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August 06, 2025
The Independent Voice in Asia
August 06, 2025
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The Maritime Self-Defense Force's Mogami-class frigate Niyodo sails at an undisclosed location in this image released Tuesday.
JAPAN
Australia announces new warships will come from Japan
By Gabriel Dominguez and Jesse Johnson
Canberra will purchase 11 Mogami-class frigates in what will be Tokyo’s biggest-ever defense contract — a breakthrough for Japan's defense industry.
The Maritime Self-Defense Force's Mogami-class frigate Niyodo sails at an undisclosed location in this image released Tuesday.
U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent and Economic Revitalization Minister Ryosei Akazawa. Akazawa, Japan's chief tariff negotiator, is returning to the United States for another round of trade talks.
BUSINESS / Economy
Akazawa returns to U.S. for more talks as tariff deal looks shaky
By Francis Tang
Japan is urging the United States to cut the tariff on cars as soon as possible.
A worker tries to cool down a street in central Tokyo Tuesday as wide swaths of the Kanto region sweltered under intense heat. In Gunma Prefecture, the temperature rose 41.8 degrees Celsius, the highest ever recorded in Japan.
JAPAN / Society
Japan swelters as previous heat record melts
By Yukana Inoue
The country experienced its new hottest day ever on Tuesday at 41.8 degrees Celsius, beating the previous record set just last week.
Nippon Ishin no Kai leaders Seiji Maehara (left), Hirofumi Yoshimura (center) and Ryohei Iwatani in the city of Osaka at night of the July 20 Upper House election.
JAPAN / Politics
Maehara steps down as Nippon Ishin co-leader along with three others
By Eric Johnston
The four resigned to take responsibility for Nippon Ishin’s poor showing in the July 20 Upper House election, creating uncertainties for the party.
The Hiroshima Peace Memorial stands as a powerful reminder of the human cost of war and the importance of deep compassion and empathy that can inspire efforts to build a more peaceful world.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Nuclear destruction through the eyes of a 10-year-old
Michael Judge
Still, I wasn’t sure how Max would react to the enormity of the human suffering that took place in Hiroshima.
The Hiroshima Peace Memorial stands as a powerful reminder of the human cost of war and the importance of deep compassion and empathy that can inspire efforts to build a more peaceful world.

JAPAN

On Monday, Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba offered his views of U.S. President Donald Trump and the American leader’s negotiating tactics — colorful comments that were unusual for their candor but not widely reported in Japan.
'Not a normal person’: Ishiba shoots from the hip when it comes to Trump
By Jesse Johnson
It is extremely unusual for a sitting prime minister to publicly speak about the leader of the U.S. in a manner that could be construed as criticism.
A fire breaks out from a launch barge (bottom) during a fireworks event in Yokohama on Monday evening.
Fire at Yokohama fireworks event injures one crew member
Five people on one of the barges that caught fire were rescued after jumping into the water, with one of them taken to the hospital for minor injuries.
Taiwanese vessel suspected of conducting survey in Japan's EEZ for second time
Drugmaker in Japan seeks approval for stem cell treatment for Parkinson's
Hiroshima streetcars continue to serve and educate 80 years after atomic bombing
Mihama mayor willing to accept survey for new nuclear reactor

BUSINESS

A monitor in Tokyo shows the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average dropping on Monday morning.
Stocks in Japan slump after U.S. data spark growth worries
By Alice French and Momoka Yokoyama
The broader Topix Index and the blue-chip 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average pared some of their earlier losses but closed down 1.1% and 1.2%, respectively.
Amid rising prices for food and other items, a government panel has proposed a record hike in the average minimum wage.
Amid inflation, Japanese government panel proposes record ¥63 minimum wage hike
The recommendation by the panel, which advises the labor minister, would raise the average minimum wage to ¥1,118 per hour.
Mizuho said to hire Mashreqbank’s corporate banking head in India
By Saikat Das and Preeti Singh
Bridgestone to sell carbon black business in Mexico to U.S. firm Cabot
SoftBank builds Nvidia and TSMC stakes under Son’s focus on AI gear
By Min Jeong Lee
Suzuki Motor halts domestic shipments of 5-door Jimny Nomade

WORLD

Russian President Vladimir Putin's determination to keep fighting in Ukraine is prompted by his belief that Russia is winning and by skepticism that yet more U.S. sanctions will have much of an impact on his country.
Putin doubts potency of Trump's ultimatum to end the war, sources say
By Darya Korsunskaya, Andrew Osborn and Mark Trevelyan
The Russian leader is unlikely to bow to a sanctions ultimatum expiring this Friday from U.S. President Donald Trump, sources close to the Kremlin said.
Palestinians climb onto trucks as they seek aid supplies in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, on Monday.
Israeli Cabinet may order complete Gaza takeover
By Maayan Lubell and Nidal al-Mughrabi
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is leaning toward an expanded offensive and taking control of the entire enclave, Israeli Channel 12 reported.
U.K.-France migrant returns deal takes effect
By Akshata Kapoor and Peter HUTCHISON
With federal funds frozen, wealthy U.S. universities capitulate to Washington
By Liam Knox and Amanda Albright
Interceptor drones offer Ukraine low-cost air shield as warfare evolves
By Max Hunder
U.K. and France set to ratify 'one in, one out' boat migrant returns deal

Sports

The Carp's Sandro Fabian hits an RBI single against the Swallows during the first inning at Jingu Stadium in Tokyo on July 21.
Central League votes to adopt designated hitter rule from 2027
By Jason Coskrey
The change means NPB’s two leagues will operate under the same set of rules for the first time since the Pacific League adopted the designated hitter in 1975.
Nyjah Huston targets Olympic skateboarding gold at LA28
By Rory Carroll
Spurs agree to four-year, $229 million extension with Fox
McLaren must also deal with disappointment amid runaway success
By Alan Baldwin
LAFC agrees to terms with Tottenham's Son Heung-min, say reports

Opinion

Despite topping physical health rankings, Japan’s children face a worsening mental health crisis due to limited early education, inconsistent counseling support and poor awareness of their rights.
It’s time to take children’s mental health seriously
Yuko Tamura
Given these disparities, it is clear the government needs to build a consistent school system with appropriate emotional support mechanisms
Trump’s tariffs defy the doomsayers — so far
By Brad Glosserman
China’s unbeatable new production model export
By Jeffrey Wu
Even nuclear experts are at a loss right now
By Andreas Kluth
U.K. military rhetoric is not matching fiscal reality
By Martin Ivens

ENVIRONMENT

People cool off under water jets in Madrid on Monday.
'Silent killer': the science of tracing climate deaths in heat waves
By Nick Perry
Heat can claim tens of thousands of lives during European summers but it usually takes months to count the cost. Scientists are aiming to change that with faster studies.
China struggles to capitalize on record renewables build-out as grid work lags
Pressure from oil producers and U.S. threaten global pact on plastics pollution
By Olivia Le Poidevin and Valerie Volcovici
'Let's go fly a kite': Capturing wind for clean energy in Ireland
By Peter MURPHY
Efforts set to resume to reach plastic pollution pact

CULTURE

Left to right: A woman repurposes a garbage bag to protect her hat from the rain; having a hat and a beverage close at hand is a festival must.
A weekend in Naeba: Rain or shine, the fun never stopped at Fuji Rock '25
By Alyssa I. Smith
Sweltering naps, makeshift shelters, dancing in the rain — Fuji Rock is all about surrendering to the moment.
The families that rock together at Fuji
By Mark Thompson
From far and wide, overseas visitors flock to Fuji Rock
By Alyssa I. Smith
'Stigmatized Properties: Possession': Layered lead faces ghosts and show business
By Mark Schilling
'Army on the Tree': World War II film leans into absurdist theater
By James Hadfield

LIFE

Mika Horii (left) and Jane Su record an episode of “Over the Sun” at TBS Broadcasting Center in Tokyo’s Akasaka area. The show draws 1.5 million monthly plays.
'Over the Sun': A podcast for Japanese women who’ve lived a little
By Yuko Tamura
In their hit podcast “Over the Sun,” hosts Jane Su and Mika Horii turn everyday chats into a cultural phenomenon.
In Tokyo, fish-shaped ‘taiyaki’ treats offer a sea of options
By Russell Thomas
A language built on the wind, from mountain gusts to wind chimes
By Eric Margolis
Communal knead: A Turkish baker in Kamakura draws queues
By Alex Michael Dwyer
As summer soars, the tomato offers a lesson in staying bright and cool
By Makiko Itoh

COMMUNITY

Canadian-born Jesse Cunningham came to Japan to teach in the JET Programme, and later found opportunities to learn traditional blacksmithing in Kochi Prefecture.
The international artists supporting Japan’s craft legacy
By Laura Pollacco
From Kochi to Kamakura, non-Japanese craftspeople are training with local artisans and carving out a niche for themselves.
Charming Chikuwa has a zest for life
Boys’ love dramas from Thailand make waves in Japan
By Agnese Dionisio
Ayaka Ohira: ‘Being outside of the traditional path gave me more freedom’
By Zoria Petkoska
The mothers holding up Japan's Vietnamese community
By Nguyen Bao Anh

Editors' Picks

CULTURE
Fuji Rock's weekend of surprises was one of its best yet
By Patrick St. Michel
Radwimps lead singer Yojiro Noda threw himself into the rock band’s Green Stage performance ahead of headliner Vampire Weekend.
ENVIRONMENT
How Trump is gaslighting on climate change — with Japan’s help
By Mara Budgen
The Bishu Maru LNG tanker, owned by Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, next to the Freeport LNG terminal in Texas
LIFE
With a new distillery, Suntory makes a spirited move on gin market
By Weiwen Lin
A staff inspects a distillation pot still at Suntory's new Osaka Spirits & Liqueurs Craft Distillery, which will focus on gin production and help Suntory capture a bigger slice of the fast-growing gin market.
LIFE
Junglia brought dinos back to Okinawa. But will it bring tourists?
By Owen Ziegler
At Panorama Dining, one of Junglia’s two proper restaurants that also doubles as the rooftop Inifinity Terrace overlook, guests can pay extra to sit in balcony tables made to look like birds’ nests overlooking the park grounds.
MORE SPORTS
From Osaka to the NHL: Jordan Spence hopes to inspire young Japanese hockey players
By Joel Tansey
Ottawa Senators defenseman Jordan Spence helps lead the Dreamskate Japan hockey camp in Tomakomai, Hokkaido, on July 5.

Podcast

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

Longform

Ichiro Suzuki, one of the most iconic players in NPB and MLB history, was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame with 99.7% of the vote.
With Hall of Fame induction, Ichiro makes himself heard loud and clear
By Jason Coskrey

JT Directory Service

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SUSTAINABLE JAPAN

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

COMFACTS

Tsunan Sake Brewery Develops “Yukigesho Castella” as Part of Sake Upcycling Project
Tsunan Sake Brewery Develops “Yukigesho Castella” as Part of Sake Upcycling Project
TSUNAN SAKE BREWERY

WHAT’S TRENDING

COMMENTARY
China’s unbeatable new production model export
By Jeffrey Wu
China is not merely moving more goods; it is exporting a new, ruthlessly efficient production model powered by automation, AI and state-guided industrial optimization.
JAPAN
Extreme heat in Japan set to peak this week
By Yukana Inoue
People shield their eyes from the sun as they walk through a street on a hot day in Tokyo on July 26.
ASIA PACIFIC
How Pakistan shot down India's cutting-edge fighter using Chinese gear
By Saeed Shah and Shivam Patel
An Indian Air Force pilot gets out of a Rafale fighter jet during its induction ceremony at an air force station in Ambala, India, September 2020.
JAPAN
Australia announces new warships will come from Japan
By Gabriel Dominguez and Jesse Johnson
The Maritime Self-Defense Force's Mogami-class frigate Niyodo sails at an undisclosed location in this image released Tuesday.
WORLD
Italy's fast fashion hub becomes Chinese mafia battlefield
By Alexandria SAGE
Signs for fast-fashion factories in Prato, Italy, on Friday. Chinese crime groups in the district thrive on the "Prato system" rife with corruption in the fast-fashion sector.