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Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is greeted by Abdulla bin Touq Al Mari, the UAE's minister of economy, during a reception in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, on Monday.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Jul 20, 2023

Kishida's Middle East visit creates an opportunity for Japan

Kishida visit shows Japan's policy vis-a-vis the Middle East is shifting from the traditional energy-securing economic diplomacy to a more strategic foreign policy.
A man stands atop a float holding a portable shrine at this year’s Sanja Festival in Tokyo.
PODCAST / deep dive
Jul 20, 2023

Why 2023 will be a deciding year for Japan’s iconic summer festivals

As the population gets older do we risk losing the summer festivals that make Japan unique?
Visitors walk past a military fence at Imjingak peace park in the border city of Paju on Wednesday.
ASIA PACIFIC
Jul 21, 2023

U.S. worries mount over soldier after silence from North Korea

U.S. Army Secretary Christine Wormuth said Washington was fully mobilized in trying to contact Pyongyang, including through U.N. communications channels.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaks during an event in Paris on July 14.
ASIA PACIFIC
Jul 21, 2023

Modi condemns Manipur sexual assault as 'shameful' after footage goes viral

The incident prompted India's prime minister to make his first comments on clashes in India's remote northeast that have killed at least 125 people.
Jonas Vingegaard celebrates with his bike after winning the Tour de France in Paris on Sunday.
MORE SPORTS / Cycling
Jul 24, 2023

Jonas Vingegaard secures second straight Tour de France title

Runner-up Tadej Pogacar, the 2020 and 2021 Tour champion, won the white jersey as the best under-25 rider for the fourth year in a row.
The Paris Organising Committee's headquarters
OLYMPICS
Jul 19, 2023

As heat wave bakes Europe, Paris keeps eye on weather models for Olympics

A contingency plan was in place to adjust schedules but there were no plans to change any locations of events, a spokesperson for Paris 2024 said.
Brazil midfielder Ary Borges celebrates her hat trick during the team's 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup opener against Panama in Adelaide, Australia, on Monday.
SOCCER / Women's World cup
Jul 25, 2023

Brazil's Ary Borges outdoes Pele with emotional World Cup hat trick

The 23-year-old is the first Brazilian, man or woman, to score a hat trick in their World Cup debut, according to governing body FIFA.
Bigmotor President Hiroyuki Kaneshige (center) apologizes for improper conduct by the company's employees at a news conference in Tokyo on Tuesday.
BUSINESS / Companies
Jul 25, 2023

Bigmotor chief to resign in wake of repair fraud scandal

Employees were found to have intentionally damaged the vehicles of some customers in order to charge excessive repair fees and make fraudulent insurance claims.
Philippines midfielder Sarina Bolden celebrates after scoring against New Zealand in their 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup group-stage match in Wellington on Tuesday.
SOCCER / Women's World cup
Jul 25, 2023

Philippines stuns New Zealand for historic first World Cup win

The minnows stunned the Football Ferns thanks to a first-half Sarina Bolden header in front of 32,357 in Wellington.
Jacob Curry puts some finishing touches on a sandwich spread at a Lizzo show.
LIFE / Food & Drink
Jul 23, 2023

The personal chefs feeding today's global tours

Many tours for A-list artists now include a vegan chef and place a priority on physical and mental well-being as well as lessening environmental impact.
A screen displays Chinese leader Xi Jinping, at the Military Museum of the Chinese People's Revolution in Beijing last October.
JAPAN / Politics
Jul 28, 2023

China eyes accelerated plan for ‘world-class military,’ Japan says

An annual defense white paper said the world was facing its greatest test since World War II amid China's military buildup and the Ukraine war.
A missile is displayed during a military parade in Pyongyang on Thursday.
ASIA PACIFIC
Jul 28, 2023

Russian, Chinese officials join Kim Jong Un at military parade

The widely anticipated parade on Thursday night commemorated the 70th anniversary of the end of the Korean War, celebrated in North Korea as "Victory Day."
Monex Group was sued on Thursday in what is believed to be the first lawsuit questioning the responsibility of a Japanese securities company over Credit Suisse AT1 bond losses.
BUSINESS / Companies
Jul 28, 2023

Japan’s Monex sued by client for Credit Suisse bond loss

The move marks a rare case of a financial institution being accused of responsibility for investor losses triggered by Switzerland’s move to wipe out the bonds.
The artificial island of Yumeshima in Osaka Bay, a venue for the 2025 Osaka Expo
JAPAN
Jul 28, 2023

Osaka Expo asks for overtime cap exemption as time pressure mounts

The move comes as the expo faces mounting concerns that construction, especially of pavilions for foreign nations, will not be completed on time for the scheduled opening in April 2025.
Transport ministry officials enter a Bigmotor dealership in Sapporo on Friday for an on-site inspection.
BUSINESS / Companies
Jul 28, 2023

Transport ministry conducts on-site probe of Bigmotor amid scandal

The surprise inspection, which covered dealerships in 24 prefectures, came after the ministry interviewed Bigmotor executives including newly appointed President Shinji Izumi on Wednesday.
People sing songs, including "Glory to Hong Kong," during a demonstration in Hong Kong on Sept. 16, 2019.
ASIA PACIFIC
Jul 28, 2023

Hong Kong court rejects ban on pro-democracy anthem

The court said the publication and proliferation of the song is already punishable under the city’s National Security Law, also questioning the efficacy of a ban.
New Zealand head coach Ian Foster (left) celebrates with Damian McKenzie (center) and Rieko Ioane after clinching the Rugby Championship with a win over Australia in Melbourne on Saturday.
MORE SPORTS
Jul 30, 2023

Ian Foster: Ominous All Blacks still not the finished product

New Zealand crushed a disjointed Wallabies 38-7 in Melbourne on Saturday in another statement performance.
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak speaks to the media during a visit to Cofton Park, near Rednal, England, on July 24.
WORLD / Politics
Jul 30, 2023

Sunak gambles with lurch to right as U.K. moderates flee to Labour

The prime minister plans to lean into controversial cultural issues and create dividing lines with Labour and the surging party’s leader, Keir Starmer.
Chef and restaurant owner Rikuo Morimoto, who runs the restaurant Andante in Tokyo, on May 1. A 2019 government report estimated that about 1.27 million small business owners would be 70 or older by 2025 and have no successors.
BUSINESS / Economy
Aug 6, 2023

'Era of mass closures': The Japanese firms with no successors

A 2019 government report estimated that about 1.27 million small business owners would be 70 or older by 2025 and have no successors.
The Universal Entertainment logo at the company's headquarters in Tokyo
BUSINESS
Aug 1, 2023

Japanese firm accused of improper influence over Manila casino

The dispute involves a $275 million investment by 26 Capital. Universal owns 88% of the property under the terms of the deal.
Australia's Hayley Raso (center) celebrates scoring the team's first goal against Canada during a Group B finale at the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup in Melbourne on Monday.
SOCCER
Aug 1, 2023

Hayley Raso stars as Matildas dump Canada to surge into last 16

Australia thrived on the pressure in front of more than 27,000 in Melbourne to consign Canada to an early flight home.
Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike is highly likely to run for a third term in the capital's gubernatorial election in summer 2024, according to sources familiar with the matter.
JAPAN / Politics
Aug 1, 2023

Tokyo's Gov. Koike expected to run for third term in 2024 race

Koike was first elected governor of the capital in 2016, and won a landslide victory in 2020.
Nigerien security forces launch tear gas to disperse pro-junta demonstrators gathered outside the French embassy, in Niamey, the capital city of Niger, on Sunday.
WORLD / Politics
Aug 1, 2023

Macron’s Africa strategy in tatters as his bet on Niger unravels

France is struggling to convince nations in the Sahel region the presence of a former colonial power can bring results.
Then-Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang attends a news conference in Beijing on May 23.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics / ANALYSIS
Aug 1, 2023

China's ex-foreign minister is gone but wait for explanation goes on

A Foreign Ministry spokeswoman on Thursday said Beijing will release information in a timely matter regarding Qin Gang and opposes "malicious hype."
Ukrainian Olga Kharlan (left) and Russian Anna Smirnova compete during the women's sabre senior individual qualifiers at the FIE Fencing World Championships in Milan on Thursday.
COMMENTARY / World
Jul 30, 2023

Don't ask Ukrainian athletes to shake hands with Russians

In fencing and tennis as in life, responsibility is individual, not collective. All the more reason why Olga Kharlan did the right thing.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump makes his way inside the Manhattan Criminal Courthouse in New York on April 4. Trump was indicted on Monday over his efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 election — the most serious legal threat yet to the former president as he campaigns to return to the White House.
WORLD / Politics
Aug 2, 2023

Trump charged with conspiracy for efforts to overturn 2020 election

The indictment alleges Trump knowingly spread lies about the election in order to undermine public faith in the vote and remain in power.
Chikako Utsumi holds bottles of Rose Mind at Tenpoichi sake brewer in Fukuyama, Hiroshima Prefecture.
JAPAN / Regional Voices: Hiroshima
Aug 7, 2023

Local Hiroshima sake and beef grow in popularity due to G7

Popular sake Rose Mind has seen its popularity surge since it was served during the Group of Seven summit in Hiroshima.
Tiger Woods will join five other players on the PGA Tour's policy board.
MORE SPORTS / Golf
Aug 2, 2023

Tiger Woods joins PGA Tour's policy board as player director

The move is part of new governance and transparency measures announced by the Tour that promises to give players more say in future decisions.
Hakuoho displayed power, grit and technique on the way to 11 wins in his top-division debut last month at the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament.
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Aug 2, 2023

Hakuoho hints at what's to come with breakout makuuchi debut

Last month's Nagoya Basho may have just been the coming out party for sumo’s newest superstar.
Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown takes a shot against the Miami Heat in the third quarter during Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals in Miami on May 23.
COMMENTARY / World
Jul 30, 2023

Could Saudi money be coming to the NBA, too?

Jaylen Brown just signed the richest contract in the league’s history, but there’ll probably be an ever bigger deal before long.

Longform

Totopa in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward was picked by consultants TTNE as the best sauna of the year.
Japan’s sauna movement: Relax, refresh, repeat