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February 07, 2025
The Independent Voice in Asia
February 07, 2025
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Shoppers walk past a display of cabbages for sale at a supermarket in Tokyo last month. The 2024 record summer heat and heavy rain ruined crops, driving up the cost of the usually inexpensive leafy green in what Japanese media has dubbed a "cabbage shock."
BUSINESS / Economy
Inflation becoming a concern in Japan after being a goal for decades
By Kazuaki Nagata
Rising consumer prices are putting real wage growth at risk and possibly becoming a drag on much-needed household consumption.
Shoppers walk past a display of cabbages for sale at a supermarket in Tokyo last month. The 2024 record summer heat and heavy rain ruined crops, driving up the cost of the usually inexpensive leafy green in what Japanese media has dubbed a "cabbage shock."
Rapidus, which is expected to begin pilot production of chips in April and achieve mass production in 2027, is the cornerstone of the government’s effort to revive its domestic semiconductor industry.
BUSINESS / Companies
Cabinet approves bill to fund Rapidus semiconductor production
By Eric Johnston
Rapidus is the cornerstone of the government’s effort to revive its domestic semiconductor industry.
The Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi (center) attends a Cabinet meeting in Tokyo on Friday.
JAPAN / Politics
Japan's Cabinet approves legislation on 'active' cybersecurity
By Gabriele Ninivaggi and Himari Semans
The new measures aim to enable the government to infiltrate the sources of cyberattacks in order to neutralize them.
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba enters his office in Tokyo on Jan. 27.
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
A 'joyful' Japan? Ishiba's slogan sparks the opposite feelings
By Gabriele Ninivaggi
Even members of Ishiba’s Liberal Democratic Party were not happy with the slogan.
Dig Shibuya 2025 spotlights tech in art and high-tech experiences such as “Around the Corner,” an interactive piece by the Hong Kong-based technology-driven artist group XRT (extended reality art).
CULTURE / Art
Shibuya becomes the canvas for tech-infused art during Dig 2025
By Kim Kahan
Now in its sophomore year, the Dig Shibuya digital art festival runs from Feb. 8 to 11, with activities and exhibitions popping up across Tokyo’s trendiest neighborhood.
Dig Shibuya 2025 spotlights tech in art and high-tech experiences such as “Around the Corner,” an interactive piece by the Hong Kong-based technology-driven artist group XRT (extended reality art).

JAPAN

Ippei Mizuhara, former interpreter for Shohei Ohtani, leaves the courthouse in Santa Ana, California, on Thursday.
Ohtani's ex-interpreter Mizuhara sentenced to nearly five years in prison
By Yukana Inoue
The case involved the illegal transfer of nearly $17 million from the star's account to pay off gambling debts.
A car is buried under snow in a residential parking lot in the city of Toyama on Wednesday.
Heavy snow blankets Japan with one dead and four severely injured
By Jessica Speed
More snowfall is expected through Saturday as another wave of frigid air moves in.
Japan's government plans expanded university tuition aid for families
Hyogo governor’s reelection sparks investigation into PR firm payments
Japan's retrial system to be reviewed after landmark acquittal
Kawasaki taxi driver rearrested on suspicion of killing pigeon

BUSINESS

A monitor in Tokyo shows the yen at the ¥155 level against the dollar on Monday, when it began rallying after a sharp decline in the previous week.
Yen’s weekly surge underscores growing case for a hawkish BOJ
By Mia Glass and Toru Fujioka
The Japanese currency has rallied more than 2% this week, heading for the biggest gain since late November.
Japanese household consumption in December grew at the fastest pace since August 2022, but it is uncertain whether the gains are sustainable, given wage growth in the month was largely supported by the temporary effect of bonuses.
Japan’s household spending jumps the most since 2022 as wages rise
By Yoshiaki Nohara
Outlays adjusted for inflation gained 2.7% in December from a year earlier, according to internal affairs ministry data.
Japan needs immediate deficit cut to fix fiscal path, IMF warns
By Toru Fujioka and Erica Yokoyama
Seven & I consortium to tap Bank of America and Citi for financing
By Taro Fuse, Manuel Baigorri and Hideki Suzuki
Apple’s China focus thrusts it into center of geopolitical fight
By Mark Gurman
Trump meets U.S. Steel CEO as Nippon Steel hopes to save deal
By Josh Wingrove

WORLD

Philippine National Security Council Assistant Director-General Jonathan Malaya says information and psychological warfare have "become part and parcel" of China's malign influence in his country.
Chinese hybrid warfare ops surge in Philippines: top security official
By Gabriel Dominguez
There has been a rise in Chinese disinformation tactics as well as suspected surveillance and espionage activities in the Philippines, the official said.
Palestinians collect food handouts from a free kitchen run by volunteers in Khan Younis, in the central Gaza Strip, on Jan. 17.
Halt in U.S. aid cripples global efforts to relieve hunger
By Jaimi Dowdell, Lena Masri, Giulia Paravicini, Ryan McNeill and Nafisa Eltahir
The pause impairs programs that aim to prevent mass starvation and, more immediately, hobbles those meant to respond to crises and save lives.
U.S. judge blocks Trump buyout program as 60,000 sign up to quit
By Daniel Wiessner, Tim Reid and Nathan Layne
Sweden reels from worst mass shooting as it mourns the dead
By Johan Ahlander
Ukraine keeps its Kursk bargaining chip for any Russia talks
Trump call for Gazan exit echoes in destroyed homes
By Fares Akram and Ethan Bronner

Sports

Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles helmets at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans on Wednesday, ahead of Super Bowl LIX
Chiefs eye first three-peat, Eagles out to avenge Super Bowl LVII loss
The Chiefs' run of good fortune has led to a sentiment among fans and media that someone else should get a turn.
Barkley picks global lineup for NBA All-Star tournament
LeBron James scores 42 as Lakers hold off Warriors
Rybakina battles past Jabeur into Abu Dhabi semis
Tokyo world athletics party can make up for Olympic lockout, says CEO
By Andrew MCKIRDY

Opinion

Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump will likely aim at maintaining the status quo, avoid new trade issues and ensure Japan isn’t targeted by tariffs.
A new golden age for U.S.-Japan? I don’t think so.
Gearoid Reidy
Ishiba won’t be looking for any great breakthrough, a dramatic defense re-posturing, or support for any of his long-held foreign policy goals
‘America First’ in action
By Peter Singer
Shutting USAID deprives the U.S. of a vital foreign policy tool
Singapore finds its seat at the China+1 table
By Andy Mukherjee
Was there an insurrection in Seoul on Dec. 3, or is that happening now?
By Edo Naito

ENVIRONMENT

A climate change demonstrator takes part in a protest to denounce the impact of U.S. politics on climate change, outside the U.S. Embassy in London on Jan. 11.
Top climate scientist declares 2 degrees Celsius climate goal 'dead'
A stark new analysis concludes that Earth's climate is more sensitive to rising greenhouse gas emissions than previously thought.
Trump’s freeze on climate money sows fear and confusion
By Zahra Hirji and Danielle Bochove
These roads aren’t built for wilder weather driven by climate change
By Kendra Pierre-Louis
Mitsubishi reviews Japanese offshore wind after economic changes
By Shoko Oda
Brazil's carbon trade takes off, but agribusiness escapes scrutiny
By Andre Cabette Fabio

CULTURE

A 45-year-old widow (Takako Matsu) repeatedly travels back in time to meet her future — and late — husband (Hokuto Matsumura) in “First Kiss.”
‘First Kiss’: Time-traveling romantic drama isn’t afraid of a few wrinkles
By James Hadfield
Ayuko Tsukahara’s high-concept love story has wit and wisdom to spare with an endearing screen couple at its center.
'Uketsu': The internet phantom haunting Japan's bestseller lists
By Thu-Huong Ha
Japanese cellist Eru Matsumoto awarded Grammy for best new age album
By Alyssa I. Smith
In pictures: The Grammys 2025 moments to remember
By Maggy Donaldson
Beyonce finally wins top album, as Kendrick Lamar sweeps Grammys' rap category
By Maggy Donaldson

LIFE

The bestselling Switch has a confirmed successor, but what little we know about the Switch 2 console so far raises some concerns about its longterm viability in a crowded gaming market.
Making sense of Nintendo’s tight-lipped Switch 2 reveal
By Owen Ziegler
Nintendo will remain mum on details until April, but questions on how its new console fits into the modern gaming landscape abound.
Novel seafood noodles become flavor of the moment in Tokyo
Sipping down the rabbit hole at Craft Sake Shoten
By Melinda Joe
Gaming’s feminine side is starting to make big bucks
By Samantha Low
First official survey set to change backcountry Hokkaido skiing
By Justin Randall

COMMUNITY

Billed as a “cultural bridge that connects Japan and Vietnam,” Tet Viet Saitama drew tens of thousands of attendees from across the Kanto region.
Home away from home: My first time at a Tet festival in Japan
By Nguyen Bao Anh
A longtime resident of Japan attends Saitama’s first public celebration of Vietnam’s most important holiday.
Ken Rodgers, a fixture of the Kyoto literary scene, dies at 72
By Eric Johnston
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

Editors' Picks

LIFE
Making sense of Nintendo’s tight-lipped Switch 2 reveal
By Owen Ziegler
The bestselling Switch has a confirmed successor, but what little we know about the Switch 2 console so far raises some concerns about its longterm viability in a crowded gaming market.
TENNIS
Naomi Osaka on tennis, motherhood and being Japanese
By Mai Yoshikawa
Naomi Osaka celebrates winning her second round match at the Australian Open over the Czech Republic's Karolina Muchova on Jan. 15.
ASIA PACIFIC
Philippines all in to get its own midrange missile system
By Gabriel Dominguez
Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro says Manila's moves to beef up deterrence — including continuing to have a powerful U.S. missile system deployed on its territory — “are for the protection of our territorial integrity and sovereignty."
SUMO
No Paris Syndrome for Japan’s national sport
By John Gunning
Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi (left) describes a detail of a mawashi presented as a gift to French President Jacques Chirac at the Elysee Palace in 1999.
JAPAN
Excitement for the Osaka Expo is low. Can organizers build hype?
By Joel Tansey
The Osaka Expo site on Yumeshima island in December. A survey of 3,000 people from across Japan conducted in October by the Mitsubishi Research Institute showed that just 24% of respondents expressed an interest in attending the Osaka Expo.

Podcast

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

Longform

Eme-Ima Kitchen is one of over 10,000 kodomo shokudō in Japan. A term first used in 2012 to describe makeshift eateries offering free or cheap meals to disadvantaged kids, it now refers to a diverse range of individuals, groups and organizations working to provide not only food but a sense of belonging to both children and adults.
Japan’s ‘children’s cafeterias’ are booming — but is that a good thing?
By Alex K.T. Martin

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WHAT’S TRENDING

JAPAN
Heavy snow in Japan to persist through Sunday, disrupting travel
By Karin Kaneko
A car stuck in the snow in Obihiro, Hokkaido, on Tuesday.
JAPAN
Concern over crime grows in Japan as cases rise for third straight year
By Yukana Inoue
Investigators pursue a criminal case in the town of Oshima in Tokyo in January.
JAPAN
Tokyo police arrest brothel operator catering to foreign tourists
English-language signs and other materials seized from men’s aesthetic salon Sparaku by the Metropolitan Police Department on Tuesday in Tokyo's Shinjuku Ward
BUSINESS
Two ex-Japan Airlines pilots grounded after lying about drinking
A passenger plane for Japan Airlines sits on the tarmac at Tokyo International Airport at Haneda in Tokyo on Tuesday.
JAPAN
Truck cabin found in sewer pipe in Saitama sinkhole rescue operation
The sinkhole in Yashio, Saitama Prefecture, on Wednesday. It has expanded since the initial collapse on Jan 28.