Search - 2025

 
 
The Tokyo Stock Exchange will soon require some companies to publish their financials in English in addition to Japanese.
BUSINESS / Markets
Jan 13, 2025

Japanese companies rush to up English-language disclosures in 2025

The Tokyo Stock Exchange requires Prime market companies to release financial statements and other key information simultaneously in English and Japanese from April.
Toyota is one of many large employers in the U.S. ordering workers to their desks in recent months, ending policies implemented during the COVID pandemic.
BUSINESS / Companies
Jan 14, 2025

Toyota wants salaried staff back in office four days a week

Toyota denied the move is designed to reduce headcount but warned failure to comply could lead to "termination of employment.”
A man stops at a site near a sports center in Zhuhai, Guangdong province, China, where a deadly car attack in November killed 35 people.  
COMMENTARY / Japan
Jan 14, 2025

China's rising violence that could lead to foreign aggression

While China does have social welfare programs, the current economic system provides insufficient resources for the working class and unemployed individuals.
The number of corporate bankruptcies with liabilities of ¥10 million or more in Japan last year marked the third consecutive year of increases as rising prices due to the yen's weakening and labor shortages caused business failures in a wide range of industries.
BUSINESS / Economy
Jan 14, 2025

Japan business failures top 10,000 in 2024, worst in 11 years

The annual figure marked the third consecutive year of increases as rising prices due to the yen's weakening and labor shortages caused business failures.
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba hopes to visit the United States in early February, at the earliest, or in the middle of the month, at the latest, to have talks with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump.
JAPAN / Politics
Jan 15, 2025

Ishiba may visit U.S. early next month for his first summit with Trump

The Japan-U.S. summit could take place in early February, at the earliest, or in the middle of the month, at the latest.
The "madman theory" in foreign policy, which some apply to Donald Trump, relies on perceived irrationality to intimidate adversaries and generally fails to achieve its goals, leading to dangerous miscalculations.
COMMENTARY / World
Jan 15, 2025

There is no place for ‘madmen’ in international diplomacy

Historians root the madman theory in Machiavelli, who wrote that “at times it is a very wise thing to simulate madness.”
Akutagawa Prize winners (from left) Jose Ando, author of "Dtopia" and Yui Suzuki, author of "Goethe wa Subete o Itta," and Naoki Prize winner Shin Iyohara, author of "Ai o Tsugu Umi."
CULTURE / Books
Jan 15, 2025

Japan's most prestigious literary awards go to a trio of contemporary voices

Jose Ando and Yui Suzuki take home Akutagawa honors, while Shin Iyohara nabs the Naoki Prize.
U.K. Secretary of State for Defence John Healey (center left) shakes hands with Defense Minister Gen Nakatani (center right) at the Ministry of Defence in London on Wednesday.
JAPAN / Politics
Jan 16, 2025

Japan and U.K. defense chiefs talk of deepening ties as fighter program progresses

Defense Minister Gen Nakatani and his British counterpart backed the quick formation of a joint venture for developing their new fighter jet with Italy.
India Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets with Chinese leader Xi Jinping at the BRICS summit in Kazan, Russia, in October. India's outreach to China may be a strategy to gain leverage over the U.S. and secure support amid domestic and international challenges.
COMMENTARY / World
Jan 16, 2025

As Trump returns, Sino-Indian relations are changing

The shift in relations stems from America’s declining leadership and China and India’s bid for leverage.
A Blue Origin New Glenn rocket streaks into orbit after launching from the Kennedy Space Center on its maiden flight, at Cape Canaveral, Florida on Thursday.
BUSINESS / Tech
Jan 16, 2025

Blue Origin rocket lifts off in major test in SpaceX rivalry

The firm's new flagship rocket thundered off the launch pad at Cape Canaveral, Florida at 2:03 a.m. local time on Thursday.
The new Switch is a tablet-style device with detachable controllers that can be played in handheld mode or hooked up to a TV, like its predecessor.
LIFE / Digital
Jan 17, 2025

Nintendo announces Switch 2, its first new console in eight years

Japan residents can apply via lottery for a hands-on demo of the Switch 2 on April 26 and 27 at Chiba’s Makuhari Messe convention center.
Naomi Osaka is off to a strong start to the season and defeated Karolina Muchova on Wednesday to reach the third round of the Australian Open.
TENNIS
Jan 16, 2025

Naomi Osaka's Australian Open and the rediscovery of a tennis superpower

Osaka will play her first third-round match at a Grand Slam event since the 2022 Australian Open.
Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya and Philippine Foreign Minister Enrique Manalo hold a joint news conference in Taguig City, Metro Manila, the Philippines, on Wednesday.
JAPAN
Jan 17, 2025

Japan looks to up the ante with more money and partners in military aid program

As funds for Japan's official security assistance increase, so will Tokyo's efforts to boost the number of countries it assists, according to the Foreign Ministry.
Hideki Matsuyama won the Genesis Invitational at Riveria Country Club in Pacific Palisades, California, on Feb. 18, 2024.
MORE SPORTS / Golf
Jan 17, 2025

Tiger Woods-hosted PGA Tour event to be relocated due to LA wildfires

The PGA Tour event that Tiger Woods was scheduled to host in Southern California next month will be played at an alternate venue due to the massive wildfires that have ravaged parts of Los Angeles, the Tour said on Thursday.
Supporters of U.S. President Donald Trump in Tokyo march ahead of the inauguration of then President-elect Joe Biden on Jan 20, 2021.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Jan 17, 2025

Japan has nothing to fear from Trump — except in maybe one area

Japan is far better positioned in the areas most important to Trump than many other countries. If Shinzo Abe were still alive, Japan would be in a great place.
More Japanese students are reluctant to study abroad following the pandemic, when borders were closed for many countries.
JAPAN
Jan 17, 2025

Tokyo to offer financial aid to students studying abroad

Applicants need to be Japanese nationals who are either enrolled in or set to enter a university or technical college in Japan and whose parents reside in Tokyo.
Roki Sasaki pitches for Japan during the World Baseball Classic at Tokyo Dome on March 11, 2023.
BASEBALL / MLB
Jan 18, 2025

Japanese phenom Roki Sasaki signs with Dodgers

Sasaki is considered one of the most talented young pitchers on the planet. 
An employee at an auto parts maker in Ota, Gunma Prefecture. The automotive industries, which give fewer days off than other sectors do, are falling behind in the recruitment of new workers.
BUSINESS
Jan 19, 2025

Japan auto unions aiming to get five more days off in 2025

The number of nonworking days in the automotive industries has not increased in recent years and lags behind other sectors.
Preparations for the 2025 Osaka Expo are underway on Yumeshima island in the city of Osaka ahead of the April 13 opening.
JAPAN
Jan 19, 2025

Ishiba visits Osaka to inspect expo venue

Ishiba exchanged opinions with Osaka Gov. Hirofumi Yoshimura and others about the progress of preparations for the international event.
World Bank Deputy Chief Economist Ayhan Kose says there is room for the Bank of Japan to raise interest rates.
BUSINESS / Economy
Jan 19, 2025

Japan likely to see 'healthy growth' through 2026: World Bank exec

In its economic forecast released Thursday, the World Bank predicted Japan's gross domestic product will grow a real 1.2% in 2025 and 0.9% in 2026.
Donald Trump could weaken the dollar, but whether it would boost U.S. exports or improve America's trade balance with other countries is uncertain.
COMMENTARY / World
Jan 12, 2025

Can Trump dump the dollar?

Donald Trump could weaken the dollar, but whether it would boost U.S. exports or improve the trade balance remains uncertain.
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg
BUSINESS
Jan 20, 2025

Meta's move to halt fact-checking program in U.S. prompts concern

Instead of using trusted media organizations to fact-check, Meta plans to use "community notes" to check content.
A cartoon image of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump holding a Bitcoin token to mark the cryptocurrency reaching over $100,000 is displayed at a Coinhero store in Hong Kong on Dec. 5.
BUSINESS / Markets
Jan 20, 2025

Trump’s win sparked euphoria in markets — now comes the real test

A reversal was first apparent in the stock market, where the S&P 500 Index gave back a solid chunk of its "Trump bump.”
Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (right) and Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts meet on the field after their playoff game in Philadelphia on Sunday.
MORE SPORTS / Football
Jan 20, 2025

Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford noncommittal future after playoff loss

The quarterback, who will turn 37 on Feb. 7, is under contract for two more seasons.
Russia shipped 2.96 million barrels a day of crude in the four weeks to Jan. 12.
WORLD / Politics
Jan 20, 2025

Where the U.S. has squeezed Russia’s oil flows the hardest

The latest U.S. sanctions on oil tankers hauling Russian petroleum look set to cause severe disruption across the nation’s export machine.
The surge in share buybacks followed a request by the Tokyo Stock Exchange in March 2023 that listed companies put more focus on improving capital efficiency.
BUSINESS / Markets
Jan 20, 2025

Listed Japanese firms' share buybacks hit record in 2024

The increase has been attributed to accelerated corporate efforts to improve capital efficiency and pressure from activist shareholders.
U.S. President Donald Trump signs executive orders in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington on Monday.
WORLD / Politics
Jan 21, 2025

Trump pledges to save U.S. from 'decline,' vowing new 'golden age'

Trump quickly signed a series of executive actions to curb immigration and roll back environmental regulations, but did not take immediate action to raise tariffs.
Former Seattle Mariners player Ichiro Suzuki during spring training workouts in Peoria, Arizona, in March 2022
BASEBALL / MLB
Jan 21, 2025

Ichiro could be unanimous pick in Baseball Hall of Fame voting

Suzuki will likely become the first Hall of Famer born in Japan and may become the first position player to earn unanimous election.
Rae Burrell (left) of the Vinyl battles for possession with Lexie Hull and Angel Reese of the Rose in an Unrivaled 3-on-3 basketball game in Miami on Friday.
BASKETBALL
Jan 21, 2025

Unrivaled could teach the NBA how to win back its fans

The new league plays a fast-paced, free-flowing version of basketball that empowers players to show off their skills.
Supporters of impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol stand off against police outside the Seoul Western District Court in Seoul on Saturday, as the court weighs whether to extend his detention following his arrest by investigators a failed martial law bid.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Jan 21, 2025

Yoon shuns questioning, as supporters face charges over court rampage

Security is being beefed up at the Seoul Detention Center where the impeached South Korean president is being held as a pretrial inmate and at the Constitutional Court.

Longform

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