japan and NATO plan to take their partnership to the next level by stepping up information-sharing and defense-industrial cooperation, Secretary-General Mark Rutte said.
Prince Hisahito attends the entrance ceremony at the University of Tsukuba in Ibaraki Prefecture on Saturday.
JAPAN
Japan's Prince Hisahito starts college life
The nephew of Emperor Naruhito is enrolled in the University of Tsukuba's University's School of Life and Environmental Sciences.
Honda Racing President Koji Watanabe says the carmaker's development on the next generation of Formula One engines is proceeding as planned ahead of sweeping regulation changes in 2026.
MORE SPORTS / Auto Racing
Honda looks toward its F1 future as Red Bull partnership nears end
By Joel Tansey
Honda Racing President Koji Watanabe discusses the carmaker's past and future in Formula One as its Red Bull partnership draws to a close.
Honda Racing President Koji Watanabe says the carmaker's development on the next generation of Formula One engines is proceeding as planned ahead of sweeping regulation changes in 2026.

JAPAN

Vehicles used for ride-hailing services in the city of Kiryu, in Gunma Prefecture
Ride-hailing services spreading in Japan
About 3,300 people have registered as ride-hailing drivers in central Tokyo and other areas.
Anti-Yoon protesters hold up placards reading "Let's build a democratic government!" during a rally in Seoul on Friday after South Korea's Constitutional Court upheld the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol.
Yoon's ouster prompts Japanese concerns about ties with South Korea
Japan is worried that Yoon's removal from power will undo the improvements in bilateral relations made under his administration.
Victims of WWII mass suicide mourned in Okinawa
Japan Times 1925: Peace law has several teeth
Shiga police arrest three men for allegedly hiding corpse in freezer
LDP reels in DPP to win political donation war against CDP
By Himari Semans

BUSINESS

U.S. President Donald Trump signs an executive order during a tariff announcement in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington on Wednesday. Trump's tariffs policies are the centerpiece of his effort to bring manufacturing back to the U.S. and reshape a world trade system he has long decried as unfair.
Trump promised a manufacturing boom. Industries are not so sure.
Some question the tariffs' underlying logic, saying that supply chain issues, high costs, and other obstacles stand may in the way.
Nissan plans to reduce production at its Fukuoka factory and shift some manufacturing of its Rogue SUV to the United States to mitigate the impact of Trump's tariffs.
Nissan considers transferring some domestic production to U.S., report says
The carmaker plans to reduce production at its Fukuoka factory and shift some manufacturing to the U.S. to mitigate the impact of Trump's tariffs.
'Anxious' U.S. farmers see tariffs as threatening earnings
By Beiyi Seow
Breaking with tradition: From the shop floor to fighting for millions
By Nobuko Kobayashi
U.S. starts collecting Trump's new 10% tariff, smashing global trade norms
Recession trade engulfs Wall Street on tariff fight

WORLD

A rescue worker walks past construction equipment being used to clear rubble at the site of a collapsed building in Mandalay, Myanmar, on Saturday.
Rains add to challenge for Myanmar quake relief as toll tops 3,470
The death toll from the powerful quake that hit on March 28 rose to 3,471, state media reported, with 4,671 people injured and another 214 still missing.
Protesters hold up signs during a demonstration against U.S. President Donald Trump and his administration in downtown Los Angeles on Saturday. Scores of protests were held across the country the same day.
Tens of thousands in U.S. turn out to protest against Trump policies
Some 1,200 demonstrations nationwide formed one of the largest single days of protest against President Donald Trump since he was sworn in.
Zelenskyy slams 'weak' U.S. response to Russian strike on his hometown
Trump administration appoints junior officer to oversee U.S. Foreign Service
By Humeyra Pamuk
U.S. progress against resilient Houthi militants remains murky
By Eric Martin and Courtney McBride
Cambodia hails opening of naval base renovated by China

Sports

Capitals winger Alex Ovechkin during the third period of Washington's game against Chicago on Friday. Ovechkin tied Wayne Gretzky's all-time goal record with his 894th career marker.
Ice legends: Alex Ovechkin and Wayne Gretzky had different paths to 894
Gretzky became the NHL's all-time goals leader while also serving as the league's premier playmaker, while Ovechkin has been known for his goal scoring since his rookie year.
Arsenal draws at Everton to push Liverpool closer to Premier League title
By Kieran CANNING
Dodgers hold Phillies to four hits as Sasaki impresses
Tsunoda struggles in first qualifying with Red Bull as Verstappen takes pole
By Joel Tansey
Ovechkin scores 894th career goal to tie Gretzky's all-time record

Opinion

DOGE, the U.S. government reform project, embodies America's brash, fast-paced approach to change, while Japan’s cultural norms emphasize slower, more deliberate decision-making rooted in consensus.
The DOGE solution? 'No thanks,' says Japan, with reason
Brad Glosserman
I can’t imagine a DOGE-like beast in Japan. No one can. It is utterly alien to every tradition, precedent or cultural inclination in this country.
‘Liberation Day’ will weigh heavily on the world
Identifying choke points in the semiconductor supply chain
By Eiki Tagami
Europe must set the terms for postwar Russia engagement now
By Thomas O. Falk
Europe’s VAT hurts the U.S.? Retaliate with a VAT.
By Clive Crook

ENVIRONMENT

Nattanit Yiamthaisong (right), a Ph.D. student, Thongyod Chiangkanta, a technician from the Forest Restoration Research Unit at Chiang Mai University (enter) and a forest guide walk through areas damaged by wildfires in Thailand's Umphang Wildlife Sanctuary on March 22.
'It's gone': conservation science in Thailand's burning forest
By Sara Hussein
Scientists are confronting the toll that human activity and climate change are already having on forests that are supposed to be pristine and protected.
Artificial glaciers boost water supply in northern Pakistan
Rising seas test defenses of South American ports
By Axl HERNANDEZ
Clouds changing as world warms, adding to climate uncertainty
By Nick Perry
Trump can't stop 'sustainability revolution': Al Gore

CULTURE

Sasami has had a connection to Japan since childhood as her mother's side of the family is Zainichi Korean and has lived in Japan for years. The musician grew up listening to city pop and watching Japanese TV.
Sasami is in her pop era, and she’s not overthinking it
By Patrick St. Michel
As the singer explores Tokyo, she reflects on identity and her latest album, “Blood On the Silver Screen.”
Authors hold London protest against Meta for 'stealing' work to train AI
By James PHEBY
‘Unreachable’: An attractive but half-baked fantasy
By James Hadfield
AI may be coming for anime, but Hayao Miyazaki is irreplaceable, son says
By Natsuko Fukue
‘Let’s Meet at Angie’s Bar’: A granny like none other
By Mark Schilling

LIFE

Japanese desserts have been turning heads in recent months for a series world-firsts.
‘Japanese pastry has matured into its own distinct identity’
By Haru Beaufort
“There’s been a shift over the years where Japanese pastry chefs are moving away from simply replicating French techniques,” says chef Koichi Katsumata.
In Los Angeles, Courtney Kaplan says sake is having a moment
By Melinda Joe
Can Japan's take on fandom help drive spending?
By Satoshi Sugiyama
Meeting new colleagues and introducing yourself in Japanese
By Yuko Tamura
The last cleanup: Life and death in a lonely Japan
By Johan Brooks

COMMUNITY

Shogo Yamaguchi shares his love of traditional Japanese culture with an audience of nearly 2 million YouTube subscribers.
Shogo Yamaguchi: ‘Traditional culture thrives in a peaceful society’
By Laura Pollacco
The Kyoto-based content creator shares travel tips and reminisces on the path that led him to where he is today.
Meet the cool cat with a roguish mustache
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
A tawny Kai Ken discovers his courage

Editors' Picks

CULTURE
Tottori takes a bold leap forward in the arts
By Jennifer Pastore
The city of Kurayoshi in Tottori Prefecture celebrated the opening of its public art museum with festivities such as a parade that drew 1,000 revelers.
CULTURE
Haruki Murakami TV adaptation revisits 30 years of watershed moments
By Mike Fu
Though Haruki Murakami's trademark whiff of offbeat existentialism is threaded throughout NHK's "After the Quake," the final episode — conceived as a sequel to the story "Super-Frog Saves Tokyo" — is the most stylized, featuring an anthropomorphic talking frog (voiced by Non) and his erstwhile associate Katagiri (Koichi Sato).
LIFE
Nintendo to launch the Switch 2 on June 5
By Sam Byford
The controllers for the Switch 2 will attach to the console magnetically rather than sliding on rails as with the original device.
JAPAN
A new human trafficking trend emerges from Myanmar scam centers
By Yukana Inoue
Victims of scam centers who were tricked or trafficked into working in Myanmar gather at a compound inside KK Park, a fraud center on the country's border with Thailand, after a multinational crackdown in February.
BUSINESS
A Canadian made a weekend trip to Costco a Japanese pastime
By Elizabeth Beattie
Under the watchful eye of Ken Theriault, Costco representative director and Japan country manager, the American membership-model wholesaler has flourished in Japan.

Podcast

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

Longform

Professional cleaner Hirofumi Sakurai takes a moment to appreciate some photographs in a Gotanda apartment whose occupant died alone.
The last cleanup: Life and death in a lonely Japan
By Johan Brooks

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SUSTAINABLE JAPAN

BOARDING & INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL DAY 2025 (Sunday, April 20)
BOARDING & INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL DAY 2025 (Sunday, April 20)

WHAT’S TRENDING

JAPAN
3D printer used to construct train station building in Japan
A train station building (front) is assembled from parts printed using 3D printer technology, in Arida, Wakayama Prefecture, on Wednesday.
BUSINESS
Nissan says it will not take new U.S. orders for Mexican-built Infiniti SUVs
A Nissan manufacturing complex in Aguascalientes, Mexico. Nissan says it will not take new orders from the United States for two Mexican-built Infiniti SUVs following new auto tariffs levied by the U.S.
BUSINESS
Japan digs deep to address 'national crisis' caused by Trump tariffs
By Francis Tang and Gabriele Ninivaggi
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba speaks during a news conference at the Prime Minister's Office on April 1. He has said that Japan is facing a "national crisis" following the introduction of new tariffs by the United States.
JAPAN
Tokyo’s KK Line to close for decadelong overhaul as public greenway
By Jessica Speed
People enjoy running and yoga on Tokyo Expressway’s KK Line, a 2-kilometer elevated expressway cutting through the capital’s commercial Ginza district, when it was opened as a pedestrian space in May last year.
BUSINESS
Japan promises 'bold and speedy' response to Trump’s surprise 24% tariffs
By Francis Tang
U.S. President Donald Trump unveils new U.S. tariffs at the White House in Washington on Wednesday.