Search - 2019

 
 
Nadeshiko Japan head coach Futoshi Ikeda is all but certain to continue his role through the 2024 Paris Olympics and beyond.
SOCCER / Women's World cup
Aug 13, 2023

Futoshi Ikeda wants youngsters to grow as Nadeshiko heads home

The emergence of a crop of talented youngsters has reinvigorated a Nadeshiko side set to benefit from greater stability over the next four years.
People surveying wildfire damage in the town of Lahaina in Hawaii on Friday. Emergency workers on Saturday continued to dig through the ash and rubble, with the official death toll from the fires rising to 93.
WORLD / Society
Aug 14, 2023

Seeking cause of deadly Hawaii fires, lawyers probe power lines

Attorneys from three firms say accounts suggest damaged power infrastructure owned by Hawaiian Electric Industries created the spark for the flames.
A burned palm tree droops in Lahaina on Maui, Hawaii, on Friday, two days after the historic town was devastated by wildfire.
WORLD / Society
Aug 14, 2023

How climate change turned lush Hawaii into a tinderbox

The devastation on Maui happened in a state defined by its lush vegetation, a far cry from the dry landscape normally associated with fire threats.
Argentine presidential candidate Javier Milei (center) on stage at his campaign headquarters on the day of Argentina's primary elections, in Buenos Aires on Sunday
WORLD / Politics
Aug 14, 2023

Argentine far-right outsider posts shock win in primary election

With some 90% of ballots counted, far-right libertarian economist Javier Milei had 30.5% of the vote, far higher than predicted.
Aoi Suzuki’s son runs past a home in Taketomi on Iriomote Island (not to be confused with Taketomi Island, which lies to the east of Iriomote). The Suzukis run the Takemori Inn, one of the few hotels on Iriomote.
LIFE / Travel / Longform
Aug 14, 2023

My annual pilgrimage to Okinawa

Navigating between different ferries can open up whole new worlds in Japan's southernmost islands.
Jimmy Lai arrives for a court appearance in Hong Kong in February 2021.
ASIA PACIFIC
Aug 14, 2023

H.K. democracy activists win narrow legal victory in protest case

The Court of Appeal said there was no evidence the defendants played any role in planning or organizing the unauthorized march in 2019.
Junior high school students participate in a community-based club activity without any instructors in Kakegawa, Shizuoka Prefecture.
JAPAN / Society / Regional voices: Chubu
Aug 15, 2023

Facing long hours, teacher pushes for data-driven reforms

Given the long working hours for Japan's schoolteachers, one educator from Gifu Prefecture is leading initiatives for teachers’ work-style reforms.
Japan’s economy has expanded at a much faster pace than forecast, despite weak domestic consumption.
BUSINESS / Economy
Aug 15, 2023

Japan’s GDP grows at 6% on strong exports as consumption falters

Capital spending by businesses was flat, versus forecasts of a 0.4% increase, while private consumption unexpectedly declined by 0.5%.
Nadeshiko Japan reached the knockout stage at a fourth consecutive FIFA Women's World Cup before being eliminated in the quarterfinals on Friday by Sweden.
SOCCER / Women's World cup / From the Spot
Aug 15, 2023

Bold steps needed from JFA, WE League to maintain momentum after WWC

After Nadeshiko Japan's inspiring quarterfinal run in New Zealand, the country's soccer bodies must avoid the missteps of the post-2011 boom and bust.
A Chadian army officer reacts as cart owners transport the belongings of Sudanese people who fled the conflict in Sudan's Darfur region, while crossing the border between Sudan and Chad.
WORLD / Politics
Aug 16, 2023

Sudan 'spiraling out of control' as 1 million flee country: U.N.

Efforts to mediate a cease-fire have stalled, and those remaining in the country have faced rampant looting and long power cuts.
A moviegoer walks past a poster of the film "The Kerala Story" at a movie theater in Mumbai on May 10.
WORLD / Politics
Aug 16, 2023

Indian movies vilifying Muslims spark fear ahead of polls

An anti-Muslim hit claims to depict "innocent girls trapped, transformed and trafficked for terror," declaring it was "inspired by many true stories."
Both Mizuho Bank and Mizuho Securities USA are currently before the courts regarding discrimination lawsuits from former employees.
BUSINESS
Aug 9, 2023

Ex-Mizuho VP sues bank alleging bias against non-Japanese staff

According to the suit, much of the discrimination surfaced in response to a request for extended paternity leave.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken meets with the Chinese Communist Party's foreign policy chief, Wang Yi, on the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Jakarta on July 13.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Aug 16, 2023

Southeast Asia uses great power competition to dodge failures

The U.S. needs to rethink its approach toward Southeast Asia, counter China's narrative, and engage in effective public diplomacy.
England's Alessia Russo celebrates after scoring her team's third goal against Australia during the Women's World Cup semifinals in Sydney on Wednesday.
SOCCER / Women's World cup
Aug 17, 2023

England beats Australia to reach first Women's World Cup final

Sam Kerr's wondrous second-half strike was not enough to lift co-host Australia into the Women's World Cup final.
South Africa's Siya Kolisi is set to make his return on Saturday against Wales.
MORE SPORTS
Aug 17, 2023

Springboks elated to have captain Siya Kolisi back ahead of World Cup

Kolisi suffered a serious knee injury in April that cast doubt over his availability for the upcoming Rugby World Cup.
Australia captain Sam Kerr vowed that her team would be ready to face Sweden in the third-place match at the Women's World Cup on Saturday.
SOCCER / Women's World cup
Aug 17, 2023

Australia faces quick turnaround ahead of third-place match

"We have to pick ourselves up and go again," Australia captain Sam Kerr said. "And we're going to do everything to win third place."
Protesters shout slogans and raise banners reading "Don't throw polluted water into the sea! Keep your promises" during a rally against Japan's plan to discharge treated radioactive water from the tsunami-wrecked Fukushima plant into the ocean, in front of the Prime Minister's Office in Tokyo on Friday.
JAPAN / Politics / ANALYSIS
Aug 18, 2023

Fukushima water release poses test for Japan-South Korea unity

The dumping of radioactive water may happen days after a summit in which the U.S. wants Japan and South Korea to lock in friendly ties.
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket lifts off with a payload of 21 Starlink satellites from the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Cape Canaveral, Florida, on Feb. 27.
BUSINESS / Tech
Aug 18, 2023

Starlink lifts off in Asia as satellite internet race heats up

Elon Musk's company has carved out a niche and an opportunity through the region's natural disasters and the vast sweep of its archipelagoes and islands.
A women-only passenger train in Tokyo
JAPAN / Explainer
Aug 18, 2023

DJ Soda incident spotlights prevalence of groping in Japan

The groping of the South Korean DJ at a festival spurred online conversations about the issue, with a term translating as "groping country" trending on X.
The color of a red torii gate in Bushidaira, Saitama Prefecture, still stands out against a vibrant green backdrop.
JAPAN / Society / Longform
Aug 18, 2023

Exploring the eerie beauty of Japan's abandoned villages

Depopulation and an aging society have turned parts of the countryside into tourist attractions for those eager to explore a forgotten era.
England captain Owen Farrell runs during training in Bagshot, England, on July 31.
MORE SPORTS / Rugby
Aug 18, 2023

World Rugby decision puts Owen Farrell's World Cup status in doubt

World Rugby said it appealing the decision to overturn the red card Farrell was given for tackle during England's game against Wales.
A jade pig from the Ming dynasty (1368-1644) at the shop of jade trader Lee in Taipei. Taiwan's jade trading sector is flagging post-COVID.
ASIA PACIFIC
Aug 19, 2023

Taiwan's antique jade dealers see trade losing luster

With the global economy in tatters, buyers are more cautious about taking a chance on expensive items, especially with the market awash with counterfeits.
After enjoying robust demand during the COVID-19 pandemic, air cargo firms are now reeling from overcapacity.
BUSINESS / FOCUS
Aug 19, 2023

Air travel boom creates crosswinds for air cargo

Passenger jets grounded during the pandemic are flying again and transporting goods, upping the competition with dedicated air freighters.
Sixers guard James Harden's future with the team is in doubt after his comments toward president of basketball operations Daryl Morey.
BASKETBALL / NBA
Aug 20, 2023

NBA launches inquiry into 76ers-Harden spat

The NBA has opened an inquiry into Philadelphia 76ers star guard James Harden's public criticism of Sixers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey, ESPN reported on Saturday.
Surging populations of plant-eating insects are disrupting farms and the food supply chain, causing problems far more serious than sticky windshields from bug excrement.
COMMENTARY / World
Aug 20, 2023

The insect apocalypse is coming to your neighborhood

Polar bears and sea turtles get most of the attention as victims of climate change, but when the bugs invade we're all going to feel it personally.
U.S. sprinter Noah Lyles (right) beats the field to the finish line to win the 100-meter final at the world championships in Budapest on Sunday.
MORE SPORTS / Athletics
Aug 21, 2023

U.S. sprinter Noah Lyles eager to pick up baton Usain Bolt left behind

Noah Lyles is ready to take aim at Usain Bolt's 200-meter world record after winning the 100 at the word championships.
Japan's major paper manufacturers are developing a new fiber to expand the use of wood amid a decline in domestic demand for paper.
BUSINESS
Aug 21, 2023

Japan paper industry to develop new wood fiber material

With demand for paper in the doldrums, the industry is looking to expand the use of wood, a renewable resource, beyond paper products.
Spain players celebrate with the trophy after winning the World Cup in Sydney on Sunday.
SOCCER / Women's World cup
Aug 22, 2023

Success of Women's World Cup can't hide financial gap with men

The 2023 World Cup buoyed hopes that the women's game can start to bridge the yawning financial gap.
Spanish midfielder Alexia Putellas (left) battles for the ball against English forward Lauren James during in the final of the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup in Sydney on Sunday. Spain won the match 1-0.
COMMENTARY / World
Aug 22, 2023

FIFA boss should read the pitch on women’s pay

More than 2 billion people are expected to have tuned in. About 2 million attended matches in person. Both records. The FIFA Women’s World Cup generated more than $570 million to break even.
U.S. and Japanese authorities are concerned that purchases of farmland near military bases and other critical facilities will allow China and other governments to spy on or interfere with their operations.
COMMENTARY / World
Aug 22, 2023

For the best espionage, it’s location, location, location

Efforts by Chinese companies to purchase land — often, but not exclusively, agricultural — has authorities in Japan and the United States up in arms.

Longform

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