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 Tourists walk through Nakamise shopping street near Sensoji Temple in Tokyo in April
JAPAN
Aug 13, 2024

Japan to revise consumption tax exemption for overseas tourists

A revision of the current system is being considered to prevent goods bought tax-free from being resold within the country.
Students at the University of British Columbia during the first week of classes in Vancouver, Canada
WORLD / Politics
Aug 14, 2024

Global immigration crackdown ensnares students studying abroad

Aggregate visa data for the first quarter of 2024 showed volumes to the U.K., Canada and Australia down between 20% and 30% from a year earlier.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s decision to step down as the ruling Liberal Democratic Party leader has thrown the race for his successor into uncertainty.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Aug 15, 2024

Kishida’s resignation opens the door to a chaotic era

With Fumio Kishida's resignation, the LDP faces a crucial election next month with no clear front-runner to become its next leader.
Considering there is another full year left before the current term of the Lower House expires, Fumio Kishida’s announcement he is standing down as the Liberal Democratic Party's leader has many wondering why.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Aug 15, 2024

With Kishida’s sudden departure, who will lead Japan?

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s unexpected decision to not seek reelection has prompted a leadership race within Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party.
Former Environment Minister Shinjiro Koizumi visits Yasukuni Shrine on Thursday in Tokyo.
JAPAN / Politics
Aug 15, 2024

Kishida clears the way for ministers to campaign in LDP election

Prospective candidates are weighing whether they can gather the necessary endorsements and rake in enough votes to have a decent shot at winning.
As if moving isn't stressful enough, Japan requires a host of paperwork to accompany your switch to a new apartment — a process that may get a little simpler in the near future.
LIFE / Lifestyle
Aug 16, 2024

Online banking consortium to slash the busywork of moving in Japan

The free service is expected to launch in February 2025, with even more functions available online by 2026.
The race to succeed Fumo Kishida as the leader of the Liberal Democratic Party promises to be the most competitive in memory. There is no heir apparent and the party's internal structure has been decimated by scandal.
EDITORIALS
Aug 16, 2024

Kishida’s tenure has simple lessons for his successor

The race to succeed Kishida promises to be the most competitive in memory. There is no heir apparent and the LDP's internal structure has been decimated by scandal.
U.S. Vice President and Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris speaks at the Hendrick Center for Automotive Excellence on the Scott Northern Wake Campus of Wake Tech Community College in Raleigh, North Carolina, on Friday.
WORLD / Politics
Aug 17, 2024

Harris touts plan for 'opportunity economy’ in voter pitch

The plan represented the first major policy rollout of Harris’ nascent campaign, and looked to attack one of her greatest liabilities.
Hiromi Sakai, a professor at Nara Medical University, says his team aims to put artificial red blood cells into practical use by around 2030.
JAPAN / Science & Health
Aug 18, 2024

Clinical trial to reutilize expired blood to start in Japan

The artificial cells produced using this method can be stored for up to about two years at room temperature and up to five years under refrigerated conditions.
A tug boat assists a container ship to its berth in Long Beach, California, on June 17.
BUSINESS / Economy
Aug 19, 2024

Busiest U.S. ports absorb import surge nearing pandemic-era frenzy

The ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, which account for roughly a third of all U.S. container imports, had their third-strongest month ever in July.
Collector containers at the Climeworks AG carbon removal plant in Hellisheiði, Iceland. Once fully operational, the facility will be capable of capturing up to 36,000 tons of carbon dioxide a year.
ENVIRONMENT / Climate change
Aug 19, 2024

New 'carbon removal budget' suggests massive removal shortfall

Much of the technology to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere hasn’t reached its full potential — and time is running out.
Hyogo Gov. Motohiko Saito holds a news conference on Aug. 7.
JAPAN / Politics
Aug 20, 2024

Nearly 40% of employees knew of Hyogo governor’s alleged power harassment

Gov. Motohiko Saito has called the allegations — which were made by a prefectural government official who was found dead — “groundless."
A drone view shows Trump National Golf Club in Jupiter, Florida, on Aug. 11.
WORLD / Politics
Aug 22, 2024

Trump earns big from Florida golf resorts as his other businesses flag

The health of Donald Trump’s golf business is a bright spot at a precarious moment for the Trump Organization.
University students in Varanasi, India, protest against a recent rape and murder of a doctor in West Bengal. Despite some improvements in legislation following high-profile cases, such as the 2012 gang rape, violence against women has worsened, with recorded rapes increasing.
COMMENTARY / World
Aug 22, 2024

Protests won’t change India's attitude toward rape

Despite some improvements in legislation following high-profile cases, such as the 2012 gang rape, violence against women has worsened, with recorded rapes increasing.
A supermarket worker puts up a sign asking purchasers to buy only one bag per person, in Tokyo on July 25.
JAPAN
Aug 22, 2024

Why it's hard to find rice at Japan's supermarkets right now

In recent weeks, store shelves have often been barren, with many shops displaying signs asking purchasers to stick to one bag per person.
The land ministry is planning to create a system in which the central and local governments would evenly shoulder part of the demolition costs that condominium management associations should pay.
JAPAN
Aug 23, 2024

Japanese government to subsidize demolition of old condo buildings

The land ministry is planning to subsidize such demolitions from the fiscal year beginning April 2025.
A boy pushes a biped robot developed by LimX Dynamics at the World Robot Conference in Beijing on Wednesday.
BUSINESS / Tech
Aug 23, 2024

China's robot makers chase Tesla to deliver humanoid workers

The Asian giant's push into the emerging industry draws from the formula behind its initial electric vehicle drive more than a decade ago.
The central monitoring room of the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant in Okuma, Fukushima Prefecture, on Aug. 9
JAPAN / Society
Aug 25, 2024

Tepco completes fourth round of fiscal '24 treated water release

Since discharges began in August last year, the company has released 62,400 metric tons of the treated water over a total of eight rounds.
Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa and other officials attended a joint news conference at the Tokyo International Conference on African Development Ministerial Meeting in Tokyo on Sunday.
JAPAN
Aug 25, 2024

TICAD ministerial meeting adopts first joint statement

TICAD attendees agreed that reforming the U.N. Security Council is "indispensable for redressing historical injustices against Africa."
The Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani runs the bases after hitting a two-run homer against the Rays during the fifth inning at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Saturday.
BASEBALL
Aug 26, 2024

Shohei Ohtani throws from mound for first time since elbow surgery

Ohtani has not pitched since August 2023.
The Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani reacts after being doused with water after his walk-off grand slam against the Rays at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Friday.
BASEBALL / MLB / Sac Bunts
Aug 26, 2024

New 40-40 club member Shohei Ohtani has real shot at unprecedented 50-50 campaign

Ohtani has a chance to make even more history after reaching the 40-40 club.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida speaks during a green transformation (GX) conference at the Prime Minister's Office in Tokyo on Tuesday.
JAPAN
Aug 27, 2024

Japan to discuss 10-step process for decarbonization strategy rollout

The list includes ways to make it easier for businesses to invest in carbon-free power sources such as renewable energy and nuclear power.
The Panama Canal is Panama’s biggest source of revenue, bringing in nearly $5 billion last year.
BUSINESS
Aug 28, 2024

Panama Canal eases limits that caused global shipping bottleneck

Last year’s El Nino caused a significant drop in rainfall and forced the canal to implement daily transit restrictions.
Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer and British Ambassador to Germany Jill Gallard walk near the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin on Tuesday.
WORLD / Politics
Aug 28, 2024

U.K. pushes for new pact with Germany as Starmer rebuilds EU ties

The U.K. and Germany are also looking within the next few months to forge a narrower agreement on defense and security.
He Xiaopeng, co-founder and chief executive officer of XPeng, speaks at a launch event for the company's Mona M03 electric vehicle in Beijing on Tuesday.
BUSINESS / Companies
Aug 28, 2024

China’s Xpeng aims to expand with mass-market cars and Europe production

The company also plans to set up a large-scale data center in Europe as efficient software collection becomes paramount for cars’ intelligent driving features.
Cars are flooded in a local street during the pass of a winter storm in Lodi, New Jersey, on Jan. 10.
ENVIRONMENT / Climate change
Aug 28, 2024

Extreme rain is a growing climate threat to the northeastern U.S.

A warming world will bring more rain-induced flooding to the United States' Northeast, a region of millions who aren't prepared for it.
Nicholas Tarasenko trains at Minato stable in Kawaguchi, Saitama Prefecture, on Tuesday. Tarasenko’s potential in sumo was made obvious when he won U18 gold in the 90-kg weight class at the 2023 Baruto Cup in Estonia despite being four years under the age limit and having only had a total of one hour of sumo training before the meet.
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Aug 28, 2024

This English schoolboy has big dreams of becoming yokozuna — and more

Nicholas Tarasenko may only be 15 years old, but he is already making big plans for his burgeoning sumo career.
Nippon Ishin no Kai head Nobuyuki Baba (left) and Prime Minister Fumio Kishida discuss political reform in Tokyo in May.
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Aug 28, 2024

Hyogo governor's scandal could spell more trouble for Nippon Ishin

The party, still reeling from a mayoral election loss, gave its backing to Hyogo Gov. Motohiko Saito in his 2021 gubernatorial bid.
Shohei Ohtani walks through the dugout with his dog Decoy before the Dodgers' game against the Orioles at Dodger Stadium on Wednesday.
BASEBALL / MLB
Aug 29, 2024

Shohei Ohtani signs exclusive trading card deal with Topps

Ohtani has had a nonexclusive relationship with Topps since 2018.
Attendees play the For All Time mobile game on smartphones at the NetEase Games booth at the Tokyo Game Show in the city of Chiba in September last year.
BUSINESS / Companies
Aug 30, 2024

Tencent and NetEase rethink Japan approach as game strategy stalls

The companies are reconsidering or scaling back many of their investments in Japanese studios, after years of spending yielded few hit games.

Longform

Mount Fuji is considered one of Japan's most iconic symbols and is a major draw for tourists. It's still a mountain, though, and potential hikers need to properly prepare for any climb.
What it takes to save lives on Mount Fuji