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A typhoon hits Hong Kong. Scientists warn that the danger ahead isn’t just from supercharged weather catastrophes. A warmer planet increases the chances of "compound events,” where multiple disasters — natural and manmade — occur at the same time or place.
ENVIRONMENT / Climate change
Jun 19, 2024

The era of super-wild weather is already here

Floods, wildfires, droughts and heat waves have become more widespread and volatile than before.
The U.S. Treasury Department said in a report released Thursday that it has placed Japan, which runs a large trade surplus with the United States, back on its monitoring list over currency practices.
BUSINESS / Markets
Jun 21, 2024

U.S. adds Japan to currency watchlist amid struggles with weak yen

Japan spent a record ¥9.8 trillion ($62 billion) earlier this year to prop up the yen.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Vietnam President To Lam during a reception in Hanoi on Thursday
ASIA PACIFIC
Jun 23, 2024

Putin came to Asia to disrupt, and he succeeded

After stops in Pyongyang, North Korea, and Hanoi, Vietnam, last week that were draped in communist red, Putin left behind a redrawn map of risk in Asia.
Estonian Prime Minister and newly nomiated EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas addresses a news conference at the end of the European Council summit at EU headquarters in Brussels on Friday.
WORLD / Politics / FOCUS
Jun 29, 2024

A lifetime fighting Putin’s aggression drives EU’s next diplomatic chief

Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas, the bloc's next foreign policy chief, will be charged with shaping its response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
U.S. President Joe Biden looks back before boarding Air Force One at Francis S. Gabreski Airport in Westhampton Beach, New York, on Saturday.
WORLD / Politics
Jun 30, 2024

Biden asks donors to stick with him after disastrous debate

The U.S. president repeated that he wouldn’t be running "if I didn’t believe I could win” as he seeks to rebuild momentum in his campaign against Donald Trump.
Takashi Yamazaki’s “Godzilla Minus One,” which won an Academy Award for best visual effects, was made for a reported $15 million — a small fraction of the budgets used by its Hollywood competitors.
CULTURE / Film
Jul 6, 2024

Japanese cinema is having a stand-out year. Here are some films to watch.

The success of "Godzilla Minus One" gave Japan's film industry a confidence boost, but we haven't been short on must-see hits in 2024.
A stone pillar at Tokyo's Yasukuni Shrine, on which the word "toilet" was found spray-painted in May
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Jul 10, 2024

Chinese man arrested over vandalism at Tokyo's Yasukuni Shrine

Police have also obtained arrest warrants for two other Chinese nationals, after an incident involving graffiti and urination was recorded as a video and posted online.
Members of the State Duma, the lower house of Russian parliament, attend a plenary session in Moscow on July 10.
WORLD / Politics
Jul 24, 2024

Russian MPs vote to broaden 'undesirable organizations' law

One of the bill's authors said that British, German and Japanese organizations could fall under the new legislation.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi speaks during a news conference at the Prime Minister's Office on Wednesday.
JAPAN / Politics
Jul 24, 2024

Toyota chairman and 12 other Japanese executives banned from entering Russia

Others include Rakuten Group Chairman and CEO Hiroshi Mikitani and Japan International Cooperation Agency President Akihiko Tanaka.
The Sado Gold Mine, so heavily tapped that the mountain bearing it has been cleaved in two, is up for consideration for UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site status.
JAPAN
Jul 27, 2024

Japan should display full history of Sado mine, South Korean archaeologist says

He will not advise the South Korean UNESCO delegation against accepting the designation of the mine if Japan explains its history properly.
A reddish rock nicknamed Cheyava Falls is seen in Mars' Jezero Crater on July 18 in an image captured by NASA's Perseverance rover.
WORLD / Science & Health
Jul 27, 2024

NASA did not say it found life on Mars. But it’s very excited about this rock.

The rock has been closely analyzed by scientists on Earth who say that nonmicrobial processes could also explain its features.
U.S. Vice President and 2024 Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris speaks at a campaign event in Atlanta, Georgia, on Tuesday.
WORLD / Politics
Jul 31, 2024

Harris to hold Philadelphia rally with vice president pick

Kamala Harris is being forced to select her running mate on a highly compressed timeline.
Friday's sanctions include measures against companies in China involved in shipping machine tools and microelectronics to Russia, according to the U.S. State Department.
WORLD / Politics
Aug 24, 2024

U.S. sanctions 400 entities aiding Russia's war — including Chinese firms

Friday's sanctions include measures against companies in China involved in shipping machine tools and microelectronics to Russia.
The government is expanding subsidies for the use of robotics by nursing care facilities to reduce the burden on care staff amid a chronic labor shortage.
JAPAN / Society
Aug 25, 2024

Japan to expand nursing care robot introduction support

The government is working to reduce the burden on care staff while maintaining the quality of care services by utilizing robots.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida speaks during a green transformation (GX) conference at the Prime Minister's Office in Tokyo on Tuesday.
JAPAN
Aug 27, 2024

Japan to discuss 10-step process for decarbonization strategy rollout

The list includes ways to make it easier for businesses to invest in carbon-free power sources such as renewable energy and nuclear power.
At Sushi Kadowaki, a full list of New World wines offers a new way to enjoy a classic Japanese meal.
LIFE / Food & Drink / Kanpai Culture
Sep 1, 2024

To accompany your counter sushi, why not try a New World wine?

Chef Takatoshi Kadowaki isn't afraid to recommend a California wine to accompany your premium sushi dinner.
Seven & I is currently categorized on the Finance Ministry's classification list as a company that conducts "designated," but not "core" businesses.
BUSINESS / Companies
Sep 3, 2024

Japanese companies cannot use national security cover to block takeovers, official says

Japanese companies cannot use a national security designation as a tool to thwart foreign takeovers, a senior Finance Ministry official said.
A stock board at the Tokyo Stock Exchange
BUSINESS / Economy
Sep 3, 2024

Japan FSA to examine bank risks in ‘world with interest rates’

In its annual policy guidance released on Friday, the Financial Services Agency pointed to uncertainty over the global economy and markets.
Asahidake in Daisetsuzan is located in the town of Higashikawa, Hokkaido, which ranked as the most comfortable municipality in 2024.
JAPAN / Society
Sep 9, 2024

Small Hokkaido town ranked most comfortable place to live in Japan

Higashikawa, a small town with a population of just 8,000, was rated highly due to its friendliness and safe environment.
San Diego Padres starting pitcher Yu Darvish looks on during the sixth inning against the New York Mets in San Diego on Aug. 25.
BASEBALL / MLB
Sep 10, 2024

Darvish still settling back in as Padres battle Mariners

The 38-year-old right-hander is scheduled to make just his second start since May 29 on Tuesday.
Swallows star Norichika Aoki announced his plan to retire on Friday.
BASEBALL / Japanese Baseball
Sep 13, 2024

Swallows great Norichika Aoki to retire

Veteran Tokyo Yakult Swallows outfielder Norichika Aoki, one of the best hitters Japan has ever seen, plans to retire at the end of this season, he announced on Friday.
The flags of the U.S. and China sit in a room where U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with China's Minister of Public Security Wang Xiaohong at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse, in Beijing on April 26.
WORLD / Politics
Sep 19, 2024

The challenges posed by China exceed those of the Cold War, U.S. says

Analysts and members of the U.S. Congress have said escalating global competition between China and the U.S. resemble a different but new style of cold war.
Tokyo Metro will aim to raise $2.25 billion — making it the largest IPO in Japan for six years.
BUSINESS / Companies
Sep 20, 2024

Tokyo Metro and Rigaku set stage for $3 billion Japan IPOs as listings gather pace

Tokyo Metro's indicative price of ¥1,100 per share would raise ¥319.55 billion ($2.25 billion), giving the company a market value of ¥639.1 billion.
A pedestrian walks past a 7-Eleven convenience store in Tokyo. The Japanese model for a convenience store is gaining fans overseas where similar stores sell mostly gasoline and junk food.
LIFE / Language / BILINGUAL
Oct 1, 2024

Making a habit of describing your morning convenience store run

Hitting up the local convenience store before or after work can wind up becoming habitual, and there are a number of grammar points to help describe it.
The University of Tokyo is ranked 28th in the latest World University Rankings, advancing one place from the previous rankings.
JAPAN / Society
Oct 9, 2024

University of Tokyo moves up a spot to 28th in World University Rankings

Many of Japan’s top universities moved up in the latest rankings announced on Wednesday, with five of them in the top 200.
Hikone Castle in Shiga Prefecture may meet a criterion for inscription on the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage list.
JAPAN
Oct 10, 2024

Hikone Castle could merit world heritage listing, UNESCO panel says

The castle from the Edo Period could being assessed as bearing a unique testimony to a disappeared cultural tradition or civilization.
Cider in Japan doesn't have as long a history as other alcoholic beverages, but with consumer preferences shifting, it might be just the easy sip for drinkers sick of stiff tipples.
LIFE / Food & Drink
Oct 13, 2024

As Japan shuns stiff drinks, cider aims for a bigger share of the market

Sake brewer Isamu Yoshii was the first person in Japan to produce cider as an alcoholic drink in 1954, paving the way for a possible cider boom in the future.
Shohei Ohtani's success symbolizes a broader resurgence in Japanese sports, with contributing factors including increased investment in sports, modern coaching techniques and a generational shift in mindset.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Oct 11, 2024

What baseball star Shohei Ohtani’s success says about Japan

The phenom has had what many are calling the greatest season ever. But his success is also a story of change in his home country.
Princess Aiko, the daughter of Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako, attends a spring garden party at the Akasaka Imperial Gardens in Tokyo in April.
JAPAN
Oct 16, 2024

Over 1,900 people invited to Japan's autumn imperial garden party

The list of invitees includes meritorious individuals and local government officials.
The earth tones and suave furnishings of Sezanne's dining room come courtesy of Hong Kong designer Andre Fu.
LIFE / Food & Drink
Oct 17, 2024

Michelin stars awarded to 170 Tokyo restaurants

A glimmering constellation of coveted accolades lights the way for foodies and fine diners in the Japanese capital.

Longform

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