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April 25, 2025
The Independent Voice in Asia
April 25, 2025
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Finance Minister Katsunobu Kato met with U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent in Washington on Thursday.
BUSINESS / Economy
No discussion of yen target, Kato says after Bessent meeting
By Francis Tang
The two countries possibly committing to a specific number in terms of the yen-dollar exchange rate has helped drive up the value of the Japanese currency.
Finance Minister Katsunobu Kato met with U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent in Washington on Thursday.
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.
Consumer prices excluding fresh food in Tokyo gained 3.4% in April from a year earlier, as a mixture of impacts from last year’s school fee cuts and higher food and energy costs accelerated inflation, according to the internal affairs ministry.
BUSINESS / Economy
Tokyo prices rise most in two years, backing central bank's hike path
By Yoshiaki Nohara and Toru Fujioka
Consumer prices excluding fresh food gained 3.4% in April from a year earlier. Tokyo's figures are a leading indicator for national price gains.
Emergency workers search for victims under the rubble of an apartment building that was destroyed by a Russian missile strike early Thursday in Kyiv. The attack, which killed at least 12 people, was the deadliest on Ukraine’s capital in nearly a year.
WORLD / Politics
Trump tells Putin to 'STOP' after Russian attack kills 12 in Kyiv
By Yurii Kovalenko, Valentyn Ogirenko and Jeff Mason
The rare rebuke from the U.S. president came after Moscow launched its biggest attack this year on the Ukrainian capital.
U.S. President Donald Trump speaks at the White House in Washington on Thursday.
BUSINESS / Economy
Trump’s trade whiplash sinks world into dreaded ‘uncertainty’
By Enda Curran, Jorge Valero and Katia Dmitrieva
"The worry I hear more often is actually not even tariffs, it is uncertainty,” IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva told reporters Thursday. "Let’s have clarity.”
U.S. President Donald Trump speaks at the White House in Washington on Thursday.

JAPAN

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.
A group of lawyers representing a former journalist — who was allegedly sexually assaulted by a now-deceased secretary of a lawmaker — speak at a news conference in Tokyo on Thursday following a ruling that ordered the government to pay damages to her.
Government ordered to pay over sexual assault by lawmaker's former aide
A Tokyo court ordered the ¥4.4 million ($30,850) payment to a former female journalist who was allegedly assaulted by the now-deceased government-paid secretary.
Potentially carcinogenic chemicals over standard at 242 sites in Japan
Japan's Lower House passes AI promotion bill
Osaka casino project breaks ground, aiming for 2030 opening
All 4 giant pandas at western Japan zoo to be sent to China

BUSINESS

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.
While Nissan slightly raised its sales forecast late Thursday, its statement warned that its net loss could be ¥700 billion to ¥750 billion.
Nissan sees $5.3 billion red hole as restructuring losses mount
By Reed Stevenson
While Nissan slightly raised its sales forecast late Thursday, its statement warned that its net loss could be ¥700 billion to ¥750 billion.
Nomura weighs return to prime brokerage four years after Archegos
By William Shaw and Donal Griffin
Japanese supermarket sales up for fifth straight year in fiscal 2024
Regional lenders Daishi Hokuetsu and Gunma Bank agree to consolidate
By Taiga Uranaka
Japanese carmakers’ U.S. sales surge ahead of Trump tariffs
By Nicholas Takahashi

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
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
Portable internet helps Asia scam centers bypass blackouts
By Rebecca L. Root

Sports

Travis Hunter smiles on stage after being selected as the No. 2 pick in the NFL draft by the Jaguars in Green Bay, Wisconsin, on Thursday.
Two-way star Travis Hunter heads to Jaguars as No. 2 pick in NFL draft
The Jaguars traded up to get the No. 2 pick from the Browns.
Carlos Alcaraz withdraws from Madrid Open with eye on French Open defense
Bayern Munich's Harry Kane hopes to silence critics with Bundesliga crown
Titans take Cam Ward with top pick in NFL draft
Titans expected to take QB Cam Ward with top pick of NFL draft

Opinion

Last year was the hottest on record in Japan and globally. An enduring stretch of peak warm weather worldwide has prompted scientists to look for the causes as they try to understand whether we have entered a dangerous phase of accelerated heating.
Creating the best possible climate models is existential
Alexander Pui
Scientists' work in building and interpreting climate models must be fine-tuned so that this data can inform the policies capable of living up to the challenge of global heating.
Asia would welcome trade deals that exclude China
By Mihir Sharma
China’s catch-22: Rapid growth with tight social control
By Naoko Eto
Don't let governments break encryption
By Jessica Dickinson Goodman and Passeron Kitroser
Will Canada find its path again after the election?
By Stephen R. Nagy

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

BUSINESS
Japan must correct Trump’s false data for trade talks, says Kono
By Shery Ahn and Sakura Murakami
Former Foreign Minister Taro Kono
JAPAN
Japan wants to 'separate' tariff and security issues. That may be tough.
By Jesse Johnson
Japan’s chief tariff negotiator, Ryosei Akazawa, poses with a "Make America Great Again" cap at the White House in Washington on April 16.
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.
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
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.