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July 04, 2025
 

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MICHAEL SPAVOR

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.
Magnitude 5.5 earthquake jars Tokara Islands amid flurry of seismic activity
A strong quake struck off the Tokara Islands on Thursday afternoon, with the island chain having recorded around 1,000 earthquakes since a burst of seismic activity first began on June 21.
Onosato's yokozuna promotion causes rare quirk in new sumo rankings
Newly promoted yokozuna Onosato holds a copy of the latest banzuke ranking in Anjo, Aichi Prefecture, on Monday.
A prophesied disaster (likely) won’t strike Japan this weekend
A viral manga prediction of a July 5 disaster has gripped Japan with anxiety and triggered an economic impact, but experts warn that while such dates are unreliable, the threat of a massive earthquake remains real. 
Over 900 earthquakes strike Tokara islands in space of two weeks
A screenshot shows many quakes occurring in the Tokara islands over the past 30 days, in this image taken from the U.S. Geological Survey website.
Ghibli’s Isao Takahata exhibit shows how beloved anime is made
“The man who planted Japanese animation” exhibition includes a variety of sketches, drawings and animation cels from Isao Takahata films such as color design for characters by Michiyo Yasuda from "Grave of the Fireflies."
Ghibli’s Isao Takahata exhibit shows how beloved anime is made
“The man who planted Japanese animation” exhibition includes a variety of sketches, drawings and animation cels from Isao Takahata films such as color design for characters by Michiyo Yasuda from "Grave of the Fireflies."
Flag football facing challenges and opportunities ahead
Japan’s women’s flag football team at the 2025 International Bowl in Los Angeles in June. The sport is enjoying continued growth in the country.
From Hokusai’s Great Wave, shinkansen to One Piece: a cultural treasure box for Lego Japan
Michael Ebbesen, general manager of Lego Japan, says Lego bricks based on Japanese culture have a rich global appeal and are sellable around the world.
With farmed fish, RelationFish swims against the tide in fine dining
Chef Hideaki Matsuo (middle) and the staff of Oseto Suisan Fisheries prepare to check on their sustainably farmed fish.
As Southeast Asia heats up, a Japanese cooling giant sees a major opportunity
An employee of Daikin Cambodia explains the use of different tools during an air conditioner installation training session in Phnom Penh. Daikin is one of Japan’s oldest air conditioning companies, but as Japan’s population falls, the firm is keying in on overseas growth.

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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