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October 17, 2025
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October 17, 2025
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Former Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama speaks during an interview in Tokyo in March 2007.
Breaking News
JAPAN / Politics
Former PM Tomiichi Murayama dies at age 101
By Eric Johnston
Murayama, who led a coalition government from June 1994 to January 1996 as the leader of the Japan Socialist Party, died on Friday in his native Oita. He was 101.
Former Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama speaks during an interview in Tokyo in March 2007.
The Tokyo High Court held that, “even taking the woman’s consent into account” for sharing her personal information, the officers breached their duty of care and acted unlawfully.
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Tokyo ordered to pay damages to South Asian woman over police response
A park dispute led police officers to provide the woman’s personal details to a man who went on to make abusive social media posts against her.
Liberal Democratic Party head Sanae Takaichi (second from right) and Nippon Ishin no Kai co-leader Fumitake Fujita (second from left) meet in Tokyo on Thursday.
JAPAN / Politics
LDP and Nippon Ishin fine-tuning deal to form coalition
By Gabriele Ninivaggi
While the two sides have a similar policy agenda, they also share an ideological likeness that lowers the bar for a potential tie-up.
Visitors look at airborne weapons displayed at a booth of Aviation Industry Corporation of China at the China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition, or Zhuhai Airshow, in Zhuhai, China, in November 2018.
ASIA PACIFIC / ANALYSIS
Russian training could help Chinese paratroopers play key role in a Taiwan invasion
By Gabriel Dominguez
Leaked documents indicate that Russia is training and equipping Chinese units to potentially airdrop onto the island to clear a path for follow-on forces.
Chloe Zhao’s "Hamnet"
CULTURE / Film
What you need to see at this year's Tokyo film festival
By James Hadfield, Mark Schilling and Matt Schley
From slow cinema and satire to moving biopics and restorations of classics, the TIFF lineup has something for every cinephile.
Chloe Zhao’s "Hamnet"

JAPAN

Crowds attend a Sanseito rally in the city of Saitama during the Upper House election.
Doctrine forms the core of Sanseito’s strategy, with some caveats
By Gabriele Ninivaggi
Its adherence to doctrine makes it resemble older parties with strong organizational structures and voting blocs rather than smaller populist ones.
The Tokyo Metropolitan Government plans to extend the Oedo Line northwest with three new stations in Nerima Ward to improve rail access in underserved areas.
Tokyo's Oedo Line to expand northwest improving access for Nerima Ward
By Yukana Inoue
Three new stations in the predominantly residential ward will improve rail access in areas of the capital currently underserved by public transportation.
Takaichi sends offering to Yasukuni Shrine but will not visit
By Kyoko Hasegawa
Seven key members of major bank account brokerage ring arrested
Digitized sounds unveiled of piano that survived atomic bombing of Hiroshima
Race to secure 2025 rice crop heats up, lifting prices

BUSINESS

Bank of Japan Gov. Kazuo Ueda (left) speaks during a news conference in Washington on Thursday.
Ueda keeps door open for BOJ rate hike as decision nears
By Erica Yokoyama
Financial markets reflect a narrow chance of a rate hike at the end of this month.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent speaks during a press conference in Washington on Wednesday.
Trump declares U.S.-China trade war as Bessent floats long truce
By Daniel Flatley and Jennifer A Dlouhy
The dueling remarks underscored the whiplash investors have felt as tensions have flared in the relationship between Washington and Beijing.
Sweden's cashless society could be more vulnerable to hybrid war attacks
By Evelina Youcefi
Mitsui E&S bullish about full-year profits on engines and U.S. crane demand
By Reina Sasaki
Japan gets highest-yielding yen bond this year with Rakuten deal
By Takahiko Hyuga
Carmakers push to secure chips as China trade spat escalates
By Monica Raymunt, Christina Kyriasoglou and William Wilkes

WORLD

Former U.S. national security adviser John Bolton has been indicted on charges of mishandling classified information.
Trump's ex-national security adviser charged with mishandling classified info
By Sarah N. Lynch and Jack Queen
John Bolton served as White House national security adviser during Trump's first term as U.S. president before emerging as one of his most vocal critics.
Royal Thai soldiers stand guard at an area along the Thai-Cambodian border in August.
Thai princess calls for Cambodian border wall amid row with neighbor
By Randy Thanthong-Knight
The call follows a territorial dispute between the two countries that escalated into deadly clashes earlier this year.
In surprise move, head of U.S. military for Latin America to step down
By Phil Stewart and Idrees Ali
MI5 chief frustrated by collapse of China spying case in U.K.
By Michael Holden
Trump says if Hamas keeps killing, there is ‘no choice but to go in’
By Skylar Woodhouse
Trump to meet Putin in Budapest to discuss war in Ukraine
By Skylar Woodhouse and Natalia Drozdiak

Sports

Masanori Murakami became the first MLB player from Japan when he made his debut with the Giants on Sept 1, 1964.
New film explores how Japan and the U.S. found common ground through baseball
By Jason Coskrey
Baseball has been a shared love between Japan and the United States for over 150 years — a sport that has connected the nations despite disagreements large and small.
Joe Flacco outplays Aaron Rodgers as Bengals edge Steelers
Naomi Osaka pulls out of Japan Open quarterfinal with injury
Dodgers down Brewers to take 3-0 series lead
Djokovic has no plans to retire, inspired by Ronaldo, LeBron and Brady
By Trevor Stynes

Opinion

Jon Heese (second left) takes part in a 2024 New Year's nihonshu barrel opening ceremony.
Why I chose Japanese citizenship over permanent residency
Jon Heese
It may be adequate for some residents’ purposes, but when the chips are down, many will be shocked at just how few protections it offers.
The Sino-U.S. economic cage match heats up
By Imran Khalid
A negotiator’s nightmare in Nagatacho
By Michael MacArthur Bosack
Asia can learn from Europe’s immigration mistakes
By Waka Ikeda
China’s visa uproar is part of a DeepSeek illusion
By Juliana Liu

ENVIRONMENT

Greenpeace activists hold signs reading "COP30 act for forests,” during the ministerial preparatory meeting, ahead of the COP30 climate summit, in Brasilia, Brazil on Monday.
Trump’s team weighs COP attendance, but influence looms either way
By David Sherfinski
Experts say whatever decision the U.S. makes, its action or inaction will have a major impact.
Europe's bees and butterflies at risk, conservation body says
U.K. spearheads polar climate change research as U.S. draws back
By Joe JACKSON
At Osaka Expo, gas giants promote a greener future. But is it a lot of hot air?
By Joel Tansey
Indonesia says no to scrap metal after shrimp radiation scare
By Chandra Asmara

CULTURE

Melissa Schriek portrays the city it as a safe place of emotional connection and play between people, influenced partially by her background in dance and gymnastics.
T3 Photo Festival reframes cityscape as nature
By John L. Tran
This year’s photography festival plants exhibitions all around central Tokyo with photos that showcase urban landscapes under the theme “City as Garden.”
Oscar-buzzy 'Hamnet' changed me, actress Jessie Buckley says
By Hanna Rantala
‘Transcending Dimensions’: A wild trip to enlightenment
By James Hadfield
‘The Sickness Unto Love’: Teen romance spirals into dark cruelty
By Mark Schilling
D'Angelo, trailblazing neo-soul singer, dies at 51
By Jasper Ward and Danielle Broadway

LIFE

While Kyoto's Kiyomizu Temple is a famous spot for viewing the autumn foliage, Japan has no shortage of colorful forests.
The what, where and when of Japan’s autumn leaves
By Eric Margolis
Autumn in Japan is a lesson in color and language — learn how to ask the right questions when it comes to hunting fall foliage.
How Japan’s greatest psychological horror game came home
By Gendel Gento
Mass-produced AI podcasts disrupt a fragile industry
By Thomas URBAIN
Pokemon brushes up decades-old formula with Legends: Z-A
A bitter pale ale from Yokohama finds a sweet win at World Beer Awards
By Jeremy Wilgus

COMMUNITY

Chris Glenn (right) will play Oda Nobunaga, known as one of Japan’s three great unifiers, in the 71st annual Nagoya Festival on Oct. 18 and 19.
A samurai-loving radio host prepares to become Oda Nobunaga for a day
By Gendel Gento
Nagoya-based radio host Chris Glenn will portray warlord Oda Nobunaga, becoming the first non-Japanese to join the city’s historic parade.
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
Student groups nurture Japan-South Korea dialogue and cultural ties
By Moe Shimizu
Linda Joyce: ‘We hope people recognize the benefits of exploring rural areas’
By Louise George Kittaka

Editors' Picks

JAPAN
As they wrestle for power, Japan’s political parties must remember their base
By Eric Johnston
Rengo's head Tomoko Yoshino speaks to reporters in Tokyo on Oct. 8.
SUMO
Sumo is about to hit London and the West with a force previously unseen
By John Gunning
Preparations advance on Monday for the Grand Sumo Tournament at the Royal Albert Hall in London.
JAPAN
Number of scenarios now on the table for who might be Japan’s next prime minister
By Eric Johnston
Newly-elected leader of Japan's Liberal Democratic Party Sanae Takaichi (right) celebrates with Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba after winning the LDP leadership election in Tokyo on October 4.
BUSINESS
Pace eyes great strides for Japan’s art market
By Elizabeth Beattie
Pace Japan Vice President Kyoko Hattori, the de facto head of the nation’s business, believes a larger, more lucrative art market will allow Japan to be more attractive for collectors.
JAPAN
A frenetic diplomatic schedule looms for Japan’s next leader — whomever that may be
By Jesse Johnson
As horse-trading and speculation surge over who will be elected the next prime minister in parliament — the ruling Liberal Democratic Party's Sanae Takaichi or a possible candidate put forward by a unified opposition — Japan’s next leader will be confronted with a quick succession of key diplomatic events.

Podcast

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

Longform

Rock group The Yellow Monkey played K-Arena Yokohama in June as part of a nationwide tour. Concerts are increasingly popular in the age of social media as users value in-person experiences.
Inside Japan’s arena boom: Sports, sound and city-building
By Patrick St. Michel

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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
Coalition talks could bring Takaichi closer to being PM
By Kanako Takahara and Himari Semans
Nippon Ishin no Kai leader and Osaka Gov. Hirofumi Yoshimura meets with Liberal Democratic Party President Sanae Takaichi in Tokyo on Wednesday.
BUSINESS
Trump declares U.S.-China trade war as Bessent floats long truce
By Daniel Flatley and Jennifer A Dlouhy
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent speaks during a press conference in Washington on Wednesday.
COMMENTARY
Asia can learn from Europe’s immigration mistakes
By Waka Ikeda
Refugees and migrants, mostly from Syria and Afghanistan, crowd a platform at a train station in Budapest in September 2015. Hungary's focus on pro-natalist policies and minimal immigration has led to a significant improvement in its fertility rate compared to Japan.
COMMENTARY
Singapore thrived in a U.S.-led world. Now what?
By Hal Brands
The aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt moors at Changi Naval Base in Singapore in April 2018.
SUMO
Sumo is about to hit London and the West with a force previously unseen
By John Gunning
Preparations advance on Monday for the Grand Sumo Tournament at the Royal Albert Hall in London.