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Tokyo Weather 29¡æ
TOKYO
July 30, 2026
The Independent Voice in Asia
July 30, 2026
Kumamoto earthquake
Permanent residency
Takaichi
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Evacuees rest inside a gymnasium at a community center, which is serving as an evacuation shelter, in the city of Yatsushiro, Kumamoto Prefecture, on Thursday following Tuesday's magnitude 7.1 earthquake.
JAPAN
Kumamoto quake death toll rises to 34 as rescuers race against clock
By Kanako Takahara, Kenji Yoshida and Jessica Speed
The Kumamoto Prefectural Government on Thursday said five other people sustained serious injuries as a result of the disaster.

More coverage

Kumamoto¡¯s foreign community leans on 2016 lessons after quake
Kumamoto Prefecture gripped by massive economic fallout after earthquake
Evacuees rest inside a gymnasium at a community center, which is serving as an evacuation shelter, in the city of Yatsushiro, Kumamoto Prefecture, on Thursday following Tuesday's magnitude 7.1 earthquake.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi attends a meeting with the Liberal Democratic Party executives at the party's headquarters in Tokyo on Thursday.
JAPAN / Politics
Takaichi announces plan to lower consumption tax rate on food to 1%
By Eric Johnston
The decision comes despite opposition party criticism and concerns among fellow LDP members about how lost revenue ¡ª ?5 trillion annually ¡ª from the reduction would be covered.
With the parliamentary session over, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi now finds herself under pressure to do something about the rising cost of living.
JAPAN / Politics / ANALYSIS
Takaichi¡¯s popularity slide exposes deeper governing challenges
By Michael MacArthur Bosack
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi¡¯s drop raises the question of whether it is from the normal growing pains of a new administration or if it indicates deeper structural problems.
Go, a 2-year-old Shiba Inu, remains missing following the earthquake in Kumamoto.
JAPAN
Kumamoto rallies to reunite lost pets and provide refuge for animals
By Mai Yoshikawa
When natural disasters strike, pets are often among the most vulnerable and overlooked victims.
Keigo Higashino's meticulously constructed mysteries and memorable characters earned him readers across languages and cultures.
CULTURE / Books
Keigo Higashino¡¯s ¡®global afterlife¡¯
By Mike Fu
As tributes pour in for the prolific author who died at age 68 last week, his English translators reflect on his legacy and impact abroad.
Keigo Higashino's meticulously constructed mysteries and memorable characters earned him readers across languages and cultures.

JAPAN

Prosecutor Masahito Nishida, 48, was dismissed Wednesday over an inappropriate relationship he had with a woman he had investigated while serving on the Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office's special investigation squad.
Tokyo prosecutor dismissed for improper relations with subject of investigation
Before a summary order against the woman was finalized, Masahito Nishida engaged in sexual acts with her at a hotel paid for using public funds.
Seagulls fly above a bay on Shikotan Island, one of four islands known as the Northern Territories in Japan.
Russia to name Northern Territories island after Soviet spy Sorge
Moscow is expected to soon formally approve the decision to name an uninhabited island in the Lesser Kurils after the spy who operated in Japan before the Pacific War.
Myanmar leader calls on Japanese firms to invest
Japanese population falls below 120 million for first time in decades
Former Japan Post worker sent to prosecutors over alleged bribe-taking
Five Japanese nationals detained in Laos scam center raid

BUSINESS

Production at Ningbo Bright Electric in Ninghai, China, on July 2. One of the most surprising outcomes from a whiplash year of tariffs may be that China has emerged in a position of relative strength, with significantly lower tariffs than last year.
Trump¡¯s tariffs are sending some companies back to China
By Alexandra Stevenson and Ana Swanson
One of the most surprising outcomes from a whiplash year of tariffs may be that China has emerged in a position of relative strength, with lower tariffs than last year.
Traders work on the floor of the American Stock Exchange at the New York Stock Exchange in New York on Wednesday. A decision by the U.S. Federal Reserve the same day to keep interest rates unchanged weighed on U.S. stocks.
U.S. Federal Reserve¡¯s ¡®hawkish hold¡¯ leaves investors lacking clarity
By Gertrude Chavez-Dreyfuss
The Fed kept interest rates unchanged in a target range of 3.50% to 3.75%, but the vote drew three dissents from the 12-member panel.
Docomo Financial to sell more functions to businesses
Toyota sales fall for fifth month on Iran turmoil and China
By Nicholas Takahashi
Japan¡¯s government pension fund gains JGB expertise through active bond funds
By Nao Sano
¡®Mr. Brexit¡¯ financial commentator leaves Mizuho for position in Dubai
By Naomi Tajitsu

WORLD

U.S. President Donald Trump looks on in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington on Wednesday.
U.S. strikes Iran again as conflict widens across Middle East
Two-hour operation aimed to degrade Tehran¡¯s ability to threaten American forces, its Arab allies and commercial shipping, according to U.S. Central Command.
The National Center for Digital Sexual Crime Response in Seoul last year pulled down 318,000 videos and photos ¡ª deepfakes, spycam content and intimate images ¡ª on behalf of 10,600 people, 75% of whom were women and girls.
South Korea¡¯s women web sleuths fight AI deepfake porn
By Hawon Jung
Using the generative technology and a picture of their victim¡¯s face, harassers can fabricate invasive images portraying their targets.
He helped China repress Uyghurs. He says he¡¯s a victim, too.
By Li Yuan
¡®We are not learning anything¡¯: India¡¯s Gen Z rage is a test for Modi
By Pragati K.B. and Somini Sengupta
Malaysian PM says Myanmar agrees to take 5,000 Rohingya refugees from Malaysia
Malaysia arrests 335 in online scam raids at Johor¡¯s Forest City
By Kok Leong Chan

Sports

Aonishiki (left) receives the trophy from Hakkaku, chairman of the Japan Sumo Association, after winning the July Grand Sumo Tournament at IG Arena in Nagoya on Sunday.
Sumo¡¯s top wrestler isn¡¯t a yokozuna ¡ª yet
By John Gunning
A championship-winning return from injury in Nagoya cemented Aonishiki¡¯s status as sumo¡¯s leading performer.
Regional confederations criticize FIFA¡¯s plan to sell World Cup stakes
Neymar says time with national team has ¡®already passed¡¯
Russian athletes falling behind rivals amid ongoing exile from world athletics
F1 boss Stefano Domenicali praises new star Kimi Antonelli as sport draws big crowds

Opinion

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, U.S. President Donald Trump, French President Emmanuel Macron and other leaders prepare to take a family photo at the Group of Seven summit in Evian, France, on June 16.
What Trump¡¯s new global order means for Japan
Yuichi Hosoya
From trade and alliances to spheres of influence, the U.S. president is accelerating a shift away from the liberal international order.
Overcoming the AI wisdom gap
By Dana Humaid Al Marzouqi and Joanna Shields
Baseball¡¯s AI crackdown is an overreaction
By Adam Minter
The world¡¯s biggest economies face a dangerous imbalance problem
By Lee Jong-wha
Why can¡¯t Indian immigrants influence policy in America?
By Brahma Chellaney

ENVIRONMENT

Japan's offshore wind power projects face rising costs that threaten their viability despite being a key part of the country's renewable energy strategy.
BP exit to add strain on Japan offshore wind as costs climb
Offshore wind power is regarded as a key element in the country¡¯s renewable energy strategy, but soaring construction costs are eroding project viability.
France and Spain race to curb wildfires before new heat wave arrives
By Janis Laizans and Emma Pinedo
¡®Difficult night¡¯ as France and Spain fires intensify again
South Africa¡¯s data center ¡®gold rush¡¯ risks resource crunch
By Kate Bartlett
Spain and France continue to battle wildfires as intense heat grips Southern Europe

CULTURE

Suzu Hirose received the Cut Above Award for Outstanding Achievement in Film from New York¡¯s Japan Society this month.
Suzu Hirose is ready to ¡®step into the unknown¡¯
By Blake Simons
The 28-year-old actor looks back on her formative experiences with some of the most acclaimed contemporary Japanese directors.
This year, Fuji Rock rediscovered its nerve
By Erik Augustin Palm
Time-travel anime ¡®You, Fireworks, and Our Promise¡¯ is serviceable but lacks spark
By Matt Schley
How Hayao Miyazaki¡¯s love of books influenced Studio Ghibli¡¯s stories
By Kris Kosaka
The bittersweet nostalgia of the first season of ¡®Vivant¡¯
By Gabriella Geisinger

LIFE

Social media, streaming platforms and online communities have become major drivers of how Japanese slang spreads among young people.
J-pop idols are behind much of Japan¡¯s Gen Z slang
By Shaun McKenna
Japan¡¯s newest slang isn¡¯t new at all ¡ª it¡¯s a remix fueled by TikTok, fandoms and boy bands.
Japan shut out of Asia¡¯s 50 Best Bars top 10 for first time
By Weiwen Lin
A symbol of summer, this Japanese dessert brings sweet relief
By Weiwen Lin
Heading to Yokohama¡¯s Chinatown? Here are the real local bites you¡¯re missing.
By Manami Tominaga
In the hills of Shimane, Japan¡¯s steelworking tradition forges on
By Louise George Kittaka

COMMUNITY

Myanmar national Nyan Linn, who works at a Lawson outlet in Tokyo¡¯s Shinagawa Ward, is one of over 110,000 foreign workers employed by Japan's three largest convenience store chains.
How foreign workers became an essential part of Japan¡¯s ubiquitous konbini
By Yumi Wijers-Hasegawa
Despite the fact that most are relatively new to Japan, konbini officials say foreign staff display impressive language and customer service skills.
This Shiba is a great dog for the right person
The 180-day locals: Life on Japan¡¯s digital nomad visa
By Mai Yoshikawa
A friendly ¡®peaches-and-cream¡¯ fellow
Found on Jan. 1, Osechi is a New Year¡¯s darling

Editors' Picks

JAPAN
With secondary-capital bill passed, competition between cities heats up
By Eric Johnston
A view of downtown Sapporo. Hokkaido Gov. Naomichi Suzuki is pushing Sapporo as a candidate for a second capital outside Tokyo.
CULTURE
Japanese author Keigo Higashino, known for intricate mystery novels, dies at 68
By Elizabeth Beattie
A display featuring Keigo Higashino¡¯s work, with a range of his titles translated into multiple languages, at Books Kinokuniya Tokyo in the capital¡¯s Shinjuku Ward on Tuesday
JAPAN
Tough new permanent residency measures trigger concern in Japan
By Jessica Speed
The Tokyo Regional Immigration Bureau in the capital's Shinagawa Ward in March. Japan's revised guidelines for permanent residency are set to be introduced as early as Oct. 1 and applied to applications filed from April 2027.
ENVIRONMENT
The tiny Okayama village providing Japan with a blueprint for forest management
By Kimberly Hughes
In 2008, Nishiawakura announced a 100-year plan to promote forest health through measures including structured thinning of its artificially planted <i>sugi</i> and <i>hinoki</i> trees. Since then, it has earned nationwide recognition for its innovative forest health management initiatives.
COMMUNITY
How foreign workers became an essential part of Japan¡¯s ubiquitous konbini
By Yumi Wijers-Hasegawa
Myanmar national Nyan Linn, who works at a Lawson outlet in Tokyo¡¯s Shinagawa Ward, is one of over 110,000 foreign workers employed by Japan&#039;s three largest convenience store chains.

Podcast

One of the many entrances to the Kabukicho neighborhood in Tokyo¡¯s Shinjuku Ward.
Kabukicho: Tokyo¡¯s ¡®stadium of desire¡¯

Longform

For many people, utility poles and power lines have become such a familiar part of Japan¡¯s landscape that they often go unnoticed.
Why Japan¡¯s utility poles won¡¯t be disappearing anytime soon
By Alex K.T. Martin

JT Directory Service

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COMFACTS

Japanese Microalgae Meets American Formulation Science at Chicago¡¯s IFT FIRST
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WHAT¡¯S TRENDING

JAPAN
Japanese population falls below 120 million for first time in decades
As of Jan. 1, the population of Japanese residents in Japan stood at 119.74 million, down 0.76% from the previous year.
JAPAN
Mall collapses after powerful quake rocks Kumamoto
By Kanako Takahara, Elizabeth Beattie, Jesse Johnson and Joel Tansey
Emergency crews outside an Aeon Mall in Kashima, Kumamoto Prefecture, on Tuesday after the second floor of the building collapsed in the wake of a major earthquake.
JAPAN
Japanese man arrested for years of guitar noise
Police seized over 40 guitars ¡ª many electric ¡ª from a Kyoto musician&#039;s residence, along with CD and radio cassette players and amplifiers.
JAPAN
Rescuers race to find survivors following massive Kumamoto quake
By Jesse Johnson, Kenji Yoshida, Elizabeth Beattie and Jessica Speed
Debris is strewn at the damaged Aeon Mall shopping center, where an explosion occurred after an earthquake with a magnitude of 7.1 struck Japan&#039;s southern Kumamoto Prefecture, in Kashima Town, Kumamoto Prefecture, on Wednesday.
ASIA PACIFIC
China makes new U.S. warship target for missile tests
By Josh Xiao
China has built a new U.S. destroyer replica at a remote missile-testing site in its northwestern desert, satellite imagery shows.