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TOKYO
April 12, 2025
The Independent Voice in Asia
April 12, 2025
Trump tariffs
Shigeru Ishiba
Osaka Expo
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U.S. President Donald Trump waves as he steps off Air Force One at Palm Beach International Airport in Palm Beach, Florida, on Friday.
BUSINESS / Economy
Trump defends policy as White House says he's 'optimistic' on China deal
President Donald Trump has insisted that his tariff policy is "doing really well," with the White House saying that 15 countries have offers "on the table."

More coverage

Asset flight challenges U.S. safe haven status
Can anyone deal with Trump better than Ishiba?
U.S. President Donald Trump waves as he steps off Air Force One at Palm Beach International Airport in Palm Beach, Florida, on Friday.
Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan leader Yoshihiko Noda speaks during a news conference Friday afternoon at the Diet building in Tokyo.
JAPAN / Politics
CDP kicks off discussions on cutting consumption tax
While party leader Yoshihiko Noda has been cautious, calls for a cut are growing within the party, especially in light of U.S. President Donald Trump's onerous tariff policies.
U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping arrive prior to a meeting on the sidelines of the Group of 20 Summit in Hamburg, Germany, in July 2017.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Trump-Xi truce appears elusive as China prepares to dig in
Authorities in Beijing seem intent on proving that they can withstand even more trade pain from the Trump administration.
Barbosa Anderson Robson
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Brazilian man to face jury trial over murder of wife, child in Japan
The suspect, Barbosa Anderson Robson, is said to have stabbed his wife, Manami Aramaki, then 29, and their then 3-year-old daughter to death after discussing a divorce.
Shirakawa-go in Gifu Prefecture in 2017. Travel agencies catering to luxury tourists often include areas outside well-known cities such as Tokyo and Kyoto in their itineraries offered.
BUSINESS
A trip to remember: Japan answers the demand for curated luxury travel
By Elizabeth Beattie
Creating a unique experience that luxury travelers feel they can hold on to well after their trip is part of the challenge.
Shirakawa-go in Gifu Prefecture in 2017. Travel agencies catering to luxury tourists often include areas outside well-known cities such as Tokyo and Kyoto in their itineraries offered.

JAPAN

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
On a man-made island in Osaka Bay, Japan stages a grand vision of the future — and a quiet test of relevance.
The Osaka Prefectural Police headquarters in the city of Osaka
Japan Post employee arrested for mailing used condom to post office
According to the police, the envelope was addressed to a female employee working at the targeted branch.
Police say they are ready to ensure security for six-month Osaka Expo
Japan's foreign minister to attend NPT review prep meeting
Japan, U.S. to hold joint patrol after Okinawa sexual assaults
Tokyo hopeful's campaign team accused of election law violation
By Yukana Inoue

BUSINESS

U.S. President Donald Trump wants Apple to begin building iPhones in the United States. But Apple is unlikely to move production to the country in the foreseeable future for a variety of reasons.
Why Trump’s dream of made-in-the-USA iPhones isn’t going to happen
By Mark Gurman
Apple is unlikely to move production to the U.S. in the foreseeable future for a variety of reasons, including a shortage of facilities and labor.
Bank of Japan Gov. Kazuo Ueda at a news conference in January. He has been in the top position for two years.
After two years in top job, BOJ's Ueda faces his biggest challenge yet 
By Kazuaki Nagata
Communication will be more crucial from now on, as the economic outlook will be more uncertain than ever because of the U.S. tariffs.
Jolted by Trump, EU woos new partners from Asia to Latin America
U.S. economists say recession risk still high after Trump tariff pivot
Price expectations rise in Japan as tariffs cloud BOJ rate path
By Toru Fujioka
Prudential Life ordered to report preventative measures after three arrests

WORLD

Former Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung speaks during a news conference on his presidential bid for the June election at the National Assembly in Seoul on Friday.
South Koreans’ support for liberal Lee Jae-myung rises ahead of election
The latest Gallup Poll released Friday showed that the left-leaning Lee’s support has risen to 37%, up 3 percentage points from last week’s survey.
Russian President Vladimir Putin shakes hands with U.S. President Donald Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff during a meeting in St. Petersburg on Friday.
U.S. envoy meets Putin as Trump tells Moscow to 'get moving' on Ukraine
The talks come at a time when U.S.-Russia dialogue aimed at agreeing on a ceasefire ahead of a possible peace deal to end the war in Ukraine appears to have stalled.
Trump envoy suggests allied zones of control in Ukraine
Europe to present Trump with Ukraine force plan within weeks
'Several hundred' Chinese fighting for Russia in Ukraine, Zelenskyy says
Head of U.S. base in Greenland fired after vice president's visit

Sports

The Dodgers' Mookie Betts (left) and Shohei Ohtani pose with their Silver Slugger awards before a game against the Cardinals on March, 29, 2024.
Is Mookie Betts or Shohei Ohtani the better athlete? Dodgers teammates weigh in
By Ken Rosenthal
The beauty of the question is that even as baseball players, Ohtani and Betts are so different.
AI continues to revolutionize NBA as teams embrace technology
Mohamed Salah signs new contract to stay at Liverpool
Liam Lawson reflects on 'crazy' start to season after being dropped by Red Bull
MLS to open second phase of study to explore major overhaul of season

Opinion

The flags of participating countries are displayed near the entrance during a media preview day for the 2025 Osaka Expo on Wednesday.
Japan’s second city is hosting a $66 billion coming-out party
Gearoid Reidy
First held in London in 1851, world expos have been promoted as venues to bring nations together and foster global coordination.
Is China overproducing highly qualified talent?
By Kenichi Doi
Japan and NATO strengthen links amid rising security fears
Why buy the dollar if the U.S. becomes an economic island?
By Shuli Ren
Navigating the Trump storm
By Michael Spence

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

"Giselle” is a ballet telling the story of a peasant girl that dies from a broken heart and the supernatural revenge and haunting that follow.
National Ballet of Japan takes its 'Giselle' to Royal Opera House in London
By Kris Kosaka
First staged in 2022 to celebrate the NBJ’s 25th anniversary season, Miyako Yoshida's production is revived for the first time with several Tokyo shows in April.
The band that turned a pandemic lockdown into a Tokyo dream
By Patrick St. Michel
‘The Brothers Kitaura’: A sordid tale of filial impropriety
By James Hadfield
‘Ghost Killer’: Spirited action and sharp humor make for deadly fun combo
By Mark Schilling
Online art scene eager to go offline, at least for the moment
By Zoria Petkoska

LIFE

While Unzen Onsen's "hells" can be visually striking, locals describe them and their effects as "a source of emotional healing."
Heaven from hells: The sulfuric pleasure of Unzen Onsen
By Erik Augustin Palm
Located deep within Kyushu’s Shimabara Peninsula, this hot spring town offers dramatic scenery worth the effort it takes to get there.
Osaka Expo-bound? Take your pick of the city’s new luxury hotels.
By Jessica Kozuka
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

Noriko Shakti has been living in Goa, India, since 2020 and specializes in the tabla, a traditional hand drum from the Indian subcontinent.
Noriko Shakti: ‘Music reflects my journey and learnings’
By Miikka J. Lehtonen
The India-based DJ and producer talks about bridging Indian and Japanese traditions in electronic music and advocating for women’s representation in the industry.
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
Shogo Yamaguchi: ‘Traditional culture thrives in a peaceful society’
By Laura Pollacco

Editors' Picks

JAPAN
Can a World Expo still matter? Japan is about to find out.
By Tomoko Otake
Visitors walk past Sou Fujimoto's Grand Ring, which has been recognized as the largest wooden structure in the world.
JAPAN
Can anyone deal with Trump better than Ishiba?
By Eric Johnston
Having had two meetings with U.S. President Donald Trump, Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba is slowly building a personal relationship with him, which matters greatly to the U.S. president and in resolving bilateral issues.
BUSINESS
After two years in top job, BOJ's Ueda faces his biggest challenge yet 
By Kazuaki Nagata
Bank of Japan Gov. Kazuo Ueda at a news conference in January. He has been in the top position for two years.
JAPAN
How police are cracking down on 'scout' sex broker groups
By Karin Kaneko
The skyline during sunset in Shinjuku, Tokyo. Japan's new underground criminal groups operate under a highly organized and brutal system.
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

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

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SUMO
Takayasu’s latest heartbreak makes sumo history
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Takayasu during the one-day Annual Sumo Tournament at the Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo on Feb 9, 2020
JAPAN
How police are cracking down on 'scout' sex broker groups
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The skyline during sunset in Shinjuku, Tokyo. Japan's new underground criminal groups operate under a highly organized and brutal system.
JAPAN
The man who sent Japan's cherry blossoms out to the world
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Masatoshi Asari is one of Japan’s foremost living authorities on cherry trees and their blossoms.
BUSINESS
Tokyo cheers Trump’s tariff U-turn with second-biggest market gain ever
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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
Berkshire sells $628 million in yen bonds in smallest Japan deal
By Ayai Tomisawa
Berkshire Hathaway concluded a ¥90 billion ($628 million) bond deal on Friday, the smallest yen deal by investor Warren Buffett’s firm since it started tapping the Japanese market in 2019.