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TOKYO
January 20, 2026
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January 20, 2026
Lower House Election
Sanae Takaichi
Greenland
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Lower House Election
Sanae Takaichi
Greenland
Latest News
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JAPAN
/
Politics
/
FOCUS
In calling a snap election this soon, Takaichi is making it personal
By
Gabriele Ninivaggi
The prime minister enjoys a level of popularity that appears to be unrivalled by any other political leader.
More coverage
Snap election in February presents wintry challenges in Hokkaido
Prime Minister Takaichi¡¯s gambit: A test of leadership
JAPAN
/
Crime & Legal
Shinzo Abe¡¯s assassin faces verdict
By
Tomoko Otake
One of the key points in the trial is how the judges will weigh on Tetsuya Yamagami¡¯s troubled upbringing and motivations for fatally shooting the former prime minister.
JAPAN
Japan saw record-high 40 million tourists visit in 2025
By
Elizabeth Beattie
Tourists, including droves from Asia and the U.S., continued to visit, as tensions with China failed to put a damper on the numbers.
JAPAN
/
Science & Health
Sea of Japan side of Honshu likely to be hit by heavy snowfall
By
Francis Tang
Hokkaido and parts of Japan¡¯s Pacific coast could also be affected.
JAPAN
/
History
/
Longform
When Einstein came to Hiroshima
By
Patrick Parr
Einstein saw Hiroshima before it was history ¡ª not a symbol but a place, quiet and charming.
JAPAN
Last two pandas in Japan to leave for China on Jan. 27
All giant pandas raised in Japan are on loan from China for breeding research purposes, with ownership remaining with China, including for pandas born in Japan.
Will Takaichi¡¯s carpe diem moment pay off?
By
Gabriele Ninivaggi
The prime minister said the snap poll will essentially be a referendum on who leads the country ¡ª herself or an opposition chief.
Kabuki actor Nakamura Tsurumatsu arrested for alleged damage at Tokyo restaurant
Tepco to postpone restart of Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear reactor
91²Ö¿â top government spokesman meets Sakie Yokota, mother of abductee Megumi
Man found guilty of sending student to Myanmar for fraud
BUSINESS
Chinese exports of rare earth magnets to Japan fell in December ahead of curbs
A diplomatic spat had left concerns about future shipments, and Beijing has since banned exports to Japan of some dual-use materials.
Japan¡¯s 40-year yield hits 4% as Takaichi¡¯s tax plan sinks bonds
By
Mia Glass
Investors have been dumping Japanese bonds amid speculation Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi¡¯s party will win more seats in a Feb. 8 vote, giving her a freer hand to boost stimulus.
Brookfield to move to Roppongi Hills in Japan office expansion
By
Lisa Du
Japan Lower House dissolution to delay budget passage
Valentine's Day sales campaigns in Japan feature experiences
Consumer sentiment in Japan improves for two straight quarters
WORLD
ASEAN will not certify Myanmar election or send observers, Malaysia says
The election has been criticized by the ?United Nations, many Western countries and rights groups as a ploy to legitimize military rule through political proxies.
Trump plans Greenland talks in Davos, dominating agenda at global summit
By
Josh Wingrove
and
Alan Wong
"We have to have it,¡± U.S. President Donald Trump told reporters late Monday night, referring to the Danish territory.
Australia set to pass tougher laws on guns and hate crimes after Bondi shooting
By
Christine Chen
Global leaders gather in Switzerland to ponder the future of a messy world
By
Farah Nayeri
Thailand's former prime minister seeks return as anti-scammer kingmaker
By
Patpicha Tanakasempipat
Unable to access clinical care, Ghana's mentally ill turn to faith healing
By
Winifred Lartey
Sports
Japan looks poised to take the next step at the World Cup. Its manager is not so sure.
By
Sam Byford
Manager Hajime Moriyasu has repeatedly said that Samurai Blue is not a real threat to win it all, but some see momentum building toward a breakthrough.
Ski jumper Kobayashi aims for more medals at Milano-Cortina Olympics
By
Jim Armstrong
'Timid' Keys makes shaky start to Australian Open title defense
Tobias Harris leads Pistons past Celtics in thriller
Guardiola shrugs off derby defeat as Man City boosts defense with Guehi
Opinion
Prime Minister Takaichi¡¯s gambit: A test of leadership
Michael MacArthur Bosack
Takaichi is seeking a fresh start, setting the conditions for her administration to lead the country effectively with a direct mandate from the people.
So what does it mean to be properly English?
By
Rosa Prince
The cautionary tale of Yoon Suk Yeol and the ¡®abuse of power¡¯
By
Michael MacArthur Bosack
This is not the way to make housing more affordable
By
Conor Sen
Will Japan become the world¡¯s next leader in AI?
By
Mickey Mikitani
ENVIRONMENT
Beijing row highlights need for Japan to reduce cleantech dependence on China
By
Nithin Coca
To reach net zero, Japan will need to rapidly expand renewables, but its solar manufacturing capacity is virtually non-existent despite it being a pioneer of the technology.
Scientists look toward ancient ice for clues on saving present-day glaciers
By
Hiroshi Hiyama
Scientists confirm 2025 was third-hottest year on record
By
Eric Roston
How Japan¡¯s warming seas are affecting livelihoods and culture
By
Eric Margolis
Japan to draw up action plan to reduce clothing waste
CULTURE
Tadao Ando's ongoing architecture dialogue with Museum SAN
By
Yoko Haruhara
Since Museum SAN opened in 2013, Tadao Ando has returned three times to design additional buildings and spaces.
'Borderlines': A cacophony of dramatic personae unfolds a life of memories through 108 poems
By
Kris Kosaka
¡®Vicissitude¡¯: A golden-hour reverie on childhood and lost wonder
By
James Hadfield
¡®Mars Express¡¯ shows anime¡¯s influence has no borders
By
Matt Schley
BTS set to return to Japan with world tour in April
By
Hieun SHIN
LIFE
Valentino, Italian haute couture 'emperor' who painted fashion red, dies at 93
By
Giulia Segreti
From Hollywood glamour to Paris haute couture, Valentino built an empire on elegance, devotion to beauty and one unforgettable shade of red.
At the origin of the ¡®Mackerel Road,¡¯ this seaside town fed Kyoto
By
Edward J. Taylor
The American bringing a Disney flair to Sega¡¯s nongaming push
By
Gendel Gento
Just because you broke your resolution doesn¡¯t mean you failed
By
Mishu Callan
At Driftwood, cocktails flow to the sounds of city pop
By
Weiwen Lin
COMMUNITY
Shinkansen vs. Amtrak and the lost art of small talk
By
Daniel Traylor
After years steeped in the sacred silence of the shinkansen, a Japan Times staffer returns stateside and gets his sea legs with small talk aboard Amtrak.
Honey bunny Jaina is a sweet companion
Local radio connects Nishinomiya¡¯s foreign residents
By
Sneha Nagesh
An affectionate Akita named Araki
Eleanor Loran: ¡®I believe in building empathy, tolerance and kindness¡¯
By
Laura Pollacco
OPINION
Rosa Prince
So what does it mean to be properly English?
There¡¯s nothing wrong in anybody taking pride in being English, of course, but as Orwell said, there¡¯s something very un-English in shouting about it.
Michael MacArthur Bosack
The cautionary tale of Yoon Suk Yeol and the ¡®abuse of power¡¯
South Koreans use the strength of their democracy to impose checks against executive overreach.
Conor Sen
This is not the way to make housing more affordable
Any good policy to address affordability needs to ensure that it doesn¡¯t result in fewer homes being built. This proposal fails that test.
Editors' Picks
ENVIRONMENT
Beijing row highlights need for Japan to reduce cleantech dependence on China
By
Nithin Coca
COMMUNITY
Shinkansen vs. Amtrak and the lost art of small talk
By
Daniel Traylor
CULTURE
Tadao Ando's ongoing architecture dialogue with Museum SAN
By
Yoko Haruhara
OLYMPICS
Kaori Sakamoto motivated by gold ¡ª and her no-nonsense coach ¡ª ahead of final Olympics
By
Joel Tansey
LIFE
With a dose of old-world charm, Bacha Coffee brews its way to Tokyo
By
Weiwen Lin
Podcast
Kabukicho: Tokyo¡¯s ¡®stadium of desire¡¯
Longform
When Einstein came to Hiroshima
By
Patrick Parr
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WHAT¡¯S TRENDING
COMMENTARY
China proves skeptics right about export controls
By
Brad Glosserman
JAPAN
Will Takaichi¡¯s carpe diem moment pay off?
By
Gabriele Ninivaggi
BUSINESS
EU set to halt U.S. trade deal over Trump¡¯s new tariff threat
BUSINESS
Carney rattles Canada auto firms in break with U.S. on Chinese EVs
JAPAN
Parties clash as they brace for a February snap election
By
Himari Semans