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Former U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during an election night event in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Wednesday. Federal prosecutors in Manhattan said Friday that Iranian plotters had discussed a plan to assassinate Trump before the 2024 election.
WORLD / Politics
Nov 9, 2024

U.S. announces charges in alleged Iranian plot to assassinate Trump

The foiled assassination plot on Trump was allegedly directed by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps to avenge the death of Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani.
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.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer speaks during a news conference at the U.S. Capitol in Washington on Sept. 19.
WORLD / Politics
Nov 9, 2024

After GOP wins, Senate Democrats eye major push to confirm Biden judges

The loss of the White House and the Senate majority will end Democrats’ ability to fill judicial vacancies come January.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy walk together while meeting at Trump Tower in Manhattan, New York, on Sept. 26.
WORLD / Politics
Nov 9, 2024

Smile, flatter and barter: How the world is prepping for Trump part II

Foreign leaders have rushed to ingratiate themselves with Donald J. Trump in recent days, nervously recalling the clashes, insults and feuds of his first presidency.
The Marines will make ace pitcher Roki Sasaki available to MLB teams via the posting system, the team announced on Saturday.
BASEBALL / Japanese Baseball
Nov 9, 2024

Marines to allow fireballer Roki Sasaki to move to MLB via posting system

Sasaki is viewed as one of the best young pitchers in the world.
A Toyota Motor car dealership in Mexico City in 2017
BUSINESS / Companies
Nov 10, 2024

Toyota to invest $1.45 billion in Mexico

The automaker will spend the money on production of next-generation models, including a hybrid version of the Tacoma pickup truck.
Elon Musk during a campaign event at Madison Square Garden in New York on Oct. 27
WORLD / Politics
Nov 10, 2024

Silicon Valley’s Trump supporters envision ascendant startups and Vance 2028

The surge of GOP support and contributions set records in the largely left-leaning tech industry, splintering once-clubby relationships.
Japanese organ builder Itaru Sekiguchi is helping to restore the Great Organ at Paris' Notre Dame cathedral.
JAPAN
Nov 17, 2024

Japanese organ builder 'honored' to restore voice of Notre Dame

Itaru Sekiguchi had dreamed of having a chance to work on the "voice" of the masterpiece of Gothic architecture.
A demonstrator holds a picture of Russian President Vladimir Putin and a Russian flag to protest against the visit of the French President Emmanuel Macron in front of the French embassy in Kinshasa, Congo, on March 1, 2023.
WORLD / Politics
Nov 11, 2024

Putin promises Africa 'total support' in anti-West pitch to continent

Facing isolation in the West following its full-scale offensive against Ukraine, Moscow has tried to build new partnerships across Asia, Africa and the Middle East.
Bank of Japan Gov. Kazuo Ueda attends a commemorative ceremony at the BOJ's headquarters in Tokyo on July 3, the day new yen notes went into circulation.
COMMENTARY / World
Nov 11, 2024

Japan needs tighter monetary policy to restore balance

Japan’s economy undoubtedly suffers when the yen is too strong; that is why some advocate for a more expansionary monetary policy.
Through a de facto partial suspension of democracy, French President Emmanuel Macron has kept the far right out of power and restored stability. Similar measures may prove necessary elsewhere.
COMMENTARY / World
Nov 11, 2024

Saving democracy from Itself

Macron’s actions may seem undemocratic, but they were necessary to maintain stability and block the rise of the far-right.
Yasushi Itagaki, head of MUFG’s global commercial banking business, says the banking group aims to push up its buyouts and investment in India, and increase annual returns from them to 20% in 10 years.
BUSINESS / Companies
Nov 11, 2024

MUFG seeks acquisitions in India to drive growth, targeting 20% returns

Japan's largest lender is competing with a slew of global peers to expand in the world’s fastest-growing major economy.
U.S. President-elect Donald Trump takes stage at an election night event in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Wednesday.
WORLD / Politics / FOCUS
Nov 11, 2024

How a Trump presidency could lead to a purge at the Pentagon

During his campaign for reelection, Donald Trump vowed to purge the military of so-called woke generals. Now the question is how far will he go?
Roki Sasaki waves to fans after the Marines' final home game of the 2024 season.
BASEBALL / Japanese Baseball / Sac Bunts
Nov 11, 2024

Posting ace Roki Sasaki will leave Marines in awkward position

The Marines ace is expected to move to an MLB organization this winter.
Nigeriens gather in a street to protest against the U.S. military presence, in Niamey, Niger, on April 13.
WORLD / Politics
Nov 12, 2024

Trump inherits waning U.S. strength in Africa

Biden made sweeping political promises to Africa that he has yet to keep, including visiting during his presidency, which ends in January.
Then-U.S. President Donald Trump with the then-leader of Vietnam's Communist Party, Nguyen Phu Trong, at the Presidential Palace in Hanoi in February 2019
BUSINESS / Markets
Nov 12, 2024

Vietnam may find it harder to profit from new U.S.-China trade war

Its growing trade surplus with the U.S. — which is fourth-largest, after China, Mexico and Canada — will likely put it in U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's sights.
While equity investors are optimistic about tax cuts and deregulation, concerns are emerging in the bond and currency markets, which are signaling fears of higher inflation due to Donald Trump’s economic proposals.
COMMENTARY / World
Nov 12, 2024

Trump’s market honeymoon won't last much longer

Stocks grab all the headlines, but bond and currency markets show where trouble might be brewing.
Then-U.S. President Donald Trump is interviewed by "Fox and Friends" co-host Pete Hegseth at the White House in Washington in April 2017. Trump nominated Hegseth to be the next U.S. defense secretary on Tuesday.
WORLD / Politics
Nov 13, 2024

Trump's picks: A Fox News host, an ex-spy chief and the world's richest man

The U.S. president-elect announced a spate of unconventional picks for key posts — including his defense and CIA chiefs — in his next government.
The U.S. Capitol in Washington. The U.S. Constitution assigns to the Senate the power to confirm a president's nominees for life-tenured seats on the federal judiciary.
WORLD / Politics
Nov 13, 2024

U.S. Senate Democrats rush to confirm judges before Trump takes office

Democrats are on a crusade to confirm as many new federal judges nominated by U.S. President Joe Biden as possible.
Italy's Jannik Sinner in action during his singles group stage match against Taylor Fritz of the U.S. at the ATP Finals in Turin, Italy, on Tuesday
TENNIS
Nov 13, 2024

Inspired Sinner battles past Fritz to claim second win in Turin

"It was a very tough match, we both knew exactly what to expect," Sinner said after his 67th victory of the season.
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.
Indonesian president Prabowo Subianto in Washington on Tuesday
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Nov 13, 2024

Indonesia’s Prabowo courts Trump and meets top executives in U.S.

Prabowo Subianto’s first overseas trip since taking office saw him visit China before he headed for the U.S., as he tries to balance relations with both countries.
As the weather gets colder, we are seeing an uptick in cases of influenza as well as COVID-19.
LIFE / Language / BILINGUAL
Nov 13, 2024

The Japanese you need to get vaccinated before winter comes

With strains of both COVID-19 and the flu circulating, learn the words that will help you navigate a visit to the clinic.
Takeshi Shina, an opposition lawmaker and a member of the Lower House's financial committee, has frequently summoned Bank of Japan governors, including incumbent Kazuo Ueda, to parliament for grilling on monetary policy.
BUSINESS / Economy
Nov 14, 2024

BOJ should raise rates to 1% to reverse weak yen, says CDP lawmaker

His remarks highlight how concern over the demerits of a weak yen will remain a key topic of debate among politicians.
The Azerbaijan pavilion during the COP29 climate conference in Baku, Azerbaijan, on Monday
ENVIRONMENT / Climate change
Nov 14, 2024

Hopes pinned on low-key COP29 to thrash out climate-finance details

The Baku summit aims to reach new agreement for climate-related transfers from rich to poor countries, intended to replace a $100 billion annual target set in 2009.
Taiwanese writer Yang Shuang-zi’s novel “Taiwan Travelogue” provides a portal to the past and allows the reader to explore a bygone world with their eyes, ears and stomach.
CULTURE / Books
Nov 15, 2024

The sentimental gastronomies of ‘Taiwan Travelogue’

Yang Shuang-zi’s layered tale of female companionship takes readers on an epicurean frolic through Taiwan's colonial era.
The streets of Suzu, Ishikawa Prefecture, in October show that the city is still struggling from the aftermath of the Jan. 1 earthquake and heavy rain in September.
BUSINESS / Economy / FOCUS
Nov 15, 2024

Japan faces urgent need to boost state finances for emergencies

If a major earthquake were to strike directly beneath Tokyo, the projected damage would total around ¥107.5 trillion.
There is a broad shift in Japan’s business environment, where long-standing relationships are being challenged by foreign and activist investors looking for merger and acquisition deals.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Nov 15, 2024

Japan's newfound love of M&A makes for strange bedfellows

There is a broad shift in Japan’s business environment, where long-standing relationships are being challenged by foreign and activist investors.
Japanese companies lack the agility needed for the digital transformation, a new report says.
BUSINESS / Economy
Nov 15, 2024

Japan ranked 31st in digital competitiveness, 92nd for English skills

In the 2024 EF English Proficiency Index, Japan was ranked 92nd, down from 87 the previous year. It was its worst showing yet.
Tulsi Gabbard, U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's pick for director of national intelligence, has questioned on X whether the remilitarization of Japan is truly a good idea.
JAPAN
Nov 15, 2024

U.S. intelligence head nominee made possibly hostile remarks on Japan

In a Dec. 7, 2023 post on X, Tulsi Gabbard questioned the idea of Japan's remilitarization.

Longform

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