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October 20, 2025
The Independent Voice in Asia
October 20, 2025
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Liberal Democratic Party President Sanae Takaichi (right) and Japan Innovation Party leader Hirofumi Yoshimura during a meeting last Wednesday in Tokyo
JAPAN / Politics
LDP and JIP agree on coalition, clearing path for Takaichi to become PM
By Himari Semans
The tie-up is expected to see Japan Innovation Party lawmakers vote for LDP President Sanae Takaichi in Tuesday’s parliamentary vote for prime minister.

More coverage

Japan's fractured politics could ensnarl Takaichi's economic plans
Liberal Democratic Party President Sanae Takaichi (right) and Japan Innovation Party leader Hirofumi Yoshimura during a meeting last Wednesday in Tokyo
Pedestrians walk past an electronic quotation board displaying numbers of the Nikkei 225 stock index on the Tokyo Stock Exchange on Monday.
BUSINESS / Markets
Nikkei rallies to new record, breaking 49,000, as political certainty returns
By Francis Tang
The index gained about 2.5% less than an hour after the market opened for trading, and broke the 49,000 level for the first time in history soon after the lunch break.
A visitor makes his way to Tokyo's Yasukuni Shrine on the first day of its annual autumn festival on Friday.
JAPAN / Politics
Takaichi skips Yasukuni visit during autumn festival
With a vote on the next prime minister set for Tuesday, the new LDP president apparently took into account the possibility that any visit could adversely impact foreign affairs.
U.S. President Donald Trump speaks with Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House in Washington on Friday.
WORLD / Politics
Trump urged Zelenskyy to make concessions to Russia in tense meeting
Trump also mused about giving security guarantees to both Kyiv and Moscow, comments that the Ukrainian delegation found confusing, sources said.
As governments race to deepen ties with Vietnam for strategic and economic gain, they must not ignore the country’s escalating human rights crackdown, which threatens both its people and the long-term sustainability of its growth.
COMMENTARY / World
Vietnam’s rights suppression carries a heavy price
Elaine Pearson
Some Vietnamese say, "The government allows freedom of speech — just no freedom after you speak."
As governments race to deepen ties with Vietnam for strategic and economic gain, they must not ignore the country’s escalating human rights crackdown, which threatens both its people and the long-term sustainability of its growth.

JAPAN

The spread of discriminatory expressions through social media has emerged as a new concern.
Japan to conduct survey on online hate speech
The Justice Ministry will analyze discriminatory expressions posted on X and other major social media platforms.
A flea market in Kyoto. Local governments in Japan are urged to mediate between citizens and businesses to expand secondhand markets.
Japan pushes reuse market as new consumption model
The Environment Ministry plans to compile a road map by the end of March 2026 outlining medium- to long-term measures to further boost growth of the sector.
Former care home worker entered Saitama facility with 'intent to kill'
Ito mayor likely to lose job as opponents dominate city assembly
Taking pride in its Okinawan roots, Osaka’s Eisa festival marks 50th year
China's Xi mourns death of ex-PM Murayama

BUSINESS

Askul has suspended order receipts on its Askul brand e-commerce website due to a cyberattack. Ryohin Keikaku, which uses a logistics company affiliated with Askul, has also suspended the website of its Muji brand of household products.
Office equipment seller Askul pauses orders and shipments due to cyberattack
Ryohin Keikaku, which uses a logistics company affiliated with Askul, has also suspended the website of its Muji brand of household products.
A worker inspects a tire on a production line of a Toyo Tire plant in Sendai.
Toyo Tire on track to beat profit guidance, CEO says
By Reina Sasaki
Takashi Shimizu, the tiremaker's CEO, plans to start buying back shares amid resilient U.S. demand.
Kering to sell beauty unit to L'Oreal for $4.66 billion to cut debt, refocus on fashion
EV battery race heats up among Japanese automakers
Sumitomo Life to mull using AI tech to support sales agents
Suntory and Sapporo to halt gift beer sales after cyberattack against Asahi

WORLD

Smoke billows following an Israeli strike that targeted a building in the Al-Bureij refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip on Sunday.
Israel says halting Gaza strikes after accusing Hamas of violating truce
An Israeli security official also said the country was suspending the entry of aid into Gaza due to ceasefire violations.
U.S. President Donald Trump (left) meets with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un at the Demilitarized Zone separating the two Koreas, in the truce village of Panmunjom, South Korea, in June 2019.
DMZ tours in South Korea to be halted amid talk of Trump-Kim meeting
By Jesse Johnson
Tours to the truce village of Panmunjom will reportedly be halted later this month, in the latest signal that the groundwork is being laid for a possible meeting.
Indonesian students to protest as Prabowo marks one year in office
Myanmar's junta says it raided scam compound, seized 30 Starlink receivers
Relatives of Gaza hostages recount dire conditions in captivity
By Sharon ARONOWICZ
EU seeks maritime declaration to inspect Russia's 'shadow fleet'

Sports

Japanese skaters swept the women's podium at the Grand Prix de France. Gold medalist Ami Nakai (center), silver medalist Kaori Sakamoto (left) and bronze medalist Rion Sumiyoshi pose wrapped in their national flags during the prize ceremony in Angers, western France, on Saturday.
Japanese teenager Nakai shocks Sakamoto to win Grand Prix de France
Despite a hand on the ice on her triple Axel jump, Nakai scored a combined 227.08 points, putting her ahead of three-time world champion Kaori Sakamoto.
Blue Jays get past Mariners to send ALCS to Game 7
Manchester United beats Liverpool to end long wait for victory at Anfield
World No. 500 Naoyuki Kataoka wins Japan Open to qualify for Masters and British Open
Ruben Amorim wants more after topping Liverpool for 'biggest' win as United manager

Opinion

The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences announces the winners of the 2025 Nobel economics prize at a news conference in Stockholm on Oct. 13. The prize was awarded to Joel Mokyr, Philippe Aghion and Peter Howitt for their work on innovation-driven economic growth.
This year’s economics Nobel holds a warning for the U.S
Adrian Wooldridge
Between 1875 and 1926, 44% of the world’s breakthrough inventions took place in the U.S., with Britain, France and Germany hovering between 14% and 22%.
Can the world handle having fewer moms?
By Abby McCloskey
Will AI pay off the West’s debts?
By Kenneth Rogoff
Is Komeito’s split with the LDP really about political funding?
By Edo Naito
Has Japan’s Diet finally begun its ‘Knessetization’?
By Kuni Miyake

ENVIRONMENT

International Maritime Organization Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez
U.S. sinks international deal on decarbonizing ships
Increased divisions, notably between oil-producing nations and non-oil producers, emerged this week at meetings leading up to Friday's vote.
Trump’s team weighs COP attendance, but influence looms either way
By David Sherfinski
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

LIFE
What does Jimbocho think of its unexpected ‘cool’ status?
By Phoebe Amoroso
Tokyo's Jimbocho neighborhood is a haven for book lovers, its rows of secondhand bookstores spilling over with printed materials.
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"
BASEBALL
New film explores how Japan and the U.S. found common ground through baseball
By Jason Coskrey
Masanori Murakami became the first MLB player from Japan when he made his debut with the Giants on Sept 1, 1964.
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.

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

Foreign wrestlers have a long history in sumo
Foreign wrestlers have a long history in sumo

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.
BUSINESS
For Uniqlo’s founder, conquering America is personal
By River Akira Davis
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.
JAPAN
Japan's fractured politics could ensnarl Takaichi's economic plans
By Makiko Yamazaki and Leika Kihara
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.
BASEBALL
Sho-time as dazzling Ohtani powers Dodgers into World Series with historic performance
By Rob Woollard
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.
JAPAN
LDP and Nippon Ishin no Kai to form coalition government, report says
The ruling Liberal Democratic Party and Nippon Ishin no Kai have agreed to form a coalition, paving the way for the country's first female prime minister, Kyodo reports.