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TOKYO
October 27, 2025
The Independent Voice in Asia
October 27, 2025
Sanae Takaichi
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Police officers stand guard near the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo, ahead of U.S. President Donald Trump's visit to Japan on Monday.
JAPAN / Politics
Trump heads to Japan for security and trade talks in test for Takaichi
By Jesse Johnson
The prime minister will be seeking to build a solid relationship with the U.S. president as she looks to navigate increasing pressure on trade and defense issues.

More coverage

Takaichi’s ‘Trump card’ for meeting U.S. leader? Her relationship with Abe.
Tokyo police deploy 18,000 officers for Trump’s visit
Police officers stand guard near the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo, ahead of U.S. President Donald Trump's visit to Japan on Monday.
The Nara District Court has scheduled 19 days for the trial of Tetsuya Yamagami before it hands down a ruling on Jan. 21 next year.
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Three years later, trial begins for man accused of ex-PM Abe’s assassination
By Tomoko Otake
The delay was due to pretrial proceedings and a lengthy psychiatric evaluation for Tetsuya Yamagami, 45, to determine his fitness to stand trial.
An electronic signboard in Tokyo shows the benchmark index above 50,000.
BUSINESS / Markets
Nikkei 225 breaks 50,000 for first time ever
By Francis Tang
The rally comes after China and the United States reached a framework trade agreement.
U.S. President Donald Trump disembarks Air Force One at Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Sepang, Selangor, Malaysia, on Sunday.
BUSINESS / Economy
U.S. and China tee up sweeping trade deal for Trump and 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.
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

Mamoru Iwai, stationmaster of Keisei Ueno Station, says that, other than earthquake-proofing, the former Hakubutsukan-Dobutsuen (Museum-Zoo) Station has remained untouched.
Inside Tokyo's 'phantom' stations — and the stories they tell
By Alex K.T. Martin
A sealed 1930s subway platform beneath Shimbashi Station still holds traces of what the capital looked like before the war.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi looks on as Association of Southeast Asian Nations leaders attend the opening of bloc's summit in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday.
In diplomatic debut, Takaichi chooses continuity at ASEAN summit
By Jesse Johnson and Gabriel Dominguez
New Prime Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi put fears of a more hawkish approach to China on the backburner as she promised boosted ties with Southeast Asia.
Bontan Ame gains popularity for rumored urination urge suppression
After 50 years, Snack Sand sandwiches embrace their roots
U.S. defense chief to make Japan stop in Indo-Pacific visit
Yoshihiro Murai clinches sixth term as Miyagi governor

BUSINESS

Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama speaks at a news conference in Tokyo last week.
Japan’s first female finance chief is a veteran on banking policy
By Hideki Suzuki
Satsuki Katayama joined the Finance Ministry in 1982 and reached a higher position in the influential Budget Bureau than any woman before her.
"The method of investment, the amount of investment, the timeline and how we will share the losses and divide the dividends — all of these remain sticking points,” South Korean President Lee Jae Myung said of an investment pledge with the U.S., during an interview at the presidential office in Seoul on Friday.
U.S.-Korea fund stuck on key points ahead of Trump visit, Lee says
By Soo-hyang Choi, Shery Ahn and Heesu Lee
While Lee and senior officials in Seoul say important differences remain between the two sides, Trump said the U.S. was "pretty close” to finalizing the deal with South Korea.
China’s solar self-discipline spurs turnaround at silicon makers
Grace Wales Bonner to lead menswear design at tradition-rich luxury house Hermes
By Angelina Rascouet and Tim Loh
India’s most valuable export: Tens of millions of workers
By Alex Travelli
Akazawa and Lutnick reunite to discuss trade deal ahead of Trump visit
By Francis Tang

WORLD

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.
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.
A Chinese H-6K bomber flies over Tiananmen Square during a military parade in Beijing on Sept. 3. Chinese state media reported on Sunday that a group of such bombers recently flew near Taiwan to practice "confrontation drills."
Ahead of Trump-Xi meeting, China says bombers flew near Taiwan
Without specifying a date, Chinese state television said that units from the Eastern Theater Command had conducted combat-oriented training.
Milei’s party wins Argentina midterm vote in major comeback
By Manuela Tobias and Patrick Gillespie
Harris and Newsom begin jockeying for 2028 presidential campaigns
By Wendy Benjaminson
Ireland elects left-leaning candidate as president as rival concedes
By Olivia Fletcher
Trump’s push for Gulf to pay for rebuilding Gaza faces hurdles
By Sam Dagher

Sports

Hawks slugger Hotaka Yamakawa (left) celebrates with his teammates after hitting a three-run home run against the Tigers during the second inning in Game 2 of the Japan Series in Fukuoka on Sunday.
Hotaka Yamakawa powers Game 2 rout as Hawks get even in Japan Series
By Jason Coskrey
Yamakawa drove in five runs to help the Hawks even the series at 1-1.
Blue Jays' Scherzer eyes World Series history ahead of Game 3
Apprentice tames master as Love leads Packers past Rodgers' Steelers
Giants running back Cam Skattebo dislocates ankle against Eagles
Norris plans to stay relaxed after taking lead in F1 title race

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.
Sanctions or Tomahawks? Only credible threats will convince Putin.
By Marc Champion
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

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.
Wielding a weapon of yore at a community dojo
By Monique Bae
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

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.