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September 16, 2025
The Independent Voice in Asia
September 16, 2025
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Tokyo stocks have been rallying in recent months, breaking one record after the next.
BUSINESS / Markets
Nikkei 225 breaks 45,000 for the first time ever
By Francis Tang
The benchmark hit another record ahead of an expected rate cut in the U.S.
Tokyo stocks have been rallying in recent months, breaking one record after the next.
FBI Director Kash Patel (right) listens to senior White House adviser Stephen Miller speak in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington on Monday.
WORLD / Politics
White House threatens broad crackdown on liberal groups
A senior official said that the Trump administration would dismantle an alleged "vast domestic terror movement" that he linked to the killing of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent speaks to the media as U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer looks on following U.S.-China talks on trade, economic and national security issues, in Madrid on Monday.
BUSINESS / Tech
U.S. and China reach framework deal on TikTok; Trump and Xi to speak Friday
By Pietro Lombardi and David Lawder
It is the second time this year that the two sides have said they were nearing a TikTok deal.
U.S. President Donald Trump speaks in the Oval Office of the White House on Monday.
WORLD / Politics
Trump says U.S. struck another alleged Venezuelan drug vessel, killing three
By Idrees Ali and Phil Stewart
The U.S. president provided no evidence for his assertion that the boat was carrying drugs.
Between traditional examples of fine art and sleek, modern exhibitions that blend with nature, Hakone offers a unique escape from Tokyo's urban sprawl.
LIFE / Travel
An aesthetic escape to Hakone’s art-drenched hills
By Erik Augustin Palm
Well known for its views of Mount Fuji, the mountainous community also holds a growing collection of world-class art.
Between traditional examples of fine art and sleek, modern exhibitions that blend with nature, Hakone offers a unique escape from Tokyo's urban sprawl.

JAPAN

Tokyo police have arrested a 21-year-old security inspector at Haneda Airport after he allegedly stole cash from a passenger during a baggage inspection.
Haneda Airport security staff arrested over theft
The 21-year-old security inspector allegedly stole cash from a passenger during a baggage inspection.
Sumadori Bar on Shibuya Ward's main Center Gai street targets young customers who prefer low-alcohol drinks or abstain altogether.
Rethinking that second drink: Japan’s Gen Z gets ‘sober curious’
By Alex K.T. Martin
Young Japanese are saying no to booze — and yes to mocktails, gaming and sober nights out. Breweries are pivoting to meet them.
Countries vow to quadruple the use of sustainable fuels by 2035
Japan-backed AI avatar to promote climate action at expo
Japan's opposition parties wary of snap election
Japan backs development of new materials to cut marine plastic waste

BUSINESS

Alibaba Group co-founder Jack Ma attends the World Artificial Intelligence Conference in Shanghai in 2018. The billionaire entrepreneur recently returned to a hands-on role at Alibaba after spending years out of the public eye.
Jack Ma returns with a vengeance to ‘Make Alibaba Great Again’
Ma resigned as chairman of Alibaba in 2019 and largely disappeared from the public eye in 2020 amid the Chinese government's crackdown on the tech sector.
Federal Reserve Gov. Lisa Cook attends a Federal Reserve Board open meeting discussing proposed revisions to the board's supplementary leverage ratio standards, in Washington in June.
U.S. appeals court rejects Trump bid to oust Fed's Lisa Cook
The attempt to fire the Federal Reserve governor was the first by a president since the central bank's founding in 1913.
Astroscale anticipates more satellite orders from U.K. and Japan
By Reina Sasaki
In Australia, a data center boom is built on vague water plans
By Byron Kaye
CVC in talks to buy KKR’s Avendus stake after Mizuho deal falters
By Anto Antony
Activist funds ramp up Japan bets after record bids last year
By Hideyuki Sano

WORLD

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese speaks during a news conference in Sydney on Friday.
Australia confident AUKUS defense pact will survive U.S. review
The Trump administration’s review of the agreement, which was revealed in June, is focused mainly on reinforcing the pact rather than unraveling it, sources said.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio hold a joint news conference in Jerusalem on Monday.
Rubio backs Israel in goal to eradicate Hamas as diplomacy falters
The top U.S. diplomat's support for Israel's new offensive on Gaza City has cast doubt on whether diplomacy would work to end nearly two years of war.
Sectarian violence risks dividing Syria despite al-Sharaa's diplomacy
By Samia Nakhoul and Timour Azhari
'No regrets': wounded Nepali protesters proud of changes
By Glenda KWEK and Anup OJHA
Europe stumped by Trump demands over Russia sanctions
By Max DELANY
Nordic ministers attend Greenland war games without U.S.

Sports

Noah Lyles does a Kamehameha pose from the the anime Dragonball after the men's 100-meter final at the World Athletics Championships.
World's fastest anime fans Noah Lyles and Kishane Thompson display fandom in Tokyo
By Jason Coskrey
American superstar Lyles is track and field's most popular anime fan.
Japanese baseball grapples with shrinking player base
Cycling fears spread of race-halting protests after Vuelta chaos
By Jacques KLOPP
Japan and Fiji cruise into Pacific Nations Cup rugby final rematch
Pole-vault superstar Duplantis sets yet another world record in Tokyo
By Jason Coskrey

Opinion

A soldier on a tank waves an Israeli flag amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas near the Israel-Gaza border in January 2024. 
War responsibility across borders and generations
Kumiharu Shigehara
The Asia-Pacific War is often remembered for the culpability of leaders, but this overlooks the multitudes who filled the ranks below.
Is violence policy in Donald Trump’s new America?
By Jan-Werner Mueller
Banning teens from YouTube won’t keep them safe
By Catherine Thorbecke
Israel’s Doha strike has destroyed American credibility
By Daoud Kuttab
America’s politics turn bloody

ENVIRONMENT

Smoke streams from a smokestack at a refinery in Anacortes, Washington, last October. The Environmental Protection Agency moved on Friday to stop requiring thousands of polluting facilities to report the amount of heat-trapping greenhouse gases that they release into the air.
U.S. moves to scrap emissions reporting by polluters
U.S. President Donald Trump has heavily promoted new oil, gas, and coal extraction while moving to suppress competition from solar and wind.
Rising oceans to threaten 1.5 million Australians by 2050, report says
By Laura Chung
Scientists link major carbon emitters to worsening heat waves
By Coco Liu and Eric Roston
Drought hit over half of Europe in mid-August, EU data shows
China’s green push may cut global fossil use by 2030, says think tank

CULTURE

Owen Cooper poses with the Best Supporting Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie award for "Adolescence," at the Governors Ball at the 77th Primetime Emmy Awards in Los Angeles on Sunday.
'Adolescence,' 'The Studio' dominate television's Emmy Awards
By Andrew Marszal
Fifteen-year-old Owen Cooper made Emmy history as the youngest male winner, while “The Studio” took home a record 13 awards.
Mei Ehara’s third album finds clarity in the noise
By Patrick St. Michel
‘100 Meters’ brings kinetic energy to rivalry drama
By Matt Schley
Tokyo International Comedy Festival doubles down on diversity and scale
By Moe Shimizu
Unsound turns Osaka into a laboratory of avant-garde music
By James Hadfield

LIFE

Sensing a bleak future for the local "awamori" liquor, Mizuho Distillery ventured into rum production, releasing a collection of eight rums made from "kokutō" (partially refined or unrefined sugar) sourced from various islands in Okinawa Prefecture.
The sweet rise of Okinawan rum
By Miriam Gradel
The spirit is emerging out of the shadow of the local “awamori” liquor, thanks to a growing band of producers who are keen to tell the tale of the islands' traditional agriculture.
From tofu to teriyaki: Japanese essentials for the home cook
By Simon Daly
In Bali, the Ritz-Carlton’s ultraluxury Mandapa hotel marks 10 years
By Owen Ziegler
'He's a regular man, not unlike us': Marking 40 years of Mario games
By Kilian Fichou and Mathias Cena
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s announcement hits all the right notes in Japan
By Yuko Tamura

COMMUNITY

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Swastika Jajoo (fourth from right) began attending the daily radio calisthenics routine at Sendai’s Kitasanbancho Park and struck up unexpected friendships with a group of elderly residents.
Calisthenic companions bridge cultures and generations
By Swastika Jajoo
At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, a doctoral student in Sendai found friendship in unexpected places.
Melos Han-Tani: ‘Figuring out what you value is valuable for any artist’
By Gendel Gento
Gentle care is the key to Cymbal’s heart
Canadian-born politician tackles Ibaraki’s issues big and small
By Gendel Gento
Smiley, spirited Hampen will run into your arms

Editors' Picks

CULTURE
Japan's major art events converge this fall
By Zoria Petkoska and Thu-Huong Ha
Shinji Ohmaki’s “Tokinokage” exhibited at Fuji Textile Week 2021 shows the use of fabric as art.
LIFE
An aesthetic escape to Hakone’s art-drenched hills
By Erik Augustin Palm
Between traditional examples of fine art and sleek, modern exhibitions that blend with nature, Hakone offers a unique escape from Tokyo's urban sprawl.
BUSINESS
Niinami’s ouster quick but not unusual as corporations protect reputation
By Kazuaki Nagata
Takeshi Niinami resigns as chairman and CEO of Suntory Holdings.
JAPAN
As Manila modernizes its military, new opportunities emerge for Tokyo
By Gabriel Dominguez
A Brahmos missile system is displayed during a rehearsal for a military parade in New Delhi in January. The Philippines will soon receive its second batch of the supersonic cruise missiles from India.
ENVIRONMENT
Shizuoka farmers fight to preserve sustainable tea method that’s steeped in tradition
By Kai Wilson
As of August 2024, the number of confirmed chagusaba farmers had fallen to 302, just over half the 582 reported in 2015, according to the Shizuoka Chagusaba Farming Method Promotion Council.

Podcast

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

Longform

Sumadori Bar on Shibuya Ward's main Center Gai street targets young customers who prefer low-alcohol drinks or abstain altogether.
Rethinking that second drink: Japan’s Gen Z gets ‘sober curious’
By Alex K.T. Martin

JT Directory Service

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SUSTAINABLE JAPAN

Smile! It’s ‘Sanrio Time,’ now and ever after
Smile! It’s ‘Sanrio Time,’ now and ever after
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WHAT’S TRENDING

JAPAN
SDF spots China’s biggest aircraft carrier for first time
By Sakura Murakami
The Fujian aircraft carrier is seen in Shanghai in May 2024 as it leaves for its first sea trial.
JAPAN
Why more hotels in Japan are offering room-only service
Nipponia Hotel Ise Kawasaki Merchant Town in Ise, Mie Prefecture
BUSINESS
Is America ready for Japanese-style 7-Elevens?
By River Akira Davis
Convenience stores are a fixture of Japanese life and 7-Eleven, a chain that began in the U.S. in 1927, opened its first store in Japan in 1974 — and then became wholly Japanese-owned in 2005 through parent company Seven & I Holdings.
JAPAN
Final weeks of World Expo in Osaka likely to see large crowds
With one month left to go, crowds are expected to swell at the World Expo in Osaka during its final weeks.
JAPAN
Japan's elderly population down at around 36.2 million
The estimated number of people age 65 or older in Japan stands at 36.19 million as of Monday, accounting for record 29.4% of the country's total population, according to the internal affairs ministry.