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Shigeru Ishiba speaks during an interview in Tokyo on Tuesday.
BUSINESS / Economy
Aug 7, 2024

LDP bigwig Ishiba endorses BOJ's rate hikes

"The Bank of Japan is on the right policy track" in raising interest rates, Shigeru Ishiba said.
The Japanese figure skaters who competed in the team event at the Beijing Olympics pose for a photo during a ceremony at the Paris Games on Wednesday.
OLYMPICS / Figure skating
Aug 8, 2024

Japan figure skaters finally get medals two years after team event at Beijing Olympics

Japan earned silver in the team competition in Beijing.
Wrestlers battle during the national women's championships in Osaka in 2018. Amateur sumo is a great way to experience the sport for tourists who are unable to get tickets to professional tournaments.
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Aug 8, 2024

No sumo tickets? No problem. Here are some other ways to take in the sport.

Japan’s ongoing tourism boom has resulted in a year-round influx of people interested in experiencing the country’s national sport.
A Russian battle tank drives outside the town of Sudzha on Thursday.
WORLD / Politics
Aug 9, 2024

Russia battles Ukrainian troops for third day after shock incursion

It is one of the biggest Ukrainian attacks on Russia since the war began in February 2022.
Keiju Okada (left) and Miho Yoshioka celebrate after winning Olympic silver in the mixed dinghy event in Marseille, France, on Thursday.
OLYMPICS / Sailing
Aug 9, 2024

‘Wind-reading genius’: Japanese duo sails to silver at Paris Games

In the medal race, Keiju Okada and Miho Yoshioka made the most of the lessons they learned in the previous rounds.
The Kirin Holdings logo. B9 Beverages — backed by Kirin — is building a new brewing facility in the north Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, which, once completed, will become India’s biggest beer factory.
BUSINESS / Companies
Aug 10, 2024

Kirin-backed Indian brewer seeks more clout with new factory

B9 Beverages is building a new brewing facility in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, which, once completed, will become India’s biggest beer factory.
Ami competes in the women's breaking competition at the Paris Olympics on Friday.
OLYMPICS / Breaking
Aug 11, 2024

Is breaking a sport? Even among competitors, the answer depends on who you ask.

There was not even consensus from the B-girls — though all agreed that it belongs in the Olympics.
Gov. Tim Walz of Minnesota at a campaign rally in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, on Wednesday.
WORLD / Politics
Aug 12, 2024

Tim Walz’s long relationship with China defies easy stereotypes

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz has been an outspoken critic of China's human rights record.
Polina Oba enjoys the food in Fukuoka, but still finds herself traveling to Tokyo often as that’s where most of the decision-makers are based. 
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / 20 QUESTIONS
Aug 12, 2024

Polina Oba: ‘Try quick, fail quick, learn quick and you need to always pivot’

Networking is at the core of Polina Oba's GourmetPro startup. Not only is it great meeting new people but you'll never know where those connections may lead.
Frederick Go, who advises the Philippine president on the economy, says Washington, Tokyo and Manila will prioritize five major projects in the Luzon Economic Corridor plan.
JAPAN
Aug 13, 2024

U.S. and Japan reportedly keen on $15 billion Philippine projects

The Philippines is seeking to leverage stronger ties with the U.S. and its allies to help unlock economic benefits.
In the past 11 months, health minister Keizo Takemi has been charting his own path, seeking to make Japan's health care policies more global and digitalized.
JAPAN / Science & Health
Aug 14, 2024

Global mindset crucial for reform of Japan's health care, minister says

International strategies and domestic health care reform are inextricably linked, says health minister Keizo Takemi.
Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce celebrates with his girlfriend, Taylor Swift, after Kansas City won the Super Bowl on Feb. 11 in Las Vegas.
MORE SPORTS
Aug 15, 2024

Taylor Swift spurred 30% boost in Chiefs’ fan base, CEO says

Swift became a fixture at Chiefs games last year after she began dating Travis Kelce, a tight end on the team.
Considering there is another full year left before the current term of the Lower House expires, Fumio Kishida’s announcement he is standing down as the Liberal Democratic Party's leader has many wondering why.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Aug 15, 2024

With Kishida’s sudden departure, who will lead Japan?

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s unexpected decision to not seek reelection has prompted a leadership race within Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party.
There are no rules when it comes to making a bibimbap adapted to your own personal tastes.
LIFE / Food & Drink / The Recipe Box
Aug 18, 2024

With the humble bibimbap, do as you like

With broccoli florets as part of our bibimbap topping, we can also make a quick pickle of the stalk, meaning this meal is practically without waste.
The Afriski slope in the Maluti Mountains of Lesotho
MORE SPORTS
Aug 16, 2024

Skiing in Lesotho: An African adventure under pressure

As enthusiastic as the visitors are, high running costs threaten the unique African ski adventure, which relies on artificial snow when snowfalls are patchy.
Produced by Toei Animation, “Girls Band Cry” follows five young women who form a band and navigate the Japanese rock landscape.
CULTURE / Music / Sound Off
Aug 17, 2024

Prepare for a new wave of anime-born bands

'Girls Band Cry' and its in-real-life band Togenashi Togeari offer the latest evolution of mixed-media music projects.
The 225-issue Nikkei average ended in negative territory Monday for the first time in six sessions.
BUSINESS / Markets
Aug 19, 2024

Nikkei falls on yen's gain, while Seven & I surges

The Nikkei index closed 1.77% lower at 37,388.62, snapping a five-day winning run that pushed up the index 8.7% last week.
A Palestinian man rides a bicycle past a damaged vehicle in which employees from the World Central Kitchen were killed in an Israeli airstrike in Deir Al-Balah, in the central Gaza Strip, on April 2. The Israeli military said it is conducting a thorough review to understand the circumstances of the "tragic" incident, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas.
WORLD / Politics
Aug 20, 2024

U.N. warns of 'unacceptable' level of violence against aid workers

The world body warns that the Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip is potentially fueling even higher numbers of such deaths this year.
Maria Branyas Morera celebrates her 117th birthday in March in this image posted to her official X social media account.
WORLD
Aug 21, 2024

Maria Branyas Morera, the world’s oldest person, dies at 117

Morera died peacefully in her sleep in Olot, Spain at her nursing home, Residencia Santa Maria del Tura, according to family.
Akamon Gate at the University of Tokyo
JAPAN / Society
Aug 21, 2024

Japan's low birthrate sparks talks of university consolidation

An education ministry official has expressed concern that some areas may be left without universities
Shigeki Maruyama drives fellow players in a golf cart during the first practice round for the 2013 Presidents Cup golf tournament in Dublin, Ohio, in October 2013.
MORE SPORTS / Golf
Aug 21, 2024

Maruyama named International team's final assistant for Presidents Cup

"His record in this event speaks for itself," said International team captain Mike Weir on Wednesday.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and head of the Chechen Republic, Ramzan Kadyrov, look at weapons said to have been captured during Russia's military campaign in Ukraine, as they visit the Russian Special Forces University in Gudermes, Chechnya, on Tuesday.
WORLD
Aug 21, 2024

Ukraine's drone attack on Moscow 'one of largest ever,' mayor says

Russian air defense units destroyed at least 11 drones flying toward the capital, as well as 34 over the border Bryansk region and others, officials said.
Kotozakura (left) defeats Terunofuji at Dolphins Arena in Nagoya on July 28.
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Aug 21, 2024

NFL-style changes sumo could and should make

Many of the sport’s centuries-old systems and methodologies are an increasingly awkward fit in the modern world.
Red Bull's Max Verstappen in action during the Belgian Grand Prix on July 28
MORE SPORTS / Auto Racing
Aug 21, 2024

Verstappen needs a home win to end losing streak

Verstappen, who leads Formula One by 78 points with 10 rounds remaining, has not stood on top of the podium since Spain on June 23.
Thailand Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra pays her respect to a picture of Thailand King Maha Vajiralongkorn as she receives a royal endorsement to become the 31st prime minister in Bangkok on Sunday.
COMMENTARY / World
Aug 21, 2024

Thailand’s democracy is on shaky ground

Southeast Asia’s second-largest economy is in the middle of yet another political crisis. Citizens deserve better.
Revised guidelines on municipal governments' postpartum care programs will likely include care for women who temporarily stay at their parents' homes to give birth.
JAPAN
Aug 22, 2024

Japan to revise guidelines for local government postpartum care

The upcoming revision comes as some local governments face difficulties implementing postpartum care projects by themselves.
Former Morgan Stanley CEO James Gorman will lead the committee searching for a successor to Disney CEO Bob Iger.
BUSINESS / Companies
Aug 22, 2024

Disney names James Gorman to lead CEO succession planning effort

Disney is weighing both internal and external candidates to succeed Bob Iger.
Bo Nix will be the first rookie to start the season opener for the Broncos since John Elway in 1983.
MORE SPORTS / Football
Aug 22, 2024

Broncos to open season with rookie Bo Nix as starting quarterback

The first-round draft pick will become the first rookie to start a season opener for Denver since Hall of Famer John Elway in 1983.
University students in Varanasi, India, protest against a recent rape and murder of a doctor in West Bengal. Despite some improvements in legislation following high-profile cases, such as the 2012 gang rape, violence against women has worsened, with recorded rapes increasing.
COMMENTARY / World
Aug 22, 2024

Protests won’t change India's attitude toward rape

Despite some improvements in legislation following high-profile cases, such as the 2012 gang rape, violence against women has worsened, with recorded rapes increasing.
Transport ministry officials enter the Kobe plant of Kawasaki Heavy Industries for an on-site inspection on Thursday.
JAPAN
Aug 22, 2024

Transport ministry raids Kawasaki Heavy over ship engine test tampering

The firm has admitted inappropriately tweaked testing equipment to keep emissions data within ranges of customer specifications and reduce the variance of data.

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