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Voters queue at to cast their ballots for Iran's presidential election outside a mosque in Tehran on Friday.
WORLD / Politics
Jul 1, 2024

Iran election shows declining voter support amid calls for change

Of the 61 million eligible voters in Iran, only about 40% cast ballots, marking a record low turnout.
The number of lawmakers with income of over ¥100 million totaled seven, all Liberal Democratic Party members, in 2023, up from two in the previous year.
JAPAN / Politics
Jul 1, 2024

Lawmakers' average income rises for the first time in 5 years

The number of lawmakers with an annual income of over ¥100 million increased to seven in 2023, up from two in the previous year.
Tiananmen Square in Beijing
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Jul 1, 2024

What to expect from the Third Plenum, China’s big policy meeting

The Third Plenum gathers about 400 government bigwigs, military chiefs, provincial bosses and academics to steer China's political and economic course.
The yen’s depreciation is largely down to the gap in interest rates between the U.S. and Japan. Therefore, U.S. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell is, to all intents and purposes, “Mr. Yen.”
COMMENTARY / Japan
Jul 1, 2024

There’s a new 'Mr. Yen' in town

No matter what the Bank of Japan or the Finance Ministry do, ultimate control over the yen's value lies in the hands of U.S. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell.
Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike gives a speech before the start of Toden Pro Wrestling, the first-ever pro wrestling event inside a streetcar of the Toden Arakawa Line, in Tokyo on Saturday.
JAPAN / Politics
Jul 1, 2024

Koike has small lead as Tokyo election campaign enters final week

The Meiji Jingu Gaien redevelopment plan and disaster resilience have emerged as key issues as the race enters the home stretch.
Supporters of the far-right National Rally wave French flags at the party's headquarters following voting during the first round of legislative elections in Henin-Beaumont, France, on Sunday.
WORLD / Politics
Jul 2, 2024

French left and Macron race to prevent far-right takeover

Analysts say the most likely outcome of the snap election is a hung parliament that could lead to months of political paralysis and chaos.
A makeshift squat-style toilet is still used at an evacuation center in the city of Suzu, Ishikawa Prefecture, six months after the Noto Peninsula earthquake.
JAPAN / Society
Jul 2, 2024

Six months on from Noto quake, shelter toilets are still squat-style

Reports of health deterioration among evacuees, many of whom are elderly, due to the discomfort of having to use such toilets have emerged.
A Taliban spokesperson addresses a press conference in Kabul on Saturday.
WORLD / Politics
Jul 2, 2024

Taliban told to 'include women' in public life at U.N. talks

Excluding civil rights groups from the talks was the price for the Taliban government's participation in them.
Demolition work underway in areas around the Asaichi-dori morning market in Wajima, Ishikawa Prefecture, on Saturday
JAPAN
Jul 2, 2024

Only 4% of publicly funded demolitions in Ishikawa complete

Requests have been filed for over 20,000 residential buildings damaged by the Jan. 1 quake.
Labour Party leader Keir Starmer speaks during the launch of the party's general election manifesto in Manchester, England, on June 13.
WORLD / Politics / ANALYSIS
Jul 2, 2024

Labour win in U.K. election would likely mean continuity for Asia

While the party has focused on domestic challenges in the run-up to Thursday's election, it maintains a deep interest in the region, experts say.
Under the light of a moon partially obscured by clouds, the eyes of a dozen deer glow uncannily in the dark on South Korea's island of Anma.
ASIA PACIFIC
Jul 2, 2024

Swelling deer herd overwhelms South Korean islanders

The government is weighing a petition to designate the deer as "harmful wildlife" to clear the way for hunting and other measures.
The focus on artificial intelligence comes as the Self-Defense Forces grapple with concerns about recruitment and its abilities to harness the power of new technologies.
JAPAN
Jul 2, 2024

Japan’s Defense Ministry unveils first basic policy on use of AI

The new policy comes as Japan looks to stave off a manpower shortage and keep pace with China and the U.S. on the technology’s military applications.
No matter the outcome of the snap parliamentary elections in France, President Emmanuel Macron’s centrist project has failed to convince voters.
COMMENTARY / World
Jul 2, 2024

Why Macronism failed

With a second round of voting in the French parliamentary election this week, no matter the outcome, Macron hasn't convinced voters that centrism is the way forward.
Economic security minister Sanae Takaichi speaks at a panel meeting on economic security information at the Prime Minister's Office last week.
JAPAN / Politics
Jul 2, 2024

Takaichi gearing up for LDP presidential election this autumn

The economic security minister is set to deliver a speech in Tokyo on July 16, followed by ones in Miyagi on July 21, Okinawa on July 28 and in Hyogo on Aug. 3.
A firefighter in the aftermath of an attack in the Starokostiantyniv, Khmelnytskyi Region, Ukraine, on Aug. 6, 2023
WORLD / Politics
Jul 3, 2024

China can end Russia’s war in Ukraine with a phone call, Finland says

Finnish President Alexander Stubb's comments reflect growing frustration among Ukraine’s allies over China’s perceived support for Russia.
A Ukrainian serviceman waits for Russian drones next to a military vehicle with a anti-aircraft cannon at an undisclosed location in Donetsk region, Ukraine.
WORLD / Politics
Jul 3, 2024

China is making and testing lethal attack drones for Russia

Beijing may be edging closer to providing Russia with the sort of lethal aid that western officials have warned against.
The Defense Ministry holds a lecture for military and police officials from Pacific island countries at the ministry on Friday as part of its security-related capacity-building support.
JAPAN / Politics
Jul 3, 2024

Japan Defense Ministry boosting aid to Pacific island nations

Only three out of 14 Pacific island nations — Fiji, Papua New Guinea and Tonga — have armed forces.
A demonstration of a clear-screen translation system is conducted at a counter at Haneda Airport in Tokyo on Tuesday.
JAPAN
Jul 3, 2024

Clear-screen translation system is being tested at Tokyo's Haneda

The translation system is designed to rapidly provide information to foreign travelers and those with hearing difficulties.
Bank of Japan Gov. Kazuo Ueda (back center) watches as workers prepare to ship the first bundles of newly designed ¥10,000 bills at the central bank's headquarters in Tokyo on Wednesday.
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Jul 3, 2024

Tokyo police warn of fraud linked to new banknotes

Since March, four individuals in their 80s and 90s have been swindled out of a combined total of approximately ¥15 million, according to police reports.
Comedian Daisuke Muramoto has been shunned by the Japanese media for taking his act into political territory. Filmmaker Fumiari Hyuga traces his post-pandemic search for a place in show business in "I Am a Comedian."
CULTURE / Film
Jul 3, 2024

‘I Am a Comedian’: A documentary following Daisuke Muramoto’s rocky comedy journey

Documentarian Fumiari Hyuga captures the story of an uncouth Japanese comedian’s efforts to say what can’t be said.
The revised action plan for Japan's response to outbreaks of new infectious diseases requires the government to take action to raise awareness about vaccinations, reflecting concerns expressed by many of those who submitted public comments over the revision.
JAPAN
Jul 3, 2024

Japan adopts revised action plan for infectious diseases

The government will implement the plan flexibly while taking into consideration the impact of the measures on people's lives.
Kadokawa is investigating the authenticity of a claim by hackers, who stole data from the firm through a cyberattack, that they leaked additional stolen information.
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Jul 3, 2024

Hackers behind Kadokawa cyberattack claim new info leak

The company said it is investigating the authenticity of the claim, and called on people not to share any such data on social media.
Environmental activist Phuon Keoraksmey is arrested after a verdict in Phnom Penh on Tuesday, where a Cambodian court sentenced 10 environmentalists to between six and eight years in jail for plotting to commit crimes in their activism.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Jul 3, 2024

Cambodia sentences green campaigners over their environmental activism

A lawyer for the activists in Cambodia condemned the sentences, saying he would consult with his clients on whether to appeal against the ruling.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (left) and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk shake hands as they attend a press conference in Warsaw on Tuesday.
WORLD / Politics
Jul 3, 2024

Scholz bets on closer Poland ties with France's future uncertain

The two will seek to maintain strong ties with France’s Emmanuel Macron irrespective of the parliamentary election results.
The proportion of public pension benefit payments to disposable income of working generations in Japan is projected to drop to a little over 50% in 33 years.
JAPAN / Society
Jul 3, 2024

Japan public pension benefit rate seen falling to 50% in fiscal year 2057

The calculations are based on assumptions that the economy will maintain a certain level of growth and that the population will remain the same.
The U.S. Supreme Court's decision in Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo last Friday ended what was known as Chevron deference, a legal doctrine holding that courts should defer to the technical expertise of agency staff in interpreting unclear laws.
ENVIRONMENT / Climate change
Jul 3, 2024

Supreme Court gives Trump ‘sword’ to slash Biden’s climate rules

Its ruling last Friday ended a legal doctrine holding that courts should defer to the technical expertise of federal agency staff in interpreting unclear laws.
The Finance Ministry and the National Tax Agency in Tokyo's Kasumigaseki district
BUSINESS
Jul 3, 2024

Japan's tax revenue sets another record amid a weak yen and inflation

Even with the tax revenue gains, however, Japan’s fiscal plight is severe.
Japan’s redesigned yen banknotes are shown at the Bank of Japan headquarters in Tokyo on Wednesday, the day the new ¥10,000, ¥5,000 and ¥1,000 bills went into circulation. 
COMMENTARY / Japan
Jul 3, 2024

The new yen notes have an important story to tell

The inspiring stories of the three trailblazers whose portraits are featured on the new yen banknotes say a lot about the past, present and future of Japan.
If Joe Biden doesn’t let another, better suited candidate run against Donald Trump, he will undo decades of public service.
COMMENTARY / World
Jul 3, 2024

Will Joe Biden go and spoil it all?

Like former presidential candidate Ralph Nader before him, Biden shouldn't stand in the way of the Democrats winning the election and should let another candidate run.
Plaintiffs of a series of lawsuits on forced sterilization and their lawyers hold banners saying "victory ruling" after the Supreme Court ruled in their favor in Tokyo on Wednesday.
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Jul 3, 2024

Japan's top court orders compensation for forced sterilization victims

The landmark ruling was made on the basis that the now-defunct eugenics law was unconstitutional.

Longform

Visitors to Kyoto walk along a street near Kiyomizu Temple in April. A popular tourist spot, Kyoto has seen what locals feel to be an overwhelming amount of tourists in 2024.
Is Japan ready for 60 million tourists?