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AI-generated content — including those made using pictures of real people, which are known as “deepfakes” — is not explicitly covered under Japan's current legal framework, nor are human-drawn illustrations that depict child abuse.

JAPAN / Crime & Legal / FOCUS

Japan’s legal system struggles to deal with AI-made child sexual abuse images

By Jessica Speed

AI-generated content is not explicitly covered under the country's legal framework, nor are human-drawn illustrations that depict child abuse.

AI-generated content — including those made using pictures of real people, which are known as “deepfakes” — is not explicitly covered under Japan's current legal framework, nor are human-drawn illustrations that depict child abuse.

Wi Sung-lac, a South Korean lawmaker who advises presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung on diplomacy, is interviewed in Seoul on Friday.

JAPAN / Politics

Aide to South Korean candidate suggests review of wartime labor solution

Wi did not provide specifics but said that a Lee administration might discuss historical issues more than the Yoon administration.

Vehicles travel along the 110 freeway in downtown Los Angeles. California's GDP has overtaken Japan's to become the world's fourth largest economy, according to the U.S. state.

BUSINESS / Economy

California says it overtakes Japan to become world’s No. 4 economy

By Francis Tang

Japan's annual GDP was surpassed by China in 2010 and Germany in 2023, positioning the country in fourth place.

China Coast Guard officers unfurl a national flag on Sandy Cay reef, near the Philippine-held Thitu Island, in disputed waters of the South China Sea this month in this screen shot taken from Chinese state broadcaster CCTV.

ASIA PACIFIC

China seizes disputed reef near key Philippine military outpost

By Jesse Johnson

Beijing's focus on claiming sovereignty over Sandy Cay reef in the South China Sea adds to fears over a clash with Manila.

The scallop carpaccio with strawberries is a harmonious blend of flavors and textures, and one of the standout recipes in "Umai: Recipes From a Japanese Home Kitchen."

LIFE / Food & Drink

A modern Japanese cookbook that is ‘a beautiful mess’

By Simon Daly

With an easygoing tone, Millie Tsukagoshi Lagares’ first cookbook is a vibrant Japanese culinary guide that speaks to a globalized generation.

The scallop carpaccio with strawberries is a harmonious blend of flavors and textures, and one of the standout recipes in "Umai: Recipes From a Japanese Home Kitchen."

Takuya Yokota, the leader of a group of families of Japanese citizens abducted by North Korea decades ago (left), asks people for signatures to seek their return during a campaign held in Tokyo on Saturday.

Family members of North Korea abductees hold Tokyo campaign to seek their return

Meanwhile, in Washington, 17 members of U.S. Congress sent a letter to President Donald Trump urging him to "prioritize" the return of the Japanese abductees.

The remains of three Ainu indigenous people kept at the University of Edinburgh will be returned to Japan and placed at the National Ainu Museum and Park in Shiraoi, Hokkaido.

Remains of Ainu people in Britain to be returned to Japan

It marks the third time that Ainu remains that were taken abroad for research have been returned to Japan, following similar arrivals from Germany and Australia.

Japan crown prince attends memorial mass for Pope Francis

Golden Week proves to be busy for traveling members of Ishiba's Cabinet

Tokyo government to search for birth parents of man switched as newborn

Tokyo court fines Amazon Japan ¥35 million over counterfeit products

By Karin Kaneko

The Bank of Japan will release its quarterly report on the Japanese economy and prices at its two-day policy meeting from Wednesday.

BOJ may lower economic and price forecasts

Amid Trump's global trade war, the central bank is also likely to keep its monetary policy unchanged.

Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba speaks at Rengo's May Day event alongside the union's chief, Tomoko Yoshino, on Saturday in Tokyo.

Ishiba vows wage hikes that keep up with inflation at May Day event

Ishiba's participation marks the third year in a row for a Japanese prime minister to attend Rengo's May Day event.

Haneda terminal operator unit underreports income by ¥100 million

Resona Bank sets up U.S. office for first time in 21 years

Japan to resist Trump efforts to form trade bloc against China

By Alastair Gale, Haze Fan, Yoshiaki Nohara and Sakura Murakami

Japan is a test case for Trump's tariff deals. But talks may be tortuous.

By John Geddie, Yoshifumi Takemoto and Trevor Hunnicutt

An ambulance is parked at the site of the Lapu Lapu day festival, where a vehicle drove into a crowd killing several people in Vancouver on Saturday.

As many as nine dead after driver plows into Vancouver festival crowd

The driver was a "lone suspect" known to police, a police spokesperson told journalists at the scene.

Supporters of Israeli hostages kidnapped by Hamas take part in a protest against the Israeli government and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and to demand the release of all hostages, in Tel Aviv on Saturday.

Hamas says open to five-year Gaza truce and one-time hostages release

Nearly eight weeks into an Israeli aid blockade, the U.N. says food and medical supplies are running out in the territory.

All eyes turn to conclave after Pope Francis' funeral

By Alice Ritchie

Suspected chemical blast at Iran port kills at least 18, injures hundreds

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas appoints aide as potential successor

Francis laid to rest as 400,000 mourn pope 'with open heart'

Al-Nassr players celebrate after scoring the first goal of the club's Asian Champions League quarterfinal against Marinos on Saturday.

Duran double and Ronaldo goal sink Marinos in Asian Champions League semis

By Michael Church

The win sees Al-Nassr join compatriots Al-Ahli and Al-Hilal in the last four in what's been a dominate showing by Saudi clubs.

Arizona's Eugenio Suarez becomes 19th MLB player to hit four homers in one game

Thunder sweep past Grizzlies in NBA playoffs; Cavs on brink

Barcelona sinks Real Madrid in extra time to win Copa del Rey title

By Fernando Kallas

After draft slip, Sanders goes to the Browns in the fifth round

Since Donald Trump’s return to the U.S. presidency, his rhetoric, tariffs and threats toward allies have helped boost left-leaning or anti-Trump candidates in elections around the world.

The 'Trump effect' on elections is just beginning, including in Japan

Joshua Kurlantzick

Since his inauguration, the new U.S. president seems to be creating a “Trump effect” on many, though not all, foreign elections.

Time for a civic uprising

By David Brooks

Japan needs clarity as an antidote to contradictory tariffs

By Shin Oya

The Catholic church loses a lion

Trump’s tariff chaos could reverse 80 years of economic progress

By Anne O. Krueger

Pope Francis leads a prayer in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican on Dec. 31, 2023.

Pope Francis saw defending the climate as an urgent priority for the world

By Eric Roston

Pope Francis spoke and wrote often about climate change, telling oil and gas executives in 2018 that transitioning to clean energy was a "duty” to humanity.

Countries could use forests to 'mask' needed emission cuts, report says

By Kelly Macnamara

Global warming is a security threat and armies must adapt, experts say

Indonesia food plan risks 'world's largest' deforestation

By Marchio Gorbiano and Sara Hussein

Tentative tree planting 'decades overdue' in sweltering Athens

By John HADOULIS

On the surface, "Wildcat Dome" tells a personal story of damaged children — now adults — bound together by tragedy. Underneath, there’s a constant undercurrent of political consequence, invisible and pervasive like radioactive particles.

‘Wildcat Dome’ challenges Japan's historical narratives

By Kris Kosaka

Prolific writer Yuko Tsushima explores themes of militarization, colonialism and occupation through the identities of mixed-race orphans in postwar Japan.

Sasuke Haraguchi’s provocative soundtracks for digital natives

By Patrick St. Michel

‘She Taught Me Serendipity’: A quiet reminder not to take people for granted

By Mark Schilling

Thumbelina's bedtime is before 8. Her exhibition runs till 5 a.m.

By Tomohiro Osaki

The floor is art: Takuro Tamayama transforms mundanity

By Kim Kahan

Hokkaido's famous lamb is turned into a ragout or French-style stew and used as a pizza topping at Savoy Ezo.

Savoy, Tokyo’s top pizzeria, fires up in Sapporo

By Simon Daly

The chain of pizza restaurants has opened its first branch in Hokkaido, offering locals a taste of its famous crisp and airy pizzas.

How to bring up bad news in Japanese

By Yuko Tamura

Craft Sake Week is back with its usual brand of cool

By Weiwen Lin

Thumbprint cookies with a tangy Japanese filling

By Simon Daly

Japan’s first Waldorf Astoria brings art deco luxury to Osaka

By Tan Pin Yen

Arunima Mazumdar, a New Delhi-based communications professional, began sharing her love of Japanese literature online in 2022. The platform has grown into a robust community known as Dokusha Book Club.

Arunima Mazumdar: ‘Japanese literature has a niche but deeply engaged readership in India’

By Megha Wadhwa

The founder of Dokusha Book Club talks about why Indian readers love Japanese books and the community that she’s forged, online and offline.

How to spend the perfect day in Hiroo, Tokyo’s expat enclave

By Eric Margolis

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

One of the many entrances to the Kabukicho neighborhood in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward.

Kabukicho: Tokyo’s ‘stadium of desire’

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

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