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TOKYO
April 12, 2025
The Independent Voice in Asia
April 12, 2025
Trump tariffs
Shigeru Ishiba
Osaka Expo
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Having had two meetings with U.S. President Donald Trump, Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba is slowly building a personal relationship with him, which matters greatly to the U.S. president and in resolving bilateral issues.
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Can anyone deal with Trump better than Ishiba?
By Eric Johnston
Trump’s shift on Japan tariffs offers relief, but Ishiba’s grip remains shaky amid internal discontent and challenging U.S. demands.

More coverage

U.S. allies greet Trump’s tariff U-turn with relief and defiance
China slaps 125% tariffs on U.S. goods but will 'ignore' further hikes
Having had two meetings with U.S. President Donald Trump, Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba is slowly building a personal relationship with him, which matters greatly to the U.S. president and in resolving bilateral issues.
Bank of Japan Gov. Kazuo Ueda at a news conference in January. He has been in the top position for two years.
BUSINESS / Economy
After two years in top job, BOJ's Ueda faces his biggest challenge yet 
By Kazuaki Nagata
Communication will be more crucial from now on, as the economic outlook will be more uncertain than ever because of the U.S. tariffs.
U.S. President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba at the White House in February
JAPAN / Politics
Trump calls U.S.-Japan alliance ‘one-sided’ as nations prepare for tariff talks
By Gabriel Dominguez
The U.S. president's remarks rekindled fears that he might use the talks to ask Tokyo to pay more for hosting troops, buy more weapons or further boost defense spending.
Shinji Ishimaru in June 2024
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Tokyo hopeful's campaign team accused of election law violation
By Yukana Inoue
The complaint alleges that Ishimaru's election team paid a company to livestream a gathering on YouTube that was held two days before the gubernatorial election.
Visitors walk past Sou Fujimoto's Grand Ring, which has been recognized as the largest wooden structure in the world.
JAPAN / Society / Longform
Can a World Expo still matter? Japan is about to find out.
By Tomoko Otake
On a man-made island in Osaka Bay, Japan stages a grand vision of the future — and a quiet test of relevance.
Visitors walk past Sou Fujimoto's Grand Ring, which has been recognized as the largest wooden structure in the world.

JAPAN

Japanese authorities will deploy up to 10,000 personnel for Saturday's Osaka Expo opening ceremony, including special units from police departments across the country.
Police say they are ready to ensure security for six-month Osaka Expo
Led by the Osaka Prefectural Police, authorities say they have thoroughly prepared for the World Expo, an event which poses significant security challenges.
The Osaka Prefectural Police headquarters in the city of Osaka
Japan Post employee arrested for mailing used condom to post office
According to the police, the envelope was addressed to a female employee working at the targeted branch.
Japan's foreign minister to attend NPT review prep meeting
Japan, U.S. to hold joint patrol after Okinawa sexual assaults
Japanese research team succeeds in fetal rat kidney transplant
AI suitcase for visually impaired to be tested at expo

BUSINESS

Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba gives instructions to Economic Revitalization Minister Ryosei Akazawa (third from left) and others at the Prime Minister's Office on Friday.
Japan braces for talks on yen and BOJ in trade negotiations with U.S.
By Leika Kihara and Makiko Yamazaki
Ryosei Akazawa, who is heading the task force, is reportedly set to meet U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent next week.
Environmental, social and governance funds are increasingly looking to Japan, as efforts to boost diversity are coming amid a regulatory and government push for better corporate governance.
Trump’s DEI rollback gives Japan a chance to draw ESG inflows
By Alice French
Japanese firms have long lagged behind their Western peers on gender equality, but the U.S. crackdown on diversity may give them a chance to shine.
Price expectations rise in Japan as tariffs cloud BOJ rate path
By Toru Fujioka
Prudential Life ordered to report preventative measures after three arrests
A trip to remember: Japan answers the demand for curated luxury travel
By Elizabeth Beattie
Japan brokerage body weighs tougher moves to fight phishing scams
By Takashi Nakamichi

WORLD

Ousted former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol waves to his supporters as he moves out of the presidential residence in Seoul on Friday.
Ousted South Korean President Yoon leaves official residence
The Constitutional Court upheld Yoon's impeachment last Friday, capping four months of unprecedented constitutional turmoil.
A rescue worker stands in front of a damaged building following a strong earthquake, in Mandalay, Myanmar, on April 3.
Making money out of a disaster: Fake news and the Myanmar quake
By Lin Taylor
Online schemes prey on the heightened fears and appetite for news that follow any disaster or outbreak of war.
Brain drain? Trump cutbacks force scientists to seek jobs in Europe
By Olivia Le Poidevin, Kate Abnett and Gloria Dickie
Two trapped in subway construction site collapse near Seoul
Fake accounts drove Duterte praise and now target Philippine election
By Poppy McPherson
In a first, Taiwan charges Chinese ship captain with damaging undersea cables
By Yimou Lee and Ben Blanchard

Sports

The Dodgers' Mookie Betts (left) and Shohei Ohtani pose with their Silver Slugger awards before a game against the Cardinals on March, 29, 2024.
Is Mookie Betts or Shohei Ohtani the better athlete? Dodgers teammates weigh in
By Ken Rosenthal
The beauty of the question is that even as baseball players, Ohtani and Betts are so different.
AI continues to revolutionize NBA as teams embrace technology
Mohamed Salah signs new contract to stay at Liverpool
Liam Lawson reflects on 'crazy' start to season after being dropped by Red Bull
MLS to open second phase of study to explore major overhaul of season

Opinion

The flags of participating countries are displayed near the entrance during a media preview day for the 2025 Osaka Expo on Wednesday.
Japan’s second city is hosting a $66 billion coming-out party
Gearoid Reidy
First held in London in 1851, world expos have been promoted as venues to bring nations together and foster global coordination.
Is China overproducing highly qualified talent?
By Kenichi Doi
Japan and NATO strengthen links amid rising security fears
Why buy the dollar if the U.S. becomes an economic island?
By Shuli Ren
Navigating the Trump storm
By Michael Spence

ENVIRONMENT

The Three Mile Island nuclear power plant in Middletown, Pennsylvania, in October. Microsoft is set to use energy from new reactors at the plant.
AI surge to double data center electricity demand by 2030, report says
By Nathalie ALONSO
AI can also unlock opportunities to produce and consume electricity more efficiently, the International Energy Agency said in its first report on the technology's implications.
Clean streets versus business woes: Pollution charge divides Londoners
By Akshata Kapoor
Once-dying Mexican river delta slowly nursed back to life by conservationists
By Daniel Rook
As Chile revs up lithium plans, Indigenous people demand more control
By Daina Beth Solomon
Global temperatures at near-historic highs in March, says EU monitor

CULTURE

"Giselle” is a ballet telling the story of a peasant girl that dies from a broken heart and the supernatural revenge and haunting that follow.
National Ballet of Japan takes its 'Giselle' to Royal Opera House in London
By Kris Kosaka
First staged in 2022 to celebrate the NBJ’s 25th anniversary season, Miyako Yoshida's production is revived for the first time with several Tokyo shows in April.
The band that turned a pandemic lockdown into a Tokyo dream
By Patrick St. Michel
‘The Brothers Kitaura’: A sordid tale of filial impropriety
By James Hadfield
‘Ghost Killer’: Spirited action and sharp humor make for deadly fun combo
By Mark Schilling
Online art scene eager to go offline, at least for the moment
By Zoria Petkoska

LIFE

Signs advertising the upcoming World Expo in Osaka have proliferated in the city's different neighborhood for the past few years.
I’ve only just come back from Osaka, but I’m ready to hit the Expo
By Yuko Tamura
The term “bakari” can be used in several different ways to emphasize and define the limit of a range.
Why Japan is running out of rice — and farmers to grow it
By Alex K.T. Martin
‘Japanese pastry has matured into its own distinct identity’
By Haru Beaufort
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

COMMUNITY

Tokyo Humanities Cafe was launched in 2017 by Laurence Williams (left) and Alex Watson, professors at Sophia and Meiji Universities, respectively.
Tokyo Humanities Cafe feeds hungry minds
By Jessica Kozuka
A free quarterly event invites everyone to explore what it means to be human.
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
Shogo Yamaguchi: ‘Traditional culture thrives in a peaceful society’
By Laura Pollacco
A tawny Kai ken discovers his courage

Editors' Picks

JAPAN
How police are cracking down on 'scout' sex broker groups
By Karin Kaneko
The skyline during sunset in Shinjuku, Tokyo. Japan's new underground criminal groups operate under a highly organized and brutal system.
BUSINESS
Tokyo cheers Trump’s tariff U-turn with second-biggest market gain ever
By Francis Tang
U.S. President Donald Trump looks on after signing an executive order in the Oval Office of the White House on Wednesday in Washington.
SUMO
Takayasu’s latest heartbreak makes sumo history
By John Gunning
Takayasu during the one-day Annual Sumo Tournament at the Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo on Feb 9, 2020
JAPAN
Who is Ryosei Akazawa, Japan's tariffs negotiator?
By Eric Johnston
Economic revitalization minister Ryosei Akazawa, who Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has appointed Japan's tariff negotiator, is one of his closest allies and busiest ministers.
JAPAN
After a tumultuous buildup, a first look at the Osaka Expo
By Joel Tansey and Tomoko Otake
A large statue of Osaka Expo mascot Myaku Myaku sits near the east entrance of the event's venue in Yumeshima island, Osaka, on Wednesday.

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

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WHAT’S TRENDING

SUMO
Takayasu’s latest heartbreak makes sumo history
By John Gunning
Takayasu during the one-day Annual Sumo Tournament at the Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo on Feb 9, 2020
JAPAN
How police are cracking down on 'scout' sex broker groups
By Karin Kaneko
The skyline during sunset in Shinjuku, Tokyo. Japan's new underground criminal groups operate under a highly organized and brutal system.
JAPAN
The man who sent Japan's cherry blossoms out to the world
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Masatoshi Asari is one of Japan’s foremost living authorities on cherry trees and their blossoms.
BUSINESS
Tokyo cheers Trump’s tariff U-turn with second-biggest market gain ever
By Francis Tang
U.S. President Donald Trump looks on after signing an executive order in the Oval Office of the White House on Wednesday in Washington.
BUSINESS
Berkshire sells $628 million in yen bonds in smallest Japan deal
By Ayai Tomisawa
Berkshire Hathaway concluded a ¥90 billion ($628 million) bond deal on Friday, the smallest yen deal by investor Warren Buffett’s firm since it started tapping the Japanese market in 2019.