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October 27, 2025
The Independent Voice in Asia
October 27, 2025
Sanae Takaichi
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Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi takes a group photo with other leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations during the ASEAN-Japan summit in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday.
JAPAN / Politics
Takaichi makes diplomatic debut with ASEAN maritime security and AI pledge
By Jesse Johnson
New Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi pledged to strengthen cooperation on maritime security, artificial intelligence and cybersecurity.

More coverage

Takaichi’s ‘Trump card’ for meeting U.S. leader? Her relationship with Abe.
Takaichi to put defense push in spotlight in bid to satiate Trump demands
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi takes a group photo with other leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations during the ASEAN-Japan summit in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday.
A drone view shows tents used by displaced Palestinians amid destroyed buildings following the withdrawal of the Israeli forces from the area in Gaza City on Friday.
WORLD / Politics
Netanyahu says Israel decides which foreign troops will secure Gaza ceasefire
By Steven Scheer
Last week Netanyahu hinted that he would be opposed to any role for Turkish security forces in Gaza.
U.S. President Donald Trump disembarks Air Force One at Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Sepang, Selangor, Malaysia, on Sunday.
WORLD / Politics
U.S., China tee up sweeping trade deal for Trump, Xi to finish
By Josh Xiao and Daniel Flatley
After talks wrapped up Sunday in Malaysia, an official said there is preliminary consensus on topics like export controls, fentanyl and shipping levies.
U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and trade minister Ryosei Akazawa at Sensoji Temple in Tokyo's Asakusa district on Sunday
BUSINESS
Akazawa and Lutnick reunite to discuss trade deal ahead of Trump visit
By Francis Tang
Trade minister Ryosei Akazawa and U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick visited Tokyo’s landmark Sensoji Temple before heading to Tokyo Skytree for a working lunch on Sunday.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi reacts as East Timor Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao greets her during the ASEAN-Japan summit in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday.
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Takaichi’s ‘Trump card’ for meeting U.S. leader? Her relationship with Abe.
By Jesse Johnson
Sanae Takaichi’s ties to slain former leader Shinzo Abe are expected to get her off on the right foot with Donald Trump as she aims to navigate defense and trade pressure.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi reacts as East Timor Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao greets her during the ASEAN-Japan summit in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday.

JAPAN

Industry minister Ryosei Akazawa visits the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant in Fukushima Prefecture on Saturday.
Akazawa implores Tepco to pursue 'coexistence' with Fukushima community
By Francis Tang
Tepco announced in July that the full-scale removal of nuclear fuel debris will not start before fiscal year 2037.
Tourism minister Yasushi Kaneko holds a news conference in Tokyo on Wednesday.
New tourism minister calls concentration of tourists in certain areas 'very serious'
New Japanese tourism minister Yasushi Kaneko has voiced concerns about overtourism and the negative impact on the country from the large influx of foreign tourists.
Japan to promote use of follow-on biologics
Concern raised over proposed cut in Lower House seats
Takaichi says boosting Japan-U.S. alliance ‘top priority’ in first call with Trump
By Jesse Johnson
JAXA launches new HTV-X1 cargo spacecraft to International Space Station
By Jessica Speed

BUSINESS

U.S. President Donald Trump speaks on Air Force One before arriving in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday. Trump said Saturday that he would increase tariffs on Canadian goods by 10% to punish America's second-largest trading partner over an ad, paid for by the province of Ontario, that used original audio of Ronald Reagan denouncing tariffs.
Trump says he’ll raise Canada tariff by 10% after Reagan ad
Trump’s Truth Social post follows days of public clashes over the ad, which invoked former U.S. President Ronald Reagan’s stance as a free trader.
Mari Sako at New College, the University of Oxford, in Oxford, England
Flying academia's flag for Japan, with a nod to the U.K.
By Nobuko Kobayashi
Mari Sako has adopted the idea of being a "global citizen" through her work in academia.
Japanese firms keep expanding in Germany's North Rhine-Westphalia
Canadians pull tariff ad after furious Trump scraps trade talks
Trump tariffs panned by slate of top economists at Supreme Court
Katayama talks taxes and debt without saying too much
By Francis Tang

WORLD

The "parure de la reine Marie-Amelie et de la Reine Hortense" (set of jewelry of Queen Marie-Amelie and Queen Hortense) displayed at Apollon's Gallery in January of 2020 at the Louvre museum in Paris
Two suspects arrested in Louvre jewel heist
The two men were taken into police custody on suspicion of organized theft and criminal conspiracy. They could be held up to 96 hours.
A man walks past a gas station of the Russian oil producer Gazprom Neft, which is the major stakeholder in Serbian oil company NIS, in Belgrade, Serbia, on Oct. 8.
U.S. may hit Russia with more sanctions but wants Europe to increase pressure
While it's unclear whether Washington will act on these moves, it shows a toolkit within the administration to up the ante
Putin says Russia tested new nuclear-powered cruise missile
U.S.-Pakistan relations don’t come at expense of India, Rubio says
By Sudhi Ranjan Sen and Eric Martin
Trump headlines ASEAN summit as Thailand-Cambodia sign ceasefire deal
Trump ‘open’ to meeting North Korea’s Kim during Asia trip
By Jesse Johnson

Sports

Tigers starter Shoki Murakami pitches against the Hawks during Game 1 of the Japan Series in Fukuoka on Saturday. Murakami pitched seven innings, allowing just one run and six hits.
Tigers pitcher Shoki Murakami perseveres in Fukuoka, turning rocky start into ‘amazing’ outing
By Jason Coskrey
Murakami did not have his best stuff and found it hard to get into a rhythm early, but he stuck to his guns and bounced back.
Hotaka Yamakawa powers Game 2 rout as Hawks get even in Japan Series
By Jason Coskrey
Belinda Bencic surprises herself as Pan Pacific Open win in Tokyo brings 10th title
By Andrew MCKIRDY
Yamamoto dazzles as Dodgers beat Blue Jays 5-1 to level World Series
NBA insider arrests highlight risks of leagues embracing sports betting
By Amy Tennery and Rory Carroll

Opinion

Sanae Takaichi’s selection as Japan’s first female prime minister marks a historic breakthrough for women in politics, but her leadership faces significant challenges from political fragility and critics, both at home and abroad.
Takaichi’s rise to power and the ‘glass cliff’
Christina L. Davis
Her appointment could prove to be a “glass cliff” as she encounters hypercriticism and the inherent challenges of a shaky coalition.
SoftBank’s OpenAI ambition is far too grand for banks
By Shuli Ren
When media distortion threatens democratic stability
By Stephen R. Nagy
Sanae Takaichi stands tall and heads into the breach
Prince Andrew’s ugly Epstein saga makes a strong ‘no kings’ case
By Rosa Prince

ENVIRONMENT

“Future Kid Takara,” a series of anime shorts to be aired on NHK Educational TV in November, attempts to educate children about climate change.
Japan’s youth are apathetic toward the climate crisis. Could anime change that?
By Tomoko Otake
“Future Kid Takara,” a new series set to air on NHK Educational TV, aims to empower children and encourage them to take action against climate change.
'What is the value of a human life?' In Nigeria, oil giant Shell may find out.
By Susan Njanji
Climate change and population growth threaten to spark malaria resurgence
Bali grapples with flood reckoning as overdevelopment and waste take toll
By Marchio Gorbiano
U.S. sinks international deal on decarbonizing ships

CULTURE

Gaku Kurokawa’s “Listening to Stone,” which is essentially a large stone with a hole carved in it, instructs visitors to put their heads inside the hole and listen to themselves in isolation.
Tokyo Biennale hides the art in plain sight
By Kim Kahan
This year is the biennale's most ambitious yet, with 39 participating artists from Japan and abroad creating under the theme “Wander for Wonder.”
Spanish artist and Japanese writer duos diversify the manga talent pool in Japan
By Gendel Gento
New book scrutinizes sustainability of traditional Japanese textiles
By Jessica Kozuka
Japanese rock fans can't agree on kurayamisaka
By Patrick St. Michel
K-pop idol Chanyeol does J-pop his own way on ‘Hibi’
By Adam Davidson

LIFE

At Nepalico, the "dal bhat" — a Nepali dish consisting of rice and lentils stewed with spices — with chicken curry is the most popular item on the menu.
Lentil by lentil, Nepali food takes shape in Tokyo
By Aarohi Narain
The cuisine is emerging out of the shadow of Indian fare, thanks to a new breed of passionate chefs keen to introduce locals to South Asian dishes beyond butter chicken and naan.
Have you heard? This year Shibuya wants us to have a ‘good Halloween’
By Yuko Tamura
Nakatsu keeps its cool as gentrification looms
By Edward Hewes
Ninja Gaiden 4 revives series with kinetic carnage, clumsy platforming
By Gendel Gento
What does Jimbocho think of its unexpected ‘cool’ status?
By Phoebe Amoroso

COMMUNITY

The byzantine process for converting a foreign driver’s license into a Japanese one entails mountains of paperwork and significant stamina — unless you're a lucky license holder from a country or region where these requirements are waived.
Driving in Japan isn’t hard. Getting the license is.
By Thu-Huong Ha and Mike Fu
From the desperate and defeated to the blissful and breezy, readers share their experiences of getting a driver’s license in Japan.
Florian Wiltschko: ‘Shinto helps me understand and live within Japanese culture’
By Samantha Seghers
Lovely listener Jimena just needs time and care
A samurai-loving radio host prepares to become Oda Nobunaga for a day
By Gendel Gento
Beauty in slowness: Life lessons from Japanese embroidery
By Cassie Xu

Editors' Picks

ENVIRONMENT
Japan’s youth are apathetic toward the climate crisis. Could anime change that?
By Tomoko Otake
“Future Kid Takara,” a series of anime shorts to be aired on NHK Educational TV in November, attempts to educate children about climate change.
MORE SPORTS
Loss to Wallabies doesn't dampen Japan’s optimism
By John Gunning
Japan's Michael Leitch controls the ball during the match against Australia on Saturday.
ASIA PACIFIC
Stars align for Kim-Trump meeting — but any talks will be on N.K. leader’s terms
By Jesse Johnson
A South Korean soldier stands next to a TV broadcasting a news report about a possible summit between North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and U.S. President Donald Trump, at the main railway station in Seoul on Wednesday.
JAPAN
New ‘immigration minister’ post signals Takaichi Cabinet’s priorities
By Yukana Inoue
Kimi Onoda, economic security minister and minister for harmonious coexistence with foreign nationals, arrives at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on Tuesday.
JAPAN
Number of suicide cases among students in Japan hits record high in 2024
By Yukana Inoue
The health ministry's Suicide White Paper for 2024 has found that numbers for both men and women peak at age 21, with “concerns over future career paths” being identified as the most likely cause.

Podcast

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

Longform

The byzantine process for converting a foreign driver’s license into a Japanese one entails mountains of paperwork and significant stamina — unless you're a lucky license holder from a country or region where these requirements are waived.
Driving in Japan isn’t hard. Getting the license is.
By Thu-Huong Ha and Mike Fu

JT Directory Service

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SUSTAINABLE JAPAN

Maruhachi never sleeps in quest for better futons
Maruhachi never sleeps in quest for better futons

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
Bear kills another person in Japan in record year for fatal attacks
Police investigate the scene of a bear attack that killed one person and injured three others on Friday in the village of Higashinaruse in Akita Prefecture.
JAPAN
Tokyo launches English-language international school database
By Elizabeth Beattie
A screenshot of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government's international schools portal site
JAPAN
Strong quake shakes Hokkaido as authorities urge vigilance
Kunashiri Island is seen across the Nemuro Strait, just before sunrise from Rausu, Hokkaido. A strong earthquake struck the area at a depth of about 40 kilometers early Saturday.
JAPAN
New tourism minister calls concentration of tourists in certain areas 'very serious'
Tourism minister Yasushi Kaneko holds a news conference in Tokyo on Wednesday.
COMMUNITY
Florian Wiltschko: ‘Shinto helps me understand and live within Japanese culture’
By Samantha Seghers
Florian Wiltschko’s interest in Shintoism began with a trip to Japan in his teens. He now serves as the supplicant priest at the 355-year-old Hisai Hachiman Shrine in Mie Prefecture.