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December 29, 2024

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December 29, 2024

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The Maritime Self-Defense Force Raigei submarine is launched during a ceremony in October 2023.

JAPAN / FOCUS

Japan defense spending goals hit by inflation, weak yen and political uncertainty

By Gabriel Dominguez

A slew of obstacles are jeopardizing Tokyo's pursuit of raising defense spending to 2% of gross domestic product by fiscal 2027.

The Maritime Self-Defense Force Raigei submarine is launched during a ceremony in October 2023.

Firefighters carry out rescue operations on an aircraft that crashed at Muan International Airport in Muan, South Korea, on Sunday.

ASIA PACIFIC

Dozens dead in fiery airliner crash in South Korea

Two people were found alive and rescue operations were still underway, a Muan fire official said.

As an adult member of the Imperial Family, Princess Kako has performed various official duties at home and abroad this year.

JAPAN / Society

Japanese Princess Kako turns 30

As an adult member of the Imperial Family, Princess Kako has performed various official duties at home and abroad this year.

A temporary shelter in Wajima, Ishikawa Prefecture, in January. Japan is preparing to create a disaster management agency, with Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba particularly keen to improve the conditions of emergency shelters for disaster evacuees.

JAPAN / Politics

Japan preparing to create disaster management agency

Disaster-related deaths exceeded 220 in the 2016 quake disaster in Kumamoto Prefecture and topped 240 in the Noto Peninsula temblor.

Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani and his wife, Mamiko Tanaka, attend a Lakers game in Los Angeles on Dec. 8.

BASEBALL / MLB

Shohei Ohtani ends blockbuster year with baby announcement

By Jason Coskrey

Ohtani announced on Instagram on Saturday that he and his wife are expecting their first child, capping a huge year for the Dodgers star.

Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani and his wife, Mamiko Tanaka, attend a Lakers game in Los Angeles on Dec. 8.

A work boat dropping sand on the seafloor for ground improvement work off Henoko, Nago City, Okinawa Prefecture, on Saturday.

Ground improvement work begins in Okinawa's Henoko

The work is part of the project to build a replacement facility for the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma air station in Ginowan, Okinawa.

Tokyo Metropolitan Police headquarters

Tokyo man accused of killing wife with car

The man has admitted to the allegations, saying that he killed his wife because he was angry and upset after she suspected him of having an affair, according to police sources.

Japan preparing to create disaster management agency

Japanese lawmaker dies in Maldives

Tokyo ward mayors call for greater rights for same-sex couples

Ishiba hints at possibility of double election next summer

A poster depicting the characters of "JoJo's Bizarre Adventure" in Tokyo's Shibuya Station in 2023.

Sony's Crunchyroll finds its early lead in anime under attack

By Takashi Mochizuki

Netflix, Walt Disney and Amazon are all digging into their deep pockets to license shows, making it more expensive for anime-steaming site to compete.

A Nissan dealership and a Honda dealership in Tokyo. As the two firms negotiation a potential merger, Nomura Holdings is advising Honda, while Nissan has retained Mizuho Financial Group and Bank of America.

Honda-Nissan deal sets up next fight for bankers in Japan M&A boom

By Manuel Baigorri

At roughly $200 billion, the volume of transactions including mergers and acquisitions in the country is up 48% this year.

Trump tariffs spark concern among Japanese automakers

Trump asks Supreme Court to pause law threatening TikTok ban

Japan's Nidec takes aim at Makino Milling with $1.6 billion unsolicited bid

By Kantaro Komiya and Rocky Swift

Kawasaki Heavy found to have pooled ¥1.7 billion in slush funds

Russian President Vladimir Putin holds a Security Council meeting via videoconference in Moscow on Saturday.

Russia's Putin apologizes to Azerbaijan over 'tragic' airliner crash

Four sources with knowledge of the preliminary findings of Azerbaijan's investigation said that Russian air defenses had mistakenly shot the airliner down.

World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus speaks during a news conference in Kigali, Rwanda, in October.

WHO chief says he narrowly escaped death in Israeli strikes on Yemen airport

WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told BBC radio his ears were still ringing following Thursday's attack.

For the Rohingya, tormentors change but not the torment

By Hannah Beech

Ukraine risks losing all Russian land it seized within months, U.S. says

Cracks emerge in Trump's MAGA coalition

North Koreans see mass casualties on Ukraine front lines, U.S. says

Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani and his wife, Mamiko Tanaka, attend a Lakers game in Los Angeles on Dec. 8.

Shohei Ohtani ends blockbuster year with baby announcement

By Jason Coskrey

Ohtani announced on Instagram on Saturday that he and his wife are expecting their first child, capping a huge year for the Dodgers star.

Drama and dreams: Japan's wildly popular school soccer tourney breeds future stars

By Andrew MCKIRDY

Olympic champion Evenepoel eyes return in time for cycling's Ardennes classics

Chargers clinch playoff berth with dominating win over Patriots

Kyrgios says tennis' integrity 'awful' in wake of Sinner and Swiatek doping cases

The next 12 months will be more challenging, with some countries pursuing quick interest-rate cuts while others will proceed cautiously.

A view to 2025: Enough with the central bank hawks and doves

Daniel Moss

Interest-rate cuts will be a feature, including at institutions that resisted easing in 2024. But mind the nuances.

Will the guardrails of U.S. democracy hold?

By Erwin Chemerinsky

To serve humankind, AI must be shaped by U.N. values

By Tshilidzi Marwala

When Russia fights the wrong enemy

By S.C.M. Paine

Why cultural heritage must be protected in wartime

By Karel Komarek

Steam rises from a geothermal plan in Yuzawa, Akita Prefecture. Despite its long history and potential, geothermal provided just 0.3% of Japan's overall energy mix in the fiscal year from April 2023

Is Japan finally ready to tap its abundant geothermal energy potential?

By Eric Johnston

Japan boasts the world’s third-largest potential supply of geothermal energy, but this renewable energy resource has mostly been untapped.

The mighty Mekong River's growing plastic problem

By Anton L. Delgado

Japan's draft climate strategy spurs calls for bolder cuts in carbon emissions

By Makiko Yamazaki and Ritsuko Shimizu

Japanese study links heavy Hokkaido snowfall in 2021 to climate change

By Tomoko Otake

Companies challenged by fewer weeks of winter

By Ethan M Steinberg

One of conductor Seiji Ozawa’s most enduring contributions is the Seiji Ozawa Matsumoto Festival, which brings together young musicians and seasoned artists. The maestro passed away in February.

The cultural luminaries we lost in 2024

By Alyssa I. Smith

While Japan’s culture marked notable triumphs at home and overseas, the year also saw the passing of many greats in the arts.

‘The War of the Rohirrim’: Striking visuals, insipid storytelling

By Matt Schley

‘Moving’: A profound, poetic coming-of-age masterpiece restored in 4K

By Mark Schilling

Demand for Japanese content booms after 'Shogun' success

By Mathias Cena

Step into ukiyo-e: A digital journey through Japan’s traditional art form

By Masaru Urano

Of the many new openings in Tokyo in 2024, the elegant Sushi Oya run by Yoji Oya stands out from the pack.

From Michelin stardom to humble meals, Tokyo dining had an eclectic 2024

By Robbie Swinnerton

As traditional pubs close and inbound tourism spurs openings, this year saw plenty of new faces make their mark on the city’s dining landscape.

True blue tradition: How Japan's coveted jeans are made

By Natsuko Fukue

Small letter, big impact: A little 'tsu' makes all the difference

By Peter Backhaus

'Don't mess with our mince pies,' some Brits plead

By Helen ROWE

The secret to living to 110? Bad record-keeping, says Ig Nobel Prize winner.

By Daniel Lawler

For the 20 Questions column this year, writers asked their interview subjects about everything from their lives in Japan to their thoughts on news topics.

There were plenty of hot topics to opine on in 2024

By Gendel Gento, Kimberly Hughes, Ora Margolis, David McElhinney, Zoria Petkoska, Justin Randall, Himari Semans, Patrick St. Michel and Ansel Swindells

We take a look back at some of the best answers that our interviewees gave for 20 Questions from throughout the year.

A holiday season built on creativity and care

By Baye McNeil

From the stage to the streets, make a difference this holiday season

By Kimberly Hughes

Yurie Collins: ‘Everyone seems sedated, fed-up … that’s why they turn to comedy’

By Zoria Petkoska

Seven strangers and an algorithm: Can this new dinner app help you make friends?

By Phoebe Amoroso

One of the many entrances to the Kabukicho neighborhood in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward.

Kabukicho: Tokyo’s ‘stadium of desire’

Visitors to Kyoto walk along a street near Kiyomizu Temple in April. A popular tourist spot, Kyoto has seen what locals feel to be an overwhelming amount of tourists in 2024.

Is Japan ready for 60 million tourists?

By Kathryn Wortley

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