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Billionaire Bill Ackman — an ally of U.S. President Donald Trump — has said the new U.S. trade regime is a "mistake.”
BUSINESS / Economy
Apr 7, 2025

Hedge fund billionaires denounce Trump’s tariffs as rout deepens

The widening criticism came as Trump offered no indication he was prepared to claw back a punishing trade overhaul set to begin on April 9.
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.
Hong Kong's real estate sector is slumping, putting the government's development plans at risk and signaling a wider economic malaise that may become a spanner in the works of Beijing's plans to transform the territory's economy.
COMMENTARY / World / Geoeconomic Briefing
Apr 7, 2025

Will China succeed in remaking Hong Kong in its own image?

Beijing can control Hong Kong politically, but to impose its economic vision on the territory it needs businesses to get on board as these face an economic and real estate plunge.
To sustain growth, emerging and developing economies must boost productivity, increase labor-force participation (especially among women) and build stronger social support systems.
COMMENTARY / World
Apr 7, 2025

Emerging economies must get rich before they get old

To sustain growth, emerging economies must boost productivity, increase labor-force participation — especially among women — and build stronger social support systems.
The TikTok logo is seen outside the Chinese video app company's Los Angeles offices on Friday.
BUSINESS / Tech
Apr 7, 2025

Trump says China tariff objections stalled TikTok deal

ByteDance is required to divest TikTok’s U.S. unit but the company has balked at selling a business valued in the billions.
Southampton's Kyle Walker-Peters stands beside manager Ivan Juric after their loss against Tottenham in London on Sunday.
SOCCER
Apr 7, 2025

Ivan Juric urges Southampton to learn from record-setting relegation

Southampton was condemned to relegation in record time after a 3-1 defeat at Tottenham on Sunday.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. singles against the Mets during the eighth inning at Citi Field in New York on Friday.
BASEBALL / MLB
Apr 7, 2025

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. agrees to $500 million extension with Blue Jays

Guerrero, a four-time All-Star and the American League MVP runner-up in 2021, was set to become a free agent at the end of the season.
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said Japan does not intend to seek direct confrontation with the U.S. over the newly levied tariffs, during a parliamentary committee session in Tokyo on Monday.
BUSINESS / Economy
Apr 7, 2025

Japan to avoid direct confrontation with the U.S. over Trump tariffs

The Japanese prime minister is calling for a more diplomatic and fact-based approach, in part by examining U.S. allegations about trade barriers.
One of Honda's most senior executives resigned over allegations he’d engaged in inappropriate conduct during a social gathering outside of work hours.
BUSINESS / Companies
Apr 7, 2025

Senior Honda executive resigns after allegations of misconduct

Honda’s audit committee investigated the accusations against Shinji Aoyama, an executive vice president and board director, and compiled a disciplinary action plan.
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba attends a joint press conference with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House in Washington on Feb. 7.
JAPAN / Politics
Apr 7, 2025

Japan responds to Trump's tariffs with a polite phone call and request

The call was the first interaction between the two leaders since the U.S. president rolled out new tariffs targeting almost every country on the planet.
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.
People pose for a picture in front of the Olympic rings and Olympia delle Tofane track, which will host the women alpine skiing competition part of the Milano Cortina Winter Olympic Games 2026, in Cortina, Italy, on Jan. 24.
OLYMPICS
Apr 8, 2025

Milano Cortina tickets seen in demand despite prices

The closing ceremony will be the most expensive event of the Winter Games, with prices ranging from €950 to €2,900.
Syrian interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa delivers a speech in Damascus on March 29.
WORLD / Politics
Apr 8, 2025

Israel hit Syrian bases scoped by Turkey, hinting at regional showdown

The bombardment signals the risks of a deepening rift between two powerful regional militaries over Syria.
Digital artist Polygon1993 revels in the physicality of nostalgic technology, making art out of materials such as miniature CDs, holographic prints layered with plexiglass shards and a giant custom-made floppy disk.
CULTURE / Art
Apr 8, 2025

Online art scene eager to go offline, at least for the moment

From Beeple exhibiting a physical version of an NFT artwork to Polygon1993’s custom-made giant floppy disk, digital media artists are bringing their work into the physical world.
Economic revitalization minister Ryosei Akazawa enters the Prime Minister's Office in Tokyo on Tuesday.
BUSINESS / Economy
Apr 8, 2025

Japan and U.S. appoint tariff negotiators after Ishiba-Trump phone call

Ryosei Akazawa, minister in charge of economic and fiscal policy, will spearhead talks with the U.S.
Yamaguchi-gumi executives (center and right) leave the Hyogo Prefectural Police headquarters in Kobe after submitting a pledge to end turf battles on Monday.
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Apr 8, 2025

Yamaguchi-gumi pledges end to yakuza war

The crime syndicate has been involved in turf battles with the rival Kobe Yamaguchi-gumi, formed by more than a dozen gangs that splintered from it, since 2015.
South Korean Prime Minister Han Duck-soo said Tuesday that the country will hold a presidential election on June 3, adding that the day would be designated as a temporary public holiday to facilitate voting.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Apr 8, 2025

South Korea to hold snap presidential election on June 3

The announcement comes days after former leader Yoon Suk Yeol was removed from office over a short-lived martial law declaration.
Sumitomo Mitsui Banking plans to start structuring products such as asset-backed securities, hoping to capitalize on the growing market and strong prospects for infrastructure investments in Brazil.
BUSINESS / Companies
Apr 8, 2025

Japan’s SMBC to expand in Brazil’s local bond capital markets

The Japanese bank plans to start structuring products such as asset-backed securities, hoping to capitalize on the growing market for infrastructure investments in Brazil.
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.
Japan is facing challenges with Donald Trump's new tariffs and is considering increased purchases of U.S. goods, negotiating tariff reductions and expanding auto production in the U.S. to reduce the trade deficit and avoid further economic tension.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Apr 8, 2025

What is Japan's play on Trump's tariffs?

Japan had expected some consideration for being the largest source of foreign direct investment in the U.S. from 2019 to 2024, with total investment of around $860 billion.
A man walks past a board displaying average stock prices at the Taiwan Stock Exchange in Taipei on Monday.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Apr 8, 2025

Taiwan says China using AI to 'divide' the island with disinformation

In a report to parliament, the security bureau said it had detected more than half a million pieces of "controversial messages" so far this year.
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte speaks after touring the Maritime Self-Defense Force's Mogami frigate at the Yokosuka Naval Base in Yokosuka, Kanagawa Prefecture, on Tuesday.
JAPAN / Politics
Apr 8, 2025

NATO chief makes Japan debut with focus on defense industry tie-ups

Rutte will speak with defense industry representatives to get their assessment on “what they do to ramp up production and how we can better work together.”
The House of Representatives passed an active cyber defense bill on Tuesday in the Diet.
JAPAN / Politics
Apr 8, 2025

Japan's Lower House passes active cyber defense bill

The bill is expected to be enacted by the end of the current ordinary Diet session, with the government planning to fully introduce an active cyber defense system in 2027.
The Unification Church decided in June 2009 to give its residual assets to Tenchi Seikyo, based in the Hokkaido city of Obihiro, if the group is disbanded.
JAPAN
Apr 8, 2025

Hokkaido group set as recipient of Unification Church assets

The controversial group decided in June 2009 to give its residual assets to Tenchi Seikyo, based in the Hokkaido city of Obihiro.
Traders work on the floor of the American Stock Exchange (AMEX) area of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) on Friday.
BUSINESS / Markets
Apr 9, 2025

Market calm is shattered as abrupt selloffs roil Wall Street

As recession fears build, markets have continued to flash warning signs.
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.
Cybersecurity agencies in six Western countries have warned of a "growing threat" posed by malicious surveillance software deployed by a contractor reported to have ties to Beijing.
WORLD / Politics
Apr 9, 2025

Western intelligence agencies warn spyware threat targeting Taiwan

The mobile phone applications developed by a Chengdu-based contractor also surveil Tibetan rights advocates and others opposed by the Chinese government.
While AI-generated simulations of deceased loved ones may offer comfort, they raise ethical concerns about consent, reality distortion and the human experience of grief.
COMMENTARY / World
Apr 9, 2025

AI resurrecting the dead threatens our grasp on reality

Experts warn that AI-driven digital immortality could distort reality and emotional well-being, requiring safeguards against unhealthy dependence.
Social engineering scams thrive on poorly monitored social media platforms, and while the UK is pushing tougher laws to hold tech companies accountable, the U.S. resists stricter rules, believing individuals should bear responsibility for avoiding fraud.
COMMENTARY / World
Apr 9, 2025

The U.K. is trying to fight social scams. The U.S. not so much.

Social engineering is one of the hardest parts of the trillion-dollar online scam industry to block or disrupt.

Longform

Bear attacks have dominated Japanese news headlines in recent months, with 13 people so far having been killed by the animals.
Japan’s bears have been on their killing spree for more than 100 years