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The Japan Fair Trade Commission took an administrative step against Visa Worldwide for the first time ever following its investigation into a suspected violation of the antimonopoly law by the firm.
BUSINESS / Companies
Jul 23, 2025

JFTC gives OK to Visa Worldwide's business improvement plan

After investigating a suspected antimonopoly law violation, the JFTC concluded that swiftly executing proposed measures by Visa Worldwide would restore a competitive environment.
European Council President Antonio Costa (left) and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen (right) join hands with Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba prior to a meeting at the Prime Minister's Office in Tokyo on Wednesday.
BUSINESS / Economy
Jul 23, 2025

Japan and EU launch trade ‘alliance’ amid concerns over U.S. and China

The new agreement will expand bilateral trade ties, promote business cooperation and explore ways to diversify critical mineral supply chains.
Before multiplexes entered the Japanese theatrical market in the early 1990s, moviegoers frequented “roadside theaters” — cinemas located in central urban areas near train lines. The Marunouchi Toei, which will close July 27, is the last of such theaters in Tokyo.
CULTURE / Film
Jul 24, 2025

Marunouchi Toei closes as Japan’s cinema landscape evolves

As audiences gravitate toward the luxury, tech and varied lineups of multiplexes, Tokyo’s last "roadside theater" closes after 65 years, marking the end of an era in moviegoing.
A video screen shows images related to the Jeffrey Epstein files at Times Square in New York on Wednesday. Some Donald Trump supporters for years have fanned conspiracy theories about Epstein's clients and the circumstances of his 2019 death in prison.
WORLD / Politics
Jul 24, 2025

Trump was told he is in Epstein files, Wall Street Journal reports

The disclosure about U.S. President Donald Trump's appearance in the Justice Department's records on the case could deepen the political crisis surrounding his administration.
Chinese President Xi Jinping will meet throughout the day with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, according to an EU official.
WORLD / Politics
Jul 24, 2025

Xi to meet EU chiefs at downsized summit hit by trade and Ukraine

Tensions ranging from trade to the war in Ukraine are casting a shadow over an event that coincides with the 50th anniversary of the establishment of China-EU diplomatic ties.
English forward Marcus Rashford during his introductory news conference after he joined Barcelona on loan from Manchester United on Wednesday.
SOCCER
Jul 24, 2025

'It feels like home': Rashford joins Barcelona on loan from Manchester United

Meanwhile, Barcelona canceled a preseason friendly against Vissel Kobe on Wednesday, citing "serious contractual breaches" by the tour promoter.
Miyazaki Gov. Shunji Kono speaks at a meeting of the National Governors' Association in the city of Aomori on Wednesday.
JAPAN / Politics
Jul 24, 2025

Governors urge central government to address Japan's shrinking population

During a two-day meeting in Aomori Prefecture, governors called for the establishment of a government agency-level control tower to coordinate related policies.
President of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) Yuji Iwasawa (center) and other members issue an advisory opinion on nations' legal obligations to address climate change, at The Hague on Wednesday.
ENVIRONMENT / Climate change
Jul 24, 2025

Top U.N. court says treaties compel wealthy nations to curb global warming

The International Court of Justice said countries must address the "urgent and existential threat" of climate change.
An image of the simulation technology developed by Fujitsu
BUSINESS / Companies
Jul 24, 2025

Fujitsu and Nagoya University develop AI-based tech to spread ride-hailing

The new technology will be offered to local governments struggling to secure means of transportation for elderly residents and business operators facing a shortage of drivers.
The pilot of an U.S. Osprey military aircraft contacted Hanamaki Airport in Iwate Prefecture to request an emergency landing due to a technical issue, according to an official at the airport.
JAPAN
Jul 24, 2025

U.S. Osprey makes emergency landing at Iwate airport

The aircraft has been involved in accidents and several deadly crashes, including one in 2023 when all eight people on board were killed.
U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday in Washington, the day after he agreed to an 11th-hour trade deal with Japan.
BUSINESS / Economy
Jul 24, 2025

Big unanswered questions follow Japan's big, beautiful deal with the U.S.

The $550 billion investment plan, in particular, is the subject of doubt and discussion.
A "no swimming" sign and flag are displayed on the beach at Shonan Bellmare Hiratsuka Beach Park in the city of Hiratsuka, Kanagawa Prefecture, on Aug. 10 last year, following the issuance of emergency information on the increased risk of a huge Nankai Trough earthquake.
JAPAN
Jul 25, 2025

Japan holds first meeting on Nankai quake information guidelines review

Japan issued its first Nankai Trough emergency information in August last year following a major quake off Miyazaki Prefecture.
A mobile battery ignites during a simulation experiment.
JAPAN
Jul 25, 2025

Agency warns of fire risks from lithium-ion batteries

Lithium-ion batteries are vulnerable to heat and impact, making them prone to accidents when temperatures rise.
Boys play football on a lawn on a smoggy morning in New Delhi, India, on Oct. 31, 2024.
SOCCER
Jul 25, 2025

Indian soccer 'hurt, scared' as domestic game hits fresh low

The men's national team is without a coach and the Indian Super League is in danger of collapsing over a dispute between the federation and its commercial partner.
Red Bull's Max Verstappen (right) with former team principal Christian Horner ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka Circuit on April 4
MORE SPORTS / Auto Racing
Jul 25, 2025

Verstappen says Horner exit will not influence own F1 future

Horner's dismissal this month ended a 20-year tenure and fueled speculation about Verstappen, with Mercedes already interested in securing the four-time world champion.
Fuji Rock still excites Hitsujibungaku — (from left) bassist Yurika Kasai, lead singer and guitarist Moeka Shiotsuka and drummer Hiroa Fukuda —  even as its flock grows abroad.
CULTURE / Music
Jul 25, 2025

Hitsujibungaku’s pop-fueled rise to stardom

Rock trio Hitsujibungaku is set to make its fourth appearance at Fuji Rock this weekend on its most primetime stage yet — the White Stage right before headliner Haim.
Japan’s ruling LDP-Komeito bloc lost big, smaller parties gained ground and the country now faces a more fractured, uncertain political future.
EDITORIALS
Jul 25, 2025

Voter revolt shatters Japan’s ruling coalition, empowers smaller parties

The big winners were smaller, newer parties on the right, Sanseito and the Democratic Party for the People.
A screenshot of the National Police Agency's crime victim support portal website, Gyutto Channel
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Jul 25, 2025

Police in Japan set up website to support crime victims

The website was created following comments that the previous information on support on the National Police Agency's homepage was difficult to understand.
The Liberal Democratic Party’s historic Upper House defeat leaves the party fragmented and searching for a capable leader who can reunite conservatives, modernize its appeal, deliver real policies and rebuild its internal power structure.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Jul 25, 2025

Who will save the Liberal Democratic Party?

The LDP is now faced with two fundamental questions: what tasks must it accomplish to restore its political dominance and who is actually capable of accomplishing them?
Opposition party policy chiefs discuss a gas bill in Tokyo on Friday.
JAPAN / Politics
Jul 25, 2025

Move to abolish gasoline tax is LDP-Komeito coalition’s first post-election test

The minority government of Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba is under pressure to quickly decide on how to respond to the opposition push.
The average life expectancy of Japanese citizens in 2024 is 81.09 years for men and 87.13 years for women, according to the health ministry.
JAPAN / Science & Health
Jul 25, 2025

Japan's average life expectancy in 2024 almost unchanged from 2023, data shows

The life expectancy of Japanese men was sixth globally in 2024, while that of Japanese women remained in the top spot.
A stock board in Tokyo on Wednesday
BUSINESS / Companies
Jul 25, 2025

SmartNews planning to hire Mitsubishi UFJ and Nomura for Tokyo listing

The popular Japanese news aggregation app, valued at $2 billion in 2021, may list in Tokyo as early as next year.
By 2040, demand for cancer surgeries in Japan is projected to decrease by 5% by 2040, while that for radiotherapy is projected to increase by 24%.
JAPAN / Science & Health
Jul 25, 2025

Health ministry panel calls for consolidating cancer care provision

A health ministry panel has called for consolidating surgeries and radiotherapies for cancer treatment, citing such reasons as the dwindling number of surgeons in Japan.

Longform

In 2020, 38% of all households were single-person. That figure is projected to rise to 44.3% by 2050.
The rise of AI companionship in a lonely Japan