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May 08, 2025
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May 08, 2025
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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.
BUSINESS / Economy
U.S. and Japan remain far apart on tariffs
By Francis Tang
While both sides have said they will aim for a deal as soon as possible, they have also indicated that they aren't in a rush for a swift settlement.

More coverage

Ex-BOJ Gov. Kuroda urges calm response to Trump tariffs
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.
Police outside Todaimae Station on the Namboku Line on Wednesday evening after a knife attack at the station 　
JAPAN
Man held after two injured in Tokyo Metro knife attack
The suspect has remained silent during interrogation after being arrested at the scene, investigative sources said.
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.
Arashi is known for massive hit songs such as “A・RA・SHI,” “Love So Sweet” and “Happiness.”
CULTURE / Entertainment news
J-pop group Arashi to disband after going on tour next spring
By Yukana Inoue
Current fan club members will be given priority to purchase tickets for the last concert tour.
Takeshi Hakamada, founder and CEO of Ispace, says his primary interest in space development is not to abandon Earth, but to protect it.
JAPAN / Science & Health
'Big picture thinker': Ispace CEO Hakamada on reaching the moon and dreaming of starships
By Jessica Speed
CEO Takeshi Hakamada envisions a distant future where humans live and work on the moon — just don't ask him to visit.
Takeshi Hakamada, founder and CEO of Ispace, says his primary interest in space development is not to abandon Earth, but to protect it.

JAPAN

Sapporo’s Susukino district. Hiroko Tamura, the mother of a 31-year-old woman suspected of killing and beheading a man in the district in 2023, was sentenced on Wednesday to one year and two months in prison, suspended for three years, for aiding in the mutilation and concealment of a corpse.
Mother of suspect in Sapporo beheading case sentenced for role in cover-up
Hiroko Tamura was sentenced to one year and two months in prison, suspended for three years, for aiding in the mutilation and concealment of a corpse.
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.
Emperor's family to visit Okinawa in June
Ex-Hankyu Hanshin Holdings chief Kazuo Sumi dies at 76
Ex-PM Kishida and Malaysian leader affirm cooperation
Chilean President Gabriel Boric to make first visit to Japan

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.
Hon Hai to make Mitsubishi an EV for Australia and New Zealand
By Nicholas Takahashi
SMBC Nikko hires former Nomura and Citi top executives in rebuild
By Takashi Nakamichi
Top-performing Orbis fund doubles holdings in Japanese stocks
By Henry Ren and Margaryta Kirakosian
Mitsubishi UFJ to set up online bank in fiscal 2026

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.
India strikes Pakistan over Kashmir tourist killings
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

Sports

Former sekiwake Toyonoshima and Airi Hisano train at Tachihi Sumo Club on May 1.
Former sekiwake Toyonoshima is new head coach at innovative women’s club
By John Gunning
Detailing how she struggled with injury over the past few years, Airi Hisano said she had considered retirement before being approached to join the club.
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

In a world where capital and rich individuals can cross borders freely, only international cooperation can ensure that multinational corporations and the superrich are fairly taxed.
America is becoming the world’s largest tax haven
Joseph E. Stiglitz
Trump is turning the U.S. into a tax haven by weakening enforcement, deregulating crypto and abandoning international tax cooperation, favoring secrecy and the ultrarich.
Is the judiciary the weakest link in South Korea’s democracy?
By Edo Naito
Addicted to ChatGPT? Here’s how to reclaim your brain
By Parmy Olson
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

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

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.
With a new Shibuya studio, Apple Music bets big on Japan
By Patrick St. Michel
Streaming numbers are up, world tours are growing, and now, Tokyo has a new studio aimed at amplifying Japan’s voice.
'Ukiyo-e in Play' showcases traditional art carved anew
By Marigold Warner
‘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

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
Want to see the future at the Osaka Expo? Get in line.
By Thu-Huong Ha

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

SUMO
Former sekiwake Toyonoshima is new head coach at innovative women’s club
By John Gunning
Former sekiwake Toyonoshima and Airi Hisano train at Tachihi Sumo Club on May 1.
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.

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

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SUSTAINABLE JAPAN

Smile! It’s ‘Sanrio Time,’ now and ever after
Smile! It’s ‘Sanrio Time,’ now and ever after

WHAT’S TRENDING

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.
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.
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.
JAPAN
Driver arrested at scene of Yokosuka crash that injured eight
A 31-year-old man was taken into custody on Monday on suspicion of drunken driving after he caused a multivehicle crash in the city of Yokosuka, Kanagawa Prefecture.
JAPAN
Emperor emeritus is hospitalized for a heart exam
Emperor Emeritus Akihito and Empress Emerita Michiko stroll in the garden of Nikko Tamozawa Imperial Villa Memorial Park in the city of Nikko, Tochigi Prefecture, on May 28, 2024.