Search - 2022

 
 
The yen’s slide has pushed up import bills in Japan, keeping domestic consumer spending tepid, with analysts saying any gains in real wages may evaporate if the yen depreciates further.
BUSINESS / Economy
Apr 24, 2024

Investors loved weak yen boosting shares until it went too far

Concern is growing that the currency is becoming a liability for Japan’s economy and stocks.
The plaintiff in the case against Mizuho Bank had sought about ¥33 million in damages, including wages he should have received.
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Apr 24, 2024

Mizuho ordered to pay ¥3.3 million to ex-employee over labor dispute

The bank had — citing problematic behavior — told him to stay home at reduced pay without any work for five years.
Delegates meet for the Development Committee Plenary during the World Bank and IMF 2024 Spring Meetings in Washington on Friday.
COMMENTARY / World
Apr 24, 2024

Negotiating a bigger, better World Bank

Recent changes at the global lender are important steps toward making the World Bank’s financial model fit for “ending poverty on a livable planet.”
The rate of the yen against the U.S. dollar is displayed in the trading room at foreign exchange brokerage Gaitame.com in Tokyo on Thursday.
BUSINESS / Markets
Apr 25, 2024

Yen inches closer to intervention point as BOJ meeting starts

For the first time in over 30 years, the yen weakened beyond ¥155 per dollar, sending traders on the alert for possible intervention.
South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol
BUSINESS / Economy
Apr 25, 2024

South Korea’s economic growth beats forecast as exports rise

South Korea's gross domestic product advanced 1.3% in the three months through March, easily outpacing economists’ consensus for a 0.6% expansion.
After a string of contractual issues over guarantor service for the elderly, the government aims to introduce specific regulations to ensure that users can access support with confidence.
JAPAN / Society
Apr 25, 2024

Japan to draw up guidelines for elderly guarantor services

Demand for guarantor services is rising due to the growing number of elderly living alone
Exporters will be helped both by the stronger dollar, and also by their exposure to the U.S. economic resilience.
BUSINESS / Markets
Apr 25, 2024

Dollar wrecking ball forces investors to seek cover in exporters

Those with significant dollar earnings are set for a windfall, with major beneficiaries including heavyweight Asian chipmakers.
An image provided by Profluent Bio shows the physical structure of OpenCRISPR-1, a gene editor created by AI technology from Profluent.
WORLD / Science & Health
Apr 25, 2024

Generative AI arrives in the gene-editing world of CRISPR

AI has arrived on the scene of gene editing with the goal of outdoing billions of years of natural evolution.
The planned extension of the Hokkaido Shinkansen to Sapporo will be delayed until after fiscal 2030 due to difficulties relating to tunnel construction, according to sources.
JAPAN
Apr 25, 2024

Hokkaido Shinkansen extension to be delayed beyond fiscal 2030

According to sources, tunnel construction for the section has proven challenging.
While some publicly traded bitcoin mining companies release details of their energy use, there is no reliable data on exactly how much electricity the industry as a whole consumes.
BUSINESS / Tech / ANALYSIS
Apr 25, 2024

Bitcoin miner environmental battles heat up in U.S.

As cryptocurrency groups work to shield mines from local regulations, U.S. President Joe Biden proposed an excise tax on bitcoin energy use.
Toyota's annual global sales topped 10 million units in 2023 for the first time.
BUSINESS / Companies
Apr 26, 2024

Toyota sets records for output and sales as scandals fail to dent demand

Global sales increased 5% from a year earlier to 11.1 million units, new data shows, exceeding 10 million for the first time.
The National Police Agency in Tokyo. Under an NPA plan, the minimum amount of state benefits paid to bereaved families of crime victims will be raised from ¥3.2 million to ¥10.6 million.
JAPAN
Apr 25, 2024

Japan to increase benefits for crime victims' families

The National Police Agency aims to carry out the revision in June after seeking public comments.
Caleb Williams poses with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being selected by the Chicago Bears with the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL draft in Detroit on Thursday.
MORE SPORTS
Apr 26, 2024

Bears take Caleb Williams with No. 1 pick to start QB rush at NFL draft

Five quarterbacks went in the first 10 picks with no defensive players selected.
TikTok accounts for a small share of ByteDance's total revenues and daily active users, so the parent would rather have the app shut down in the U.S. in a worst-case scenario than sell it to a potential American buyer, sources said.
BUSINESS / Tech
Apr 26, 2024

ByteDance prefers TikTok shutdown in U.S. if legal options fail, sources say

A shutdown would have limited impact on its business, and it would not have to give up its "secret sauce" — the algorithm that pushes videos to users.
The Oresundsverket natural gas-fired power plant, operated by Uniper, in Malmo, Sweden
WORLD / Politics
Apr 26, 2024

Sweden plans for worst-case scenario: War spreading in Europe

Russia's invasion of Ukraine has prompted Sweden to prepare for any possible contingency, including war coming to Europe.
Twenty-three Chinese swimmers tested positive for a banned substance before the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
MORE SPORTS
Apr 26, 2024

WADA asks 'independent prosecutor' to examine its handling of China case

The United States Anti-Doping Agency branded WADA's announcement of an independent investigation "self-serving."
Ukrainian soldiers fire artillery toward Russian positions. Ukraine's allies are looking into ways to use frozen Russian assets to aid the war-torn country, but the process remains highly complex.
WORLD / Politics / EXPLAINER
Apr 26, 2024

How the West might use Russia's frozen reserves to help Ukraine

Ideas being looked at remain highly complex given it would set a controversial precedent.
Members of a group of former second-generation Jenovah's Witnesses speak during a news conference in Tokyo in November.
JAPAN / Society
Apr 26, 2024

Japan finds 47 cases of abuse of 'second-generation followers'

Victims were temporarily taken into protective custody in 19 of the total cases.
Theaster Gates' “A Heavenly Chord” lines up church pews before seven speakers and a Hammond B3 organ, a type of electric organ prevalent in Black American churches.
CULTURE / Art
Apr 27, 2024

Theaster Gates’ ambitious ‘Afro-Mingei’ brings Black Chicago to Tokyo

The largest solo show ever of a Black artist in Japan is an absorbing history lesson that draws a line between Chicago and Aichi.
American Christian Coleman celebrates after winning the men's 100 meter final at a Diamond League event in Xiamen, China, on April 20.
MORE SPORTS / Athletics
Apr 26, 2024

American Coleman believes Bolt's 100 meter record could fall soon

Christian Miller, a 17-year-old from the U.S., ran 9.93 — the fastest time in the world this year — at a high school meet in Florida last weekend.
Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako attend an event in Tokyo on Friday.
JAPAN
Apr 27, 2024

Imperial couple to visit Britain in June in first trip to country since '22

The visit will be the first trip to Britain by Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako since they attended the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II in 2022.
Ukrainian guards patrol a stretch of land on the border with Romania. New guidance carries a clear message to Ukrainian men abroad who may be avoiding the draft: You don’t get the benefit of state services if you don’t join the fight.
WORLD / Politics
Apr 27, 2024

Ukraine is denying consular services to men outside the country

The drive to bring fighting-age men back to Ukraine, or keep them from leaving, is part of a broader effort to enlist new soldiers urgently.
Sakiyama elementary school in Tamba, Hyogo Prefecture, in March .Over the past decade, the government has directed efforts toward policies designed to give young people incentives to base themselves in rural areas.
JAPAN / Society / FOCUS
Apr 27, 2024

In Japan, regional revitalization fails to halt population decline

Efforts to revitalize rural areas through various incentives has yielded limited results as people continue to gravitate toward urban centers.
A prisoner stands behind the door of a cell in the isolation section of the Villepinte detention center in Villepinte, near Paris.
WORLD / Society
Apr 27, 2024

Ahead of Olympics, a packed Paris prison braces for crowds of inmates

Many of the events are being held in Seine-Saint-Denis, which has the highest ratio of immigrants among France's departments and is also the poorest.
Palestinians cover a body that was buried in a mass grave in the northern Gaza Strip.
WORLD / EXPLAINER
Apr 27, 2024

Mass graves in Gaza: what do we know?

The discovery of mass graves at two Gaza hospitals have triggered calls by the U.N. rights chief and others for an international investigation.
Rafael Nadal celebrates his win over Alex de Minaur on Saturday at the Madrid Open.
TENNIS
Apr 28, 2024

Nadal shines in Madrid win but warns he 'needs time' to find full power

It was an impressive performance from the 37-year-old but he immediately dismissed the idea it was anywhere near his vintage form.
Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks during a meeting in St. Petersburg on Friday.
WORLD / Politics
Apr 28, 2024

Putin’s war will soon reach Russians’ tax bills

The move reflects both the burgeoning costs of his war in Ukraine and the firm control he has over the Russian elite.
IOC President Thomas Bach speaks during an interview in Lausanne, Switzerland, on Thursday.
OLYMPICS
Apr 28, 2024

Interest in hosting Olympics 'never so high,' says IOC boss

After a string of Games in wealthy democracies, 2036 could be an opportunity for Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Indonesia or India.
Yuto Katsuragawa competes at the Sony Open in Hawaii in January.
MORE SPORTS / Golf
Apr 28, 2024

Katsuragawa shoots 63 to win on DP World Tour's return to Japan

The 25-year-old had seven birdies and no bogeys to finish on 17-under par after equaling the course record.
The city government of Ishigaki, Okinawa Prefecture, has conducted its third marine survey around the Senkaku Islands.
JAPAN / Politics
Apr 28, 2024

Okinawa's Ishigaki uses drone for first time during marine survey around Senkakus

During the survey, China Coast Guard vessels entered Japanese waters around the islands and attempted to interfere with the city's ship.

Longform

Ichiro Suzuki, one of the most iconic players in NPB and MLB history, was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame with 99.7% of the vote.
With Hall of Fame induction, Ichiro makes himself heard loud and clear