Home page

 
Menu
Search
 
Menu
Search
Tokyo Weather 13℃
TOKYO
November 21, 2025
The Independent Voice in Asia
November 21, 2025
Sanae Takaichi
China
Bear attacks
Latest News
 

Today's print edition

Home Delivery
Subscribe for more access
The Cabinet is expected to submit an extra budget bill to finance the package to parliament, which is in session until Dec. 17.
BUSINESS / Economy
¥21.3 trillion stimulus package approved by Cabinet
By Kazuaki Nagata
Markets have been volatile amid concern about the plan, which includes ¥17.7 trillion of spending, ¥2.7 trillion in tax breaks and ¥900 billion in special account spending.

More coverage

‘Sell-Japan’ trade takes a breather as verbal intervention dialed up slightly
The Cabinet is expected to submit an extra budget bill to finance the package to parliament, which is in session until Dec. 17.
The Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear power station in Kashiwazaki, Niigata Prefecture
JAPAN
Niigata approves restart of world’s largest nuclear power plant
By Yukana Inoue
The resumption of the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa plant’s No. 6 reactor would be a major development for Japan as it re-embraces nuclear power and reduces reliance on fossil fuels.
Along with planned higher fees for foreign residents to stay, Japan is looking to raise the ¥3,000 single-entry visa fee for inbound tourists to Western standards in the next fiscal year.
JAPAN
Japan plans higher visa fees for foreign residents
By Himari Semans
The government is aiming to raise fees to match those charged by Western nations in fiscal 2026 amid an increase in the number of foreign residents.
An illustration of Tetsuya Yamagami (left) being questioned by his lawyer on Thursday at the Nara District Court
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
‘I should not have lived this long,’ man accused of killing Abe tells court
By Tomoko Otake
Describing his troubled upbringing and the misery caused by his mother’s devotion to the Unification Church, Tetsuya Yamagami expressed regret.
Mari Yamamoto (left) stars alongside Brendan Fraser in “Rental Family,” a film about services that provide stand-in friends and family for hire.
CULTURE / Film
'Rental Family' brings real-world insight to modern loneliness
By Adam Davidson
Actor Mari Yamamoto drew on her journalist’s eye to bring authenticity to her role in a film about hired stand-in friends and family.
Mari Yamamoto (left) stars alongside Brendan Fraser in “Rental Family,” a film about services that provide stand-in friends and family for hire.

JAPAN

For Hokkaido, the most important inbound tourism markets are Taiwan, South Korea and China.
Japan’s dispute with China may impact Hokkaido tourism this winter
By Eric Johnston
As Japan and China continue their war of words, the potential impact on Hokkaido’s tourism industry this winter season has officials increasingly concerned.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (center) in the parliament building earlier this month. Takaichi took office on Oct. 21.
A month into her premiership, Takaichi's style proves to be double-edged sword
The prime minister's straight talk appears well received by the public, but other aspects of the way she works have caused a stir in other circles.
Moss spores can survive in space, Japan researchers say
Takaichi rejects China's demand to retract Taiwan remarks
By Alastair Gale — Ryotaro Nakamaru
LDP and JIP agree to submit bill outlining reduction of Lower House seats
By Gabriele Ninivaggi
Two men suspected of smuggling 1 ton of gold into Japan from South Korea

BUSINESS

SoftBank priced ¥46 billion in bonds on Friday, bringing its already record issuance this year to around ¥400 billion.
SoftBank prices ¥46 billion in bonds, extending record issuance
By Takahiko Hyuga
The offering comes amid a sharp rise in benchmark government bond yields, driven by concerns over fiscal expansion under Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s administration.
Some Japanese government bond traders have noted Japan Exchange Group's rules were opaque enough that almost anyone could be tripped up and lose their job.
Japan exchange to revise guidelines to curb JGB futures spoofing
By Takashi Nakamichi
As the line between spoofing and regular transactions can be contentious, traders would benefit from clearer guidance.
Three major Japan life insurers see revenue growth in April-September
Japan posts trade deficit for fourth straight month in October
U.S. unemployment up even as hiring beat expectations in delayed report
By Beiyi Seow
Deutsche Bank warns of Japan capital flight in echo of U.K. crisis
By Greg Ritchie

WORLD

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, whose office said he had received a draft of the U.S.-backed plan to end the war, says Kyiv and Washington will work together on elements of it.
Zelenskyy says he is ready to work on U.S.-backed plan to end war in Ukraine
By Olena Harmash, Max Hunder and Gram Slattery
European countries are pushing back against the U.S.-backed plan, but the Ukrainian president said Kyiv and Washington would work together on elements of it.
A public-inquiry report released Thursday delivered a blistering assessment of former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s response to COVID-19.
U.K.’s ‘chaotic’ response to COVID-19 led to more deaths, inquiry finds
By Michael Holden
A public inquiry concluded that former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s response, including a delay of lockdowns, resulted in about 23,000 more deaths.
Trump calls for sedition trial after Democrats urged troops to disobey orders
By Skylar Woodhouse
Livestream giant Twitch to ban under-16s in Australia
U.S. denies ending South Africa G20 boycott
By Shaun TANDON
Scramble for Sudan's resources fuels brutal civil war
By Guillaume LAVALLEE and Celia Lebur

Sports

Curacao's Kenji Gorre (right) in action with Jamaica's Dexter Lembikisa in Kingston, Jamaica, on Tuesday
Veteran Curacao coach hails 'crazy' World Cup qualification
The oldest coach in World Cup finals history is set to take the smallest country to qualify for the World Cup into the competition.
England's Daly ready for aerial challenge against Argentina
By Julian Guyer
Rusty France face 'tired' Australia at end of torrid year
By Illtud DAFYDD
Italy to face Northern Ireland in 2026 World Cup playoffs
U.S. Olympic fencer Chamley-Watson to launch World Fencing League
By Eyk Henning and Vanessa Perdomo

Opinion

China is using threats, diplomatic pressure, economic measures and manufactured media narratives to attack new Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and influence Japanese politics.
Seeking good relations with Xi’s CCP is a fool’s errand
Edo Naito
China has a history of favoring Japanese leaders, going back at least to Prime Minister Kakuei Tanaka in the 1970s, who are inclined to comply with its "red lines."
Bangladesh’s Hasina sentence: Justice or vengeance?
By Anand Kumar
China’s pressure campaign against Japan is a mistake
The United Nations legitimizes Trump’s Gaza peace plan
By Ramesh Thakur
Pakistan will regret letting the army back in
By Mihir Sharma

ENVIRONMENT

Attendees during the COP30 climate summit in Belem, Para state, Brazil, on Nov. 10
Preparing for a riskier world is becoming a bigger part of climate talks
By Olivia Rudgard
As the COP30 climate summit draws to an end, negotiators are still struggling over an agreement over how to transition away from fossil fuel.
As COP30 discusses end of fossil fuels, are renewables ready?
By Clar NiChonghaile
Decades-long contracts chain Asia to coal-fired power
By Sudarshan Varadhan
Clamor for change builds inside the world's COP30 climate negotiations
By Kate Abnett, Simon Jessop and Lisandra Paraguassu
With more heat and storms, can COP30 boost front-line resilience?
By Clar NiChonghaile

CULTURE

Mari Yamamoto (left) stars alongside Brendan Fraser in “Rental Family,” a film about services that provide stand-in friends and family for hire.
'Rental Family' brings real-world insight to modern loneliness
By Adam Davidson
Actor Mari Yamamoto drew on her journalist’s eye to bring authenticity to her role in a film about hired stand-in friends and family.
The secret to 'Last Samurai Standing'? Treating live action like anime.
By Patrick St. Michel
Theater beyond borders: Eriko Ogawa's tenure at the NNTT has a global vision
By Kris Kosaka
Mamoru Hosoda’s ‘Scarlet’ takes on ‘Hamlet’ with bold visual departure
By Matt Schley
‘Blonde’: Conformist classrooms get a satirical makeover
By Mark Schilling

LIFE

As bear attacks spike across northern Japan, the country's community of nature enthusiasts say that while the risk might be high now, enjoying the outdoors is still possible with the proper precautions.
‘Be bear aware’: Japan’s outdoor pros sound off on ursine risks
By Drew Damron
Japan’s nature researchers, hunters and trail runners reflect on how a spike in bear activity affects their professions and hobbies.
Old-man puns are getting a Gen Z glow-up as 'neo-dajare'
By Alyssa I. Smith
A dictionary revision illustrates how Japanese keeps on evolving
By Yaeko Kabe
Good fortune, wrapped in fried tofu
By Elizabeth Andoh
At Ginza’s newest hotel, luxury is a private treasure
By Owen Ziegler

COMMUNITY

Bilal Karakus serves Turkish kebabs from his signature red truck in various locations around Kawasaki, Kanagawa Prefecture, as well as at festivals and events.
Bilal Karakus: ‘Coming to Japan has broadened my palate’
By Patrick Parr
The owner of a Turkish food truck shares how he came to Japan and started his own business specializing in kebabs.
Happy-go-lucky Omochi loves to make friends
Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Japan celebrates 80 years at the forefront of press freedom
By Gendel Gento
Jon Homewood: ‘There’s beauty in what we throw away’
By Joseph Tame
Young Indonesians in Japan find their political voice
By Nadila

Editors' Picks

JAPAN
First foreign president of Hosei University looks abroad for change
By Elizabeth Beattie
Hosei University President Diana Khor, who herself was an international student, aims to encourage students to look outward and cultivate a global mindset.
BUSINESS
Japanese companies advised to change mindset about investment in Africa
By Kazuaki Nagata
Bernard Laurendeau, chief of Enkopa Lab Japan, in Tokyo last month
BASEBALL
Munetaka Murakami headlines quartet looking to move to MLB via posting system
By Jason Coskrey
The Swallows' Munetaka Murakami has 246 career home runs in eight NPB seasons.
JAPAN
The reality of human trafficking in Japan
By Yukana Inoue
A view of Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward at night. Last year in Japan, 66 people were put in protective custody as victims of human trafficking. Among them, 58 — including all 41 minors — were Japanese nationals. International pressure to act on human trafficking led Japan to make efforts to crack down on the crime, such as a tightening of conditions in 2005 for entertainer visas.
CULTURE
Why we can’t get enough of the sham of the rental family
By Thu-Huong Ha
“Rental Family,” directed and co-written by the single-named Hikari, follows out-of-work actor Phillip (Brendan Fraser), who is hired as the “token white guy” at a Tokyo agency called Rental Family.

Podcast

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

Longform

An illustration features the Japanese signs for "ganbare" (good luck) and the Deaflympics, which will be held between Nov. 15 and 26.
A century of Deaf sport finds its moment in Tokyo
By Kathryn Wortley

JT Directory Service

SPECIAL SUPPLEMENTS note

Read more

SUPPLEMENTS BINDER

Ex.Portal By Synergy Media Specialists

SUSTAINABLE JAPAN

Foreign wrestlers have a long history in sumo
Foreign wrestlers have a long history in sumo

COMFACTS

New Food Products Utilizing Tsunan Sake Brewery’s Sake Lees Unveiled at “TORANOMON JUST RIGHT NEW FOOD” Tasting Event
New Food Products Utilizing Tsunan Sake Brewery’s Sake Lees Unveiled at “TORANOMON JUST RIGHT NEW FOOD” Tasting Event
TSUNAN SAKE BREWERY

WHAT’S TRENDING

JAPAN
Japanese court orders Cloudflare to pay ¥500 million over manga piracy
Cloudflare has been ordered to pay ¥500 million after four major publishing firms accused the firm of copyright infringement for its role in hosting sites that distribute pirated copies of manga titles.
JAPAN
The reality of human trafficking in Japan
By Yukana Inoue
A view of Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward at night. Last year in Japan, 66 people were put in protective custody as victims of human trafficking. Among them, 58 — including all 41 minors — were Japanese nationals. International pressure to act on human trafficking led Japan to make efforts to crack down on the crime, such as a tightening of conditions in 2005 for entertainer visas.
COMMENTARY
Beware of China’s strategic distortion of reality
By Stephen R. Nagy
China holds a military parade to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, in Beijing on Sept. 3. 
BUSINESS
Yen rout brings talk of ¥160 to the dollar and possible intervention
By Francis Tang
The yen has been weak against the U.S. dollar in recent weeks, with some analysts expecting the retreat to continue.
JAPAN
China to reimpose ban on Japanese seafood imports amid row over Taiwan, reports say
By Jesse Johnson
A sign reading, "Suspend the sales of all fish products imported from Japan" is displayed in an area home to Japanese restaurants in Beijing in August 2023. China will reimpose a ban on imports of Japanese seafood, media reports in Tokyo said Wednesday, as a diplomatic spat between the two countries deepens.