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September 17, 2025
 

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Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi speaks during a news conference at the Prime Minister's Office on Wednesday.
JAPAN / Politics
Japan won't recognize Palestinian state given U.S. ties: media report
Recent reports said the U.S. had prompted Japan to forgo the recognition through diplomatic channels, while France had urged the opposite.
JAPAN / Politics
LDP and CDP agree to create panel to discuss refundable tax credit
Liberal Democratic Party Secretary-General Hiroshi Moriyama hinted at the possibility of launching the panel under Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's administration.
JAPAN / Politics
Ishiba may visit South Korea for talks with Lee, sources say
The trip, if realized, would be Ishiba's first visit to South Korea since taking office in October last year.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi announces he will run in the Liberal Democratic Party presidential election, on Tuesday in Tokyo.
JAPAN / Politics
Sep 16, 2025
Hayashi throws hat in the ring for LDP leadership race
By Eric Johnston
The chief cabinet secretary is seen as a counterbalance to the more right-leaning former economic security ministers Sanae Takaichi and Takayuki Kobayashi.
Former economic security minister Takayuki Kobayashi announces his bid for the Liberal Democratic Party's presidency in Tokyo on Tuesday.
JAPAN / Politics
Sep 16, 2025
In LDP leadership bid, Kobayashi touts ‘moderate’ stance as selling point
By Gabriele Ninivaggi
Kobayashi pledged to make Japan a tech powerhouse again, boost defense spending and push through a generational change in the LDP if elected party chief.
Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan chief Yoshihiko Noda speaks during a news conference in the parliament building on Friday.
JAPAN / Politics
Sep 15, 2025
Japan's opposition parties wary of snap election
The opposition remains fragmented against the ruling coalition in the event a general election is called by the Liberal Democratic Party's next leader.
Democratic Party for the People leader Yuichiro Tamaki addresses a meeting of DPP lawmakers held at the parliament building last month.
JAPAN / Politics
Sep 15, 2025
DPP eyes leadership role as it marks fifth anniversary
The opposition party's basic strategy is to leave open the possibility of joining the ruling coalition but without easily making concessions.
Agriculture minister Shinjiro Koizumi
JAPAN / Politics
Sep 15, 2025
Koizumi and Takaichi seen running ahead in race for LDP member votes
In last year's LDP leadership election, Takaichi secured the highest number of party member votes at 109.
European Commission Executive Vice President Stephane Sejourne
JAPAN / Politics
Sep 14, 2025
EU wants to boost economic security cooperation with Japan
Stephane Sejourne said that together, the EU and Japan should tackle issues such as China's overproduction and U.S. protectionist trade policies.
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba meets with Mozambique President Daniel Chapo during their bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 9) in Yokohama on Aug. 22.
JAPAN / Politics
Sep 14, 2025
JICA's Africa 'hometown' project may be renamed
The renaming is being considered after false information about the project spread on social media, claiming it would lead to an increase in the number of immigrants.
Agriculture minister Shinjiro Koizumi enters the Prime Minister's Office in Tokyo on Wednesday.
JAPAN / Politics
Sep 13, 2025
Koizumi tells backers he intends to run for LDP presidency
The current agriculture minister is expected to hold a news conference next week to formally announce his candidacy in the party leadership race.
Agricultural minister Shinjiro Koizumi is planning to run in the Liberal Democratic Party's upcoming presidential poll, sources said.
JAPAN / Politics
Sep 12, 2025
Koizumi plans to run for LDP president, sources say
Koizumi plans to inform his supporters in his electoral district about the decision on the weekend and hold a news conference next week to formally announce his bid.
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba (center) speaks at the first meeting of the government's headquarters for promoting the use of artificial intelligence and strengthening related risk management, on Friday.
JAPAN / Politics
Sep 12, 2025
Japan starts discussing basic plan for AI use and development
The Japanese government hopes to finalize the basic plan by the end of this year with the aim of creating the best environment in the world for such efforts.
Former economic security minister Takayuki Kobayashi speaks in Tokyo on Thursday. He is attempting to become Liberal Democratic Party president for the second time.
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Sep 12, 2025
Will a more conservative leader emerge from the LDP presidential election?
By Himari Semans
Conservative members of the party are looking to elect such a leader, but there is a possibility that their votes might be split between two presidential hopefuls.
Yasuhiko Funago (center) asks a representative question during a plenary session of the House of Councilors, inside the Diet building in January 2023.
JAPAN / Politics
Sep 12, 2025
Ex-lawmaker with ALS calls on politicians to ensure right to live
Yasuhiko Funago expressed strong concern about social pressures that could make it difficult for people with severe illnesses and disabilities to live.
Former economic security minister Takayuki Kobayashi has become the second person to announce his candidacy for the Liberal Democratic Party's upcoming presidential election.
JAPAN / Politics
Sep 11, 2025
LDP’s Kobayashi announces he will run in the party leadership race
By Kanako Takahara
The former economic security minister is the second person to throw his hat into the ring, after former LDP Secretary-General Toshimitsu Motegi.
The CDP head Yoshihiko Noda (front row, third from right) , newly-elected Secretary-General Jun Azumi (front row, third from left) and other executives gather in Tokyo on Thursday.
JAPAN / Politics
Sep 11, 2025
Noda appoints new leadership team members to help bolster CDP's base
By Eric Johnston
CDP party leader Yoshihiko Noda chose new team members whose views sometimes differ from his to help reinforce the party’s base and show "a united party front."
Former Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen speaks at the Copenhagen Democracy Summit in the Danish capital in May.
JAPAN / Politics
Sep 10, 2025
China complains as former Taiwanese leader Tsai Ing-wen visits Japan
By Jesse Johnson
The visit to Japan, which does not have official diplomatic relations with Taiwan, was the first known trip to the country by Tsai since she left office in May 2024.
Former Liberal Democratic Party Secretary-General Toshimitsu Motegi announces he will run in the race for president of the Liberal Democratic Party at a news conference on Wednesday.
JAPAN / Politics
Sep 10, 2025
Motegi calls for ‘new coalition’ in bid for LDP presidency
By Himari Semans
The former party secretary-general sees welcoming a new coalition member — possibly the Democratic Party for the People or Nippon Ishin no Kai — as the way forward.
Ito Mayor Maki Takubo (right) notifies the municipal assembly of its dissolution on Wednesday in the city in Shizuoka Prefecture.
JAPAN / Politics
Sep 10, 2025
Ito mayor dissolves municipal assembly after it passed no-confidence motion
Ito Mayor Maki Takubo had claimed that she graduated from Toyo University, but said in July that she had, in fact, been expelled from the school.
Yuichiro Tamaki, head of the opposition Democratic Party for the People, in Tokyo on Nov. 1, 2024
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Sep 10, 2025
Who might the LDP woo once it elects its next president?
By Eric Johnston
Short of a majority in both chambers of parliament, the ruling party needs an opposition party’s support to elect its leader as prime minister.
Sanae Takaichi speaks before a runoff election at the Liberal Democratic Party's leadership election on Sept. 27, 2024, in Tokyo. She has yet to go public about a potential entry into the race this year.
JAPAN / Politics
Sep 9, 2025
LDP to pick next party leader through 'full-scale vote'
By Gabriele Ninivaggi
Campaigning for the presidency will kick off on Sept. 22, with a final vote on Oct. 4.
Hideo Kojima, a former mayor of the town of Ginan in Gifu Prefecture who resigned over 99 sexual harassment allegations, has been elected as a town councilor, officials said Monday.
JAPAN / Politics
Sep 9, 2025
Ex-mayor in Gifu with 99 harassment complaints wins town council seat
The election of Hideo Kojima, who stepped down last year after an official investigation, has sparked anger and outrage online.

Haneda Airport security staff arrested over theft
Tokyo police have arrested a 21-year-old security inspector at Haneda Airport after he allegedly stole cash from a passenger during a baggage inspection.
Japan's elderly population down at around 36.2 million
The estimated number of people age 65 or older in Japan stands at 36.19 million as of Monday, accounting for record 29.4% of the country's total population, according to the internal affairs ministry.
SDF spots China’s biggest aircraft carrier for first time
The Fujian aircraft carrier is seen in Shanghai in May 2024 as it leaves for its first sea trial.
White House threatens broad crackdown on liberal groups
FBI Director Kash Patel (right) listens to senior White House adviser Stephen Miller speak in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington on Monday.
Why more hotels in Japan are offering room-only service
Nipponia Hotel Ise Kawasaki Merchant Town in Ise, Mie Prefecture
Pole vault rivals in awe after Duplantis has another historic night in Tokyo
Sweden's Armand Duplantis competes in the men's pole fault final during the World Athletics Championships at National Stadium in Tokyo on Monday.
Japan's major art events converge this fall
Shinji Ohmaki’s “Tokinokage” exhibited at Fuji Textile Week 2021 shows the use of fabric as art.
Tara Davis-Woodhall leaps to gold and finds redemption at world championships
Tara Davis-Woodhall celebrates after winning the women's long jump final at the World Athletics Championships at Tokyo's National Stadium on Sunday night.
An aesthetic escape to Hakone’s art-drenched hills
Between traditional examples of fine art and sleek, modern exhibitions that blend with nature, Hakone offers a unique escape from Tokyo's urban sprawl.
Niinami’s ouster quick but not unusual as corporations protect reputation
Takeshi Niinami resigns as chairman and CEO of Suntory Holdings.

Podcast

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

Longform

Sumadori Bar on Shibuya Ward's main Center Gai street targets young customers who prefer low-alcohol drinks or abstain altogether.
Rethinking that second drink: Japan’s Gen Z gets ‘sober curious’
By Alex K.T. Martin

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