Home page

 
Menu
Search
 
Menu
Search
Tokyo Weather 24℃
TOKYO
April 18, 2025
The Independent Voice in Asia
April 18, 2025
Trump tariffs
Shigeru Ishiba
Osaka Expo
Latest News
Deep Dive
 

Today's print edition

Home Delivery
Subscribe for more access
Container ships at the Port of Los Angeles on April 7. U.S. President Donald Trump has long argued that China’s dominant role in the maritime industry has made the U.S. overly dependent on the Asian nation.
BUSINESS
Trump moves to levy Chinese vessels in trade war shakeup
The proposal follows a monthslong investigation ordered by the Biden administration into whether Chinese shipbuilding threatens U.S. national security.
Container ships at the Port of Los Angeles on April 7. U.S. President Donald Trump has long argued that China’s dominant role in the maritime industry has made the U.S. overly dependent on the Asian nation.
SBI Holdings CEO Yoshitaka Kitao speaks during a news conference on Thursday in Tokyo.
BUSINESS / Companies
SBI Holdings CEO to 'fight to the end' if Fuji Media resists leadership rethink
By Yukana Inoue
Yoshitaka Kitao said he will increase SBI Holdings’ stake in Fuji Media Holdings depending on how the TV network responds.
Foreign tourists gather on a platform at Kyoto Station on Wednesday.
JAPAN / Society
Tokyo hotel operators face possible warnings over suspected price cartel
By Karin Kaneko
It is believed that information sharing among the hotels, such as occupancy rates and average room prices, may have influenced pricing.
Former CDP executive Kenji Eda discusses a possible reduction of the consumption tax rate, in Tokyo on April 10.
JAPAN / Politics
CDP divisions over proposed tax cut pose headache for Yoshihiko Noda
By Eric Johnston
The nation’s largest opposition party is preparing for the Upper House poll in July, in which it hopes to win enough seats to make a CDP-led coalition government possible.
Palestinian American photographer Adam Rouhana’s exhibition at this year’s Kyotographie festival shows Palestinian life, not death and rubble.
CULTURE / Art
Kyotographie 2025 opts for laughter and levity in the face of global strife
By Thu-Huong Ha
Artists at the 13th edition of the international photography festival find humor and heart in their portrayals of humanity.
Palestinian American photographer Adam Rouhana’s exhibition at this year’s Kyotographie festival shows Palestinian life, not death and rubble.

JAPAN

The bus stop in Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, China, where a Japanese mother, her child, and a Chinese woman were attacked in June 2024
China executes man over Japanese school bus stop murder
The Chinese Foreign Ministry informed the Japanese Embassy in China of the execution on Wednesday.
Sections of the outer loop of Tokyo's Yamanote Line and the Keihin-Tohoku Line will be shut down all day Saturday, and from the start of service through around noon on Sunday.
Parts of Yamanote and Keihin-Tohoku lines to be suspended over weekend
By Jessica Speed
The suspensions come as JR East pushes ahead with its Haneda Airport Access Line project.
Japan enacts bill allowing urban bears to be shot
High court overturns asbestos ruling, ordering government to pay ¥6 million
Japan bus driver steals $7, loses $84,000 pension
Japanese people are exercising less, survey shows

BUSINESS

Jerome Powell, chairman of the U.S. Federal Reserve, during an Economic Club of Chicago event in Chicago on Wednesday
Trump mulls firing Fed chair Powell over rate policy dispute
Trump’s threat to oust Powell draws warnings from economists and aides about risks to markets and Fed credibility.
Kristalina Georgieva, managing director of the International Monetary Fund, speaks at the IMF headquarters in Washington on Thursday.
World economy likely to avoid recession despite tariffs, IMF chief says
By Daniel Avis
Donald Trump's stop-start tariff have fueled levels of market volatility unseen since the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mazda to pause U.S. production of CX-50 cars destined for Canada
By Nicholas Takahashi
Tokyo broker advises Trump-proofing portfolios with Godzilla-creator Toho
By Kazuaki Nagata
Japanese municipal bond deals fail to sell as rate swings surge
By Takahiko Hyuga and Issei Hazama
Weight-loss pill orforglipron shines in study, boosting Lilly and Chugai
By Madison Muller

WORLD

Rescue workers search the rubble of a building destroyed in the Palm Sunday missile attack in Sumy, Ukraine, on Monday.
U.S. peace framework for Russia's war in Ukraine gets 'encouraging reception'
Talks in Paris were the first substantive, high-level and in-person talks on Trump's peace push that have included the Europeans.
A police car enters Insein prison before the release of prisoners to commemorate the Buddhist New Year in Yangon on Thursday.
Myanmar junta to free nearly 5,000 prisoners in amnesty
The junta said 13 foreign nationals would also be pardoned and deported, without giving details of their identities or crimes.
With his promises of peace unmet in Gaza and Ukraine, Trump may find Iran just as tough
By Matt Spetalnick and Steve Holland
Luigi Mangione faces federal charges in health executive’s killing
Hamas says it is ready to release remaining hostages for an end to Gaza war
Khmer Rouge anniversary marked, but without public prayers
By Suy SE

Sports

U.S. figure skater Ilia Malinin competes during the men's short program at the ISU World Team Trophy at Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium on Thursday.
Malinin, Liu help U.S. take early lead at skating's World Team Trophy
Malinin, who won his second world title last month in Boston, topped the men's short program in Tokyo with a score of 106.08.
Refugee girls in Kenya find strength in taekwondo
Capitals great Alex Ovechkin seeks ultimate prize to cap historic season
USOPC says White House gave reassurances about visas for Los Angeles Olympics
Max Verstappen 'very relaxed' amid speculation about future with Red Bull

Opinion

Economists fail to understand that Donald Trump's tariff policy is part of a broader strategy to prepare the U.S. for long-term competition with China, driven by national security concerns rather than traditional economic or trade policy.
What economists 'don’t get' about Trump tariffs
Kuni Miyake
My view is that the U.S. has started to prepare seriously for a long-term competition with China for global dominance.
Japan should challenge Washington in defense of justice
By Nathan Thomas
ASEAN should expand to counter Trump’s tariffs
By R.M. Manivannan
When will China start to devalue the yuan?
By Shuli Ren
King dollar’s reign looks secure — for now
By Daniel Moss

ENVIRONMENT

Microsoft is set to use energy from new reactors at the Three Mile Island nuclear power plant in Middletown, Pennsylvania.
AI surge to double data center electricity demand by 2030, report says
By Nathalie ALONSO
AI can also unlock opportunities to produce and consume electricity more efficiently, the International Energy Agency said in its first report on the technology's implications.
Clean streets versus business woes: Pollution charge divides Londoners
By Akshata Kapoor
Once-dying Mexican river delta slowly nursed back to life by conservationists
By Daniel Rook
As Chile revs up lithium plans, Indigenous people demand more control
By Daina Beth Solomon
Global temperatures at near-historic highs in March, says EU monitor

CULTURE

Palestinian American photographer Adam Rouhana’s exhibition at this year’s Kyotographie festival shows Palestinian life, not death and rubble.
Kyotographie 2025 opts for laughter and levity in the face of global strife
By Thu-Huong Ha
Artists at the 13th edition of the international photography festival find humor and heart in their portrayals of humanity.
Actor Hiroyuki Sanada among Time's 100 most influential people
‘Ya Boy Kongming! The Movie’: J-pop spectacle goes heavy on performances
By Mark Schilling
'Bullet Train Explosion’: High-speed disaster movie doesn’t get the pulse racing
By James Hadfield
Music, revolution and Y2K: Coachella 2025 takeaways
By Maggy Donaldson

LIFE

Marriage proposals in Japan look a lot like those in other countries, but there are traditions that are specific to the country that some people still adhere to.
Voicing intentions and a peek into a traditional Japanese engagement ceremony
By Yaeko Kabe
While the basics of a marriage proposal are similar to what happens in most countries, an extra ceremony requires specific gifts.
Dior shows fall fashion collection in gardens of ancient Kyoto temple
By Irene Wang
A new tour of Tokyo’s most underground attraction
By Owen Ziegler
In California, a Nikkei vintner finds his heritage and purpose
By Weiwen Lin
As rice prices rise, a bit of tea adds needed luxury
By Simon Daly

COMMUNITY

Customers line up patiently for some early-afternoon baked goods outside Truffle, which is located close to Hiroo Station on the Hibiya Line.
How to spend the perfect day in Hiroo, Tokyo’s expat enclave
By Eric Margolis
A stroll through Hiroo reveals both the comforts of expat luxury and the quiet intrusions of a changing Tokyo.
Noriko Shakti: ‘Music reflects my journey and learnings’
By Miikka J. Lehtonen
Tokyo Humanities Cafe feeds hungry minds
By Jessica Kozuka
Montessori head educates Tokyo’s children for life
By Louise George Kittaka
How to navigate Japan’s e-commerce platforms and online flea markets
By Jessica Speed

Editors' Picks

JAPAN
Privacy and transparency clash in debate over bill on artificial insemination
By Himari Semans
Sachiko Ishizuka, who was born via artificial insemination by donor (AID), tells her story to lawmakers from the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan on April 9.
JAPAN
Why Ishiba became the first prime minister to hold talks with Rengo in 16 years
By Himari Semans
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and Japanese Trade Union Confederation chief Tomoko Yoshino in a meeting Tuesday at the Prime Minister's Office
BUSINESS
In a first, Japan issues cease-and-desist order against Google
By Yukana Inoue
The Google logo is seen at the company's Bay View campus in Mountain View, California. Japanese authorities on Tuesday issued a cease-and-desist order to Google over an alleged violation of the country's anti-monopoly law.
SUMO
Sumo's throwback regional tours offer glimpse into sport's heart and history
By John Gunning
Kirishima (behind) battles Atamifuji during a regional tour event in Hyogo Prefecture in 2023.
ASIA PACIFIC
China’s new bridge-forming barges offer new options for Taiwan invasion
By Gabriel Dominguez
This satellite image taken on March 25 shows three Chinese barges connected via extendable bridges in waters off Zhanjiang, in southern China's Guangdong province. Experts say the new barges could be used to land heavy equipment and thousands of personnel in a possible invasion of Taiwan.

Podcast

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

Longform

Visitors walk past Sou Fujimoto's Grand Ring, which has been recognized as the largest wooden structure in the world.
Can a World Expo still matter? Japan is about to find out.
By Tomoko Otake

JT Directory Service

SPECIAL SUPPLEMENTS note

Read more

SUPPLEMENTS BINDER

Ex.Portal By Synergy Media Specialists

SUSTAINABLE JAPAN

BOARDING & INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL DAY 2025 (Sunday, April 20)
BOARDING & INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL DAY 2025 (Sunday, April 20)

WHAT’S TRENDING

BUSINESS
In a first, Japan issues cease-and-desist order against Google
By Yukana Inoue
The Google logo is seen at the company's Bay View campus in Mountain View, California. Japanese authorities on Tuesday issued a cease-and-desist order to Google over an alleged violation of the country's anti-monopoly law.
BUSINESS
Japan and the U.S. begin tariff talks on good terms, but without breakthroughs
By Francis Tang
Ryosei Akazawa, Japan's chief tariff negotiator, speaks to reporters in Washington on Wednesday.
JAPAN
Trump calls the U.S.-Japan alliance ‘one-sided.’ Tokyo says otherwise.
By Jesse Johnson
U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during a Cabinet meeting at the White House on Thursday in Washington.
JAPAN
Tokyo hotel operators face possible warnings over suspected price cartel
By Karin Kaneko
Foreign tourists gather on a platform at Kyoto Station on Wednesday.
JAPAN
Japan is by far the favorite country among Taiwanese: survey
By Himari Semans
A night market in Taipei in April