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October 31, 2025
 

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Eric Johnston

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Eric Johnston
Liberal Democratic Party President Sanae Takaichi (right) and Japan Innovation Party leader Hirofumi Yoshimura pose for a picture after signing an agreement to form a coalition, at the National Diet Building in Tokyo on Oct 20.
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Oct 28, 2025
Smaller parties set to suffer most if LDP and JIP reduce Lower House seats
Smaller parties such as Komeito could lose out the most if a bill is passed to reduce Lower House seats by 10%.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks during a news conference in Tokyo on Tuesday.
JAPAN / Politics
Oct 23, 2025
Polls show Takaichi Cabinet off to strong start with support for policy stance
Approval ratings were found to be especially high among younger generations and those in the Osaka and Nagoya regions.
Ruling Liberal Democratic Party President Sanae Takaichi and Japan Innovation Party leader Hirofumi Yoshimura sign a policy agreement between the two parties at the Diet in Tokyo on Monday.
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Oct 23, 2025
The newly formed LDP-JIP coalition may not be as solid as it seems
The Japan Innovation Party’s insistence on passing a seat-reducing measure could prove to be a sticking point in the relationship.
In early October, 100 grams of autumn salmon roe in central Sapporo was priced at just below ¥2,000.
JAPAN / Regional Voices: Hokkaido
Oct 20, 2025
Prices for Hokkaido’s autumn salmon roe jump as catch numbers fall
As of early October, 100 grams of autumn salmon roe in central Sapporo was selling for just under ¥2,000.
Osaka Gov. Hirofumi Yoshimura, who leads Nippon Ishin no Kai, says a "definite condition" for forming a coalition with the Liberal Democratic Party is to reduce the number of parliamentary members.
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Oct 17, 2025
Coalition with LDP could give Nippon Ishin chance to advocate its pet projects
Osaka Gov. Hirofumi Yoshimura, who leads Nippon Ishin, said a "definite condition" for forming a coalition with the LDP was reducing the number of parliamentary members.
Former Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama speaks during an interview in Tokyo in March 2007.
JAPAN / Politics
Oct 17, 2025
Former PM Tomiichi Murayama dies at age 101
Murayama, who delivered a key statement apologizing for Japan’s World War II aggression, died on Friday in his native Oita.
Rengo's head Tomoko Yoshino speaks to reporters in Tokyo on Oct. 8.
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Oct 16, 2025
As they wrestle for power, Japan’s political parties must remember their base
Electoral fortunes are shaped — or undone — by parliamentary alignments, social and religious groups, and representation from industries and labor.
Newly-elected leader of Japan's Liberal Democratic Party Sanae Takaichi (right) celebrates with Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba after winning the LDP leadership election in Tokyo on October 4.
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Oct 14, 2025
Number of scenarios now on the table for who might be Japan’s next prime minister
With Komeito’s exit from the ruling coalition, there is now no guarantee LDP chief Sanae Takaichi will be voted prime minister when parliament convenes.
Komeito leader Tetsuo Saito speaks at a news conference in Tokyo on Friday after leaving the ruling coalition earlier in the day.
JAPAN / Politics
Oct 12, 2025
After ruling bloc collapses, LDP and opposition scramble to find needed votes for PM
New LDP President Sanae Takaichi faces a higher hurdle in finding the votes needed to become Japan’s next leader as opposition forces discuss a unified candidate.
Komeito head Tetsuo Saito and the party's executives (left) meet with the LDP's Sanae Takaichi and counterparts in Tokyo on Tuesday.
JAPAN / Politics
Oct 9, 2025
LDP and Komeito's shaky ties throw doubt on Takaichi becoming prime minister
The inability of the LDP and Komeito to forge a quick agreement and vote for Takaichi to become prime minister has created uncertainty at a busy time on the political calendar.
Komeito leader Tetsuo Saito (left) and LDP counterpart Sanae Takaichi meet in Tokyo on Tuesday.
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Oct 8, 2025
After 26 years, Komeito may be showing signs it will break with LDP
Komeito not immediately endorsing Takaichi reflects deep concerns among Soka Gakkai members, the party’s main supporters in the lay Buddhist group, about her ideology and policies.
Liberal Democratic Party President Sanae Takaichi (center) speaks to reporters on Sunday after meeting Taro Aso, the party's supreme advisor, at the party's headquarters.
JAPAN / Politics
Oct 6, 2025
Suzuki eyed for LDP secretary-general, reflecting Aso’s growing influence
Former Prime Minister Taro Aso's influence in the Liberal Democratic Party under the newly elected Sanae Takaichi is becoming increasingly more evident.
Sanae Takaichi, the newly elected leader of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party, poses in the party leader's office after the LDP leadership election in Tokyo on Saturday.
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Oct 5, 2025
How Takaichi won the LDP’s leadership race
A split of moderate votes in the first round and the support of an LDP kingmaker helped propel the former economic security minister to a historic victory.
A Lower House plenary session in November 2024. The next leader of the Liberal Democratic Party will need to make tough political compromises given the party needs opposition support to pass bills.
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Oct 3, 2025
Host of tough compromises on policy issues await next LDP president
Just how much the ruling party needs to compromise will depend on which opposition party it intends to work closer with for any given issue, and the level of that cooperation.
Komeito head Tetsuo Saito says his party cannot form a coalition government with any party that doesn’t align itself with its moderate conservative policies.
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Oct 2, 2025
LDP presidential election could be turning point for Komeito
After Saturday’s vote, the junior coalition partner will have to adjust to a new LDP, one whose values might differ from its own.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi touts his own "experience and achievement" during the Liberal Democratic Party's presidential election candidate debate at Nihon Kisha Club in Tokyo on September 24.
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Sep 29, 2025
Japan’s ‘Mr. 119’ might be facing his biggest challenge yet
Time is running out for Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi to convince colleagues in the Liberal Democratic Party that he is best suited to lead them.
Hokkaido is reconsidering the possibility of hosting a casino resort, several years after Gov. Naomichi Suzuki halted plans for one.
JAPAN / Regional Voices: Hokkaido
Sep 29, 2025
Hokkaido cities consider fresh bet on casino resort
Citing concerns over gambling addiction and possible environmental impacts, Hokkaido's governor said it will be challenging to gain public acceptance for a casino bid.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi (left), former economic security minister Sanae Takaichi (right) and agriculture minister Shinjiro Koizumi arrive to attend the Liberal Democratic Party presidential election candidates joint press conference at LDP headquarters in Tokyo on Tuesday.
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Sep 25, 2025
Newcomer or veteran? LDP faces two choices for new party chief
Whoever wins the Oct. 4 leadership race must be able to work with senior members while also showing the public that the LDP is serious about reform.
The candidates for the Liberal Democratic Party leadership race at a joint news conference on Tuesday
JAPAN / Politics
Sep 23, 2025
LDP candidates focus on reform as presidential vote approaches
Losing two national elections in the past year has made reform a top concern for the party.
Former economic security minister Takayuki Kobayashi, former Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi, former Internal Affairs Minister Sanae Takaichi and Agriculture Minister Shinjiro Koizumi pose after delivering speeches at the kickoff of campaigning for the Liberal Democratic Party presidential election in Tokyo on Monday. The five lawmakers are running to succeed outgoing Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba as LDP president.
JAPAN / Politics
Sep 22, 2025
LDP race commences with mix of youth and experience
Whoever wins faces the task of rebuilding public trust in the 70-year-old LDP at a time of low public approval ratings as smaller opposition parties resonate with many voters.
Takaichi buys time and builds trust with ‘near-perfect’ Trump summit
U.S. President Donald Trump walks with Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi aboard the USS George Washington aircraft carrier during a visit to the U.S. Navy's Yokosuka base in Yokosuka, Kanagawa Prefecture, on Tuesday.
Trump trims fentanyl-linked China tariffs after 'amazing' Xi meeting
U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping greet each other as they arrive for talks at the Gimhae Air Base, next to the Gimhae International Airport in Busan, South Korea, on Thursday.
Inside Tokyo's 'phantom' stations — and the stories they tell
Mamoru Iwai, stationmaster of Keisei Ueno Station, says that, other than earthquake-proofing, the former Hakubutsukan-Dobutsuen (Museum-Zoo) Station has remained untouched.
Kyushu banzuke sets the stage to cement 2025’s sumo narratives
Onosato ahead of his bout against Aonishiki at The Grand Sumo Tournament at the Royal Albert Hall in London on Oct. 18
Takaichi pushed back on U.S. request to ban Russian gas imports, sources say
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi reportedly turned down a request from the U.S. to cease imports of liquefied natural gas from Russia.
At Japan Mobility Show, BYD gears up to conquer Japan's EV market
BYD Auto Japan President Atsuki Tofukuji unveils the Racco at the Japan Mobility Show in Tokyo on Wednesday.
Oasis returns to Tokyo: Rain, rapture and rock
Fans wait to get into the Oasis show at Tokyo Dome on Saturday. While lining up in the rain, some broke into impromptu versions of the British rock group's hits.
Kyushu banzuke sets the stage to cement 2025’s sumo narratives
Onosato ahead of his bout against Aonishiki at The Grand Sumo Tournament at the Royal Albert Hall in London on Oct. 18
Tokyo Film Festival opens with global stars and a spotlight on Asian storytelling
Director Junji Sakamoto (left) walked the Tokyo International Film Festival red carpet with Sayuri Yoshinaga (center) and Non (right), who both play mountaineer Junko Tabei, the first woman to summit Mount Everest, in the biopic "Climbing for Life."
Spanish artist and Japanese writer duos diversify the manga talent pool in Japan
"Menheim” is a dark fantasy manga with a story that centers on a girl’s quest to find a cure for her ill brother.

Podcast

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

Longform

Mamoru Iwai, stationmaster of Keisei Ueno Station, says that, other than earthquake-proofing, the former Hakubutsukan-Dobutsuen (Museum-Zoo) Station has remained untouched.
Inside Tokyo's 'phantom' stations — and the stories they tell
By Alex K.T. Martin

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Foreign wrestlers have a long history in sumo
Foreign wrestlers have a long history in sumo

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