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Smoke from the Palisades Fire rises over the Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu, California,  on Jan. 7.
WORLD / Science & Health
Jan 29, 2025

Scientists race to gauge Los Angeles fires’ impact on ocean life

The more than 15,000 structures that burned in the Los Angeles fires released carcinogenic clouds of ash that blew far out to sea.
A train during the handover ceremony of the high-speed rail project linking Kunming, China, with Vientiane, Laos, in 2021. Thailand expects to complete its first high-speed rail network linking the country to China through Laos by 2030.
ASIA PACIFIC
Jan 29, 2025

Thai high-speed rail linking Bangkok to China eyes 2030 opening

Southeast Asia’s second-biggest economy is looking to improve its connectivity with China, its biggest trading partner.
Kirsty Coventry, who is bidding to become the next president of the International Olympic Committee, in Paris on Aug. 10, 2024.
OLYMPICS
Jan 29, 2025

Kirsty Coventry hopes to make waves in IOC presidential race

The former swimming star is one of seven candidates bidding to succeed Thomas Bach as president of the International Olympic Committee.
The Vince Lombardi Trophy is displayed at the U.S. Capitol in Washington on Jan. 22.
MORE SPORTS / Football
Jan 30, 2025

NFL enhances Super Bowl security after New Year's Day attack in New Orleans

The NFL is set to host the Super Bowl on Feb. 9, with the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles facing off at New Orleans' Superdome.
A little-used section of the JR Geibi Line, which runs through the Chugoku Mountains in Okayama and Hiroshima prefectures, faces a threat of closure.
JAPAN / Regional Voices: Hiroshima
Feb 10, 2025

Underutilized Hiroshima-Okayama rail route struggles to survive

While the number of passengers has continued to decline, the Geibi Line has served as a lifeline for some residents.
McLaren chief Zak Brown celebrates after driver Lando Norris' win in the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
MORE SPORTS / Auto Racing
Jan 30, 2025

McLaren boss envisions four-way battle for title during 2025 Formula One season

McLaren was crowned constructors' champion last season for the first time in 26 years
Colombian President Gustavo Petro
BUSINESS / Markets
Jan 30, 2025

Trump’s nine-hour economic war on Colombia rattles markets

Trump’s more strategic than his first term, and governments across the globe are in a weaker position after their budgets were upended by the COVID-19 pandemic.
U.S. President Donald Trump speaks at the White House in Washington on Thursday about the midair crash between an American Airlines plane and a military helicopter.
WORLD / Politics
Jan 31, 2025

Trump blames diversity programs over midair collision

The crash was nation's most deadly commercial airline accident in over a decade.
The Immigration Services Agency says it is unclear whether application fee price hikes will lead to shorter processing times, but would “continue its efforts to improve efficiency to minimize any inconvenience to applicants.”
JAPAN
Jan 31, 2025

Japan's immigration processing fees to rise starting April 1

The Immigration Services Agency has cited rising prices and personnel costs for its first price hikes — of as much as 50% — in over four decades.
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba’s reluctance to engage with newly elected U.S. President Donald Trump while strengthening ties with China raises concerns about Japan’s strategic priorities.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Jan 31, 2025

Ishiba nudges his ‘little Japan’ closer to China

Prime Minister Ishiba’s reluctance to engage with Trump while strengthening ties with China raises concerns about Japan’s strategic priorities and its alliance with the U.S.
Trucks wait in line at the Zaragoza-Ysleta border crossing into the U.S. on Friday in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, a day ahead of U.S. President Donald Trump's order to impose tariffs on Mexican imports.
BUSINESS / Economy
Feb 2, 2025

Trump launches trade war with tariffs on Mexico, Canada and China

U.S. President Donald Trump has ordered 25% tariffs on Canadian and Mexican imports and 10% on goods from China starting Tuesday.
Snow-covered streets in Obihiro, Hokkaido, on Tuesday
JAPAN
Feb 4, 2025

Record-breaking snowfall hits Hokkaido as cold front sweeps Japan

The cold air mass is expected to fluctuate in intensity and persist until the weekend, with heavy snow forecast for Hokkaido, Tohoku and Hokuriku later this week.
Highway One after a portion of the road collapsed into the Pacific Ocean in Monterey County, California, in March 2024
ENVIRONMENT / Climate change
Feb 4, 2025

These roads aren’t built for wilder weather driven by climate change

Worldwide warming temperatures are hammering roads that were built for a different climate and ballooning repair budgets.
Russian demand for Japanese grand pianos is always very high, a dealer has said.
BUSINESS / Economy
Feb 4, 2025

Smuggled grand pianos show Trump’s challenge in pressuring Putin

High-end Japanese pianos still make their way to Russia despite export ban, highlighting Tokyo's struggle to enforce sanctions.
U.S. President Donald Trump meets with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington on Tuesday.
WORLD / Politics
Feb 5, 2025

Trump says U.S. should control Gaza, sparking rebukes and ridicule

The proposal, at odds with Mideast reality and America’s fraught history in the region, quickly drew sharp opposition from Saudi Arabia.
Next Generation Technology Group acquires companies in need of future leadership with competitive technologies and high margins, said Eiichi Arai, the Tokyo-based firm’s CEO.
BUSINESS / Companies
Feb 5, 2025

Tokyo’s first listing of the year soars in trading debut

The shares climbed as much as 58% to ¥3,165 in early trading in Tokyo on Wednesday.
Members of Myanmar's military patrol on a street next to Shwedagon Pagoda, on the fourth anniversary of the military coup, in Yangon on Feb. 1.
ASIA PACIFIC
Feb 5, 2025

Myanmar junta bans possible conscripts from foreign travel

The junta has lost control of swathes of the country to ethnic minority armed groups and other opposition forces in the civil war triggered by its coup d'etat four years ago.
The area near the site where the remains of a dismembered body was found in the city of Higashiosaka, on Jan. 30.
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Feb 5, 2025

Osaka police identify dismembered body as ministry official

The deceased, 52-year-old Takamichi Kamioka, had been missing since late last year, prompting his family to file a missing persons report.
A 45-year-old widow (Takako Matsu) repeatedly travels back in time to meet her future — and late — husband (Hokuto Matsumura) in “First Kiss.”
CULTURE / Film
Feb 6, 2025

‘First Kiss’: Time-traveling romantic drama isn’t afraid of a few wrinkles

Ayuko Tsukahara’s high-concept love story has wit and wisdom to spare with an endearing screen couple at its center.
Far from making America great again, Donald Trump’s actions since assuming the presidency are giving a giant boost to China’s attempts at world leadership.
COMMENTARY / World
Feb 7, 2025

‘America First’ in action

Far from making America great again, Trump is giving a giant boost to China’s claims to world leadership.
The International Criminal Court building
WORLD / Crime & Legal / EXPLAINER
Feb 8, 2025

'Existential threat': What next for the ICC after U.S. sanctions?

Experts say the sanctions announced by Trump will have a wide-reaching impact on the court.
Tomoko Akane, President of the International Criminal Court (ICC), in Tokyo in June 2024.
JAPAN
Feb 8, 2025

ICC president condemns U.S. order enabling sanctions on staff

The order allows the U.S. government to impose sanctions such as an asset freeze and a travel ban on ICC staff and their families.
Real Madrid's French forward Kylian Mbappe is tugged by Atletico Madrid's French defender Clement Lenglet during the Spanish league football match between in Madrid on Saturday.
SOCCER
Feb 9, 2025

Mbappe secures Real Madrid derby draw against Atletico

Kylian Mbappe scored in his first Madrid derby to secure a 1-1 draw in a tense clash against Atletico, keeping Real Madrid atop La Liga.
Toshikazu Shiba (right), 71, works full-time along with younger staff at sofa manufacturer Eucas in Kurume, Fukuoka Prefecture.
JAPAN / Society / Regional Voices: Kyushu
Feb 17, 2025

More older people choosing to work for social connection and survival

Older residents are exploring ways to navigate the later stages of their lives, whether continuing their careers or with new ventures.
Japan's current account surplus grew 29.5% year on year in 2024, the Finance Ministry said.
BUSINESS / Economy
Feb 10, 2025

Japan's current account surplus hits record high in 2024

The surplus grew 29.5% from 2023 to ¥29.26 trillion ($193 billion) last year, the Finance Ministry said in a preliminary report.
Shiseido's disappointing outlook, which came alongside a surprise fourth-quarter loss, shows the challenges facing consumer brands as Chinese shoppers rein in their spending.
BUSINESS / Companies
Feb 11, 2025

Shiseido says China’s cautious shoppers hurt profit outlook

The Japanese cosmetics firm does not expect to meet analyst forecasts for the 2025 fiscal year following a surprise fourth-quarter loss.
Travel officials from the Middle East experience test cutting for Japanese swords in Setouchi, Okayama Prefecture, in January.
JAPAN
Feb 11, 2025

Government touts exchanges with nations participating in Osaka Expo

Local governments expect their plans to boost youth exchanges, accelerate overseas expansion and promote tourism.
In digital trade, Japan's imports have been rising faster than its exports, amid the dominance of global information technology giants such as Microsoft and Google.
BUSINESS / Economy
Feb 11, 2025

Japan's trade deficit for digital services rose to record ¥6.6 trillion in 2024

Japan's digital trade deficit is expected to reach ¥10 trillion in 2030, roughly equivalent to its crude oil imports in 2024.
President Donald Trump shows a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) forecast track of Hurricane Dorian that was altered with a black marker in Washington on Sept. 4, 2019.
ENVIRONMENT / Climate change
Feb 11, 2025

NOAA told to make list of climate-related grants, setting off fears

Staff members were given a list and told to identify which could be "potentially impacted” by one of U.S. President Donald Trump’s executive orders.
Japanese companies face mounting pressure as U.S.-China tensions grow, forcing them to navigate security concerns, economic dependencies and shifting trade policies.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Feb 12, 2025

For Japanese firms, the China dilemma is set to intensify

“America First” and “Make America Great Again” are simple slogans that can be fitted to any outcome. All that ultimately matters is the final say of the president.

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