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November 05, 2025
The Independent Voice in Asia
November 05, 2025
Sanae Takaichi
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Bear attacks
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Akita Gov. Kenta Suzuki speaks in a news conference Wednesday at the prefectural office in the city of Akita as Yasunori Matsunaga, lieutenant general of the Ground Self-Defense Force, looks on.
JAPAN
GSDF deployed to Akita Prefecture amid rise in bear attacks
By Yukana Inoue
Troops will assist in the setting up of traps in the prefecture, though they are not permitted to help cull the bears themselves.

More coverage

Bear threat casts shadow over autumn outdoor activities
Akita Gov. Kenta Suzuki speaks in a news conference Wednesday at the prefectural office in the city of Akita as Yasunori Matsunaga, lieutenant general of the Ground Self-Defense Force, looks on.
Takaichi responds to a question in a plenary session of the Upper House in Tokyo on Wednesday.
JAPAN / Politics
Takaichi sticks to script in second day of grilling in parliament
By Gabriele Ninivaggi
The prime minister remained elusive in her answers, much to the chagrin of the opposition.
Kirin Holdings employees with disabilities attend a session held in September on the use of IT support tools.
JAPAN / Society / FOCUS
Japanese firms boost support for workers with disabilities
Most public programs prioritize job placement for those with disabilities, leaving gaps in ongoing workplace support that analysts say is crucial for long-term employment.
Women hold toys depicting Myaku-Myaku, the official character for the 2025 Osaka Expo, during a media day ahead of the event's public opening day in Osaka in April.
JAPAN / Society
ChatGPT nickname and Trump tariffs nominated for Japan’s buzzword of 2025
By Kanako Takahara
Words and phrases related to the election of Japan’s first female prime minister and the country’s bear problem also made the list of nominations.
U.S. President Donald Trump meets with Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Busan, South Korea, on Oct. 30. Tokyo's strategic positioning between Beijing and Washington is central to countering China’s economic and geopolitical influence.
COMMENTARY / Japan
What the U.S.-China summit means for Japan
Stephen R. Nagy
China’s willingness to weaponize commercial dependencies rather than projecting strength exposed the fragility of its economic statecraft.
U.S. President Donald Trump meets with Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Busan, South Korea, on Oct. 30. Tokyo's strategic positioning between Beijing and Washington is central to countering China’s economic and geopolitical influence.

JAPAN

A test launch of an upgraded Type 12 ground-launched antiship guided missile
Japan to deploy ground-based long-range missiles at four sites
The Defense Ministry plans to field ground-launched missiles in Hokkaido, as well as Shizuoka, Kumamoto and Miyazaki prefectures.
Lawyers who filed a lawsuit over the July Upper House election hold up a sign saying “state of unconstitutionality” Tuesday in Matsue, Shimane Prefecture, following a ruling by the Hiroshima High Court’s Matsue branch.
Another court finds July Upper House poll held in unconstitutional state
The Matsue branch of the Hiroshima High Court ruled that the July election was held in a “state of unconstitutionality” due to vote-value disparities of up to 3.13 times.
Search for alternate funding after gas tax abolition to be delayed one year
JIP co-leader refuses to resign over ¥21 million payment to secretary’s firm
By Eric Johnston
Takaichi leads first ministerial meeting on policies regarding foreign residents
By Yukana Inoue
Japan's flu season began in September, earlier than usual amid tourism surge

BUSINESS

The Bank of Japan's September meeting minutes make clear that Japan’s experience with more than a decade of deflation is keeping some members cautious as they await more data.
BOJ minutes highlight caution rooted in Japan’s deflationary era
By Toru Fujioka
The minutes shed light on the discussions surrounding policy at the September meeting, when Gov. Kazuo Ueda faced for the first time two votes against keeping rates on hold.
Mori Trust CEO Miwako Date speaks during an interview.
Mori Trust CEO seeks foreign partners for condo hotels in Japan
By Ryo Horiuchi
The company wants to launch condos that can be rented out like hotel rooms, as it seeks to profit from the nation’s tourism boom.
The human cost of Xiaomi’s rapid pivot from smartphones to EVs
By Yuan Gao
Private credit dealmakers face years of heavy lifting in Japan
By Kari Lindberg and Lisa Du
Japan’s Nikkei 225 slumps 4%, led by losses in tech sector
By Aya Wagatsuma and Alice French
U.S. Steel says Japanese ownership to unlock $3 billion in value
By Jacob Lorinc

WORLD

Democratic candidate for New York City mayor Zohran Mamdani waves to his supporters after winning the 2025 New York City Mayoral race, at an election night rally in the Brooklyn borough of New York City on Tuesday.
Democrats sweep first major elections of second Trump term
By Joseph Ax, Tim Reid and Maria Tsvetkova
The new generation of leaders gives the beleaguered party a shot of momentum ahead of next year's congressional elections.
U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un before a meeting at the Demilitarized Zone in Panmunjom, South Korea, in June 2019
U.S.-North Korea summit may be held in spring, South's spy agency tells lawmaker
U.S. President Donald Trump repeatedly called for a meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un during his trip to South Korea last week, but Kim did not respond to his overtures.
U.S. government shutdown becomes longest in history
By Frankie TAGGART
Kalmaegi death toll climbs to 66 as Philippine survivors confront destruction
By Eloisa Lopez and Adrian Portugal
At least seven dead after UPS plane crashes in Kentucky, erupts into ball of fire
By David Shepardson, Chris Thomas and Lisa Baertlein
Zohran Mamdani wins NYC mayoral race, capping meteoric rise
By Joseph Ax, Tim Reid and Maria Tsvetkova

Sports

Fukazaki (right) grapples with Enho at the IG Arena in Nagoya on July 13.
These are the hottest lower-division rikishi to watch
By John Gunning
There are potential superstars and immense talent to be found up and down the banzuke.
Thunder roll Clippers to stay unbeaten as SGA keeps streak alive
By Rob Woollard
Game 7 of World Series draws highest ratings since 2017
Sabalenka to take on Kyrgios in 'Battle of the Sexes' match
By Aadi Nair
Jets accelerate rebuild in epic NFL trade deadline

Opinion

The capital city's Harajuku district in December 2024. Tokyo’s “coolest” neighborhood is subjective and constantly shifting, as the city’s appeal lies in its diversity of areas, each offering a unique mix of trends, culture and hidden gems.
Tokyo’s coolest neighborhood? There isn’t one.
Gearoid Reidy
Tokyo can’t be reduced to a single trendy suburb: What’s appealing is precisely the incongruity of its locales.
What Chinese leaders really think of Trump
By Mark Leonard
The Toyota buyout is a major test for Japan’s reforms
By Juliana Liu
Why Japan — like the U.S. — needs Central Asia
By Melik Kaylan
The U.S. had the spotlight. China stole the show.
By Karishma Vaswani

ENVIRONMENT

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva speaks during a press conference to members of the international media, ahead of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30), Val de Caes Naval Base, Belem, Brazil, on Tuesday.
Brazil's Lula promises 'COP of Truth' as U.N. warns of dangerously high emissions
By Katy Daigle, Simon Jessop and Kate Abnett
Despite three decades of global negotiations, countries will not prevent warming from exceeding 1.5 degrees Celsius — the main goal of the Paris Agreement brokered a decade ago.
Trees, targets and trillions: What’s on the agenda at COP30?
Trump pivot is a ‘watershed moment’ for climate, says EU’s Hoekstra
By Danielle Bochove
Volunteers race to save U.S. climate data from Trump’s purge
By Carey L. Biron
The world’s biggest consumers of electricity are hidden in plain sight
By Akshat Rathi

CULTURE

London-based Ukranian photographer Varvara Uhlik shows a juxtaposition of childlike innocence and uncertainty in “Sunshine, How Are You?” exhibited at “Seeeu.”
First European Photography Month in Tokyo
By John L. Tran
With over two decades of photo festivals in Europe under its belt, the European Photography Month’s Tokyo excursion brings timely topics and aesthetic innovation in the art form.
Hokusai-themed opera 'The Great Wave' to premiere in Scotland
Anime isn’t competing with Hollywood — it’s beating it
By Alicia Haddick
Oasis returns to Japan after 16 years — and fans can still sing every word
By Adam Davidson
‘Flames of a Flower’: A bold interrogation of Japan’s pacifist identity
By James Hadfield

LIFE

Despite the advance of synthetic alternatives and declines in the available workforce, some textile workers still see the potential of traditional persimmon dyeing.
Sun-dried and sustainable, Japan’s persimmon dye lives on
By Joanna Kawecki
Thanks to Japan's largest freshwater lake, Shiga Prefecture has long thrived as a production center of persimmon tannin dyeing.
How airlines are refining their in-flight food in Japan's tourism boom
By Tan Pin Yen
A Sichuan-inspired classic gets an umami boost
By Makiko Itoh
New generations of designers carry Issey Miyake's legacy
By Phoebe Amoroso
Renowned wine critic James Suckling brings Great Wines World back to Tokyo
By Weiwen Lin

COMMUNITY

Indonesian students at Hiroshima University hold posters of the 17+8 Demands, demanding transparency and action from their homeland’s government.
Young Indonesians in Japan find their political voice
By Nadila
From Hiroshima to Tokyo, Indonesian diasporic communities in Japan are expressing their support for compatriots back home and building solidarity online and offline.
Genmai the dachshund has a spring in his step
Wielding a weapon of yore at a community dojo
By Monique Bae
Florian Wiltschko: ‘Shinto helps me understand and live within Japanese culture’
By Samantha Seghers
Lovely listener Jimena just needs time and care

Editors' Picks

JAPAN
Takaichi’s balancing act: Supporting Taiwan and stabilizing China ties
By Gabriel Dominguez
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi shakes hands with Lin Hsin-i, Taiwan’s presidential adviser, on the sidelines of an Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit meeting in Gyeongju, South Korea, on Saturday in this image posted to Takaichi's official X account.
JAPAN
More Japanese universities pushing toward teaching in English
By Jessica Speed
Waseda University in Tokyo
COMMUNITY
Young Indonesians in Japan find their political voice
By Nadila
Indonesian students at Hiroshima University hold posters of the 17+8 Demands, demanding transparency and action from their homeland’s government.
JAPAN
The unstoppable rise of konbini tourism
By Elizabeth Beattie
Guests typically follow Ryo Ito’s lead as he weaves through the narrow, colorful aisles of convenience stores.
CULTURE
Kenshi Yonezu, 'Chainsaw Man' and the art of pop ubiquity
By Patrick St. Michel
Kenshi Yonezu's “Iris Out” was an instant hit when it dropped in September. Its association with smash anime "Chainsaw Man — The Movie: Reze Arc" has spread it to even more people.

Podcast

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

Longform

Once smoky, male-dominated spaces, today's net cafes, like Kaikatsu Club, are working to make their operations more attractive to women customers.
The second life of Japan's net cafes
By Alex K.T. Martin

JT Directory Service

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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

JAPAN
More Japanese universities pushing toward teaching in English
By Jessica Speed
Waseda University in Tokyo
JAPAN
The unstoppable rise of konbini tourism
By Elizabeth Beattie
Guests typically follow Ryo Ito’s lead as he weaves through the narrow, colorful aisles of convenience stores.
ASIA PACIFIC
A narrow Pacific waterway at heart of U.S. plans to choke China’s vast navy
By Karen Lema and david lague
Philippine and Australian troops fire an M777 howitzer during live fire exercises as part of joint military drills in Laur, Nueva Ecija, the Philippines, in August.
BUSINESS
The second life of Japan's net cafes
By Alex K.T. Martin
Once smoky, male-dominated spaces, today's net cafes, like Kaikatsu Club, are working to make their operations more attractive to women customers.
WORLD
From France to Mali, a deportee's struggle far from home
By Sofia Christensen, Juliette Jabkhiro and Layli Foroudi
Moussa Sacko, a Malian deported from France — where he had lived since he was a young child — stands on a street in Bamako, Mali, in December. Compared with his home in France, Bamako feels like a different planet, Sacko said.