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August 27, 2025
The Independent Voice in Asia
August 27, 2025
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Koryo High School players greet their cheering section after beating Hokkaido’s Asahikawa Shiho in the first round of Summer Koshien on Aug. 7. The school withdrew three days later as a bullying scandal enveloped the team.
BASEBALL / FOCUS
Koshien’s dark summer forces reckoning for high school baseball
By Mai Yoshikawa
A young player’s dream was to play in the National High School Baseball Championship. A series of bullying incidents this year changed all of that.
Koryo High School players greet their cheering section after beating Hokkaido’s Asahikawa Shiho in the first round of Summer Koshien on Aug. 7. The school withdrew three days later as a bullying scandal enveloped the team.
First Lady Yoshiko Ishiba (center, in white and blue dress) hosts an event on Japanese culture with the first ladies of African leaders on the sidelines of the Tokyo International Conference on African Development in Yokohama on Aug. 21.
JAPAN / FOCUS
Confusion over Japan’s ‘hometown’ plan overshadows African development event
By Yukana Inoue
Social media and news have focused more on the misinformation that Japan is accepting a large number of immigrants from Africa.
Former Prime Minister Fumio Kishida chairs a plenary session at the Ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development in Yokohama on Aug. 21.
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Is Kishida plotting a return of the king? Or would he rather stay a kingmaker?
By Eric Johnston
Since stepping down, the former prime minister and Liberal Democratic Party president has been raising his public profile and growing his social media presence.
Lisa Cook (right) is sworn in to become a member of the Federal Reserve Board of Governors by Powell, at the central bank's headquarters in Washington on May 23. Trump this week said he is firing Cook over alleged improprieties in obtaining mortgage loans.
BUSINESS / Economy / ANALYSIS
Fed's credibility is an asset whose decline could be costly
By Howard Schneider
Once eroded, markets will see monetary policy decisions from the central bank as likely to be more politically motivated.
For Suzunobu, a small rice specialty shop in Tokyo's Meguro Ward, distribution delays have resulted in it struggling to sell stockpiled rice secured from the government, owner Toyozo Nishijima said.
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Rice woes weigh down Koizumi's first three months as farm minister
By Gabriele Ninivaggi
Early forecasts have also indicated that the relatively poor rice harvest this year will drive the price of the staple back up.
For Suzunobu, a small rice specialty shop in Tokyo's Meguro Ward, distribution delays have resulted in it struggling to sell stockpiled rice secured from the government, owner Toyozo Nishijima said.

JAPAN

Liberal Democratic Party's election panel chair Ichiro Aisawa speaks at a meeting in Tokyo on Wednesday.
Lawmakers must come clean on stance over possible Ishiba ouster, LDP panel says
By Gabriele Ninivaggi
LDP party executives have put pressure on lawmakers to take a clear stance on the issue.
Kunitake Toriya, a former corporal in the Imperial Japanese Army who had trained for a suicide attack mission, speaks about his wartime experiences in front of the photographs of his comrades at Tachiarai Peace Memorial Museum in Chikuzen, Fukuoka Prefecture, in June.
Destined for death, former kamikaze pilot recalls wanting to live
Kunitake Toriya yelled "Banzai" in his heart when his suicide mission was called off. Now, 80 years on, he is determined to share his story.
Japan and Australia to agree on evacuations from a third country
Foreign Ministry to Seek ¥874.3 billion budget for fiscal 2026
Japan Coast Guard warns of boat accidents that may occur at firework events
Shinji Ishimaru, ex-mayor of Akitakata, steps down as leader of political group

BUSINESS

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the presidential palace in New Delhi on Aug. 5
U.S. slams India with 50% tariffs, among highest in the world
By Shruti Srivastava and Dan Strumpf
The move upends a decadeslong push by Washington to forge closer ties with New Delhi and court India as a counterweight to China.
Chief negotiator Ryosei Akazawa will be pushing for U.S. auto tariffs to be lowered soon.
Akazawa heading to Washington for 10th round of tariff talks
By Francis Tang
The U.S. promises clarity on Japan's $550 billion pledge by the end of the week.
Keihan to gain connection to Yumeshima in Osaka after casino resort opening
China’s soy crushers may be facing a winter without U.S. beans
By Hallie Gu and Clarice Couto
In India's diamond hub, looming U.S. tariffs cut into growing trade ambitions
By Rajendra Jadhav and Bansari Mayur Kamdar
China is pouring exports into Africa faster than anywhere else

WORLD

French President Emmanuel Macron, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz during a photo session in The Hague on June 25
French, German, Polish leaders to visit Moldova in show of force in face of Russia
By Francesco FONTEMAGGI
The leaders will meet Moldova's President Maia Sandu to celebrate the country's 34th independence day as she pushes for EU membership.
Ezzeldin al-Masri holds equipment used by his brother Hussam al-Masri, a Reuters journalist killed by an Israeli strike on Monday while operating a live video feed at Nasser Hospital, in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, on Tuesday. Five journalists were killed in the strike.
Reuters, AP journalists killed in Gaza strike were not targets, Israel says
The Monday Israeli strike on Nasser hospital killed at least 20 people including the two journalists, as well as three others who worked for Al Jazeera and other outlets.
Synagogue arson suspect appears in court for attack Australia says was ordered by Iran
By Melanie Burton and Renju Jose
Pakistan's monsoon misery is nature's fury, but also man's mistake
By Shrouq TARIQ
China's rulers push party role before WWII anniversary
By Peter CATTERALL
Farage floats Trump-style deportation push in bid to lead U.K.
By Alex Morales and Joe Mayes

Sports

Wrestlers approach the ring during a regional sumo tour in Misato, Saitama Prefecture in April 2016.
Sumo’s grueling summer tour reveals wrestlers' true condition
By John Gunning
The heat and length makes the summer tour by far the most physically taxing in sumo, giving fans greater clarity regarding the health of their favorite rikishi.
India faces world soccer ban for second time in three years
Giants waive quarterback DeVito as Patriots cut 2022 first-rounder Strange
Pulisic returns to U.S. squad as McKennie misses out for Japan friendly
By Pearl Josephine Nazare
Perez just wants to enjoy racing as Cadillac shuts down Horner speculation
By Alan Baldwin

Opinion

Jet fighters from the North American Aerospace Defense Command intercept a Chinese long-range H-6 bomber operating in the Alaska air defense identification zone in July 2024.
Joint Sino-Russian patrols push Japan to rethink defense posture
Jonathan Berkshire Miller
Over the past two years, joint China-Russia overflights have become increasingly sophisticated and extended.
Al and our brave new world of ‘weaponized interdependence’
By Brad Glosserman
Microsoft hack victims need to be on alert for sleeper cells
By Dave Lee
How humanity can avoid starting World War III
By Tobin Harshaw
How much does faith influence British politics?
By Rosa Prince

ENVIRONMENT

Suyun Ham, an engineering professor at UTA, reviews data from a recent inspection with two other researchers. Ham likens his technology to a “portable MRI,” which can detect cracks and other hidden dangers in a bridge.
Are bridges near you safe? This MRI-like scan may prevent disaster
By Coco Liu
An engineering professor from the University of Texas at Arlington is experimenting with a novel approach to inspecting bridges for heat damage.
Record wildfires burn more than 1 million hectares of EU land this year
By Kate Abnett
'Restoring dignity': Kenya slum exchange offers water for plastic
Spain's 16-day heat wave is 'most intense on record'
Egyptian farmers behind world's perfumes face climate fight alone
By Menna Farouk

CULTURE

An Instagram post reading "Your English teacher and your gym teacher are getting married," along with a photo showing National Football League player Travis Kelce proposing to singer Taylor Swift, in this screenshot taken from a social media post on Aug. 26.
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce announce engagement after two-year romance
By Lisa Richwine
The singer and football player posted their news on social media, there's no wedding date set as of yet.
From foil to fan favorite, Kuromi embodies Sanrio’s darker side of cute
By Patrick St. Michel
Healing Oshima Island's history of disease with a touch of art
By Uliana Dobrova
'The Face of Jizo': Hisashi Inoue's play staged in Sydney commemorates WWII victims
By Kris Kosaka
‘Happy Life’ brings dignity to family’s struggle with grief and poverty
By James Hadfield

LIFE

Shinobi: Art of Vengeance makes excellent use of stages dripping with atmosphere to punch up the feel of its tight combat mechanics.
Sega's ninja-themed Shinobi series is back from the dead
By Owen Ziegler
The long-running series hasn’t had a console release since 2003, but the new title is nearly enjoyable enough to make the wait worth it.
Retired Tokyo trains live on as upcycled table lamps
By Joanna Kawecki
Behind Tanikoretani’s quiet facade, a lively world of sake-fueled food
By Robbie Swinnerton
Character-crazed Japan has little appetite for Labubu
By Yuko Tamura
Fingers sore from too much phone time? You might have ‘sumaho yubi.’
By Mai Yoshikawa

COMMUNITY

Musical act Petalhead, comprised of Jaime Alise (left) and Riku Ogura, performs at More Than Music’s beachside event in Zushi, Kanagawa Prefecture.
More Than Music makes space for creative communion
By Shyam Bhardwa
Since 2018, Tokyo-based duo Justin Sachs and Atsuko Sunaga have been organizing live shows and curating a community with shared passions.
Seri Yanai: ‘We mix modern and analog to create something new’
By Ayako Nakano
Carl J. Green, mentor to a generation of ‘Japan hands,’ dies at 85
By Matthew Goodman
Handsome cat looking for brighter days ahead
Solidarity with Tokyo’s homeless residents, one day at a time
By Shyam Bhardwa

Editors' Picks

BUSINESS
Japanese prefectures break with labor ministry on minimum wage
By Kazuaki Nagata
The ministry of labor has suggested a 6% minimum wage increase, but most prefectures reporting so far are opting to go slightly higher.
ASIA PACIFIC
Philippines quietly deepening ‘unofficial’ defense ties with Taiwan
By Gabriel Dominguez
Filipino soldiers take part in a flag-raising ceremony on Mavulis Island during a visit by the Philippines' Armed Forces chief of staff, in Batanes, the Philippines, in June 2023. Batanes, a group of idyllic islands at the country’s northernmost tip, sits about 160 kilometers from Taiwan.
ENVIRONMENT
Are 'coolcations' the answer for Japan's heat-weary tourists?
By Tomoko Otake
Hikers on a trail in Hakuba, Nagano Prefecture. As extreme heat continues to grip Japan, a tectonic shift may be underway in the nation’s summer tourism scene as more people gravitate toward cooler destinations.
LIFE
Germany's first sakemaker offers a bold brew of ideas
By Weiwen Lin
Reigen, Germany's first sake brewery, makes a diverse, nontraditional range of sake that includes fruit-flavored sips and wine barrel-aged renditions.
CULTURE
Alicia Keys closed Summer Sonic, but J-pop owned it
By Patrick St. Michel
Summer Sonic’s 2025 lineup demonstrated its strength, showcasing the latest in J-pop, including “new kawaii” act Fruits Zipper.

Podcast

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

Longform

Tetsuzo Shiraishi, speaking at The Center of the Tokyo Raids and War Damage, uses a thermos to explain how he experienced the U.S. firebombing of March 1945, when he was just 7 years old.
From ashes to high-rises: A survivor’s account of Tokyo’s postwar past
By Alex K.T. Martin

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SUSTAINABLE JAPAN

Looking ahead to Yokohama’s Green × Expo 2027
Looking ahead to Yokohama’s Green × Expo 2027

COMFACTS

Tsunan Sake Brewery Launches Limited-Edition “Yukigesho Castella” Featuring Sake Lees at “Tsunan Sake Brewery Sunflower Festival 2025”
Tsunan Sake Brewery Launches Limited-Edition “Yukigesho Castella” Featuring Sake Lees at “Tsunan Sake Brewery Sunflower Festival 2025”
TSUNAN SAKE BREWERY

WHAT’S TRENDING

JAPAN
Tokyo releases AI-generated video of Mount Fuji erupting
By Yukana Inoue
A screenshot from an AI-generated video showing what could happen to Tokyo if Mount Fuji erupted
JAPAN
Philippine bid to acquire used Japanese warships gains steam
By Gabriel Dominguez
Tokyo is looking to transfer Abukuma-class vessels to the Philippines as part of broader efforts to boost the defense capabilities of like-minded neighbors amid growing Chinese military assertiveness in the region.
BUSINESS
Japan aims to tighten rules for business manager visas from October
By Francis Tang
The number of foreign residents with business management residency status had reached a record 41,615 as of the end of 2024.
BUSINESS
Japanese prefectures break with labor ministry on minimum wage
By Kazuaki Nagata
The ministry of labor has suggested a 6% minimum wage increase, but most prefectures reporting so far are opting to go slightly higher.
JAPAN
Japan ranked one of the most peaceful places in Asia as global tensions rise
By Elizabeth Beattie
Visitors look at paper cranes hung at Peace Park in Nagasaki on Aug. 8, a day ahead of the 80th anniversary of the World War II atomic bombing of the city.