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December 13, 2024
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December 13, 2024
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Plaintiffs in a lawsuit against Japan's same-sex marriage ban, along with their lawyers and supporters, hold signs saying the court ruled the ban as unconstitutional on Friday in front of the Fukuoka High Court.
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Fukuoka High Court rules ban on same-sex marriage unconstitutional
By Kanako Takahara
It is the third such high court ruling so far in Japan after the Sapporo High Court in March and the Tokyo High Court in October.

More coverage

At site of suspected mass killings, Syrians recall horrors, seek answers
Demoralized and abandoned by allies: Why Syria’s army failed to fight
Plaintiffs in a lawsuit against Japan's same-sex marriage ban, along with their lawyers and supporters, hold signs saying the court ruled the ban as unconstitutional on Friday in front of the Fukuoka High Court.
The Kadena Air Base in Okinawa Prefecture. Brennon Washington was stationed at the base when he abducted a minor on Dec. 24, 2023.
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
U.S. serviceman sentenced over sexual assault of underage girl in Okinawa
By Jessica Speed
Brennon Washington persuaded the girl to get into his car under the pretense of cooking and watching a movie together at his home. Once there, he assaulted her.
Business sentiment among large manufacturers in Japan improved for the first time in two quarters, the Bank of Japan's tankan survey for December showed Friday.
BUSINESS / Economy
Japan business mood improves slightly, but global risks cloud outlook
By Leika Kihara and Makiko Yamazaki
The Bank of Japan tankan survey results come ahead of a two-day policy meeting next week, when its board will debate whether to lift rates from the current 0.25%.
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba (front right) bows as the fiscal 2024 supplementary budget bill is passed in parliament on Thursday.
JAPAN / Politics
Ishiba makes concessions to opposition to maintain power
The prime minister's minority government has endorsed opposition policies on tax and education to win their support for a supplementary budget.
In a year of anime hits, Kiyotaka Oshiyama’s “Look Back” stood out from the bunch.
CULTURE / Film / 2024 in Review
Big franchises and bold voices dominated anime in 2024
By Matt Schley
In a year of major box-office hits such as “Conan” and “Haikyu!!,” smaller animators used nontraditional tools to stand out from the rest.
In a year of anime hits, Kiyotaka Oshiyama’s “Look Back” stood out from the bunch.

JAPAN

Yoichi Miyazawa (right), chair of the Liberal Democratic Party's tax panel, said Friday that both the LDP and Komeito have agreed to decide on the start date for higher income taxes at a later date.
LDP-Komeito bloc defers decision on income tax hike to boost defense budget
The bloc originally aimed to raise income tax rates in January 2027, but reconsidered following discussions with the opposition Democratic Party for the People.
Children eat at a <i>kodomo shokudo</i> in the city of Osaka. The number of such cafeterias, which provide free or low-cost meals to children in need, has surpassed 10,000 nationwide.
Number of cafeterias for children in need hits record high in Japan
By Jessica Speed
There are now more kodomo shokudo, which offer free or low-cost meals, than elementary and junior high schools.
Opening ethics panel hearings to media could allay public suspicions, Ishiba says
Shizuoka Prefecture aims to collect ¥4,000 from all Mount Fuji climbers
Second-generation hibakusha's appeal for state compensation rejected
JR Kyushu may end South Korea ship route over water leak scandal

BUSINESS

Nobuhiro Ito, who runs casting-maker Ito Tekko, which employs about 100 people, in front of his company's factory in the city of Kawaguchi, Saitama Prefecture, on Monday.
BOJ's rate hike plans clouded by small firms' wage woes
By Makiko Yamazaki, Leika Kihara and Kentaro Sugiyama
Next year's wage prospects are crucial for sustaining a consumption-led recovery — a prerequisite for further rate hikes by the Bank of Japan.
Investors' expectations for corporate governance reform triggered by the Tokyo Stock Exchange’s campaign have been a major driver of the rally in Japanese stocks over the last two years, but the market’s historic crash in early August has changed the dynamics.
Cheap valuations are out as investors like new metric for Japan stocks
By Hideyuki Sano
Investors are now trying to identify companies that have strong fundamentals but have a lot to gain by improving capital allocation, one portfolio manager said.
China eyes negotiations as Trump threatens new tariffs
By Joe Cash
Mitsubishi Electric explores forming power chip alliances in Japan
By Yuki Furukawa
China vows bigger fiscal spending to boost consumption next year
Suntory Holdings names executive vice president as next president

WORLD

Francois Bayrou and French President Emmanuel Macron in Pau, France, in July 2023. On Friday, Macron named Bayrou as prime minister.
Macron names veteran centrist ally Francois Bayrou as France's prime minister
Bayrou, 73, is expected to put forward his list of ministers in the coming days, but will likely face the same existential difficulties as his predecessor.
A Taiwanese coast guard ship (left) monitors a Chinese coast guard ship a few nautical miles from Taiwan's northeastern coast on Thursday.
China's 'drills that dare not speak their name' put Taiwan on alert
By Ben Blanchard, Yimou Lee and Angie Teo
Analysts say that Beijing's activities, conducted in near silence and followed by an opaque statement, are meant to create confusion.
Suspect in UnitedHealthcare shooting visited Japan, then vanished
By Mike Baker, Nicholas Bogel-Burroughs, Shawn Hubler and Jacey Fortin
G7 to meet on Syria as new government pledges 'rule of law'
Five minutes to martial law: Yoon stunned his Cabinet with snap move
By Sam Kim
Trump inviting China's Xi to inauguration is 'diplomatic theater'
By Steve Holland and David Brunnstrom

Sports

The Mets' Juan Soto poses for photos at Citi Field in New York on Thursday.
Juan Soto hoping to build dynasty with Mets
Mets fans are eager to see their team end a World Series championship drought that stretches back to 1986.
Stokes wary of Ashes distractions as England aims for sweep
Aging U.S. heavyweight Kevin Johnson fights on to honor Vladimir Putin in Russia
Former China men's soccer coach Li Tie sentenced to 20 years in jail for corruption
Bill Belichick announced as head coach of North Carolina

Opinion

Yutaka Mataebara (second from left) dines with his managerial colleagues at an event celebrating the 100th anniversary of The Japan Times.
Here's to Yutaka Mataebara, the 'iron man' of The Japan Times
Brad Glosserman
Mataebara was a pillar of the JT: During his 44 years at the paper until he retired in 2006, he worked in a variety of departments, including as the editor in chief.
Trump's election sets stage for new climate leaders to emerge
By Robert Mizo
The Syrians have a chance to be free. They need our help.
Syria’s kleptocratic rule and a house of cards
By Barak Barfi
The global spy alliance should let Japan join
By KARISHMA VASWANI

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

Shohei Ohtani's prowress on the diamond translated into an outsized influence on Japan's consumer trends this year.
The year that Shohei Ohtani achieved 'yokozuna' status … in the market
By Mark Schreiber
To qualify as a genuine "hitto" (hit), a product or service must harness some new concept or technology in a manner that significantly impacts the marketplace.
USJ’s new Donkey Kong Country is a barrel of fun
By Joel Tansey
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

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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SUSTAINABLE JAPAN

Azabudai Hills, Tokyo’s green new downtown ‘village’
Azabudai Hills, Tokyo’s green new downtown ‘village’

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.
BUSINESS
New Japanese condos now cost 10 times average salary, study shows
By Kazuaki Nagata
Tokyo has the highest price-to-income ratio for high-rise condominiums in the country, at 17.78 times.
JAPAN
Japan tightens cannabis laws amid rising youth usage
By Jessica Speed
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
Prince Hisahito to enroll at University of Tsukuba
By Kathleen Benoza
Prince Hisahito, who is second in line to the Chrysanthemum Throne, is currently a third-year student at the University of Tsukuba’s affiliated high school.
JAPAN
Tokyo remains third in global city index for ninth consecutive year
By Kathleen Benoza
The silhouettes of Mount Fuji, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government building and Shinjuku skyscrapers are seen during sunset in Tokyo in November.