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September 12, 2025
 

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TRADE

U.S. President Donald Trump (left) and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick at Morristown Airport, New Jersey, on Sunday. Trump on Monday sent letters to 12 countries notifying them of new "reciprocal" tariff rates effective Aug. 1.
BUSINESS / Economy
Jul 8, 2025
Japan stands its ground after Trump letter delivers 25% U.S. tariff shock
Tokyo holds the line on its negotiating position, especially when it comes to auto exports.
Japan posted a current account surplus of ¥3,436.4 billion in May, the highest level for the month, according to the Finance Ministry.
BUSINESS / Economy
Jul 8, 2025
Japan's current account surplus sets record for May as trade deficit shrinks
The current account balance, the broadest indicator of a country's international trade and investment flows, was in the black for the fourth consecutive month.
Despite months of negotiations and Japan’s key role as a U.S. ally and investor, Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba faces frustration as U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariff threats persist — damaging trust and complicating relations.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Jul 8, 2025
Donald Trump’s ‘copy-and-paste’ tariffs will no doubt rile ‘Mr. Japan’
Trump's copy-and-paste wording sent to world leaders was virtually identical, including telling Tokyo to open its "heretofore closed trading markets” — whatever that means.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Capitol Hill in Washington on May 20
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Jul 8, 2025
Trump's latest tariffs cast shadow on Rubio's first Asia trip as top U.S. envoy
Rubio is expected to seek to firm up U.S. ties with partners unnerved by Trump's global tariff strategy, but the tariff announcements seem certain to make that task harder.
Former Prime Minister Fumio Kishida attends the EU-Japan summit in Brussels in July 2023. Economic cooperation between the EU, Japan and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership is showing promise but faces political and structural hurdles that could limit progress.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Jul 8, 2025
EU-CPTPP talks highlight shared goals and stubborn obstacles
EU economic cooperation with Japan and the CPTPP shows promise but could face political and structural hurdles that limit progress.
A truck is driven past shipping containers stacked up at Pusan Newport Terminal in Busan, South Korea, on July 1.
BUSINESS / Economy
Jul 8, 2025
South Korea vows to fix regulations after Trump’s new tariff deadline
Seoul says it will accelerate negotiations to reach a mutually beneficial agreement with Washington.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt holds a trade letter sent by the White House to Japan during a news conference at the White House in Washington on Monday.
BUSINESS / Economy
Jul 8, 2025
Trump announces new tariff rate on Japan — and extension of deadline to Aug. 1
The United States will raise its “reciprocal tariff” on Japan to 25% effective Aug. 1, President Donald Trump said in a letter addressed to Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba on Monday.
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva speaks during the BRICS summit, at the Museum of Modern Art in Rio de Janeiro on Sunday.
WORLD / Politics
Jul 7, 2025
BRICS leaders condemn Gaza and Iran attacks, urging global reforms
With forums such as the G7 and G20 hamstrung by divisions and Trump's "America First" approach, the grouping has opened new space for diplomatic coordination.
U.S. President Donald Trump stands next to Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, as he speaks to members of the media, upon his arrival at Morristown Airport, in Morristown, New Jersey, on Sunday.
BUSINESS / Economy
Jul 7, 2025
U.S. tariffs to kick in Aug. 1, barring trade deals
The U.S. Treasury chief signaled that letters President Donald Trump is poised to send trading partners this week aren’t the final word on countries’ immediate tariff rates.
A pastry chef prepares croissants for sale at a Bakehouse bakery in the Causeway Bay area of Hong Kong on July 25, 2024.
BUSINESS / Markets
Jul 7, 2025
Butter’s global price surge hits croissants and kitchens alike
Around 70% of the butter exported around the world comes from Europe and New Zealand, and each began 2025 with historically low stockpiles.
A screen displays news on U.S. President Donald Trump on the floor at the New York Stock Exchange (on June 27.
BUSINESS / Economy
Jul 7, 2025
Investors head into Trump tariff deadline benumbed and blase
The 90-day pause on the U.S. president's "Liberation Day" tariffs expire Wednesday.
China announces new restrictions on government purchases and imports of high-value EU medical devices in retaliation for Brussels' procurement curbs and EV tariffs, as trade tensions escalate.
WORLD
Jul 6, 2025
China retaliates to EU ban with import restrictions on medical devices
Tensions have been rising, with the European Union imposing tariffs on China-built electric vehicles and Beijing slapping duties on imported brandy from the bloc.
Japan's top tariff negotiator, Ryosei Akazawa, speaks to the press upon his arrival at Tokyo's Haneda Airport in April.
BUSINESS / Economy
Jul 6, 2025
Japan's top trade negotiator holds two phone meetings with U.S. commerce chief
Ryosei Akazawa held "in-depth exchanges" over the phone with U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick on Thursday and Saturday.
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Chinese Premier Li Qiang pose for a picture after a bilateral meeting Saturday ahead of the BRICS summit in Rio de Janeiro on July 5.
BUSINESS / Economy
Jul 6, 2025
BRICS nations voice 'serious concerns' over Trump tariffs
The summit's impact will be depleted by the absence of Vladimir Putin as well as Xi Jinping, who is skipping the meeting for the first time in his 12 years as president.
U.S. President Donald Trump arrives to speak at the Salute to America Celebration at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines on Thursday.
WORLD / Politics
Jul 5, 2025
Trump set to start notifying countries of tariffs up to 70%
Trump’s latest threat, which fits his pattern of issuing ultimatums, aligns with earlier statements that some nations won’t have a say in their tariff level.
U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened to just decide tariff rates himself and send out letters.
BUSINESS / Economy / FOCUS
Jul 4, 2025
Japan-U.S. tariff negotiations enter uncharted territory
A deal seems impossible as both sides refuse to budge just days ahead of the deadline.
Despite trade pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump, Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has held firm, constrained by upcoming elections, mistrust of U.S. intentions and growing public opposition to concessions.
EDITORIALS
Jul 4, 2025
As trade deadline approaches, Japan must draw lines
Most worrisome now is a growing sense among the Japanese public that the U.S. is no longer a reliable partner.
A container ship is anchored at the Tan Vu port in Hai Phong, Vietnam. Much of Vietnam's exports to the U.S. are made up of items such as AirPods, phones or other products assembled with Chinese components and then shipped on.
BUSINESS / Economy
Jul 4, 2025
U.S. trade deal leaves Vietnam with questions and one big challenge
Companies operating in the Southeast Asian hub are on notice to move up the value chain.
U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to the press before boarding Air Force One as he departs for Iowa at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland on Thursday.
WORLD
Jul 4, 2025
Trump eyes simple tariff rates over complex talks, sending letters on Friday
President Trump said he preferred to notify most countries of a specific tariff rate, skipping detailed negotiations.
A container is loaded onto a cargo ship at Hai Phong port in Vietnam. A trade deal secured by Vietnam with the U.S. sets a high bar for Japan's tariff talks.
BUSINESS / Economy
Jul 3, 2025
Vietnam steals a march and leaves Japan in a tough spot on U.S. tariffs
The deal sets a high bar for Japan and other countries still negotiating with the United States.
Workers say corporate South Korea was warned about questionable U.S. visas before Hyundai raid
Activists holding signs that reads "No one is illegal!" protest against a huge immigration raid last week in the U.S. state of Georgia, in front of the U.S. Embassy in Seoul on Tuesday.
As Manila modernizes its military, new opportunities emerge for Tokyo
A Brahmos missile system is displayed during a rehearsal for a military parade in New Delhi in January. The Philippines will soon receive its second batch of the supersonic cruise missiles from India.
Thousands without power in Tokyo as heavy rain batters Kanto region
Heavy rain hit Tokyo and surrounding areas Thursday afternoon, causing thousands to lose power, prompting flood warnings, grounding flights and causing transportation issues.
Why more hotels in Japan are offering room-only service
Nipponia Hotel Ise Kawasaki Merchant Town in Ise, Mie Prefecture
Japan's cutting-edge railgun successfully strikes target vessel
The Defense Ministry’s Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency (ATLA) conducted a ship-board railgun shooting test from June to early July this year with the support of the Maritime Self-Defense Force.
Niinami’s ouster quick but not unusual as corporations protect reputation
Takeshi Niinami resigns as chairman and CEO of Suntory Holdings.
As Manila modernizes its military, new opportunities emerge for Tokyo
A Brahmos missile system is displayed during a rehearsal for a military parade in New Delhi in January. The Philippines will soon receive its second batch of the supersonic cruise missiles from India.
Shizuoka farmers fight to preserve sustainable tea method that’s steeped in tradition
As of August 2024, the number of confirmed chagusaba farmers had fallen to 302, just over half the 582 reported in 2015, according to the Shizuoka Chagusaba Farming Method Promotion Council.
Search is on for loopholes in Japan’s $550 billion investment pledge
U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick argues that U.S. President Donald Trump has sole authority to invest Japan's promised $550 billion.
In rural Hokkaido, the stops and starts of tourism revival on full display
Redevelopment plans for Kawayu Onsen have hit some snags — an example of how bringing tourists back to declining rural communities is far from easy work.

Podcast

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

Longform

Figure skater Akiko Suzuki was once told her ideal weight should be 47 kilograms, a number she now admits she “naively believed.” This led to her have a relationship with food that resulted in her suffering from anorexia.
The silent battle Japanese athletes fight with weight
By Mai Yoshikawa

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