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October 01, 2025
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October 01, 2025
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In his second bid for the presidency, farm minister Shinjiro Koizumi has toned down his rhetoric, avoiding controversial proposals for social and labor reform and pledging instead to carry on the work of previous administrations.
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Why Koizumi is toning down his calls for reform
By Gabriele Ninivaggi
The political scion's unsuccessful bid for the Liberal Democratic Party presidency last year may be influencing his shift in strategy this time.
In his second bid for the presidency, farm minister Shinjiro Koizumi has toned down his rhetoric, avoiding controversial proposals for social and labor reform and pledging instead to carry on the work of previous administrations.
Signs of recovery in consumer spending have some analysts looking for a rate increase as soon as October.
BUSINESS / Economy
Bank of Japan rate increase looking more likely
By Francis Tang
The Cabinet Office is becoming more positive on consumer spending.
The Justice Ministry's figures show the number of specified skilled worker visa holders hit a record high as of the end of June.
JAPAN
Skilled worker visa holders hit record high ahead of new visa program
By Jessica Speed
The Justice Ministry stated that the goal for a new program set to be rolled out in 2027 is to make Japan a "country of choice" for foreign workers amid a labor shortage.
Takeshi Niinami speaks at a news conference in early September after police investigated him over the shipment of supplements to his home.
BUSINESS / Companies
Niinami resigning as head of Keizai Doyukai
By Kazuaki Nagata
The business lobby's senior vice chairperson, Mutsuo Iwai, will become acting chairperson until a new leader is chosen.
Fans at Dodger Stadium pose in front of a mural highlighting the Dodgers' Japanese stars from past and present during a game earlier this year.
BASEBALL / MLB
How Ohtani has boosted Japan's soft power and made LA even more baseball-obsessed
By Laura Studarus
From concessions filled with Japanese ballpark staples to murals on Los Angeles buildings, Ohtani's success is creating new baseball fans and Japanophiles in LA.
Fans at Dodger Stadium pose in front of a mural highlighting the Dodgers' Japanese stars from past and present during a game earlier this year.

JAPAN

Climbers on Mount Fuji's Yoshida Trail in July 2024
Yamanashi Prefecture doubles Mount Fuji revenue to ¥590 million
By Yukana Inoue
This year the prefecture doubled the entrance fee for the mountain’s most popular route — the Yoshida Trail — from ¥2,000 to ¥4,000.
A new draft proposal is aimed at clarifying the charge of dangerous driving resulting in death or injury.
Justice Ministry proposes criteria for dangerous driving offenses
The proposal is aimed at clarifying the charge of dangerous driving resulting in death or injury.
83% of public hospitals in Japan in red in fiscal 2024
Nippon Ishin draws up outline for secondary capital plan
South Korea and Japan look to cement ties before Ishiba’s exit
By Soo-hyang Choi
Opposition parties unlikely to cooperate in vote to select prime minister

BUSINESS

Product shipments at Asahi Group Holdings companies have been suspended due to a system failure caused by a cyberattack, with the holding company saying they have no estimated timeline for recovery.
Asahi suspends orders and shipments following cyberattack
By Elizabeth Beattie
The beverage company is working to restore its operations and has confirmed there has not been any leak of personal information or customer data.
A container truck is loaded with used cars at a used-car export complex in Incheon, South Korea, on Aug. 12.
South Korea's surge in used-car exports softens impact of U.S. tariffs
By Ju-min Park
South Korea exported $5.5 billion cars in August, up 9% from a year earlier and the highest monthly total on record. Used car exports jumped 35% to $711.5 million the same month.
Toyota steps up high-speed EV charger installations at dealerships
By Tsuyoshi Inajima
FTC inspects four firms over alleged bid-rigging for expressway cleanup deals
Japan’s Kioxia sees AI driving strong memory growth for years
By Takashi Mochizuki and Yuki Furukawa
Prices to rise for 3,024 food products in Japan in October

WORLD

Thousands of demonstrators attend a rally in New York calling for an end to Israel’s war in Gaza, Aug. 17.
Americans' support for Israel dramatically declines, Times/Siena poll finds
By Lisa Lerer and Ruth Igielnik
Slightly more voters sided with Palestinians over Israelis for the first time since the New York Times began asking voters about their sympathies in 1998.
Kim Son Gyong, North Korea's vice minister for foreign affairs, speaks during the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Monday.
With U.N. speech and China visit, North Korea ramps up diplomatic moves
By Jesse Johnson
Pyongyang sent a senior official to the U.N. on Monday for a speech for the first time since 2018, while its foreign minister was in China for talks with top officials.
A secret no more: Russia and North Korea's battle against Ukraine is celebrated in Moscow exhibit
By Andrew Osborn
Peace broker and arms supplier: China’s dual roles in a deadly conflict
By Sui-Lee Wee
Merz's ambitions for Germany's role in EU put him at odds with von der Leyen
By Arne Delfs and Jorge Valero
Taiwan holds investment talks as U.S. demands more chip factories
By Miaojung Lin, Mackenzie Hawkins and Yian Lee

Sports

Fans at Dodger Stadium pose in front of a mural highlighting the Dodgers' Japanese stars from past and present during a game earlier this year.
How Ohtani has boosted Japan's soft power and made LA even more baseball-obsessed
By Laura Studarus
From concessions filled with Japanese ballpark staples to murals on Los Angeles buildings, Ohtani's success is creating new baseball fans and Japanophiles in LA.
Alcaraz beats Fritz in Tokyo for eighth title of season
By Andrew MCKIRDY
Gauff survives tense Bencic test to reach Beijing quarterfinals
Swiatek may skip mandatory events due to packed schedule
By Shrivathsa Sridhar
Padres visit Cubs and red-hot Seiya Suzuki for wild-card opener

Opinion

Shinjiro Koizumi (center), Sanae Takaichi (right), and Yoshimasa Hayashi speak at a news conference for candidates taking part in the Liberal Democratic Party leadership race in Tokyo on Sept. 23.
Is this the LDP’s last presidential election?
Edo Naito
The five LDP presidential candidates — three conservatives and two liberals — are competing to offer the most uninspiring platform.
Resisting Trump’s show of force
By Timothy Snyder
Graying Japan needs both globalization and immigration
By Christina L. Davis
'For relaxing times...' don’t be a CEO like Suntory’s Niinami
By Gearoid Reidy
Why America will lose its mercantilist game to China
By John Authers

ENVIRONMENT

An aerial view of Tuvalu in 2024. Rising sea levels caused by climate change have prompted the Tuvalu government to strike a climate migration pact with Australia.
Developing countries accuse rich of broken climate promises at U.N.
By Doyinsola Oladipo
Leaders of developing countries say rich nations must provide resources to cope with climate change, a crisis they created, but such nations have not met their commitments.
Beijing takes the lead with new climate plans amid Washington’s denial
By Valerie Volcovici and Yukun Zhang
In bid to upend global energy policy, Trump denies climate change in U.N. speech
By Brian Kahn
The unexpected upside of Canada's wildfires 
By Ed White
As Japan keeps buying gas, Aboriginal Australians pay the price
By Mara Budgen

CULTURE

Yuanhui Li's illustration is one of the awardees in the student category of the American Society of Architectural Illustrators' annual award for artists.
Architecture art exhibition highlights unsung industry artists
By Zoria Petkoska
For only the second time in its 39-year history, the “Architecture in Perspective” exhibition will take place in Japan's capital.
Nodoka Okisawa is carrying the baton for Seiji Ozawa in Matsumoto
By Chiho Iuchi
‘Hero’s Island’: Okinawa-set epic is lavishly realized but lacks bite
By James Hadfield
The familiar is made surreal in ‘After the Quake’
By Mark Schilling
Finding jazz in J-pop: Patrick Bartley’s musical second language
By Ryne Hisada

LIFE

The Osaka Expo will release a wave a new products in October, including a limited edition Labubu Myaku-Myaku figurine.
Myaku-Myaku gets the Labubu treatment at the Osaka Expo
By Alyssa I. Smith
With just weeks left before its final day, Osaka Expo is dialing up the ugly cuteness of its beloved blobby mascot and tapping into the global Labubu craze.
Autumn eggplants offer a juicy start to the season
By Makiko Itoh
Tokyo retains Michelin crown with 160 starred restaurants for 2026
By Weiwen Lin
Oh, Ed(o)! Where have all the vowels gone?
By Peter Backhaus
Tokyo Game Show 2025 leans into renewal and rebirth
By Gendel Gento

COMMUNITY

The Kyoto International Entrepreneur Community brings together local and global professionals from a range of industries, backgrounds and ages and collaborates with government-sponsored entities and nonprofit organizations.
Stirred, not shaken: Kyoto business platform blends local and global
By Samantha Seghers
Since its launch in 2018, the Kyoto International Entrepreneur Community has amassed a diverse membership and built solid relationships with local organizations.
Scaredy-cat Kashata is searching for a friend
Linda Joyce: ‘We hope people recognize the benefits of exploring rural areas’
By Louise George Kittaka
Tax-advantaged investments no lost cause for U.S. residents of Japan
By Gendel Gento
The journey of Peru’s Nikkei: Finding identity in Japan
By Christoph Sponsel

Editors' Picks

ENVIRONMENT
Japan faces fresh energy challenge as it seeks to expand power-hungry data centers
By Eric Margolis
Data storage tapes at the National Energy Research Scientific Computing Center facility in Berkeley, California. Data centers consume massive amounts of electricity and water, and that will only rise as generative artificial intelligence takes off in earnest.
CULTURE
Architecture art exhibition highlights unsung industry artists
By Zoria Petkoska
Yuanhui Li's illustration is one of the awardees in the student category of the American Society of Architectural Illustrators' annual award for artists.
JAPAN
On defense and foreign policy, LDP candidates largely align — except where they don’t
By Jesse Johnson
The Liberal Democratic Party presidential election candidates in Nagoya on Friday
MORE SPORTS
Can Japan crack the China code in table tennis?
By Mai Yoshikawa
Tomokazu Harimoto waits for China's Wang Chuqin to serve during the men's singles final at the WTT Champions Yokohama 2025 tournament on Aug. 11.
LIFE
Auberge Eaufeu brings French flair to a quiet village in Ishikawa
By Robbie Swinnerton
Chef Shota Itoi’s innovative take on modern French cuisine at Auberge Eaufeu elevates the produce of rural Ishikawa Prefecture.

Podcast

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

Longform

Growing families are being priced out of Tokyo’s condo market, forced to choose between downtown convenience and suburban space.
Is living in central Tokyo still affordable?
By Alex K.T. Martin

JT Directory Service

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WHAT’S TRENDING

JAPAN
Japanese team detects gradual seafloor caving near Nankai Trough
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba speaks at the Prime Minister's Office on Sept. 1 during an anti-disaster drill simulating an earthquake in the Nankai Trough.
JAPAN
Japan sees 40% surge in chronic bowel disease cases over eight years
By Jessica Speed
Japanese researchers estimated that as of 2023, there were 316,900 people in Japan with ulcerative colitis and 95,700 with Crohn’s disease.
JAPAN
Is living in central Tokyo still affordable?
By Alex K.T. Martin
Growing families are being priced out of Tokyo’s condo market, forced to choose between downtown convenience and suburban space.
JAPAN
Osaka Expo visitors exceed breakeven point
The Osaka Expo in Osaka on Sept. 13. The daily number of visitors to the expo has topped 200,000 since mid-September as its Oct. 13 closing approaches.
SUMO
Onosato’s fifth title cements preeminent position in Japan’s national sport
By John Gunning
Onosato's victory at the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament gave him his fifth Emperor’s Cup at the age of 25.