Home page

 
Menu
Search
 
Menu
Search
Tokyo Weather 24℃
TOKYO
May 07, 2025
The Independent Voice in Asia
May 07, 2025
Trump tariffs
Rice crisis
Osaka Expo
Latest News
Deep Dive
 

Today's print edition

Home Delivery
Subscribe for more access
Indian soldiers walk along a street in Wuyan, near Indian-administered Kashmir's main city of Srinagar, after a loud explosion was heard on Wednesday.
ASIA PACIFIC
India strikes Pakistan over Kashmir tourist killings
Islamabad said it had shot down five Indian fighter jets in the worst fighting in more than two decades between the nuclear-armed enemies.

More coverage

With militaries upgraded, risks multiply in any potential India-Pakistan conflict
Indian soldiers walk along a street in Wuyan, near Indian-administered Kashmir's main city of Srinagar, after a loud explosion was heard on Wednesday.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent testifies before a House Appropriations subcommittee oversight hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington on Tuesday.
BUSINESS / Economy
U.S.-China trade talks to start this week focused on de-escalation
The meeting will be the first confirmed trade talks between the countries since U.S. President Donald Trump announced sweeping tariffs on Beijing.
U.S. Army Pacific commander Gen. Ronald Clark tours the force's Materiel Support Command-Korea at Camp Carroll in Waegwan, South Korea, on April 9.
JAPAN
U.S. Army looks to deploy agile new unit to Japan for exercises
By Gabriel Dominguez
The Pentagon has already established three such formations in strategic locations worldwide and is planning two more over the next two to three years.
A survey by a private group found that 30% of people in de facto marriages in Japan have not filed for marriage registration because they or their partners do not want to change their surnames.
JAPAN
About 30% of those in de facto marriages refuse to marry over surname change
Nearly half of such people are willing to file if a system allowing married spouses to use different surnames is introduced.
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.
JAPAN / Society / FOCUS
Japan's 'ice age' employment generation is at risk of poverty during retirement
Due to low wages the generation tends to earn and protracted pension adjustments, many may end up relying on welfare benefits.
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.

JAPAN

A public health nurse (right) teaches stretching techniques using an exercise ball to employees of Hattori, a machine tool and industrial equipment supplier in Aichi Prefecture.
Companies leverage healthy working strategies to attract talent
The approach prioritizes employee well-being as a core business objective.
The government is looking into measures to address a situation in which online advertisements with sexual content are posted on websites that may be accessible by children.
Regulation of online ads with sexual content draws mixed views in Japan
While advocates seek measures to better protect children, critics worry they might infringe on freedom of expression.
Ex-PM Kishida and Malaysian leader affirm cooperation
Chilean President Gabriel Boric to make first visit to Japan
Japan's 'ice age' employment generation is at risk of poverty during retirement
Driver arrested at scene of Yokosuka crash that injured eight

BUSINESS

The global shipping industry is also contending with U.S. measures beyond the barrage of levies.
World’s trade superhighway feels strain from U.S.-China decoupling
By Weilun Soon
Among signs of disruption are plunging fees, fewer services and a pall of uncertainty over what for decades has been one the main maritime highways of the global economy.
The tie-up between Sumitomo Mitsui Banking and its new partners will target U.S. middle-market companies, according to executives.
SMBC teams with private lenders to offer $1.7 billion of credit
By Katherine Doherty
The tie-up between the Japanese banking conglomerate and its new partners will target U.S. middle-market companies, according to executives.
Trade barriers to China's AI market a 'tremendous loss,' NVidia CEO says
By Ian King
AMD and Arm offer a window into the AI landscape ahead of Nvidia earnings
By Carmen Reinicke
Nike president O’Neill out in latest shake-up under new CEO
By Kim Bhasin and Lily Meier
Dollar under pressure as Asian counterparts charge higher
By Rae Wee

WORLD

Lee Jae-myung, of South Korea's Democratic Party, celebrates after winning the final race to choose the party's candidate for the upcoming presidential election during a national convention in Goyang, South Korea, on April 27.
South Korea court to hear top presidential candidate's case after election
The high court delayed its first hearing on leading presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung’s election violation case until June 18, two weeks after the poll.
Smoke billows up at Sanaa Airport in Yemen after Israeli military warplanes struck the Houthi rebel-held capital on Tuesday.
U.S. and Yemen's Houthis agree to ceasefire
The deal comes after U.S. President Donald Trump announced that the United States would end attacks against the Houthis after the rebels agreed to stop harassing ships.
Colombia moves to join China's Belt and Road
By Lina VANEGAS
Another fighter jet falls into sea from U.S. aircraft carrier
Michelangelo meets James Bond: How Sistine Chapel conclave is kept secret
By Philip Pullella
Carney stresses Canada will never be for sale in first meeting with Trump
By David Ljunggren and Steve Holland

Sports

Tigers slugger Teruaki Sato knocks in a run during Hanshin's win over the Swallows at Koshien Stadium on Friday.
Confident Hanshin slugger Teruaki Sato taking game to next level
By Jason Coskrey
Even with everything Sato, a three-time All-Star, has already accomplished, his start this year has some wondering if he has finally put everything together.
Trump vows 'seamless' experience for 2026 World Cup fans
Inter Milan edges Barca in seven-goal thriller to reach Champions League final
Giants star Kazuma Okamoto expected to miss extended period with elbow injury
By Jason Coskrey
'Shared dream': China celebrates Zhao's world snooker breakthrough
By Isabel Kua

Opinion

China's Bayan Obo rare earth mine in Inner Mongolia. As U.S.-China tensions strain critical mineral supply chains, Tokyo’s multipronged approach based on sovereignty, resilience and sustainability is gaining quiet relevance.
Japan's resource security path may hold answers to trade turmoil
Parul Bakshi
Critical mineral supply chains are made vulnerable by China's dominance and U.S. protectionism. Japan's strategy may provide clues as to how to secure these vital resources.
A world restored: The U.S. takes the offensive against paper straws
By Brad Glosserman
New rare earth plant shows strength of Japan-France cooperation
By John Seaman
A turning point in trade: The U.S. effort to reverse global imbalances
By Sayuri Shirai
The Oracle of Omaha caps a career built on humility
By Jonathan Levin

ENVIRONMENT

Imba, a clove farmer who inherited 70 trees from her parents, in Ternate, North Maluku, Indonesia. Colonial powers once warred over the cloves grown on the eastern Indonesian island of Ternate. Today, farmers say the crop's gravest threat is climate change.
Climate change takes spice from Indonesia clove farms
By Jack Moore
Clove trees can take more than a decade to mature, and flowers can only be harvested in a small window that depends heavily on weather conditions.
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
Trump administration targets scientists behind key climate assessment
By Valerie Volcovici

CULTURE

The Adachi Institute has been working on creating brand new ukiyo-e prints in collaboration with contemporary artists such as Yayoi Kusama, whose “Mt. Fuji in Seven Colours: When life boundlessly flares up to the universe” (2014) can be seen on display at “Ukiyo-e in Play.”
'Ukiyo-e in Play' showcases traditional art carved anew
By Marigold Warner
The Adachi Institute of Woodcut Prints keeps age-old methods alive by creating ukiyo-e prints in collaboration with artisans and contemporary artists.
‘Blank Canvas’: 'Tough love' of the past isn't so funny anymore
By Mark Schilling
‘The Killer Goldfish’: The future of cinema, or just indie cosplay?
By James Hadfield
China’s first K-pop concert in years signals efforts to mend ties
By Hyonhee Shin and Shinhye Kang
‘Wildcat Dome’ challenges Japan's historical narratives
By Kris Kosaka

LIFE

Time Out Market Osaka, located in the basement of Grand Green Osaka's South Building, is the London-based media and hospitality business' first Asian edition of their food market.
More than a food court: Time Out Market curates Osaka’s best flavors
By Melinda Joe
After whetting appetites in cities like New York and Dubai, Time Out Market, the food event of the eponymous magazine and media group, has opened its first Asian edition in Osaka.
‘Drop the price’: Behind the pushback on Nintendo’s Switch 2
By Owen Ziegler
The sushi cone that changed everything
By Cassandra Lord
Japan’s ‘tabi’ sock mecca runs on thread and memories
By Aarohi Narain
Why the month of May feels tough and how language can help
By Yaeko Kabe

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

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.
JAPAN
Why are rice prices still high in Japan?
By Yukana Inoue
Amid shortages, the price of a 5-kilogram bag of rice during the week of April 14 was ¥4,220.
BUSINESS
Plug and Play wants to help Japanese startups go global
By Kazuaki Nagata
Phillip Vincent (right), Japan CEO of Plug and Play, and Ma Jingqian, head of ventures, at Plug and Play's Tokyo office, last month
COMMUNITY
Kotomi Li: 'I refuse to choose death'
By Kat Joplin
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.
LIFE
Want to see the future at the Osaka Expo? Get in line.
By Thu-Huong Ha
“‘Future of life,’ by Ishiguro,” the World Expo pavilion by roboticist Hiroshi Ishiguro, displays humanlike androids.

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

JT Directory Service

SPECIAL SUPPLEMENTS note

Read more

SUPPLEMENTS BINDER

Ex.Portal By Synergy Media Specialists

SUSTAINABLE JAPAN

Tsukuba massif granite, one of the world’s few heritage stones
Tsukuba massif granite, one of the world’s few heritage stones

WHAT’S TRENDING

JAPAN
Why are rice prices still high in Japan?
By Yukana Inoue
Amid shortages, the price of a 5-kilogram bag of rice during the week of April 14 was ¥4,220.
BUSINESS
Dollar’s decline is fueling dislocations across Asian currencies
By Tian Chen
A worker counts U.S. dollar banknotes at a currency exchange office in Jakarta, Indonesia, in 2022.
JAPAN
Tariff talks with U.S. seen influencing Japan's Upper House election
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba speaks to reporters about Japan-U.S. tariff negotiations at his official residence on Saturday.
JAPAN
Japan and India to set up new consultation defense cooperation framework
By Jesse Johnson
Defense Minister Gen Nakatani (right) stands alongside his Indian counterpart, Rajnath Singh, during a ceremonial reception in New Delhi on Monday.
JAPAN
About 30% of those in de facto marriages refuse to marry over surname change
A survey by a private group found that 30% of people in de facto marriages in Japan have not filed for marriage registration because they or their partners do not want to change their surnames.