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April 03, 2025
The Independent Voice in Asia
April 03, 2025
Shigeru Ishiba
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U.S. President Donald Trump unveils new U.S. tariffs at the White House in Washington on Wednesday.
BUSINESS / Economy
Japan promises 'bold and speedy' response to Trump’s surprise 24% tariffs
By Francis Tang
The duty rate for Japanese products is the "worst among the scenarios that had been imagined" by the market.

More coverage

With Trump’s tariffs, the chasm between allies and the U.S. widens
Trump tariffs pile stress on ailing world economy
U.S. President Donald Trump unveils new U.S. tariffs at the White House in Washington on Wednesday.
Among those arrested, 1,011 were ringleaders or individuals who gave instructions. About 90% were perpetrators, including people who received defrauded money, and around 40% became involved in the crimes through recruitment via social media.
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
New ‘tokuryū’ crime groups outpace yakuza in arrests
The term was coined by the National Police Agency to describe a new form of criminal group that has emerged as an alternative to traditional yakuza organizations.
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba enters his office in Tokyo on Wednesday. The return of scandal-tainted Liberal Democratic Party members could make life tougher for Ishiba within the party.
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Ishiba to face more political headaches with return of scandal-hit LDP members
By Eric Johnston
For an already-unpopular administration, the return of party members implicated in a slush funds scandal will create further political headaches.
People line up for food aid in Sagaing, Myanmar, on Wednesday.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Myanmar quake toll tops 3,000 as weather poses threat for rescuers
Rains will add to the challenges faced by aid and rescue groups, which have called for access to all affected areas despite the strife of civil war.
The controllers for the Switch 2 will attach to the console magnetically rather than sliding on rails as with the original device.
LIFE / Digital
Nintendo to launch the Switch 2 on June 5
By Sam Byford
The gaming giant's newest console will retail for ¥49,980 for its Japanese-only version and ¥69,980 for multilingual and multiregion support.
The controllers for the Switch 2 will attach to the console magnetically rather than sliding on rails as with the original device.

JAPAN

People enjoy running and yoga, as Tokyo Expressway’s KK Line, a 2-kilometer elevated expressway cutting through the capital’s commercial Ginza district, was opened as a pedestrian space in May last year.
Tokyo’s KK Line to close for decadelong overhaul as public greenway
By Jessica Speed
The line will become a pedestrian-focused green space called “Tokyo Sky Corridor,” with sections opening in phases before its full relaunch in 2035.
A report by the U.K.-based Commonwealth Climate and Law Initiative warns that ignoring climate-related financial threats could expose executives to lawsuits, regulatory scrutiny, and financial losses.
Japanese execs could face lawsuits for climate inaction: report
By Jessica Speed
Coauthored by legal scholars specializing in corporate governance, the study underscores the mounting financial and legal risks facing companies in Japan.
Hakamata to sue central, prefectural governments in August
Papers on six Japanese comedians sent to prosecutors over online gambling
Japanese medical team arrives in quake-hit Myanmar
14 years on: Teen from Tokyo begins fishing career in Fukushima

BUSINESS

Japan’s stocks plunged after U.S. President Donald Trump slapped the nation with a 24% levy as part of tariffs on trading partners worldwide.
Japan’s stocks slump on Trump’s 24% tariffs and stronger yen
By Alice French and Aya Wagatsuma
The Topix Index fell 4% to 2,544.41 as of 9:12 a.m. Tokyo time, while the blue-chip Nikkei declined 4.1% to 34,281.76.
Seiji Adachi, a former member of the Bank of Japan's Policy Board, says there is a chance of a May rate hike.
Ex-board member who just left BOJ sees chance of May rate hike
By Toru Fujioka and Sumio Ito
Seiji Adachi, whose five-year term ended last week, said he would probably vote for a rate hike in the central bank's May meeting if one was proposed.
Japan retailers boost own-brand products amid inflation
Suntory may shift focus to Japan, Asian markets to counter U.S. tariffs
By Kanoko Matsuyama and Koh Yoshida
Trump unveils 10% global tariff, with Japan levy set at 24%
SMBC and Fujitsu to partner on AI-driven forecasting services
By Hideki Suzuki

WORLD

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte holds a news conference in Brussels on Wednesday.
At summit, NATO eyes growing industrial collaboration with Asian partners
By Gabriel Dominguez
The summit comes as the military alliance seeks to step up ties with its Indo-Pacific partners.
Israeli soldiers conduct operations in Gaza on Wednesday.
Israel ‘carving’ new corridor in south Gaza, Netanyahu says
By Dan Williams and Fares Akram
As mediators try to cobble together another ceasefire and hostage-release deal, Israel has been carrying out attacks with a new threat to seize land.
With U.S. absent, China steps in for earthquake-hit Myanmar
By Poppy McPherson and Antoni Slodkowski
Syria says deadly Israeli strikes a 'blatant violation'
North Korean IT warriors push to infiltrate European firms
By Olivia Solon
DOGE official at DOJ bragged about hacking, distributing pirated software
By Raphael Satter and Sarah N. Lynch

Sports

Liam Lawson was demoted from Red Bull after just two race weekends.
Yuki Tsunoda feeling relaxed ahead of blockbuster Red Bull debut 
By Joel Tansey
As he strode into the team hospitality tent on Thursday morning for the first time as a Red Bull Racing driver, Yuki Tsunoda’s mission was clear.
Alex Ovechkin moves within two goals of Wayne Gretzky's record
Manchester City's Jack Grealish dedicates long-awaited goal to late brother
Shohei Ohtani hits walk-off homer as unbeaten Dodgers make history
Michael Johnson's ambitious Grand Slam Track series prepares for first event

Opinion

DOGE, the U.S. government reform project, embodies America's brash, fast-paced approach to change, while Japan’s cultural norms emphasize slower, more deliberate decision-making rooted in consensus.
The DOGE solution? 'No thanks,' says Japan, with reason
Brad Glosserman
I can’t imagine a DOGE-like beast in Japan. No one can. It is utterly alien to every tradition, precedent or cultural inclination in this country.
Will the real Pete Hegseth please stand up?
By Kuni Miyake
Le Pen’s MAGA-style martyrdom is new risk in France
By Lionel Laurent
For a brief moment, everything was Ghibli
By Gearoid Reidy
Asia must unite to survive Trump 2.0
By Lee Jong-wha

ENVIRONMENT

Fluffy, low-hanging clouds generally have a cooling influence. They are big and bright, blocking and bouncing back incoming sunlight.
Clouds changing as world warms, adding to climate uncertainty
By Nick Perry
Cloud behavior is notoriously complex to predict and remains a great unknown for scientists trying to accurately forecast future levels of climate change.
Trump can't stop 'sustainability revolution': Al Gore
Without new countermeasures, Japan’s temperature could rise 4.5 C by 2100
By Jessica Speed
Why we should worry when whales stop singing
By Todd Woody
What the $660 million Greenpeace verdict means for U.S. activism
By Olivia Raimonde and Zahra Hirji

CULTURE

Though Haruki Murakami's trademark whiff of offbeat existentialism is threaded throughout NHK's "After the Quake," the final episode — conceived as a sequel to the story "Super-Frog Saves Tokyo" — is the most stylized, featuring an anthropomorphic talking frog (voiced by Non) and his erstwhile associate Katagiri (Koichi Sato).
Haruki Murakami TV adaptation revisits 30 years of watershed moments
By Mike Fu
NHK's new four-episode miniseries, “After the Quake,” probes the ripple effects of past major disasters across Japanese society.
‘Unreachable’: An attractive but half-baked fantasy
By James Hadfield
AI may be coming for anime, but Hayao Miyazaki is irreplaceable, son says
By Natsuko Fukue
‘Let’s Meet at Angie’s Bar’: A granny like none other
By Mark Schilling
Nintendo announces Legend of Zelda film for 2027

LIFE

At Japan's top cocktail bars, ice is as important an ingredient as any bottle you'll see on the shelf.
The cold complexity of 'pure' Japanese cocktail ice
By Phoebe Amoroso
To some Japanese bartenders, the secret to a great cocktail lies not just in the mixologist's skills but also the quality of the ice.
The last cleanup: Life and death in a lonely Japan
By Johan Brooks
Feast your eyes on 'The Complete Illustrated Guide to Japanese Cooking'
By Simon Daly
Traveling the Three-Star Road, the tourist route made from thin air
By Owen Ziegler
'Better than real life': In China, virtual boyfriends are emotional aids
By Luna Lin

COMMUNITY

Shogo Yamaguchi shares his love of traditional Japanese culture with an audience of nearly 2 million YouTube subscribers.
Shogo Yamaguchi: ‘Traditional culture thrives in a peaceful society’
By Laura Pollacco
The Kyoto-based content creator shares travel tips and reminisces on the path that led him to where he is today.
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
A tawny Kai Ken discovers his courage
A community of stories: Making space for reflection and dialogue in Tokyo and beyond
By Megumi Koiwai

Editors' Picks

CULTURE
Haruki Murakami TV adaptation revisits 30 years of watershed moments
By Mike Fu
Though Haruki Murakami's trademark whiff of offbeat existentialism is threaded throughout NHK's "After the Quake," the final episode — conceived as a sequel to the story "Super-Frog Saves Tokyo" — is the most stylized, featuring an anthropomorphic talking frog (voiced by Non) and his erstwhile associate Katagiri (Koichi Sato).
JAPAN
A new human trafficking trend emerges from Myanmar scam centers
By Yukana Inoue
Victims of scam centers who were tricked or trafficked into working in Myanmar gather at a compound inside KK Park, a fraud center on the country's border with Thailand, after a multinational crackdown in February.
JAPAN
Meiji says sayonara to bottled milk, a staple of Japan's bathhouses
By Jessica Speed
Meiji bottled milk lined up in a fridge at Kosugiyu, a bathhouse in Tokyo. The sticker urges patrons to enjoy the milk one last time before it’s gone.
BUSINESS
A Canadian made a weekend trip to Costco a Japanese pastime
By Elizabeth Beattie
Under the watchful eye of Ken Theriault, Costco representative director and Japan country manager, the American membership-model wholesaler has flourished in Japan.
JAPAN
On defense, Japan may avoid Trump's worst impulses — for now
By Jesse Johnson
Defense Minister Gen Nakatani and U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth chat after reviewing an honor guard during a welcome ceremony at the Defense Ministry in Tokyo on Sunday.

Podcast

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

Longform

Professional cleaner Hirofumi Sakurai takes a moment to appreciate some photographs in a Gotanda apartment whose occupant died alone.
The last cleanup: Life and death in a lonely Japan
By Johan Brooks

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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

BUSINESS
As ‘Buy Canadian’ grows, more U.S. firms say retailers turning away products
Empty shelves with "Buy Canadian Instead" signs are seen in the American Whiskey section of the BC Liquor in Vancouver, British Columbia, on March 10.
BUSINESS
Trump unveils 10% global tariff, with Japan levy set at 24%
Trump tosses a MAGA hat to the crowd during an event in which he unveiled new tariffs in the White House on Wednesday.
BUSINESS
A Canadian made a weekend trip to Costco a Japanese pastime
By Elizabeth Beattie
Under the watchful eye of Ken Theriault, Costco representative director and Japan country manager, the American membership-model wholesaler has flourished in Japan.
JAPAN
Meiji says sayonara to bottled milk, a staple of Japan's bathhouses
By Jessica Speed
Meiji bottled milk lined up in a fridge at Kosugiyu, a bathhouse in Tokyo. The sticker urges patrons to enjoy the milk one last time before it’s gone.
BUSINESS
Japan, South Korea and China vow to strengthen trade ties amid looming U.S. tariffs
By Francis Tang
Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Yoji Muto (left), South Korean Trade Industry and Energy Minister Ahn Duk-geun (center) and Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao during a trilateral meeting in Seoul on Sunday