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January 27, 2025
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January 27, 2025
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Fuji TV is expected to hold a board meeting on Monday afternoon followed by a news conference open to all media.
JAPAN / Society
Fuji TV to hold a board meeting and a news conference amid scandal fallout
By Yukana Inoue and Karin Kaneko
Fuji TV's president has been the target of criticism following the revelation he knew of “trouble" involving celebrity Masahiro Nakai and a woman since right after the incident.

More coverage

What are the real issues behind the Fuji TV scandal?
Fuji TV scandal sparks probes on exploitation within TV industry
Fuji TV is expected to hold a board meeting on Monday afternoon followed by a news conference open to all media.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection security agents guide detained migrants to board a U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III aircraft for a removal flight at Fort Bliss, Texas, on Thursday.
WORLD / Politics
Colombia caves on deportations after Trump tariffs, sanctions threat
Trump's threatened punitive action appeared aimed at making an example of Colombia, after the Latin American nation initially refused U.S. military deportation flights.
People pray for the victims of a deadly stabbing attack outside Nagano Station on Sunday.
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Nagano stabbing suspect sent to prosecutors after deadly attack
The apparently random stabbing follows two other similar attacks, including the high-profile killing of a teenage girl at a Kitakyushu McDonald's last month.
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba enters the Prime Minister's Office in Tokyo on Friday.
JAPAN / Politics
Ishiba carefully considering release of war anniversary statement
Conservative members of the prime minister's ruling Liberal Democratic Party oppose releasing such a statement.
Ayumi Matsuki, a priestess at Yoshiwara Shrine, shows off some "o-mamori" charms. She says visitors to the shrine have increased since the NHK drama “Unbound” began airing this month.
JAPAN / History / Longform
Tracing Tsutaya Juzaburo, Edo’s media maverick
By Alex K.T. Martin
Discover the hometown of the Yoshiwara publisher who helped shape Japan’s artistic legacy and inspired NHK’s latest period drama.
Ayumi Matsuki, a priestess at Yoshiwara Shrine, shows off some "o-mamori" charms. She says visitors to the shrine have increased since the NHK drama “Unbound” began airing this month.

JAPAN

An Asian black bear preys on a live deer caught in a trap in Nikko, Tochigi Prefecture, in May, in this video footage taken by researchers.
Black bear caught on camera attacking trapped deer in rare footage
The discovery suggests that if bears learn to associate traps with easy prey, the risk of encounters with humans could rise.
Fujitsu and the National Institute of Informatics have launched a full-scale industry-academia collaboration to curb the spread of disinformation, including deepfakes created through generative artificial intelligence.
Japan launches industry and academia tie-up to combat online disinformation
Nine companies and academic institutions aim to put an integrated system for combating false information into use by March 2026.
Osaka bans street smoking ahead of Expo 2025
Towns near Fukushima plant struggle to attract families with children
Japan's young government officials to help municipalities as side gig
Yamagata Gov. Mieko Yoshimura wins fifth term

BUSINESS

Bank of Japan Gov. Kazuo Ueda explains the central bank's decision on its interest rate hike during a news conference after a policy meeting on Friday.
BOJ may revert to fuzzy communication after Fed-style rates clarity
By Leika Kihara
The BOJ fumbled its communication in December, surprising investors, but then telegraphed Friday's increase so unambiguously that the rate hike was 90% priced in.
A worker assembles temporary shelters in preparation for mass deportations at the U.S.-Mexico border in Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua state, Mexico, on Friday.
Wall Street banks on Trump not following through on immigration pledges
By Esha Dey
Mass deportations would likely upend industries as varied as service-heavy hospitality and leisure, labor-intensive agriculture, food production, manufacturing and construction.
Brookfield seeks to buy more property in Japan after $1.6 billion in deals
By Lisa Du
Ancora seeks U.S. Steel board revamp, end to Nippon Steel deal
By Crystal Tse and Joe Deaux
Companies in Kyushu struggle to enter TSMC’s supply chain
Perplexity AI proposes to merge with TikTok, with U.S. government getting half, source says

WORLD

The wreckage of the Jeju Air aircraft that went off the runway and crashed at Muan International Airport lies near a concrete structure it crashed into, in Muan, South Korea, Dec. 30.
Duck remains found in both engines of Jeju Air plane that crashed, report says
By Jack Kim
The authorities are still trying to determine what caused the deadliest air disaster on South Korean soil.
U.S. President Donald Trump looks on as reporters ask questions aboard Air Force One during a flight from Las Vegas to Miami on Saturday.
Trump, at zenith of power, moves quickly to 'take over' Washington
By Gram Slattery
Trump's agenda faces roadblocks going forward, and the opening weeks of his administration may represent the height of his power, some supporters acknowledge.
Sweden opens sabotage probe into Baltic undersea cable damage
By Andrius Sytas and Johan Ahlander
Ice in the sky: Thailand's fight against air pollution
By Sally JENSEN
Trump seizes wartime powers in battle for more fossil fuels
By Jennifer A Dlouhy and Ari Natter
Judge scoffs at legality of Trump’s bid to limit birthright citizenship
By Anna Edgerton

Sports

Hoshoryu dispatches Oho in a playoff to clinch the Emperor's Cup on the final day of the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament on Sunday in Tokyo.
Hoshoryu overcomes rank-and-file wrestlers to put yokozuna promotion in sight
By John Gunning
Despite the best efforts of Kinbozan and Oho, it was ozeki Hoshoryu that eventually emerged victorious in the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament.
Police investigating threats against Premier League referee Michael Oliver
Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim defends stance on Marcus Rashford
Jalen Hurts and Saquon Barkley propel Eagles into Super Bowl
Lara Gut-Behrami wins super-G in Garmisch; Lindsey Vonn 13th

Opinion

Bank of Japan Gov. Kazuo Ueda attends a news conference after the central bank's policy meeting in Tokyo on Friday. The BOJ raised its rate by a quarter-point to 0.5% that day.
Japan’s central bank drops the drama and wins on rates
Daniel Moss and Gearoid Reidy
The quarter-point increase, which took the main rate to 0.5%, was probably the most telegraphed this century.
Why a recent pig kidney transplant is a major advance
By Lisa Jarvis
America’s mass deportation clash is unprecedented
By Patricia Lopez
Zuckerberg's newfound libertarianism is worrying Brazil
By Juan Pablo Spinetto
Japan and South Korea were stable U.S. allies. Not anymore.
By KARISHMA VASWANI

ENVIRONMENT

A pipe for transporting carbon dioxide to removal equipment at a carbon capture and storage (CCS) test site in Tomakomai, Hokkaido.
How Japan is looking deep underground to solve its carbon problem
By Annelise Giseburt
Japan is investing billions of yen to get carbon capture and storage off the ground, but the technology is dogged by high costs and uncertainty.
Rubbish roads: Nepal explores paving with plastic
By Paavan MATHEMA
South Africa's patchwork climate plans risk widening inequality
By Kim Harrisberg
China’s surging power demand creates a climate conundrum
Mega-iceberg drifts toward Antarctic penguin island

CULTURE

Aside from purely aesthetics, the flowers in Mika Ninagawa’s art carry deep cultural and spiritual meaning.
Mika Ninagawa transforms the Kyocera Museum into a vibrant dreamworld
By Erik Augustin Palm
The artist’s most expansive exhibition in the Kansai region to date is an experience that straddles the boundaries of photography, film and installation art.
The cartoon chaos of ‘Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi’ was ahead of its time
By Patrick St. Michel
'Emilia Perez' tops Oscar nominations in fire-hit Hollywood
By Paula Ramon and Andrew Marszal
‘Missing Child Videotape’: Subtle chiller may leave J-horror fans underwhelmed
By James Hadfield
‘Teki Cometh’ slides in and out of a hypnotic dreamworld
By Mark Schilling

LIFE

With abundant rains and formidable humidity in summer, Japan does not seem to be an ideal land for wine, but winegrowers in Yamanashi Prefecture have gradually been able to adapt.
Of sake and spirits: Indulging in Yamanashi’s best
By Kimberly Hughes
Visits to Grace Wine’s vineyard and the Suntory Hakushu Distillery turn a tour of the mountainous prefecture into a gourmet treat.
Where to begin when it comes to Japanese wine
By Weiwen Lin
Global tourism is back to pre-COVID highs
By Daniel Silva
Annoyed? Unfairly treated? Express yourself in Japanese with the passive voice
By Yaeko Kabe
Japan-made games part of a rising tide of indie greatness
By Samantha Low

COMMUNITY

Rodgers (right) was a longtime managing editor of Kyoto Journal and, alongside colleagues like Susan Pavloska (left) and John Einarsen (center), helped make it one of Japan’s leading English-language publications.
Ken Rodgers, a fixture of the Kyoto literary scene, dies at 72
By Eric Johnston
Hailing from Australia, Rodgers made a home and community for himself in Japan’s ancient capital across more than four decades.
Kenny Colvin: ‘Work hard, drink hard, eat hard … relax hard’
By Mike Fu
Namnam reborn: A queer, anarchist space resettles in Tokyo's Koenji
By Aku Owaka-Haigh
Due north: Foreign-born guides introduce Hokkaido’s unique charms
By Justin Randall
Kaz Shiomi: ‘I want to show people … how to color outside the lines’
By Laura Pollacco

Editors' Picks

ENVIRONMENT
How Japan is looking deep underground to solve its carbon problem
By Annelise Giseburt
A pipe for transporting carbon dioxide to removal equipment at a carbon capture and storage (CCS) test site in Tomakomai, Hokkaido.
SUMO
Hoshoryu overcomes rank-and-file wrestlers to put yokozuna promotion in sight
By John Gunning
Hoshoryu dispatches Oho in a playoff to clinch the Emperor's Cup on the final day of the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament on Sunday in Tokyo.
LIFE
Of sake and spirits: Indulging in Yamanashi’s best
By Kimberly Hughes
With abundant rains and formidable humidity in summer, Japan does not seem to be an ideal land for wine, but winegrowers in Yamanashi Prefecture have gradually been able to adapt.
LIFE
Japan’s love affair with Dragon Quest spreads worldwide
By Oliver Jia
Upon the release of Dragon Quest VII in 2000, hundreds of customers lined up outside stores in Tokyo to secure a copy of the new game. With a remake of a 1988 title, the rest of the world is understanding why Japanese gamers love the series so much.
LIFE
Why tatami is going from the floor to the dining table
By Phoebe Amoroso
At several high-end restaurants in Tokyo, tatami is becoming a part of the dining experience — not underfoot but as a tabletop place mat for phones.

Podcast

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

Longform

Ayumi Matsuki, a priestess at Yoshiwara Shrine, shows off some "o-mamori" charms. She says visitors to the shrine have increased since the NHK drama “Unbound” began airing this month.
Tracing Tsutaya Juzaburo, Edo’s media maverick
By Alex K.T. Martin

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WHAT’S TRENDING

COMMENTARY
Japan and South Korea were stable U.S. allies. Not anymore.
By KARISHMA VASWANI
Supporters of South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol protest in Seoul on Tuesday. The previous leaders of the U.S. and Japan, along with Yoon, focused on strengthening alliances and regional stability through cooperation whereas newly elected U.S. President Donald Trump’s approach to foreign policy may prioritize transactional relationships.
JAPAN
Police arrest suspect in deadly Nagano stabbings
A Nagano Prefectural Police official speaks during a news conference in the city of Nagano on Sunday following the arrest of a suspect in a deadly stabbing days earlier.
SUMO
Hoshoryu overcomes rank-and-file wrestlers to put yokozuna promotion in sight
By John Gunning
Hoshoryu dispatches Oho in a playoff to clinch the Emperor's Cup on the final day of the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament on Sunday in Tokyo.
ASIA PACIFIC
Seoul court rejects second request to extend Yoon detention
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol attends a hearing for his impeachment trial at the Constitutional Court in Seoul on Thursday.
JAPAN
Suspect says woman found dead on remote Tokyo island killed herself
The beach on Izu-Oshima island where Shizuka Takase's remains were found in October of last year.