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June 01, 2025
The Independent Voice in Asia
June 01, 2025
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U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth speaks at the Shangri-La Dialogue security summit in Singapore on Saturday.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Hegseth warns of Chinese threat to Taiwan, urging allies to upgrade defenses
By Gabriel Dominguez and Jesse Johnson
In a speech to regional defense officials, U.S. defense chief Pete Hegseth also sought to ease concerns among those skeptical of America’s commitment to the Indo-Pacific.

More coverage

‘Squad’ defense chiefs meet with eye on countering China
Nakatani urges closer defense tie-ups amid erosion of rules-based order
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth speaks at the Shangri-La Dialogue security summit in Singapore on Saturday.
U.S. President Donald Trump at the U.S. Steel Corporation Irvin Works facility in West Mifflin, Pennsylvania, on Friday
BUSINESS / Companies
Trump to hike steel tariffs to 50% to aid Nippon-U.S. Steel
By Josh Wingrove and Joe Deaux
The U.S. president said the move would help protect American steelworkers during a visit to a United States Steel plant on Friday.
Iris Ohyama began sales of government stockpiled rice at a home center location in Chiba Prefecture on Saturday morning.
JAPAN
Japanese customers brave the rain to line up for cheap stockpiled rice
By Jessica Speed
Lines formed in the early hours of Saturday morning at an outlet in Chiba Prefecture as people clamored to purchase 5 kilogram bags of rice for ¥2,000.
Ryosei Akazawa, Japan's economic revitalization minster, speaks to members of the media at the Japanese Embassy in Washington on Friday.
BUSINESS / Economy
Japan says progress made in U.S. tariff talks, but details are scarce
By Francis Tang
The two sides are eyeing the Group of Seven leaders’ summit in June as a possible setting to announce a trade deal.
Located in Nagano Prefecture, Samurai Gakuen tries to help young and old individuals who have withdrawn from society rediscover their places out in the world.
LIFE / Lifestyle
How ‘hikikomori’ shut-ins ‘start to have dreams for the future’
By Eric Margolis
As many as 1.5 million “hikikomori” shut-ins withdraw from social life in Japan, but one school in Nagano is finding success is coaxing them back into the world.
Located in Nagano Prefecture, Samurai Gakuen tries to help young and old individuals who have withdrawn from society rediscover their places out in the world.

JAPAN

Rice from government stockpiles is sold at a store in Sendai on Saturday.
41% of Japanese rice farmers expect price drop in 2026
A share of 72.3% of farmers, however, expect prices for 2025 rice to be higher than for 2024 rice.
Members of the Japan Self Defense Forces prepare to load boxes of medical relief supplies onto a helicopter in Wajima, Ishikawa Prefecture, in September last year.
SDF ramps up campus outreach amid recruitment slump
Officials say the initiative is an effective way to foster a stronger connection between the public and the SDF.
Japan frets over fighter rollout target and weighs stopgap options, sources say
By Tim Kelly and Nobuhiro Kubo
Former Japanese princess Mako gives birth to first child
Farm ministry starts accepting applications for older rice from small buyers
By Himari Semans
Some retailers hesitant to buy stockpiled rice on quality concerns
By Jessica Speed

BUSINESS

The Central Business District of Lagos, Nigeria. Japan is reasserting a commitment to do more business with Africa as it emerges from years during which its private sector was particularly risk-averse.
Japan seeks to grow Africa investments to ease reliance on China
By Yinka Ibukun
The country aims to do more business with Africa as it emerges from years during which its private sector was particularly risk-averse.
The Bayan Obo mine containing rare earth minerals, in Inner Mongolia, China.
Carmakers warn China's rare-earth curbs could halt production
By David Shepardson and Michael Martina
Auto executives are sounding the alarm on an impending shortage of rare-earth magnets from China that could force the closure of factories within weeks.
Dai-ichi Life to buy $1.1 billion M&G stake in partnership
Tariff talks with U.S. a mix of slow progress, ever-present uncertainty 
By Francis Tang
Online brokerage account hijacks in Japan highlight need for login vigilance
By Kazuaki Nagata
Nippon Steel plans $6 billion investment in its Japanese mills
By Martin Ritchie

WORLD

Elon Musk boards Air Force One at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland in March. As Musk became one of Donald Trump's closest allies last year, he was also using drugs far more intensely than previously known, according to people familiar with his activities.
On the Trump campaign trail, Elon Musk juggled drugs and family drama
By Kirsten Grind and Megan Twohey
Musk’s drug consumption went well beyond occasional use and also came as he dealt with personal drama related to his growing number of children.
Dancers perform ahead of Lee Jae-myung's campaign event in Incheon on May 21.
K-pop and breakdance power South Korea’s high-stakes presidential race
By Sohee Kim
Both major parties are leaning on Korean pop hits to energize voters, blending choreography and catchy lyrics with political messaging.
Musk vows to stay Trump's 'friend' in bizarre black-eyed farewell
By Danny Kemp
As Russia intensifies attacks, Ukraine air defenses under strain
By Barbara WOJAZER
Trump officials set for talks with Asia leaders on Alaska energy
By Jennifer A Dlouhy
Macron calls for Europe and Asia to unite and resist ‘spheres of coercion’
By Gabriel Dominguez

Sports

Shohei Ohtani rounds the bases after hitting a home run in the sixth inning of the Dodgers' win over the Yankees on Friday at Dodger Stadium.
Ohtani's two homers lift Dodgers over Yanks in World Series rematch
Ohtani hit his 21st and 22nd home run to increase his major-league-leading total, while Yankees slugger Aaron Judge now has 19.
PSG and Inter Milan set for Champions League final showdown
Mao Saigo takes three-shot U.S. Women's Open lead
League backed by Nets owner looks to raise profile of college basketball in Asia
By Jason Coskrey
Lewis Hamilton labels rumors of friction with Ferrari engineer as 'noise'

Opinion

Agriculture Minister Shinjiro Koizumi’s push to slash rice prices could either mark a populist gesture or ignite a political revolution that challenges the entrenched agricultural lobby and the foundations of postwar conservative power.
Can the 'rice man,' Koizumi, save the day?
Kuni Miyake
Late last week, newly appointed farm minister Shinjiro Koizumi announced that he aimed to bring the rice price range down to around ¥2,000 per 5 kilograms.
U.S. soft power is a casualty in Trump’s war on Harvard
South Korea faces a triple challenge ahead of its election
By Lee Jong-wha
Western businesses will not return to Russia
By Thane Gustafson
The next great job churn is already starting
By Conor Sen

ENVIRONMENT

A few remaining houses are seen after a massive rock and ice slide covered most of the village of Blatten, Switzerland, on Thursday.
Swiss residents in shock after glacier debris buries village
By Dave Graham
Scientists suspect the deluge is a dramatic example of climate change's impact on the Alps.
Nickel rush for stainless steel guts Indonesia tribe's forest home
By Jack Moore and Bagus Saragih
Eagle nest discovery sparks opposition to megasolar project
By Eric Johnston
Do Japan's trees no longer occupy the sacred space they used to?
By Eric Margolis
Are microplastics hurting our fertility?
By Tomoko Otake

CULTURE

Atsuko Okatsuka tries out some of the jokes from her new special, “Father,” at the Tokyo Comedy Bar in Shibuya in January.
Atsuko Okatsuka brings big 'dad' energy to new special
By Zoria Petkoska
The comedian’s upcoming special, titled “Father,” blends whimsical comedy and family drama — just in time for Father's Day.
'Godzilla The Art Exhibition' reimagines film icon as monstrous muse for modern art
By Matt Schley
Anime's big night out is getting bigger — and more surreal
By Patrick St. Michel
‘I Have a S/e/c/r/e/t’ gives teen angst a whimsical twist
By Mark Schilling
Japan's Seto wins International Critics Award at Cannes

LIFE

Located in Nagano Prefecture, Samurai Gakuen tries to help young and old individuals who have withdrawn from society rediscover their places out in the world.
How ‘hikikomori’ shut-ins ‘start to have dreams for the future’
By Eric Margolis
As many as 1.5 million “hikikomori” shut-ins withdraw from social life in Japan, but one school in Nagano is finding success is coaxing them back into the world.
Traditional home experts to gather at MinkaMeets event
By Laura Pollacco
How to talk about change in Japanese — one forecast at a time
By Yuko Tamura
Brewed from rice, water and tomatoes: The growth of ‘craft sake’
By Weiwen Lin
Tokyo's top bites — in a suburban mall food court
By Robbie Swinnerton

COMMUNITY

Mateusz Urbanowicz’s recent book “Imaginary Storefronts” collects his illustrations of the mundane Japanese street scenes that have given him immense inspiration.
Mateusz Urbanowicz: ‘Miyazaki inspired me to put the audience first’
By Naomi Oren
The Polish artist and animator talks about how he came to Japan and the inspiration he draws from ordinary streets and storefronts.
This charming Shiba enjoys life’s simple pleasures
A moving meditation: Finding serenity in tea ceremony across space and time
By Michele Laudig
Joshua Thomson: ‘Comedy is a pill that’s easier to swallow’
By Laura Pollacco
Detroit-Nagoya network empowers women-owned businesses around the world
By Jessica Kozuka

Editors' Picks

CULTURE
Atsuko Okatsuka brings big 'dad' energy to new special
By Zoria Petkoska
Atsuko Okatsuka tries out some of the jokes from her new special, “Father,” at the Tokyo Comedy Bar in Shibuya in January.
LIFE
How ‘hikikomori’ shut-ins ‘start to have dreams for the future’
By Eric Margolis
Located in Nagano Prefecture, Samurai Gakuen tries to help young and old individuals who have withdrawn from society rediscover their places out in the world.
JAPAN
Halt of U.S. visa process puts Japanese students' futures in question
By Tomoko Otake and Karin Kaneko
People hold up signs during a rally in support of international students at the Harvard University campus in Boston on Tuesday.
COMMUNITY
Mateusz Urbanowicz: ‘Miyazaki inspired me to put the audience first’
By Naomi Oren
Mateusz Urbanowicz’s recent book “Imaginary Storefronts” collects his illustrations of the mundane Japanese street scenes that have given him immense inspiration.
CULTURE
Songs, stars and strategy: Japan debuts its newest awards ceremony
By Alyssa I. Smith
Rock band Mrs. Green Apple performed an emotional rendition of hit song “Darling” on the final night of the Music Awards Japan.

Podcast

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

Longform

Construction equipment sits idle in a park near Shiba Toshogu shrine in Tokyo's Minato Ward. While Japan has a history of treating its trees with reverence, green coverage is said to be lacking in most of the major cities.
Do Japan's trees no longer occupy the sacred space they used to?
By Eric Margolis

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SUSTAINABLE JAPAN

Muji has been sustainable from the beginning
Muji has been sustainable from the beginning

WHAT’S TRENDING

COMMENTARY
Lessons from India-Pakistan war: Were China's arms overrated?
By Brahma Chellaney
A Chinese J-10B fighter jet is put on display at the China International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition in Zhuhai, China, in October 2016. The short May conflict between India and Pakistan became a live trial for Chinese arms, exposing vulnerabilities in its fighter aircraft and air defense systems.
JAPAN
Former Japanese princess Mako gives birth to first child
Mako Komuro (right), the eldest daughter of Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko, left the Imperial Family after marrying Kei Komuro, a former schoolmate at International Christian University in Tokyo, in October 2021.
JAPAN
Chinese parents are fueling Tokyo’s education race
By Takehiro Masutomo
More Chinese families are clustering in Tokyo's Bunkyo Ward, a district renowned for having the finest educational environment in Japan.
BUSINESS
Trump to hike steel tariffs to 50% to aid Nippon-U.S. Steel
By Josh Wingrove and Joe Deaux
U.S. President Donald Trump at the U.S. Steel Corporation Irvin Works facility in West Mifflin, Pennsylvania, on Friday
JAPAN
Japanese customers brave the rain to line up for cheap stockpiled rice
By Jessica Speed
Iris Ohyama began sales of government stockpiled rice at a home center location in Chiba Prefecture on Saturday morning.