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May 09, 2025
The Independent Voice in Asia
May 09, 2025
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Ryosei Akazawa, Japan’s top tariff negotiator, speaks to the press on Friday. Japan and the United States are still discussing what to negotiate.
BUSINESS / Economy
Japan stuck at starting line in tariff talks with U.S. as U.K. inks deals
By Francis Tang
The U.S. has warned that comparing Japan with the U.K. was apples and oranges, and that getting over the line with many countries will be a slow and arduous process.
Ryosei Akazawa, Japan’s top tariff negotiator, speaks to the press on Friday. Japan and the United States are still discussing what to negotiate.
Clockwise from top left: Former economic security minister Sanae Takaichi, former economic security minister Takayuki Kobayashi, Finance Minister Katsunobu Kato and Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi
JAPAN / Politics
Who could become Japan's next prime minister?
By Eric Johnston
Regardless of the outcome of July's Upper House election, the bar will be high for anyone seeking to unseat incumbent Shigeru Ishiba.
The Tokyo District Court on Friday handed suspended prison sentences to Keito Hosomichi, 27, and his 58-year-old father, Masato, after finding them guilty of violating the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act.
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Former Tokyo Stock Exchange employee and father convicted of insider trading
Keito Hosomichi, 27, passed along confidential corporate information to his father, who then profited by investing in the shares of three companies.
Newly elected Pope Leo XIV, formerly Cardinal Robert Prevost of the United States, appears on the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican on Thursday.
WORLD
In his first appearance, Pope Leo offers three big clues about his papacy
Although Leo follows in the tradition of Pope Francis, he signaled he is a new, and different, pope.
For centuries, artisans have unraveled strands of the fibrous bark of "shuro" trees to create a medley of everyday objects. Designer Kazuki Nagasawa is now transforming the traditional material into ethereal contemporary pieces.
LIFE / Style & Design
Kazuki Nagasawa's sustainable designs are rooted in tradition
By Danielle Demetriou
The recent SaloneSatellite Award-winner transforms a humble bark, long used by artisans to craft everyday objects, into ethereal works of contemporary design.
For centuries, artisans have unraveled strands of the fibrous bark of "shuro" trees to create a medley of everyday objects. Designer Kazuki Nagasawa is now transforming the traditional material into ethereal contemporary pieces.

JAPAN

Hackers are believed to be taking control of brokerage accounts in Japan to manipulate stock prices, with reported cases rising at an alarming rate between January and April.
FSA reports about ¥300B in illicit online trading from January to April
By Jessica Speed
The number of unauthorized access cases soared from just 65 at the start of the year to 4,852 last month.
Yoshitaka Toda is escorted out of a police station in Tokyo's Bunkyo Ward on Friday to be sent to prosecutors.
Suspect in Tokyo Metro stabbing chose station to highlight ‘educational abuse’
Yoshitaka Toda, 43, said he struggled with mental health issues as a result of his parents’ expectations for him to excel academically.
Heads of hibakusha groups urge Pope Leo to promote abolition of nukes
Japan's Princess Kako to visit Brazil from June 4
Hung parliament keeps Lower House Legislative Bureau busy
Hakuhodo's appeal dismissed in Tokyo Games bid-rigging case

BUSINESS

Panasonic is targeting 10,000 job cuts worldwide as part of efforts to boost profitability.
Panasonic targets 10,000 job cuts worldwide
By Hiroshi Hiyama
The cuts will focus on positions at consolidated companies — 5,000 in Japan and 5,000 overseas.
Nippon Telegraph and Telephone plans a buyback of shares from May 12 through March 31, a move it says is geared toward raising capital efficiency and boosting shareholder returns.
NTT announces ¥200 billion buyback in capital efficiency push
By Yuki Furukawa
The buyback from May 12 through March 31 is geared toward raising capital efficiency and boosting shareholder returns, the company said.
Japan Airport Terminal's top execs step down amid corruption scandal
Japan household spending slides 0.1% in FY2024
Nidec withdraws its $1.8 billion hostile takeover bid for Makino Milling Machine
By Yuki Furukawa
Japan’s nominal wage growth slows, backing case for BOJ caution
By Erica Yokoyama and Keiko Ujikane

WORLD

Local residents prepare to evacuate after Pakistani artillery shelling at the Lagama village in Uri, about 100 kilometers from Srinagar, on Friday.
Pakistan launched multiple attacks along India's western border, India says
By Aftab Ahmed and Fayaz Bukhari
Pakistan's armed forces launched "multiple attacks" using drones and other munitions along India's western border on Thursday night and early Friday.
Chinese President Xi Jinping attends a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin in Moscow on Thursday.
China can play hardball at looming trade talks with U.S., analysts say
By Isabel Kua and Peter CATTERALL
After weeks of tit-for-tat escalation that sent global markets into a tailspin, the two powers will meet this weekend for a chance to break the ice.
U.S. says solution for Gaza aid is 'steps away' as aid groups raise alarm
By Simon Lewis, Daphne Psaledakis and David Brunnstrom
Chicago celebrates its native son's elevation to pope
By Emily Schmall, Tom Polansek and Christopher Walljasper
German spy agency pauses 'extremist' classification for AfD party
By Andreas Rinke
Global militaries to study India-Pakistan fighter jet battle
By Tim Hepher and Mike Stone

Sports

Hoshoryu (right) practices against Kotozakura at Ryogoku Kokugikan on May 2.
Hoshoryu dominates rivals in practice, but real test awaits at May Basho
By John Gunning
Sumo is a sport where practice results are unreliable if taken as a predictor of future success.
Timberwolves cruise past Stephen Curry-less Warriors in Game 2
Paige Bueckers and Wings to measure success in terms of growth
Naomi Osaka takes inspiration from Andre Agassi as clay court season heats up
LA28 announces venues for opening and closing ceremonies for LA Games

Opinion

Shinzo Abe, then the Chief Cabinet Secretary, shakes hands with former U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage during a symposium in Tokyo in July 2006.
Remembering two titans in Japan-U.S. relations
Brad Glosserman
Their good humor, unflagging optimism and commitment to building a stronger Japan-U.S. alliance continues to shape that partnership.
A moment of hope for U.S-China trade frictions
The new American pope can take Catholics in three directions
By Howard Chua-Eoan
The Pakistan-Taliban divorce gets messy
By Shashi Tharoor
New Delhi’s warning to Islamabad
By Brahma Chellaney

ENVIRONMENT

The consumption and investing habits of the world's richest 10% consume and invest has substantially increased the risk of deadly heat waves and drought around the world, according to new research.
World's richest 10% caused two-thirds of global warming, study finds
By Marlowe Hood
How the rich consume and invest has substantially increased the risk of deadly heat waves and drought.
Climate change takes spice from Indonesia clove farms
By Jack Moore
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

CULTURE

Kotoba Slam Japan runs regional competitions to select a representative for the annual World Poetry Slam Championship, which will take place in Mexico at the end of the month.
Japan’s slam poetry scene is all about raw vulnerability
By Eric Margolis
Slam poetry is a rarity in Japan, but the scene is full of energy and potential that the poets have been bringing to the world slam poetry stage for 10 years now.
‘My Edison’: Family-made sci-fi comedy is a real charmer
By James Hadfield
‘Wash Away’ brightens dementia drama with sudsy spin
By Mark Schilling
'Jumbo': the animated Indonesian film smashing records
By Baptiste Anse
J-pop group Arashi to disband after going on tour next spring
By Yukana Inoue

LIFE

A Japanese newspaper headline includes the word "tariff" in Japanese.
Trump once called it his favorite word. Now, the Japanese version is all over the news.
By Yuko Tamura
Learning how to talk about tariffs, imports and exports is becoming increasingly necessary in everyday conversation.
The world’s biggest natural wine festival returns to Tokyo
By Weiwen Lin
‘Drop the price’: Behind the pushback on Nintendo’s Switch 2
By Owen Ziegler
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

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

CULTURE
With a new Shibuya studio, Apple Music bets big on Japan
By Patrick St. Michel
Apple Music personalities (from left) Ebro Darden, Kentaro Ochiai, Zane Lowe and Mino came together for a special recording in late April to discuss music and celebrate the newly opened Apple Music studio in Tokyo.
BUSINESS
SusHi Tech Tokyo 2025 expands to become one of Asia's largest startup events
By Yukana Inoue
SusHi Tech Tokyo 2025 was bustling with participants of various nationalities Thursday, and multiple languages could be heard around the room as many engaged in conversations throughout the day.
LIFE
Celebrating Japan’s defeat at Shimoda’s Black Ships Festival
By Todd Fong
Tatsumi Onose (right), who plays the part of Commodore Matthew Perry in Shimoda's Black Ship Festival, says the historical episode the event is based on should be remembered for its positives more than its negatives.
JAPAN
'Big picture thinker': Ispace CEO Hakamada on reaching the moon and dreaming of starships
By Jessica Speed
Takeshi Hakamada, founder and CEO of Ispace, says his primary interest in space development is not to abandon Earth, but to protect it.
BUSINESS
The drive for luxury: Aston Martin Asia's president explains the desire for more
By Elizabeth Beattie
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.

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

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SUSTAINABLE JAPAN

Looking ahead to Yokohama’s Green × Expo 2027
Looking ahead to Yokohama’s Green × Expo 2027

WHAT’S TRENDING

JAPAN
Man held after two injured in Tokyo Metro knife attack
Police outside Todaimae Station on the Namboku Line on Wednesday evening after a knife attack at the station 　
BUSINESS
U.S. and Japan remain far apart on tariffs
By Francis Tang
Japan's Economic Revitalization Minister Ryosei Akazawa speaks to the press upon his arrival at Haneda Airport on April 18. He has said that all tariffs need to be reconsidered by the United States.
JAPAN
Man admitted to 2025 Osaka Expo with 85-year-old ticket
The Osaka Expo, which opened last month, runs through mid-October.
JAPAN
Japan's 'ice age' employment generation is at risk of poverty during retirement
Those who entered the job market from around 1993 to 2004, when long-term stagnation started, are likely to struggle even more to make ends meet after retirement.
ASIA PACIFIC
India strikes Pakistan over Kashmir tourist killings
Indian paramilitary personnel stand guard along a road in Srinagar on Wednesday after New Delhi launched missile strikes on archrival Pakistan in a major escalation between the nuclear-armed neighbors.