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People walk past an NBA fan store in New York on July 8. The NBA has said it is "exploring" the creation of a professional basketball league in Europe.
BASKETBALL / NBA
Apr 8, 2025

Why is the NBA eyeing Europe?

For several years now, the NBA has wanted to plant its flag on European soil.
George Glass, U.S. President Donald Trump's pick to be ambassador to Japan, attends a Senate Foreign Relations Committee confirmation hearing in Washington on March 13.
JAPAN / Politics
Apr 9, 2025

Japan gets a new U.S. ambassador — and he has his work cut out for him

The U.S. Senate has voted to confirm George Glass, whose top agenda items include resolving the tariff row and getting Tokyo to spend more on defense.
Masatoshi Asari is one of Japan’s foremost living authorities on cherry trees and their blossoms.
JAPAN
Apr 9, 2025

The man who sent Japan's cherry blossoms out to the world

Masatoshi Asari's trees — symbols of peace and reconciliation — blossom in the U.K., U.S., Poland and China.
Lee Jae-myung, leader of South Korea's Democratic Party, during a meeting at the National Assembly in Seoul on Monday. Lee is the top candidate for the next presidential election, with support of 34% respondents in a Gallup poll released April. 4.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Apr 9, 2025

South Korea opposition leader Lee steps down amid expectations of presidential run

The country holds a presidential election on June 3 after former president Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment.
U.S. President Donald Trump speaks as he attends the National Republican Congressional Committee dinner in Washington on Tuesday. Trump allowed new tariffs — including a 24% levy on Japan — to go into effect as scheduled on Wednesday.
BUSINESS / Markets
Apr 9, 2025

Trump's tariff gambit leaves Asia stunned and scrambling

Tariffs take time to actually affect prices and trade flows, but financial markets are already responding to the possibility of severe economic dislocation.
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte speaks during a forum at Keio University in Tokyo on Wednesday.
JAPAN / Politics
Apr 9, 2025

NATO chief calls on allies and partners to ‘outproduce and outpace’ rivals

In Tokyo on Wednesday, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte called on members of the alliance and its four Indo-Pacific partners to work more closely together.
Chiharu Shida of Japan in action during the bronze medal match with Nami Matsuyama against Pearly Tan and Muralitharan Thinaah of Malaysia at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France on Aug. 03, 2024
MORE SPORTS / Badminton
Apr 9, 2025

Japanese badminton ace Shida blasts 'stalker' Chinese fans

Shida, who won women's doubles bronze at the Paris Olympics, has a strong following in China partly because of her engagement with the local culture.
A large statue of Osaka Expo mascot Myaku Myaku sits near the east entrance of the event's venue in Yumeshima island, Osaka, on Wednesday.
JAPAN
Apr 9, 2025

After a tumultuous buildup, a first look at the Osaka Expo

Members of the media and other invited guests got a glimpse of the event's shiny pavilions spread over 155 hectares, and the signature Grand Ring overlooking them.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a meeting with Belgian Prime Minister Bart de Wever and business officials in Kyiv on Tuesday
WORLD
Apr 10, 2025

Zelenskyy says at least 155 Chinese nationals are fighting on Russia's side

Ukraine captured two Chinese nationals in eastern Ukraine, where Russian troops have been advancing.
Jon Rahm hits a shot during a practice round ahead of the Masters on Wednesday. Rahm is one of 12 players from LIV Golf in the 95-player field.
MORE SPORTS / Golf
Apr 10, 2025

Masters not planning to create exemption for LIV Golf players

Augusta National Golf Club Chairman Fred Ridley pointed out that the Masters is an invitational tournament, and Augusta National can extend special invitations to anyone.
The White House says U.S. President Donald Trump "has a spine of steel and will not break.”
BUSINESS / Economy
Apr 10, 2025

Trump shock pushes U.S. and China toward decoupling cliff edge

Trump's 120% tariffs on Chinese goods and Beijing’s determination to fight back in kind mean a seismic cleavage is rapidly becoming a reality.
Bereaved family members of crime victims on the sidelines of National Stadium during the J. League's Levain Cup final on Nov. 2 in Tokyo. A Tokyo police initiative in which children who have lost family to crimes or accidents are invited to sports and entertainment events marks its 10th anniversary this year.
JAPAN / Society
Apr 10, 2025

Tokyo police program for bereaved children marks 10 years

Sponsorship from private companies and nonprofits have helped grow the initiative, and today, other prefectures have also adopted similar support programs.
The whereabouts of a bear that attacked three people in Nagano Prefecture on Wednesday were still unknown the following day.
JAPAN
Apr 10, 2025

Authorities on alert after three injured in Nagano bear attack

Two men are believed to have sustained serious injuries, but all three victims remain conscious. The whereabouts of the bear remain unknown.
Hon Hai Precision Industry, which does business as Foxconn, wants to make electric vehicles for Japanese carmakers.
BUSINESS / Companies / FOCUS
Apr 10, 2025

It makes iPhones. Now Hon Hai wants to make cars for Japanese automakers.

The Taiwanese company's seemingly unlikely proposition — given the structure and history of Japan's auto industry — just might work.
Trading indexes at the New York Stock Exchange on Thursday. Bets worth millions of dollars placed on a rebound by unidentified options traders shortly before U.S. President Donald Trump's tariff pause are drawing scrutiny.
BUSINESS / Markets
Apr 11, 2025

Well-timed option trades ahead of Trump's tariff pause draw questions

Some unidentified options traders placed bets worth millions of dollars on a rebound minutes before the U.S. president's social media post sent the stock market rallying.
U.S. President Donald Trump's abrupt U-turn on his tariff measures has been met with a mix of relief and bewilderment.
BUSINESS / Economy
Apr 11, 2025

U.S. allies greet Trump’s tariff U-turn with relief and defiance

As governments try to divine what would convince Trump to grant permanent waivers, his new willingness to reverse course inserts another layer of uncertainty.
The Braves' Ronald Acuna Jr. rounds the bases after hitting a home run against the Mets in New York on May 10, 2024.
BASEBALL / MLB
Apr 11, 2025

Braves outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. to have knee evaluated

Acuna, 27, has participated in batting practice but hasn't yet been cleared to run the bases.
The Osaka Prefectural Police headquarters in the city of Osaka
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Apr 11, 2025

Japan Post employee arrested for mailing used condom to post office

According to the police, the envelope was addressed to a female employee working at the targeted branch.
Ousted former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol waves to his supporters as he moves out of the presidential residence in Seoul on Friday.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Apr 11, 2025

Ousted South Korean President Yoon leaves official residence

The Constitutional Court upheld Yoon's impeachment last Friday, capping four months of unprecedented constitutional turmoil.
U.S. Vice President JD Vance walks with Col. Susannah Meyers, then-commander of the U.S. military's Pituffik Space Base, as they tour the base in Greenland on March 28.
WORLD / Politics
Apr 12, 2025

Head of U.S. base in Greenland fired after vice president's visit

Col. Susannah Meyers was removed after reports she distanced herself and the base from U.S. Vice President JD Vance's criticism of Denmark.
A trader works on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange during afternoon trading on Wednesday in New York.
BUSINESS / Economy / ANALYSIS
Apr 12, 2025

Asset flight challenges U.S. safe haven status

The U.S. has long been considered a financial safe haven —but Trump's trade war is starting to raise questions about if that's still true.
The member states of the World Health Organization reached "an agreement in principle" on Saturday on a text designed to better protect the world from future pandemics, after more than three years of discussions, the co-chair of the negotiating body said.
WORLD / Science & Health
Apr 13, 2025

Accord reached 'in principle' over tackling future pandemics

Delegates will meet on Tuesday to put the finishing touches to a landmark text on pandemic prevention, preparedness and response.
George Glass, then-nominee to be U.S. ambassador to Japan, speaks during a confirmation hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington on March 13.
JAPAN / Politics
Apr 13, 2025

New U.S. ambassador to Japan 'optimistic' about tariff negotiations

Tariffs on vehicles and auto parts are expected to be a key focus of the talks this week, Japanese officials have said.
Ousted South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol waves before leaving the presidential residence in Seoul on Friday.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Apr 13, 2025

South Korean ex-President Yoon to face insurrection trial

If convicted, Yoon could face life imprisonment or even the death penalty.
Lo Kin-hei (center), chairman of the Democratic Party, attends a news conference after an extraordinary general meeting to seek members' views on the potential dissolution of the party in Hong Kong on Sunday.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Apr 14, 2025

Hong Kong's last major opposition party moves toward disbanding

The head of the Democratic Party says 90% of its 110 members had voted for disbandment arrangements to begin, followed by a final vote in the coming months.
Liverpool manager Arne Slot (left) hugs defender Virgil van Dijk after their win over West Ham United in Liverpool, England, on Sunday.
SOCCER
Apr 14, 2025

Arne Slot praises Liverpool's mentality as club moves closer to title

With a 13-point lead over second-place Arsenal, Liverpool needs just two wins from its final six games to win the Premier League title.
The Trump administration has slashed LGBTQ+ health research funding, dismantling key programs and halting studies on disparities and mental health, which experts warn will reverse progress and harm vulnerable communities.
COMMENTARY
Apr 14, 2025

The very idea of LGBTQ+ health is under attack

The Trump administration is rapidly breaking down the research infrastructure for these communities and doing so in a manner that guarantees it can’t be restored.
U.S. President Donald Trump and his “madman theory” won’t get Iranian supreme leader Ali Khamenei to scrap his nuclear program.
COMMENTARY / World
Apr 14, 2025

Why should Iran believe anything the U.S. threatens or promises?

The Iranians — like the Russians — are notoriously shifty negotiators. But so are the Americans, now that they’re led by Trump.
New Zealand's Mark Tele'a in action in October 2023
MORE SPORTS / Rugby
Apr 15, 2025

All Black wing Tele'a announces Japan switch

Media reports have suggested that the 28-year-old will join Toyota Verblitz.
Yankees center fielder Aaron Judge in action against the Diamondbacks in New York on April 3
BASEBALL
Apr 15, 2025

Aaron Judge to captain United States in World Baseball Classic

Judge will be playing in the international team event for the first time.

Longform

Japan's growing ranks of centenarians are redefining what it means to live in a super-aging society.
What comes after 100?