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The film character Godzilla poses on the red carpet during a ceremony to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Hollywood, California, in November 2004.  
COMMENTARY
Nov 6, 2024

After nearly three-quarters of a century, Godzilla’s monstrous empire is thriving

The famed Japanese monster went from serious metaphor for nuclear destruction to a kitschy pop culture icon.
The European Commission's executive vice president, Valdis Dombrovskis, and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng finish a joint news conference following the 10th China-EU High-Level Economic and Trade Dialogue in Beijing in September 2023.
COMMENTARY / World
Nov 6, 2024

It's not just U.S. trade hawks. Europe fears China, too.

As China’s economic policies take hold, Europe's economic concerns may be just beginning.
Daihachi Yoshida receives the Tokyo Grand Prix award for his film, “Teki Cometh,” at the closing ceremony of the Tokyo International Film Festival on Nov. 6.
CULTURE / Film
Nov 8, 2024

Festival glory for a dark Japanese comedy

With sold-out screenings, international stars and an increase in guests, this year's Tokyo International Film Festival revived its rep as a global cinematic gathering.
A Mogami frigate at the Maritime Self-Defense Force's Yokosuka Naval Base in Yokosuka, Kanagawa Prefecture
JAPAN
Nov 8, 2024

Australia’s next frigates to come from Japan or Germany

Should Japan win the contract to replace aging Anzac-class warships, it would mark a major breakthrough for the country’s defense industry.
Chinese Finance Minister Lan Foan attends a news conference about a bill on raising ceilings on local government debt, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, on Friday.
BUSINESS / Economy
Nov 9, 2024

China unveils $1.4 trillion debt swap, saving stimulus for Trump

China gave indebted local governments a 10 trillion yuan ($1.4 trillion) lifeline but stopped short of unleashing new stimulus.
NAND flash memory maker Kioxia plans to use a new method for listing in Japan that would fast-track its oft-delayed initial public offering. Both the price and size of the stake to be floated were undecided, according to a filing Friday.
BUSINESS / Tech
Nov 9, 2024

Kioxia files for long-delayed IPO as Samsung’s lead grows

The NAND flash memory maker plans to debut on the Tokyo Stock Exchange between this December and June next year.
Former President Donald Trump with Elon Musk during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania on Oct. 5. The Tesla billionaire is a key figure in the president-elect's orbit. One question is whether his views on climate and clean energy will have any sway.
WORLD
Nov 9, 2024

Musk believes in global warming. Trump doesn’t. Will that change?

The Tesla billionaire is a key figure in the president-elect's orbit. One question is whether his views on climate and clean energy will have any sway.
Donald Trump arrives for an election night event at the Palm Beach Convention Center in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Wednesday.
BUSINESS / Economy
Nov 10, 2024

Charting the global economy: Trump win reverberates around the world

Fed Chair Jerome Powell said Trump’s re-election will have 'no effect' on the central bank’s policy decisions in the near-term.
A US-made TOW-2A wire-guided anti-tank missile, launched by Taiwanese soldiers from a M1167 TOW carrier vehicle at the Fangshan training grounds in Pingtung, Taiwan, on Aug 26.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Nov 10, 2024

Taiwan sees a higher price for U.S. support as Trump returns to power

Tensions between Beijing and Taipei are high, with frequent Chinese military drills stoking fears of an accidental conflict.
The theft of £300,000 worth of top-grade British cheddar serves as a reminder of the quality and joy British cuisine offers, particularly through its artisanal products like cheese.
COMMENTARY / World
Nov 11, 2024

The great British cheese heist gets personal

A slice of Brightwell Ash cheese serves as a reminder of the quality and joy British cuisine offers, particularly through its artisanal products like cheese.
Pocky Day has grown into an informal annual tradition since its introduction in 1999, with stores across Japan offering special edition flavors and creative packaging to mark the occasion on Nov. 11.
BUSINESS / Companies
Nov 11, 2024

Pocky Day: Japan’s sweetest occasion

Since 1999, Nov. 11 has marked Pocky Day, the date being a nod to the stick-like shape of the beloved treat.
Low-carb diets call for the pursuit of good health while consuming appropriate levels of carbohydrates, or between 70 and 130 grams per day.
LIFE / Food & Drink
Nov 17, 2024

Healthy low-carb foods on the rise in Japan

Low-carb diets call for the pursuit of good health while consuming appropriate levels of carbohydrates, or between 70 and 130 grams per day.
Taiwanese soldiers participate in a military exercise in the Bali district of Taiwan in July last year. U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s call for Taiwan to spend more on its own defense, and his complaints about its semiconductor dominance, may herald a tenser relationship.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics / ANALYSIS
Nov 11, 2024

Taiwan braces for Trump’s return, but much will depend on his team

U.S. support may come at a higher price and be decided on a case-by-case basis during Trump's second term.
Donald Trump in the past has netted important victories before the Supreme Court for his policies on trade, immigration and the environment.
WORLD / Politics
Nov 12, 2024

One of Trump’s few checks on power? The Supreme Court he shaped.

The president-elect hasn’t always gotten his way and he may need the court’s help to fulfill his campaign-trail promises.
Nissan’s filing said Suntera (Cayman) is the buyer of the 2.5% stake and listed Suntera as a trustee of ECM Master Fund.
BUSINESS / Companies
Nov 12, 2024

Nissan surges after firm linked to hedge fund takes 2.5% stake

The jump is a remarkable turnaround for Nissan’s stock, which plunged last week after the carmaker slashed jobs and said it would cut manufacturing capacity by a fifth.
Indonesia fans watch a livestream of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Asian qualification soccer match between China and Indonesia on screens outside the Gelora Bung Karno stadium in Jakarta on Oct. 15.
SOCCER
Nov 13, 2024

Indonesia goes Dutch in pursuit of World Cup dreams

Indonesia is in the decisive third round of Asian qualifying as it attempts to reach the 2026 World Cup in North America.
According to The Japan Fair Trade Commission, Kadokawa notified 26 subcontractors in January 2023 that it would unilaterally cut compensation rates for content slated for Lettuce Club from its April 2023 issue and beyond.
BUSINESS / Companies
Nov 13, 2024

Kadokawa warned over unfair payment practices

In a joint statement issued Tuesday, Kadokawa and its subsidiary pledged to pay the outstanding amounts once calculations are complete.
Taxes on U.S. citizens working abroad aren’t excessive so much as excessively complicated.
COMMENTARY / World
Nov 14, 2024

Trump is right: Expat taxes are too complicated

Taxes on U.S. citizens working abroad aren’t excessive so much as excessively complicated.
Mizuho Financial CEO Masahiro Kihara during a news conference in Tokyo on Nov. 14
BUSINESS / Companies
Nov 14, 2024

Japan’s biggest banks raise profit goals, unveil buybacks

Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group and Mizuho Financial Group now project a combined ¥3.7 trillion ($24 billion) in profit this fiscal year.
Masahide Endo, chief consultant at Daiwa Institute of Research noted that Alimentation Couche-Tard's bid for Seven & I Holdings had spawned a sense of crisis in other industries over sudden takeover proposals.
BUSINESS / Economy
Nov 18, 2024

Japanese companies increasingly targeted in foreign M&A bids

The total value of inbound acquisitions from overseas is up about 3.7 times year on year.
Huawei’s struggles reflect how years of U.S. sanctions have scored initial success at freezing Chinese technology advancements at current levels, and deprived its national champions of the chance to graduate to the next level.
BUSINESS / Tech
Nov 20, 2024

China’s chip advances stall as U.S. curbs hit Huawei AI product

Huawei's hurdle has implications for China's broader ambitions, suggesting the country will lag further behind the U.S. in 2025 when newer chips emerge.
Japan's exports rebounded in October, led by a pickup in chip equipment demand in China.
BUSINESS / Economy
Nov 20, 2024

Japan’s exports grow, helped by China even as global risks rise

Exports rose 3.1% from a year ago, led by strong growth in shipments of chip-making equipment, especially sales to China.
The National Consumer Affairs Center reported 1,997 consultations about water dispensers nationwide last fiscal year — an increase 1.4 times that of the previous year.
JAPAN
Nov 20, 2024

Misleading water dispenser contracts in Japan lead to surge in inquiries

The National Consumer Affairs Center reported 1,997 consultations nationwide last fiscal year — an increase 1.4 times that of the previous year.
Originally debuting on a coin purse, Hello Kitty became a national phenomenon in Japan and is now the second highest-grossing media franchise worldwide.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Nov 20, 2024

Hello Kitty looks pretty at 50 (and is worth more than ever)

Kitty’s broad appeal, especially to adults, helped popularize the Japanese concept of kawaii (cuteness), which has since become a global trend.
Sony Group headquarters in Tokyo, on Jan. 31, 2023
BUSINESS
Nov 20, 2024

Japanese publisher Kadokawa shares roar on Sony buyout report

Early afternoon Kadokawa shares were up 15.91% to ¥4,341 on the Tokyo Stock Exchange.
Nissan has warned that missing a British government target on electric vehicles would lead to significant fines for manufacturers.
BUSINESS / Companies
Nov 21, 2024

Nissan urges U.K. to ease EV targets amid weak demand

A British mandate requires at least 22% of an automaker's new car sales in 2024 to be purely EVs, or they face hefty fines.
In Ko Shinjo's "Tokyo Swindlers," a group of con artists manipulates real estate giants into falsified deals within the highly competitive, quick market.
CULTURE / Books
Nov 21, 2024

'Tokyo Swindlers': Get deep into the minds of real estate con artists

Ko Shinjo’s novel, a bold exploration of the twisted psyches of criminals, is best appreciated as a companion work to the recent Netflix series of the same title.
Blast Onepiece (center) wins the 63rd Arima Kinen on Dec. 23, 2018, at Nakayama Racecourse in Chiba Prefecture.
MORE SPORTS / Horse Racing
Nov 22, 2024

Making new lives for veteran racehorses

The future is expanding for retired racehorses. Generally speaking, there are not many racehorses who can transition to life as stallions or brood mares, passing on their blood to future generations. Some go on to second careers as riding horses, for example. But, in the end, thoroughbreds are basically...
Sony's potential acquisition of Kadokawa, the publisher behind Elden Ring, represents an opportunity to expand its intellectual property across gaming, anime and other media provided it learns from past failures.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Nov 22, 2024

Like in Elden Ring, Sony must learn from its mistakes

The Japanese firm’s proposed deal for Kadokawa has great potential — if it can avoid getting stuck in the same mazes as before.
Amid a slowing economy, Beijing has avoided large-scale fiscal stimulus to prevent further debt buildup, focusing instead on modest measures to alleviate regional financial stress without adding new borrowing.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Nov 21, 2024

No, China doesn’t really have a debt crisis

Beijing is gun-shy about fiscal stimulus due to concerns more debt will build up. This thinking is muddled.

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