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August 20, 2025
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August 20, 2025
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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.
WORLD / Politics
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.

More coverage

Trump says no ground troops, but maybe air support, to back Ukraine peace deal
Ishiba says Japan considering role in security guarantees for Ukraine
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.
Two suspects arrested over the killing of two Japanese last week, 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.
Police first suspected a bear attack, but multiple stab wounds on the victim's body pointed to homicide.
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
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.
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.
Workations were a burgeoning trend in the corporate world for years before the COVID-19 pandemic turbocharged it.
JAPAN / Society
Tokyo crowned No.1 'workation' spot
By Elizabeth Beattie
Japan’s capital topped the rankings for its “exceptional broadband speeds, transport infrastructure, safety, culture, and new digital nomad visa.”
Workations were a burgeoning trend in the corporate world for years before the COVID-19 pandemic turbocharged it.

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.
The My Number health insurance card enables online verification of a patient's eligibility via card readers installed at medical institutions.
My Number health insurance card uptake remains persistently low
Confusion and doubts over the new system have stalled the government's push to digitalize medical records and services.
Time to go: Japan pro board game player retires at 98
Famed Japanese rocket engineer Tomifumi Godai dies at 92
Pachinko parlor employee arrested for alleged role in robbery
Japan to donate $550 million to 'Gavi' vaccine alliance over five years

BUSINESS

Japan's core machinery orders rose 3.0% in June, the first increase in three months.
Japan's core machinery orders up 3.0% in June
The private-sector orders — which exclude those for ships and equipment used at power utilities — amounted to ¥941.2 billion.
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.
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
Japanese manufacturers moving headquarters out of central Tokyo
Tokyo stocks hit a fourth all-time high in six trading days
By Francis Tang

WORLD

Israeli women take part in a protest demanding the end of the war in the Gaza Strip near Kibbutz Nahal Oz, close to the Israeli border with Gaza, on Aug. 10.
As Netanyahu expands Gaza war, some reservists grow more disillusioned
By Emily Rose
They accuse the government — the most far-right administration in Israel's history — of perpetuating the war for political reasons.
National Guard troops keep watch outside Washington's Union Station on Tuesday. U.S. President Donald Trump has deployed the National Guard and ordered an increased federal law enforcement presence in the capital, which he has characterized as overrun with violence and homelessness.
More Republican governors send National Guard to Washington, backing Trump
By Joseph Ax
The U.S. president has characterized Washington as overrun with violence and homelessness, accusing the city of using fake data to "create a false illusion of safety."
Syrian and Israeli diplomats met in Paris to discuss 'de-escalation,' report says
Switzerland and Austria say they would host ICC-wanted Putin for peace talks
Trump targets the Smithsonian again, says it focuses too much on how bad slavery was
By Kanishka Singh
Israel weighs Hamas offer of 60-day Gaza truce and hostage release
By Maayan Lubell and Nidal al-Mughrabi

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.
Fever lose Sophie Cunningham to season-ending knee injury
Five-time All-Star John Wall announces retirement
Defending champions trump singles stars in revamped US Open mixed doubles
By Amy Tennery
Colts name Daniel Jones QB1 as QB2 Anthony Richardson 'respects' call

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.
All is not quiet on the Western front
By Yuichi Hosoya
Demystifying the manufacturing success of China
By Zhang Jun
Ten ways to force Putin back to the bargaining table
By James Stavridis
The AI building boom is bound to bust
By Thomas Black

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
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
A walk through Kokura, the city spared nuclear destruction
By Edward J. Taylor

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

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.
LIFE
A seaside hotel built on competitive Japanese cycling
By Jessica Kozuka
In a region more associated with art, Keirin Hotel 10 takes a decidedly more athletic approach to attracting tourists.

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

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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.