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October 04, 2025
The Independent Voice in Asia
October 04, 2025
LDP Election
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Sanae Takaichi, the newly elected leader of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, holds a news conference after the LDP presidential election in Tokyo on Saturday.
JAPAN / Politics
Takaichi poised to become Japan's first female PM after winning LDP poll
By Himari Semans, Gabriele Ninivaggi and Kanako Takahara
Takaichi earned 185 votes against Koizumi’s 156 in a runoff after none of the five candidates in the party leadership race secured a majority in the first round of voting.
Sanae Takaichi, the newly elected leader of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, holds a news conference after the LDP presidential election in Tokyo on Saturday.
Employees select sheets of Green Virginia tobacco leaves for processing at a Japan Tobacco cigarette plant in Senta, Serbia. While rivals have set ambitious targets for "smoke-free” products, Japan Tobacco has focused more on conventional combustible tobacco products.
BUSINESS / Companies
Japan Tobacco is doubling down on cheap cigarettes
By Sabah Meddings and Fiona Rutherford
While rivals have set ambitious targets for "smoke-free” products, Japan Tobacco has focused more on conventional combustible tobacco products.
A Swedish snowboard instructor works at the Niseko ski resort area on Hokkaido, in Kutchan, in December 2022
JAPAN / Society
A Japanese ski resort town is roiled by a debate over immigration
By River Akira Davis and Kiuko Notoya
Residents are protesting a planned housing facility for foreign workers, exposing the conflict between labor needs and worries over immigration.
A bear warning sign. More and more wild bears have been spotted in Japan in recent years, even in residential areas, due to factors including a declining human population and climate change.
JAPAN
One dead, one missing in Japan after bear attack
More and more wild bears have been spotted in recent years due to factors including a declining human population and climate change.
Intrigued by Japanese wines, Burgundy winemaker Etienne de Montille decided to explore Hokkaido's wine scene, eventually setting up his outpost in Hakodate in 2017.
LIFE / Food & Drink
Japan’s first foreign wine investor plants its roots in Hokkaido
By Weiwen Lin
Burgundy’s Domaine de Montille has opened a winery in Hakodate — a vote of confidence in the region’s terroir.
Intrigued by Japanese wines, Burgundy winemaker Etienne de Montille decided to explore Hokkaido's wine scene, eventually setting up his outpost in Hakodate in 2017.

JAPAN

Trains decorated to resemble the 103 (left) and 205 series of trains that formerly ran on the Yamanote Line, in Tokyo on Saturday.
Retro-wrapped trains mark 100th anniversary of Tokyo's Yamanote Line
The two commemorative trains, featuring designs from the 103 and 205 series trains, are scheduled to run until Nov. 3.
Yoshihiko Noda, leader of the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, speaks to reporters in Tokyo on July 20.
CDP doesn’t rule out cooperation with LDP
By Erica Yokoyama and Akemi Terukina
Noda’s comments come as the ruling Liberal Democratic Party prepares to elect a new leader, who will need opposition support in order to govern.
Woman sentenced to 17 years for killing ex-boyfriend
Japan enters its second-earliest flu season in 20 years
Ruling bloc and Nippon Ishin affirm foreigners' tuition-free ineligibility
Ex-lawmaker Kameoka pleads not guilty over cash distribution

BUSINESS

Drinks produced by Asahi at a liquor store in Tokyo. Retailers in Japan are warning customers of possible Asahi Super Dry beer shortages after a cyberattack paralyzed production and distribution at the major brewer.
Asahi ships beer using paper and fax after ransomware attack
Asahi said it had identified evidence indicating a potential information leak, but was still verifying its nature and scope.
Amazon founder Jeff Bezos speaks at the main panel of Italian Tech Week 2025 in Turin, Italy, on Friday.
Data centers in space? Jeff Bezos says it's possible
The Amazon founder predicted that gigawatt-scale data centers will be built in space within the next 10 to 20 years.
China trials 'energy-saving' underwater data centers
By Emily Wang
India and China to resume direct flights after five-year freeze
Japan and U.S. business leaders call for transparency in trade and investment
Japan Fair Trade Commission to warn JR Central and others over bid-rigging

WORLD

People attend a vigil to remember the victims of the Manchester Synagogue attack in Manchester, U.K. on Friday.
U.K. confronts rising long-term terror threat from Gaza war
By Alex Wickham
The attack on a synagogue in Manchester on Thursday has crystallized concern building in the British security services since Oct. 7, 2023.
The U.S. Capitol in Washington. The leaders of both parties are sticking to their talking points as the first shutdown in nearly seven years stretches into its third day.
Shutdown drags on as senators leave Washington amid impasse
The leaders of both parties are sticking to their talking points as the first shutdown in nearly seven years stretches into its third day.
China urges Trump to lift security curbs in push for deals
Hong Kong to install surveillance cameras with AI facial recognition
U.S. military strikes another alleged drug boat off Venezuela
U.S. Supreme Court lets Trump strip temporary status from Venezuelan migrants

Sports

Dodgers pitcher Shohei Ohtani throws during the second inning of a game against the Diamondbacks in Phoenix on Sept. 23.
'Nervous, grateful' Ohtani poised for long awaited MLB playoff pitching start
The 31-year-old played a key role in the Dodgers' run to the World Series title last season, but his contribution was limited to his batting.
WNBA commissioner vows to 'do better' after Collier criticism
Nissan aims to remain top shareholder of Yokohama F. Marinos
PGA CEO to apologize to Rory McIlroy and European team over Ryder Cup abuse
Niners hold off Rams to win overtime thriller

Opinion

Afghan soldiers stand guard at the gate of Bagram Air Base, Parwan province, Afghanistan, on July 2, 2021, the day the last American troops vacated the facility.
Will Trump strike Afghanistan over Bagram Air Base?
Imran Khalid
For Afghans, the cost of another military conflict with the U.S. would be ruinous.
Why the most oil-rich country can’t keep the lights on
By David Fickling
What Western media call insurrection at home, they call revolution abroad
By Brahma Chellaney
Trump and Hegseth advance militaristic noise over nuance
No matter who wins the LDP presidential race, prospects for change are dismal
By Kuni Miyake

ENVIRONMENT

Jane Goodall spun her love of wildlife into a lifelong campaign that took her from a seaside English village to Africa and then across the globe in a quest to better understand chimpanzees.
Wildlife advocate and primate expert Jane Goodall dies at 91
By Susan Heavey
The scientist and global activist was a pioneer in her field, both as a female scientist in the 1960s and for her work studying the behavior of primates.
Swiss glaciers hit by light snowfall and heat wave, scientists say
By Cecile Mantovani and Denis Balibouse
Beijing takes the lead with new climate plans amid Washington’s denial
By Valerie Volcovici and Yukun Zhang
In bid to upend global energy policy, Trump denies climate change in U.N. speech
By Brian Kahn
The unexpected upside of Canada's wildfires 
By Ed White

CULTURE

Anshul Chauhan’s Japanese film “Tiger” won the Hylife Vision Award for independent films at this year’s Busan International Film Festival.
Japanese films win crowds but few prizes at Busan festival
By Mark Schilling
From art house cinema to commercial hits, 24 films showcased Japan’s range at the 30th edition of the Busan International Film Festival.
‘Cinderella Grey’ gallops past the other sports documentaries
By Patrick St. Michel
Revamped Busan film festival turns 30 with expanded cinematic showcase
By Philip Brasor
Artist Ari Bayuaji materializes monsters from ocean plastic
By Thu-Huong Ha
Pieces fall perfectly into place in the reflective ‘The Last Blossom’
By Matt Schley

LIFE

Avant-garde chef Grant Achatz and his team from Alinea are in Tokyo for a three-week residency.
Eat your balloons: The culinary theater of Grant Achatz comes to Tokyo
By Weiwen Lin
The man behind Chicago’s iconic Alinea restaurant shares insights on modernist cuisine and his Tokyo pop-up.
How a family-run landscaper turned the Osaka Expo green
By Edward Hewes
Don’t poke the bear: Learn how to sort your garbage the right way
By Yuko Tamura
Tokyo's newest stationery store sells 'a slower, more human rhythm'
By Gendel Gento
Autumn eggplants offer a juicy start to the season
By Makiko Itoh

COMMUNITY

The Kyoto International Entrepreneur Community brings together local and global professionals from a range of industries, backgrounds and ages and collaborates with government-sponsored entities and nonprofit organizations.
Stirred, not shaken: Kyoto business platform blends local and global
By Samantha Seghers
Since its launch in 2018, the Kyoto International Entrepreneur Community has amassed a diverse membership and built solid relationships with local organizations.
Scaredy-cat Kashata is searching for a friend
Linda Joyce: ‘We hope people recognize the benefits of exploring rural areas’
By Louise George Kittaka
Tax-advantaged investments no lost cause for U.S. residents of Japan
By Gendel Gento
The journey of Peru’s Nikkei: Finding identity in Japan
By Christoph Sponsel

Editors' Picks

CULTURE
The summer kabuki came roaring back
By Kris Kosaka
Kabuki has been trying for years to attract a new generation of fans. One way to do this has been to adapt manga and anime franchises, such as “Naruto,” for the stage. 
JAPAN
Tea ceremony experts see matcha boom as a big opportunity
By Jessica Speed
Atsuko Mori, founder and director of Kyoto-based tea salon Camellia Tea Ceremony, prepares matcha during a tea ceremony in Kyoto.
JAPAN
Japan's far-right party courts Trump allies and vows not to get 'wacky'
By John Geddie, Tim Kelly and Nathan Layne
Sanseito party leader Sohei Kamiya speaks during an interview in Tokyo on Sept. 25.
BASEBALL
How Ohtani has boosted Japan's soft power and made LA even more baseball-obsessed
By Laura Studarus
Fans at Dodger Stadium pose in front of a mural highlighting the Dodgers' Japanese stars from past and present during a game earlier this year.
ENVIRONMENT
Japan faces fresh energy challenge as it seeks to expand power-hungry data centers
By Eric Margolis
Data storage tapes at the National Energy Research Scientific Computing Center facility in Berkeley, California. Data centers consume massive amounts of electricity and water, and that will only rise as generative artificial intelligence takes off in earnest.

Podcast

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

Longform

Growing families are being priced out of Tokyo’s condo market, forced to choose between downtown convenience and suburban space.
Is living in central Tokyo still affordable?
By Alex K.T. Martin

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SUSTAINABLE JAPAN

Maruhachi never sleeps in quest for better futons
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WHAT’S TRENDING

JAPAN
Takaichi poised to become Japan's first female PM after winning LDP poll
By Himari Semans, Gabriele Ninivaggi and Kanako Takahara
Sanae Takaichi, the newly elected leader of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, holds a news conference after the LDP presidential election in Tokyo on Saturday.
LIFE
Tokyo's newest stationery store sells 'a slower, more human rhythm'
By Gendel Gento
Plotter's signature customizable leather binder is just one of many products contributing to the ongoing boom in the popularity of Japanese stationery.
JAPAN
The party that ruled Japan for decades is in danger of crumbling
By Yoshiaki Nohara
Haruo Tsukamoto, a rank-and-file member of the Liberal Democratic Party and a rice farmer in Ibaraki Prefecture, questions if the party still stands for people like him.
JAPAN
8,432 foreign children in Japan seen not attending school
The total number of foreign children registered in Japan as residents eligible for education at elementary or junior high schools stood at 163,358, up by 12,663.
BUSINESS
U.S. federal shutdown affects Americans in Japan and diplomatic talks
By Francis Tang
The U.S. government shut down on Wednesday, though essential services are still being offered.