News on Japan, Business News, Opinion, Sports, Entertainment and More

13℃
TOKYO

November 17, 2025

Subscribe
Digital Print

November 17, 2025

Sanae Takaichi

China

Bear attacks

Latest News

Today's print edition

Home Delivery

Subscribe for more access

Finance minister Satsuki Katayama answers questions from reporters in a group interview on Oct. 24.

JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS

The challenges awaiting Japan’s new finance minister

By Gabriele Ninivaggi

Satsuki Katayama’s shattering of another glass ceiling last month puts her in charge of selling Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s “responsible and proactive fiscal policy.”

Two Chinese tourists wearing kimonos take a selfie as they visit Sensoji temple in Tokyo's Asakusa district on Saturday.

JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS

Fears rise of rupture in Japan-China ties in wake of Taiwan remarks

By Jesse Johnson

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi broke years of precedent by hinting that Japan could offer military support for Taiwan under certain “worst-case” scenarios such as a Chinese attack.

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth (left) and Undersecretary of Defense for Policy Elbridge Colby attend a meeting at the Pentagon in Washington on July 21.

JAPAN / Politics

Pentagon No. 3 praises Seoul's defense budget hike as eyes turn to Tokyo

By Jesse Johnson

South Korea has become the first U.S. treaty ally outside of NATO to hike defense spending to 3.5% of GDP — a move expected to impact Japan’s own spending plans.

Tokyo Metropolitan Police examine the building where a woman was stabbed, in the capital's Minato Ward on Sunday.

JAPAN / Crime & Legal

Suspect on run after woman stabbed by stranger in Tokyo’s Akasaka area

The victim, a woman in her 40s, was stabbed in her side and her left hand while in the basement of a building in the busy Akasaka area, according to police.

Visitors wearing kimonos look at digital artwork at the newly opened teamLab Biovortex in Kyoto.

CULTURE / Art

Kyoto gets its own teamLab, largest in Japan

By Fred Mery

Biovortex, which opened on Oct. 7, presents more than 50 immersive digital artworks spanning 10,000 square meters.

The education ministry plans to create ¥300 billion in funds across all 47 prefectures to strengthen financial support for public high school reform.

Japan to set up ¥300 billion funds for high school reform

The funds will be spent mainly on measures to make public schools more attractive, such as hiring outside experts as lecturers and procuring 3D printers and information devices.

The headquarters of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party in Tokyo's Nagatacho area

Ruling LDP marks 70th anniversary as it looks to regain footing

The ruling Liberal Democratic Party on Saturday marked the 70th anniversary of its establishment, as it looks to stage a comeback after recent electoral drubbings.

Japan and South Korea lawmakers agree to boost cooperation

Japan's finance minister says stimulus package to exceed ¥17 trillion, Nikkei reports

U.N. adds 12 more Japanese people to North Korea abduction list

Japanese and South Korean lawmakers hold joint meeting

Bound aluminum plates at the Aluminum Dunkerque aluminum smelter near Dunkirk, France, on March 17

Europe gauges fallout from Trump’s year of trade chaos

By Craig Stirling

Forecasts released in May were already downbeat in the wake of President Trump’s market-jolting "Liberation Day” announcement of levies the previous month.

Labor productivity per worker in fiscal 2024, which ended in March, rose 0.2% in real terms from the previous year, marking a fourth consecutive annual increase, according to Japan Productivity Center data.

Japan labor productivity up 0.2% in FY 2024

Despite the good news, progress is still required to ensure that real wages keep rising by 1% as envisioned in a government target, according to the Japan Productivity Center.

Pop Mart’s Labubu risks Beanie Baby-style collapse, analyst says

By Charlotte Yang

Alibaba denies report it helps China's military target U.S.

India’s top tech schools see opportunity in Trump’s H-1B curbs

Trump cuts tariffs on beef, coffee and other foods as inflation concerns mount

By Andrea Shalal — David Lawder

A man wearing a mask of U.S. President Donald Trump with a Pinocchio nose takes part in a protest against Trump in front of the White House in Washington on Saturday.

Trump's teflon tested as Epstein saga looms over 2026 campaign

By Gram Slattery - Steve Holland - Nandita Bose

Recently released emails reignite questions about Trump's relationship with Jeffrey Epstein and how much the president knew about his alleged abuse of girls.

The USS Annapolis nuclear-powered submarine is anchored at a naval base on Jeju Island, South Korea, in July 2023.

Top U.S. admiral says South Korea’s new submarine should keep China in check

The top U.S. military officer said helping counter China’s rapidly expanding fleet is a responsibility expected of a key ally.

Iran begins cloud seeding operations as severe drought bites

Megachurch gathers in Manila to protest Philippine corruption

By Ditas Lopez

Britain announces largest asylum policy overhaul in modern times

Charlotte becomes latest target of Trump’s immigration crackdown

Japan wing Kippei Ishida dives over the line to score a try during the Autumn Nations Series International rugby union test match between Wales and Japan at the Principality Stadium, in Cardiff, Wales, on Saturday.

Wales' Evans denies Japan historic win with last-gasp penalty

For Wales, it ended a run of 10 successive home defeats stretching back to 2023 and ensured that they stay above Japan in the world rankings.

Benn puts on middleweight masterclass in rematch win over Eubank Jr.

Tokyo Deaflympics kick off as Japan hosts games for first time

Japan's Miura and Kihara capture Skate America pairs gold

Ashes to Ashes, cricket's oldest rivalry endures

By Ian Ransom

Chinese leader Xi Jinping's global ambitions require internal unity, yet internal repression constrains the creativity that global leadership demands.

Xi’s balancing act: Competition abroad and discipline at home

Naoko Eto

China’s global ambitions require internal unity, yet internal repression constrains the creativity that global leadership demands.

A beloved Tokyo penguin’s end presages Suica’s shift to payments giant

By Gearoid Reidy

Chinese diplomat crosses the line

How Takaichi can make 'Abenomics 2.0' succeed

By Jesper Koll

How Takaichi should navigate Beijing’s diplomatic threats

By Stephen R. Nagy

Attendees walk in front of the China Pavilion during the U.N. Climate Change Conference in Belem, Brazil, on Friday.

China finds bigger role as U.S. sidesteps Brazil climate summit

By Valerie Volcovici — Lisandra Paraguassu

China’s transformation to a more central player seeking the world’s attention reflects a shift in the fight against global warming.

Deadly heat worldwide prompts $300 million for climate health research at COP30

By Simon Jessop - Lais Morais - Anna Portella

World's fossil fuel emissions to hit new record in 2025, study says

By Kelly Macnamara

Nearly half of all refugees to face extreme climate hazards by 2040, says UNHCR

Jamaicans have been turning to solar power. It paid off after the storm.

By Hiroko Tabuchi

“Sweet Mambo” is still performed by seven of the nine dancers who originally danced at the 2008 premiere.

Pina Bausch’s 2008 masterpiece to be performed in Japan by the original cast

By Kris Kosaka

Tanztheater Wuppertal returns to Japan with "Sweet Mambo" long-awaited performances in Kyoto and Saitama.

Chanmina and aespa among 10 acts to debut on NHK’s ‘Kohaku Uta Gassen’

By Patrick St. Michel

At TIFF, East Asia’s veteran stars tread new territory with mixed results

By Mike Fu

Predictability weighs down ‘A Light in the Harbor’

By James Hadfield

‘Tokyo Taxi’: A simple fare becomes a voyage through time

By Mark Schilling

Golden "age-fukuburo," a culinary take on Japan's new year "lucky bags," can be served on their own.

Good fortune, wrapped in fried tofu

By Elizabeth Andoh

Inspired by Japan’s lucky bags, these tofu pouches hold savory treasures that simmer into a small taste of good fortune.

Japanese words of caution in the online world of cyberattacks and phishing

By Yuko Tamura

Tokyo's viral Muscle Girls bar flexes a brawny sort of beauty

By Kim Kyung Hoon - Satoshi Sugiyama

PokePark Kanto set for February opening in Tokyo suburb

By Gendel Gento

Hearing colors and seeing sounds with Tetsuya Mizuguchi

By Gendel Gento

After a peripatetic childhood around the world, teacher and artist Jon Homewood ended up coming to Japan in 2012 for a professional opportunity.

Jon Homewood: ‘There’s beauty in what we throw away’

By Joseph Tame

Using aluminum cans as his medium, the Tsukuba-based British artist creates intricate sculptures that take months or longer to complete.

Young Indonesians in Japan find their political voice

By Nadila

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

Driving in Japan isn’t hard. Getting the license is.

By Thu-Huong Ha — Mike Fu

One of the many entrances to the Kabukicho neighborhood in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward.

Kabukicho: Tokyo’s ‘stadium of desire’

An illustration features the Japanese signs for "ganbare" (good luck) and the Deaflympics, which will be held between Nov. 15 and 26.

A century of Deaf sport finds its moment in Tokyo

By Kathryn Wortley

SPECIAL SUPPLEMENTS

By Synergy Media Specialists

SUSTAINABLE JAPAN

We are pleased to announce the winners of the 6th annual Sustainable Japan Award.

Home page

JAPAN

BUSINESS

WORLD

Sports

Opinion

ENVIRONMENT

CULTURE

LIFE

COMMUNITY

OPINION

Editors' Picks

Podcast

Longform

JT Directory Service

SPECIAL SUPPLEMENTS

SUPPLEMENTS BINDER

SUSTAINABLE JAPAN

COMFACTS

WHAT’S TRENDING

In your social network

In your inbox

In your social network

In your inbox