Home page

 
Menu
Search
 
Menu
Search
Tokyo Weather 29℃
TOKYO
August 20, 2025
The Independent Voice in Asia
August 20, 2025
Nikkei
Trade deal
RUSSIA-UKRAINE WAR
Latest News
 

Today's print edition

Home Delivery
Subscribe for more access
Yoshihiko Noda, head of the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan (center) attends a Lower House session on Aug. 1. The former prime minister has signaled he’s ready to take his conciliatory approach to the government to new heights, hinting that the time for clashes with the Liberal Democratic Party is over.
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
CDP softens stance toward LDP in bid to bolster political center
By Gabriele Ninivaggi
“Right-wing populism has grown too strong,” CDP leader Yoshihiko Noda said. “Unless the center gains more strength, Japanese politics won’t improve.”
Yoshihiko Noda, head of the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan (center) attends a Lower House session on Aug. 1. The former prime minister has signaled he’s ready to take his conciliatory approach to the government to new heights, hinting that the time for clashes with the Liberal Democratic Party is over.
Two suspects arrested over the killing of two Japanese last week are held in restraints in Manila on Tuesday.
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Japanese man suspected of ordering double murder in Manila
The latest suspect is believed to have hired two men in the Philippines to kill the two Japanese nationals, possibly over a financial dispute.
U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said that a document on his country's trade deal with Japan is being prepared.
BUSINESS / Economy
Lutnick: Japan’s $550 billion will be directed by Trump
By Francis Tang
The U.S. commerce secretary said the funds promised by Tokyo in the course of tariff talks will be deployed to benefit the United States.
Defense Minister Gen Nakatani takes part in a welcome ceremony with his Turkish counterpart, Yasar Guler, at Turkey's Defense Ministry in Ankara on Tuesday.
JAPAN / Politics
Japanese, Turkish defense chiefs pledge industry tie-ups, as Tokyo eyes drones
By Jesse Johnson
While drones were not explicitly mentioned by either side in readouts of the meeting, they were believed to have featured prominently in discussions.
Students visit the Atomic Bomb Dome in Hiroshima’s Peace Memorial Park in late April. Attitudes in Japan are shifting away from the traditional pacifist views that have held sway since the end of World War II.
JAPAN / FOCUS
Trump shock spurs Japan to think about the unthinkable: nuclear arms
By Tim Kelly, John Geddie, Ju-min Park, Joyce Lee, Josh Smith and david lague
There is a growing willingness to loosen the country’s decades-old pledge not to produce, possess or host nuclear weapons in its territory.
Students visit the Atomic Bomb Dome in Hiroshima’s Peace Memorial Park in late April. Attitudes in Japan are shifting away from the traditional pacifist views that have held sway since the end of World War II.

JAPAN

High temperatures are forecast to last for another month in Japan, according to the weather agency.
Searing heat in Japan to persist for a month, boosting power use
By Mary Hui
A high-pressure system that keeps warm air near the surface has caused prolonged hot weather in Japan since June, the national weather forecaster said.
Police first suspected a bear attack, but multiple stab wounds on the victim's body pointed to homicide.
Police suspect son, not bear, behind man's death in Akita Prefecture
The case was reclassified as a homicide, and not a bear attack, after police discovered what appeared to be knife wounds on the victim's body.
Megaquake alert would urge 520,000 people to evacuate
Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya to visit Central Asia from Aug. 24
Government panel suggests Hepburn style romanization
Ishiba unveils new regional economic initiative as TICAD 9 conference begins

BUSINESS

Exports fell 2.6% in value in July from a year earlier, posting the biggest downturn since February 2021, led by cars, auto parts and steel.
Japan’s exports tumble most in four years as U.S. tariff pain intensifies
By Erica Yokoyama
Exports fell 2.6% in value from a year earlier, sliding more than the median forecast of a 2.1% decline, the Finance Ministry has reported.
A building in Kawasaki housing Toshiba's new headquarters
Japanese manufacturers moving headquarters out of central Tokyo
Toshiba, Fujitsu and other major manufacturers are moving elsewhere in response to the spread of remote work.
Japan's core machinery orders up 3.0% in June
U.S. targets Chinese steel and lithium for forced-labor scrutiny
By Jennifer A Dlouhy
Washington eyeing government stakes in chipmakers given CHIPS Act funds: sources
By Nandita Bose and Max A. Cherney
Tokyo stocks hit a fourth all-time high in six trading days
By Francis Tang

WORLD

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chiese President Xi Jinping in 2016. Modi has said he’s looking forward to meeting Xi during a visit China later this month — his first trip to the country in seven years.
Modi hails China ties as Washington takes swipe at India's 'richest families'
By Sudhi Ranjan Sen and Chiranjivi Chakraborty
New Delhi has been recalibrating its foreign policy more toward China and other BRICS group members after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to boost tariffs.
Local residents carry their belongings out of a heavily damaged residential building following a Russian strike in the town of Bilozerske, in Ukraine's Donetsk region, on Aug. 12.
U.S. and European planners start to craft Ukraine security guarantee options
One option being considered is sending European forces to Ukraine but putting the U.S. in charge of their command and control.
Syrian and Israeli diplomats met in Paris to discuss 'de-escalation,' report says
More Republican governors send National Guard to Washington, backing Trump
By Joseph Ax
Switzerland and Austria say they would host ICC-wanted Putin for peace talks
Texas lawmaker prepares for second night of redistricting protest in state Capitol
By Gerardo Gomez

Sports

A training session at Shikoroyama stable in June 2016. Sumo training sessions are increasingly simulated or the preserve of group tours.
Is sumo becoming a victim of its own popularity?
By John Gunning
In 2025, fans and tourists alike are all too often getting an experience that pales in comparison to what was previously possible.
Welsh winger Rees-Zammit felt he was wasting talent during NFL stint
By Pearl Josephine Nazare
Brazilian goalkeeper Fabio claims world record for most games
Yankees bash team-record-tying 9 homers in rout of Rays
Former cattle herder Wanyonyi ready to eclipse Rudisha
By Luke Phillips

Opinion

Russian and Chinese naval officers take part in a ceremony marking the start of joint naval drills in the Sea of Japan, following the arrival of Chinese military vessels in Vladivostok, Russia, on July 31.
Trump’s transactional policies threaten global stability
Anand Kumar
In Trump’s second term, economic protectionism now overrides strategic consistency, and trade wars are being used as tools of geopolitical leverage.
Currency dominance in the digital age
By Helene Rey
On economic policy, the White House is its own worst enemy
By Clive Crook
All is not quiet on the Western front
By Yuichi Hosoya
Demystifying the manufacturing success of China
By Zhang Jun

ENVIRONMENT

John Hume, the South African who bred the world’s biggest rhino herd, has for years campaigned unsuccessfully for the legalization of international trade in the animals’ horns.
Man who bred world’s biggest rhino herd charged with horn smuggling
By Antony Sguazzin
John Hume, 83, has for years campaigned unsuccessfully for the legalization of international trade in the animals’ horns.
Mozambique's illegal miners reap risky rewards but land suffers
By Samuel Come
Hong Kong scientist puts hope in nest boxes to save endangered cockatoos
By Jiaxing Li and Yan Zhao
Indonesia grapples with small-scale illegal gold mining
A startup is tapping underground parking garages for clean energy

CULTURE

The inverted cone, one of Atsushi Kitagawara’s six signature elements in architecture, is a key feature of the Nakamura Keith Haring Collection museum building.
Atsushi Kitagawara’s exhibition finds poetry in architecture
By Gendel Gento
Award-winning architect Kitagawara's work is displayed at the Nakamura Keith Haring Collection museum he designed, making it both a venue and a centerpiece of the exhibition.
‘Fires on the Plain’: Haunting imagery in restored 1959 war film stands the test of time
By Mark Schilling
'Kokuho' rakes in over ¥10 billion at the box office
Sho Miyake's 'Tabi to Hibi' wins top prize at Locarno Film Festival
Osaka Asian Film Festival gets an expo boost
By Matt Schley

LIFE

Beniya Mukayu, a traditional "ryokan" inn located in Ishikawa Prefecture, considers itself at "the heart of onsen towns, local residents, farmers, fishermen, sake brewers and artisans" — all of which need new, sustainable methods of serving visitors to survive into the future.
In preserving Japanese hospitality, ‘details are everything’
By Melinda Joe
As part of a new UNESCO initiative, the elite Relais & Chateau hospitality group will empower its Japan-based members to preserve the country’s “omotenashi” culture.
From a piquant paste to a crisp crust, sesame shines in many forms
By Simon Daly
A seaside hotel built on competitive Japanese cycling
By Jessica Kozuka
Reading the Japanese clock: Are times a-changin'?
By Peter Backhaus
In a coffee-mad neighborhood, a gin distillery is a clear alternative
By Melinda Joe

COMMUNITY

In honor of his longstanding ties and contributions to Japan's business, legal and nonprofit communities, Carl J. Green was awarded the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette in 2018.
Carl J. Green, mentor to a generation of ‘Japan hands,’ dies at 85
By Matthew Goodman
A lawyer and scholar with deep ties to Tokyo’s business and legal communities, Green opened the Ford Foundation’s Tokyo office.
Handsome cat looking for brighter days ahead
Solidarity with Tokyo’s homeless residents, one day at a time
By Shyam Bhardwa
Kindred spirits, kindergarten connections: From Buenos Aires to east Tokyo
By Francisco J. Villarreal
A campaign to preserve Hiroshima’s historic trees for another 1,000 years
By Patrick Parr

Editors' Picks

JAPAN
Tokyo crowned No.1 'workation' spot
By Elizabeth Beattie
Workations were a burgeoning trend in the corporate world for years before the COVID-19 pandemic turbocharged it.
BASEBALL
Candidates preparing to make final pitches for Sawamura Award
By Jason Coskrey
Hawks pitcher Livan Moinelo has a 1.13 ERA in 19 starts this season.
JAPAN
Winning warship bid gives Japan confidence boost as Tokyo eyes more exports
By Gabriel Dominguez
Australia’s decision to select Japan's upgraded Mogami-class warship, seen in this computer-generated image, has been “well received across Japanese industry," a Defense Ministry official said.
LIFE
In Paris, chefs Chizuko Kimura and Kei Kobayashi make their mark
By Kyoko Nakayama
Chef Kei Kobayashi is France's only Japanese chef with three Michelin stars.
LIFE
In preserving Japanese hospitality, ‘details are everything’
By Melinda Joe
Beniya Mukayu, a traditional "ryokan" inn located in Ishikawa Prefecture, considers itself at "the heart of onsen towns, local residents, farmers, fishermen, sake brewers and artisans" — all of which need new, sustainable methods of serving visitors to survive into the future.

Podcast

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

Longform

Members of the nonprofit group Japan Youth Memorial Association search for the remains of dead soldiers in a cave in Okinawa Prefecture in February.
The long search for Japan’s lost soldiers
By Tomoko Otake

JT Directory Service

SPECIAL SUPPLEMENTS note

Read more

SUPPLEMENTS BINDER

Ex.Portal By Synergy Media Specialists

SUSTAINABLE JAPAN

Looking ahead to Yokohama’s Green × Expo 2027
Looking ahead to Yokohama’s Green × Expo 2027

COMFACTS

Tsunan Sake Brewery Launches Limited-Edition “Yukigesho Castella” Featuring Sake Lees at “Tsunan Sake Brewery Sunflower Festival 2025”
Tsunan Sake Brewery Launches Limited-Edition “Yukigesho Castella” Featuring Sake Lees at “Tsunan Sake Brewery Sunflower Festival 2025”
TSUNAN SAKE BREWERY

WHAT’S TRENDING

JAPAN
JICA to designate four Japanese cities as 'hometowns' for African nations
By Yukana Inoue
The Japanese flag (left) with the flag of the African Union
JAPAN
Osaka fire kills two firefighters and leaves four injured
Firefighters work at the scene of a fire in the Dotonbori district in the city of Osaka on Monday.
JAPAN
Winning warship bid gives Japan confidence boost as Tokyo eyes more exports
By Gabriel Dominguez
Australia’s decision to select Japan's upgraded Mogami-class warship, seen in this computer-generated image, has been “well received across Japanese industry," a Defense Ministry official said.
JAPAN
Two Japanese nationals shot dead in Manila
Commuters cross the street through traffic in Manila.
BUSINESS
A factory town in crisis shows Japan’s fading manufacturing era
By Nicholas Takahashi
Nissan workers walk outside its Oppama plant in Yokosuka, Kanagawa Prefecture. Nissan plans to shut the plant by the end of fiscal 2027.