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April 26, 2025
The Independent Voice in Asia
April 26, 2025
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Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba speaks about U.S. tariffs in Tokyo last week.
BUSINESS / Economy
Japan doubles down on stimulus to counter effects of Trump tariffs
By Francis Tang
The government will implement measures that build on ones announced earlier with the aim of boosting domestic spending and shoring up corporate balance sheets.

More coverage

No discussion of yen target, Kato says after Bessent meeting
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba speaks about U.S. tariffs in Tokyo last week.
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba speaks during a discussion on the employment ice age generation in Tokyo on Friday.
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
‘Employment ice age generation’ returns to spotlight ahead of Upper House election
By Gabriele Ninivaggi
The generation, which graduated between 1993 and 2004, has long grappled with pay stagnation and irregular employment due to a tight labor market.
Amid U.S.-China trade tensions, the U.S. may be looking at Japan as a potential country to make up for a drop in corn exports to China.
BUSINESS / Economy
Japan looks to increase U.S. corn imports ahead of more tariff talks
By Yukana Inoue
The idea appears to be aimed at appeasing U.S. President Donald Trump's criticisms about Japan's tariffs and could be used as leverage in next week's bilateral negotiations.
Takahiro Fujii (center), the president of Try and E, and his lawyers speak during a news conference on Friday in Tokyo after a ruling was handed down in a case against Amazon Japan.
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Tokyo court fines Amazon Japan ¥35 million over counterfeit products
By Karin Kaneko
Presiding Judge Yuko Shintani deemed Amazon’s response to the issue to be “indicative of willful misconduct, or at the very least, gross negligence.”
A message using candles is seen during a memorial event held in the city of Amagasaki, Hyogo Prefecture, on Thursday ahead of the 20th anniversary of the 2005 Fukuchiyama Line derailment on Friday.
JAPAN
JR West marks 20 years since fatal derailment with renewed vow for safety
The 2005 Fukuchiyama Line derailment in the city of Amagasaki, Hyogo Prefecture, claimed 107 lives and injured more than 560 others.
A message using candles is seen during a memorial event held in the city of Amagasaki, Hyogo Prefecture, on Thursday ahead of the 20th anniversary of the 2005 Fukuchiyama Line derailment on Friday.

JAPAN

Satoshi Egura, who was accidentally swapped with another newborn at a Tokyo maternity hospital in 1958, speaks during a news conference after the Tokyo Metropolitan Government agreed to help him find his birth parents.
Tokyo government to search for birth parents of man switched as newborn
The Tokyo Metropolitan Government will begin a search for the birth parents of a 67-year-old man accidentally switched as a newborn at a now-closed maternity hospital.
Emissions from industry in fiscal 2023 declined 4.0% from the previous year, and those from households fell 6.8%, according to the Environment Ministry.
Japan's greenhouse gas emissions fall to a record low in fiscal 2023
The decrease came as the proportion of renewable and nuclear energy exceeded 30% of overall power sources and manufacturing activities slowed.
Government begins probe of Japan Post over improper driver checks
'Customer harassment' faced by 35% of local government officials
Potentially carcinogenic chemicals over standard at 242 sites in Japan
Government ordered to pay over sexual assault by lawmaker's former aide

BUSINESS

Toyota Motor Corp. Chairman Akio Toyoda after a meeting in Beijing last month
Toyota chairman proposes record buyout of its supplier at $42 billion valuation
By Reed Stevenson and Tsuyoshi Inajima
The proposal values Toyota Industries, which makes looms for textiles as well as parts for Toyota’s cars, at a premium of 40% over its closing stock price on Friday.
Stephen Dacus, incoming chief executive officer of Seven & I Holdings, speaks during an interview at the company's headquarters in Tokyo on Friday. Dacus plans to boost investments in its U.S. stores using cash from a planned listing of its American retail operations.
Seven & I’s new CEO plans aggressive investments in U.S. stores
By Kanoko Matsuyama
In addition to investing in its North America operations, Stephen Dacus is also looking to review the company’s supply chain globally.
Maruti Suzuki profit misses estimate on higher input costs
Nomura profit beats estimates on equity trading and dealmaking
By Takashi Nakamichi and Ryo Horiuchi
Tokyo prices rise most in two years, backing central bank's hike path
By Yoshiaki Nohara and Toru Fujioka
Nissan sees $5.3 billion red hole as restructuring losses mount
By Reed Stevenson

WORLD

South Korea's former President Moon Jae-in speaks during a meeting at the National Assembly in Seoul on Friday
Former South Korean leader Moon says bribery indictment is 'political'
By Hyunsu Yim
South Korean prosecutors indicted Moon for alleged bribery on Thursday, making him the latest former leader of the country to face legal troubles.
Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a meeting with heads of municipal entities in Moscow on Monday. Moscow has insisted that Ukraine largely demilitarize as a condition to end the war.
U.S. to demand Putin accept Ukraine’s right to military force
U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff will travel to Russia to raise the issue with Russian President Vladimir Putin, sources say.
Cash bonus for a year fighting Russia? Inside Ukraine's youth recruitment drive
By Anastasiia Malenko
U.S. eyes persecution claims as white South Africans seek resettlement
By Tim Cocks, Nellie Peyton, Ted Aljibe and Kristina Cooke
North Korean cyber spies created U.S. firms to dupe crypto developers
By A.J. Vicens, Anton Zverev and James Pearson
U.S. expected to press Japan and South Korea for support of Alaska LNG project

Sports

Sport climber Miho Nonaka competes during the Tokyo Games in Aomi Urban Sports Park in August 2021.
Beauty expert encourages female athletes to embrace game day glam
By Mai Yoshikawa
Beauty expert Miha Fukuoka believes sportswomen do not need to downplay their femininity to be taken seriously.
Singular focus for new boss Patrick Kisnorbo as Marinos face Ronaldo's Al-Nassr
By Michael Church
Jersey from Kobe Bryant's Lakers debut sells for $7 million
Thunder rally from 29 down to stun Grizzlies in Game 3
Furious Japan seeks apology after 'no basis' found for chairman's Asia Rugby ban

Opinion

Since Donald Trump’s return to the U.S. presidency, his rhetoric, tariffs and threats toward allies have helped boost left-leaning or anti-Trump candidates in elections around the world.
The 'Trump effect' on elections is just beginning, including in Japan
Joshua Kurlantzick
Since his inauguration, the new U.S. president seems to be creating a “Trump effect” on many, though not all, foreign elections.
Japan needs clarity as an antidote to contradictory tariffs
By Shin Oya
The Catholic church loses a lion
Trump’s tariff chaos could reverse 80 years of economic progress
By Anne O. Krueger
Creating the best possible climate models is existential
By Alexander Pui

ENVIRONMENT

A photo taken from a Norwegian surveillance aircraft shows Russian aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov in international waters off the coast of Norway in October 2016.
Global warming is a security threat and armies must adapt, experts say
Defense departments have already underscored that a warming planet poses major national security challenges, and militaries need to adapt to respond to these evolving threats.
Indonesia food plan risks 'world's largest' deforestation
By Marchio Gorbiano and Sara Hussein
Tentative tree planting 'decades overdue' in sweltering Athens
By John HADOULIS
Big bets on speculative carbon capture tech ignore today’s solutions
By Michelle Ma and Dave Merrill
Clean streets versus business woes: Pollution charge divides Londoners
By Akshata Kapoor

CULTURE

Once known only by his first name, Sasuke Haraguchi scrapped the pretension of a crafted image for bare authenticity. He’s now an in-demand electronic producer and artist in his own right.
Sasuke Haraguchi’s provocative soundtracks for digital natives
By Patrick St. Michel
The 21-year-old electronic producer and artist taps into the chaotic nature of modern online life.
‘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
The floor is art: Takuro Tamayama transforms mundanity
By Kim Kahan
Japan wanted a cultural do-over. Ado gave it one.
By Patrick St. Michel

LIFE

Kengo Kuma & Associates oversaw the construction of the Malaysia pavilion, which is encased in interwoven rows of bamboo that appear to ripple.
Built in a flash, Osaka Expo pavilions wrestle with sustainability
By Thu-Huong Ha
Architects of country pavilions speak on the challenges that shaped their design choices.
Craft Sake Week is back with its usual brand of cool
By Weiwen Lin
Thumbprint cookies with a tangy Japanese filling
By Simon Daly
Japan’s first Waldorf Astoria brings art deco luxury to Osaka
By Tan Pin Yen
Calling all Potterheads: ‘The Goblet of Fire’ comes to Tokyo
By Gendel Gento

COMMUNITY

Customers line up patiently for some early-afternoon baked goods outside Truffle, which is located close to Hiroo Station on the Hibiya Line.
How to spend the perfect day in Hiroo, Tokyo’s expat enclave
By Eric Margolis
A stroll through Hiroo reveals both the comforts of expat luxury and the quiet intrusions of a changing Tokyo.
Noriko Shakti: ‘Music reflects my journey and learnings’
By Miikka J. Lehtonen
Tokyo Humanities Cafe feeds hungry minds
By Jessica Kozuka
Montessori head educates Tokyo’s children for life
By Louise George Kittaka
How to navigate Japan’s e-commerce platforms and online flea markets
By Jessica Speed

Editors' Picks

BUSINESS
Amid uncertain tariffs, is now the time to buy a new iPhone?
By Elizabeth Beattie
An Apple store in Tokyo's Shibuya Ward in September. Prices for the newest iPhone models start at around ¥100,000 ($700) in Japan.
LIFE
Built in a flash, Osaka Expo pavilions wrestle with sustainability
By Thu-Huong Ha
Kengo Kuma & Associates oversaw the construction of the Malaysia pavilion, which is encased in interwoven rows of bamboo that appear to ripple.
BUSINESS
Japan weighs using U.S. rice imports as tariff negotiation tool with Trump
By Yukana Inoue
A restaurant owner pours California-grown Calrose rice into a rice cooker at his restaurant in Tokyo
JAPAN
Is Japan’s parliament ready to welcome more youth to its ranks?
By Gabriele Ninivaggi
Lower House lawmaker Kai Odake in his Tokyo office on Wednesday
LIFE
Crow meat, goat tartare: Mauvaise Herbe raises its game
By Andrew Lee
Crow meat, shaped into a ball and attached to a foot of the bird, is one of the peculiar offerings of game at Mauvaise Herbe.

Podcast

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

Longform

Visitors walk past Sou Fujimoto's Grand Ring, which has been recognized as the largest wooden structure in the world.
Can a World Expo still matter? Japan is about to find out.
By Tomoko Otake

JT Directory Service

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SUSTAINABLE JAPAN

Smile! It’s ‘Sanrio Time,’ now and ever after
Smile! It’s ‘Sanrio Time,’ now and ever after

WHAT’S TRENDING

JAPAN
Naked man’s rampage in Saitama linked to one fatality and 10 injured
Police believe Daisuke Nishimura may have been involved in roughly 20 incidents in the 90 minutes leading up to his arrest, including a fatal hit-and-run and multiple assaults.
JAPAN
Japan set to fine cyclists on the spot for rule violations from 2026
By Karin Kaneko
Under new rules, those who use smartphones while riding a bicycle would be subject to the maximum fine of ¥12,000.
JAPAN
Japan brings forward deadline for electronic travel authorization system
By Yukana Inoue
Japan is planning to implement by March 2029 a new online screening system in which foreign visitors who don’t need a visa apply for a certification before entering the country.
LIFE
Built in a flash, Osaka Expo pavilions wrestle with sustainability
By Thu-Huong Ha
Kengo Kuma & Associates oversaw the construction of the Malaysia pavilion, which is encased in interwoven rows of bamboo that appear to ripple.
JAPAN
Social media helps fuel growing 'sex tourism' in Japan
By Caroline Gardin
People walk down a street in the red-light entertainment area of Kabukicho in the Shinjuku district of Tokyo on March 31.