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The government aims to promote a drastic review of its rice policy by understanding farmers' medium- and long-term plans on planting areas and others.
JAPAN
Jun 20, 2025

Japan to survey farmers on rice production intentions

By understanding farmers' medium- and long-term plans on planting areas and others, the government aims to promote a drastic review of its rice policy.
The Upper House during a plenary session in Tokyo on Wednesday
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Jun 20, 2025

Ishiba handles minority government well over the six-month session

With parliamentary business concluding, all eyes are on next month’s Upper House election.
Japan’s governance reforms launched in 2015 sparked a surge in M&A and investor activism, but critics warn the resulting foreign takeovers and short-term focus may come at a cost.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Jun 20, 2025

Has Japan's corporate revolution worked too well?

From private equity to activist investors to consolidation among companies fearful they’ll be targeted next, no acquisition seems beyond the pale.
Members of an inspection team check the apparent remains of a ballistic missile in northern Israel on Wednesday following the attacks by Iran.
COMMENTARY / World
Jun 19, 2025

It will take democracy and regime change to end Iran’s nuclear threat

Thanks to Khamenei, Iran has spent almost four decades on a path to war with Israel, which he calls a “cancer” in the region that must be annihilated.
By pioneering stem cell therapies, Japan is not only treating disease but also seeking to rejuvenate a nation grappling with aging and decline.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Jun 20, 2025

Japan is helping lead the way in regenerative medicine

In pristine labs across Japan, scientists are tinkering with the architecture of regeneration.
Under a new basic policy for reconstruction, the government will tackle such issues as the final disposal of soil removed during radiation decontamination after the nuclear accident at Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings' Fukushima No. 1 power plant.
JAPAN
Jun 20, 2025

¥1.9 trillion over five years eyed for 2011 tsunami reconstruction

The amount tops ¥1.6 trillion for the five years through fiscal 2025, which ends in March.
Restaurants from 22 territories across five continents were honored at this year's World's 50 Best Restaurants awards ceremony held in Turin, Italy.
LIFE / Food & Drink
Jun 20, 2025

Four restaurants from Japan earn spots on World’s 50 Best list

Tokyo has three entries, with Sezanne climbing from its previous position of No. 15 to No. 7 this year.
Finance Minister Katsunobu Kato during an interview at the Finance Ministry in Tokyo in April
BUSINESS / Markets
Jun 20, 2025

Japan surprises with plan for bigger cut to superlong bond issuance

The Finance Ministry proposed reducing the issuance of 20-, 30- and 40-year bonds by a total of ¥3.2 trillion ($22 billion) through the end of March 2026.
Harvard University’s crest is displayed on banners from the Harry Elkins Widener Memorial Library on campus in Cambridge, Massachusetts, last month.
WORLD / Crime & Legal
Jun 21, 2025

U.S. judge blocks Trump ban on foreign students at Harvard

A federal judge has indefinitely paused Donald Trump's bid to block Harvard from enrolling foreign students as the U.S. president said a "deal" with the school was in the works.
Japan Display holds a general shareholders' meeting on Saturday in Tokyo.
BUSINESS / Companies
Jun 22, 2025

JDI vows turnaround at shareholders' meeting

The struggling maker of liquid crystal display panels will shutter its flagship Mobara plant and cut about 1,500 jobs in Japan.
An under-construction container ship sits at the Daewoo DSME shipyard in Okpo, South Korea, in December 2014.
BUSINESS / Economy / FOCUS
Jun 22, 2025

South Korea counts on shipbuilding to ease U.S. tariff woes

Already hit by sector levies on steel and car exports, Seoul is laser-focused on negotiations over a 25% country-specific tariff.
The Suns agreed to trade Kevin Durant to the Rockets in a blockbuster deal on Sunday.
BASKETBALL / NBA
Jun 23, 2025

Suns to send Kevin Durant to Rockets in blockbuster trade

"Being part of the Houston Rockets, I'm looking forward to it," Durant said. "Crazy, crazy last couple weeks, but I'm glad it's over with."
Malaysian military personnel take part in a seven-day training program in Japan focused on the operation and maintenance of drones, which are set to be provided to Malaysia through Japan's official security assistance program.
JAPAN
Jun 23, 2025

Japan aims to double number of military aid recipients this year

Tokyo is looking to add five new countries to its official security assistance (OSA) program, which is intended to help maintain stability in the Indo-Pacific region.
The Liberal Democratic Party's Tokyo chapter head, Shinji Inoue (right), at the party's headquarters on Sunday night
JAPAN / Politics / ANALYSIS
Jun 23, 2025

Tokyo election results signal uncertainty for LDP ahead of Upper House race

“It was a very tough election,” said Shinji Inoue, head of the LDP’s Tokyo chapter, early on Monday morning after the results came in.
Arisa Trew understands both sides of the debate around the introduction of a minimum age limit for World Skateboarding Tour events.
MORE SPORTS
Jun 23, 2025

World Skate puts brakes on skateboarding's preteen movement with new age limits

The minimum age of 11 this year will be raised one year each in 2026, 2027 and 2028 so that when the LA Olympics roll around in 2028, the minimum age will be 14.
Fuji Television Network's headquarters in Tokyo's Minato Ward
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Jun 23, 2025

Fuji TV employee arrested for alleged online gambling

The 44-year-old manager admitted to the charge and said that he learned about online gambling from his senior colleague five years ago.
The Strait of Hormuz separating Iran (top) from the United Arab Emirates and Oman (bottom) as seen from the International Space Station in 2021. More than half of the oil imported by East Asia passes through the Strait, experts estimate.
BUSINESS / Economy
Jun 24, 2025

Asian countries most vulnerable to Strait of Hormuz blockade

Japanese customs data showed 95% of crude oil imports last year came from the Middle East.
Lakers forward LeBron James controls the ball against the Timberwolves in Los Angeles on April 30.
BASKETBALL / NBA
Jun 24, 2025

NBA's James feels great after first workout since knee injury

The player has a Sunday deadline to opt into a $52.2 million player contract option for next season with the Lakers.
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said Monday that his ruling coalition aims to secure a majority in the Upper House.
JAPAN / Politics
Jun 24, 2025

Japan sets Upper House election for July 20

Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said Monday that his ruling coalition aims to secure a majority in the Upper House. The bloc needs to win at least 50 seats to achieve the goal.
AI is not only transforming the applications we use; it is also reshaping the very process of software development, threatening to render much of today’s tech sector obsolete.
COMMENTARY / World
Jun 15, 2025

How artificial intelligence will disrupt Big Tech

AI is already starting to cannibalize established giants and also to reshape the profession of software engineering.
Bentos are popular with a wide range of people in Japan for convenience and price.
BUSINESS / Companies
Jun 24, 2025

Bento shop bankruptcies could hit a record in 2025

Inflation, weak economic growth and work-at-home arrangements are leading to a decline in sales, lower profits and losses.
A Ukrainian tank fitted with protective netting — known as “cage armor” — highlights how the war has favored fast, low-tech adaptations over expensive hardware.
COMMENTARY / World
Jun 19, 2025

High-tech weapons alone won’t win the wars of tomorrow

To prevail in future conflicts, Western countries must maintain financial flexibility and combine advanced systems with scalable low-tech solutions.
Liberal Democratic Party policy chief Itsunori Onodera (right) announces its campaign pledges for the Upper House election at the party's headquarters in Tokyo on Thursday.
JAPAN / Politics
Jun 25, 2025

Over 470 gearing up to run in Japan's Upper House election

Opposition parties are expected to fight over Upper House seats in over half of the 32 constituencies where one seat each is up for grabs.
Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis shoots a free throw during a playoff game against the Knicks on May 7.
BASKETBALL
Jun 25, 2025

Hawks reportedly acquire Celtics' Kristaps Porzingis in three-team trade

Porzingis averaged 19.5 points and 6.8 rebounds in only 42 regular-season games last season.
Renho speaks in Tokyo during a news conference for candidates for the Tokyo gubernatorial election, in June last year.
JAPAN / Politics
Jun 25, 2025

Opposition CDP to field Renho in Upper House poll

During her fourth term, Renho left the CDP and ran as an independent in last year's Tokyo gubernatorial election.
U.S. President Donald Trump’s second-term tech policy consolidates AI regulatory power in the White House, empowering American tech giants at the expense of state authority, international cooperation and democratic oversight.
COMMENTARY / World
Jun 25, 2025

The 'Washington Effect' could decide the AI race

While Trump administration officials pressure foreign governments to ease up on U.S. firms, Congress moves to block state-level oversight altogether.
In addition to prepaid transportation integrated circuit (IC) cards, such as Suica and Pasmo, a growing number of railway operators are introducing contactless credit card payments.
BUSINESS
Jun 29, 2025

Railway firms diversify ticket gate access methods

A growing number of railway operators are introducing contactless credit card payments.
Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton suffered an Achilles injury during Game 7 of the NBA Finals on Sunday.
BASKETBALL / NBA
Jun 26, 2025

Adam Silver says NBA taking serious look at increase in Achilles injuries

Silver said there was no convincing evidence that the length of the season was a factor.
Japanese automakers make 3.3 million cars in the U.S. a year, far more than the 1.37 million that they ship there, Japan's chief trade negotiator Ryosei Akazawa says.
BUSINESS / Economy
Jun 26, 2025

Japan can’t accept 25% car tariffs, Akazawa reiterates

Japanese automakers make roughly 3.3 million cars in the U.S. a year, far more than the 1.37 million that they ship there, the negotiator said.
Voters in the Upper House election in July 2022
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Jun 26, 2025

Upper House election date falling on a three-day weekend sparks debate

The July 20 election falls on a Sunday that is also the second day of a three-day holiday weekend, when many people are likely to plan for trips and outings.

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