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October 18, 2025
The Independent Voice in Asia
October 18, 2025
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Sanae Takaichi, the newly elected leader of Japan's ruling party, the Liberal Democratic Party, attends a news conference after the LDP presidential election in Tokyo on Oct. 4.
JAPAN / Politics / ANALYSIS
Japan's fractured politics could ensnarl Takaichi's economic plans
By Makiko Yamazaki and Leika Kihara
Sanae Takaichi may have found the political support she needs to become Japan's next prime minister — but the new cross-party alliances come with risks.

More coverage

Coalition with LDP could give Nippon Ishin chance to advocate its pet projects
Sanae Takaichi, the newly elected leader of Japan's ruling party, the Liberal Democratic Party, attends a news conference after the LDP presidential election in Tokyo on Oct. 4.
Shohei Ohtani hits a solo home run against the Milwaukee Brewers in the fourth inning of Game 4 of the National League Championship Series at Dodger Stadium on Friday.
BASEBALL / MLB
Sho-time as dazzling Ohtani powers Dodgers into World Series with historic performance
By Rob Woollard
The Los Angeles Dodgers punched their ticket to the World Series on Friday by wrapping up a 4-0 series sweep of the Milwaukee Brewers.
A Uniqlo store in New York. In recent years, Uniqlo’s affordable, well-made basic clothes have struck a chord, especially with younger American shoppers, fueling a rapid business expansion.
BUSINESS
For Uniqlo’s founder, conquering America is personal
By River Akira Davis
Uniqlo's affordable, wellmade basic clothes have struck a chord, especially with younger American shoppers, fueling a rapid business expansion.
Police officers escort repatriated South Koreans, who were detained by authorities in Cambodia over alleged cyberscam operations, upon their arrival at Incheon international airport, west of Seoul, on Saturday.
ASIA PACIFIC / Crime & Legal
64 South Koreans held in Cambodia return home under arrest
South Korea had sent a team to Cambodia on Wednesday to discuss cases of fake jobs and scam centers involved in kidnapping dozens of its nationals.
Tokyo's Jimbocho neighborhood is a haven for book lovers, its rows of secondhand bookstores spilling over with printed materials.
LIFE / Lifestyle
What does Jimbocho think of its unexpected ‘cool’ status?
By Phoebe Amoroso
The book town's residents weigh in on their home topping Time Out magazine's “coolest neighborhoods” list.
Tokyo's Jimbocho neighborhood is a haven for book lovers, its rows of secondhand bookstores spilling over with printed materials.

JAPAN

Past visits by top Japanese leaders to Yasukuni Shrine, which also honors convicted war criminals, have infuriated China and South Korea, and no prime minister has visited since 2013.
Takaichi sends offering to Yasukuni Shrine but will not visit
By Kyoko Hasegawa
Top Japanese leaders visiting the shrine also honoring convicted war criminals have infuriated China and South Korea in the past, and no prime minister has visited since 2013.
A man's body was found at around 9 a.m. on Friday near to the site where a bear was hunted in a wooded area of Kitakami, Iwate Prefecture.
Body found after possible bear attack at onsen in Iwate
Iwate Prefectural Police believe that the body is that of a 60-year-old employee of a hot spring.
Teacher in Fukuoka avoid identification on child sex registry by changing name
Nippon Ishin edges closer toward forming coalition with LDP
By Himari Semans
Tokyo police arrest phone scam group leader
Princess Aiko to visit Laos from Nov. 17

BUSINESS

A port in Zhoushan, Zhejiang province, China
Trump says 100% tariffs on China not sustainable, still plans to meet Xi
The new trade actions were Trump's reaction to China dramatically expanding its export controls on rare earth elements.
Wind turbines along a beach in Happo, Akita Prefecture, in September 2024
Akita urges quick resale of offshore wind sites after Mitsubishi pulls out
By Yusuke Maekawa
The fledgling offshore wind power industry is grappling with high interest rates and material costs, as well as a pushback against green policies in some countries.
Grueling, low-paid human work behind generative AI curtain
By Daxia ROJAS
Trump approves expanding credits for U.S. auto production, issues new 25% truck duties
Marubeni in talks to acquire Carlyle-backed TiAuto
Akita urges quick resale of offshore wind sites after Mitsubishi pulls out
By Yusuke Maekawa

WORLD

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Russia Today editor-in-chief Margarita Simonyan attend an event at the Bolshoi Theater in Moscow on Friday.
Putin's Budapest visit makes awkward spectacle for EU and NATO
By Gergely Szakacs and Lili Bayer
The planned meeting is a symbolic blow to the EU and NATO, as they have sought to isolate the Russian leader as a war criminal.
Hamas senior official Mohammed Nazzal speaks during an interview in Doha on Wednesday
Hamas aims to keep grip on Gaza security and can't commit to disarm, senior official says
By Ahmed Jadallah and Andrew Mills
These views are not new, but the timing of Mohammed Nazzal's comments reflect the difficulties of finding a path to end the war in Gaza.
Chinese leaders to hash out strategic blueprint at key meeting
By Peter CATTERALL
What could a Ukraine peace deal look like?
By Guy Faulconbridge and Olena Harmash
Bolton faces tougher defense than other Trump foes charged with crimes
By Luc Cohen and Sarah N. Lynch
Hamas gives Israel another hostage body, vows to return rest

Sports

Red Bull's Max Verstappen drives during qualifying for the sprint race at the U.S. Grand Prix in Austin, Texas, on Friday.
Verstappen still in the chase but seeking perfection
By Alan Baldwin
Even if the odds look stacked against him, the Red Bull driver cannot be ruled out until the numbers say so.
Dodgers ask Shohei Ohtani to pitch them to World Series return
Joe Flacco outplays Aaron Rodgers as Bengals edge Steelers
Naomi Osaka pulls out of Japan Open quarterfinal with injury
Dodgers down Brewers to take 3-0 series lead

Opinion

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addresses a plenum session of the Knesset in June.
Has Japan’s Diet finally begun its ‘Knessetization’?
Kuni Miyake
My focus is entirely on whether Japan's parliament will finally begin to “Knessetize” (referring to Israel's parliament, and by extension, unstable coalition politics.)
Is Komeito’s split with the LDP really about political funding?
By Edo Naito
Trump’s Middle East breakthrough may prove fragile
Why I chose Japanese citizenship over permanent residency
By Jon Heese
The Sino-U.S. economic cage match heats up
By Imran Khalid

ENVIRONMENT

Greenpeace activists hold signs reading "COP30 act for forests,” during the ministerial preparatory meeting, ahead of the COP30 climate summit, in Brasilia, Brazil on Monday.
Trump’s team weighs COP attendance, but influence looms either way
By David Sherfinski
Experts say whatever decision the U.S. makes, its action or inaction will have a major impact.
U.S. sinks international deal on decarbonizing ships
Europe's bees and butterflies at risk, conservation body says
U.K. spearheads polar climate change research as U.S. draws back
By Joe JACKSON
At Osaka Expo, gas giants promote a greener future. But is it a lot of hot air?
By Joel Tansey

CULTURE

Melissa Schriek portrays the city it as a safe place of emotional connection and play between people, influenced partially by her background in dance and gymnastics.
T3 Photo Festival reframes cityscape as nature
By John L. Tran
This year’s photography festival plants exhibitions all around central Tokyo with photos that showcase urban landscapes under the theme “City as Garden.”
Kiss lead guitarist Ace Frehley dies at 74
By Daniel Trotta
Indie singer Sam Fender wins U.K. Mercury Prize
Oscar-buzzy 'Hamnet' changed me, actress Jessie Buckley says
By Hanna Rantala
‘Transcending Dimensions’: A wild trip to enlightenment
By James Hadfield

LIFE

Swan & Lion's Sunday roast, which is drenched in a red wine gravy, is part of a three-course meal.
Tokyo's best Sunday roasts and all their trimmings
By Shyam Bhardwa
Bathed in rich gravy and paired with scrumptious Yorkshire puddings, the classic British dish is perfect for a languorous lunch — or dinner.
How Japan’s greatest psychological horror game came home
By Gendel Gento
Mass-produced AI podcasts disrupt a fragile industry
By Thomas URBAIN
Pokemon brushes up decades-old formula with Legends: Z-A
The what, where and when of Japan’s autumn leaves
By Eric Margolis

COMMUNITY

Chris Glenn (right) will play Oda Nobunaga, known as one of Japan’s three great unifiers, in the 71st annual Nagoya Festival on Oct. 18 and 19.
A samurai-loving radio host prepares to become Oda Nobunaga for a day
By Gendel Gento
Nagoya-based radio host Chris Glenn will portray warlord Oda Nobunaga, becoming the first non-Japanese to join the city’s historic parade.
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
Student groups nurture Japan-South Korea dialogue and cultural ties
By Moe Shimizu
Linda Joyce: ‘We hope people recognize the benefits of exploring rural areas’
By Louise George Kittaka

Editors' Picks

CULTURE
What you need to see at this year's Tokyo film festival
By James Hadfield, Mark Schilling and Matt Schley
Chloe Zhao’s "Hamnet"
JAPAN
As they wrestle for power, Japan’s political parties must remember their base
By Eric Johnston
Rengo's head Tomoko Yoshino speaks to reporters in Tokyo on Oct. 8.
SUMO
Sumo is about to hit London and the West with a force previously unseen
By John Gunning
Preparations advance on Monday for the Grand Sumo Tournament at the Royal Albert Hall in London.
JAPAN
Number of scenarios now on the table for who might be Japan’s next prime minister
By Eric Johnston
Newly-elected leader of Japan's Liberal Democratic Party Sanae Takaichi (right) celebrates with Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba after winning the LDP leadership election in Tokyo on October 4.
BUSINESS
Pace eyes great strides for Japan’s art market
By Elizabeth Beattie
Pace Japan Vice President Kyoko Hattori, the de facto head of the nation’s business, believes a larger, more lucrative art market will allow Japan to be more attractive for collectors.

Podcast

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

Longform

Rock group The Yellow Monkey played K-Arena Yokohama in June as part of a nationwide tour. Concerts are increasingly popular in the age of social media as users value in-person experiences.
Inside Japan’s arena boom: Sports, sound and city-building
By Patrick St. Michel

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SUSTAINABLE JAPAN

Maruhachi never sleeps in quest for better futons
Maruhachi never sleeps in quest for better futons

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

COMMENTARY
Why I chose Japanese citizenship over permanent residency
By Jon Heese
Jon Heese (second left) takes part in a 2024 New Year's nihonshu barrel opening ceremony.
JAPAN
Doctrine forms the core of Sanseito’s strategy, with some caveats
By Gabriele Ninivaggi
Crowds attend a Sanseito rally in the city of Saitama during the Upper House election.
JAPAN
Former PM Tomiichi Murayama dies at age 101
By Eric Johnston
Former Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama speaks during an interview in Tokyo in March 2007.
JAPAN
LDP and Nippon Ishin fine-tuning deal to form coalition
By Gabriele Ninivaggi
Liberal Democratic Party head Sanae Takaichi (second from right) and Nippon Ishin no Kai co-leader Fumitake Fujita (second from left) meet in Tokyo on Thursday.
CULTURE
What you need to see at this year's Tokyo film festival
By James Hadfield, Mark Schilling and Matt Schley
Chloe Zhao’s "Hamnet"