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September 19, 2025
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September 19, 2025
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Signage atop the Liberal Democratic Party headquarters in Tokyo. Japan’s ruling party faces a tough decision over its future as it searches for a new leader to replace outgoing Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, reverse its waning popularity and reassure investors
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
After seven decades, is it finally time for the LDP to split up?
By Eric Johnston
With the LDP fraying at the seams, some wonder if the patchwork party will split along ideological lines instead of stitching itself back together.

More coverage

Hayashi pledges to carry on Ishiba and Kishida’s work if elected LDP president
Agriculture minister Koizumi most favored for LDP chief, poll finds
Signage atop the Liberal Democratic Party headquarters in Tokyo. Japan’s ruling party faces a tough decision over its future as it searches for a new leader to replace outgoing Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, reverse its waning popularity and reassure investors
Walt Disney-owned ABC said on Wednesday it is pulling "Jimmy Kimmel Live" off the air, after the comedian weighed in on how U.S. President Donald Trump and his supporters were reacting to the assassination of Republican activist Charlie Kirk
BUSINESS
Kimmel suspension is latest victory in Trump media war
By Christopher Palmeri and Hannah Miller
The U.S. leader said the nation's media regulator has every right to pull the broadcast licenses of stations that run content he doesn’t like.
Nvidia's support offers Intel a new chance after years of turnaround efforts failed to pay off, and triggered a 23% jump in the U.S. chip manufacturer's shares.
BUSINESS / Companies
Nvidia takes $5 billion stake in struggling chipmaker Intel
The two companies also plan to jointly develop PC and data center chips.
U.S. military personnel board the USS Wasp aircraft carrier at the U.S. naval base in Yokosuka, Kanagawa Prefecture, in 2019.
JAPAN
U.S. State Department sees Japanese role in AUKUS defense pact
By Tony Capaccio
Japan "expressed interest in a range" of projects underway as part of the second leg of the pact, an assessment said.
Organizers of the World Athletics Championships said over 500,000 tickets had been sold and that they are expecting to end the event in front of large crowds this weekend.
MORE SPORTS / Athletics
World Athletics stars relish Tokyo atmosphere after COVID-hit Olympics
By Jason Coskrey
For many athletes competing at the world championships in Tokyo this week who also competed at the COVID-hit Summer Games, the experience has been like night and day.
Organizers of the World Athletics Championships said over 500,000 tickets had been sold and that they are expecting to end the event in front of large crowds this weekend.

JAPAN

The Izumo destroyer is docked at a port in Singapore after its mission to protect a U.S. vessel for the first time under the security laws in May 2017.
10 years on, security laws continue to boost Japan-U.S. defense ties
The laws, enacted in 2015, allow Japan to exercise its right to collective self-defense and have helped the SDF expand its activities with like-minded countries.
A street near the site where a Japanese boy was stabbed to death in Shenzhen in September last year.
Safety concerns linger as year marked since stabbing of Japanese boy in China
Security measures have been increased around the school amid worries that anti-Japanese sentiment could rise in China around historical anniversaries.
Review of minpaku private lodgings sought in Osaka
Fumitaka Sato, who contributed to black hole research, dies at 87
Japan to boost support for its anime and film industry
80 years after bombing and typhoon, Hiroshima guide warns of double tragedy risk

BUSINESS

A new type of Mizuho Bank outlet in Yokohama in March
Major Japanese banks are opening new types of outlets
There is a hope to increase direct contact with customers again amid rising interest rates and the growing appetite for asset management services.
A sign is seen outside of the "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" show outside the El Capitan Entertainment Centre on Hollywood Boulevard, from where the show is broadcast in Hollywood, California, on Thursday.
Trump threatens licenses of TV stations that criticize him
By Catherine Lucey and Kate Sullivan
Trump’s remarks represent a startling break with the nation’s long-standing traditions of freedom of speech and of the press enshrined in the U.S. Constitution.
Huawei unveils AI chip road map to challenge Nvidia’s lead
Vietnam startup seeks slice of third-largest EV motorbike market
By Nguyen Kieu Giang
Japan's Nikkei 225 rallies to record following Fed rate cut overnight
By Francis Tang
Marugame Seimen noodle restaurant managers to see raise of up to ¥20 million

WORLD

Smoke rises following Israeli strikes during a military operation, in Gaza City, on Thursday. Israeli troops have begun to advance toward the city center.
Gaza hit by telecoms blackout as Israeli tanks and infantry advance
By Dawoud Abu Alkas, Nidal al-Mughrabi and Edmund Blair
Large numbers of Israeli troops have begun moving toward the center of Gaza City as the families of Israeli hostages implore authorities to stop the offensive and negotiate.
ChatGPT owner OpenAI says it "actively works to identify and disrupt scam-related misuse of ChatGPT.”
ChatGPT was used ‘to help scammers do their thing’ at Asia fraud compound
By Poppy McPherson
Scammers used the artificial intelligence tool to craft convincing messages designed to trick people into parting with their money.
U.S. and Israel criticize U.N. staff over Gaza war stance amid protests
By Emma Farge and Olivia Le Poidevin
As U.S. Senate goes 'nuclear,' dozens of Trump nominees are confirmed
By Patricia Zengerle
Trump says Putin ‘let me down’ and allies must stop buying Russian oil
By Jennifer A Dlouhy
RFK Jr. panelists make initial changes to childhood vaccine schedule
By Maggy Donaldson and Charlotte CAUSIT

Sports

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone celebrates after winning the women's 400-meter world title at Tokyo's National Stadium on Thursday.
Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone runs second-fastest time ever to win 400-meter world title
By Jason Coskrey
Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone claimed gold after beating Marileidy Paulino to the finish line.
Australian teen Gout Gout hungry for more after worlds exit
By Andrew MCKIRDY
Rashford shines with two goals in Barcelona's win at Newcastle
Rugby chiefs want women's Global Series to build on World Cup 'energy'
Busang Collen Kebinatshipi wins men's 400 final; Yuki Joseph Nakajima finishes sixth
By Sam Byford

Opinion

A U.S. flag flies at half mast in front of the White House on Sept. 11 in honor of Charlie Kirk, a right-wing activist who was fatally shot the previous day at an event at a university in Orem, Utah. The tragedy comes as the Trump administration shutters terrorism-prevention programs despite rising extremist violence.
Why is Trump killing programs designed to prevent terrorism?
Michael Duffin
Political violence is rising worldwide while the Trump administration dismantles prevention programs, weakening U.S. security and global counterterrorism efforts.
Whiteboarding the LDP election
By Edo Naito
Did Putin finally overplay his hand with Ukraine?
By Marc Champion
Why Nepal’s new power brokers should worry India and China
By Karishma Vaswani
Artificial intelligence is not your friend
By Peter G. Kirchschlager

ENVIRONMENT

A resident navigates a flooded road in Masiphumelele, Cape Town, South Africa, on May 20. Climate change impacts Africa the most of any continent despite it contributing less than 10% to global carbon emissions, according to the World Meteorological Organization.
Military spending eats into Africa's climate finance
By Kim Harrisberg and Joanna Gill
Climate change impacts Africa the most of any continent despite it contributing less than 10% to global carbon emissions, according to the World Meteorological Organization.
Climate change led to at least 16,500 heat deaths in Europe this summer
By Emma Court
Malaysia's largest island state aims to be region's 'green battery'
By Jan HENNOP
Rising oceans to threaten 1.5 million Australians by 2050, report says
By Laura Chung
U.S. moves to scrap emissions reporting by polluters

CULTURE

One notable section of the “Prism of the Real: Making Art in Japan 1989-2010” exhibition is a predominantly pink room featuring works that explore the lives of Asian women, such as Minako Nishiyama’s “The Pinku House”and footage of Lee Bul’s performance “Sorry for suffering — You think I’m a puppy on a picnic?”
‘Prism of the Real’ makes two turbulent decades tangible with art
By Jennifer Pastore
Born of a partnership between The National Art Center, Tokyo and M+, the show reveals how artists across borders grappled with a changing world.
‘Ranshima Bound’: Family fractures and buried truths collide in Hokkaido chill
By Mark Schilling
‘There Was Such a Thing Before’: Fukushima grief and fury in monochrome
By James Hadfield
‘Dear Stranger’ confronts marriage in turmoil, but lacks subtlety
By Mark Schilling
From high risk to record-breaker, ‘Kokuho’ defied expectations to become a megahit
By Mark Schilling

LIFE

The promise of autumn is one of relaxation and just being cozy overall.
How Japanese captures the subtle shift into autumn
By Yaeko Kabe
From the equinox to cooler mornings, Japanese grammar and expressions reflect how the season gradually deepens into autumn.
From tofu to teriyaki: Japanese essentials for the home cook
By Simon Daly
An aesthetic escape to Hakone’s art-drenched hills
By Erik Augustin Palm
In Bali, the Ritz-Carlton’s ultraluxury Mandapa hotel marks 10 years
By Owen Ziegler
The sweet rise of Okinawan rum
By Miriam Gradel

COMMUNITY

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Swastika Jajoo (fourth from right) began attending the daily radio calisthenics routine at Sendai’s Kitasanbancho Park and struck up unexpected friendships with a group of elderly residents.
Calisthenic companions bridge cultures and generations
By Swastika Jajoo
At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, a doctoral student in Sendai found friendship in unexpected places.
Melos Han-Tani: ‘Figuring out what you value is valuable for any artist’
By Gendel Gento
Gentle care is the key to Cymbal’s heart
Canadian-born politician tackles Ibaraki’s issues big and small
By Gendel Gento
Smiley, spirited Hampen will run into your arms

Editors' Picks

JAPAN
Japan’s front-line researchers see bright path ahead for dementia treatment
By Tomoko Otake
A scientist looks at scans of grains at the Memory Centre at the Department of Readaptation and Geriatrics of the University Hospital (HUG) in Geneva, Switzerland, on June 6, 2023.
MORE SPORTS
Still plenty to fight for, says Japan’s team leader at worlds
By Jason Coskrey
Race walker Hayato Katsuki earned bronze for Japan on the opening day of the World Athletics Championships on Saturday.
BUSINESS
Wealthy foreign nationals picking up ultimate souvenir — a condo in Tokyo
By Elizabeth Beattie
A high-end property in the fashionable Daikanyama district in Tokyo
MORE SPORTS
Japanese athletes inspired by raucous home fans at World Athletics Championships
By Sam Byford
Fans cheer on the home favorites during the women's marathon at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo on Sunday.
CULTURE
Japan's major art events converge this fall
By Zoria Petkoska and Thu-Huong Ha
Shinji Ohmaki’s “Tokinokage” exhibited at Fuji Textile Week 2021 shows the use of fabric as art.

Podcast

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

Longform

Sumadori Bar on Shibuya Ward's main Center Gai street targets young customers who prefer low-alcohol drinks or abstain altogether.
Rethinking that second drink: Japan’s Gen Z gets ‘sober curious’
By Alex K.T. Martin

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WHAT’S TRENDING

BUSINESS
Wealthy foreign nationals picking up ultimate souvenir — a condo in Tokyo
By Elizabeth Beattie
A high-end property in the fashionable Daikanyama district in Tokyo
JAPAN
Japan dispatches five language education 'partners' to India
Five members of the Japan Foundation's Nihongo Partners program (front) gather at the Japanese Embassy in New Delhi on Monday.
BUSINESS
End of U.S. de minimis exemption causes headaches for some businesses in Japan
By Jessica Speed
Proxy-shopping services — companies that ship Japanese products ranging from cosmetics and snacks to limited-edition stationery on behalf of customers abroad — are already feeling the impact of the U.S. suspending de minimis exemptions.
JAPAN
Over 90% of low-income families in Japan struggling to feed children
By Yukana Inoue
Save the Children Japan domestic program chief Sonoko Kawakami speaks at a news conference in Tokyo in July. A survey conducted by the group in June has found that over 90% of low-income households with children face food insecurity.
BUSINESS
Struggling train firm in Chiba Prefecture turns to self-deprecating humor
"Laughter is important when you're in a difficult situation," said Katsunori Takemoto, president of Choshi Electric Railway, on Aug. 5 in Choshi, Chiba Prefecture.