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April 28, 2025
The Independent Voice in Asia
April 28, 2025
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Tesla's store in Tokyo's Shibuya district. While sales of American cars in Japan appear to be shrinking, Tesla's presence in the country is growing.
BUSINESS / Economy / FOCUS
Counting the reasons why there are so few American cars in Japan
By Kazuaki Nagata
One reason is size, with American cars tending to be larger and not generally suited for driving in busy cities with many narrow roads, such as Tokyo.
Tesla's store in Tokyo's Shibuya district. While sales of American cars in Japan appear to be shrinking, Tesla's presence in the country is growing.
Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan head Yoshihiko Noda speaks to reporters in Tokyo on Friday.
JAPAN / Politics
CDP's about-face piles pressure on LDP to cut consumption tax on food
By Himari Semans
Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan chief Yoshihiko Noda pledged that the party will abolish the consumption tax on food products for a year.
Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (center) welcomes Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba to the Government Office in Hanoi on Monday.
BUSINESS / Economy
Ishiba pledges deeper economic ties with Vietnam as Trump tariffs bite
By Francis Tang
Both countries face unprecedented economic turmoil as a result of the U.S. tariffs and are seeking ways to mitigate potential damage.
John Phelan at a Senate confirmation hearing for U.S. secretary of the navy in Washington in February
JAPAN / Politics
U.S. secretary of the navy weighs ‘dual-use’ shipbuilding with Japan
By Gabriel Dominguez
Washington’s idea appears to be aimed at attracting investment from allies to strengthen the U.S. shipbuilding industry and start closing the gap with Beijing.
A small shrine perched atop rocks braves the waves hitting the shoreline during a storm in Shimoda, Shizuoka Prefecture. The area is under threat of a possible 31-meter-high tsunami if an earthquake strikes the nearby Nankai Trough.
ENVIRONMENT / Earth science / Longform
If the 'Big One' hits, this city could face a 31-meter-high tsunami
By Alex K.T. Martin
Last year the government issued its first "megaquake" advisory. Ever since, those living in the areas it's expected to hit have been preparing for the worst.
A small shrine perched atop rocks braves the waves hitting the shoreline during a storm in Shimoda, Shizuoka Prefecture. The area is under threat of a possible 31-meter-high tsunami if an earthquake strikes the nearby Nankai Trough.

JAPAN

"Quiet quitting" is most common among the younger generation, with 46.7% of respondents to a survey in their 20s identifying with the practice, reflecting a less-motivated workforce more focused on work-life balance.
Nearly half of workers in Japan engage in ‘quiet quitting’
By Yukana Inoue
Some 45% of full-time employees are doing just the bare minimum at work, according to a survey by job-matching company Mynavi.
Keiichi Uchida, a member of a team of Japanese doctors who performed a colostomy reversal surgery on the younger of a pair of Vietnamese conjoined twins 30 years ago, shows a postcard he received from his former patient, Nguyen Duc, in February in the city of Yokkaichi, Mie Prefecture.
Japanese pediatrician recalls Vietnamese twin he operated on 30 years ago
The younger of a pair of conjoined twins — believed to have been affected by chemicals used by the U.S. during the Vietnam War — underwent colostomy reversal surgery in Japan.
Tepco finishes first round of fiscal 2025 treated water release
Two Japanese place first in international youth ballet competition
Man rescued from Mount Fuji twice in one week, local media reports
One dead after floor collapses in Kawasaki building under demolition

BUSINESS

Bank of Japan Gov. Kazuo Ueda. The BOJ is getting into a tough spot between high inflation and a likely economic slowdown.
BOJ to hit pause on rate-hike path as economic risks mount
By Toru Fujioka
Gov. Kazuo Ueda’s board is poised to keep the benchmark rate at 0.5% at the conclusion of the two-day gathering on Thursday, according to all 54 economists surveyed.
Toyota Chairman Akio Toyoda proposed a buyout of Toyota Industries, seeking to consolidate his grip on Japan’s biggest business empire.
Akio Toyoda's $42 billion buyout plan raises governance question
By Nicholas Takahashi
Toyota Chairman Akio Toyoda’s bid to buy out Toyota Industries could pit him against Japan’s efforts to reform its corporate landscape.
Chinese tea hub branches into coffee as tastes change
By Matthew WALSH
Japan’s top gas buyer mulls joining Alaska LNG export project
By Reina Sasaki
Trump promised a markets boom. 100 days in, stocks have only seen damage.
By Esha Dey
Advertising giants brace for tariff-induced cuts to ad spending
By Chloe Meley and Redd Brown

WORLD

People gather to protest outside the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) headquarters after the Elon Musk-led "department of government efficiency" (DOGE) was charged with oversight of OPM, in Washington on Feb. 2.
100 days of DOGE: lots of chaos, not so much efficiency
By Tim Reid, Alexandra Alper and Nathan Layne
"DOGE is not a serious exercise," said Jessica Riedl, a fellow at the Manhattan Institute, a fiscally conservative think tank that supports streamlining government.
Lee Jae-myung delivers a speech during the national convention of South Korea's Democratic Party to choose their candidate for upcoming presidential election, in Goyang, South Korea, on Sunday.
South Korea martial law put Lee Jae-myung back on track for presidency
By Josh Smith
If elected, he would face polarized politics and rising economic concerns while negotiating with Donald Trump.
Conflicts spur 'unprecedented' rise in military spending
By Johannes LEDEL
Trump’s polls decline near 100-day mark, raising tax-plan stakes
By Mario Parker
Abuse victims say they saw progress under Pope Francis, just not enough
By Padraic Halpin
U.S. aid cuts create 'perfect storm' for malaria in Africa
By Nita Bhalla

Sports

Shohei Ohtani and Mamiko Tanaka announced the birth of their first child on April 19.
Shohei Ohtani's example could change Japan's views on paternity leave
By Mai Yoshikawa
The Dodgers star went on MLB’s paternity list for the birth of his daughter. MLB is the only major North American sports league that guarantees paternity leave to its players.
Timberwolves outlast Lakers to take 3-1 lead in first-round series
Son of Falcons coordinator apologizes for prank call to Shedeur Sanders
Liverpool fans revel in chance to finally celebrate Premier League title
Liverpool roars past Tottenham to clinch Premier League crown

Opinion

An artist's impression of the K2-18b super-Earth, the only super-Earth exoplanet known to host both water and temperatures that could support life
In a galaxy far, far away ... did we find life?
F.D. Flam
K2-18b, which has eight times the mass of Earth, just might be covered with a massive ocean and blanketed by an atmosphere complete with water vapor and rain clouds.
Placating China won't prevent it from invading Taiwan
By Dee Wu
Is there a method behind the Trumponomics madness?
By Kazuto Suzuki
The world is waking up to the dangers of superpollutants
By Lara Williams
Time for a civic uprising
By David Brooks

ENVIRONMENT

A small shrine perched atop rocks braves the waves hitting the shoreline during a storm in Shimoda, Shizuoka Prefecture. The area is under threat of a possible 31-meter-high tsunami if an earthquake strikes the nearby Nankai Trough.
If the 'Big One' hits, this city could face a 31-meter-high tsunami
By Alex K.T. Martin
Last year the government issued its first "megaquake" advisory. Ever since, those living in the areas it's expected to hit have been preparing for the worst.
Pope Francis saw defending the climate as an urgent priority for the world
By Eric Roston
Countries could use forests to 'mask' needed emission cuts, report says
By Kelly Macnamara
Global warming is a security threat and armies must adapt, experts say
Indonesia food plan risks 'world's largest' deforestation
By Marchio Gorbiano and Sara Hussein

CULTURE

On the surface, "Wildcat Dome" tells a personal story of damaged children — now adults — bound together by tragedy. Underneath, there’s a constant undercurrent of political consequence, invisible and pervasive like radioactive particles.
‘Wildcat Dome’ challenges Japan's historical narratives
By Kris Kosaka
Prolific writer Yuko Tsushima explores themes of militarization, colonialism and occupation through the identities of mixed-race orphans in postwar Japan.
Sasuke Haraguchi’s provocative soundtracks for digital natives
By Patrick St. Michel
‘She Taught Me Serendipity’: A quiet reminder not to take people for granted
By Mark Schilling
Thumbelina's bedtime is before 8. Her exhibition runs till 5 a.m.
By Tomohiro Osaki
The floor is art: Takuro Tamayama transforms mundanity
By Kim Kahan

LIFE

2025 Osaka Expo mascot Myaku-Myaku dances on the stage during the event's official opening ceremony on April 12.
Expo '25 gives the world a masterclass in mascots
By Patrick St. Michel
At Expo 2025 in Osaka, mascots from around the world borrow from Japan’s character culture — but none can match Myaku-Myaku’s gloopy charm.
How to bring up bad news in Japanese
By Yuko Tamura
Savoy, Tokyo’s top pizzeria, fires up in Sapporo
By Simon Daly
A modern Japanese cookbook that is ‘a beautiful mess’
By Simon Daly
Built in a flash, Osaka Expo pavilions wrestle with sustainability
By Thu-Huong Ha

COMMUNITY

Magokoro Yoshihira (center) is the managing director of Yui Associates, which operates the neighborhood fixtures of Sanya Cafe and Juyoh Hotel. Yusuke Takahashi (left) met Yoshihira during a difficult period in his life and now works as the cafe’s chef. Nancy Anne (right) has worked for over 10 years at Juyoh Hotel and enjoys the multicultural environment.
Reclaiming Sanya, one meal at a time
By Kim Kahan
Since 2018, Sanya Cafe has been building community in one of Tokyo’s most colorful — and infamous — neighborhoods.
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
Noriko Shakti: ‘Music reflects my journey and learnings’
By Miikka J. Lehtonen
Tokyo Humanities Cafe feeds hungry minds
By Jessica Kozuka

Editors' Picks

LIFE
Expo '25 gives the world a masterclass in mascots
By Patrick St. Michel
2025 Osaka Expo mascot Myaku-Myaku dances on the stage during the event's official opening ceremony on April 12.
JAPAN
Japan struggles with gray zone of AI deepfakes exploiting children
By Jessica Speed
AI-generated content — including those made using pictures of real people, which are known as “deepfakes” — is not explicitly covered under Japan's current legal framework, nor are human-drawn illustrations that depict child abuse.
CULTURE
‘Wildcat Dome’ challenges Japan's historical narratives
By Kris Kosaka
On the surface, "Wildcat Dome" tells a personal story of damaged children — now adults — bound together by tragedy. Underneath, there’s a constant undercurrent of political consequence, invisible and pervasive like radioactive particles.
COMMUNITY
Reclaiming Sanya, one meal at a time
By Kim Kahan
Magokoro Yoshihira (center) is the managing director of Yui Associates, which operates the neighborhood fixtures of Sanya Cafe and Juyoh Hotel. Yusuke Takahashi (left) met Yoshihira during a difficult period in his life and now works as the cafe’s chef. Nancy Anne (right) has worked for over 10 years at Juyoh Hotel and enjoys the multicultural environment.
BUSINESS
Amid uncertain tariffs, is now the time to buy a new iPhone?
By Elizabeth Beattie
An Apple store in Tokyo's Shibuya Ward in September. Prices for the newest iPhone models start at around ¥100,000 ($700) in Japan.

Podcast

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

Longform

A small shrine perched atop rocks braves the waves hitting the shoreline during a storm in Shimoda, Shizuoka Prefecture. The area is under threat of a possible 31-meter-high tsunami if an earthquake strikes the nearby Nankai Trough.
If the 'Big One' hits, this city could face a 31-meter-high tsunami
By Alex K.T. Martin

JT Directory Service

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SUSTAINABLE JAPAN

Looking ahead to Yokohama’s Green × Expo 2027
Looking ahead to Yokohama’s Green × Expo 2027

WHAT’S TRENDING

ASIA PACIFIC
China seizes disputed reef near key Philippine military outpost
By Jesse Johnson
China Coast Guard officers unfurl a national flag on Sandy Cay reef, near the Philippine-held Thitu Island, in disputed waters of the South China Sea this month in this screen shot taken from Chinese state broadcaster CCTV.
BUSINESS
Japan to resist Trump efforts to form trade bloc against China
By Alastair Gale, Haze Fan, Yoshiaki Nohara and Sakura Murakami
As Japan gears up for the trade talks, Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba is also seeking to cushion the blow that the U.S. tariffs may have on the domestic economy.
WORLD
As many as nine dead after driver plows into Vancouver festival crowd
An ambulance is parked at the site of the Lapu Lapu day festival, where a vehicle drove into a crowd killing several people in Vancouver on Saturday.
COMMUNITY
Arunima Mazumdar: ‘Japanese literature has a niche but deeply engaged readership in India’
By Megha Wadhwa
Arunima Mazumdar, a New Delhi-based communications professional, began sharing her love of Japanese literature online in 2022. The platform has grown into a robust community known as Dokusha Book Club.
JAPAN
Japan struggles with gray zone of AI deepfakes exploiting children
By Jessica Speed
AI-generated content — including those made using pictures of real people, which are known as “deepfakes” — is not explicitly covered under Japan's current legal framework, nor are human-drawn illustrations that depict child abuse.