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December 29, 2024
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December 29, 2024
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Rescue personnel are seen near the tail section of a Jeju Air Boeing 737-800 series aircraft after the plane crashed and burst into flames at Muan International Airport in Muan, South Korea, on Sunday.
ASIA PACIFIC
Nearly all feared killed in South Korea's deadliest plane crash in decades
Investigators are looking into bird strikes and weather conditions as possible factors in the crash of the Jeju Air plane.
Rescue personnel are seen near the tail section of a Jeju Air Boeing 737-800 series aircraft after the plane crashed and burst into flames at Muan International Airport in Muan, South Korea, on Sunday.
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.
A Japan Coast Guard vessel sails in front of Uotsuri island, one of the disputed Senkaku Islands, which are claimed by Beijing as the and Diaoyu, in the East China Sea in August 2013.
JAPAN
Chinese government vessels seen near Senkakus for record 353 days in 2024
By Kathleen Benoza
The record comes as Beijing continues to ramp up its activities near the tiny islets that it also claims in the East China Sea.
A Toyota RAV4 at a car dealership in California on Dec. 18. U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's pledge to impose additional tariffs on imports has sparked concern among Japanese automakers with significant operations in Mexico.
BUSINESS / Companies / FOCUS
Trump tariffs spark concern among Japanese automakers
The pressing question now is how Japan will navigate and respond to the emerging order shaped by deepening global divisions.
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.

JAPAN

A woman receives a COVID-19 vaccine in Minato Ward, Tokyo, in October.
Meiji Seika Pharma files suit against lawmaker over 'unfounded' vaccine claims
By Kathleen Benoza
CDP Lower House lawmaker Kazuhiro Haraguchi has said that the drugmaker's replicon vaccine is "akin to a biological weapon."
As an adult member of the Imperial Family, Princess Kako has performed various official duties at home and abroad this year.
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.
Nursing care needs surge in Noto quake-hit areas
Japan's Wajima craftmakers see hope in disaster-hit region
By Hiroshi Hiyama
Japan preparing to create disaster management agency
Ground improvement work begins in Okinawa's Henoko

BUSINESS

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 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
Osamu Suzuki, who ran Suzuki Motor for five decades, dies at 94
By Yuki Hagiwara

WORLD

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un attends a meeting of the country's ruling party in Pyongyang in this photo released Sunday.
North Korea launches 'toughest' U.S. strategy at key party meeting
By Jesse Johnson
In a signal to U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, North Korea has used a key party meeting overseen by leader Kim Jong Un to announce its “toughest” ever strategy to counter the United States, Pyongyang's state-run media said Sunday.
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.
For the Rohingya, tormentors change but not the torment
By Hannah Beech
Trump sides with Musk in rightwing row over worker visas
WHO chief says he narrowly escaped death in Israeli strikes on Yemen airport
Ukraine risks losing all Russian land it seized within months, U.S. says

Sports

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.
How Anrie Chase went from a Fukushima high school to playing against Real Madrid
By Mark Lomas
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

Opinion

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.
An economic requiem for the Biden administration
By Barry Eichengreen
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

ENVIRONMENT

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.
Japan’s weather in 2024: Record temperatures hurt people’s health and wallets
By Tomoko Otake
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

CULTURE

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

LIFE

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

COMMUNITY

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

Editors' Picks

LIFE
How Hokkaido quietly became a culinary treasure trove in 2024
By Simon Daly
The central Hokkaido city of Asahikawa made headlines this year when one of its suburbs was named as the best place to live in Japan — a ranking earned in part due to the community's many outstanding restaurants and cafes.
CULTURE
Bling-Bang, baby: The J-pop soundtrack of 2024
By Patrick St. Michel
Hip-hop duo Creepy Nuts' uptempo “Bling-Bang-Bang-Born” quickly became a TikTok favorite after its release days into 2024, which helped turn the song into a Billboard Japan Hot 100 topper for 19 weeks before rising up viral streaming charts around the world.
JAPAN
Flu cases surge above ‘warning’ levels in much of Japan
By Tomoko Otake
Authorities are calling for utmost vigilance as Japan heads into the New Year holiday season, when many people plan getaways.
BASEBALL
Dodgers voice Stephen Nelson paves way for Japanese Americans in media
By Jason Coskrey
Dodgers announcers Stephen Nelson and Jessica Mendoza pose with Ichiro Suzuki before a game against the Mariners in Seattle in 2023.
LIFE
Start the new year not with one temple visit, but seven
By Zoria Petkoska
At each shrine and temple, priests create festive, decorative go-shuin stamps, and you can collect the marks of all seven of the lucky gods on one piece of paper (called a shikishi) to serve as a good-luck talisman.

Podcast

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

Longform

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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WHAT’S TRENDING

WORLD
Ukraine risks losing all Russian land it seized within months, U.S. says
Ukrainian soldiers carry the coffins of three comrades killed in recent fighting in eastern Ukraine during their funeral in the western city of Lviv on Dec. 20.
BUSINESS
Honda-Nissan deal sets up next fight for bankers in Japan M&A boom
By Manuel Baigorri
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.
BUSINESS
Osamu Suzuki, who ran Suzuki Motor for five decades, dies at 94
By Yuki Hagiwara
Osamu Suzuki, a former president of Suzuki Motor, in October 2016
JAPAN
Uranium detected in extracted Fukushima nuclear fuel debris
Nuclear fuel debris recovered from the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant No. 2 reactor
EDITORIALS
Rejecting the Nippon Steel bid is a slap in the face to Japan
U.S. Steel workers who support the takeover by Nippon Steel rally outside the company's headquarters in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in September.