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May 05, 2025
The Independent Voice in Asia
May 05, 2025
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Amid shortages, the price of a 5-kilogram bag of rice during the week of April 14 was ¥4,220.
JAPAN
Why are rice prices still high in Japan?
By Yukana Inoue
The average price of 5 kilograms of rice in mid-April was ¥4,220 — more than double what it cost around the same time last year.
Amid shortages, the price of a 5-kilogram bag of rice during the week of April 14 was ¥4,220.
Phillip Vincent (right), Japan CEO of Plug and Play, and Ma Jingqian, head of ventures, at Plug and Play's Tokyo office, last month
BUSINESS / Companies
Plug and Play wants to help Japanese startups go global
By Kazuaki Nagata
The Japanese government is aggressively supporting startups, and large companies are seeking more opportunities to bet on entrepreneurs.
Hideyuki Shirai (center) at Tokyo's Haneda Airport on Saturday
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Police arrest man after body of ex-girlfriend found under his home
The victim, a 20-year-old ex-girlfriend of the suspect, had made multiple reports to the Kanagawa police department last year.
Frontale players grimace during the final of the Asian Champions League on Saturday in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Kawasaki lost 2-0 against heavily favored Al-Ahli.
SOCCER
Kawasaki can hold its head high after spirited Asian Champions League effort
By Sean Carroll
For Frontale, a 2-0 defeat against a squad worth an estimated $200 million — playing in front of almost 60,000 of its own fans at its home stadium — is nothing to be ashamed of.
Dangami House is a 180-year-old former samurai residence of the Kato clan, who ruled over Ozu, Ehime Prefecture, until the Meiji Restoration.
JAPAN / Society / Longform
A house, a legacy and the quiet work of restoration in rural Japan
By Hanako Lowry
How one artist is using history, culture and community spirit to revive a fading samurai legacy — and possibly reshape rural Japan’s future.
Dangami House is a 180-year-old former samurai residence of the Kato clan, who ruled over Ozu, Ehime Prefecture, until the Meiji Restoration.

JAPAN

Osaka police arrested Yuki Yazawa for attempted murder after he allegedly plowed his car into elementary school children in Osaka on Thursday. department is investigating how and why the 28-year-old suspect,
Suspect who hit Osaka children with SUV said he disliked people living without hardship
The Osaka Prefectural Police Department is investigating how and why the 28-year-old suspect, Yuki Yazawa, committed the assault.
Japanese companies including Shiseido are stepping up their rejuvenation and antiaging research.
Japanese firms stepping up rejuvenation and anti-aging research
If technology and related products are developed, they can become powerful weapons to help people maintain health and regain their youth.
Rallies held on Japan's Constitution Day
Temple master takes unconventional approach to matchmaking
Manhole cover designs recognized as tourism assets in Japan
China Coast Guard helicopter enters Japanese airspace near Senkakus
By Jesse Johnson

BUSINESS

Phillip Vincent (right), Japan CEO of Plug and Play, and Ma Jingqian, head of ventures, at Plug and Play's Tokyo office, last month
Plug and Play wants to help Japanese startups go global
By Kazuaki Nagata
The Japanese government is aggressively supporting startups, and large companies are seeking more opportunities to bet on entrepreneurs.
Workers operate sewing machines at a Thai Son S.P. garment factory in Binh Thuan province, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, on April 10. For more than 70 years, many emerging nations, especially in Asia, have become the low-cost manufacturer to the U.S., the world’s biggest consumer.
Global factories struggle to overcome Trump tariffs and uncertainty
By Craig Stirling
Purchasing manager indexes across Asia, along with revised numbers in Europe, showed new or persisting contractions in factory activity in April.
Dollar’s decline is fueling dislocations across Asian currencies
By Tian Chen
Buffett vows long-term investment in Japanese traders
Auto workers welcome Trump tariffs, no matter the fate of Wall Street
By David Welch
Warren Buffett to retire from Berkshire Hathaway by year's end

WORLD

President Donald Trump speaks to reporters on the South Lawn of the White House before departing Washington en route to Michigan for back-to-back events on the 100th day of his second term, on April 29.
'I don't know': Trump pleads ignorance on the supreme law of the land
In an interview, Donald Trump said he wasn’t sure if he’s obligated to uphold the Constitution. The remarks, tied to his deportation policies, drew criticism from legal experts.
Palestinians receive food cooked by a charity kitchen in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, on April 29.
Hamas executes looters in Gaza as food crisis worsens under Israeli blockade
By Nidal al-Mughrabi
Hamas officials have accused some of the looters of working in collaboration with Israel, which has sealed off aid from entering Gaza.
Albanese landslide offers rare chance to fix Australia’s economy
By Swati Pandey
Israel fails to intercept Houthi missile, vows harsh response
China's Xi to visit Russia for Victory Day events and talks with Putin
By Jesse Johnson
Easy vote turns Musk's dreams for Starbase city in Texas into reality

Sports

Naomi Osaka pumps her fist during a match at the Australian Open in January. On Sunday, the former world No. 1 earned her first title since becoming a mother.
Osaka wins first WTA title since becoming a mother
The win at a smaller WTA 125 event was also the Japanese star's first-ever title on clay.
'Lucky number seven' for Ruud after beating Draper to clinch Madrid Open
Piastri completes hat trick of wins to stretch F1 championship lead
'Like a dream' says dominant Sabalenka after third Madrid title
Alvarez outpoints Scull to reclaim undisputed super middleweight championship

Opinion

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent (right) speaks during an Oval Office meeting on April 24 with President Donald Trump, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store (not pictured) to discuss tariffs.
A turning point in trade: The U.S. effort to reverse global imbalances
Sayuri Shirai
This large trade imbalance is also the primary driver of the U.S. current account deficit, largely due to the gap in goods trade.
Cake shop workers, police officers high on dream job list in Japan
The Oracle of Omaha caps a career built on humility
By Jonathan Levin
Why is Trump unilaterally dismantling U.S. defenses?
By Jill Kastner and William C. Wohlforth
Japan Inc. cautiously optimistic despite rising uncertainty
By Hitoshi Suzuki

ENVIRONMENT

A solar panel on display at a home improvement center in Bangkok
U.S. solar tariffs could drive Asia transition boom
By Sara Hussein
China makes eight out of every 10 solar panels globally, and controls 80% of every stage of the manufacturing process.
'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
Trump administration targets scientists behind key climate assessment
By Valerie Volcovici
If the 'Big One' hits, this city could face a 31-meter-high tsunami
By Alex K.T. Martin

CULTURE

The Adachi Institute has been working on creating brand new ukiyo-e prints in collaboration with contemporary artists such as Yayoi Kusama, whose “Mt. Fuji in Seven Colours: When life boundlessly flares up to the universe” (2014) can be seen on display at “Ukiyo-e in Play.”
'Ukiyo-e in Play' showcases traditional art carved anew
By Marigold Warner
The Adachi Institute of Woodcut Prints keeps age-old methods alive by creating ukiyo-e prints in collaboration with artisans and contemporary artists.
‘Blank Canvas’: 'Tough love' of the past isn't so funny anymore
By Mark Schilling
‘The Killer Goldfish’: The future of cinema, or just indie cosplay?
By James Hadfield
China’s first K-pop concert in years signals efforts to mend ties
By Hyonhee Shin and Shinhye Kang
‘Wildcat Dome’ challenges Japan's historical narratives
By Kris Kosaka

LIFE

Excitement for Nintendo's next console is high, but a vocal contingent of fans are voicing criticism over the company's pricing strategy.
‘Drop the price’: Behind the pushback on Nintendo’s Switch 2
By Owen Ziegler
Nintendo games have never been cheap, but the company seems to be nickel-and-diming more than ever with its new console.
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
Why the month of May feels tough and how language can help
By Yaeko Kabe
Expo '25 gives the world a masterclass in mascots
By Patrick St. Michel

COMMUNITY

Since 2017, Li Kotomi 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.
Li Kotomi: '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

LIFE
Want to see the future at the Osaka Expo? Get in line.
By Thu-Huong Ha
“‘Future of life,’ by Ishiguro,” the World Expo pavilion by roboticist Hiroshi Ishiguro, displays humanlike androids.
COMMUNITY
Li Kotomi: 'I refuse to choose death'
By Kat Joplin
Since 2017, Li Kotomi 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.
JAPAN
Despite shifts in Japan's political landscape, constitutional revision still far off
By Gabriele Ninivaggi
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has been a staunch advocate for constitutional reform.
SOCCER
Kawasaki can hold its head high after spirited Asian Champions League effort
By Sean Carroll
Frontale players grimace during the final of the Asian Champions League on Saturday in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Kawasaki lost 2-0 against heavily favored Al-Ahli.
LIFE
Japan’s ‘tabi’ sock mecca runs on thread and memories
By Aarohi Narain
A seamstress at Kineya Tabi sews together split-toe "tabi" socks, once a major industry for the town of Gyoda, Saitama Prefecture.

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 structure that used to house a samurai family that was part of the Kato clan that ruled over the area where Ozu, Ehime Prefecture, now exists.
A house, a legacy and the quiet work of restoration in rural Japan
By Hanako Lowry

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WHAT’S TRENDING

JAPAN
Britain responds after Expo 2025 afternoon tea brews outrage
The café space at the Osaka Expo's British pavilion
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.
BUSINESS
Inflation and high hotel prices curtail Golden Week travels
By Tomohiro Osaki
Travelers in front of a flight information panel in a departure hall at Haneda Airport in Tokyo on April 26
JAPAN
Man arrested over body found in bag in Kawasaki
Hideyuki Shirai (center) at Tokyo's Haneda Airport on Saturday
JAPAN
Japan ranks 66th in press freedom, lowest among G7
Japan climbed four positions from last year, with Reporters Without Borders noting that "the principles of media freedom and pluralism are generally respected" in the country.