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October 15, 2025
 

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Shoko Oda
Japan Times
PODCAST / deep dive
Apr 6, 2022
Tokyo's energy crisis — a decade in the making
Bloomberg energy reporter Shoko Oda joins Deep Dive to explain why the energy crisis was a decade in the making.
JAPAN
Apr 6, 2022
Nuclear power’s growing fan base in Japan faces a reality check
A web of red-tape governing nuclear reactors born from the Fukushima nuclear disaster 11 years ago means that the resumption of operations can't speed up, no matter the political pressure.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
Apr 2, 2022
IEA nations agree to join Biden’s massive oil-stock release
The U.S. president said he expects allies in the IEA to agree to release an additional 30 million to 50 million barrels from their own reserves.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Mar 30, 2022
Japanese power retailers exiting business as energy crunch worsens
In the last month, at least four companies halted power retail operations, as a surge in wholesale electricity prices makes it challenging to procure stable supply and turn a profit.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / FOCUS
Mar 26, 2022
The future of energy will require citizens to make sacrifices. Just ask Tokyo residents.
Not since the late 1970s have governments around the world been under so much pressure to ask their citizens to cut energy consumption for the greater good.
JAPAN
Mar 23, 2022
Tokyo power squeeze easing, government says, after residents and businesses cut back
An electricity shortage warning for Tokyo was lifted Wednesday, with solar supplies expected to be more abundant and cold weather subsiding, according to the trade ministry.
JAPAN
Mar 22, 2022
Japan’s power crisis was a decade in making and won’t go away
The world's third-largest economy has been running on a thinner supply of electricity since the triple meltdown at Fukushima in March 2011 shut its massive fleet of nuclear reactors.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Feb 25, 2022
Japan’s petrochemical firms need to merge to survive, Mitsubishi Chemical CEO says
Jean-Marc Gilson compared the situation facing the chemical industry to other industries Japan once dominated, such as semiconductors and flat-screen televisions.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Feb 18, 2022
Japan’s top power producer seeks long-term clean ammonia deal
Much of ammonia is still produced by burning natural gas or liquefied petroleum gas, but there's anticipation that it could be made from cleaner energy in the future.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Jan 21, 2022
Surging gasoline costs unsettle Asia as inflation poses challenge
South Korea has taken steps to ensure a steady supply of the key fuel while tracking prices, and Japan may soon hand aid to local refiners.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Jan 19, 2022
Japan’s LNG inventories slump to seven-month low on cold weather
The country has also received 10% fewer LNG deliveries in the one-month period through Monday compared to last year.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Dec 23, 2021
Former vaccine chief Taro Kono says Japan should hasten booster rollout
Kono's comments came just after Japan confirmed the first cases of community transmission of the omicron variant.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
Dec 16, 2021
Goldman-founded energy firm says Japan must do more on climate
There is an ongoing struggle in Japan as the country aims to fulfill ambitious climate change goals while maintaining a secure and stable energy system.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
Nov 22, 2021
From bathhouses to fisheries, hidden inflation is creeping across Japan
Gasoline prices soared to a seven-year high this month and the government is expecting the tightest power supply in a decade this winter.
JAPAN
Sep 30, 2021
Soul food photo boosts Twitter profile of Japan's next leader
The politician set to become Japan's next prime minister may not be all that savvy on social media — but a photo of his favorite food struck a chord with Twitter users.
JAPAN / Politics
Sep 30, 2021
Having secured Japan's top job, Kishida must now win over its voters
While the ex-banker is almost guaranteed to be made prime minister by his party at a special session Monday, within weeks he will need to face a skeptical public in a general election.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
Sep 30, 2021
What Japan’s middle-of-the-road new leader means for investors
For good or ill, Kishida is seen by investors as a continuity choice — stable, but unlikely to energize markets much.
BUSINESS
Sep 29, 2021
Japan's GPIF, world’s top pension fund, won’t invest in China’s sovereign debt
As Chinese debt is being added to the FTSE Russell global bond index, the Japanese fund will instead use a version of the World Government Bond Index that excludes Chinese government bonds.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Markets
Sep 3, 2021
Tokyo Stock Exchange plans to extend trading day by 30 minutes
The report comes after the exchange formed a working group earlier this year to discuss extending trading hours past the current 3 p.m. close.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Aug 31, 2021
Warren Buffett has made $2 billion so far with bet on Japan's trading houses
The gain of more than 30% across the five firms has outpaced the benchmark Topix index's 21% rise, without accounting for dividend income.
Hypothermia in the land of the rising Sanae
Amid the election of Sanae Takaichi as Liberal Democratic Party president, and possibly the next prime minister, Japan's economy shows signs of recovery, but weak wages, a conservative corporate culture and currency issues raise doubts about a true economic thaw.
Number of scenarios now on the table for who might be Japan’s next prime minister
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.
After plenty of ups and downs, Osaka Expo concludes with message of unity
The sun sets on the Grand Ring on the final day of the Osaka Expo on Monday.
A frenetic diplomatic schedule looms for Japan’s next leader — whomever that may be
As horse-trading and speculation surge over who will be elected the next prime minister in parliament — the ruling Liberal Democratic Party's Sanae Takaichi or a possible candidate put forward by a unified opposition — Japan’s next leader will be confronted with a quick succession of key diplomatic events.
Ghost of Yotei’s bloodstained fun sidesteps Ainu identity
Ghost of Yotei, the follow-up to 2020's smash hit Ghost of Tsushima, is a violent, vengeful and engaging romp through 17th-century Hokkaido that fails to stick the landing on its most sensitive cultural material.
A frenetic diplomatic schedule looms for Japan’s next leader — whomever that may be
As horse-trading and speculation surge over who will be elected the next prime minister in parliament — the ruling Liberal Democratic Party's Sanae Takaichi or a possible candidate put forward by a unified opposition — Japan’s next leader will be confronted with a quick succession of key diplomatic events.
Ghost of Yotei’s bloodstained fun sidesteps Ainu identity
Ghost of Yotei, the follow-up to 2020's smash hit Ghost of Tsushima, is a violent, vengeful and engaging romp through 17th-century Hokkaido that fails to stick the landing on its most sensitive cultural material.
At Osaka Expo, gas giants promote a greener future. But is it a lot of hot air?
The Gas Pavilion had welcomed around 500,000 visitors by the end of August, making it one of the most popular exhibits at the Osaka Expo.
‘Takaichi trade’ starts unwinding as political calculus upended by Komeito exit
Less than a week ago, Sanae Takaichi seemed set to become Japan's first female prime minister.
‘Save the Ring’ calls intensify as Osaka Expo’s end nears
Visitors lounge on the grassy hill on the top of the Grand Ring during the 2025 Osaka Expo in the city of Osaka in May.

Podcast

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

Longform

Rock group The Yellow Monkey played K-Arena Yokohama in June as part of a nationwide tour. Concerts are increasingly popular in the age of social media as users value in-person experiences.
Inside Japan’s arena boom: Sports, sound and city-building
By Patrick St. Michel

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