The Japan Times
@japantimes.co.jp
News, features and commentary from the oldest (est. 1897) and most widely read English-language media outlet in Japan.
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JT staff on Bluesky: https://jtim.es/bskysp
Our newsletters: https://jtime.es/newsletters
Elsewhere: jtim.es/m/social
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Japan is the fastest aging nation in the world. Now that we're closer to 2050 than 2000, how will that affect the generation now coming of age? 👉 ebx.sh/QQyzS2
Once, drawings for anime ended up in garbage bins, now they are the focus of exhibitions in Japan’s biggest museums and galleries. 👉 ebx.sh/wXf8pr
December 29, 2025 at 11:51 AM
Once, drawings for anime ended up in garbage bins, now they are the focus of exhibitions in Japan’s biggest museums and galleries. 👉 ebx.sh/wXf8pr
From turning 60 to reaching 88, Japan marks certain birthdays with their own stories and superstitions. This week we break down the kanji origins behind milestone ages — and how にとって helps express what they mean.
Japan’s milestone birthdays: Why 60, 77, 80, 88 and 99 matter so much
A look at Japan’s milestone birthdays, the traditions behind them and how the grammar pattern “ni totte” expresses their personal meaning.
ebx.sh
December 29, 2025 at 11:19 AM
From turning 60 to reaching 88, Japan marks certain birthdays with their own stories and superstitions. This week we break down the kanji origins behind milestone ages — and how にとって helps express what they mean.
Commentary: Barely a decade after President Barack Obama announced a “pivot” to Asia, the United States' commitment to the region is as tenuous as the days of the Vietnam War.
Asia adrift, Asia alone
Relations between the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump and the governments of Asia’s democracies are a far cry from that typically found between long-standing allies.
ebx.sh
December 29, 2025 at 10:52 AM
Commentary: Barely a decade after President Barack Obama announced a “pivot” to Asia, the United States' commitment to the region is as tenuous as the days of the Vietnam War.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has moved into the official residence of the head of government.
Sanae Takaichi moves into the official residence of the prime minister
Takaichi's husband, Taku Yamamoto, will also live in the prime minister's official residence, located in the Nagatacho district of Tokyo's Chiyoda Ward.
ebx.sh
December 29, 2025 at 10:11 AM
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has moved into the official residence of the head of government.
Beijing says Thailand and Cambodia plan to rebuild mutual trust and gradually consolidate a ceasefire after weeks of border clashes, following talks in southwestern China.
Thailand and Cambodia agree to ‘consolidate ceasefire’ in China talks
A statement from the Chinese Foreign Ministry did not mention the Association of Southeast Asian Nations’ role in facilitating the ceasefire.
ebx.sh
December 29, 2025 at 9:51 AM
Beijing says Thailand and Cambodia plan to rebuild mutual trust and gradually consolidate a ceasefire after weeks of border clashes, following talks in southwestern China.
SoftBank Group is in advanced talks to acquire DigitalBridge Group, a private equity firm that invests in assets such as data centers, according to people with knowledge of the matter.
SoftBank nears deal for data center investment firm DigitalBridge
The Japanese conglomerate could announce an agreement as soon as Monday for New York-listed DigitalBridge.
ebx.sh
December 29, 2025 at 9:37 AM
SoftBank Group is in advanced talks to acquire DigitalBridge Group, a private equity firm that invests in assets such as data centers, according to people with knowledge of the matter.
Japan’s research vessel Shirase has berthed near the country’s Antarctic Showa Station and begun transfering fuel, observation equipment and other supplies to the research base.
Japan’s research vessel berths near Antarctic Showa Station
The Shirase began transferring fuel, observation equipment and other supplies to the research base on Saturday night.
ebx.sh
December 29, 2025 at 9:22 AM
Japan’s research vessel Shirase has berthed near the country’s Antarctic Showa Station and begun transfering fuel, observation equipment and other supplies to the research base.
Commentary: Expect 2026 to be a year of opportunity for Japan as PM Takaichi seeks lasting power, Nintendo’s new Super Mario movie targets another $1.36 billion box office success, and Japanese athletes chase global glory.
Takaichi, Mario, baseball and the Year of the Fire Horse
2026 marks the Year of the Horse in Japan. It’s one demographers have been awaiting for decades — the return of the Fire Horse.
ebx.sh
December 29, 2025 at 8:57 AM
Commentary: Expect 2026 to be a year of opportunity for Japan as PM Takaichi seeks lasting power, Nintendo’s new Super Mario movie targets another $1.36 billion box office success, and Japanese athletes chase global glory.
Commentary: Despite gloomy headlines, 2025 saw climate progress with cleaner grids, falling cement demand, rising EV adoption, solar industry shifts, and batteries stabilizing electricity markets.
The positive climate news you may have missed this year
Much climate news is gloomy, but there are positive developments all the time — so many, in fact, that it’s easy to miss some of the things that have been happening.
ebx.sh
December 29, 2025 at 8:40 AM
Commentary: Despite gloomy headlines, 2025 saw climate progress with cleaner grids, falling cement demand, rising EV adoption, solar industry shifts, and batteries stabilizing electricity markets.
South Korean prosecutors Monday accused the country’s former first lady of having accepted lavish bribes totaling over $200,000, including fine art, jewellery and a handbag, as well as meddling in state affairs.
South Korea's ex-first lady accused of taking over $200,000 in bribes
Kim Keon Hee, the wife of disgraced ex-President Yoon Suk Yeol, also “illegally intervened in state affairs behind the scenes,” prosecutors say.
ebx.sh
December 29, 2025 at 8:08 AM
South Korean prosecutors Monday accused the country’s former first lady of having accepted lavish bribes totaling over $200,000, including fine art, jewellery and a handbag, as well as meddling in state affairs.
Commentary: Western strategic dissonance, U.N. cowardice, a gutted civil society and cynical Thai aggression are providing cover for a weakened Hun Sen.
The world is failing Cambodia (again) — and this time everyone is suffering
Cambodia’s entrenched CPP regime shows signs of elite fracture under Hun Sen, creating a rare window for meaningful change.
ebx.sh
December 29, 2025 at 7:52 AM
Commentary: Western strategic dissonance, U.N. cowardice, a gutted civil society and cynical Thai aggression are providing cover for a weakened Hun Sen.
Former rapper Balendra Shah, known as Balen, could become Nepal's prime minister if the Rastriya Swatantra Party wins the nation's March 5 parliamentary election.
Former rapper to run for Nepal PM in key vote after Gen Z protests
Balendra Shah, 35, is set to become prime minister if the Rastriya Swatantra Party wins the March 5 parliamentary election.
ebx.sh
December 29, 2025 at 7:37 AM
Former rapper Balendra Shah, known as Balen, could become Nepal's prime minister if the Rastriya Swatantra Party wins the nation's March 5 parliamentary election.
Sixty households hit hard by the January 2024 Noto Peninsula earthquake have had their welfare benefits terminated mainly due to income from donations, sources said Sunday.
Welfare benefits ended for Noto quake donation recipients
Local welfare offices judged that some households possessed assets larger than the level needed to cover the minimum living expenses guaranteed under the welfare benefit system
ebx.sh
December 29, 2025 at 7:03 AM
Sixty households hit hard by the January 2024 Noto Peninsula earthquake have had their welfare benefits terminated mainly due to income from donations, sources said Sunday.
A woman was stabbed in Tokyo's Shinjuku Ward on Monday, with police searching for the suspect, according to investigative sources.
Woman injured after being stabbed in Tokyo, with the suspect at large
The woman sustained injuries to her stomach and chest but was conscious when she was taken to the hospital and said she knew the suspect, according to local media reports.
ebx.sh
December 29, 2025 at 6:48 AM
A woman was stabbed in Tokyo's Shinjuku Ward on Monday, with police searching for the suspect, according to investigative sources.
LandSpace, the first Chinese entity to conduct a reusable rocket test, is now preparing to go public to fund its future projects, as U.S. rival SpaceX considers its own IPO.
China’s LandSpace gears up to take on Elon Musk and SpaceX
The first Chinese entity to conduct a reusable rocket test is now preparing to go public to fund its future projects, as rival SpaceX considers its own initial public offering.
ebx.sh
December 29, 2025 at 6:33 AM
LandSpace, the first Chinese entity to conduct a reusable rocket test, is now preparing to go public to fund its future projects, as U.S. rival SpaceX considers its own IPO.
As soon as next year, Lawson plans to launch a delivery service for over-the-counter drugs at its convenience stores with no pharmacists or registered sellers present.
Lawson may start over-the-counter drug delivery in 2026
The service, which allows customers to order OTC drugs for home delivery, will be introduced after an easing of drug sales regulations for convenience stores.
ebx.sh
December 29, 2025 at 6:02 AM
As soon as next year, Lawson plans to launch a delivery service for over-the-counter drugs at its convenience stores with no pharmacists or registered sellers present.
Japan is set to begin another round of screening for locations seeking to develop integrated resorts including casinos, following Osaka’s approval in 2023.
Japan to begin selection process for new casino resort sites
Under the integrated resort implementation law, up to three locations can host integrated resort facilities, leaving two slots available.
ebx.sh
December 29, 2025 at 5:40 AM
Japan is set to begin another round of screening for locations seeking to develop integrated resorts including casinos, following Osaka’s approval in 2023.
Japan is the fastest aging nation in the world. Now that we're closer to 2050 than 2000, how will that affect the generation now coming of age? 👉 ebx.sh/QQyzS2
December 29, 2025 at 5:17 AM
Japan is the fastest aging nation in the world. Now that we're closer to 2050 than 2000, how will that affect the generation now coming of age? 👉 ebx.sh/QQyzS2
If Japan’s art scene was to be summarized in one word it would be “abundance.” Art was plentiful, albeit quiet, though some curation decisions pushed it outside the status quo.
A year of plenty: Endless art shows, subtle curation of themes
Japan’s art scene was bursting with public enthusiasm, overflowing exhibition halls and more art festivals vying for attention.
ebx.sh
December 29, 2025 at 5:02 AM
If Japan’s art scene was to be summarized in one word it would be “abundance.” Art was plentiful, albeit quiet, though some curation decisions pushed it outside the status quo.
By 2025's end, the world felt newly unsettled. Donald Trump’s return to power reshaped the global dialogue, as the rapid advance of artificial intelligence, inspired both optimism and anxiety.
2025 in pictures: Shaking up the world order
The world felt newly unsettled this year as Donald Trump’s return reshaped the global dialogue and the rapid advance of artificial intelligence inspired both optimism and anxiety.
ebx.sh
December 29, 2025 at 4:46 AM
By 2025's end, the world felt newly unsettled. Donald Trump’s return to power reshaped the global dialogue, as the rapid advance of artificial intelligence, inspired both optimism and anxiety.
Growing Chinese auto giant BYD stands poised to officially surpass Tesla as the world’s biggest electric vehicle company in annual sales.
China’s BYD poised to overtake Tesla in 2025 EV sales
Based on sales data so far this year, there is almost no chance the American company will retain its leadership position.
ebx.sh
December 29, 2025 at 4:31 AM
Growing Chinese auto giant BYD stands poised to officially surpass Tesla as the world’s biggest electric vehicle company in annual sales.
Princess Kako, the second daughter of Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko, turned 31 on Monday with an even stronger wish for peace after studying about World War II, as this year marked 80 years since its end.
Japan's Princess Kako turns 31 with renewed wish for peace
As this year marked the 80th anniversary of Japan's surrender in World War II, the princess has an even stronger wish for peace after studying stories of the war again.
ebx.sh
December 29, 2025 at 4:17 AM
Princess Kako, the second daughter of Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko, turned 31 on Monday with an even stronger wish for peace after studying about World War II, as this year marked 80 years since its end.
On the diplomatic stage, Chinese President Xi Jinping projected strength, but beneath the diplomatic victories, he still has plenty of worries at home — from structural economic vulnerabilities to a personnel purge.
Xi’s triumphant year staring down Trump belies troubles in China
China was peerless in confronting Donald Trump’s renewed trade war, but beneath such victories, he has plenty of worries at home, such as structural economic vulnerabilities.
ebx.sh
December 29, 2025 at 4:02 AM
On the diplomatic stage, Chinese President Xi Jinping projected strength, but beneath the diplomatic victories, he still has plenty of worries at home — from structural economic vulnerabilities to a personnel purge.
Reposted by The Japan Times
For my final story of 2025, I looked ahead to the next quarter century for Japan — and the society today’s young adults may inherit as demographic decline accelerates. Thanks for reading this year, and a Happy New Year to all! 良いお年をお迎えください！🎍 www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/12...
On to 2050: Life in a shrinking Japan
By 2050, Japan’s youth will inherit a transformed country, reshaped by population decline, longer lives and unprecedented demographic imbalance.
www.japantimes.co.jp
December 29, 2025 at 2:46 AM
For my final story of 2025, I looked ahead to the next quarter century for Japan — and the society today’s young adults may inherit as demographic decline accelerates. Thanks for reading this year, and a Happy New Year to all! 良いお年をお迎えください！🎍 www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/12...
Fresh from its divorce from the Liberal Democratic Party, Komeito faces an urgent need to redefine its identity and set itself apart from its competitors.
Komeito forced to chart new path after divorce from LDP
The party faces an urgent need to redefine its identity and set itself apart from its competitors.
ebx.sh
December 29, 2025 at 3:44 AM
Fresh from its divorce from the Liberal Democratic Party, Komeito faces an urgent need to redefine its identity and set itself apart from its competitors.