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A euro symbol sculpture at the European Central Bank headquarters in Frankfurt, Germany. Some investors are betting on the chance that European currencies will gain further against the yen.
BUSINESS / Markets
May 29, 2024

Yen nears record low versus euro on carry and interest rate outlook

The Japanese currency has weakened 1.5% against the euro this month and is approaching its previous record low of ¥171.56 reached on April 29.
Trade no longer generates a surplus in Japan, reflecting a surge in the cost of energy imports and an increase in offshore production.
BUSINESS / Economy
May 30, 2024

Yen's relentless slide revives Japan's interest in structural reforms

The currency's persistent weakness has alerted policymakers to more fundamental drivers behind it, such as the nation's dwindling global competitiveness.
Australia's Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc celebrate with the trophy after winning the ICC Cricket World Cup in November 2023. Australia will try to complete a rare treble of titles when the T20 World Cup begins in June.
MORE SPORTS / Cricket
May 30, 2024

Australia will chase historic treble at T20 World Cup

Australia will be aiming to become the first team to possess all three of cricket's global titles at the same time.
Massive oil reserves mean the U.S. is less enthusiastic about energy transition than China, which is charging ahead with clean technology.
COMMENTARY / World
May 30, 2024

America is joining its frenemies back in the fossil fuel club

For most nations, the energy transition isn’t just sought for climate reasons, it’s also a strategic and economic necessity.
Toyota's global sales, including those of subsidiaries Daihatsu and Hino, fell 4.5% last month from a year earlier to 835,788 vehicles.
BUSINESS
May 30, 2024

Toyota sales and output fall on Prius recall and dip in China

Global sales, including those of subsidiaries Daihatsu Motor and Hino Motors, fell 4.5% last month from a year earlier.
Kei Nishikori pulled out of the French Open due to a shoulder injury on Thursday.
TENNIS
May 31, 2024

Kei Nishikori pulls out of French Open due to shoulder injury

The former world No. 4 threw in the towel after dropping the first two sets to American No. 15 seed Ben Shelton.
Consumer prices excluding fresh food rose 1.9% in May in the capital, internal affairs ministry data showed Friday.
BUSINESS / Economy
May 31, 2024

Tokyo inflation picked up in May, keeping BOJ on track for rate hike

The capital's inflation figures typically serve a indicator for national trends, suggesting a similar acceleration is likely for the rest of Japan.
The Iyogin Holdings headquarters in Matsuyama, Ehime Prefecture
BUSINESS / Companies
May 31, 2024

Bond traders make one-of-a-kind gain at tiny bank in Ehime

Iyogin Holdings, a regional bank based in the prefectural capital of Matsuyama, has delivered record net income for two years in a row.
A monitor showing the Nikkei 225 index and the yen exchange rate in Tokyo. The yen is expected to remain under pressure given the yawning gap between interest rates in Japan and the U.S.
BUSINESS / Economy
Jun 1, 2024

Japan spent record ¥9.8 trillion to prop up yen in past month

The record spending on intervention shows the government’s resolve to push back against speculators betting against the yen.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump departs after delivering remarks at Trump Tower in New York on Friday.
WORLD / Politics
Jun 2, 2024

Biden's big weakness vs Trump: Voters without college degrees

Such results help set the stage for what national opinion polls show is a tied race between Biden and Trump.
A supporter of former President Donald Trump protests in Palm Beach, Florida, after the guilty verdict over falsifying business records was announced on Thursday.
COMMENTARY / World
Jun 2, 2024

Why Republicans go crawling back to Donald Trump

Donald Trump has been convicted on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records. But this is unlikely to make much difference to the Republican Party. Not only is he still the GOP’s presumptive presidential nominee; Republicans have repeatedly proved perfectly willing to forgive his indiscretions,...
Republican presidential candidate and former U.S. President Donald Trump gestures outside Trump Tower, the day after a guilty verdict in his criminal trial over charges that he falsified business records to conceal money paid to silence porn star Stormy Daniels in 2016, in New York on Friday.
WORLD / Politics
Jun 3, 2024

Trump warns of 'breaking point' for Americans if he's jailed

Prison time is rare for people convicted in New York state of felony falsification of business records, the charge Trump faced at his trial.
Spain's Carlos Alcaraz Garfia plays a backhand return to Canada's Felix Auger-Aliassime during their men's singles round of sixteen match at the French Open tennis tournament in Paris on Sunday.
TENNIS
Jun 3, 2024

Alcaraz books Tsitsipas rematch as Swiatek races into quarterfinals

Alcaraz says he feels much more like himself in Paris after an injury-hit buildup saw him sidelined for almost a month.
Almost 45% of Japanese nationals living abroad feel lonely, with a language barrier the leading cause of loneliness, a survey finds.
JAPAN
Jun 4, 2024

45% of Japanese nationals living abroad feel alone: survey

The survey found that a language barrier is the leading cause of loneliness, cited by 31.6%, followed by a cultural gap, by 27.9%.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s party is set to win a majority in the country's election for the third time in a row.
WORLD / Politics
Jun 4, 2024

India shares plunge as polls show Modi's mandate slipping

Modi's bloc looked set to secure a majority in early vote counting in the general election on Tuesday, but the numbers were well short of a landslide.
Sebastien Delogu, deputy for La France Insoumise (LFI) party speaks at a pro-Palestinian protest in central Paris on May 29.
WORLD / Politics
Jun 4, 2024

Gaza war rattles European politics from the left

The rise of radical positions on both the left and right will have widespread affects on the political landscape, observers say.
Red Bull's Sergio Perez arrives at the track ahead of the Monaco Grand Prix on May 26.
MORE SPORTS
Jun 5, 2024

Sergio Perez staying with Red Bull for two more years

Perez, 34, finished second overall to triple world champion teammate Max Verstappen last season.
China’s defense minister, Dong Jun, addresses the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore on Sunday. Beijing says it has a long commitment to regional peace and stability. The problem is its actions speak louder than words.
COMMENTARY / World
Jun 5, 2024

Great powers talk past each other in Singapore gathering

Beijing says it has a long commitment to regional and global peace and stability. The problem is that China's actions speak louder than words.
To qualify for the advance payment offered by the city of Saitama, the single parent must reside in the city and fulfill several other criteria.
JAPAN / Society
Jun 6, 2024

Saitama aids single parents with advance child support payments

The city will offer a maximum amount of ¥50,000 per month per child to the affected parent for up to three months, and seek reimbursement from the former spouse.
Iga Swiatek will be vying for her fourth French Open title when she meets Jasmine Paolini in the final on Saturday in Paris.
TENNIS
Jun 7, 2024

Iga Swiatek beats Coco Gauff to reach third straight French Open final

World No. 1 Swiatek defeated U.S. Open champion Gauff 6-2, 6-4 to extend her winning streak in Paris to 20 matches.
The Bank of Japan headquarters in Tokyo. More than half of the 50 economists surveyed predict the central bank will decide next week to slow the pace of bond buying.
BUSINESS / Markets
Jun 7, 2024

Majority of BOJ watchers expect cut in bond buying next week

Some 54% of 50 economists said the bank will slow the pace of bond buying from around ¥6 trillion per month at the policy board gathering.
Smoke rises above south Lebanon following an Israeli strike amid ongoing cross-border hostilities between Hezbollah and Israeli forces, last month.
WORLD / Politics
Jun 8, 2024

Risk of all-out war between Israel and Hezbollah limited, experts say

Despite an escalation in cross-border violence, experts see little risk of all-out war.
The Celtics' Jayson Tatum drives against Mavericks center Dereck Lively during the third quarter in Game 2 of the NBA Finals in Boston on Sunday.
BASKETBALL
Jun 10, 2024

Celtics survive late Mavericks rally to take 2-0 lead in NBA Finals

Although he considers himself part of the supporting cast, Boston Celtics guard Jrue Holiday looked like a star on Sunday night.
The Bank of Japan is expected to discuss cutting bond purchases at a two-day policy meeting ending Friday.
BUSINESS / Economy
Jun 11, 2024

BOJ expected to weigh bond buying cuts as rate hike timing nears

A paring back of bond purchases would mark the BOJ’s first clear step toward quantitative tightening after pivoting away from its massive stimulus program in March.
The Dior investigation focused on four suppliers employing 32 staff who worked in the surroundings of Milan, two of whom were immigrants in the country illegally while another seven worked without the required documentation.
BUSINESS / Companies
Jun 11, 2024

LVMH's unit put under court administration in Italy over labor exploitation

A probe alleged that the Italian subsidiary, which makes Dior-branded handbags, had subcontracted work to Chinese-owned firms that mistreated workers.
The rates of unmarried Japanese have been rising across every age group. More than 90% of women age 30-34 were married in 1980, versus 65% now.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Jun 11, 2024

Tokyo government's 'Tinder' is actually a good idea

The rates of unmarried Japanese have been rising across every age group. More than 90% of women aged 30-34 were married in 1980, versus 65% now.
Celtics forward Jayson Tatum drives to the basket during the second quarter of Boston's Game 3 win over Dallas on Wednesday.
BASKETBALL / NBA
Jun 13, 2024

Celtics hold off desperate Mavs to go up 3-0 in Finals

By taking a commanding lead in the best-of-seven series, Boston pulled within one victory of the 18th title in franchise history.
Father's Day is said to have come to Japan around 1950, shortly after the establishment of Mother's Day.
JAPAN / Society / Longform
Jun 15, 2024

The evolving nature of fatherhood in Japan

Meiji Era fathers were stern, those from Showa had to be productive for the nation. Heisei dads were told to get involved at home. What will the "Reiwa Dad" look like?
The area along the Tama River where a suitcase containing the body of Tadayuki Hara was found.
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Jun 14, 2024

Five suspects accused of murder after body found near Tokyo river

The new warrants allege that the five suspects conspired to strangle the victim in an apartment in Tokyo's Ota Ward last December.
Mavericks center Dereck Lively II dunks during the team's Game 4 win over the Celtics on Friday in Dallas.
BASKETBALL / NBA
Jun 15, 2024

Luka Doncic and the Mavs avert sweep with Game 4 blowout

Luka Doncic scored 25 of his 29 points in the first half and Kyrie Irving added 21 points while helping the Mavericks avoid a sweep.

Longform

Construction takes place on the Takanawa Gateway Convention Center in Tokyo, slated to open in 2025.
A boom for business tourism in Japan?