Tag - japan

 
 

JAPAN

Philippine National Security Council Assistant Director-General Jonathan Malaya says information and psychological warfare have "become part and parcel" of China's malign influence in his country.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Feb 7, 2025
Chinese hybrid warfare ops surge in Philippines: top security official
There has been a rise in Chinese disinformation tactics as well as suspected surveillance and espionage activities in the Philippines, the official said.
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump will likely aim at maintaining the status quo, avoid new trade issues and ensure Japan isn’t targeted by tariffs.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Feb 7, 2025
A new golden age for U.S.-Japan? I don’t think so.
Ishiba won’t be looking for any great breakthrough, a dramatic defense re-posturing, or support for any of his long-held foreign policy goals
People protest at the U.S. Capitol in Washington on Wednesday against President Donald Trump’s decision to effectively shut down the United States Agency for International Development.
EDITORIALS
Feb 7, 2025
Shutting USAID deprives the U.S. of a vital foreign policy tool
Trump's decision to suspend USAID is a blow to Japan, which has long valued aid as a stabilizing force.
David Burritt, president and chief executive officer of U.S. Steel, in Detroit in September
BUSINESS / Companies
Feb 7, 2025
Trump meets U.S. Steel CEO as Nippon Steel hopes to save deal
The meeting took place one day before Trump is due to meet with Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba.
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and U.S. President Donald Trump
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Feb 6, 2025
With Ishiba-Trump meet, Tokyo hopes to keep ties on even keel
Tokyo has been scrambling for ways to placate the U.S. leader, and head off any dust-up between the allies during Friday’s meeting.
Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro says Manila's moves to beef up deterrence — including continuing to have a powerful U.S. missile system deployed on its territory — “are for the protection of our territorial integrity and sovereignty."
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Feb 6, 2025
Philippines all in to get its own midrange missile system
The plan, as disclosed by Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, comes amid Chinese pressure to remove a powerful U.S. weapons system from its territory.
United Steelworkers President David McCall
BUSINESS / Companies
Feb 6, 2025
Union chief files motion to dismiss suit by U.S. Steel and Nippon Steel
United Steelworkers called the U.S. Steel and Nippon Steel lawsuit a "frivolous and unsubstantiated attack" on the union.
Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi (left) describes a detail of a mawashi presented as a gift to French President Jacques Chirac at the Elysee Palace in 1999.
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Feb 5, 2025
No Paris Syndrome for Japan’s national sport
Despite an up and down history, sumo and France remain amorous.
The United States was the biggest food export destination for Japan, with shipments totaling ¥242.9 billion, up 17.8%, helped by efforts to diversify scallop export markets following China's fishery import ban.
BUSINESS / Economy
Feb 5, 2025
Japan's food exports hit record high for 12th straight year
The United States was the biggest food export destination for Japan.
Japan aims to attract more digital nomads from abroad, who are expected to stay longer in the country than tourists.
JAPAN
Feb 5, 2025
Japan to support efforts to attract digital nomads
The tourism agency will provide subsidies to cover part of the expenses for preparation of workplaces and accommodation for such workers.
While it's unclear whether U.S. President Donald Trump will follow through with his promised 25% levies on Mexico and Canada after agreeing to a 30-day pause on Monday, the blowback would be profound for Nissan.
BUSINESS / Companies / ANALYSIS
Feb 4, 2025
Trump tariffs will only add to the pain for hard-hit Nissan
The blowback from potential tariffs on Mexico and Canada would be profound for Japan's No.3 carmaker, which is struggling to turn itself around.
Russian demand for Japanese grand pianos is always very high, a dealer has said.
BUSINESS / Economy
Feb 4, 2025
Smuggled grand pianos show Trump’s challenge in pressuring Putin
High-end Japanese pianos still make their way to Russia despite export ban, highlighting Tokyo's struggle to enforce sanctions.
Trading company Mitsui
BUSINESS / Companies
Feb 4, 2025
Japan's Mitsui could study Alaska LNG project, but no decision yet
Japan is considering offering support for a $44-billion gas pipeline in Alaska as it seeks to court U.S. President Donald Trump and forestall potential trade friction.
Former Nissan executive Greg Kelly in his Tokyo apartment in February 2020. He returned to the United States after the first verdict nearly three years ago in which he was given a suspended prison sentence.
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Feb 4, 2025
Tokyo court upholds suspended jail term for former Nissan exec
Greg Kelly was found guilty in 2022 of helping the automaker's fugitive ex-CEO, Carlos Ghosn, underreport his income.
Despite numerous past meetings between U.S. and Japanese leaders, Shigeru Ishiba's relationship with Donald Trump is expected to be awkward, lacking the rapport the U.S. president had with former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Feb 4, 2025
Ishiba will finally meet Trump, but expectations need to be kept low
His long-time rival Shinzo Abe's relationship with Trump is the ideal but an unfair comparison.
Nippon Steel and United States Steel said in an opening brief Monday that the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States violated their due process rights last year by allowing "virtually no substantive engagement” with the companies.
BUSINESS / Companies
Feb 4, 2025
Nippon Steel and U.S. Steel blast Biden's 'sham' merger block
While Biden is no longer in office, President Donald Trump has expressed his own opposition to the deal.
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba enters the Prime Minister's Office on Monday. Ishiba and U.S. President Donald Trump are due to have their first summit on Friday.
JAPAN / Politics
Feb 4, 2025
Ishiba and Trump eye joint statement after first summit
The statement is expected to underscore Japan and the United States' commitment to working together in a wide range of areas including security and the economy.
Monks at the temple of the golden Buddha Dordenma in Thimphu, Bhutan, in 2023
JAPAN
Feb 4, 2025
Japanese-made AI Buddha to make debut in Bhutan
Monks in the country will use the chatbot on a trial basis to further improve its functions and create guidelines on its use.
SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son (right) and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman at an event on Monday to pitch AI for businesses in Tokyo
BUSINESS / Companies
Feb 3, 2025
SoftBank forms joint venture with OpenAI in enterprise play
SoftBank and OpenAI said that the joint venture will help large Japanese enterprises in the adoption and training of Cristal intelligence in order to improve their businesses.
Taiwanese star Barbie Hsu, who was hugely popular across Asia for her leading role in the 2001 television drama "Meteor Garden," died from a respiratory illness during a family trip to Japan over the Lunar New Year holiday.
CULTURE / TV & Streaming
Feb 3, 2025
Taiwan's 'Meteor Garden' star Barbie Hsu dies at 48
The actor, who rose to fame as the romantic lead in a 2001 television drama based on a manga series, died from a respiratory illness during a family holiday in Japan.

Longform

Professional cleaner Hirofumi Sakurai takes a moment to appreciate some photographs in a Gotanda apartment whose occupant died alone.
The last cleanup: Life and death in a lonely Japan