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May 09, 2025
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May 09, 2025
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Newly elected Pope Leo XIV, Robert Prevost waves from the main central loggia balcony of the St Peter's Basilica, after the cardinals ended the conclave, in The Vatican, on Thursday.
WORLD
Robert Prevost surprises as first U.S. pope, takes name Leo XIV
By Joshua McElwee, Crispian Balmer and Philip Pullella
Cardinal Robert Prevost was elected as the surprise choice to be the new leader of the Catholic Church on Thursday.

More coverage

In his first appearance, Pope Leo offers three big clues about his papacy
Chicago has one burning question for Pope Leo XIV: Cubs or White Sox?
Newly elected Pope Leo XIV, Robert Prevost waves from the main central loggia balcony of the St Peter's Basilica, after the cardinals ended the conclave, in The Vatican, on Thursday.
U.S. President Donald Trump shakes hands with Britain's ambassador to the United States, Peter Mandelson, after announcing a trade deal with the U.K., in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington on Thursday.
BUSINESS / Economy
Trump and Starmer hail limited U.S.-U.K. trade deal, but 10% duties remain
By Andrea Shalal, Alistair Bell and Andrew MacAskill
Trump pushed back against seeing the U.K. deal as a template for other negotiations, saying that many other trading partners may end up with much higher final tariffs.
A supermarket in Chiba. Politicians in Japan might cut the consumption tax to help households and the economy.
BUSINESS / Economy
Economists debate consumption-tax cut as Japanese politicians warm to the idea
By Kazuaki Nagata
Japanese politicians are considering the possibility of lowering the consumption tax to stimulate the economy in the face of U.S. tariffs.
Toyota CEO Koji Sato announces the firm's financial results during a news conference in Tokyo on Thursday.
BUSINESS / Companies
Toyota cites tariffs as it forecasts 35% drop in 2025-26 net profit
Carmakers have been among the hardest-hit by Trump's multipronged assault on free trade.
For centuries, artisans have unraveled strands of the fibrous bark of "shuro" trees to create a medley of everyday objects. Designer Kazuki Nagasawa is now transforming the traditional material into ethereal contemporary pieces.
LIFE / Style & Design
Kazuki Nagasawa's sustainable designs are rooted in tradition
By Danielle Demetriou
The recent SaloneSatellite Award-winner transforms a humble bark, long used by artisans to craft everyday objects, into ethereal works of contemporary design.
For centuries, artisans have unraveled strands of the fibrous bark of "shuro" trees to create a medley of everyday objects. Designer Kazuki Nagasawa is now transforming the traditional material into ethereal contemporary pieces.

JAPAN

Students from a junior high school in Tokyo's Meguro Ward experience rice planting on Thursday in Noto, Ishikawa Prefecture.
Noto region welcomes first school trip since massive quake
Officials said they hoped the students can learn by closely observing the reconstruction process.
Joseph S. Nye (center), an advocate of stronger U.S.-Japan relations and father of "soft power," died Tuesday at the age of 88.
Joseph Nye, advocate of stronger U.S.-Japan relations, dies at 88
By Eric Johnston
The former U.S. assistant secretary of defense, known for coining the term "soft power," coauthored reports that influenced the direction of U.S.-Japan ties.
Japan's Princess Kako to visit Brazil from June 4
Hung parliament keeps Lower House Legislative Bureau busy
Hakuhodo's appeal dismissed in Tokyo Games bid-rigging case
Nagasaki to invite envoys from Russia, Belarus and Israel to peace ceremony

BUSINESS

Nominal cash earnings rose 2.1% from a year earlier, decelerating from a revised 2.7% pace in February and below a median economist forecast of 2.5%, according to the labor ministry.
Japan’s nominal wage growth slows, backing case for BOJ caution
By Erica Yokoyama and Keiko Ujikane
Nominal cash earnings rose 2.1% from a year earlier, decelerating from a revised 2.7% pace in February and below a median economist forecast of 2.5%.
Bill Gates, who pledged on Thursday to give away almost his entire personal wealth in the next two decades and said the world's poorest would receive some $200 billion via his foundation, during an interview in New York City, on Thursday
Bill Gates says Musk is 'killing' world's poorest children by cutting aid
By Jennifer Rigby
Bill Gates has pledged to give away $200 billion via his charitable foundation by 2045.
Nidec withdraws its $1.8 billion hostile takeover bid for Makino Milling Machine
By Yuki Furukawa
Nissan drops plan for Fukuoka battery plant to focus on recovery
By Nicholas Takahashi
Three major Japan shipping firms expect sharp falls in profit
Japan’s corporate governance wave reaches the industrial heartland in Nagoya
By Hideyuki Sano

WORLD

Local residents prepare to evacuate after Pakistani artillery shelling at the Lagama village in Uri, about 100 kilometers from Srinagar, on Friday.
Pakistan launched multiple attacks along India's western border, India says
By Aftab Ahmed and Fayaz Bukhari
Pakistan's armed forces launched "multiple attacks" using drones and other munitions along India's western border on Thursday night and early Friday.
Chinese President Xi Jinping attends a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin in Moscow on Thursday.
China can play hardball at looming trade talks with U.S., analysts say
By Isabel Kua and Peter CATTERALL
After weeks of tit-for-tat escalation that sent global markets into a tailspin, the two powers will meet this weekend for a chance to break the ice.
U.S. says solution for Gaza aid is 'steps away' as aid groups raise alarm
By Simon Lewis, Daphne Psaledakis and David Brunnstrom
Chicago celebrates its native son's elevation to pope
By Emily Schmall, Tom Polansek and Christopher Walljasper
German spy agency pauses 'extremist' classification for AfD party
By Andreas Rinke
Global militaries to study India-Pakistan fighter jet battle
By Tim Hepher and Mike Stone

Sports

Newly elected Pope Leo XIV waves from the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City, on Thursday.
Chicago has one burning question for Pope Leo XIV: Cubs or White Sox?
The Cubs and White Sox have both claimed the new pontiff as a fan.
Naomi Osaka takes inspiration from Andre Agassi as clay court season heats up
LA28 announces venues for opening and closing ceremonies for LA Games
Caitlin Clark entering second WNBA season with more experience and desire to win
Luis Enrique believes PSG's mentality helped fuel run to Champions League final

Opinion

Urgent diplomacy and restraint are needed to prevent further escalation between India and Pakistan, as both sides risk being pulled into a dangerous conflict with potential global consequences.
Can India and Pakistan step back from the brink?
Karishma Vaswani
India and Pakistan on many occasions have been on the brink of major conflict, yet have successfully climbed down.
The Pakistan-Taliban divorce gets messy
By Shashi Tharoor
New Delhi’s warning to Islamabad
By Brahma Chellaney
America is becoming the world’s largest tax haven
By Joseph E. Stiglitz
Is the judiciary the weakest link in South Korea’s democracy?
By Edo Naito

ENVIRONMENT

The consumption and investing habits of the world's richest 10% consume and invest has substantially increased the risk of deadly heat waves and drought around the world, according to new research.
World's richest 10% caused two-thirds of global warming, study finds
By Marlowe Hood
How the rich consume and invest has substantially increased the risk of deadly heat waves and drought.
Climate change takes spice from Indonesia clove farms
By Jack Moore
U.S. solar tariffs could drive Asia transition boom
By Sara Hussein
'Not sustainable': Europe's firefighters want more funds and staff
By Beatrice Tridimas
South Korea's deadly fires made twice as likely by climate change, researchers say
By David Stanway

CULTURE

Arashi is known for massive hit songs such as “A・RA・SHI,” “Love So Sweet” and “Happiness.”
J-pop group Arashi to disband after going on tour next spring
By Yukana Inoue
Current fan club members will be given priority to purchase tickets for the last concert tour.
‘My Edison’: Family-made sci-fi comedy is a real charmer
By James Hadfield
‘Wash Away’ brightens dementia drama with sudsy spin
By Mark Schilling
'Jumbo': the animated Indonesian film smashing records
By Baptiste Anse
With a new Shibuya studio, Apple Music bets big on Japan
By Patrick St. Michel

LIFE

A Japanese newspaper headline includes the word "tariff" in Japanese.
Trump once called it his favorite word. Now, the Japanese version is all over the news.
By Yuko Tamura
Learning how to talk about tariffs, imports and exports is becoming increasingly necessary in everyday conversation.
The world’s biggest natural wine festival returns to Tokyo
By Weiwen Lin
‘Drop the price’: Behind the pushback on Nintendo’s Switch 2
By Owen Ziegler
More than a food court: Time Out Market curates Osaka’s best flavors
By Melinda Joe
The sushi cone that changed everything
By Cassandra Lord

COMMUNITY

Since 2017, Kotomi Li has won some of Japan’s top literary awards and built a formidable career in the face of persistent online harassment. “Authors are tenacious creatures to begin with,” she says.
Kotomi Li: 'I refuse to choose death'
By Kat Joplin
The Taiwanese writer reflects on the importance of queer community, her ascent in Japan’s literary world and her ongoing battles against online harassment.
A Hokkaido cross that’s more sweet than spicy
Reclaiming Sanya, one meal at a time
By Kim Kahan
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

Editors' Picks

BUSINESS
SusHi Tech Tokyo 2025 expands to become one of Asia's largest startup events
By Yukana Inoue
SusHi Tech Tokyo 2025 was bustling with participants of various nationalities Thursday, and multiple languages could be heard around the room as many engaged in conversations throughout the day.
LIFE
Celebrating Japan’s defeat at Shimoda’s Black Ships Festival
By Todd Fong
Tatsumi Onose (right), who plays the part of Commodore Matthew Perry in Shimoda's Black Ship Festival, says the historical episode the event is based on should be remembered for its positives more than its negatives.
JAPAN
'Big picture thinker': Ispace CEO Hakamada on reaching the moon and dreaming of starships
By Jessica Speed
Takeshi Hakamada, founder and CEO of Ispace, says his primary interest in space development is not to abandon Earth, but to protect it.
BUSINESS
The drive for luxury: Aston Martin Asia's president explains the desire for more
By Elizabeth Beattie
While for Aston Martin, it’s all about delivering luxury, their regional president for Asia Gregory Adams' start in the auto industry in Japan was far more humble.
JAPAN
Why are rice prices still high in Japan?
By Yukana Inoue
Amid shortages, the price of a 5-kilogram bag of rice during the week of April 14 was ¥4,220.

Podcast

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

Longform

Dangami House is a 180-year-old former samurai residence of the Kato clan, who ruled over Ozu, Ehime Prefecture, until the Meiji Restoration.
A house, a legacy and the quiet work of restoration in rural Japan
By Hanako Lowry

JT Directory Service

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SUSTAINABLE JAPAN

Tsukuba massif granite, one of the world’s few heritage stones
Tsukuba massif granite, one of the world’s few heritage stones

WHAT’S TRENDING

JAPAN
Man held after two injured in Tokyo Metro knife attack
Police outside Todaimae Station on the Namboku Line on Wednesday evening after a knife attack at the station 　
BUSINESS
U.S. and Japan remain far apart on tariffs
By Francis Tang
Japan's Economic Revitalization Minister Ryosei Akazawa speaks to the press upon his arrival at Haneda Airport on April 18. He has said that all tariffs need to be reconsidered by the United States.
JAPAN
Japan's 'ice age' employment generation is at risk of poverty during retirement
Those who entered the job market from around 1993 to 2004, when long-term stagnation started, are likely to struggle even more to make ends meet after retirement.
ASIA PACIFIC
India strikes Pakistan over Kashmir tourist killings
Indian paramilitary personnel stand guard along a road in Srinagar on Wednesday after New Delhi launched missile strikes on archrival Pakistan in a major escalation between the nuclear-armed neighbors.
BUSINESS
Japan’s tycoon families seek buyouts to evade investor pressure
By Hideyuki Sano
Akio Toyoda’s $42 billion plan to buy Toyota Industries is one of the examples in a recent wave of management buyout ambitions in Japan.