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May 24, 2025
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May 24, 2025
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U.S. President Donald Trump points as he boards Air Force One en route to New Jersey, at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, on Friday.
BUSINESS / Companies
Trump announces Nippon Steel-U.S. Steel ‘partnership’ deal
By Francis Tang
Media reports said the agreement signaled the approval of a takeover of the iconic American company by the Japanese steelmaker.
U.S. President Donald Trump points as he boards Air Force One en route to New Jersey, at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, on Friday.
A student walks on the campus of Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, on Friday.
WORLD / Society
Harvard wins temporary block of Trump’s foreign student ban
The attempted ban could make foreign students shy about coming to the U.S. at all, even if the government doesn’t take similar actions against any other universities.
South Korean presidential candidates Lee Jae-myung (left), of the Democratic Party, and Kim Moon-soo, of the People Power Party, shake hands as they prepare for the second televised debate for the upcoming presidential election in Seoul on Friday.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
South Korean presidential race tightens sharply after TV debate
The Democratic Party's Lee Jae-myung's support rate fell to 45%, while backing for the People Power Party’s Kim Moon-soo rose to 36%, according to a poll released Friday.
Agriculture minister Shinjiro Koizumi speaks during a news conference in Tokyo on Friday.
JAPAN
Japan pledges immediate rice price cuts to stop shift to foreign brands
By Chang-Ran Kim
The government has been releasing some of its stockpiled rice since March but that has yet to translate to lower supermarket prices.
A concept model of the Global Combat Air Program's fighter jet is displayed during the DSEI Japan defense exhibition in the city of Chiba on Wednesday.
JAPAN
GCAP next-gen fighter joint venture likely to be running by this summer
By Gabriel Dominguez
Headquartered in the United Kingdom, the new business will be responsible for the industrial side of the Global Combat Air Program.
A concept model of the Global Combat Air Program's fighter jet is displayed during the DSEI Japan defense exhibition in the city of Chiba on Wednesday.

JAPAN

Democratic Party for the People head Yuichiro Tamaki speaks to reporters in Tokyo on April 22.
Three Upper House candidates are creating headaches for DPP
By Eric Johnston
The DPP hopes to win more seats this summer, but keeping every candidate on-message could be a challenge for leader Yuichiro Tamaki.
A third-party committee set up by Fuji Television Network said in a statement Thursday that its recognition of sexual violence was based on the World Health Organization's definition because Fuji TV and its parent, Fuji Media Holdings, needed to fulfill their accountability to global shareholders.
Fuji TV panel defends conclusion of 'sexual violence' by Nakai
The committee rejected the request from Nakai's lawyer to disclose interview records and other evidence, claiming that it would undermine its independence and neutrality.
Ex-boyfriend of dead woman charged over Kawasaki stalking
Princess Aiko to visit Laos in November as first official foreign trip
Government may reuse Fukushima soil at Prime Minister's Office
Ishiba and Guterres agree to deepen Japan-U.N. cooperation

BUSINESS

A U.S. government statement this month showed how the Trump administration is seeking to change the ways the U.S. limits China's access to state-of-the-art semiconductors needed to develop AI.
How the U.S.-China chip conflict is evolving under Trump
By Isabel Kua
The Trump administration is seeking to change the ways the U.S. limits China's access to state-of-the-art semiconductors needed to develop AI.
The ASEAN logo is displayed with Kuala Lumpur's skyline in the background on Friday ahead of an ASEAN summit in the city.
U.S. tariff tensions test Southeast Asian leaders at regional summit
ASEAN leaders will express deep concern over U.S. President Donald Trump's tariff blitz when they meet at a summit Monday, according to a draft statement.
Trump re-escalates trade threats, aiming at Apple and European Union
Japanese gas tanker giant sees difficulty buying Chinese vessels
By Weilun Soon and Reina Sasaki
Tsuruha shareholders to vote on criticized Aeon merger plan
By Hideyuki Sano, Takako Taniguchi and Yui Hasebe
Ishiba and Trump speak as Akazawa heads to Washington
By Francis Tang

WORLD

A satellite image shows the North Korean warship in water at a shipyard after the launch accident, in Chongjin, North Korea, on Thursday.
North Korea launches probe into accident during warship's launch
By Hyunsu Yim
Pyongyang has said the incident on Wednesday was caused by a loss of balance while the vessel was being launched, and sections of the bottom of the warship were crushed.
The Business School campus of Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts
Trump administration blocks Harvard's international enrollments, threatens broader crackdown
By Nate Raymond and Ted Hesson
The move came after Harvard refused to give Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem information about some foreign student visa holders at the school.
White House National Security Council slashes staff in dramatic restructuring
Major Russia-Ukraine POW exchange begins
Netanyahu accuses France, Britain and Canada of 'emboldening' Hamas
Pentagon denies report of U.S. troop withdrawal plan for South Korea
By Jesse Johnson

Sports

Onosato after defeating Kotozakura at Ryokugikan in Tokyo on Friday. The win gave him a 13-0 record and clinched the Emperor's Cup, assuring him of promotion to yokozuna next week.
Onosato set for yokozuna promotion after clinching Emperor’s Cup
By Kanako Takahara
The title marks the second in a row for the Nishonoseki stable wrestler and the fourth overall, completing his meteoric rise to the top of the sport.
Lewis Hamilton has more movies in mind after working with Brad Pitt
Thunder cruise past Timberwolves to grab 2-0 lead in series
Anti-doping bodies speak out against drug-fueled Enhanced Games
Team Penske ready to move past scandal and focus on Indy 500

Opinion

Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba takes part in deliberations on pension system reform in the House of Representatives on Tuesday. Ishiba’s comparison of Japan’s finances to Greece’s during a tax debate drew backlash for spooking markets and misrepresenting the country’s debt situation.
Ishiba's Greece debt comparison risks deeper crisis
Gearoid Reidy
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba’s comparison of Japan’s finances to Greece’s during a tax debate drew backlash for spooking markets and misrepresenting the country’s debt situation.
How China’s soft power is rewriting Asian culture
By Brabim Karki
No more mister rice guy
How efficiency can transform sustainable development
By Tshilidzi Marwala
To fix the U.S. debt problem, Americans must retire later
By Allison Schrager

ENVIRONMENT

A partially submerged car is seen in the aftermath of Typhoon Hagibis, in Nagano Prefecture in October 2019. The Weather Attribution Center Japan, which was founded Tuesday, aims to publicize the results of its climate attribution assessment within days of a typhoon, torrential rain or extreme heat.
When extreme weather hits, Japan scientists will have faster answers on climate links
By Tomoko Otake
The Weather Attribution Center will aim to publish concrete links between global warming and extreme weather events within days, rather than months.
'Serious problem': Afghan capital losing race against water shortages
By Susannah Walden
Fires drive tropical forest loss to 'red alert' record high
By Julien MIVIELLE
The U.K.’s clean power future relies on a 100-year-old technology
By Eamon Farhat
Polar bear biopsies shed light on Arctic pollutants
By Olivier MORIN and Etienne FONTAINE

CULTURE

After last year’s controversy over using AI to write about 5% of her novel, Rie Qudan was asked by an advertising magazine to write a short story where she uses AI for 95% of it. The resulting short story, “Kage no ame” (“Rain Shadow”), was published March 25.  
AI fiction is already here. Are humans ready?
By Thu-Huong Ha
After last year’s controversy over using AI to write about 5% of her novel, Rie Qudan was asked by an advertising magazine to write a short story where she uses AI for 95% of it.
Six short films that capture our world in mere minutes
By Mark Schilling
LGBTQ Thai ghost story wins prize in Cannes
By Alice Hackman
‘I Still Want To Do It With My Wife’: Hapless husband’s self-pity wears thin
By James Hadfield
‘Crosspoint’ can’t quite find its target
By Mark Schilling

LIFE

The Hokkaido East Trail links some of the northern prefecture's most striking national parks and landscapes.
In search of untouched Japan? Meet Hokkaido’s newest hiking trail.
By Justin Randall
The 410-kilometer Hokkaido East Trail links three national parks as it winds through marshland, calderas and more.
Uh-oh, is the rest of the world making JRPGs better than Japan?
By Owen Ziegler
Manga translators walk a fine line between meaning and mayhem
By Eric Margolis
Flaunt your seasonal greens with Japan’s traditional pureed soup
By Elizabeth Andoh
A Japanese dining icon gets a (minor) facelift
By Weiwen Lin

COMMUNITY

Born and raised in Japan, Joshua Thomson has been making videos on YouTube and Instagram to poke fun at stereotypes and challenge assumptions about — or from — Japanese society.
Joshua Thomson: ‘Comedy is a pill that’s easier to swallow’
By Laura Pollacco
The bilingual YouTuber talks about his hybrid cultural heritage and his aspirations in the entertainment industry.
Tuxedo cat Cupcake is a special treat
Detroit-Nagoya network empowers women-owned businesses around the world
By Jessica Kozuka
Ayano Kikuchi: ‘People need to take care of themselves holistically’
By Olivia Boissel
Kotomi Li: 'I refuse to choose death'
By Kat Joplin

Editors' Picks

JAPAN
As Taiwan looks to boost ‘unofficial ties,’ Paraguay’s leader offers facilitator role
By Gabriel Dominguez
Paraguayan President Santiago Pena speaks during an interview with The Japan Times in Tokyo on Thursday.
JAPAN
NTT develops world's first 'flying lightning rod' using drones
By Jessica Speed
NTT's drone — aimed at triggering, then redirecting lightning — is described as a "flying lightning rod."
JAPAN
Ishiba doubles down on weapons cooperation, says no country can go it alone
By Jesse Johnson
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba walks past members of the Philippine Coast Guard at the coast guard's headquarters in Manila on April 30.
JAPAN
Nippon Ishin grapples with poor governance ahead of Upper House election
By Eric Johnston
Nippon Ishin no Kai co-leader Seiji Maehara speaks to reporters in Tokyo on Friday.
JAPAN
Beware of dubious websites offering cheap rice, consumer watchdog warns
By Yukana Inoue
Questionable websites appear to be taking advantage of consumers looking for cheaper rice online amid the high prices of the staple grain in the nation.

Podcast

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

Longform

A sinkhole in Yashio, which emerged in January, was triggered by a ruptured, aging sewer pipe. Authorities worry that similar sections of infrastructure across the country are also at risk of corrosion.
That sinking feeling: Japan’s aging sewers are an infrastructure time bomb
By Alex K.T. Martin

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

WHAT’S TRENDING

BUSINESS
Toyota considers making tiny trucks for U.S. market as demand booms
By Chester Dawson
Toyota executives say the automaker is listening to U.S. dealer requests for a truck smaller than the brand’s best-selling Tacoma midsize and Tundra full-size pickups.
JAPAN
Japan taxi driver suspected of raping 50 women, reports say
Police have arrested a former taxi driver on suspicion of drugging and raping a female passenger, with media reports saying there could be dozens more victims.
JAPAN
Japan considers toughening rules on driver's license conversions
By Karin Kaneko and Kanako Takahara
Liberal Democratic Party policy chief Itsunori Onodera (fourth from left) visits a driver's license center in Shinagawa Ward, Tokyo, on Wednesday to see how foreign driver's licenses are converted into Japanese ones.
COMMENTARY
Trump’s wake-up call for India’s foreign policy
By Brahma Chellaney
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House on Feb. 13. Trump’s coercive use of trade threats against India during the Pakistan military crisis has undermined trust in the U.S.-India partnership and exposed Washington as an unreliable security ally.
SUMO
Onosato set for yokozuna promotion after clinching Emperor’s Cup
By Kanako Takahara
Onosato after defeating Kotozakura at Ryokugikan in Tokyo on Friday. The win gave him a 13-0 record and clinched the Emperor's Cup, assuring him of promotion to yokozuna next week.