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May 07, 2025
The Independent Voice in Asia
May 07, 2025
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A flare is fired over a hill near the town of Poonch, in the Indian-administered area of Kashimir, on Wednesday after New Delhi said it had carried out "precision strikes" on "terrorist camps" inside Pakistan and the Pakistani-administered area of Kashmir.
ASIA PACIFIC
India launches strikes on Pakistan as Islamabad vows to 'settle the score'
The Indian government said it had attacked nine sites, describing them as "precision strikes at terrorist camps" in Pakistan-administered Kashmir.

More coverage

With militaries upgraded, risks multiply in any potential India-Pakistan conflict
A flare is fired over a hill near the town of Poonch, in the Indian-administered area of Kashimir, on Wednesday after New Delhi said it had carried out "precision strikes" on "terrorist camps" inside Pakistan and the Pakistani-administered area of Kashmir.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent testifies before a House Appropriations subcommittee oversight hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington on Tuesday.
BUSINESS / Economy
Bessent, Greer to meet Chinese officials to start trade talks this week
The meeting will be the first confirmed trade talks between the countries since U.S. President Donald Trump announced sweeping tariffs on Beijing.
Emperor Emeritus Akihito and Empress Emerita Michiko stroll in the garden of Nikko Tamozawa Imperial Villa Memorial Park in the city of Nikko, Tochigi Prefecture, on May 28, 2024.
JAPAN
Emperor emeritus is hospitalized for a heart exam
In July 2022, the emperor emeritus was diagnosed with right heart failure caused by tricuspid valve insufficiency.
A survey by a private group found that 30% of people in de facto marriages in Japan have not filed for marriage registration because they or their partners do not want to change their surnames.
JAPAN
About 30% of those in de facto marriages refuse to marry over surname change
Nearly half of such people are willing to file if a system allowing married spouses to use different surnames is introduced.
While for Aston Martin, it’s all about delivering luxury, their regional president for Asia Gregory Adams' start in the auto industry in Japan was far more humble.
BUSINESS / Companies
The drive for luxury: Aston Martin Asia's president explains the want for more
By Elizabeth Beattie
“No one needs an Aston Martin,” said the company's regional president for Asia — it is more about emotion and less about practicality.
While for Aston Martin, it’s all about delivering luxury, their regional president for Asia Gregory Adams' start in the auto industry in Japan was far more humble.

JAPAN

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
How one artist is using history, culture and community spirit to revive a fading samurai legacy — and possibly reshape rural Japan’s future.
A 31-year-old man was taken into custody on Monday on suspicion of drunken driving after he caused a multivehicle crash in the city of Yokosuka, Kanagawa Prefecture.
Driver arrested at scene of Yokosuka crash that injured eight
A breathalyzer test showed the 31-year-old man's blood alcohol level was approximately three times the legal limit.
Disposal questions arise as student learning devices need replacing in Japan
Tokyo police promote home-visit program amid growing security challenges
Saplings from a tree that survived atomic bombing planted at U.N. headquarters
Japan, India to set up new consultation defense cooperation framework
By Jesse Johnson

BUSINESS

U.S. President Donald Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi shake hands as they attend a joint news conference at the White House in Washington in February.
India offers zero-for-zero tariffs on auto parts and steel from U.S.
New Delhi has proposed zero tariffs on steel, auto components and pharmaceuticals on a reciprocal basis up to a certain quantity of imports in trade negotiations with Washington.
The U.S. dollar weakened further on Monday against most major currencies, as pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs continued.
Dollar’s fall in Asia stuns investors, spreads across globe
By Carter Johnson and Maria Elena Vizcaino
U.S. President Donald Trump’s aggressive trade talk has rattled macro markets, undermining the dollar’s traditional haven role in times of stress.
Nike president O’Neill out in latest shake-up under new CEO
By Kim Bhasin and Lily Meier
Dollar under pressure as Asian counterparts charge higher
By Rae Wee
OpenAI dials back conversion plan, with nonprofit to retain control
By Krystal Hu, Arsheeya Bajwa and Aditya Soni
SMFG in talks to buy minority stake in India’s Yes Bank
By Baiju Kalesh

WORLD

Smoke billows up at Sanaa Airport in Yemen after Israeli military warplanes struck the Houthi rebel-held capital on Tuesday.
U.S. and Yemen's Houthis agree to ceasefire
The deal comes after U.S. President Donald Trump announced that the United States would end attacks against the Houthis after the rebels agreed to stop harassing ships.
Newly elected German Chancellor Friedrich Merz speaks as his predecessor, Olaf Scholz, listens during a handover ceremony at the Chancellery in Berlin on Tuesday.
Friedrich Merz becomes German chancellor after surviving shock defeat
The win — on his second try — paves the way for him to take charge of Europe’s biggest economy but with his authority considerably diminished.
Popular support for jailed Istanbul mayor grows, polls show
By Birsen Altayli and Jonathan Spicer
Hamas says Gaza truce talks pointless as Israel wages 'hunger war'
Germany's Friedrich Merz faces new vote for chancellor after surprise loss
By Frank Zeller and Jastinder Khera
U.S. blacklist on China is riddled with errors and outdated details
By James Pomfret and David Kirton

Sports

Tigers slugger Teruaki Sato knocks in a run during Hanshin's win over the Swallows at Koshien Stadium on Friday.
Confident Hanshin slugger Teruaki Sato taking game to next level
By Jason Coskrey
Even with everything Sato, a three-time All-Star, has already accomplished, his start this year has some wondering if he has finally put everything together.
Giants star Kazuma Okamoto expected to miss extended period with elbow injury
By Jason Coskrey
'Shared dream': China celebrates Zhao's world snooker breakthrough
By Isabel Kua
Jokic-inspired Nuggets stun Thunder; Knicks down Celtics
Sunbirds and Marvelous each secure titles for Osaka in inaugural SV. League

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.
A world restored: The U.S. takes the offensive against paper straws
By Brad Glosserman
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

ENVIRONMENT

Imba, a clove farmer who inherited 70 trees from her parents, in Ternate, North Maluku, Indonesia. Colonial powers once warred over the cloves grown on the eastern Indonesian island of Ternate. Today, farmers say the crop's gravest threat is climate change.
Climate change takes spice from Indonesia clove farms
By Jack Moore
Clove trees can take more than a decade to mature, and flowers can only be harvested in a small window that depends heavily on weather conditions.
U.S. solar tariffs could drive Asia transition boom
By Sara Hussein
'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

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.
BUSINESS
Plug and Play wants to help Japanese startups go global
By Kazuaki Nagata
Phillip Vincent (right), Japan CEO of Plug and Play, and Ma Jingqian, head of ventures, at Plug and Play's Tokyo office, last month
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.

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

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

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.
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.
JAPAN
Japan, India to set up new consultation defense cooperation framework
By Jesse Johnson
Defense Minister Gen Nakatani (right) stands alongside his Indian counterpart, Rajnath Singh, during a ceremonial reception in New Delhi on Monday.
JAPAN
About 30% of those in de facto marriages refuse to marry over surname change
A survey by a private group found that 30% of people in de facto marriages in Japan have not filed for marriage registration because they or their partners do not want to change their surnames.