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The Dahon Horize Disc Shimano Altus 8-speed folding bicycle was produced in China and 734 units were shipped to Japan from August 2021 until January of this year by Akibo, the bike's importer.
JAPAN
Nov 12, 2024

Consumer watchdog warns against using faulty Dahon folding bicycles

The warning follows an incident in May where a man suffered severe injuries after his bike frame broke while he was riding.
Donald Trump believes the U.S. should prioritize its own national interests like other countries rather than maintaining its traditional role as a global leader, signaling a dramatic shift in how the United States may engage with the world.
COMMENTARY / World
Nov 12, 2024

Who will step up if Trump steps back?

U.S. President-elect Donald Trump is indifferent to the global order and may adopt a foreign policy approach that reshapes the global balance of power.
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, who doubles as president of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, speaks at a gathering on the party's political reform plans on Tuesday in Tokyo.
JAPAN / Politics
Nov 12, 2024

Ishiba's minority government begins first day of business with focus on reform

With the ruling coalition no longer having a majority, Ishiba will likely be forced to make significant concessions to the opposition camp.
Osaka Gov. Hirofumi Yoshimura speaks to reporters in Osaka on Tuesday.
JAPAN / Politics
Nov 12, 2024

Osaka governor announces candidacy for Nippon Ishin leadership

Hirofumi Yoshimura said he has decided to run due to a sense that the party is now in crisis.
Then-U.S. Rep. John Ratcliffe speaks to members of the media during a break of the Senate impeachment trial against then-President Donald Trump at the U.S. Capitol  in Washington in January 2020.
WORLD / Politics
Nov 13, 2024

Trump picks John Ratcliffe to be CIA director

The pick signals that the second Trump White House will get even more hawkish on China — and prove reassuring for American allies such as Japan.
Delivery trucks in Chiba in 2023
BUSINESS
Nov 13, 2024

Japan to promote the joint transportation of local goods

The measure is aimed at addressing the truck driver shortage in Japan.
Nippon Steel Chairman and CEO Eiji Hashimoto told a local weekly that a lawsuit is possible if the company's proposed buyout of U.S. Steel gets blocked without proper procedures being followed.
BUSINESS / Companies
Nov 13, 2024

Nippon Steel does not rule out lawsuit if U.S. Steel deal nixed, CEO says

If the deal falls through without a legitimate reason or proper procedures, the Japanese steelmaker would consider suing the U.S. government, CEO Eiji Hashimoto says.
The corporate goods price index rose 3.4% in October from a year earlier, Bank of Japan data showed, above market forecasts for a 3.0% gain.
BUSINESS / Economy
Nov 13, 2024

Japan's wholesale inflation heightens uncertainty on rate hike timing

A spike in the price of rice, coupled with the increasing cost of nonferrous metals, food and oil, pushed up overall wholesale inflation.
The Lower House plenary session on Monday
JAPAN / Politics
Nov 13, 2024

Ishiba in for a bumpy ride as CDP takes Budget Committee post

In a rare move, the Liberal Democratic Party and its coalition partner, Komeito, conceded the Budget Committee post to the opposition.
Daisuke Tanaka's profile photo on his Instagram account
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Nov 13, 2024

Host arrested on suspicion of coercing client into prostitution

A host club employee in Tokyo’s Kabukicho entertainment district was arrested for allegedly attempting to force a female client into prostitution.
Masato Kanda, then-vice minister of finance for international affairs, in January 2022
BUSINESS
Nov 13, 2024

As pain from weak yen deepens, Japan's ex-currency chief Masato Kanda warns of action

Kanda's warning came as the Japanese currency weakened to a three-month low of near ¥155 to the dollar.
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba speaks at a meeting on political reform at the Liberal Democratic Party's headquarters in Tokyo on Tuesday.
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Nov 14, 2024

Ishiba faces tightrope walk with minority government

As the opposition is seen ramping up pressure on the government, a single mistake could put the administration into jeopardy.
The government aims to finalize an economic package later this month to help households hit hard by rising prices.
JAPAN
Nov 14, 2024

Japan eyes ¥30,000 benefits for low-income households

The planned economic package includes a proposal of ¥20,000 per child to the benefits, which are designed to support households hit hard by soaring prices.
Workers repair a damaged road on Jan. 7 in the aftermath of an earthquake in Wajima, Ishikawa Prefecture.
JAPAN
Nov 14, 2024

New minister promises ample budget for disaster resilience

"Improving the country's resilience is an extremely important task," Hiromasa Nakano said in an interview.
Deer attacks have surged in Nara Park during the fall rutting season, with male deer being particularly aggressive as they search for mates.
JAPAN / Society
Nov 14, 2024

Authorities warn of spike in deer-related injuries at Nara Park

In September, 35 people were injured by antler attacks — a sevenfold increase from the five cases reported during the same period last year.
Relatives of the victim of an accident in the city of Oita held a news conference on Nov. 5, following the first hearing of the jury trial.
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Nov 14, 2024

Justice Ministry panel proposes stricter criteria for dangerous driving

Experts are advocating for the introduction of specific numerical thresholds for speed and blood alcohol content, addressing criticisms of ambiguity in the current law.
A photo taken on Monday shows a torii gate at the Meiji Shrine on which carvings resembling kanji were found.
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Nov 14, 2024

American tourist arrested over defacing of Meiji Shrine torii gate

Suspect Steve Lee Hayes, 65, allegedly carved letters into the wooden pillar of one of the shrine's torii gates.
Mizuho Financial CEO Masahiro Kihara during a news conference in Tokyo on Nov. 14
BUSINESS / Companies
Nov 14, 2024

Japan’s biggest banks raise profit goals, unveil buybacks

Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group and Mizuho Financial Group now project a combined ¥3.7 trillion ($24 billion) in profit this fiscal year.
Public support for Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's Cabinet in November remained low at 28.7%, a Jiji survey shows.
JAPAN
Nov 14, 2024

Ishiba Cabinet approval inches up to 28.7%, poll shows

The result highlights the persisting lack of voters' support for Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's administration.
Princess Yuriko in May 2023
JAPAN
Nov 15, 2024

Princess Yuriko, sister-in-law of Emperor Showa, dies at 101

The oldest living member of the imperial family, Princess Yuriko died due to natural causes.
Taiwanese writer Yang Shuang-zi’s novel “Taiwan Travelogue” provides a portal to the past and allows the reader to explore a bygone world with their eyes, ears and stomach.
CULTURE / Books
Nov 15, 2024

The sentimental gastronomies of ‘Taiwan Travelogue’

Yang Shuang-zi’s layered tale of female companionship takes readers on an epicurean frolic through Taiwan's colonial era.
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba at the Prime Minister's Office on Thursday
JAPAN / Politics
Nov 15, 2024

LDP eyes larger tax breaks for individual political donations

The move is designed to lower the share of political donations from companies and organizations, which have been subject to public criticism.
This cake whisked me back to my own childhood in the way only taste and smell can.
LIFE / Food & Drink / The Recipe Box
Nov 17, 2024

A Danish 'dream cake' inspired by Japan's headline news

Every holiday gathering needs a good cake, and this one takes inspiration from news stories in both Japan and abroad.
Lecanemab was developed by drugmakers Eisai of Japan and Biogen of the United States.
JAPAN / Science & Health
Nov 15, 2024

European agency switches to recommending new Alzheimer's drug

The committee judged that the efficacy of lecanemab outweighs the risk for some patients.
A pure gold tea bowl that was stolen in April during a department store exhibition and later found at an antique shop in Tokyo.
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Nov 15, 2024

Man found guilty of stealing ¥10.4 million tea bowl from Tokyo exhibition

Masaru Horie was handed a prison sentence of two and a half years, suspended for four years.
Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu (left) and captain Wataru Endo speak during a news conference before the team's World Cup qualifier against Indonesia in Jakarta on Friday.
SOCCER
Nov 15, 2024

Liverpool's Wataru Endo praises Japan manager Hajime Moriyasu's flexibility

Endo dismissed concerns that his lack of playing time for Liverpool will have a negative impact on his influence for Japan.
Osaka police arrested Yuji Imai, 37, along with Hiroshi Shima, 21, who had already been arrested and indicted on two other similar cases.
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Nov 15, 2024

Suspected ringleader of burglaries linked to 'dark' jobs arrested in Osaka

Osaka police believe Yuji Imai, 37, ordered the break-ins and sent out instructions to recruit more grunt workers.
Democratic Party for the People head Yuichiro Tamaki speaks to reporters in Tokyo on Nov. 8.
JAPAN / Politics
Nov 15, 2024

DPP leader clashes with governors over tax-free income limit

Prefectural governors fear that raising the ¥1.03 million limit would means less central government tax money for local services.
Seiji Osaka, the leader of the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan's Hokkaido chapter, has expressed concern over the finances of Rapidus, which is supposed to be in full production of cutting-edge 2-nanometer chips by 2027.
JAPAN / Politics / Regional Voices: Hokkaido
Nov 25, 2024

CDP’s gains in Hokkaido raise political questions about Rapidus

The head of the party's Hokkaido chapter has expressed concern over the finances for the project, which aims to produce 2-nanometer chips by 2027.
Tokyo Metropolitan Police have seized fake gold grains and notepads passed off as cash that were used to swindle a company executive in Tokyo's Chiyoda Ward in October 2023.
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Nov 15, 2024

British national arrested for over ¥13 million cash swap swindle

Joe Kpoto, 40, allegedly made off with the cash in a fake gold transaction by passing off a notepad as a stack of banknotes.

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