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TOKYO
April 11, 2025
The Independent Voice in Asia
April 11, 2025
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Shigeru Ishiba
Osaka Expo
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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 / Economy
Tokyo cheers Trump’s tariff U-turn with second-biggest market gain ever
By Francis Tang
The news of Trump’s 90-day pause on “reciprocal tariffs”was welcomed by Japan and its markets, with the 225-issue Nikkei stock average up more than 9% on Thursday.

More coverage

Japan stocks rebound more than 9% after Trump's tariff reversal
China raises tariffs on U.S. goods to 84% as trade war escalates
U.S. President Donald Trump looks on after signing an executive order in the Oval Office of the White House on Wednesday in Washington.
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba raises his hand to answer a question about the U.S. tariff measures during a parliamentary committee session in Tokyo on Monday.
JAPAN / Politics
Government considers fresh economic package to tackle impact of U.S. tariffs
By Gabriele Ninivaggi
Consensus is growing within the LDP-Komeito coalition over the need for intervention, though opinions are mixed on how to do it.
The skyline during sunset in Shinjuku, Tokyo. Japan's new underground criminal groups operate under a highly organized and brutal system.
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
How police are cracking down on 'scout' sex broker groups
By Karin Kaneko
Major scout groups are under scrutiny, as authorities uncover a far more systematized and sinister network than previously imagined.
Hon Hai Precision Industry, which does business as Foxconn, wants to make electric vehicles for Japanese carmakers.
BUSINESS / Companies / FOCUS
It makes iPhones. Now Hon Hai wants to make cars for Japanese automakers.
By Kazuaki Nagata
The Taiwanese company's seemingly unlikely proposition — given the structure and history of Japan's auto industry — just might work.
Japan needs a strong leader as it faces huge challenges. With Upper House and Tokyo gubernatorial elections coming up, the LDP needs to lay the groundwork for replacing Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, whose polls have entered the danger zone.
COMMENTARY / Japan
The window to replace Japan's accidental prime minister is nigh
Edo Naito
Shigeru Ishiba isn't the right leader to weather Japan through the incoming storm. With Upper House elections this summer, it's time the LDP starts fielding his replacement.
Japan needs a strong leader as it faces huge challenges. With Upper House and Tokyo gubernatorial elections coming up, the LDP needs to lay the groundwork for replacing Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, whose polls have entered the danger zone.

JAPAN

Cherry blossoms in full bloom at Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo on March 30
AI app helps monitor cherry-tree health and keep hanami tradition blooming
By Yukana Inoue
As Japan celebrates cherry blossom season, aging trees pose safety risks — and a new AI app is helping track their condition.
The whereabouts of a bear that attacked three people in Nagano Prefecture on Wednesday were still unknown the following day.
Authorities on alert after three injured in Nagano bear attack
Two men are believed to have sustained serious injuries, but all three victims remain conscious. The whereabouts of the bear remain unknown.
Japanese American National Museum hit with subsidy cuts
Tokyo police program for bereaved children marks 10 years
Shiga police identify frozen woman's body as suspect's wife
Local governments to showcase products at Osaka Expo

BUSINESS

Guests play the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 console at an event in Paris on April 2.
Nintendo gets breathing room on tariffs — just in time for Switch 2 launch
By Vlad Savov and Takashi Mochizuki
Nintendo dodges a 46% tariff on Vietnam-assembled consoles, buying time to flood the U.S. with Switch 2 units before the launch window closes.
The operator of 7-Eleven convenience stores is taking a series of steps to boost its value, including share buybacks, selling the under-performing superstore business and divesting its banking unit.
Seven & I jumps most in a month on buyback plan and broader buying
By Kanoko Matsuyama
The operator of 7-Eleven convenience stores is taking a series of steps to try to boost shareholder value amid a takeover bid by Canadian retailer Alimentation Couche-Tard.
Fujitsu and others use AI to evaluate tuna's fattiness
LVMH finds making Louis Vuitton bags messy in Texas
By Tassilo Hummel and Waylon Cunningham
Japan producer prices rise 3.3% in fiscal 2024
Ishiba picks ex-Mitsubishi Corp. executive Masu for BOJ board
By Toru Fujioka

WORLD

Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr. delivers speaks during a function at the Lowy Institute in Sydney on Thursday.
Palau stands with Taiwan 'until death do us part,' President Whipps says
Despite rising pressure from China, Palau says its support for Taiwan is unshakable — even as military risks grow.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection and Border Patrol agents chat beside a decorated Tahoe during the Border Security Expo in Phoenix, Arizona, on Wednesday.
ICE chief says deportation system should run like Amazon Prime
By Alicia A. Caldwell and Hadriana Lowenkron
Immigrant rights advocates condemned Todd Lyons’ comments as dehumanizing.
Russia and U.S. bring spa worker and tech smuggler back home in prisoner swap
AUKUS nuclear submarine sale under scrutiny as U.S. tariffs shake Australia
By Kirsty Needham
Trump aid cuts stir fears of reduced military support in Africa
By Peter Martin
From France to Mali, a deportee's struggle far from home
By Sofia Christensen, Juliette Jabkhiro and Layli Foroudi

Sports

Caddie Carl Jackson carries the bag of former champion Ben Crenshaw during the first round of the 2011 Masters at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia.
Augusta National celebrates legacy of Black caddies at Masters
By Paul Sullivan
Until 1982, every golfer playing in the Masters had to use an Augusta National caddie.
Paris Saint-Germain in driver's seat in Champions League tilt after late goal
Luka Doncic helps Lakers clinch playoff spot in emotional return to Dallas
Liverpool to face Marinos as part of preseason tour of Asia
Pedro Martinez says family members still missing after tragedy in Dominican Republic

Opinion

Japan needs a strong leader as it faces huge challenges. With Upper House and Tokyo gubernatorial elections coming up, the LDP needs to lay the groundwork for replacing Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, whose polls have entered the danger zone.
The window to replace Japan's accidental prime minister is nigh
Edo Naito
Shigeru Ishiba isn't the right leader to weather Japan through the incoming storm. With Upper House elections this summer, it's time the LDP starts fielding his replacement.
Navigating the Trump storm
By Michael Spence
A conversation of the deaf after Trump’s tariffs
By Brad Glosserman
Le Pen ruling unleashes wave of hypocrisy on populist right
By Thomas O. Falk
Trump’s tariffs will accelerate America’s economic decline
By Kaushik Basu

ENVIRONMENT

The Laguna Grande restoration project at Valle de Mexicali, Baja California state, Mexico
Once-dying Mexican river delta slowly nursed back to life by conservationists
By Daniel Rook
In drought-hit Mexico, conservationists are reviving the Colorado River Delta, restoring wetlands and drawing back wildlife once lost.
Clean streets versus business woes: Pollution charge divides Londoners
By Akshata Kapoor
AI surge to double data center electricity demand by 2030, report says
By Nathalie ALONSO
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

Bickering siblings Sota (Masaaki Nakano, left) and Akira (Hirota Otsuka) attempt to dispose of their father’s body in “The Brothers Kitaura.”
‘The Brothers Kitaura’: A sordid tale of filial impropriety
By James Hadfield
Masaki Tsujino’s dark comedy of errors unpacks family dysfunction and middle-class mediocrity.
‘Ghost Killer’: Spirited action and sharp humor make for deadly fun combo
By Mark Schilling
Sasami is in her pop era, and she’s not overthinking it
By Patrick St. Michel
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

LIFE

An ongoing shortage of rice has resulted in rising prices for Japan's main food staple.
Why Japan is running out of rice — and farmers to grow it
By Alex K.T. Martin
Outdated government policy, changing diets and even an earthquake scare have had an impact on the national food staple.
‘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
Meeting new colleagues and introducing yourself in Japanese
By Yuko Tamura

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
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.
JAPAN
Japan gets a new U.S. ambassador — and he has his work cut out for him
By Jesse Johnson
George Glass, U.S. President Donald Trump's pick to be ambassador to Japan, attends a Senate Foreign Relations Committee confirmation hearing in Washington on March 13.
CULTURE
Online art scene eager to go offline, at least for the moment
By Zoria Petkoska
Digital artist Polygon1993 revels in the physicality of nostalgic technology, making art out of materials such as miniature CDs, holographic prints layered with plexiglass shards and a giant custom-made floppy disk.
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.

Podcast

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

Longform

An ongoing shortage of rice has resulted in rising prices for Japan's main food staple.
Why Japan is running out of rice — and farmers to grow it
By Alex K.T. Martin

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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

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
BUSINESS
Trump's tariff gambit leaves Asia stunned and scrambling
By Francis Tang
U.S. President Donald Trump speaks as he attends the National Republican Congressional Committee dinner in Washington on Tuesday. Trump allowed new tariffs — including a 24% levy on Japan — to go into effect as scheduled on Wednesday.
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.
JAPAN
Banks freeze withdrawals for foreign nationals upon expiration of visas
By Karin Kaneko
Foreign residents who fail to renew their residential statuses before their expiry may find that they won’t be able to withdraw cash from their bank accounts.
MORE SPORTS
Japanese badminton ace Shida blasts 'stalker' Chinese fans
Chiharu Shida of Japan in action during the bronze medal match with Nami Matsuyama against Pearly Tan and Muralitharan Thinaah of Malaysia at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France on Aug. 03, 2024