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TOKYO
October 23, 2025
The Independent Voice in Asia
October 23, 2025
Sanae Takaichi
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Japan's Ground Self-Defense Force personnel march during the joint multinational exercise Garuda Shield 2025 at the Baturaja combat training center in Lampung, Indonesia, last month.
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Takaichi to put defense push in spotlight in bid to satiate Trump demands
By Jesse Johnson
She is expected to raise Japan’s defense spending to 2% of gross domestic product by the end of this fiscal year, a move that could pave the way for further hikes.

More coverage

Japan’s new leader to woo Trump with promises on pickups and soybeans
For three key Cabinet posts, Takaichi turns to an eclectic trio
Japan's Ground Self-Defense Force personnel march during the joint multinational exercise Garuda Shield 2025 at the Baturaja combat training center in Lampung, Indonesia, last month.
Kimi Onoda, economic security minister and minister for harmonious coexistence with foreign nationals, arrives at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on Tuesday.
JAPAN / Politics
New ‘immigration minister’ post signals Takaichi Cabinet’s priorities
By Yukana Inoue
The creation of a new post specifically for handling foreign residents shows how immigration is a key policy focus for the Takaichi Cabinet.
North Korean IT workers have been identified working in Japan, the U.S., the United Arab Emirates and Ukraine, using a strategy to secure employment and remit earnings back to North Korea.
WORLD / Crime & Legal
North Korean agents in Japan’s anime industry part of sophisticated sanctions evasion
By Elizabeth Beattie
A cross-border sanctions monitoring effort between Japan and 10 other countries has sounded the alarm on North Korea’s sanctions evasion tactics in a detailed report.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks during a news conference in Tokyo on Tuesday.
JAPAN / Politics
Polls show Takaichi Cabinet off to strong start with support for policy stance
By Eric Johnston
Approval ratings were found to be especially high among younger generations and those in the Osaka and Nagoya regions.
Ruling Liberal Democratic Party President Sanae Takaichi and Japan Innovation Party leader Hirofumi Yoshimura sign a policy agreement between the two parties at the Diet in Tokyo on Monday.
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
The newly formed LDP-JIP coalition may not be as solid as it seems
By Eric Johnston
The Japan Innovation Party’s insistence on passing a seat-reducing measure could prove to be a sticking point in the relationship.
Ruling Liberal Democratic Party President Sanae Takaichi and Japan Innovation Party leader Hirofumi Yoshimura sign a policy agreement between the two parties at the Diet in Tokyo on Monday.

JAPAN

Hokkaido Prefectural Police on Thursday seize items during a search of locations linked to the now-closed North Safari Sapporo zoo.
Police raid closed Hokkaido zoo for unauthorized land development
As of Oct. 4, 312 animals, including tigers and lions, still remain at the zoo.
The appointment of seven scandal-hit lawmakers to government posts, approved after the launch of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s Cabinet, may draw criticism.
Seven LDP slush fund lawmakers given government posts
The move may draw criticism, as public sentiment on the scandal remains strong.
Mount Fuji sees snow for first time this winter, 21 days later than usual
By Anton Bridge
Japan joins over 80 nations to have been led by women since WWII
Man arrested after 14-hour police standoff in Osaka
Orders surge for popular caricature teacups featuring Takaichi

BUSINESS

A wafer fab owned by Nexperia. The Dutch chipmaker has warned Japanese auto parts makers about a potential supply shortage.
Nexperia warns Japanese automakers of uncertain chip supply
By Tsuyoshi Inajima and Vlad Savov
The Dutch government seized control of Nijmegen-based Nexperia earlier this month in an unprecedented step intended to secure European access to the components made by the company.
Rengo President Tomoko Yoshino speaks at a news conference on Thursday.
Japan’s unions seek minimum 5% wage hike in upcoming pay talks
By Erica Yokoyama and Keiko Ujikane
Sanae Takaichi’s tenure and the central bank's policy path could be affected if Japan can’t keep up its wage-hike momentum.
U.S. shipbuilders and ports face fallout of Trump's assault on offshore wind
By Nichola Groom
Nomura CEO seeks to tap Japan investors’ private market bets
By Takashi Nakamichi
Top Japan local bank ready to boost JGB buying when BOJ pivots
By Taiga Uranaka
Carney plots ‘talent attraction’ plan as U.S. upends H-1B visa
By Erik Hertzberg

WORLD

U.S. President Donald Trump meets with Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2019.
Hopes for Xi-Trump summit dampened by tough Beijing moves and rising tension
By Laurie Chen, Michael Martina and Karen Freifeld
Even if the talks get back on track, experts say a narrow deal on a few issues is the most likely outcome.
Construction at the KK Park complex in Myanmar's eastern Myawaddy township on Sept. 17, seen from across the Thai border
Hundreds flee to Thailand after latest raid on Myanmar scam center
By Montira Rungjirajittranon
A recent investigation revealed construction at several compounds, while Starlink receivers had been installed apparently connecting the hubs to the satellite internet network.
After deadly floods, Spaniards fight to save photos
By Rosa SULLEIRO
China courts Taiwanese worshippers in religious charm offensive
By Yimou Lee
Flush with cash, U.S. immigration agency expands weaponry and surveillance
By Corin FAIFE
Taiwan wary China's new economic plan could include front-line islands
By Yimou Lee and Ben Blanchard

Sports

Kyoto's Rafael Elias, seen scoring the third goal of his hat trick against FC Tokyo on Aug. 24, will try to help his club stay in the J. League title race when it meets Kashima on Saturday.
Unlikely title contender Kyoto Sanga braces for biggest test of remarkable season
By Sean Carroll
A win for Kyoto this weekend against current league-leader Kashima Antlers would take the title race right down to the wire.
LeBron James' absence resonates during Lakers' season-opening loss
Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers not viewing showdown with Packers as 'revenge game'
Dodgers hoping to 'ruin' baseball with victory over Blue Jays in World Series
Blue Jays carry hopes of a nation into World Series amid tension
By Frank Pingue

Opinion

Despite enduring nearly four years of war, the Ukrainian people continue to live their lives with resilience, showing strength, endurance and the ability to maintain humanity in the face of ongoing hardship.
In Ukraine, we’re learning to live with the war within
Sergey Maidukov
In Ukraine, everything looks peaceful and even prosperous — from the outside.
The Gaza peace plan will fail without American troops
By James Stavridis
Supply-chain economics beat tariff politics
By Jun Du
The secret to Takaichi’s success in the Indo-Pacific
By Simon Hutagalung
Breaking down Sanae Takaichi’s Cabinet picks
By Michael MacArthur Bosack

ENVIRONMENT

King Bubaraye Dakolo of the Ekpetiama Kingdom in Bayelsa State, southern Nigeria, poses for a photograph in Lagos on Oct. 13.
'What is the value of a human life?' In Nigeria, oil giant Shell may find out.
By Susan Njanji
Bubaraye Dakolo, the monarch of Ekpetiama in Nigeria, is suing a global oil giant over one of the largest corporate environmental liabilities in history.
Climate change and population growth threaten to spark malaria resurgence
Bali grapples with flood reckoning as overdevelopment and waste take toll
By Marchio Gorbiano
U.S. sinks international deal on decarbonizing ships
Trump’s team weighs COP attendance, but influence looms either way
By David Sherfinski

CULTURE

In “Climbing for Life,” Sayuri Yoshinaga (right) portrays Junko Tabei, the first woman to summit Mount Everest, alongside Yuki Amami as the journalist who covered the expedition.
‘Climbing for Life’ doesn’t break new ground, but knows its footing
By James Hadfield
Sayuri Yoshinaga brings quiet strength to the biopic about the first woman to summit Mount Everest — even when the film itself plays it safe.
‘Meets the World’: A tragicomic hunger for connection
By Mark Schilling
Kiss lead guitarist Ace Frehley dies at 74
By Daniel Trotta
Indie singer Sam Fender wins U.K. Mercury Prize
T3 Photo Festival reframes cityscape as nature
By John L. Tran

LIFE

Local authorities want Japanese Halloween to refocus on the children, so expect plenty of community-organized events that are family friendly.
Have you heard? This year Shibuya wants us to have a ‘good Halloween’
By Yuko Tamura
As Shibuya moves from prohibition to permission, learn how to ask where and how to celebrate Japan’s most haunted holiday.
Ninja Gaiden 4 revives series with kinetic carnage, clumsy platforming
By Gendel Gento
What does Jimbocho think of its unexpected ‘cool’ status?
By Phoebe Amoroso
Tokyo's best Sunday roasts and all their trimmings
By Shyam Bhardwa
How Japan’s greatest psychological horror game came home
By Gendel Gento

COMMUNITY

The byzantine process for converting a foreign driver’s license into a Japanese one entails mountains of paperwork and significant stamina — unless you're a lucky license holder from a country or region where these requirements are waived.
Driving in Japan isn’t hard. Getting the license is.
By Thu-Huong Ha and Mike Fu
From the desperate and defeated to the blissful and breezy, readers share their experiences of getting a driver’s license in Japan.
Lovely listener Jimena just needs time and care
A samurai-loving radio host prepares to become Oda Nobunaga for a day
By Gendel Gento
Beauty in slowness: Life lessons from Japanese embroidery
By Cassie Xu
Shrunali Ranade: ‘Stepping back isn’t failure but another form of strength’
By Megha Wadhwa

Editors' Picks

JAPAN
AI-optimized cybercrime increasingly targeting Japan
By Elizabeth Beattie
A recent cyberattack on brewer Asahi Group Holdings resulted in the company suspending shipments.
CULTURE
K-pop idol Chanyeol does J-pop his own way on ‘Hibi’
By Adam Davidson
South Korean singer Chanyeol made his Japanese-language solo debut with the EP “Hibi,” which features six tracks inspired by his love of Japanese music.
JAPAN
In pictures: The day Japan’s glass ceiling finally cracked
By Johan Brooks
Takaichi, surrounded by LDP influencers
SUMO
London exhibition perhaps sumo's most successful trip abroad
By John Gunning
With the recent sumo jaunt to London being essentially a goodwill exercise, <i>rikishi</i> were far more outgoing and relaxed than normal.
LIFE
Nakatsu keeps its cool as gentrification looms
By Edward Hewes
Shunsuke Takahashi, owner of the cafe Hood by Vargas, says the Osaka neighborhood of Nakatsu feels brighter and calmer with the influx of new businesses.

Podcast

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

Longform

The byzantine process for converting a foreign driver’s license into a Japanese one entails mountains of paperwork and significant stamina — unless you're a lucky license holder from a country or region where these requirements are waived.
Driving in Japan isn’t hard. Getting the license is.
By Thu-Huong Ha and Mike Fu

JT Directory Service

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SUSTAINABLE JAPAN

Foreign wrestlers have a long history in sumo
Foreign wrestlers have a long history in sumo

COMFACTS

New Food Products Utilizing Tsunan Sake Brewery’s Sake Lees Unveiled at “TORANOMON JUST RIGHT NEW FOOD” Tasting Event
New Food Products Utilizing Tsunan Sake Brewery’s Sake Lees Unveiled at “TORANOMON JUST RIGHT NEW FOOD” Tasting Event
TSUNAN SAKE BREWERY

WHAT’S TRENDING

JAPAN
Rare female yakuza walks path to redemption in Japan
By Tomohiro Osaki
Retired yakuza Mako Nishimura sorts fallen leaves during a clean-up activity at the Gifu Gokoku shrine in Gifu Prefecture on Sept. 28.
JAPAN
Takaichi makes history as Japan’s first female prime minister
By Gabriele Ninivaggi
Liberal Democratic Party President Sanae Takaichi reacts to applauding lawmakers after being elected prime minister at the Lower House on Tuesday.
JAPAN
Japanese man sentenced to eight years after rare public accusation of rape
By Natsuko Fukue
Riho Fukuyama (center) and her husband Yoshiki Fukuyama (left) speak to the media with their lawyer (right) outside the Toyama District Court in Toyama on Tuesday.
JAPAN
Woman arrested for pepper spray assault on Yamanote Line
Emergency vehicles arrive at the JR Otsuka Station in Tokyo Monday following a report that a woman had allegedly injured passengers with pepper spray inside a train on the Yamanote Line.
ASIA PACIFIC
North Korea fires off ballistic missiles one day after Takaichi named PM
By Jesse Johnson
People watch a TV news report about North Korean short-range ballistic missile launches, at the main railway station in Seoul on Wednesday.