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Lee Sang-il’s “Kokuho,” which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival this year, follows the life of an "onnagata," a male kabuki actor who plays female roles, from his childhood as the son of a yakuza boss in 1960s Nagasaki to his official designation as a living national treasure.
CULTURE / Film
Jun 6, 2025

'Kokuho' illuminates the high price of becoming a national treasure

Director Lee Sang-il turns a long-held vision into reality with his sumptuously shot film that reveals the dedication, sacrifice — and loneliness — behind kabuki greatness.
Venezuelan migrants arrive after being deported from the United States, at Simon Bolivar International Airport, in Maiquetia, Venezuela, on April 23.
WORLD
Jun 6, 2025

Dismay and disbelief as Trump bans visitors from a dozen countries

Trump said the countries subject to the most severe restrictions were determined to harbor a "large-scale presence of terrorists."
Tesla’s shares dropped 14% on Thursday in New York, erasing about $150 billion from the electric vehicle maker’s market value.
BUSINESS / Markets
Jun 6, 2025

Tesla plunges after conflict between Musk and Trump spills into open

The electric vehicle maker's shares dropped 14% on Thursday in New York, the stock’s biggest decline since March 10.
Reports claim that children with unusual names were being bullied at school and facing difficulties finding jobs.
LIFE / Language / BILINGUAL
Jun 6, 2025

What’s in a name? With new guidelines, the Japanese government wants to know.

Japan now requires official furigana for names in the family register, aiming to limit overly creative "kira-kira" readings.
Iryna Mudra (center), the deputy head of Ukraine's presidential administration, and others prepare for a photo shoot at an international peace conference at The Hague, Netherlands, in April last year.
WORLD / Politics
Jun 6, 2025

Ukraine hits out at Europe's payout from frozen Russian cash

Compensating private investors before victims of war sends the wrong signal, says Iryna Mudra, a deputy head of Ukraine's presidential administration.
Agriculture minister Shinjiro Koizumi speaks to the media as he inspects a warehouse storing stockpiled rice in Kanagawa Prefecture on May 30.
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Jun 6, 2025

From ridicule to redemption: Rice crisis returns Koizumi to the spotlight

The lawmaker, sometimes said to be long on image and short on substance, has won praise for bringing down the price of rice.
The IMF and World Bank's Spring Meetings 2025 in Washington on April 25. At this year's meetings, central bankers expressed alarm over the Trump administration's push toward privatizing money through dollar-pegged stablecoins.
COMMENTARY / World
May 30, 2025

Trump wants big tech to own the dollar

At this year’s IMF and World Bank Spring Meetings, central bankers were alarmed by the U.S. push toward privatizing money through dollar-pegged stablecoins.
The BOJ holds its next policy meeting on June 16-17, when the board is widely expected to keep the benchmark rate unchanged.
BUSINESS / Economy
Jun 6, 2025

Pressure mounts for Japan to adjust bond sales as soon as July

The BOJ holds its next policy meeting on June 16-17, when the board is widely expected to keep the benchmark rate unchanged.
Vice president of events and exhibitions for Studio Ghibli, Kenichi Yoda (right), and director and Ghibli Park creative development manager, Goro Miyazaki (left), pose at the 77th edition of the Cannes Film Festival before receiving an Honorary Palme d'Or.
CULTURE / Film
Jun 6, 2025

Studio Ghibli marks 40 years, but future looks uncertain

A look into the legacy of the beloved anime studio.
Chinese premier Li Qiang during an ASEAN-China summit in Kuala Lumpur on May 27.
ASIA PACIFIC
Jun 6, 2025

China seeks improved ties with Canada amid rising trade tensions

China is willing to work with Canada to put ties on a healthy and stable path, Premier Li Qiang told Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney in a phone call.
A Homeland Security vehicle is parked in front of the Fred D. Thompson Federal Building, housing the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee, where Kilmar Abrego Garcia, who was deported from Maryland to El Salvador by U.S. President Donald Trump's administration, faces criminal charges, in Nashville, Tennessee, on Friday.
WORLD / Crime & Legal
Jun 7, 2025

Wrongly deported Salvadoran migrant arrested on return to U.S.

Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia was brought back to the United States from El Salvador and charged with trafficking undocumented migrants, Attorney General Pam Bondi said.
Palestinian children gather at a hot meal distribution point in Nuseirat, in the central Gaza Strip, on Wednesday.
WORLD / Politics
Jun 7, 2025

U.S. mulls giving millions to controversial Gaza aid foundation

The State Department is weighing giving $500 million to the new foundation providing aid to Gaza, according to people familiar with the matter.
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba speaks during a forum in Tokyo on May 29.
JAPAN / Politics
Jun 7, 2025

Ishiba and Lee might have first meeting at G7 summit

New South Korean leader Lee Jae-myung will attend the G7 summit in Canada for three days starting June 15, and could meet Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba.
U.S. President Donald Trump and Elon Musk speak in the Oval Office before departing the White House in March.
WORLD / Politics
Jun 7, 2025

Republican lawmakers try to dodge Trump-Musk crossfire

Their buddy-movie dynamic evaporated this week as Musk and Trump openly feuded over a sweeping tax-cut and spending bill.
Fire and smoke rise in the city after a Russian drone strike in Kyiv on Saturday.
WORLD / Politics
Jun 8, 2025

U.S. says Russia response to Ukraine drone attack not over and to expect more strikes

The Kremlin denies the full impact of Kyiv's drone attack but Russian military bloggers cite serious damage, including to planes that carry nuclear weapons.
Akihiro Okuda, a superintendent at Tokyo's Metropolitan Police Department, talks about his experience supporting the survivors and bereaved families of a deadly stabbing rampage in Tokyo's Akihabara district 17 years ago.
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Jun 8, 2025

Police officer recounts fatal rampage in Akihabara 17 years on

After the incident, Tokyo's Metropolitan Police Department established the first task force dedicated to supporting the survivors and bereaved families of crime victims.
Akihiko Ogino, president and CEO of Daiwa Securities Group, says Japan should press ahead with diversity initiatives as he attends the Tokyo Pride parade in the capital's Shibuya area on Sunday.
BUSINESS
Jun 8, 2025

Top banker vows loyalty to DEI at Tokyo Pride Parade as Trump’s pushback rages

Few Japanese executives have spoken out on U.S. backlash to DEI, though many firms seem to be quietly maintaining their initiatives.
Former Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan leader Yukio Edano speaks at a meeting of the party in the city of Miyazaki on Saturday.
JAPAN
Jun 8, 2025

DPP eager to discuss no-confidence motion with CDP

"I would like to hear the CDP's thoughts and strategy regarding whether it will or will not submit a no-confidence motion," Tamaki said at a news conference.
St. Louis Cardinals shortstop Masyn Winn slides safely past Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Will Smith and scores during the eighth inning at Busch Stadium on Saturday.
BASEBALL / MLB
Jun 8, 2025

Dodgers need more offense to avoid sweep at Cardinals

The Dodgers, who have lost five of their last seven games, will turn to veteran left-hander Clayton Kershaw (0-0, 5.17 ERA) to finish the series.
A portrait of legendary Japanese baseball star Shigeo Nagashima is displayed at his funeral in Tokyo on Sunday.
BASEBALL
Jun 8, 2025

Mourners pay tribute to Japanese baseball legend Nagashima at funeral

Nagashima, nicknamed "Mr. Professional Baseball" for his commanding performances and presence, served as Giants manager after retiring as a player.
A tunnel near a major hospital in southern Gaza that leads to a tiny room where the Israeli military says a top Hamas militant commander was killed in Khan Younis, Gaza Strip, on Sunday
WORLD / Politics
Jun 9, 2025

Israel says body of Sinwar's brother was found in tunnel under Gaza hospital

A small group of foreign reporters was given a tour of the tunnel uncovered beneath the European Hospital in Khan Younis by the Israeli forces.
Visitors at the Osaka Expo in the city of Osaka on Friday
JAPAN
Jun 9, 2025

Osaka Expo sees strong ticket sales

If the current pace continues, total cumulative sales may reach 18.4 million, the level that makes the operation of the six-month Osaka Expo profitable.
An industrial park in Yiwu, Zhejiang province, China. Nomura Holdings plans to shut its branch in the province by the end of the year, according to sources.
BUSINESS / Companies
Jun 9, 2025

Nomura to shut branch in China as it scales back wealth business

The company’s brokerage subsidiary plans to shut its branch in Zhejiang province by the end of the year.
Swedish climate advocate Greta Thunberg speaks together with part of the crew of the ship Madleen, before departure for the Gaza Strip, in Catania, Italy, on June 1.
WORLD / Politics
Jun 9, 2025

Israel blocks Greta Thunberg’s ship from reaching Gaza, group says

The vessel was intercepted about 200 kilometers from Gaza, according to coordinates provided by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition.
The Children and Families Agency will conduct a survey in an effort to offer better assistance measures for expectant mothers in trouble.
JAPAN / Society
Jun 9, 2025

Japan to study ways to help more pregnant women in danger

As of January, 23 prefectural and municipal governments have taken part in a program to offer temporary housing, meals and medical services to struggling women and their babies.
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba speaks at an Upper House session in Tokyo on Monday.
JAPAN / Politics
Jun 9, 2025

No-confidence motion against Ishiba Cabinet could lead to double election

A double election could result in more political stability if either bloc manages to capture both chambers, or continued instability if neither holds a majority.
Amid growing global tensions and military rearmament, allies in Europe and Asia increasingly fear that under Donald Trump, the U.S. has become an unreliable partner — undermining trust, unity and the foundation of the postwar international order.
COMMENTARY / World
Jun 9, 2025

Whose side is the U.S. on? Doubts strain alliances

The U.S. once anchored a stable world order. Now, with rising threats from China and Russia, allies scramble to adapt as Washington sends mixed signals on defense and trade.
The messy, transactional fallout between Donald Trump and Elon Musk has exposed a toxic alliance built on money, power and chaos — one that now threatens both men’s influence and the stability of U.S. governance.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Jun 9, 2025

The MAGA odd couple turns combustible

The world’s most powerful man and the world’s richest man have fallen out. No matter who wins, America loses.
A demonstrator holds a placard during a protest in front of the Israeli embassy in Athens on Monday.
WORLD / Politics
Jun 10, 2025

Israeli forces seize Gaza-bound aid boat carrying Greta Thunberg

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said he had instructed that the activists be shown videos of atrocities committed during the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack on southern Israel.
Gen. Jennie Carignan, Canada’s Chief of the Defense Staff, attends an interview with The Japan Times on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore.
JAPAN
Jun 10, 2025

Japan ‘priority’ as Canada eyes bigger Asian footprint, military chief says

Ottawa's concerns about what it sees as growing challenges to the current world order are driving its Asia push.

Longform

An illustration features the Japanese signs for "ganbare" (good luck) and the Deaflympics, which will be held between Nov. 15 and 26.
A century of Deaf sport finds its moment in Tokyo