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July 12, 2025
 

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MICHAEL KOVRIG

Canadians Michael Kovrig (right) and Michael Spavor (center), former detainees held by China in a case widely seen as hostage diplomacy, attend an address by U.S. President Joe Biden in the Canadian House of Commons in Ottawa in March 2023.
COMMENTARY / World
Jun 11, 2025
In its relationship with China, Canada is behaving like an abuse victim
The attempt to normalize trade relations with China on the heels of Beijing’s pattern of economic coercion bears an uncomfortable resemblance to a domestic abuse scenario.
Japan Times
WORLD / Crime & Legal / ANALYSIS
Sep 26, 2021
U.S. move to end Huawei saga should help China ties — but at a cost
The deal comes two weeks after Biden called Xi in frustration over Beijing's move to link progress on climate change with other demands, including Meng's release.
Japan Times
WORLD / Crime & Legal
Sep 26, 2021
China welcomes Huawei executive home as Trudeau hugs Canadians freed by Beijing
Meng Wanzhou arrived in China on Saturday, ending her near three-year U.S. extradition fight, the same day two Canadians detained by Beijing for more than 1,000 days returned home.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Sep 25, 2021
China frees two Canadians after Huawei CFO flies home, ending crisis
The seemingly intractable impasse came to a rapid resolution Friday after Huawei's Meng Wanzhou struck a deferred prosecution agreement with U.S. authorities.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Aug 11, 2021
China leaves room to release Canadian after politically charged spy conviction
Michael Spavor was given an 11-year sentence after being found guilty of stealing and illegally providing state secrets to other countries.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / Crime & Legal
Mar 18, 2021
China to begin trials for two Canadians detained amid Huawei feud
Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig will face their first court hearings on Friday and Monday, respectively, Canadian Foreign Minister Marc Garneau said Wednesday.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Dec 23, 2020
These two jailed Canadians deserve your Christmas wishes
Hopefully, the buildup of publicity of people sending Christmas cards to the imprisoned Canadians will put moral pressure on China, causing it to abandon its practice of hostage diplomacy.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Dec 10, 2020
For Canadians held in China, two years of isolation and uncertainty
The fates of the two men are seemingly intertwined with the future of China's tumultuous relationships with Canada and the United States.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Jul 11, 2020
A shot at hostage diplomacy with China backfires in Canada
The letter circulated by Huawei Technologies Co. was blunt. Canada was becoming dangerously entangled in the diplomatic feud between Washington and Beijing, it said, and there was only one answer: for Justin Trudeau’s government to free the state-championed tech giant’s chief financial officer and...
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / Crime & Legal
Jul 9, 2020
576 days in a Chinese cell: Michael Kovrig's resolve pushed to its limits
In one of Michael Kovrig’s letters, the former Canadian diplomat describes life in a Chinese prison as a "gray, grinding monotony.” Confined to a windowless concrete cell, ten feet square, his incarceration has also been, at times, deeply traumatic.
Tokyo hit by torrential rainfall at rush hour
People line up at Shibuya Station in Tokyo as they try to avoid the heavy rain on Thursday.
Foreign drivers in Japan to face tougher license conversion rules from October
According to the National Police Agency, there were 75,905 people who converted their foreign driver’s license to a Japanese one in 2024, up from 48,885 in 2019.
Chinese fighters came within 30 meters of Japanese spy aircraft, Tokyo says
A Chinese JH-7 fighter jet makes an near an Air Self-Defense Force YS-11EB surveillance aircraft over the East China Sea this week in this image released Thursday.
Air India crash report to offer peek into last seconds
Members of the Indian Army's engineering arm prepare to remove the wreckage of an Air India aircraft in Ahmedabad on June 14.
What Japanese politics could look like after Upper House election
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, who heads the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (center) waves to attendees as he departs after delivering a campaign speech in Yokohama on Sunday.
New IG Arena set to dial down temperature at Nagoya Basho, in a good way
With IG Arena getting glowing early reviews as the Nagoya Basho’s replacement venue, it may be a while before fans wax nostalgic about the Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium.
Once a niche, anime is now mainstream content for Netflix and other streaming services
Though Netflix remains the dominant choice globally for anime viewers, Amazon Prime Video has also invested heavily in anime, steadily adding titles to their catalogue.
NGOs condemn rise in anti-immigrant rhetoric ahead of Upper House vote
Sanseito head Sohei Kamiya holds a board that reads "Japanese First" in Tokyo on July 2. In a joint statement on Tuesday, eight human rights nongovernmental organizations described the far-right party's stance as "hate speech."
Japanese dancers find a home abroad at Houston Ballet
“Giselle” lead Yuriko Kajiya (center), performing with Connor Walsh as Albrecht, is one of six Japanese dancers at Houston Ballet.
From the Abes to the Ohtanis: How siblings shape athletic development
Olympic judoka Uta Abe (second from left) and Hifumi Abe (second from right) with their brother Yuichiro (center) and their parents. “I’m always consciously trying to be a good older brother,” Yuichiro said.

Podcast

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

Longform

Mount Fuji is considered one of Japan's most iconic symbols and is a major draw for tourists. It's still a mountain, though, and potential hikers need to properly prepare for any climb.
What it takes to save lives on Mount Fuji
By Alex K.T. Martin

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