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May 12, 2025
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May 12, 2025
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U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer address the media after trade talks with China in Geneva on Sunday.
BUSINESS / Economy
U.S. and China cite ‘substantial progress’ in Geneva trade talks
U.S. negotiators described "substantial progress" and also said details would be announced Monday.

More coverage

Japan’s stocks advance on optimism U.S.-China trade tensions to ease
Ishiba vows Japan will stand its ground, demanding U.S. lift auto tariffs
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer address the media after trade talks with China in Geneva on Sunday.
A median estimate of economists shows Japan's gross domestic product likely shrank by 0.3% in the January-March quarter on an annualized basis.
BUSINESS / Economy
Japan’s sputtering economy likely stalled before Trump’s tariffs
By Toru Fujioka
Gross domestic product adjusted for inflation shrank by 0.3% in the first quarter on an annualized basis, according to economists.
(L to R) German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, France’s Emmanuel Macron, Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Keir Starmer of the U.K. and Poland’s Donald Tusk following a news conference at St. Mary’s Palace in Kyiv on Saturday.
WORLD / Politics
Trump’s Ukraine push coming to a head with challenge to Putin
By Piotr Skolimowski and Daryna Krasnolutska
Following a weekend of hectic diplomacy, Zelenskyy said he will travel to Istanbul on May 15 where Putin has proposed direct negotiations between the two countries.
People wait to vote as election officials (foreground) work at a polling station during midterm elections in Manila on Monday.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Philippines midterm vote begins as Marcos-Duterte feud and China row flare
By Cliff Venzon
The spotlight is on the Senate race, where the 12 winners will be jurors in Duterte’s impeachment trial, set for July when the new Congress convenes.
Philippine Army Brig. Gen. Michael Logico, who was involved in managing the latest iteration of the Balikatan U.S.-Philippine drills, told The Japan Times that he expects military ties with Japan to surge even further once Tokyo ratifies a key visiting-forces agreement with Manila.
JAPAN
Japan set for bigger role in Philippines after SDF’s debut in key drills
By Gabriel Dominguez
A top Philippine general has said he expects the Self-Defense Forces’ involvement in both bilateral and multilateral activities to grow substantially.
Philippine Army Brig. Gen. Michael Logico, who was involved in managing the latest iteration of the Balikatan U.S.-Philippine drills, told The Japan Times that he expects military ties with Japan to surge even further once Tokyo ratifies a key visiting-forces agreement with Manila.

JAPAN

A stolen Kanzeon Bodhisattva statue in Daejeon, central South Korea, in January
Stolen Buddha statue handed over to Japan in South Korea
South Korea's Supreme Court recognized the Japanese temple's ownership of the statue in 2023, rejecting claims that it was stolen by Japanese pirates in the 14th century.
A Japan Coast Guard vessel sails in front of Uotsuri island, one of the Japanese-controlled Senkaku Islands. Concerns are growing in Tokyo after a Chinese government helicopter violated Japan's airspace around the uninhabited islets.
Escalation fears rise in Japan following Chinese moves near Senkakus
By Jesse Johnson
Beijing sent a government helicopter to the area for the first time, while Chinese government ships have been spotted in the area for more than 170 straight days.
Rents soar in northern Okinawa ahead of Junglia theme park opening
LDP and CDP see consumption tax cut as election issue
Chinese research ship spotted in Japanese EEZ
Ishiba, Boric reaffirm importance of free trade

BUSINESS

A woman walks in front of big screen displaying Japan's Nikkei share average in Tokyo late last month.
Japan’s stocks advance on optimism U.S.-China trade tensions to ease
Japanese stocks rose early Monday, with the Topix heading for a 12-day rally, on optimism after two days of U.S.-China talks over the weekend.
South Korean 50,000 won banknotes are prepared at the Bank of Korea headquarters ahead of the Lunar New Year in Seoul on Jan. 14.
Seeking emerging currency bargains, investors take fresh look at Asia
By Matthew Burgess, Maria Elena Vizcaino and Catherine Bosley
Asian currencies are finding their cheapness has become an asset as traders seek to capitalize on the dollar’s eroding premium status.
Wary investors hope U.S.-China talks cool high-stakes trade war
By Suzanne McGee
'Treasure hunt': Tourists boost sales at Japan's Don Quijote stores
By Caroline Gardin and Atish Patel
Idemitsu to enhance all-solid-state battery business
U.S. and China conclude first day of talks in bid to ease trade war

WORLD

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi (left) arrives in Muscat, Oman, on Sunday for nuclear talks with the U.S.
Iran says nuclear talks 'difficult but useful' while U.S. is 'encouraged'
By Aya ISKANDARANI and Menna ZAKI
This was the fourth round of talks that began nearly a month ago, with both sides having reported progress in the previous three rounds.
Varda Ben Baruch, grandmother of hostage Edan Alexander, points at the portrait of her grandson at Kibbutz Nir Oz, in southern Israel on April 20.
Hamas says it will release Israeli-American hostage Edan Alexander
By Samia Nakhoul and Nidal al-Mughrabi
Israeli officials said that their offensive will continue until the remaining 59 hostages are freed and Gaza is demilitarized.
This is the trade conflict Xi Jinping has been waiting for
By David Pierson
World Catholics see the first American pope as hardly American
By Patricia Mazzei
Prospects of Saudi ties to Israel elusive as Trump seeks $1 trillion bonanza
By Samia Nakhoul, Humeyra Pamuk and Alexander Cornwell
Iran and U.S. to resume nuclear talks amid clashing red lines
By Parisa Hafezi

Sports

Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Corbin Burnes (39) throws against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the first inning at Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona, on Saturday.
Diamondbacks' Corbin Burnes silences Dodgers with seven scoreless
Shohei Ohtani and Max Muncy singled and walked for the Dodgers, who were shut out for the third time this season.
Thunder earn ugly win over Nuggets to even series at 2-2
Rockies fire manager Bud Black due to poor start
Liverpool fans boo departing star Trent Alexander-Arnold
Barcelona stages thrilling rally to top Real Madrid and move to brink of title

Opinion

Shinzo Abe, then the Chief Cabinet Secretary, shakes hands with former U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage during a symposium in Tokyo in July 2006.
Remembering two titans in Japan-U.S. relations
Brad Glosserman
Their good humor, unflagging optimism and commitment to building a stronger Japan-U.S. alliance continues to shape that partnership.
A moment of hope for U.S-China trade frictions
The new American pope can take Catholics in three directions
By Howard Chua-Eoan
The Pakistan-Taliban divorce gets messy
By Shashi Tharoor
New Delhi’s warning to Islamabad
By Brahma Chellaney

ENVIRONMENT

The consumption and investing habits of the world's richest 10% consume and invest has substantially increased the risk of deadly heat waves and drought around the world, according to new research.
World's richest 10% caused two-thirds of global warming, study finds
By Marlowe Hood
How the rich consume and invest has substantially increased the risk of deadly heat waves and drought.
Climate change takes spice from Indonesia clove farms
By Jack Moore
U.S. solar tariffs could drive Asia transition boom
By Sara Hussein
'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

CULTURE

Kotoba Slam Japan runs regional competitions to select a representative for the annual World Poetry Slam Championship, which will take place in Mexico at the end of the month.
Japan’s slam poetry scene is all about raw vulnerability
By Eric Margolis
Slam poetry is a rarity in Japan, but the scene is full of energy and potential that the poets have been bringing to the world slam poetry stage for 10 years now.
‘My Edison’: Family-made sci-fi comedy is a real charmer
By James Hadfield
‘Wash Away’ brightens dementia drama with sudsy spin
By Mark Schilling
'Jumbo': the animated Indonesian film smashing records
By Baptiste Anse
J-pop group Arashi to disband after going on tour next spring
By Yukana Inoue

LIFE

Japan's growing ranks of centenarians are redefining what it means to live in a super-aging society.
What comes after 100?
By Tomoko Otake
The number of Japanese centenarians is on the rise, providing new models for how to live in a super-aging society.
Sculpted waves, sleek updos: Showa hairstyles are back in fashion
By Carol R.H. Malasig
In China’s ‘Michelin Guide,’ Tokyo leads overseas listings with 30 entries
By Tan Pin Yen
The world’s biggest natural wine festival returns to Tokyo
By Weiwen Lin
Trump once called it his favorite word. Now, the Japanese version is all over the news.
By Yuko Tamura

COMMUNITY

Ayano Kikuchi began practicing yoga in 2014 to alleviate her chronic back pain, and now shares her knowledge with the Karuizawa community as the manager of W Tree House.
Ayano Kikuchi: ‘People need to take care of themselves holistically’
By Olivia Boissel
How a corporate office worker in Tokyo became a yoga studio manager in Karuizawa
Kotomi Li: 'I refuse to choose death'
By Kat Joplin
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

Editors' Picks

JAPAN
Who could become Japan's next prime minister?
By Eric Johnston
Clockwise from top left: Former economic security minister Sanae Takaichi, former economic security minister Takayuki Kobayashi, Finance Minister Katsunobu Kato and Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi
CULTURE
With a new Shibuya studio, Apple Music bets big on Japan
By Patrick St. Michel
Apple Music personalities (from left) Ebro Darden, Kentaro Ochiai, Zane Lowe and Mino came together for a special recording in late April to discuss music and celebrate the newly opened Apple Music studio in Tokyo.
LIFE
Kazuki Nagasawa's sustainable designs are rooted in tradition
By Danielle Demetriou
For centuries, artisans have unraveled strands of the fibrous bark of "shuro" trees to create a medley of everyday objects. Designer Kazuki Nagasawa is now transforming the traditional material into ethereal contemporary pieces.
BUSINESS
SusHi Tech Tokyo 2025 expands to become one of Asia's largest startup events
By Yukana Inoue
SusHi Tech Tokyo 2025 was bustling with participants of various nationalities Thursday, and multiple languages could be heard around the room as many engaged in conversations throughout the day.
LIFE
Celebrating Japan’s defeat at Shimoda’s Black Ship Festival
By Todd Fong
Tatsumi Onose (right), who plays the part of Commodore Matthew Perry in Shimoda's Black Ship Festival, says the historical episode the event is based on should be remembered for its positives more than its negatives.

Podcast

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

Longform

Japan's growing ranks of centenarians are redefining what it means to live in a super-aging society.
What comes after 100?
By Tomoko Otake

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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

ASIA PACIFIC
Global militaries to study India-Pakistan fighter jet battle
By Tim Hepher and Mike Stone
The Indian Air Force's Rafale fighter jets. India and Pakistan aircraft engaged in a dogfight on Wednesday.
JAPAN
Escalation fears rise in Japan following Chinese moves near Senkakus
By Jesse Johnson
A Japan Coast Guard vessel sails in front of Uotsuri island, one of the Japanese-controlled Senkaku Islands. Concerns are growing in Tokyo after a Chinese government helicopter violated Japan's airspace around the uninhabited islets.
BUSINESS
Ishiba vows Japan will stand its ground, demanding U.S. lift auto tariffs
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba speaks during a Lower House committee meeting on Friday.
JAPAN
As prices soar, Zen-Noh ships just 32% of government-stockpiled rice
A customer walks past a display of rice, with a sign apologizing to shoppers they must be limited to one bag each due to market conditions, at a branch of Japanese discount retailer Don Quijote in Tokyo's Shibuya Ward on April 21.
JAPAN
Emperor emeritus diagnosed with silent myocardial ischemia
Emperor Emeritus Akihito, 91, rides in a car with Empress Emerita Michiko, 90, after he was discharged from the University of Tokyo Hospital on Saturday following an examination for suspected myocardial ischemia.