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TOKYO
October 23, 2025
The Independent Voice in Asia
October 23, 2025
Sanae Takaichi
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Japan's Ground Self-Defense Force personnel march during the joint multinational exercise Garuda Shield 2025 at the Baturaja combat training center in Lampung, Indonesia, last month.
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Takaichi to put defense push in spotlight in bid to satiate Trump demands
By Jesse Johnson
She is expected to raise Japan’s defense spending to 2% of gross domestic product by the end of this fiscal year, a move that could pave the way for further hikes.
Japan's Ground Self-Defense Force personnel march during the joint multinational exercise Garuda Shield 2025 at the Baturaja combat training center in Lampung, Indonesia, last month.
A recent cyberattack on brewer Asahi Group Holdings resulted in the company suspending shipments.
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
AI-optimized cybercrime increasingly targeting Japan
By Elizabeth Beattie
Many of the attacks originate in China, using underground marketplaces that sell access and sensitive data to other cybercriminals.
The Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Any sweeping technology restrictions on China could disrupt a fragile U.S. economy already absorbing the impact of President Donald Trump’s tariffs.
WORLD / Politics
U.S. considers broad software curbs on China, White House says
By Catherine Lucey
The acknowledgment came following a report that the U.S. was weighing efforts similar to the curbs implemented against Russia.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks during a news conference in Tokyo on Tuesday.
JAPAN / Politics
Polls show Takaichi Cabinet off to strong start with support for policy stance
By Eric Johnston
Approval ratings were found to be especially high among younger generations and those in the Osaka and Nagoya regions.
South Korean singer Chanyeol made his Japanese-language solo debut with the EP “Hibi,” which features six tracks inspired by his love of Japanese music.
CULTURE / Music
K-pop idol Chanyeol does J-pop his own way on ‘Hibi’
By Adam Davidson
The South Korean singer explores his creative growth on a Japanese-language EP inspired by a desire to put his own spin on J-pop.
South Korean singer Chanyeol made his Japanese-language solo debut with the EP “Hibi,” which features six tracks inspired by his love of Japanese music.

JAPAN

Media gathered near the scene where a man barricaded himself with a knife on Wednesday in the city of Hirakata, Osaka Prefecture
Man arrested after 14-hour police standoff in Osaka
Toru Suetsugu, 48, allegedly held a woman he was living with at knifepoint after police showed up at his apartment to investigate a theft.
Ruling Liberal Democratic Party President Sanae Takaichi and Japan Innovation Party (JIP) leader Hirofumi Yoshimura sign a policy agreement between the two parties at the Diet in Tokyo on Monday.
The newly formed LDP-JIP coalition may not be as solid as it seems
By Eric Johnston
The Japan Innovation Party’s insistence on passing a seat-reducing measure could prove to be a sticking point in the relationship.
Seven LDP slush fund lawmakers given government posts
Japan joins over 80 nations to have been led by women since WWII
Orders surge for popular caricature teacups featuring Takaichi
Balancing medical services and costs will be major challenge for Takaichi

BUSINESS

Chugoku Electric Power's Shimane nuclear power station in the city of Matsue. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is expected to push for the accelerated revival of nuclear power as an energy source.
Nuclear power at heart of new prime minister's energy policy
By Katya Golubkova and Yuka Obayashi
Imported fossil fuels cover 60% to 70% of Japan's electricity generation and are a source of inflation that has undermined support for the ruling Liberal Democratic Party.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (center) during a photo session with her new Cabinet ministers including Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi (right) at the Prime Minister's Office on Tuesday
Japan’s new leader to woo Trump with promises on pickups and soybeans
By Tamiyuki Kihara
The two leaders will sit down in Tokyo during Trump's first visit to Japan since his re-election.
Nomura CEO seeks to tap Japan investors’ private market bets
By Takashi Nakamichi
Top Japan local bank ready to boost JGB buying when BOJ pivots
By Taiga Uranaka
Carney plots ‘talent attraction’ plan as U.S. upends H-1B visa
By Erik Hertzberg
BOJ watchers push back rate hike call after Takaichi takes helm
By Toru Fujioka and Cynthia Li

WORLD

U.S. President Donald Trump meets with Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2019.
Hopes for Xi-Trump summit dampened by tough Beijing moves and rising tension
By Laurie Chen, Michael Martina and Karen Freifeld
Even if the talks get back on track, experts say a narrow deal on a few issues is the most likely outcome.
Construction at the KK Park complex in Myanmar's eastern Myawaddy township on Sept. 17, seen from across the Thai border
Hundreds flee to Thailand after latest raid on Myanmar scam center
By Montira Rungjirajittranon
A recent investigation revealed construction at several compounds, while Starlink receivers had been installed apparently connecting the hubs to the satellite internet network.
China courts Taiwanese worshipers in religious charm offensive
By Yimou Lee
North Korean agents in Japan’s anime industry part of sophisticated sanctions evasion
By Elizabeth Beattie
Flush with cash, U.S. immigration agency expands weaponry and surveillance
By Corin FAIFE
Taiwan wary China's new economic plan could include front-line islands
By Yimou Lee and Ben Blanchard

Sports

The Blue Jays celebrate after defeating the Mariners in Game 7 of the ALCS round for the 2025 MLB playoffs in Toronto on Monday.
Blue Jays carry hopes of a nation into World Series amid tension
By Frank Pingue
Canadian support for the Blue Jays goes beyond the fact that they will be facing the Dodgers. There is also national pride at stake.
LeBron James' absence resonates during Lakers' season-opening loss
Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers not viewing showdown with Packers as 'revenge game'
Russians and Belarusians not allowed to ski as neutrals at Winter Games
PSG scores seven as Champions League rains goals
By Andy Scott

Opinion

Despite enduring nearly four years of war, the Ukrainian people continue to live their lives with resilience, showing strength, endurance and the ability to maintain humanity in the face of ongoing hardship.
In Ukraine, we’re learning to live with the war within
Sergey Maidukov
In Ukraine, everything looks peaceful and even prosperous — from the outside.
The Gaza peace plan will fail without American troops
By James Stavridis
Supply-chain economics beat tariff politics
By Jun Du
The secret to Takaichi’s success in the Indo-Pacific
By Simon Hutagalung
Breaking down Sanae Takaichi’s Cabinet picks
By Michael MacArthur Bosack

ENVIRONMENT

King Bubaraye Dakolo of the Ekpetiama Kingdom in Bayelsa State, southern Nigeria, poses for a photograph in Lagos on Oct. 13.
'What is the value of a human life?' In Nigeria, oil giant Shell may find out.
By Susan Njanji
Bubaraye Dakolo, the monarch of Ekpetiama in Nigeria, is suing a global oil giant over one of the largest corporate environmental liabilities in history.
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
Trump’s team weighs COP attendance, but influence looms either way
By David Sherfinski

CULTURE

In “Climbing for Life,” Sayuri Yoshinaga (right) portrays Junko Tabei, the first woman to summit Mount Everest, alongside Yuki Amami as the journalist who covered the expedition.
‘Climbing for Life’ doesn’t break new ground, but knows its footing
By James Hadfield
Sayuri Yoshinaga brings quiet strength to the biopic about the first woman to summit Mount Everest — even when the film itself plays it safe.
‘Meets the World’: A tragicomic hunger for connection
By Mark Schilling
Kiss lead guitarist Ace Frehley dies at 74
By Daniel Trotta
Indie singer Sam Fender wins U.K. Mercury Prize
T3 Photo Festival reframes cityscape as nature
By John L. Tran

LIFE

Ryu Hayabusa, the iconic ninja at the center of the Ninja Gaiden franchise, shares the spotlight with a newcomer in the latest entry to the series.
Ninja Gaiden 4 revives series with kinetic carnage, clumsy platforming
By Gendel Gento
Known for high-speed and occasionally punishingly difficult combat, the Ninja Gaiden series gets an update in mechanics thanks to a new developer.
What does Jimbocho think of its unexpected ‘cool’ status?
By Phoebe Amoroso
Tokyo's best Sunday roasts and all their trimmings
By Shyam Bhardwa
How Japan’s greatest psychological horror game came home
By Gendel Gento
Mass-produced AI podcasts disrupt a fragile industry
By Thomas URBAIN

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.
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
Shrunali Ranade: ‘Stepping back isn’t failure but another form of strength’
By Megha Wadhwa

Editors' Picks

JAPAN
In pictures: The day Japan’s glass ceiling finally cracked
By Johan Brooks
Takaichi, surrounded by LDP influencers
SUMO
London exhibition perhaps sumo's most successful trip abroad
By John Gunning
With the recent sumo jaunt to London being essentially a goodwill exercise, <i>rikishi</i> were far more outgoing and relaxed than normal.
LIFE
Nakatsu keeps its cool as gentrification looms
By Edward Hewes
Shunsuke Takahashi, owner of the cafe Hood by Vargas, says the Osaka neighborhood of Nakatsu feels brighter and calmer with the influx of new businesses.
JAPAN
Japan's first female PM promised more women in her Cabinet. She picked two.
By Yukana Inoue
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi poses with members of the newly formed Cabinet on Tuesday night.
JAPAN
Who is Minoru Kihara, Takaichi’s new 'cool-headed' spokesman?
By Gabriele Ninivaggi
Minoru Kihara (second from left) attends a Lower House plenary session on Tuesday in Tokyo.

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
Rare female yakuza walks path to redemption in Japan
By Tomohiro Osaki
Retired yakuza Mako Nishimura sorts fallen leaves during a clean-up activity at the Gifu Gokoku shrine in Gifu Prefecture on Sept. 28.
JAPAN
Takaichi makes history as Japan’s first female prime minister
By Gabriele Ninivaggi
Liberal Democratic Party President Sanae Takaichi reacts to applauding lawmakers after being elected prime minister at the Lower House on Tuesday.
JAPAN
Japanese man sentenced to eight years after rare public accusation of rape
By Natsuko Fukue
Riho Fukuyama (center) and her husband Yoshiki Fukuyama (left) speak to the media with their lawyer (right) outside the Toyama District Court in Toyama on Tuesday.
JAPAN
Woman arrested for pepper spray assault on Yamanote Line
Emergency vehicles arrive at the JR Otsuka Station in Tokyo Monday following a report that a woman had allegedly injured passengers with pepper spray inside a train on the Yamanote Line.
ASIA PACIFIC
North Korea fires off ballistic missiles one day after Takaichi named PM
By Jesse Johnson
People watch a TV news report about North Korean short-range ballistic missile launches, at the main railway station in Seoul on Wednesday.