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May 26, 2025
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May 26, 2025
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A worker sorts plastic waste for recycling at Minato Resource Recycle Center in Tokyo in 2019. Japan has been criticized by environmental groups for its strategy on plastics, which is heavily reliant on recycling instead of reduction.
ENVIRONMENT / Sustainability / OUR PLANET
Are microplastics hurting our fertility?
By Tomoko Otake
While a lot remains unknown about how microplastics affect our health, scientists in Japan and around the world broadly agree there's an urgent need to reduce plastic production.
A worker sorts plastic waste for recycling at Minato Resource Recycle Center in Tokyo in 2019. Japan has been criticized by environmental groups for its strategy on plastics, which is heavily reliant on recycling instead of reduction.
SoftBank founder Masayoshi Son has proposed setting up a U.S.-Japan sovereign wealth fund to make large investments in technology and infrastructure, according to the Financial Times.
BUSINESS / Companies
Softbank’s Son floats idea of U.S.-Japan sovereign wealth fund, report says
By Yi Wei Wong
SoftBank founder Masayoshi Son has discussed the plan with U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, although it hasn’t been formally proposed.
This satellite image taken Friday shows a new North Korean warship lying in the harbor after its failed launch in the port city of Chongjin.
ASIA PACIFIC
Three detained and blamed for North Korean warship accident
By Jesse Johnson
The ultimate fate of the three remains unclear, but leader Kim Jong Un has a history of making examples out of those who embarrass him.
Students on the campus of Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, on Friday
WORLD / Politics
Trump's moves seen threatening key sources of U.S. 'soft power'
By Leon Bruneau
The U.S. president has attacked the media, cut foreign aid and canceled or seriously scaled back university research programs — raising fears of a brain drain in the country.
After establishing Lagoon Brewery in 2021, Yosuke Tanaka began making export-only "nihonshu" (Japanese sake) and later, "craft sake," a new genre of sake that isn't bound by the rules of traditional sakemaking.
LIFE / Food & Drink
Brewed from rice, water and tomatoes: The growth of ‘craft sake’
By Weiwen Lin
Hampered yet inspired by the strict regulations for new brewers, a growing breed of sake producers are making the beverage on their own creative terms.
After establishing Lagoon Brewery in 2021, Yosuke Tanaka began making export-only "nihonshu" (Japanese sake) and later, "craft sake," a new genre of sake that isn't bound by the rules of traditional sakemaking.

JAPAN

Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba visited the Maritime Self-Defense Force's Maizuru base in Kyoto Prefecture on Sunday to inspect vessels and held talks with officials of Japan Marine United, which builds SDF ships.
Ishiba inspects MSDF vessels in apparent bid highlight shipbuilding prowess
Japan has offered cooperation in shipbuilding as a bargaining chip in its tariff negotiations with the United States.
The crowded center circle of the Kansai Pavilion at the Osaka Expo, featuring photos and videos of various prefectures
Osaka Expo highlights uniqueness of Kansai region
By Sakurako Nakagawa
The Kansai Pavilion offers numerous experiences to allow visitors to understand the rich history and culture of the region.
Prime Minister Ishiba aims to advance U.S. tariff talks with G7 summit in mind
Narita Airport eyes completion of third runway by early 2029
Emperor attends tree-planting festival and calls for nurturing healthy forests
Families demand North Korea return all Japanese abductees

BUSINESS

Lee Jae-myung, the presidential candidate for South Korea's Democratic Party, prepares for the second televised debate for the upcoming presidential election in Seoul on Friday.
South Korea presidential front-runner Lee suggests extending U.S. tariff talks
Lee Jae-myung said the deadline to reach a deal needs to be reconsidered to find a mutually beneficial agreement between the two allies.
A worker walks near a fishing vessel under maintenance at the Kidoura Zosen K.K. shipyard in Kesennuma, Miyagi Prefecture.
Japan looks to use U.S. shipbuilding cooperation as card in tariff talks
By highlighting its cooperative stance toward the United States, the Japanese government hopes to fend off U.S. tariffs.
Tariff crossfire hits Toyota, Nissan and Ford suppliers in Japan
By Maki Shiraki and Daniel Leussink
Honda to boost hybrid vehicle production in U.S.
U.S. and Japan eye June G7 leaders’ summit for possible tariff deal
By Francis Tang
Trump announces Nippon Steel-U.S. Steel ‘partnership’ deal
By Francis Tang

WORLD

People take shelter inside a subway station in Kyiv during a Russian military strike on Sunday.
Russia launches war's largest air attack on Ukraine, killing 12 people
The dead included three children in the northern region of Zhytomyr, local officials there said.
Posters, flowers, and letters are placed at a memorial honoring victims of police violence in George Floyd Square in Minneapolis on May 18.
George Floyd's uncertain legacy is marked five years on
Americans on Sunday mark five years since George Floyd was killed by a U.S. police officer, as President Donald Trump backtracks on reforms designed to tackle racism.
Did George Floyd protesters miss their moment for change?
Rescuers say nine children of Gaza doctor couple killed in Israeli strike
Trump 'on brand' with anti-woke rant at army officer graduation
Syria reboots interior ministry as Damascus seeks to reassure West

Sports

Modern pentathlete Ayumu Saito competes in the laser run at nationals in 2022.
2028 Olympic hopeful giving modern pentathlon some time in the sun in Japan
By Mai Yoshikawa
As modern pentathlon takes on a Japanese flavor with a "Sasuke"-inspired event, Ayumu Saito is working to raise the sport’s profile in Japan.
Onosato set for yokozuna promotion after clinching Emperor’s Cup
Timberwolves set team playoff record in rout of Thunder
Liverpool's Salah named Premier League player of the season
How 'calm' Arsenal dethroned Barcelona in women's Champions League

Opinion

The U.S. military’s longstanding dominance is eroding as China exploits its vulnerabilities with cheaper, faster and smarter warfare, demanding urgent American reinvention in energy, logistics and artificial intelligence.
America’s hard power must get harder — quickly
Todd G. Buchholz and Michael Mindlin
Aircraft carriers and fighter jets look a lot less stealthy in a world of limitless drones and autonomous submarines.
America’s 'wolf warriors' are getting it all wrong in Asia
By Karishma Vaswani
Harvard is fighting for much more than foreign students
By Noah Feldman
How China’s soft power is rewriting Asian culture
By Brabim Karki
Rice price uproar intensifies ruling party's election fears

ENVIRONMENT

A partially submerged car is seen in the aftermath of Typhoon Hagibis, in Nagano Prefecture in October 2019. The Weather Attribution Center Japan, which was founded Tuesday, aims to publicize the results of its climate attribution assessment within days of a typhoon, torrential rain or extreme heat.
When extreme weather hits, Japan scientists will have faster answers on climate links
By Tomoko Otake
The Weather Attribution Center will aim to publish concrete links between global warming and extreme weather events within days, rather than months.
'Serious problem': Afghan capital losing race against water shortages
By Susannah Walden
Fires drive tropical forest loss to 'red alert' record high
By Julien MIVIELLE
The U.K.’s clean power future relies on a 100-year-old technology
By Eamon Farhat
Polar bear biopsies shed light on Arctic pollutants
By Olivier MORIN and Etienne FONTAINE

CULTURE

Director Jafar Panahi, Palme d'Or award winner for the film "Un simple accident" ("It Was Just an Accident"), poses during a photocall after the closing ceremony of the 78th Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France.
Iranian filmmaker Panahi urges 'freedom' as he wins top prize at Cannes
By Adam PLOWRIGHT and Fiachra Gibbons
The dissident filmmaker's "Un Simple Accident" tells the tale of five Iranians confronted with a man they believed tortured them in jail.
Japan's Seto wins International Critics Award at Cannes
Truth is slippery in ‘Suspicion,’ a detective story based on a true crime
By Kris Kosaka
At Cannes, Fukada spotlights J-pop’s ban on idol romance
By Adam PLOWRIGHT
LGBTQ Thai ghost story wins prize in Cannes
By Alice Hackman

LIFE

The Hokkaido East Trail links some of the northern prefecture's most striking national parks and landscapes.
In search of untouched Japan? Meet Hokkaido’s newest hiking trail.
By Justin Randall
The 410-kilometer Hokkaido East Trail links three national parks as it winds through marshland, calderas and more.
Tokyo's top bites — in a suburban mall food court
By Robbie Swinnerton
As spring unfolds, sea bream turns into a prized catch
By Makiko Itoh
Jeremy Strong brings male power-dressing to Cannes
By Adam PLOWRIGHT
Uh-oh, is the rest of the world making JRPGs better than Japan?
By Owen Ziegler

COMMUNITY

Born and raised in Japan, Joshua Thomson has been making videos on YouTube and Instagram to poke fun at stereotypes and challenge assumptions about — or from — Japanese society.
Joshua Thomson: ‘Comedy is a pill that’s easier to swallow’
By Laura Pollacco
The bilingual YouTuber talks about his hybrid cultural heritage and his aspirations in the entertainment industry.
Tuxedo cat Cupcake is a special treat
Detroit-Nagoya network empowers women-owned businesses around the world
By Jessica Kozuka
Ayano Kikuchi: ‘People need to take care of themselves holistically’
By Olivia Boissel
Kotomi Li: 'I refuse to choose death'
By Kat Joplin

Editors' Picks

LIFE
Manga translators walk a fine line between meaning and mayhem
By Eric Margolis
Not only is the drawing of each frame an important part of the manga-making process, translation has increasingly demanded more attention as the art form gains popularity overseas.
CULTURE
AI fiction is already here. Are humans ready?
By Thu-Huong Ha
After last year’s controversy over using AI to write about 5% of her novel, Rie Qudan was asked by an advertising magazine to write a short story where she uses AI for 95% of it. The resulting short story, “Kage no ame” (“Rain Shadow”), was published March 25.  
CULTURE
Six short films that capture our world in mere minutes
By Mark Schilling
“Marion” provides a glimpse into the lives of bull dodgers, who perform a nonlethal version of bullfighting.
JAPAN
As Taiwan looks to boost ‘unofficial ties,’ Paraguay’s leader offers facilitator role
By Gabriel Dominguez
Paraguayan President Santiago Pena speaks during an interview with The Japan Times in Tokyo on Thursday.
JAPAN
GCAP next-gen fighter joint venture likely to be running by this summer
By Gabriel Dominguez
A concept model of the Global Combat Air Program's fighter jet is displayed during the DSEI Japan defense exhibition in the city of Chiba on Wednesday.

Podcast

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

Longform

A sinkhole in Yashio, which emerged in January, was triggered by a ruptured, aging sewer pipe. Authorities worry that similar sections of infrastructure across the country are also at risk of corrosion.
That sinking feeling: Japan’s aging sewers are an infrastructure time bomb
By Alex K.T. Martin

JT Directory Service

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SUSTAINABLE JAPAN

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Fujitsu crafts sustainable innovation for itself, society

WHAT’S TRENDING

JAPAN
Travelers avoid trips to Japan over viral comic book’s quake prediction
Visitors walk along Nakamise-dori as they visit Sensoji temple in Tokyo's Asakusa district in March.
COMMENTARY
How China’s soft power is rewriting Asian culture
By Brabim Karki
Mixue, a Chinese bubble tea chain, has become the world’s largest food and beverage chain, with tens of thousands of stores all over Asia. The company is just one example of the increasing reach and popularity of Chinese cultural exports across the globe.
BUSINESS
Trump announces Nippon Steel-U.S. Steel ‘partnership’ deal
By Francis Tang
U.S. President Donald Trump points as he boards Air Force One en route to New Jersey, at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, on Friday.
LIFE
In search of untouched Japan? Meet Hokkaido’s newest hiking trail.
By Justin Randall
The Hokkaido East Trail links some of the northern prefecture's most striking national parks and landscapes.
SUMO
Onosato set for yokozuna promotion after clinching Emperor’s Cup
Onosato after defeating Kotozakura at Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo on Friday. The win gave him a 13-0 record and clinched the Emperor's Cup, assuring him of promotion to yokozuna next week.