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April 16, 2025
The Independent Voice in Asia
April 16, 2025
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Toyota and Lexus cars and sport utility vehicles unloaded from car carrier ships to the Toyota Logistics Services automotive processing terminal at the Port of Long Beach in Long Beach, California, on Thursday
BUSINESS / Economy
Trump floats temporary reprieve for autos as parts tariffs loom
The president said he is exploring exemptions to his tariffs on imported vehicles and parts to give auto companies more time to set up manufacturing in the U.S.

More coverage

Japan avoids tariff confrontation ahead of crucial U.S. trade talks
Can anyone deal with Trump better than Ishiba?
Toyota and Lexus cars and sport utility vehicles unloaded from car carrier ships to the Toyota Logistics Services automotive processing terminal at the Port of Long Beach in Long Beach, California, on Thursday
The Google logo is seen at the company's Bay View campus in Mountain View, California. Japanese authorities on Tuesday issued a cease-and-desist order to Google over an alleged violation of the country's anti-monopoly law.
BUSINESS / Companies
In a first, Japan issues cease-and-desist order against Google
By Yukana Inoue
The Japan Fair Trade Commission has accused the U.S. tech giant of violating the country's anti-monopoly law by forcing manufacturers to preinstall its apps in smartphones.
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and Japanese Trade Union Confederation chief Tomoko Yoshino in a meeting Tuesday at the Prime Minister's Office
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Why Ishiba became the first prime minister to hold talks with Rengo in 16 years
By Himari Semans
The last time an official meeting was held between a prime minister and Rengo to discuss labor policies was in 2009.
Former U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage, well regarded in Tokyo as a leading voice in the promotion of U.S.-Japan ties, has died at the age of 79.
JAPAN / Politics
Richard Armitage, ex-U.S. diplomat known for boosting Japan ties, dies at 79
By Jesse Johnson
He was a leading voice in the promotion of U.S.-Japan relations even after leaving government service.
Kimitaka Sakurai displays a sharpening stone for working on skate blades, in Yokohama on March 28. Regular sharpening is crucial for maintaining optimal performance and reducing skaters’ risk of injury on the ice.
MORE SPORTS
The man who helps Japanese figure skaters stay sharp
By Mai Yoshikawa
Skate sharpening is not a lucrative endeavor, but Kimitaka Sakurai has been doing it full time for 14 years, and he is a master at his craft.
Kimitaka Sakurai displays a sharpening stone for working on skate blades, in Yokohama on March 28. Regular sharpening is crucial for maintaining optimal performance and reducing skaters’ risk of injury on the ice.

JAPAN

Ride-sharing vehicles in Kiryu, Gunma Prefecture, in March
One year in, ride-hailing in Japan has room for improvement
By Yukana Inoue
Japan has lagged in adopting ride-hailing services, largely due to opposition from the country's powerful taxi industry.
Sachiko Ishizuka, who was born via artificial insemination by donor (AID), tells her story to lawmakers from the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan on April 9.
Privacy and transparency clash in debate over bill on artificial insemination
By Himari Semans
At stake is the thorny question of when children conceived through artificial insemination by donor can access information on their biological parents, and to what extent.
Finance Ministry calls for increasing tariff-free rice imports
Emperor meets with Turkmenistan president
Man arrested after fatal stabbing of teenage girl in Saitama
Hayabusa2 target asteroid may be smaller than expected

BUSINESS

The Bank of Japan will likely postpone raising interest rates due to uncertainties stemming from U.S. tariff measures that could deal a blow to Japan’s economy, a former executive director said.
BOJ will likely put rate hike aside for now, ex-official says
By Toru Fujioka and Sumio Ito
"They will be in a wait-and-see mode for a while,” said Kenzo Yamamoto, a former executive at the Bank of Japan.
A rendering of East Japan Railway's E10 series of bullet trains
Japan to give India E5 and E3 shinkansen for free
The E10 trains are expected to be put into service in the South Asian country in the early 2030s.
Nomura said to sell Tokyo building to real estate affiliate
By Ryo Horiuchi and Taro Fuse
Nomura scaling back China wealth unit, shifting focus to brokerage and assets
By Cathy Chan and Takashi Nakamichi
Norinchukin dodges Trump’s market chaos after selling Treasuries
By Taiga Uranaka
Trump initiates chips and drug probes, ahead of more tariffs
By Madison Muller and Jennifer A Dlouhy

WORLD

This satellite image taken on March 25 shows three Chinese barges connected via extendable bridges in waters off Zhanjiang, in southern China's Guangdong province. Experts say the new barges could be used to land heavy equipment and thousands of personnel in a possible invasion of Taiwan.
China’s new bridge-forming barges offer new options for Taiwan invasion
By Gabriel Dominguez
The ships can be linked up one behind the other to form a long, relocatable pier that extends from deeper waters nearly a kilometer out at sea onto a beach.
Vehicles wait in line to cross into the United States at the Canada-U.S. border in St-Bernard-de-Lacolle, Quebec, Canada.
Avoid U.S. travel or take burner devices, Canadian organizations tell staff
By Thomas Seal
Employees have also been given advice on how to minimize information that can be accessed by border agents.
Disarming Lebanon's Hezbollah possible under U.S. pressure, analysts say
By Lynne al-Nahhas
AUKUS exemption to U.S. defense trade controls doesn't cover nuclear subs, officials say
Pandemic treaty talks inch toward accord
By Agnes Pedrero
Harvard hit with $2.3 billion funding freeze after rejecting Trump demands
By Ismail Shakil and Brad Brooks

Sports

Giants fans cheer during an exhibition game against the Dodgers at Tokyo Dome on March 15.
NPB can learn from MLB amid backlash to its new social media policy
By Jason Coskrey
Arguing that the rights of NPB and its broadcasters are in peril because fans upload short videos from games is a hard sell.
Jones' under-23 Japan team beaten by his old club Randwick
Rory McIlroy’s Masters win is most-watched since 2018 tournament
By Hannah Miller
Marko concerned over Verstappen's Red Bull future
By Alan Baldwin
Aaron Judge to captain United States in World Baseball Classic

Opinion

U.S. President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba hold a news conference at the White House in Washington on Feb. 7. Tokyo's focus on economic strength to promote security contrasts with Washington's current era of unpredictability.
For real national security, try a Japanese perspective
Brad Glosserman
Genuine national security starts from a strong economy, one that provides for its citizens, incentivizes growth, production and wealth, and invites foreign participation.
Why should Iran believe anything the U.S. threatens or promises?
By Andreas Kluth
How should Beijing respond to Trump’s tariffs?
By Huang Yiping
Unmarked vans and secret lists. The police state has arrived.
By M. Gessen
The very idea of LGBTQ+ health is under attack
By Lisa Jarvis

ENVIRONMENT

The Three Mile Island nuclear power plant in Middletown, Pennsylvania, in October. Microsoft is set to use energy from new reactors at the plant.
AI surge to double data center electricity demand by 2030, report says
By Nathalie ALONSO
AI can also unlock opportunities to produce and consume electricity more efficiently, the International Energy Agency said in its first report on the technology's implications.
Clean streets versus business woes: Pollution charge divides Londoners
By Akshata Kapoor
Once-dying Mexican river delta slowly nursed back to life by conservationists
By Daniel Rook
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

In the dystopian society of Sayaka Murata's latest book to come out in English, sex between married couples is considered incest and therefore taboo.
'Vanishing World': Sayaka Murata’s vision of a sex-hating society
By Thu-Huong Ha
In Sayaka Murata’s latest book to come out in English, sex between married couples is considered taboo, and humans reproduce predominantly via IVF.  
Indonesia's horror movie industry rises from the grave
By Baptiste Anse
Digital divas: Can Japan's virtual YouTuber craze crack America?
By Tomohiro Osaki, Paula Ramon and Gilles Clarenne
National Ballet of Japan takes its 'Giselle' to Royal Opera House in London
By Kris Kosaka
The band that turned a pandemic lockdown into a Tokyo dream
By Patrick St. Michel

LIFE

After focusing on cabernet sauvignon in Napa Valley, winemaker Eiji Daniel Akaboshi moved to make pinot noir at the renowned Freeman Vineyard & Winery in Sonoma County.
In California, a Nikkei vintner finds his heritage and purpose
By Weiwen Lin
The discovery of a distant relative's wine legacy in California led winemaker Eiji Daniel Akaboshi to look at his vocation in a new light.
As rice prices rise, a bit of tea adds needed luxury
By Simon Daly
I’ve only just come back from Osaka, but I’m ready to hit the Expo
By Yuko Tamura
Why Japan is running out of rice — and farmers to grow it
By Alex K.T. Martin
‘Japanese pastry has matured into its own distinct identity’
By Haru Beaufort

COMMUNITY

Customers line up patiently for some early-afternoon baked goods outside Truffle, which is located close to Hiroo Station on the Hibiya Line.
How to spend the perfect day in Hiroo, Tokyo’s expat enclave
By Eric Margolis
A stroll through Hiroo reveals both the comforts of expat luxury and the quiet intrusions of a changing Tokyo.
Noriko Shakti: ‘Music reflects my journey and learnings’
By Miikka J. Lehtonen
Tokyo Humanities Cafe feeds hungry minds
By Jessica Kozuka
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

Editors' Picks

JAPAN
Japan’s population shrinks for the 14th consecutive year
By Karin Kaneko
Japan’s population has been falling year on year since 2011 after peaking in 2008.
LIFE
A new tour of Tokyo’s most underground attraction
By Owen Ziegler
When you stare into the abyss at the bottom of the No. 3 shaft of the Metropolitan Area Outer Underground Discharge Channel, the abyss stares back.
JAPAN
Two-thirds of fourth to sixth graders in Japan use social media, survey finds
By Jessica Speed
The survey showed that more children are starting to use social media at an earlier age.
LIFE
Osaka Expo-bound? Take your pick of the city’s new luxury hotels.
By Jessica Kozuka
The Four Seasons Hotel Osaka opened in 2024, just one of many new luxury accommodations the city boasts ahead of the 2025 World Expo.
LIFE
Heaven from hells: The sulfuric pleasure of Unzen Onsen
By Erik Augustin Palm
While Unzen Onsen's "hells" can be visually striking, locals describe them and their effects as "a source of emotional healing."

Podcast

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

Longform

Visitors walk past Sou Fujimoto's Grand Ring, which has been recognized as the largest wooden structure in the world.
Can a World Expo still matter? Japan is about to find out.
By Tomoko Otake

JT Directory Service

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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
In a first, Japan issues cease-and-desist order against Google
By Yukana Inoue
The Google logo is seen at the company's Bay View campus in Mountain View, California. Japanese authorities on Tuesday issued a cease-and-desist order to Google over an alleged violation of the country's anti-monopoly law.
COMMENTARY
'Chikan' incidents rise as Japan grapples with mental health and cultural challenges
By Takayuki Harada
Overcrowded trains and a lack of legal consequences for groping in Japan have led to a rise in "chikan," or groping, which has been linked to a mental condition and compounded by cultural stigmas.
BUSINESS
China halts critical rare earth exports as trade war intensifies
By Keith Bradsher
Workers transport soil containing rare earth elements for export at a port in Lianyungang, in China's Jiangsu province, in October 2010.
LIFE
A new tour of Tokyo’s most underground attraction
By Owen Ziegler
When you stare into the abyss at the bottom of the No. 3 shaft of the Metropolitan Area Outer Underground Discharge Channel, the abyss stares back.
JAPAN
Japan’s population shrinks for the 14th consecutive year
By Karin Kaneko
Japan’s population has been falling year on year since 2011 after peaking in 2008.