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Japan will take a leading role in U.S.-Japan defense cooperation during a Taiwan conflict and could eventually join AUKUS, expert says.
JAPAN
Apr 6, 2025

Japan to play major defense role during Taiwan conflict, U.S. expert says

"Japan's own self-interest is much more at stake in a Taiwan contingency or in a Japan contingency than the United States is," Weinstein said.
People walk past the communist-era Palace of Culture and Science in the center of Warsaw on April 2.
BUSINESS / Economy
Apr 7, 2025

Sex toys and exploding cosmetics: anatomy of a 'hybrid war' on the West

European security chiefs described the parcel fires as part of a "hybrid war" being waged by Russia to destabilize countries that support Ukraine.
Former Prime Minister Taro Aso has the most assets among Lower House members, at ¥601.53 million ($4.1 million), according to a Jiji Press tally of asset reports filed after the general election in October last year.
JAPAN / Politics
Apr 7, 2025

Lower House members' assets hit record low: Jiji

The decrease reflects the retirement or electoral defeat of major asset holders in last year's general election, and the debut of new lawmakers.
Wall Street banks, under political pressure and tempted by short-term gains, are abandoning climate commitments and pouring billions into fossil fuels, risking both environmental catastrophe and massive future economic losses.
COMMENTARY / World
Apr 7, 2025

Wall Street will regret helping the world burn

For an industry in the business of money, it sure has a funny way of ensuring its destruction. 
Chieko Asakawa, chief executive director of Miraikan, with an AI-powered suitcase designed to assist people with visual impairments, in Tokyo's Koto Ward on Jan. 22
JAPAN / Science & Health
Apr 11, 2025

AI suitcase for visually impaired to be tested at expo

The device incorporates generative artificial intelligence technology, enabling it to describe the surrounding environment through voice feedback.
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba attends a news conference in Tokyo on April 1. The approval rating for Ishiba's Cabinet fell to 30.6% over the weekend, according to a JNN poll.
JAPAN / Politics
Apr 7, 2025

Ishiba under pressure to take stronger stance against U.S. on tariffs

Some opposition leaders are urging the prime minister to rally his party around a strategy before speaking with the U.S. president, but others are eyeing his removal.
U.S. President Donald Trump meets with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington on Monday.
BUSINESS / Economy
Apr 8, 2025

Trump threatens to hike China tariffs further as market plunge continues

A global trade war touched off by U.S. President Donald Trump's sweeping tariffs escalated further on Monday.
Dodgers pitcher Shohei Ohtani shakes hands with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House in Washington on Monday.
BASEBALL / MLB
Apr 8, 2025

Trump honors 'legendary' Dodgers at White House reception

Trump highlighted the achievements of several players, notably Japanese superstar Shohei Ohtani.
The U.S. Transportation Command supports Immigration and Customs Enforcement deportation flights by providing a military airlift in Fort Bliss, Texas, on Feb. 10. The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday lifted a lower court order barring the Trump administration from deporting undocumented migrants using an obscure wartime law.
WORLD / Crime & Legal
Apr 8, 2025

U.S. Supreme Court lets Trump use 1798 law for deportations, with limits

In a 5-4 ruling, the court lifted an order that had temporarily blocked the summary deportations under the Alien Enemies Act while litigation in the case continues.
Mets starting pitcher Kodai Senga pitches against the Marlins during the first inning in New York on Monday.
BASEBALL / MLB
Apr 8, 2025

Kodai Senga and Mets' bullpen bottle up Marlins in 2-0 win

Senga gave up five hits and two walks while striking out four over five innings.
Associated Press photographer Alex Brandon is denied access to the White House "press pool" as journalists move to U.S. President Donald Trump's motorcade at the White House in Washington on Tuesday.
WORLD / Crime & Legal
Apr 9, 2025

Judge lifts Trump White House restrictions on AP while lawsuit proceeds

The White House imposed restrictions on the Associated Press over the news agency’s decision to continue to refer to the Gulf of Mexico in its coverage.
Lakers guard Luka Doncic (right) has a technical called against him during the second half of a game against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma on Tuesday.
BASKETBALL / NBA
Apr 9, 2025

Shai scores 42, Doncic ejected as Thunder down Lakers

The contest pivoted on the fourth-quarter incident that led to the Lakers' Slovenian star Doncic picking up a second technical foul and being tossed from the game.
Takayasu during the one-day Annual Sumo Tournament at the Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo on Feb 9, 2020
SUMO / Inside Sumo
Apr 9, 2025

Takayasu’s latest heartbreak makes sumo history

The former ozeki now has more second-place finishes without winning a championship than any other wrestler.
Economic revitalization minister Ryosei Akazawa, who Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has appointed Japan's tariff negotiator, is one of his closest allies and busiest ministers.
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Apr 9, 2025

Who is Ryosei Akazawa, Japan's tariffs negotiator?

The man tasked with convincing the U.S. drop its tariffs on Japanese goods is one of the prime minister's closest allies and busiest ministers.
A Buddha statue is surrounded by debris on the outskirts of Mandalay, Myanmar, following the devastating March 28 earthquake. A lack of internet access is severely impeding disaster response in the country.
ASIA PACIFIC
Apr 10, 2025

In Myanmar, internet shutdowns hinder earthquake aid response

Communications have been under control of the military junta since it violently seized power from a democratic government in 2021.
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.
Cherry blossoms in full bloom at Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo on March 30
JAPAN / Science & Health
Apr 10, 2025

AI app helps monitor cherry tree health and keep hanami tradition blooming

As Japan celebrates cherry blossom season, aging trees pose safety risks — and a new AI app is helping track their condition.
Ken Griffey Jr. takes photographs during the sixth inning of a game between the Cubs and Dodgers at Tokyo Dome on March 18.
MORE SPORTS / Golf
Apr 11, 2025

Baseball Hall of Famer Ken Griffey Jr. working as photographer at Masters

Griffey will reportedly be working for the entire week.
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba gives instructions to Economic Revitalization Minister Ryosei Akazawa (third from left) and others at the Prime Minister's Office on Friday.
BUSINESS / Economy
Apr 11, 2025

Japan braces for talks on yen and BOJ in trade negotiations with U.S.

Ryosei Akazawa, who is heading the task force, is reportedly set to meet U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent next week.
After focusing on cabernet sauvignon in Napa Valley, winemaker Eiji Daniel Akaboshi moved to make pinot noir at the renowned Freeman Vineyard & Winery in Sonoma County.
LIFE / Food & Drink
Apr 13, 2025

In California, a Nikkei vintner finds his heritage and purpose

The discovery of a distant relative's wine legacy in California led winemaker Eiji Daniel Akaboshi to look at his vocation in a new light.
Okinawa Gov. Denny Tamaki may participate in a joint patrol in the prefecture by Japanese and U.S. officials, an official in the area said.
JAPAN
Apr 11, 2025

Japan and U.S. to hold joint patrol after Okinawa sexual assaults

The one-off joint operation through busy areas until the early hours of the next day was proposed by the U.S. side.
A working group of the Japan Securities Dealers Association is discussing a revision to the current set of recommendations in order to prevent fraud in online transactions.
BUSINESS / Companies
Apr 11, 2025

Japan brokerage body weighs tougher moves to fight phishing scams

The move underlines the spreading concern around the sharp rise in unauthorized trades at some of Japan’s largest brokerages.
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte meets with members of an explosives disposal team while inspecting equipment aboard the Maritime Self-Defense Force’s Mogami frigate at the Yokosuka Base in Kanagawa Prefecture on Tuesday.
EDITORIALS
Apr 11, 2025

Japan and NATO strengthen links amid rising security fears

The starting point for the deepening ties is a shared view that security is indivisible and events that create instability in one part of the world will impact other regions.
British Defense Secretary John Healey (right) holds a news conference with Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov following a Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting at NATO headquarters in Brussels on Friday.
WORLD / Politics
Apr 12, 2025

Europe to present Trump with Ukraine force plan within weeks

European leader hope the plan for a postwar "reassurance force” in Ukraine will persuade the U.S. president to commit to security guarantees for Kyiv.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi (left) meets with Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr Albusaidi in Muscat, Oman, on Saturday.
WORLD / Politics
Apr 13, 2025

U.S. and Iran hold 'positive' talks in Oman, with more to come this week

The talks were indirect, though Iran's foreign minister said his delegation had a brief encounter with its U.S. counterpart after they exited the talks.
Japanese Ambassador to NATO Osamu Izawa (left) meets with the alliance's secretary-general, Mark Rutte, at NATO headquarters in Brussels recently.
JAPAN / Politics
Apr 13, 2025

Japan’s NATO envoy targets industrial tie-ups to boost defense supply chains

Tokyo's first dedicated ambassador to the alliance says this will also boost interoperability with partners amid the tense regional security environment.
U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, an independent from Vermont, greets supporters after speaking at the "Fighting Oligarchy: Where We Go From Here" rally at Gloria Molina Grand Park in Los Angeles on Saturday.
WORLD / Politics / FOCUS
Apr 13, 2025

Bernie Sanders fights apathy on American left

The 83-year-old senator is drawing tens of thousands of people to his "fighting oligarchy" rallies around the country.
While U.S. President Donald Trump has imposed new tariffs on nearly every country in the world, China is clearly his primary target.
COMMENTARY / World
Apr 14, 2025

How should Beijing respond to Trump’s tariffs?

Many are already comparing it to President Herbert Hoover’s 1930 Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act, which slashed global trade by 66% in five years and deepened the Great Depression.
Osaka Gov. Hirofumi Yoshimura speaks during the opening ceremony of the 2025 Osaka Expo on Saturday.
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Apr 14, 2025

As Osaka Expo kicks off, Nippon Ishin continues to hold its breath

The Kansai-centered opposition party has a lot to lose if the six-month event being held in its stronghold turns out to be a flop.
Farm minister Taku Eto (second from right) meets with rice wholesalers and retailers on Monday.
JAPAN
Apr 15, 2025

Rice wholesalers and retailers call for better stockpile distribution

The average price of rice sold at supermarkets across the country in the week through April 6 rose for the 14th straight week.

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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