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September 29, 2025
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September 29, 2025
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The Liberal Democratic Party presidential election candidates in Nagoya on Friday
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
On defense and foreign policy, LDP candidates largely align — except where they don’t
By Jesse Johnson
From nuanced differences in how to bolster Japan’s defenses to the importance of relations with the U.S., each candidate’s views could result in significantly different policies.
The Liberal Democratic Party presidential election candidates in Nagoya on Friday
The Tokyo government revised its flood prevention guidelines to implement preventive measures for underground spaces that are considered to be at the highest risk of flooding, such as subway stations.
JAPAN / Society
Tokyo revises flood guidelines amid recent years’ abnormal weather
By Yukana Inoue
The revision, the first since 2008, incorporates the use of artificial intelligence for risk assessments and updates flood prevention measures.
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 / Science & Health
Japan sees 40% surge in chronic bowel disease cases over eight years
By Jessica Speed
On a population basis, a study published this month shows prevalence is now 254.8 cases of ulcerative colitis and 77.0 cases of Crohn’s per 100,000 people.
Former economic security minister Sanae Takaichi at a debate at the Japan National Press Club with other candidates for the Liberal Democratic Party presidency on Sept. 24
BUSINESS / Economy
Takaichi moots U.S. tariff deal do-over when asked about $550 billion pledge
By Francis Tang
The woman who could become Japan’s next prime minister raises questions about the agreement.
Growing families are being priced out of Tokyo’s condo market, forced to choose between downtown convenience and suburban space.
JAPAN / Society / Longform
Is living in central Tokyo still affordable?
By Alex K.T. Martin
Soaring property costs, foreign investment and scarce supply are reshaping who can afford to live in central Tokyo.
Growing families are being priced out of Tokyo’s condo market, forced to choose between downtown convenience and suburban space.

JAPAN

Hokkaido is reconsidering the possibility of hosting a casino resort, several years after Gov. Naomichi Suzuki halted plans for one.
Hokkaido cities consider fresh bet on casino resort
By Eric Johnston
Citing concerns over gambling addiction and possible environmental impacts, Hokkaido's governor said it will be challenging to gain public acceptance for a casino bid.
The city of Matsue, Shimane Prefecture, used a crowdfunding-style hometown donation program to help fund fireworks during the Matsue Suigosai festival held in August.
Crowdfunding-style hometown donations gain traction in Japan
Such initiatives set clear fundraising targets and deadlines to solicit contributions to address specific local challenges.
Japanese woman strives to promote sake in India
Osaka Expo visitors exceed break-even point
Japan’s ‘Mr. 119’ might be facing his biggest challenge yet
By Eric Johnston
‘Grandma’s Cafe’ offers purpose and income for elderly

BUSINESS

A BYD Dolphin during a test drive in Yokohama. Due to poor sales in Japan, BYD is offering discounts of up to ¥1 million.
BYD brings price war to Japan in bid to win over customers
By Emi Tanimoto
BYD is now turning to discounts — a practice that’s put it front and center of an industry crackdown in China — to try and boost sales.
Japanese property developers are expanding investments in London's prime business locations.
U.K. draws Japan property investors eyeing hedge on U.S. turmoil
By Natasha Voase
Japanese investors have been pouring more capital into the U.K. over the last couple of years.
Nidec shares slide after widening accounting scandal hurts trust
By Yuki Furukawa
Magnificent Seven is passe, but what can take its place?
By Ryan Vlastelica
Sony Financial surges in spinoff listing in Tokyo trading debut
By Yasutaka Tamura
Iran's carpet industry unraveling under sanctions
By Payam DOOST MOHAMADI

WORLD

Waterfront Park in Portland, Oregon, on Sunday, a day after U.S. President Donald Trump said he was directing the U.S. military to deploy to the city
National guard troops called up after Trump's Portland announcement
By Idrees Ali, Phil Stewart and Nate Raymond
The U.S. president on Saturday announced plans to send troops into Portland to protect federal immigration facilities against "domestic terrorists."
U.S. President Donald Trump abruptly announced a $100,000 fee for the H-1B visa earlier this month, a move that potentially deals a big blow to the technology sector that sources many skilled workers from India.
'Clog the toilet' trolls hit Indian visa holders rushing back to U.S.
By Bill MCCARTHY and Anuj Chopra
Users on the far-right message board 4chan moved to overwhelm flight reservation systems, in a bid to block Indian visa holders from booking tickets.
Hong Kong activist Nathan Law says he was denied Singapore entry
South Korea scrambles to restore digital services after server fire
By Heejin Kim and Heekyong Yang
Strings of identity: Kashmir's fading music endures
By Mukhtar ZAHOOR
Botox under burqas: Cosmetic surgery in vogue in Afghanistan
By Claire Gounon

Sports

Onosato's victory at the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament gave him his fifth Emperor’s Cup at the age of 25.
Onosato’s fifth title cements preeminent position in Japan’s national sport
By John Gunning
The question now is just how many Emperor’s Cups can the massive yokozuna win?
India and Pakistan trade barbs after Asia Cup trophy debacle
Hawks take step toward Japan Series redo with Pacific League title
By Jason Coskrey
Guardians complete historic comeback to beat Tigers to AL Central crown
Rory McIlroy labels unruly fan behavior at Ryder Cup 'unacceptable'

Opinion

Liberal Democratic Party presidential candidates attend a debate at the Japan National Press Club in Tokyo on Wednesday.
'Speed dating' — with an LDP twist
Edo Naito
It feels like one of the speed dating events that used to be on Japanese television years ago, where the candidates court prospective partners one after the other.
Why America will lose its mercantilist game to China
By John Authers
Indictment of Comey subverts justice and the Trump administration’s credibility
By Barbara McQuade
For whom the Ukrainian bell tolls
By Anna Husarska
Trump vs. universities: Can the innovation ecosystem be rebuilt?
By Kousuke Saitou

ENVIRONMENT

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.
Japan faces fresh energy challenge as it seeks to expand power-hungry data centers
By Eric Margolis
The growth could have major effects on both Japan’s standing in the fight against climate change and its industrial competitiveness on the world stage.
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

Located in the village of Kanagaso in Ishikawa Prefecture, Auberge Eaufeu is housed in a former elementary school that has been converted into a French-style inn.
Auberge Eaufeu brings French flair to a quiet village in Ishikawa
By Robbie Swinnerton
Housed in a former elementary school, the restaurant is a brilliant showcase of the creative mind of chef Shota Itoi.
Myaku-Myaku gets the Labubu treatment at the Osaka Expo
By Alyssa I. Smith
Oh, Ed(o)! Where have all the vowels gone?
By Peter Backhaus
Tokyo Game Show 2025 leans into renewal and rebirth
By Gendel Gento
With new Tokyo bar, Shingo Gokan's bartending journey comes full circle
By Melinda Joe

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.
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
When a typhoon isn’t really a typhoon, I’ll be there to tell you about it
By Daniel Traylor

Editors' Picks

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.
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
Located in the village of Kanagaso in Ishikawa Prefecture, Auberge Eaufeu is housed in a former elementary school that has been converted into a French-style inn.
JAPAN
Taiwan showcases chipmaking prowess as a private exhibitor at Osaka Expo
By Tomoko Otake
Visitors wait in line to enter the Tech World pavilion at the Osaka Expo on Thursday.
LIFE
Tokyo retains Michelin crown with 160 starred restaurants for 2026
By Weiwen Lin
Tokyo's current crop of three-Michelin-starred establishments includes six Japanese restaurants, five specializing in French cuisine and one that does Chinese cuisine.

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

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WHAT’S TRENDING

JAPAN
Japan revises 30-year probability rate of Nankai Trough megaquake
A newspaper headline in Japanese about a possible Nankai Trough earthquake. In a report issued Friday, the government's Earthquake Research Committee widened the probability range for a magnitude 8 to 9 earthquake occurring off the country's Pacific coast within the next 30 years from "around 80%" to 60% to 94.5% or higher.
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
Ukrainian YouTuber arrested in Japan over Fukushima livestream
An empty street is seen in the abandoned town of Okuma, in Fukushima Prefecture, during a temporary return visit by evacuees in February 2012.
JAPAN
Osaka Expo visitors exceed break-even 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.
BUSINESS
Japan private-sector pay hits record in 2024
The average salary for men was ¥5.87 million, up 3.2%, and that of women was ¥3.33 million, up 5.5%, both marking record highs.