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TOKYO
February 18, 2025
The Independent Voice in Asia
February 18, 2025
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U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio (left) speaks to German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock during a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the 61st Munich Security Conference in Munich, Germany, on Saturday.
WORLD / Politics
Ukraine, Europe will be part of 'real' peace talks with Russia, says Rubio
By Gram Slattery
America's top diplomat plays down European concerns of being cut out of this week's talks between Washington and Moscow to end Russia-Ukraine war.

More coverage

EU seeks a military revival under pressure from Putin and Trump
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio (left) speaks to German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock during a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the 61st Munich Security Conference in Munich, Germany, on Saturday.
Akihiro Arimoto (left), accompanied by his wife, Kayoko, speaks during a news conference in Tokyo in 2002. Arimoto, the father of a girl who was spirited away to North Korea more than four decades ago and remains unaccounted for, died late Friday.
JAPAN
Akihiro Arimoto, father of girl abducted by North Korea in 1983, dies
By Eric Johnston
His death at the age of 96 is a sign of how long the issue has dragged on, with most parents of abductees having now died without finding out what happened to their loved ones.
Naturalized Japanese citizens from Taiwan will be able to list Taiwan as their place of origin in their family register instead of China from May.
JAPAN / Society
Naturalized Japanese can soon list Taiwan as original nationality
By Francis Tang
Since Japan does not officially recognize Taiwan as a country, those from the self-ruled island had been required to list China as their original nationality.
Former digital minister Taro Kono has long counted reform of social security and pensions among his pet policies.
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
It’s time to get serious on the pension system, ex-digital minister says
By Gabriele Ninivaggi
The pension study group offers Taro Kono an opportunity to tentatively step back into the limelight after an unusually quiet period.
Tokyo Koon stands at the forefront of tackling the so-called 2025 issue, also known as the “Magnetic Tape Alert.”
JAPAN / Society / Longform
The race to save 20th-century history
By Alex K.T. Martin
Analog recordings are at risk of disappearing as old tech breaks down and spare parts run out.
Tokyo Koon stands at the forefront of tackling the so-called 2025 issue, also known as the “Magnetic Tape Alert.”

JAPAN

Excess sugar intake — especially of sucrose, or table sugar — can lead to ailments such as obesity and diabetes.
Researchers discover bacteria that can limit body’s sugar absorption
Researchers hope the findings will contribute to developing a new treatment method for obesity and diabetes.
An F-35B stealth fighter jet loaded in the hangar of the Maritime Self-Defense Force's Kaga destroyer
SDF's biggest ships are being converted into de facto aircraft carriers
The Izumo and Kaga, each about 248 meters in length and 38 meters in width, are the largest vessels in the MSDF.
Japan eyes system for faster repairs of disaster-hit airports
University students launch community radio show for Fukushima village
Nippon Ishin to accept fiscal year 2026 income cap abolition for tuition aid
More older people choosing to work for social connection and survival

BUSINESS

Japan's gross domestic product grew by an annualized rate of 2.8% in the October-December period, far more than the 1% forecast.
Japan’s economic boomlet continues with strong fourth-quarter growth
By Kazuaki Nagata
Gross domestic product grew 2.8% in the three months to December, compared with a median market estimate of a 1% gain.
Minor Hotels and Royal Holdings executives explain their joint venture at a news conference last week in Tokyo.
Thailand's Minor Hotels entering Japanese market with Royal Holdings JV
By Kazuaki Nagata
The 50-50 joint venture aims to have 21 hotels in Japan by 2035.
EU plans stricter food import restrictions over pesticide use
By Jorge Valero
Bain ends tussle with KKR for Fuji Soft by giving up bid
By Lisa Du
Xi hosts summit with Jack Ma and other private sector leaders
Japan insurers sell $11 billion cross-held shares ahead of plans
By Nao Sano

WORLD

According to a prepared text of Singaporean Defense Minister Ng Eng Hen's remarks posted on a government website over the weekend, the image of the U.S. "has changed from liberator to great disruptor to a landlord seeking rent."
Singapore says Asia now views U.S. as a ‘landlord seeking rent’
By Philip J. Heijmans
The image of the U.S. as a liberator has changed, Singapore Defense Minister Ng Eng Hen says in remarks prepared for the Munich Security Conference.
Taiwanese supporters celebrate at a victory parade marking Taiwan's win in the WBSC Premier 12 baseball championship in Taipei on Nov. 26. Taiwan calls itself a sovereign nation but has stopped short of formally declaring independence.
Taiwan welcomes 'positive' wording on U.S. government website about island
By Joy Chiang
The U.S. State Department has removed from its website a phrase saying Washington does "not support Taiwan independence."
Berets, boots and flags: Russia teaches young children to revere army
Trump's aid freeze could cause millions more AIDS deaths: U.N. agency
Chatbot vs. national security? Why DeepSeek is raising concerns
By Hieun SHIN
Taiwan bounty hunters kill invading iguanas as numbers soar
By Allison JACKSON, I-Hwa Cheng and Akio Wang

Sports

Stephen Curry holds the MVP trophy after the NBA All-Star Game in San Francisco on Sunday.
Team Shaq claims victory in NBA’s new All-Star Game format
Curry was named MVP of the All-Star Game, the second time he has received the accolade after winning the honor in 2022.
Pressure on Postecoglou eases as Tottenham avoids 'car crash' against United
Irish jockey Michael O'Sullivan dies 10 days after fall during race
Seven more women accuse Ravens kicker Justin Tucker of sexual misconduct
Brendan Rodgers urges underdog Celtic to be bold against Bayern Munich

Opinion

One-third of elementary school students in Japan do not like learning English, according to a 2021 poll, an 8% rise since 2013. The pressure of taking proficiency tests is eroding children's engagement with studying English and its benefits.
Japan’s English-language education doesn’t pass the test
Yuko Tamura
An excessive focus on testing students' English ability is turning language learning into a chore, depriving children of the joy and opportunities of intercultural communication.
The NHL could’ve had a good year if not for tariffs
By Adam Minter
Despite the hugs, Trump-Modi meeting was mostly transactional
By Dalbir Ahlawat
Why ASEAN is crucial to a Free and Open Indo-Pacific
By Takahiro Kamisuna
Are China-Japan relations truly 'warming,' or is this just fool’s gold again?
By Edo Naito

ENVIRONMENT

All Nippon Airways aircraft at Haneda Airport in Tokyo in August 2024. ANA has staked a lot on greener kinds of jet fuel, with 70% of the emissions reductions under its net-zero emissions plan coming from them.
Sky not the only limit for JAL and ANA’s climate goals
By Chris Russell
The airlines' similar but different carbon neutrality plans highlight the difficulty of decarbonization, especially as the sector is now growing again.
NOAA told to make list of climate-related grants, setting off fears
By Christopher Flavelle, Austyn Gaffney and Raymond Zhong
It’s ‘virtually certain’ the world has already breached 1.5 C
By Kendra Pierre-Louis
Trump’s freeze on climate money sows fear and confusion
By Zahra Hirji and Danielle Bochove
Top climate scientist declares 2 degrees Celsius climate goal 'dead'

CULTURE

A hapless rakugo comic storyteller, Tamon Saito (Tomizo Nobe, left), strikes up an unlikely relationship with a young comedian (Nagiko Tsuji) who wants to rip off his routine in “Laugh, Everyone!”
'Laugh, Everyone!’: A wonky but endearing double act
By James Hadfield
Taichi Suzuki’s comedian buddy movie walks a fine line between funny and bleak.
'Mornings Without Mii': A cozy cat memoir that gets down in the muck
By Thu-Huong Ha
Kunichika's vibrant ukiyo-e gets a chance to shine at anniversary exhibit
By Martin Laflamme
‘Kanasando’: Heartwarming homecoming inspires a change of heart
By Mark Schilling
Miniatures bring hidden worlds to life at Tokyo cultural site
By Sakurako Nakagawa

LIFE

No South American fare is complete without empanadas, one of the traditional recipes in Kiera Wright-Ruiz's cookbook.
Chewing on race, culture and 'okonomiyaki' quesadillas
By Simon Daly
Keira Wright-Ruiz’s debut cookbook serves up deep thoughts on her biracial heritage alongside delicious recipes.
Fresh off awards, Japanese cheese seeks a taste ‘unique to this land’
By Phoebe Amoroso
Cut and dried daikon: A time-tested frugal treat
By Makiko Itoh
Alpha Takahashi: ‘The world of video games was tied to my upbringing’
By Samantha Low
New street patrol helps Nara's deer clean up their act
By Tomohiro Osaki

COMMUNITY

Kendrick Lamar performs at the halftime show of Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Black History Month in 2025: The boundaries between 'us' and 'them'
By Baye McNeil
Our columnist reflects on the fraught ideologies of race from both sides of the Pacific.
Tangelo the cat is oh so sweet
John Davis: ‘At its core, indie is about creative freedom’
By Gendel Gento
Home away from home: My first time at a Tet festival in Japan
By Nguyen Bao Anh
Ken Rodgers, a fixture of the Kyoto literary scene, dies at 72
By Eric Johnston

Editors' Picks

JAPAN
Japanese research team develops world’s largest 'biohybrid' robot hand
By Jessica Speed
A "biohybrid" robot hand developed by a research team from the University of Tokyo and Waseda University
CULTURE
The different faces of ‘Asura’ through the generations
By James Hadfield
Netflix series “Asura,” directed by Hirokazu Kore-eda, is a remake of a classic TV drama (known as “Like Asura” in English), created by Kuniko Mukoda and broadcast by NHK between 1979 and 1980.
CULTURE
Nariaki Obukuro found his groove — just not on the dance floor
By Patrick St. Michel
While Nariaki Obukuro’s previous releases often included lyrics with specific references pulled from his own experiences, on “Zatto,” he’s stepping back to explore the joy and pain of the wider world.
MORE SPORTS
Mao Asada sets out to safeguard the future of Japanese skating
By Erika Yamazaki
"I hope skaters who train here will go on to shine on the world stage," Olympic silver medalist Mao Asada told the Japan Times at Mao Rink Tachikawa Tachihi, a skating rink in Tachikawa, Tokyo, whose establishment she was involved in, on Jan. 28.
JAPAN
Japan exploring drone production capabilities for military aid program
By Gabriel Dominguez
An unmanned Hamadori drone developed by Japanese company Space Entertainment Laboratory and equipped with various sensor options for surveys is displayed at the Japan Drone 2020 exhibition at Makuhari Messe in the city of Chiba in September 2020.

Podcast

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

Longform

Tokyo Koon stands at the forefront of tackling the so-called 2025 issue, also known as the “Magnetic Tape Alert.”
The race to save 20th-century history
By Alex K.T. Martin

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WHAT’S TRENDING

JAPAN
Japan's Iwaya vows to push ahead with sanctions against Russia
Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya meets with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and counterparts from other countries at the State Department in Washington on Jan. 21.
BUSINESS
Nippon Steel wants 100% of U.S. Steel, not a minority stake, report says
By Kazuaki Nagata
The U.S. Steel Mon Valley Works Edgar Thomson Plant in Braddock, Pennsylvania.
ASIA PACIFIC
U.S. drops website wording on not supporting Taiwan independence
The U.S. State Department has dropped the phrase "we do not support Taiwan independence" from a fact sheet on the democratic island on its website.
ASIA PACIFIC
Singapore says Asia now views U.S. as a ‘landlord seeking rent’
By Philip J. Heijmans
According to a prepared text of Singaporean Defense Minister Ng Eng Hen's remarks posted on a government website over the weekend, the image of the U.S. "has changed from liberator to great disruptor to a landlord seeking rent."
WORLD
Macron to host European leaders' meeting on Ukraine on Monday, says French minister
French President Emmanuel Macron and Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy meet in Brussels on Dec. 18.