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May 09, 2025
The Independent Voice in Asia
May 09, 2025
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A supermarket in Chiba. Politicians in Japan might cut the consumption tax to help households and the economy.
BUSINESS / Economy
Economists debate consumption-tax cut as Japanese politicians warm to the idea
By Kazuaki Nagata
Japanese politicians are considering the possibility of lowering the consumption tax to stimulate the economy in the face of U.S. tariffs.
A supermarket in Chiba. Politicians in Japan might cut the consumption tax to help households and the economy.
Toyota CEO Koji Sato announces the firm's financial results during a news conference in Tokyo on Thursday.
BUSINESS / Companies
Toyota cites tariffs as it forecasts 35% drop in 2025-26 net profit
Carmakers have been among the hardest-hit by Trump's multipronged assault on free trade.
SusHi Tech Tokyo 2025 was bustling with participants of various nationalities Thursday, and multiple languages could be heard around the room as many engaged in conversations throughout the day.
BUSINESS / Tech
SusHi Tech Tokyo 2025 expands to become one of Asia's largest startup events
By Yukana Inoue
This year, the conference — focused on sustainable cities and high technology — feels bigger and more global.
Joseph S. Nye (center), an advocate of stronger U.S.-Japan relations and father of "soft power," died Tuesday at the age of 88.
JAPAN / Politics
Joseph Nye, advocate of stronger U.S.-Japan relations, dies at 88
By Eric Johnston
The former U.S. assistant secretary of defense, known for coining the term "soft power," coauthored reports that influenced the direction of U.S.-Japan ties.
Apple Music personalities (from left) Ebro Darden, Kentaro Ochiai, Zane Lowe and Mino came together for a special recording in late April to discuss music and celebrate the newly opened Apple Music studio in Tokyo.
CULTURE / Music
With a new Shibuya studio, Apple Music bets big on Japan
By Patrick St. Michel
Streaming numbers are up, world tours are growing, and now, Tokyo has a new studio aimed at amplifying Japan’s voice.
Apple Music personalities (from left) Ebro Darden, Kentaro Ochiai, Zane Lowe and Mino came together for a special recording in late April to discuss music and celebrate the newly opened Apple Music studio in Tokyo.

JAPAN

Takahiro Anno, 34, announced Thursday that he will run in the Upper House election this summer as president of his newly founded party, Team Mirai.
After Tokyo election bid, AI engineer Takahiro Anno to run in Upper House race
By Himari Semans
Anno described entering the race without backing as a ‘baseless, fameless and fundless’ challenge, but said he thinks he has a good chance of winning.
Tachikawa Municipal 3rd Elementary School, where two men broke in on Thursday
Two men arrested after storming Tokyo elementary school and injuring staff
A school staff member called emergency services after the intruders entered the school building and began smashing windows.
15 hotel operators in Tokyo warned over possible price-fixing
Three arrested in Japan over suitcases stuffed with hermit crabs
LDP lawmaker Shoji Nishida refuses to retract remarks over WWII exhibits
Princess Aiko visits Osaka Expo

BUSINESS

An attendee plays Mario Kart World during the Nintendo Switch 2 Experience event in London in April.
Nintendo gives conservative sales outlook for Switch 2 amid tariff concerns
By Takashi Mochizuki
The Kyoto-based company expects to ship just 15 million units of the new console in the year to March, shy of the 16.8 million average estimated by analysts.
Akio Toyoda’s $42 billion plan to buy Toyota Industries is one of the examples in a recent wave of management buyout ambitions in Japan.
Japan’s tycoon families seek buyouts to evade investor pressure
By Hideyuki Sano
The desire to delist stems from mounting pressure public companies face from investors and the threat of being acquired.
Axelspace eyes June IPO, sources say, latest Japan space startup to seek a listing
By Kantaro Komiya and Miho Uranaka
NTT to launch $16.5 billion tender offer for NTT data in AI push
By Mayumi Negishi and Koh Yoshida
German agency to strengthen its support for Japan startups
Trump administration to announce trade deal with Britain
By Ana Swanson, Maggie Haberman and Tyler Pager

WORLD

A makeshift tent camp near a railway track, following a strong earthquake in Amarapura township, Myanmar, on April 4
Health care crisis follows Myanmar quake as junta drives medics underground
By Wa Lone, Poppy McPherson and Shoon Naing
After medics took a prominent role in the anti-junta movement that emerged after the coup, the military administration has sought to root out opponents to its rule.
Veterans in France. For over a dozen NATO members, pensions make up a large — and largely overlooked — chunk of their defense budgets.
Europe's costly military pensions complicate defense buildup
By Leigh Thomas
For over a dozen NATO members, pensions make up a large — and largely overlooked — chunk of their defense budgets.
Indian industries swap polluted air with each other in health fix
By Bhasker Tripathi
North Korea fires off multiple short-range missiles from east coast
By Jesse Johnson
Putin's order for three-day truce with Ukraine enters into force
U.S. and Israel discuss possible U.S.-led administration for Gaza, sources say
By Alexander Cornwell

Sports

Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani celebrates after hitting a triple against the Marlins in Miami on Wednesday.
Shohei Ohtani leads charge as Dodgers rout Marlins in Miami
Ohtani has scored 10 runs against the Marlins this season, the most by any player against any team so far in 2025.
Luis Enrique believes PSG's mentality helped fuel run to Champions League final
Justin Thomas content to fly under radar ahead of PGA Championship
By FLOURTOWN, Pennsylvania
Snooker chief feels Zhao Xintong's historic world title can help Olympic bid
Knicks rally for another road win over Celtics to take 2-0 lead in series

Opinion

Urgent diplomacy and restraint are needed to prevent further escalation between India and Pakistan, as both sides risk being pulled into a dangerous conflict with potential global consequences.
Can India and Pakistan step back from the brink?
Karishma Vaswani
India and Pakistan on many occasions have been on the brink of major conflict, yet have successfully climbed down.
The Pakistan-Taliban divorce gets messy
By Shashi Tharoor
New Delhi’s warning to Islamabad
By Brahma Chellaney
America is becoming the world’s largest tax haven
By Joseph E. Stiglitz
Is the judiciary the weakest link in South Korea’s democracy?
By Edo Naito

ENVIRONMENT

The consumption and investing habits of the world's richest 10% consume and invest has substantially increased the risk of deadly heat waves and drought around the world, according to new research.
World's richest 10% caused two-thirds of global warming, study finds
By Marlowe Hood
How the rich consume and invest has substantially increased the risk of deadly heat waves and drought.
Climate change takes spice from Indonesia clove farms
By Jack Moore
U.S. solar tariffs could drive Asia transition boom
By Sara Hussein
'Not sustainable': Europe's firefighters want more funds and staff
By Beatrice Tridimas
South Korea's deadly fires made twice as likely by climate change, researchers say
By David Stanway

CULTURE

Arashi is known for massive hit songs such as “A・RA・SHI,” “Love So Sweet” and “Happiness.”
J-pop group Arashi to disband after going on tour next spring
By Yukana Inoue
Current fan club members will be given priority to purchase tickets for the last concert tour.
'Jumbo': the animated Indonesian film smashing records
By Baptiste Anse
'Ukiyo-e in Play' showcases traditional art carved anew
By Marigold Warner
‘Blank Canvas’: 'Tough love' of the past isn't so funny anymore
By Mark Schilling
‘The Killer Goldfish’: The future of cinema, or just indie cosplay?
By James Hadfield

LIFE

Tatsumi Onose (right), who plays the part of Commodore Matthew Perry in Shimoda's Black Ship Festival, says the historical episode the event is based on should be remembered for its positives more than its negatives.
Celebrating Japan’s defeat at Shimoda’s Black Ships Festival
By Todd Fong
Held this year from May 16 to 18, an event to the south of Tokyo turns a historical episode of national humiliation into a plain old good time.
‘Drop the price’: Behind the pushback on Nintendo’s Switch 2
By Owen Ziegler
More than a food court: Time Out Market curates Osaka’s best flavors
By Melinda Joe
The sushi cone that changed everything
By Cassandra Lord
Japan’s ‘tabi’ sock mecca runs on thread and memories
By Aarohi Narain

COMMUNITY

Since 2017, Kotomi Li has won some of Japan’s top literary awards and built a formidable career in the face of persistent online harassment. “Authors are tenacious creatures to begin with,” she says.
Kotomi Li: 'I refuse to choose death'
By Kat Joplin
The Taiwanese writer reflects on the importance of queer community, her ascent in Japan’s literary world and her ongoing battles against online harassment.
A Hokkaido cross that’s more sweet than spicy
Reclaiming Sanya, one meal at a time
By Kim Kahan
Arunima Mazumdar: ‘Japanese literature has a niche but deeply engaged readership in India’
By Megha Wadhwa
How to spend the perfect day in Hiroo, Tokyo’s expat enclave
By Eric Margolis

Editors' Picks

LIFE
Celebrating Japan’s defeat at Shimoda’s Black Ships Festival
By Todd Fong
Tatsumi Onose (right), who plays the part of Commodore Matthew Perry in Shimoda's Black Ship Festival, says the historical episode the event is based on should be remembered for its positives more than its negatives.
JAPAN
'Big picture thinker': Ispace CEO Hakamada on reaching the moon and dreaming of starships
By Jessica Speed
Takeshi Hakamada, founder and CEO of Ispace, says his primary interest in space development is not to abandon Earth, but to protect it.
BUSINESS
The drive for luxury: Aston Martin Asia's president explains the desire for more
By Elizabeth Beattie
While for Aston Martin, it’s all about delivering luxury, their regional president for Asia Gregory Adams' start in the auto industry in Japan was far more humble.
JAPAN
Why are rice prices still high in Japan?
By Yukana Inoue
Amid shortages, the price of a 5-kilogram bag of rice during the week of April 14 was ¥4,220.
BUSINESS
Plug and Play wants to help Japanese startups go global
By Kazuaki Nagata
Phillip Vincent (right), Japan CEO of Plug and Play, and Ma Jingqian, head of ventures, at Plug and Play's Tokyo office, last month

Podcast

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

Longform

Dangami House is a 180-year-old former samurai residence of the Kato clan, who ruled over Ozu, Ehime Prefecture, until the Meiji Restoration.
A house, a legacy and the quiet work of restoration in rural Japan
By Hanako Lowry

JT Directory Service

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SUSTAINABLE JAPAN

Tsukuba massif granite, one of the world’s few heritage stones
Tsukuba massif granite, one of the world’s few heritage stones

WHAT’S TRENDING

JAPAN
Man held after two injured in Tokyo Metro knife attack
Police outside Todaimae Station on the Namboku Line on Wednesday evening after a knife attack at the station 　
BUSINESS
U.S. and Japan remain far apart on tariffs
By Francis Tang
Japan's Economic Revitalization Minister Ryosei Akazawa speaks to the press upon his arrival at Haneda Airport on April 18. He has said that all tariffs need to be reconsidered by the United States.
JAPAN
Japan's 'ice age' employment generation is at risk of poverty during retirement
Those who entered the job market from around 1993 to 2004, when long-term stagnation started, are likely to struggle even more to make ends meet after retirement.
ASIA PACIFIC
India strikes Pakistan over Kashmir tourist killings
Indian paramilitary personnel stand guard along a road in Srinagar on Wednesday after New Delhi launched missile strikes on archrival Pakistan in a major escalation between the nuclear-armed neighbors.
BUSINESS
Japan’s tycoon families seek buyouts to evade investor pressure
By Hideyuki Sano
Akio Toyoda’s $42 billion plan to buy Toyota Industries is one of the examples in a recent wave of management buyout ambitions in Japan.