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October 23, 2025
The Independent Voice in Asia
October 23, 2025
Sanae Takaichi
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Shinjiro Koizumi — son of a former prime minister and rival to the current one — was appointed defense chief after falling short in his bid for the Liberal Democratic Party presidency earlier this month.
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
For three key Cabinet posts, Takaichi turns to an eclectic trio
By Jesse Johnson
The prime minister’s picks for Japan’s new defense, foreign and economic security ministers are not your typical stodgy line-up.

More coverage

Breaking down Sanae Takaichi’s Cabinet picks
Takaichi's economic picks reflect balancing act with party and U.S. in mind
In pictures: The day Japan’s glass ceiling finally cracked
Shinjiro Koizumi — son of a former prime minister and rival to the current one — was appointed defense chief after falling short in his bid for the Liberal Democratic Party presidency earlier this month.
A recent cyberattack on brewer Asahi Group Holdings resulted in the company suspending shipments.
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
AI-optimized cybercrime increasingly targeting Japan
By Elizabeth Beattie
Many of the attacks originate in China, using underground marketplaces that sell access and sensitive data to other cybercriminals.
The Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Any sweeping technology restrictions on China could disrupt a fragile U.S. economy already absorbing the impact of President Donald Trump’s tariffs.
WORLD / Politics
U.S. considers broad software curbs on China, White House says
By Catherine Lucey
The acknowledgment came following a report that the U.S. was weighing efforts similar to the curbs implemented against Russia.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks during a news conference in Tokyo on Tuesday.
JAPAN / Politics
Polls show Takaichi Cabinet off to strong start with support for policy stance
By Eric Johnston
Approval ratings were found to be especially high among younger generations and those in the Osaka and Nagoya regions.
With the recent sumo jaunt to London being essentially a goodwill exercise, <i>rikishi</i> were far more outgoing and relaxed than normal.
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
London exhibition perhaps sumo's most successful trip abroad
By John Gunning
Over the course of the tournament, sumo received wall-to-wall coverage in mainstream British media.
With the recent sumo jaunt to London being essentially a goodwill exercise, <i>rikishi</i> were far more outgoing and relaxed than normal.

JAPAN

Ruling Liberal Democratic Party President Sanae Takaichi and Japan Innovation Party (JIP) leader Hirofumi Yoshimura sign a policy agreement between the two parties at the Diet in Tokyo on Monday.
The newly formed LDP-JIP coalition may not be as solid as it seems
By Eric Johnston
The Japan Innovation Party’s insistence on passing a seat-reducing measure could prove to be a sticking point in the relationship.
Japan reported its first bird flu outbreak of the season on Wednesday, raising concerns that egg prices could rise further.
Bird flu outbreak in Hokkaido raises concerns over rising egg prices
About 459,000 laying hens at poultry farm in Hokkaido will be culled to prevent further infections.
Japan joins over 80 nations to have been led by women since WWII
Orders surge for popular caricature teacups featuring Takaichi
Balancing medical services and costs will be major challenge for Takaichi
Tokyo police raid resignation assistance firm for violating attorney law

BUSINESS

Chugoku Electric Power's Shimane nuclear power station in the city of Matsue. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is expected to push for the accelerated revival of nuclear power as an energy source.
Nuclear power at heart of new prime minister's energy policy
By Katya Golubkova and Yuka Obayashi
Imported fossil fuels cover 60% to 70% of Japan's electricity generation and are a source of inflation that has undermined support for the ruling Liberal Democratic Party.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (center) during a photo session with her new Cabinet ministers including Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi (right) at the Prime Minister's Office on Tuesday
Japan’s new leader to woo Trump with promises on pickups and soybeans
By Tamiyuki Kihara
The two leaders will sit down in Tokyo during Trump's first visit to Japan since his re-election.
Nomura CEO seeks to tap more private market bets from Japanese
By Takashi Nakamichi
Top Japan local bank ready to boost JGB buying when BOJ pivots
By Taiga Uranaka
Carney plots ‘talent attraction’ plan as U.S. upends H-1B visa
By Erik Hertzberg
BOJ watchers push back rate hike call after Takaichi takes helm
By Toru Fujioka and Cynthia Li

WORLD

U.S. President Donald Trump appears to be preparing to ratchet up pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin
Trump will boost Russia sanctions after putting off Putin summit
By Skylar Woodhouse
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent's remarks come a day after backing off plans for a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in the near future.
An Israeli flag flutters near apartments in the Israeli settlement of Maale Adumim in the West Bank on Aug. 16, 2020.
Israel's parliament gives initial nod to occupied West Bank annexation
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party did not support the bill put forth by lawmakers outside his ruling coalition.
Flush with cash, U.S. immigration agency expands weaponry and surveillance
By Corin FAIFE
Taiwan wary China's new economic plan could include front-line islands
By Yimou Lee and Ben Blanchard
Taiwan is courting MAGA influencers to get Trump’s attention
By Yian Lee, Miaojung Lin and Eric Martin
U.S. air safety workers tighten belts as shutdown drags on
By David Shepardson and Doyinsola Oladipo

Sports

The Blue Jays celebrate after defeating the Mariners in Game 7 of the ALCS round for the 2025 MLB playoffs in Toronto on Monday.
Blue Jays carry hopes of a nation into World Series amid tension
By Frank Pingue
Canadian support for the Blue Jays goes beyond the fact that they will be facing the Dodgers. There is also national pride at stake.
Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers not viewing showdown with Packers as 'revenge game'
Russians and Belarusians not allowed to ski as neutrals at Winter Games
PSG scores seven as Champions League rains goals
By Andy Scott
Dodgers' Snell and Yamamoto to start World Series Games 1 and 2

Opinion

Sanae Takaichi's new Cabinet poses for a group photo at the Prime Minister's Office on Tuesday.
Breaking down Sanae Takaichi’s Cabinet picks
Michael MacArthur Bosack
Takaichi only appointed two women in the Cabinet, which was identical to the previous Shigeru Ishiba administration.
Supply-chain economics beat tariff politics
By Jun Du
The secret to Takaichi’s success in the Indo-Pacific
By Simon Hutagalung
Japan’s new 'Iron Lady' can play 'heavy metal' politics
By Gearoid Reidy
How the LDP-JIP coalition could hurt smaller parties
By Robert D. Eldridge

ENVIRONMENT

King Bubaraye Dakolo of the Ekpetiama Kingdom in Bayelsa State, southern Nigeria, poses for a photograph in Lagos on Oct. 13.
'What is the value of a human life?' In Nigeria, oil giant Shell may find out.
By Susan Njanji
Bubaraye Dakolo, the monarch of Ekpetiama in Nigeria, is suing a global oil giant over one of the largest corporate environmental liabilities in history.
Climate change and population growth threaten to spark malaria resurgence
Bali grapples with flood reckoning as overdevelopment and waste take toll
By Marchio Gorbiano
U.S. sinks international deal on decarbonizing ships
Trump’s team weighs COP attendance, but influence looms either way
By David Sherfinski

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.”
‘Climbing for Life’ doesn’t break new ground, but knows its footing
By James Hadfield
‘Meets the World’: A tragicomic hunger for connection
By Mark Schilling
Kiss lead guitarist Ace Frehley dies at 74
By Daniel Trotta
Indie singer Sam Fender wins U.K. Mercury Prize

LIFE

Ryu Hayabusa, the iconic ninja at the center of the Ninja Gaiden franchise, shares the spotlight with a newcomer in the latest entry to the series.
Ninja Gaiden 4 revives series with kinetic carnage, clumsy platforming
By Gendel Gento
Known for high-speed and occasionally punishingly difficult combat, the Ninja Gaiden series gets an update in mechanics thanks to a new developer.
What does Jimbocho think of its unexpected ‘cool’ status?
By Phoebe Amoroso
Tokyo's best Sunday roasts and all their trimmings
By Shyam Bhardwa
Mass-produced AI podcasts disrupt a fragile industry
By Thomas URBAIN
Pokemon brushes up decades-old formula with Legends: Z-A

COMMUNITY

The byzantine process for converting a foreign driver’s license into a Japanese one entails mountains of paperwork and significant stamina — unless you're a lucky license holder from a country or region where these requirements are waived.
Driving in Japan isn’t hard. Getting the license is.
By Thu-Huong Ha and Mike Fu
From the desperate and defeated to the blissful and breezy, readers share their experiences of getting a driver’s license in Japan.
Lovely listener Jimena just needs time and care
A samurai-loving radio host prepares to become Oda Nobunaga for a day
By Gendel Gento
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

Editors' Picks

JAPAN
Japan's first female PM promised more women in her Cabinet. She picked two.
By Yukana Inoue
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi poses with members of the newly formed Cabinet on Tuesday night.
LIFE
Nakatsu keeps its cool as gentrification looms
By Edward Hewes
Shunsuke Takahashi, owner of the cafe Hood by Vargas, says the Osaka neighborhood of Nakatsu feels brighter and calmer with the influx of new businesses.
JAPAN
Who is Minoru Kihara, Takaichi’s new 'cool-headed' spokesman?
By Gabriele Ninivaggi
Minoru Kihara (second from left) attends a Lower House plenary session on Tuesday in Tokyo.
LIFE
How Japan’s greatest psychological horror game came home
By Gendel Gento
Series composer Akira Yamaoka and writer Ryukishi07 were integral figures in helping one of Japan's greatest horror gaming franchises land a Japanese setting.
BUSINESS
Japan leads in in-depth AI awareness, new global study finds
By Elizabeth Beattie
In Japan, 55% were “equally concerned and excited” about the rise of AI in daily life, while 28% were “more concerned than excited.”

Podcast

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

Longform

The byzantine process for converting a foreign driver’s license into a Japanese one entails mountains of paperwork and significant stamina — unless you're a lucky license holder from a country or region where these requirements are waived.
Driving in Japan isn’t hard. Getting the license is.
By Thu-Huong Ha and Mike Fu

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SUSTAINABLE JAPAN

Maruhachi never sleeps in quest for better futons
Maruhachi never sleeps in quest for better futons

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

JAPAN
Rare female yakuza walks path to redemption in Japan
By Tomohiro Osaki
Retired yakuza Mako Nishimura sorts fallen leaves during a clean-up activity at the Gifu Gokoku shrine in Gifu Prefecture on Sept. 28.
JAPAN
Takaichi makes history as Japan’s first female prime minister
By Gabriele Ninivaggi
Liberal Democratic Party President Sanae Takaichi reacts to applauding lawmakers after being elected prime minister at the Lower House on Tuesday.
JAPAN
Japanese man sentenced to eight years after rare public accusation of rape
By Natsuko Fukue
Riho Fukuyama (center) and her husband Yoshiki Fukuyama (left) speak to the media with their lawyer (right) outside the Toyama District Court in Toyama on Tuesday.
JAPAN
Woman arrested for pepper spray assault on Yamanote Line
Emergency vehicles arrive at the JR Otsuka Station in Tokyo Monday following a report that a woman had allegedly injured passengers with pepper spray inside a train on the Yamanote Line.
ASIA PACIFIC
North Korea fires off ballistic missiles one day after Takaichi named PM
By Jesse Johnson
People watch a TV news report about North Korean short-range ballistic missile launches, at the main railway station in Seoul on Wednesday.