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May 19, 2025
The Independent Voice in Asia
May 19, 2025
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U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer (left) U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick (second from left), U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent (second from right) and Ryosei Akazawa, Japan's economic revitalization minster, pose for a photo ahead of a meeting in Washington on May 1.
BUSINESS / Economy / FOCUS
China-U.S. trade truce prompts nations to consider tougher tactics
After China’s tough negotiating tactics earned it a favorable deal, nations taking a more diplomatic and expedited approach are questioning whether that’s the right path.
U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer (left) U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick (second from left), U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent (second from right) and Ryosei Akazawa, Japan's economic revitalization minster, pose for a photo ahead of a meeting in Washington on May 1.
Soldiers inspect the debris of a missile at a field on the outskirts of Amritsar, India, on May 8 after New Delhi said Pakistan launched an overnight air attack using "drones and missiles," before Indian forces retaliated to destroy an air defense system in Lahore.
ASIA PACIFIC
China gave Pakistan satellite support, Indian defense group says
The research by a group under India’s Ministry of Defense suggests that Beijing was more directly involved in the conflict than was previously disclosed.
Then-U.S. President Joe Biden delivers remarks at the U.S. Conference of Mayors in Washington on Jan. 17.
WORLD / Politics
Joe Biden diagnosed with aggressive prostate cancer
The former U.S. president has a form of prostate cancer that has spread to his bones, and is reviewing treatment options, his office said Sunday.
Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks during a news conference at the Kremlin in Moscow last Wednesday.
WORLD / Politics / FOCUS
Putin heads into Trump call confident that Russia has upper hand
Putin is confident that his forces can break through Ukraine’s defenses by the end of the year to take full control of four regions that he has claimed for Russia.
Nadaman Sazanka-so is known for its "kaiseki" (multicourse Japanese haute cuisine), which is deftly executed by chef Takehiko Yoshida.
LIFE / Food & Drink
A Japanese dining icon gets a (minor) facelift
By Weiwen Lin
Less a purposeful renovation than a prudent refitting, the renewed Nadaman Sazanka-so has retained its old world charm that made it such a celebrated dining destination.
Nadaman Sazanka-so is known for its "kaiseki" (multicourse Japanese haute cuisine), which is deftly executed by chef Takehiko Yoshida.

JAPAN

A sinkhole in Yashio, which emerged in January, was triggered by a ruptured, aging sewer pipe. Authorities worry that similar sections of infrastructure across the country are also at risk of corrosion.
That sinking feeling: Japan’s aging sewers are an infrastructure time bomb
By Alex K.T. Martin
A tragic accident in Saitama shows how aging pipes, soft soil and climate threats are straining the country’s infrastructure.
Support for Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's government was at 27.4%, down from 32.6% a month ago, a Kyodo poll showed.
Support for Japan PM Ishiba hits record low as rice price soars, poll shows
Support for Ishiba's government was at 27.4%, down from 32.6% a month ago, a Kyodo poll showed.
Civil service contract workers fear lack of job security
Nostalgic games and toys spark renewed interest in Japan
Pterosaur fossil found in Japan identified as new species
Dentists pass Japan-style oral health care to children in Vietnam

BUSINESS

Nissan's Oppama plant in Yokosuka, Kanagawa Prefecture, may be closed as part of the struggling carmaker's streamlining efforts.
Nissan to solicit early retirements while eyeing plant closures in Japan
The move comes after sources said a day earlier that the carmaker was considering closing two plants in Kanagawa Prefecture.
The Lynas Rare Earths processing plant in Kalgoorlie, Western Australia
Australian firm produces heavy rare earth, in first outside China
Beijing has banned the export of processing technology that could help rival nations, and has been accused of using state-imposed quotas to control supply.
Hedge funds reload long yen trades ahead of Kato-Bessent meeting
By David Finnerty
High times for German cannabis firm amid medical boom
Carlyle on Japan hiring spree after new $3 billion buyout fund
By Lisa Du
U.S. Treasury chief to attend G7 finance meeting, focus on imbalances

WORLD

Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te (center) and Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim (right) take part in a flag-raising ceremony at the Presidential Office in Taipei, on Jan. 1.
Taiwan's Lai Ching-te tied up by political chaos after year in office
By Allison JACKSON and Joy Chiang
Analysts say the current dysfunction is distracting lawmakers and eroding public confidence — to the benefit of Beijing.
Supporters of South Korean presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung (pictured on poster), of the Democratic Party, dance before a televised presidential debate for the June 3 presidential election on a road outside the SBS studio in Seoul on Sunday.
South Korea's presidential candidates face off in fiery debate
Lee Jae-myung, the main opposition Democratic Party's candidate and the front-runner in the race, faced criticism from opponents as being too friendly to China.
In Indonesia, fears grow that new history books may rewrite dark past
Ruling party tops Portugal polls marked by far-right surge
Centrist Nicusor Dan wins Romanian presidency over hard-right, pro-Trump rival
Israel to let limited amounts of food into Gaza as new ground assault begins

Sports

Nissan's Oliver Rowland races to victory at the Tokyo E-Prix on Sunday.
Oliver Rowland’s ‘dream’ Formula E season continues as Nissan driver wins in Tokyo
By Joel Tansey
The win gives Rowland an iron grip on the championship trophy.
Robert Shwartzman wins pole position for Indy 500 in stunner; Takuma Sato second
Coco Gauff hopes to break through at French Open after losing two finals on clay
McLaren teammates relish chance to race without team orders
Thunder blow past Nuggets in Game 7 to reach Western Conference finals

Opinion

U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick speaks in the Oval Office after President Donald Trump announced a trade deal with the U.K. on May 8. The agreement is far from a win for London, which has chosen deference over strength in dealing with Washington's bullishness.
Lessons from the U.S.-U.K. trade deal: Don’t appease a bully
Thomas O. Falk
The tariff agreement signed between London and Washington does little to boost the U.K. economy and, despite appearances, is a diplomatic defeat for Prime Minister Starmer.
The true cost of ocean plastic pollution
By Romain Trouble
China’s defense industry is getting a DeepSeek moment
By Shuli Ren
It’s electricity realism, not climate denialism
By Javier Blas
Government capital is not just 'silly money'
By Raymond Woo

ENVIRONMENT

Founded with a mission of promoting electric vehicles, Formula E has always placed sustainability at the forefront of its raison d’etre.
For Formula E, ‘sustainability is at the heart’
By Joel Tansey
Now in its 11th season, Formula E's efforts to reduce emissions and promote electric vehicles are paying off.
A 26-year-old asked to help shape Japan’s climate goals has a warning
By Shoko Oda
Huge ice falls at Argentina's Perito Moreno glacier stir awe and concern
By Bernat Parera
Australian seaweed farm tackles livestock burps to combat climate change
By Gregory PLESSE
Indians buy 14 million air conditioners a year, and need many more
By Abhaya SRIVASTAVA

CULTURE

Austrian singer Johannes Pietsch, known as JJ, celebrates with the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest trophy after winning the grand final at the St. Jakobshalle arena in Basel, Switzerland, on Sunday.
On a high: Austria's JJ wins Eurovision 2025
After the nail-biting drama as the votes were revealed, Austria finished with 436 points, ahead of Israel on 357 and Estonia on 356.
Traditional performing arts are plugging into modern audiences
By Phoebe Amoroso
Netflix to stream Studio Ghibli's 'Grave of the Fireflies' in Japan
‘Kaneko's Commissary’ explores prison culture from the outside in
By Mark Schilling
Emerging Asian artists converge at the 'world’s most beautiful museum'
By Kim Kahan

LIFE

With the weather warming up, there's no better time to make a bowl of chilled "surinagashi-jiru" (pureed soup).
Flaunt your seasonal greens with Japan’s traditional pureed soup
By Elizabeth Andoh
Get the best flavor out of your peas and pods by simmering them in a dashi-based broth.
Fighting Osaka Expo fatigue? Walk the 21-km Loop Line for a cure.
By Edward J. Taylor
Closing the gap between what you learn and what you say in Japanese
By Yuko Tamura
Speak like you scroll: A roundup of recent Japanese slang
By Yuko Tamura
What comes after 100?
By Tomoko Otake

COMMUNITY

FemUniti was founded in 2024 by Setsu Suzuki (right) and Meagan Ward (second from left) to empower women entrepreneurs and connect them to resources and opportunities.
Detroit-Nagoya network empowers women-owned businesses around the world
By Jessica Kozuka
Supporting women in business is a “blueprint for the future,” says the cofounder of femUniti — and she has the data to back it up.
A new chapter for a gentle dog
Ayano Kikuchi: ‘People need to take care of themselves holistically’
By Olivia Boissel
Kotomi Li: 'I refuse to choose death'
By Kat Joplin
Reclaiming Sanya, one meal at a time
By Kim Kahan

Editors' Picks

BUSINESS
Agnes b. Japan CEO hopes to evolve the brand with focus on sustainability
By Elizabeth Beattie
Laurent Patouillet, the CEO and president of Agnes b. Japan, says the focus of its business is to remain independent, and evolve and adapt.
LIFE
In Nintendo’s backyard, foreign indie game devs are thriving
By Gendel Gento
Kyoto's gaming landscape is dominated by Nintendo's headquarters, but a contingent of foreign-born indie developers is also working in the gaming giant's shadow.
BUSINESS
Akazawa's dilemma: no tariff deal or a half-baked deal
By Francis Tang
Chief tariff negotiator Ryosei Akazawa and his delegation in the Oval Office of the White House in April. Since then, Japan's trade negotiations with the U.S. have produced no tangible results.
MORE SPORTS
Nissan hoping to electrify home crowd as Formula E returns to Tokyo
By Sam Byford
Nissan's Oliver Rowland drives during qualifying for Miami E-Prix at Homestead Motor Speedway in Homestead, Florida, on April 12.
CULTURE
For his first feature film, director Ryuya Suzuki created a masterpiece
By Matt Schley
"Jinsei," which follows its protagonist over a century, probes themes of identity and societal issues with a dark comic touch. The director, however, says he created the story without knowing where it would lead.

Podcast

One of the many entrances to the Kabukicho neighborhood in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward.
Kabukicho: Tokyo’s ‘stadium of desire’

Longform

A sinkhole in Yashio, which emerged in January, was triggered by a ruptured, aging sewer pipe. Authorities worry that similar sections of infrastructure across the country are also at risk of corrosion.
That sinking feeling: Japan’s aging sewers are an infrastructure time bomb
By Alex K.T. Martin

JT Directory Service

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SUSTAINABLE JAPAN

Fujitsu crafts sustainable innovation for itself, society
Fujitsu crafts sustainable innovation for itself, society

WHAT’S TRENDING

BUSINESS
Nissan to solicit early retirements while eyeing plant closures in Japan
Nissan's Oppama plant in Yokosuka, Kanagawa Prefecture, may be closed as part of the struggling carmaker's streamlining efforts.
BUSINESS
Australian firm produces heavy rare earth, in first outside China
The Lynas Rare Earths processing plant in Kalgoorlie, Western Australia
JAPAN
Police arrest Chinese man in Saitama hit-and-run case
Police questioned a man who turned himself in as he closely resembled the driver recorded on the dashcam of another vehicle that happened to pass by the scene of a hit-and-run incident in Saitama Prefecture.
BUSINESS
Wholesalers may be behind elevated retail rice prices
Wholesalers added ¥7,593 on average to their selling prices for stockpiled rice, far more than the ¥2,206 to ¥4,689 added for the 2022 rice.
ASIA PACIFIC
Success of Chinese-made fighter jets against India raises alarm in Asia
By Josh Xiao and Yian Lee
Chinese J-10 fighter jets from the People's Liberation Army Air Force August 1st Aerobatics Team perform during a media demonstration at the Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base, Nakhon Ratchasima province, Thailand, in November 2015.