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October 15, 2025
 

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INFLATION

Amid the election of Sanae Takaichi as Liberal Democratic Party president, and possibly the next prime minister, Japan's economy shows signs of recovery, but weak wages, a conservative corporate culture and currency issues raise doubts about a true economic thaw.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Oct 13, 2025
Hypothermia in the land of the rising Sanae
Of late, the country has suddenly given every impression of heat. There are good reasons to believe hypothermia is over.
The average price of rice decreased for the third consecutive week, but remained above ¥4,000 for the fifth week in a row.
JAPAN
Oct 10, 2025
Average price of rice down in Japan for third straight week
The average price decreased for the third consecutive week, but remained above ¥4,000 for the fifth week in a row.
Then-Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and then-Liberal Democratic Party policy chief Sanae Takaichi mark a win by a party candidate in the July 2013 Upper House election. There is ongoing debate over whether Takaichi's economic approach will mirror the former prime minister's Abenomics.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Oct 10, 2025
The 'Takaichi trade' isn’t Abenomics 2.0, and that’s OK
Party leader Takaichi has been left with one of the poorest positions imaginable. The LDP is a minority in both houses of parliament.
Among respondents in a recent survey who have been affected by inflation, 91.3% said price increases had impacted their food expenses.
JAPAN / Society
Oct 9, 2025
Over 80% of households in Japan feel impact of rising prices, survey shows
Over half of respondents said their cost of living had increased, with average monthly living expenses rising by ¥9,636.
Outlays by households adjusted for inflation rose 2.3% in August from a year earlier, driven by transport and entertainment, the government said Tuesday.
BUSINESS / Economy
Oct 7, 2025
Japan’s household spending rises more than expected in August
Outlays by households adjusted for inflation gained 2.3% from a year ago in August, led by spending on transport and entertainment.
Sanae Takaichi, newly elected leader of the Liberal Democratic Party, speaks during a news conference at the party's headquarters in Tokyo on Saturday.
BUSINESS / Economy / FOCUS
Oct 5, 2025
Japan's economic policy outlook unclear under Takaichi-led minority government
Much depends on whether new Liberal Democratic Party President Sanae Takaichi can successfully find an additional coalition partner.
BOJ Gov. Kazuo Ueda left the door open to policy shifts by reiterating the bank's stance on interest rates, giving no clear signal on a possible rate hike ahead of this month's board meeting.
BUSINESS / Economy
Oct 3, 2025
BOJ’s Ueda keeps options open by avoiding clear hints for rates
Ueda refrained from telegraphing any policy changes after market speculation over an impending rate hike gained momentum in recent weeks.
Hideki Shirakawa, a professor emeritus at the University of Tsukuba, became the second Japanese person to receive the Nobel Prize in chemistry in October 2000.
JAPAN / History / Japan Times Gone By
Oct 1, 2025
Japan Times 2000: Japanese professor wins Nobel Prize in chemistry
Hideki Shirakawa received the Nobel Prize in October 2000 along with two American scientists for their revolutionary work on conductive polymers.
Signs of recovery in consumer spending have some analysts looking for a rate increase as soon as October.
BUSINESS / Economy
Sep 30, 2025
Bank of Japan rate increase looking more likely
The Cabinet Office is becoming more positive on consumer spending.
A wide range of products will see higher prices due to rising material and labor costs.
BUSINESS / Economy
Sep 30, 2025
Prices to rise for 3,024 food products in Japan in October
The figure is up 3.4% from a year earlier, marking the 10th consecutive month of increase.
Growing families are being priced out of Tokyo’s condo market, forced to choose between downtown convenience and suburban space.
JAPAN / Society / Longform
Sep 29, 2025
Is living in central Tokyo still affordable?
Soaring property costs, foreign investment and scarce supply are reshaping who can afford to live in central Tokyo.
The Japanese government provided subsidies of up to ¥2.4 per kilowatt-hour of electricity and ¥10 per cubic meter of gas from July through September to reduce monthly fees by about ¥3,000 in total.
BUSINESS
Sep 27, 2025
Japanese power and city gas suppliers to raise rates next month
Major power and city gas suppliers are set to raise rates in October following the end of the government's subsidy program in September.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi speaks during an interview on Sept. 20 at parliament.
JAPAN / Politics
Sep 26, 2025
LDP presidential candidate Hayashi sees need for backup of Tokyo
The idea has been championed by opposition Nippon Ishin no Kai, which is seeking to turn Osaka into a backup capital.
Concern about prices in Japan is at or near record highs.
BUSINESS / Economy
Sep 26, 2025
Inflation and ‘food situation’ concerns top key Japan survey
Rising prices have not been this much of a worry since just after the 1973 oil shock.
Tokyo inflation is holding steady in September as subsidies offset price pressures, supporting Bank of Japan's cautious policy path.
BUSINESS / Economy
Sep 26, 2025
Tokyo consumer inflation unexpectedly holds steady, backing BOJ’s caution
The sudden steadying of the main gauge shows anew the volatility of data as government measures meant to help consumers cope with soaring costs of living swing the results.
Hidehisa Shinohara sells new rice harvested this year at his rice milling shop in Tokyo.
JAPAN
Sep 25, 2025
Japan rice prices turn higher despite arrival of new crop
The average price at supermarkets across Japan stood at ¥4,275 per 5 kilograms, up for three consecutive weeks.
Agriculture minister Shinjiro Koizumi has changed course on some economic issues.
BUSINESS / Economy
Sep 24, 2025
LDP presidential candidates get closer to opposition on some economic issues
They have to make more compromises as the ruling coalition no longer has the majority.
Some 91% scholarship recipients say their livelihoods are worsening due to rising prices, with nearly 20% describing their situation as dire, according to a nonprofit organization survey.
JAPAN
Sep 24, 2025
Most scholarship recipients in Japan are struggling with inflation
Over 90% of scholarship recipients are facing financial strain, with nearly 20% describing their situation as dire, a recent survey has found.
Agriculture minister Shinjiro Koizumi speaks during a news conference announcing his formal entry into the Liberal Democratic Party leadership race in Tokyo on Saturday.
JAPAN / Politics
Sep 20, 2025
Koizumi makes economic growth top priority in bid for LDP presidency
Agriculture minister Shinjiro Koizumi used a news conference Saturday in Tokyo to unveil a raft of policies as he sought to appeal to his party’s conservative wing.
BOJ Gov. Kazuo Ueda said it would take a century for the bank to sell all its ETFs at the pace proposed.
BUSINESS / Economy
Sep 19, 2025
Bank of Japan to start unloading ETFs in surprise move that rattles market
After the announcement, the Nikkei 225 fell from a record high and the yen strengthened.
Hypothermia in the land of the rising Sanae
Amid the election of Sanae Takaichi as Liberal Democratic Party president, and possibly the next prime minister, Japan's economy shows signs of recovery, but weak wages, a conservative corporate culture and currency issues raise doubts about a true economic thaw.
Number of scenarios now on the table for who might be Japan’s next prime minister
Newly-elected leader of Japan's Liberal Democratic Party Sanae Takaichi (right) celebrates with Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba after winning the LDP leadership election in Tokyo on October 4.
After plenty of ups and downs, Osaka Expo concludes with message of unity
The sun sets on the Grand Ring on the final day of the Osaka Expo on Monday.
A frenetic diplomatic schedule looms for Japan’s next leader — whomever that may be
As horse-trading and speculation surge over who will be elected the next prime minister in parliament — the ruling Liberal Democratic Party's Sanae Takaichi or a possible candidate put forward by a unified opposition — Japan’s next leader will be confronted with a quick succession of key diplomatic events.
Ghost of Yotei’s bloodstained fun sidesteps Ainu identity
Ghost of Yotei, the follow-up to 2020's smash hit Ghost of Tsushima, is a violent, vengeful and engaging romp through 17th-century Hokkaido that fails to stick the landing on its most sensitive cultural material.
A frenetic diplomatic schedule looms for Japan’s next leader — whomever that may be
As horse-trading and speculation surge over who will be elected the next prime minister in parliament — the ruling Liberal Democratic Party's Sanae Takaichi or a possible candidate put forward by a unified opposition — Japan’s next leader will be confronted with a quick succession of key diplomatic events.
Ghost of Yotei’s bloodstained fun sidesteps Ainu identity
Ghost of Yotei, the follow-up to 2020's smash hit Ghost of Tsushima, is a violent, vengeful and engaging romp through 17th-century Hokkaido that fails to stick the landing on its most sensitive cultural material.
At Osaka Expo, gas giants promote a greener future. But is it a lot of hot air?
The Gas Pavilion had welcomed around 500,000 visitors by the end of August, making it one of the most popular exhibits at the Osaka Expo.
‘Takaichi trade’ starts unwinding as political calculus upended by Komeito exit
Less than a week ago, Sanae Takaichi seemed set to become Japan's first female prime minister.
‘Save the Ring’ calls intensify as Osaka Expo’s end nears
Visitors lounge on the grassy hill on the top of the Grand Ring during the 2025 Osaka Expo in the city of Osaka in May.

Podcast

One of the many entrances to the Kabukicho neighborhood in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward.
Kabukicho: Tokyo’s ‘stadium of desire’

Longform

Rock group The Yellow Monkey played K-Arena Yokohama in June as part of a nationwide tour. Concerts are increasingly popular in the age of social media as users value in-person experiences.
Inside Japan’s arena boom: Sports, sound and city-building
By Patrick St. Michel

SUSTAINABLE JAPAN

Maruhachi never sleeps in quest for better futons
Maruhachi never sleeps in quest for better futons

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