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April 30, 2025
The Independent Voice in Asia
April 30, 2025
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U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick listens to U.S. President Donald Trump speak during an even to to sign executive orders in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington on April 23.
BUSINESS / Markets
Trump eases auto tariff burden as Lutnick touts foreign trade deal
By David Lawder, Andrea Shalal and Kalea Hall
A group representing Toyota, Volkswagen, Hyundai and nine other foreign automakers said Trump's order provided some relief but that "more must be done."
U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick listens to U.S. President Donald Trump speak during an even to to sign executive orders in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington on April 23.
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. stands beside Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba during the singing of the national anthem at Malacanang Palace in Manila on Tuesday.
JAPAN / Politics
‘Almost like allies’: Tokyo and Manila eye two more defense pacts
By Gabriel Dominguez
The Japanese and Philippine leaders agreed to launch talks on both a military intelligence-sharing pact and a deal to allow their armed forces to share fuel, food and services.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi attends the BRICS Meeting of Ministers of Foreign Affairs in Rio de Janeiro on Monday.
WORLD / Politics
At BRICS meeting, China vows to stand firm against ‘bully’ Trump
By Josh Xiao
On Tuesday, China’s Foreign Minister warned BRICS nations not to cave to U.S. tariffs, urging resistance to pressure amid growing trade tensions.
Sony is considering spinning off its semiconductor unit, sources say.
BUSINESS / Companies
Sony weighs chip spinoff that Dan Loeb called for years ago
The chip business makes industry-leading image sensors that go into cameras inside Apple and Xiaomi phones.
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.
COMMUNITY / Issues / The Foreign Element
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.
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.

JAPAN

Liberal Democratic Party Policy Chief Itsunori Onodera (center) speaks at a think tank event Monday in Washington.
Japan worries Trump tariffs will push countries toward China
By Erica Yokoyama
Many nations are looking to negotiate with the U.S. over the Trump administration’s reciprocal tariffs, which could undermine security in the region.
Michiko Takagaki talks about the personal items she has displayed of a relative who died in the U.S. atomic bombing of Hiroshima, in Fuchu, Hiroshima Prefecture, on April 26.
Items of an A-bomb victim who died the day he enlisted to be displayed
Just 15 minutes after enlisting in the now-defunct Imperial Japanese military, an atomic bomb was dropped some 700 meters from where he stood.
Kabuki actor Kikunosuke assumes the name Onoe Kikugoro VIII
U.S. forces and Okinawa officials to meet in May to address local concerns
Technology institute warns of digital device accidents amid a series of fires
Foreign tourists get taught the Japanese high school experience
By Tom Bateman and Rocky Swift

BUSINESS

Sunset at Dudley Page Reserve, in Dover Heights, Sydney, on April 21
Australia’s economic ‘miracle’ is ending no matter who wins vote
By Swati Pandey and Ben Westcott
Polls suggest the May 3 election will be tight, with many pundits predicting the winner will lead a minority government.
The Framework for Artificial Intelligence Diffusion was issued by the U.S. Department of Commerce a week before the end of the Biden administration. The Trump administration is now trying to alter it.
Trump officials eye changes to Biden's AI chip export rule
By Karen Freifeld
Removing the tier system could open the door to using U.S. chips as an even more powerful negotiating tool in trade talks.
Amazon denies tariff label pivot after Trump called to complain
By Swati Pandey, Ben Westcott, Skylar Woodhouse and Matt Day
Japan's carmakers face consolidation amid tariffs, China's rise, says hedge fund
By Yasutaka Tamura
Japan's factory output falls in sign of frailty before tariffs
By Toru Fujioka
Brazil's would-be cocoa king aims to revolutionize industry with giant farm
By Marcelo Teixeira

WORLD

A trader kicks a picture of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a protest in Karachi on Tuesday.
Pakistan says India planning strike as tensions rise after Kashmir attack
On April 22, 26 men were killed in the tourist hub of Pahalgam in Indian-administered Kashmir, in the deadliest attack on civilians in the contested region in years.
U.S. President Donald Trump at his 100th day rally in Michigan on Tuesday
Trump bashes Powell and touts tariffs at rally marking 100 days
By Jennifer A Dlouhy
The president’s denunciation came even though earlier this month he said he did not plan to fire the central bank chief.
Chinese navy patrols South China Sea, saying Philippines creating 'disturbances'
Xi is trying to turn world against U.S. as Trump cuts deals
Carney’s plan to manage Trump: Keep calm, find new friends
By Brian Platt and Layan Odeh
Sweden stunned by new deadly gun attack
By Johannes LEDEL

Sports

Al-Ahli's Edouard Mendy (left) and Abdullah Abdo celebrate after defeating Al-Hilal in the semifinals of the Asian Champions League on Tuesday in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Al-Ahli's Ibanez heaps praise on coach Jaissle after reaching Asian final
By Michael Church
The 37-year-old was believed to be on his way out of the club in January after a string of disappointing results in the Saudi Pro League.
Dembele sinks Arsenal as PSG seizes edge in Champions League semifinal
By Steven Griffiths
Zverev crashes as Swiatek scrapes into Madrid Open quarterfinals
By Reem Abulleil
Japan and Malaysia ease through to Sudirman Cup quarterfinals
Arsenal ambitions go beyond semifinals, says Arteta

Opinion

Demonstrators hold a rally against U.S. President Donald Trump's attacks on Harvard University at its campus in Cambridge, Massachusetts, on April 17.
Stop scaring future world leaders off U.S. campuses
Andreas Kluth
To the extent that a U.S. education gets others to think as Americans think, it is the ideal tool of soft power
How to make America truly 'Great Again'
By Sergiy Korsunsky
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

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.
Trump administration targets scientists behind key climate assessment
By Valerie Volcovici
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

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.
China’s first K-pop concert in years signals efforts to mend ties
By Hyonhee Shin and Shinhye Kang
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

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

MORE SPORTS
Could this be Japan’s year at the Kentucky Derby?
By Jason Coskrey
Christophe Lemaire rides Admire Daytona, who was bred in Japan, during the UAE Derby at Meydan Racecourse in Dubai on April 5.
BUSINESS
Counting the reasons why there are so few American cars in Japan
By Kazuaki Nagata
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.
BASEBALL
Shohei Ohtani's example could change Japan's views on paternity leave
By Mai Yoshikawa
Shohei Ohtani and Mamiko Tanaka announced the birth of their first child on April 19.
JAPAN
Nearly half of workers in Japan engage in ‘quiet quitting’
By Yukana Inoue
"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.
JAPAN
U.S. secretary of the navy weighs ‘dual-use’ shipbuilding with Japan
By Gabriel Dominguez
John Phelan at a Senate confirmation hearing for U.S. secretary of the navy in Washington in February

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

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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

ENVIRONMENT
If the 'Big One' hits, this city could face a 31-meter-high tsunami
By Alex K.T. Martin
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.
BUSINESS
Counting the reasons why there are so few American cars in Japan
By Kazuaki Nagata
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.
BASEBALL
Shohei Ohtani's example could change Japan's views on paternity leave
By Mai Yoshikawa
Shohei Ohtani and Mamiko Tanaka announced the birth of their first child on April 19.
JAPAN
Nearly half of workers in Japan engage in ‘quiet quitting’
By Yukana Inoue
"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.
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.