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World No. 1 Nelly Korda kisses the trophy after winning The Chevron Championship in The Woodlands, Texas, on Sunday.
MORE SPORTS / Golf
Apr 22, 2024

Nelly Korda wins second major and fifth straight event at Chevron Championship

Korda finished with a 13-under 275 and defeated Sweden's Maia Stark by two strokes.
Scottie Scheffler won the the RBC Herigate golf tournament in Hilton Head, South Carolina, on Monday. The Masters champion has won four of his last five starts.
MORE SPORTS
Apr 23, 2024

Scheffler and Korda take men's and women's golf by storm

Masters champion Scheffler has won four of his last five starts.
Mitsuko Tottori became Japan Airlines’ first female CEO on April 1, having risen through the ranks as a flight attendant and heading the flight attendant and customer experience divisions.
BUSINESS / Companies
Apr 25, 2024

New JAL chief concerned about yen’s ‘excessive’ weakness

While a weaker currency helps spur inbound tourism, it is curbing demand for overseas travel for people in Japan, Mitsuko Tottori says.
Theaster Gates' “A Heavenly Chord” lines up church pews before seven speakers and a Hammond B3 organ, a type of electric organ prevalent in Black American churches.
CULTURE / Art
Apr 27, 2024

Theaster Gates’ ambitious ‘Afro-Mingei’ brings Black Chicago to Tokyo

The largest solo show ever of a Black artist in Japan is an absorbing history lesson that draws a line between Chicago and Aichi.
Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards dunks against the Suns during the second half in Phoenix on Sunday.
BASKETBALL
Apr 29, 2024

Anthony Edwards uses huge second half to help Timberwolves sweep Suns

"I knew we had a chance to sweep them and why would we want to go back to Minnesota," Edwards said.
A staff member works at the animation studio Shake Hands in Kyoto on Jan. 24. The studio aims to provide job training and confidence to people with autism.
JAPAN / Society
May 5, 2024

Anime studio draws on talent of autistic artists

The groundbreaking initiative aims to provide job training and confidence to people with autism.
Although current FX interventions are not yet a significant concern for the U.S. Treasury market, large-scale interventions by major holders like Japan or China could pose risks in the future.
COMMENTARY
May 2, 2024

U.S. bonds brace for impact of Japan’s currency moves

Japan holds substantial dollar reserves, but if depleted, it might resort to selling U.S. bonds, though other measures would likely be considered first.
Birdhead members Ji Weiyu (left) and Song Tao, who are exhibiting “The Matrix” facing the “chikuin no ma” garden at Kondaya Genbei as part of Kyotographie 2024.
CULTURE / Art
May 3, 2024

Shanghai duo Birdhead flips photography

Artists Ji Weiyu and Song Tao play with randomness and control in their Kyotographie exhibition, "Welcome to Birdhead World Again, Kyoto 2024."
Mike Tyson (left) and Buster Douglas fight during the seventh round of their world heavyweight title fight at Tokyo Dome on Feb. 11, 1990.
MORE SPORTS / Boxing
May 3, 2024

Tokyo Dome to host boxing for first time since Buster Douglas upset Mike Tyson

Super-bantamweight world champion Naoya "Monster" Inoue will put his belts on the line against Mexican Luis Nery at the Big Egg.
An <i>awamori</i> distillery in Okinawa Prefecture. Shipments of the rice spirit in 2023 dropped more than 50% from their peak in 2004.
JAPAN
May 3, 2024

Okinawa's rice spirit industry seeks rebrand amid falling shipments

Producers are seeking to devise new marketing strategies to make awamori appealing to both young consumers and international markets.
Naoya Inoue (left) and Luis Nery following a pre-fight news conference in Yokohama on Saturday, two days ahead of their super bantamweight title fight.
MORE SPORTS / Boxing
May 5, 2024

'Monster' Inoue ready to tear down Luis Nery in title defense at Tokyo Dome

Ahead of boxing's highly anticipated return to the Big Egg, Naoya “Monster” Inoue said he's ready to knock out his opponent.
A view of Matazo Kayama’s folding screen paintings reproduced on ceramic panels by Otsuka Ohmi Ceramics, displayed at Simose Art Museum.
CULTURE / Art
May 11, 2024

Art and architecture come together at Simose Art Museum

Tradition and innovation converge at Shimose Art Museum. For it first anniversary, the venue is spotlighting trailblazer nihonga artist Matazo Kayama.
Makoto Hasebe (top) celebrates with his Japan team mates after qualifying for the second round of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, in Rustenburg, South Africa, in June 2010. Hasebe captained the Samurai Blue in three consecutive World Cups.
SOCCER
May 14, 2024

Makoto Hasebe bows out at the top, on his own terms

With 114 Japan caps and more than 380 Bundesliga appearances, the player has earned an almost legendary status.
Singapore Prime Minister-designate Lawrence Wong at the Group of 20 finance ministers' meeting in Indonesia in 2022
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
May 14, 2024

Singapore PM-designate Lawrence Wong keeps old guard in reshuffle

Wong picked Trade Minister Gan Kim Yong as his deputy, keeping the Cabinet of outgoing leader Lee Hsien Loong largely intact.
Lee Hsien Loong steps down as Singapore's prime minister on Wednesday, passing the baton to his deputy Lawrence Wong, the second non-member of the Lee family to lead the wealthy Asian nation.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
May 15, 2024

Lee Hsien Loong, the scion PM who modernized Singapore and stifled dissent

He has left his own imprint on the wealthy city-state after steering it through a global financial crisis and pandemic while diversifying its economy.
Visitors line up near a billboard for a Honda electric vehicle at the Beijing International Automotive Exhibition in Beijing in April.
BUSINESS / Companies
May 15, 2024

Honda moves to cut China workforce with voluntary layoffs

Honda's move marks the latest setback for Japan's legacy car brands in China.
Onosato (right) defeats Terunofuji at the Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo on May 12. While nothing in sumo is guaranteed, it seems almost inevitable that Onosato is destined for the top of the sport's pyramid.
SUMO
May 15, 2024

Was Onosato's defeat of Terunofuji an era-defining bout?

It would be premature to dismiss Onosato’s win as the product of circumstance, or downplay its significance.
Demonstrators carry flags and banners during a protest in Amman, Jordan, on May 3 in support of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.
WORLD / Politics
May 16, 2024

Jordan foils arms plot as kingdom gets caught in Iran-Israel shadow war

The weapons were sent by Iranian-backed militias in Syria to a Muslim Brotherhood cell in Jordan that has links to Palestinian group Hamas.
A demonstration condemning the killing of three Chinese teachers from the University of Karachi's Confucius Institute in April 2022. Terrorist groups in Pakistan are targeting Chinese nationals and threatening Beijing's Belt and Road initiative projects in the country.
COMMENTARY / World
May 17, 2024

Should we stay or should we go? China's dilemma in Pakistan

Beijing is pouring billions into Pakistan to complete a key Belt and Road initiative artery. But this is threatened by terrorist groups targeting Chinese nationals and interests.
Al-Nassr's Cristiano Ronaldo after a Saudi Pro League match against Al-Hilal in Riyadh on Friday
SOCCER
May 22, 2024

Ronaldo to play in sixth European Championship

Ronaldo, who has scored in every Euros since his first appearance in 2004, has netted 14 goals in the finals.
Aliou Diack’s “Anastomosis” paintings were created at Yoshino Cedar House, Space Un’s residency in Yoshino, Nara Prefecture.
CULTURE / Art
May 24, 2024

Contemporary Afro-Japanese shows broaden Tokyo's art scene

Three ongoing exhibitions showcasing work by Theaster Gates, Aliou Diack and Serge Mouangue highlight commonality between Japanese, African American and African aesthetics.
Renho, who will run as an independent candidate in the Tokyo gubernatorial election, speaks during a news conference in the capital on Monday.
JAPAN / Politics
May 27, 2024

Renho to run in Tokyo gubernatorial election

The 56-year-old lawmaker from the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan will face incumbent Gov. Yuriko Koike if the latter runs as well.
The University of Tokyo in Tokyo's Bunkyo Ward. A potential tuition hike by the University of Tokyo has sparked student protests amid concerns that it could influence other national universities.
JAPAN / Society
May 27, 2024

University of Tokyo considers tuition hike

The university is also reportedly discussing expanding scholarships and tuition reduction and exemption programs.
The African National Congress’ manifesto launch at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on Feb. 24
WORLD / Politics
May 28, 2024

Where South Africa’s crunch election will be won and lost

As the country heads into its tightest election since apartheid ended in 1994, the ANC is facing competition like never before.
As the world marks World No Tobacco Day on Friday, debate is growing over passive smoking in one crucial space that remains unregulated: private homes.
JAPAN / Science & Health
May 30, 2024

In Japan, neighborly debates light up over secondhand smoke

Passive smoking has become a concern because many people live in multiunit apartment buildings or small houses with little space between them.
Voters stand in line to cast their ballot at a polling station on the seventh and final phase of voting of India's general election, in Patna on Saturday.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Jun 1, 2024

India’s long, bitter election fight heads toward finish line

The results won’t be declared until June 4, but Saturday will offer a clue as to whether Prime Minister Narendra Modi is on track for a third term.
Yayoi Kusama’s “Pumpkin,” once the victim of high waves that dragged it into the sea, sits at the end of a pier on the south side of Naoshima.
PODCAST / deep dive
Jun 6, 2024

The sweaty pleasure of Japan’s inconvenient art

This week, writer Thu-Huong Ha is our tour guide into the world of Japan’s inconvenient art movement.
Postage rates for sealed letters and other documents are expected to be raised by 30% as early as October, the first rise in 30 years aside from when prices increased along with consumption tax hikes.
JAPAN
Jun 7, 2024

Postage rate hikes seen denting New Year's card tradition in Japan

The tradition of sending New Year's greetings on postcards began in 1873 with the introduction of postcards.
Novak Djokovic speaks during a news conference after defeating Francisco Cerundolo during the French Open in Paris on June 3.
TENNIS
Jun 7, 2024

Novak Djokovic says knee operation 'went well'

The 24-time Grand Slam winner was forced to withdraw ahead of his Roland Garros quarterfinal against Casper Ruud.
A customer buys a ticket for ramen at a vending machine at Goumen Maruko ramen shop in Tokyo.
JAPAN / Society
Jun 8, 2024

Japan runs on vending machines. It’s about to break millions of them.

New yen notes set to be introduced this summer won't be compatible with many machines that businesses like ramen shops rely on.

Longform

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