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May 06, 2025
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May 06, 2025
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Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba speaks to reporters about Japan-U.S. tariff negotiations at his official residence on Saturday.
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Tariff talks with U.S. seen influencing Japan's Upper House election
The outcome of the ongoing bilateral negotiations will have a major impact on this summer's election in the Upper House.
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba speaks to reporters about Japan-U.S. tariff negotiations at his official residence on Saturday.
Phillip Vincent (right), Japan CEO of Plug and Play, and Ma Jingqian, head of ventures, at Plug and Play's Tokyo office, last month
BUSINESS / Companies
Plug and Play wants to help Japanese startups go global
By Kazuaki Nagata
The Japanese government is aggressively supporting startups, and large companies are seeking more opportunities to bet on entrepreneurs.
The imperial family attends a spring garden party at the Akasaka Imperial Gardens in Tokyo on April 22.
JAPAN
Imperial Household Agency’s YouTube channel surpasses 100,000 subscribers
By Himari Semans
Launched on April 1, the channel surpassed 100,000 subscribers in just a week.
A survey by a labor union of home care business operators and care managers found that nearly 90% of facility managers had turned down service requests at least once during the past year, citing insufficient staffing.
JAPAN
Worker shortage forcing home care providers to turn away clients, survey finds
By Jessica Speed
In the survey, 19.3% of care managers said some older adults are being left without any care at all due to a worker shortage.
Dangami House is a 180-year-old former samurai residence of the Kato clan, who ruled over Ozu, Ehime Prefecture, until the Meiji Restoration.
JAPAN / Society / Longform
A house, a legacy and the quiet work of restoration in rural Japan
By Hanako Lowry
How one artist is using history, culture and community spirit to revive a fading samurai legacy — and possibly reshape rural Japan’s future.
Dangami House is a 180-year-old former samurai residence of the Kato clan, who ruled over Ozu, Ehime Prefecture, until the Meiji Restoration.

JAPAN

Takaaki Nezu, executive director of Maruto Group Holdings, says it is the company’s social responsibility to help tackle the falling birth rate.
Fukushima firms seek ways to encourage marriages
One supermarket chain has said such moves reflect a corporate responsibility to tackle the nation’s chronically low birth rate.
The proportion of children in Japan's overall population came to a record low of 11.1% as of April 1, dropping for 51 years in a row.
Japan's child population falls for 44th straight year
The country's child population hit the lowest level since comparable data became available in 1950.
Japanese prisons prepare for imprisonment penalty reform
Emperor emeritus to be hospitalized for heart tests
In a national first, Fukuoka school obtains organic lunch certificate
More nursing care facilities in Japan embrace 'spot work' amid labor shortage

BUSINESS

A worker counts U.S. dollar banknotes at a currency exchange office in Jakarta, Indonesia, in 2022.
Dollar’s decline is fueling dislocations across Asian currencies
By Tian Chen
The volatility shows how an exodus from the world’s reserve currency can ripple through financial markets.
People watch as Berkshire Hathaway chairman Warren Buffett is seen on a screen speaking at the Berkshire Hathaway annual shareholders' meeting, in Omaha, Nebraska, on Saturday.
Warren Buffett successor inherits giant cash pile and many questions
By Alexandre Rajbhandari
Buffett, the 94-year-old architect and face of Berkshire Hathaway, built the firm from humble beginnings into one of the world’s most valuable enterprises.
European firms fare better than expected through early trade pain
Saying Hollywood is dying, Trump orders 100% tariff on non-U.S. movies to save it
By Andrea Shalal and Tim Reid
Finance chief Kato walks back idea of U.S. Treasury sales as trade chip
By Yoshiaki Nohara and Takashi Umekawa
Global factories struggle to overcome Trump tariffs and uncertainty
By Craig Stirling

WORLD

President Donald Trump speaks to reporters on the South Lawn of the White House before departing Washington en route to Michigan for back-to-back events on the 100th day of his second term, on April 29.
'I don't know': Trump pleads ignorance on the supreme law of the land
In an interview, Donald Trump said he wasn’t sure if he’s obligated to uphold the Constitution. The remarks, tied to his deportation policies, drew criticism from legal experts.
Palestinians receive food cooked by a charity kitchen in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, on April 29.
Hamas executes looters in Gaza as food crisis worsens under Israeli blockade
By Nidal al-Mughrabi
Hamas officials have accused some of the looters of working in collaboration with Israel, which has sealed off aid from entering Gaza.
Homeless sheltered by Pope Francis wonder who will follow
By Carlos Barria
Romanian hard-right leader clear winner in first-round presidential vote
By Luiza Ilie and Elizaveta Gladun
'Accept me': Organization offers haven for outcasts near Ukraine front
By Barbara WOJAZER and Kseniia TOMCHYK
Israel prepares to scale up pressure on Gaza ahead of Trump visit
By Galit Altstein

Sports

Naoya Inoue (right) throws a punch during his bout with Ramon Cardenas on Sunday in Las Vegas. "The Monster" marked his return to the U.S. with a win despite being knocked down for just the second time in his career.
'Monster' Inoue survives rare knockdown to stop Cardenas in eighth
Inoue recovered from second-round trouble to improve to 30-0 as he took part in his first fight abroad since 2021.
Jets cap comeback with double-OT win over Blues in Game 7
Buddy Hield leads Warriors past Rockets in Game 7
Pacers shock Cavs in second-round opener
Kane's Bayern Munich claims Bundesliga title following Bayer Leverkusen draw

Opinion

China's Bayan Obo rare earth mine in Inner Mongolia. As U.S.-China tensions strain critical mineral supply chains, Tokyo’s multipronged approach based on sovereignty, resilience and sustainability is gaining quiet relevance.
Japan's resource security path may hold answers to trade turmoil
Parul Bakshi
Critical mineral supply chains are made vulnerable by China's dominance and U.S. protectionism. Japan's strategy may provide clues as to how to secure these vital resources.
New rare earth plant shows strength of Japan-France cooperation
By John Seaman
A turning point in trade: The U.S. effort to reverse global imbalances
By Sayuri Shirai
The Oracle of Omaha caps a career built on humility
By Jonathan Levin
Why is Trump unilaterally dismantling U.S. defenses?
By Jill Kastner and William C. Wohlforth

ENVIRONMENT

A solar panel on display at a home improvement center in Bangkok
U.S. solar tariffs could drive Asia transition boom
By Sara Hussein
China makes eight out of every 10 solar panels globally, and controls 80% of every stage of the manufacturing process.
'Not sustainable': Europe's firefighters want more funds and staff
By Beatrice Tridimas
South Korea's deadly fires made twice as likely by climate change, researchers say
By David Stanway
Trump administration targets scientists behind key climate assessment
By Valerie Volcovici
If the 'Big One' hits, this city could face a 31-meter-high tsunami
By Alex K.T. Martin

CULTURE

The Adachi Institute has been working on creating brand new ukiyo-e prints in collaboration with contemporary artists such as Yayoi Kusama, whose “Mt. Fuji in Seven Colours: When life boundlessly flares up to the universe” (2014) can be seen on display at “Ukiyo-e in Play.”
'Ukiyo-e in Play' showcases traditional art carved anew
By Marigold Warner
The Adachi Institute of Woodcut Prints keeps age-old methods alive by creating ukiyo-e prints in collaboration with artisans and contemporary artists.
‘Blank Canvas’: 'Tough love' of the past isn't so funny anymore
By Mark Schilling
‘The Killer Goldfish’: The future of cinema, or just indie cosplay?
By James Hadfield
China’s first K-pop concert in years signals efforts to mend ties
By Hyonhee Shin and Shinhye Kang
‘Wildcat Dome’ challenges Japan's historical narratives
By Kris Kosaka

LIFE

Excitement for Nintendo's next console is high, but a vocal contingent of fans are voicing criticism over the company's pricing strategy.
‘Drop the price’: Behind the pushback on Nintendo’s Switch 2
By Owen Ziegler
Nintendo games have never been cheap, but the company seems to be nickel-and-diming more than ever with its new console.
More than a food court: Time Out Market curates Osaka’s best flavors
By Melinda Joe
The sushi cone that changed everything
By Cassandra Lord
Japan’s ‘tabi’ sock mecca runs on thread and memories
By Aarohi Narain
Why the month of May feels tough and how language can help
By Yaeko Kabe

COMMUNITY

Since 2017, Kotomi Li has won some of Japan’s top literary awards and built a formidable career in the face of persistent online harassment. “Authors are tenacious creatures to begin with,” she says.
Kotomi Li: 'I refuse to choose death'
By Kat Joplin
The Taiwanese writer reflects on the importance of queer community, her ascent in Japan’s literary world and her ongoing battles against online harassment.
A Hokkaido cross that’s more sweet than spicy
Reclaiming Sanya, one meal at a time
By Kim Kahan
Arunima Mazumdar: ‘Japanese literature has a niche but deeply engaged readership in India’
By Megha Wadhwa
How to spend the perfect day in Hiroo, Tokyo’s expat enclave
By Eric Margolis

Editors' Picks

JAPAN
Why are rice prices still high in Japan?
By Yukana Inoue
Amid shortages, the price of a 5-kilogram bag of rice during the week of April 14 was ¥4,220.
COMMUNITY
Kotomi Li: 'I refuse to choose death'
By Kat Joplin
Since 2017, Kotomi Li has won some of Japan’s top literary awards and built a formidable career in the face of persistent online harassment. “Authors are tenacious creatures to begin with,” she says.
LIFE
Want to see the future at the Osaka Expo? Get in line.
By Thu-Huong Ha
“‘Future of life,’ by Ishiguro,” the World Expo pavilion by roboticist Hiroshi Ishiguro, displays humanlike androids.
JAPAN
Despite shifts in Japan's political landscape, constitutional revision still far off
By Gabriele Ninivaggi
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has been a staunch advocate for constitutional reform.
SOCCER
Kawasaki can hold its head high after spirited Asian Champions League effort
By Sean Carroll
Frontale players grimace during the final of the Asian Champions League on Saturday in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Kawasaki lost 2-0 against heavily favored Al-Ahli.

Podcast

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

Longform

Dangami House is a 180-year-old former samurai residence of the Kato clan, who ruled over Ozu, Ehime Prefecture, until the Meiji Restoration.
A house, a legacy and the quiet work of restoration in rural Japan
By Hanako Lowry

JT Directory Service

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SUSTAINABLE JAPAN

Tsukuba massif granite, one of the world’s few heritage stones
Tsukuba massif granite, one of the world’s few heritage stones

WHAT’S TRENDING

JAPAN
Why are rice prices still high in Japan?
By Yukana Inoue
Amid shortages, the price of a 5-kilogram bag of rice during the week of April 14 was ¥4,220.
JAPAN
Police arrest man after body of ex-girlfriend found under his home
Hideyuki Shirai (center) at Tokyo's Haneda Airport on Saturday
BUSINESS
Dollar’s decline is fueling dislocations across Asian currencies
By Tian Chen
A worker counts U.S. dollar banknotes at a currency exchange office in Jakarta, Indonesia, in 2022.
JAPAN
Tariff talks with U.S. seen influencing Japan's Upper House election
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba speaks to reporters about Japan-U.S. tariff negotiations at his official residence on Saturday.
LIFE
‘Drop the price’: Behind the pushback on Nintendo’s Switch 2
By Owen Ziegler
Excitement for Nintendo's next console is high, but a vocal contingent of fans are voicing criticism over the company's pricing strategy.