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TOKYO
December 12, 2024
The Independent Voice in Asia
December 12, 2024
South Korea unrest
Trump tariffs
2024 in review
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South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol delivers an address to the nation at the Presidential Office in Seoul on Thursday.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
South Korea's Yoon remains defiant as impeachment odds jump
The embattled president said he will "fight until the end," while the chief of his own party called for his impeachment.

More coverage

South Korea's soft power gains at risk from extended political crisis
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol delivers an address to the nation at the Presidential Office in Seoul on Thursday.
Tokyo has the highest price-to-income ratio for high-rise condominiums in the country, at 17.78 times.
BUSINESS / Economy
New Japanese condos now cost 10 times average salary, study shows
By Kazuaki Nagata
Wages are not keeping up with rising costs, resulting in developers focusing on the higher end of the market.
Illegally cultivated cannabis plants uncovered by police at a home in Chiba Prefecture. Revised cannabis-related laws now criminalize the use of marijuana in addition to its possession and sale.
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Japan tightens cannabis laws amid rising youth usage
By Jessica Speed
The use of marijuana has been criminalized, with the maximum penalty for possession, transfer and now usage set at up to seven years in prison.
A handout photo shows Kosuke Nozaki (right), who was found dead of a drug overdose, and Saki Sudo, who was his wife.
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
28-year-old widow of ‘Don Juan of Kishu’ acquitted of his murder
By Kanako Takahara
Prosecutors had argued that Saki Sudo, 28, somehow caused her wealthy 77-year-old husband Kosuke Nozaki to ingest drugs, resulting in a fatal overdose.
On Dec. 11, Universal Studios Japan officially unveiled its new Donkey Kong Country area, putting the iconic character in the spotlight for the first time in a while.
LIFE / Travel
USJ’s new Donkey Kong Country is a barrel of fun
By Joel Tansey
Mine Cart Madness is the area’s only ride, but there are shops and snacking options as well as chances to meet costumed characters from the iconic series.
On Dec. 11, Universal Studios Japan officially unveiled its new Donkey Kong Country area, putting the iconic character in the spotlight for the first time in a while.

JAPAN

The Lower House Budget Committee clears the 2024 supplementary budget on Thursday.
Lower House passes ¥13.9 trillion supplementary budget
By Eric Johnston
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba’s minority government made concessions to the opposition to secure support for the budget, which includes an economic stimulus package.
The head priest of Kiyomizu Temple writes the kanji "kin," which was chosen by the public as the character that best represents 2024, on Thursday in Kyoto.
'Kin' selected as the kanji of 2024 after strong year for Japanese athletes
By Kathleen Benoza
The choice also reflected the Liberal Democratic Party’s slush-fund scandal and the spate of robberies involving shady part-time jobs.
LDP and opposition far from consensus over corporate donations
Approval rate of Ishiba's Cabinet dips to 26.8%, poll shows
Fossil fuels initially needed for AI boom, Tepco adviser says
By Shoko Oda and Shery Ahn
Widow of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe hopes to meet with Trump
By Himari Semans

BUSINESS

People are seen at one of Seven & I Holdings's 7-Eleven convenience stores in Tokyo in January 2017.
7-Eleven battle shows resilience of Japan Inc.'s family ties
By David Dolan and Rocky Swift
Founding families are able to wield considerable power in Japanese companies despite holding small stakes.
Monex Group Chairperson Oki Matsumoto (center), celebrates the debut of Coincheck on the Nasdaq Global Market on Wednesday in New York.
Japanese crypto exchange Coincheck goes public in U.S.
Coincheck, effectively controlled by Japanese online broker Monex Group, aims to expand its operations through acquisitions in the U.S. and Japan.
Danger for yen emerges with speculation BOJ may stand pat longer
By Saburo Funabiki and Mia Glass
Nippon Life ramps up global push with $550 million TCW deal
By Taiga Uranaka and Nao Sano
Nvidia steps up hiring in China to focus on AI-driven cars
VP Nobuhiro Torii to become Suntory's next president

WORLD

Then-U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping shake hands ahead of their bilateral meeting during the Group of 20 leaders summit in Osaka in June 2019.
Trump invites Xi to attend inauguration, report says
By Jenny Leonard and Akayla Gardner
The invitation signals an effort by Trump to court his Chinese counterpart on the heels of threats of fresh tariffs against China.
There is no guarantee that bird flu will ever begin transmitting between humans, and U.S. health authorities have emphasized that the risk to the general public remains low.
'Knocking on our door': Experts warn of bird flu's pandemic threat
By Daniel Lawler
U.S. health authorities have emphasized that the risk to the general public remains low.
Immigration whiplash hits Canada’s colleges in warning for economy
By Randy Thanthong-Knight and Monique Mulima
Rise in pro-government 'fact checking' sparks concern in Europe
By Michelle FITZPATRICK
Syrian refugees in Europe fear being forced home after Assad's fall
By Karolina Tagaris, Edward McAllister and Riham Alkousaa
Militant leader's endgame is big unknown in post-Assad Syria
By Sam Dagher and Henry Meyer

Sports

Fans in Saudi Arabia celebrate after the nation was confirmed as host of the 2034 FIFA World Cup
Saudi Arabia awarded 2034 FIFA World Cup despite human rights concerns
FIFA also confirmed that Morocco, Spain and Portugal will be joint hosts of the 2030 World Cup, in which three games will also be played in South America.
Bill Belichick announced as head coach of North Carolina
Brooks Koepka envisions Liv and PGA staging Ryder Cup-style event
Pep Guardiola stays positive after City's woes continue against Juventus
IOC presidential hopeful Morinari Watanabe calls for changes in marketing strategy

Opinion

The vast amount of money poured into the 2024 U.S. presidential election did not have a decisive effect on the outcome: Donald Trump won, despite being significantly outspent by Kamala Harris.
Big money beat bigger money in the U.S. election
Hippolyte Fofack
The vast amount of money that poured into the 2024 race did not have a decisive effect on the outcome.
Japan’s auto industry looks down the road to Trump presidency
By Makoto Shiono
Impending fallout from Yoon's political problems
By Stephen R. Nagy
A restart of Senkaku firing ranges is long overdue
By Robert D. Eldridge
India’s statistical challenges mirror China’s past issues
By Mihir Sharma

ENVIRONMENT

The government is preparing to set Japan’s new Nationally Determined Contribution, an emissions reduction commitment made by members of the United Nations climate framework's Paris Agreement.
As Japan nears new climate goal, criticism of policy process ramps up
By Tomoko Otake and Chris Russell
Critics say the process is not intended to facilitate genuine debate, and that those who support the energy status quo are overrepresented on policy panels.
Climate change forged a new reality in 2024: 'This is life now'
By Clar Ni Chonghaile and Diana Baptista
Free green power in Sweden is crippling its wind industry
By Lars Paulsson
Tokyo Gas eyes wind power projects in Southeast Asia
Scientists behind ‘net zero’ concept say nations are getting it wrong
By Eric Roston

CULTURE

“Hayao Miyazaki and the Heron" provides an in-depth look into the octogenarian auteur’s creative process and personal reflections.
‘Hayao Miyazaki and the Heron’ documentary meditates on auteur's creativity and legacy
By Erik Augustin Palm
Filmed with unparalleled access to Studio Ghibli, director Kaku Arakawa captures the vulnerability and genius behind master animator Hayao Miyazaki’s latest feature.
‘Cells at Work!’: Cellular shenanigans make for a fantastic voyage
By James Hadfield
‘Ainu Puri’: A vital portrait of indigenous culture in contemporary Japan
By Mark Schilling
'Emilia Perez,' 'The Brutalist' lead Golden Globe film nominations
By Lisa Richwine and Danielle Broadway
'Squid Game' premieres in Seoul after martial law declaration
By Claire Lee

LIFE

On Dec. 11, Universal Studios Japan officially unveiled its new Donkey Kong Country area, putting the iconic character in the spotlight for the first time in a while.
USJ’s new Donkey Kong Country is a barrel of fun
By Joel Tansey
Mine Cart Madness is the area’s only ride, but there are shops and snacking options as well as chances to meet costumed characters from the iconic series.
How often do Japan's buzzwords make it into the vernacular?
By Yuko Tamura
After 12 years, Designtide Tokyo returns with a lineup of sensory dialogue
By Erik Augustin Palm
Welcome to Yama, Japan’s first Michelin-starred dessert restaurant
By Haru Beaufort
Did Kanye West really discover Tokyo’s best jerk chicken spot?
By Patrick St. Michel

COMMUNITY

Yurie Collins is a bilingual comedian based in Tokyo. In addition to being a prize-winning roast comic, her dating-themed "Tokyo Hoe Tales" shows have proven to be a hit with women of all nationalities.
Yurie Collins: ‘Everyone seems sedated, fed-up … that’s why they turn to comedy’
By Zoria Petkoska
Yurie Collins is a bicultural stand-up comedian who has opened for comedian Atsuko Okatsuka and the upcoming Iliza Shlesinger show in Tokyo.
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
How a solo yoga teacher built a wellness community in the Japanese Alps
By Samantha Mythen
Omar Nok: 'There are good people everywhere'
By Ansel Swindells

Editors' Picks

SUMO
London calling: Sumo's U.K. trip brings back memories of 1991
By John Gunning
Japan’s national sport made its second foray into Western Europe, and first to the U.K., with a five-day tournament at London’s historic Royal Albert Hall in October 1991.
CULTURE
‘Hayao Miyazaki and the Heron’ documentary meditates on auteur's creativity and legacy
By Erik Augustin Palm
“Hayao Miyazaki and the Heron" provides an in-depth look into the octogenarian auteur’s creative process and personal reflections.
COMMUNITY
Yurie Collins: ‘Everyone seems sedated, fed-up … that’s why they turn to comedy’
By Zoria Petkoska
Yurie Collins is a bilingual comedian based in Tokyo. In addition to being a prize-winning roast comic, her dating-themed "Tokyo Hoe Tales" shows have proven to be a hit with women of all nationalities.
JAPAN
Winter chill, hot baths and the risk of heat shock: How to stay safe
By Kathleen Benoza
A health ministry survey showed that 5,824 people age 65 and older died in a bathtub in their home or other residential facilities in 2022, more than double the number of people who died in a traffic accident.
LIFE
It’s Japan versus China for 2024’s game of the year
By Owen Ziegler
While FromSoftware's Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree is a strong contender for game of the year, Black Myth: Wukong, the first AAA game made by a Chinese developer, offers some stiff competition.

Podcast

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

Longform

People in cities across Japan will pop into their local convenience store for any number of products they believe will help them with a night of drinking.
Hangover cures are everywhere in Japan — but do they work?
By Thu-Huong Ha

JT Directory Service

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WHAT’S TRENDING

BUSINESS
JR East announces 10-year plan to drastically overhaul Suica
By Yukana Inoue
The East Japan Railway Shinjuku Station in Tokyo. Within the next 10 years, JR East will develop automated walk-through gate technology so that passengers can enter the train platform without having to tap their Suica card or phone on the ticket gates.
COMMENTARY
Firms should quit turning foreign workers into Japanese ones
By Takashi Kumon
Filipino housekeepers undergo training to work for a Japanese staffing company. By applying the same criteria when hiring overseas and local workers, Japanese firms tend to underutilize the unique skills that foreign nationals can bring.
SOCCER
City's Foden and Kovacic not expected to face Juventus, says Guardiola
Manchester City's Phil Foden, Josko Gvardiol, Mateo Kovacic, Jack Grealish and Kyle Walker during training in Manchester on Tuesday
JAPAN
Winter chill, hot baths and the risk of heat shock: How to stay safe
By Kathleen Benoza
A health ministry survey showed that 5,824 people age 65 and older died in a bathtub in their home or other residential facilities in 2022, more than double the number of people who died in a traffic accident.
JAPAN
Nobel Peace Prize winner Nihon Hidankyo calls for a world without nukes
By Pierre-Henry Deshayes
One of the representatives of 2024 Nobel Peace Prize winner Nihon Hidankyo, Terumi Tanaka, speaks during the Nobel Peace Prize awarding ceremony in Oslo City Hall on Tuesday.