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February 13, 2026
 

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JAPAN

Heavy snow hits the city of Aomori on Jan. 17.
JAPAN
Jan 23, 2026
Four dead after heavy snow pounds Sea of Japan coast
The injuries were reported in a wide area, from Aomori Prefecture in the Tohoku region down to Kyoto Prefecture in the Kansai region.
Takeyuki Inagaki, the manager of the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear power plant, speaks on Thursday about the decision to shut down the facility.
JAPAN / Science & Health / FOCUS
Jan 23, 2026
An alarm sounds and Tepco suspends restart at Kashiwazaki-Kariwa?
By Francis Tang
Just six hours after reactor No. 6 achieved a critical state, it had to be shut down.
The government is asking municipalities to check the nationalities of residents of public housing to address challenges such as etiquette awareness and disaster response.
JAPAN
Jan 23, 2026
Japan begins survey over nationality of public housing residents
Identifying the dominant nationalities of foreign residents will help officials address challenges such as etiquette awareness and disaster response, ministry officials said.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara (far left) speaks in a meeting of ministers on policies regarding foreign nationals and immigration at the Prime Minister's Office on Friday.
JAPAN
Jan 23, 2026
Government unveils tighter policies on immigration and foreign residents
By Himari Semans
¡°We drafted this policy package to respond to citizens¡¯ sense of anxiety and unfairness,¡± said Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara.
The Institute of Science Tokyo's Ookayama campus in Tokyo's Meguro Ward
JAPAN / Society
Jan 23, 2026
Institute of Science Tokyo second university to gain aid from ?10 trillion fund
The institute is expected to receive over ?10 billion in subsidies in the first year after the approval of a plan to strengthen its research capabilities.
An accident involving a government vehicle and five other cars occurred in Tokyo's Minato Ward on Thursday.
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Jan 23, 2026
Cabinet Office vehicle involved in crash that killed one and injured eight
By Yukana Inoue
The government car is believed to have plowed into an intersection in Tokyo¡¯s Minato Ward at around 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, resulting in the fatal multiple-vehicle collision.
A single-story house offered by Avantiya. As condominium prices in urban central areas continue to soar, interest is rising in single-story homes in the suburbs.
JAPAN
Jan 23, 2026
More child-rearing families in Japan choosing single-story homes
Single-story homes made up 17.9% of newly constructed houses in fiscal 2024, according to statistics from the land ministry, more than double the figure from 10 years earlier.
Yuichiro Tamaki (right), head of the Democratic Party for the People, during a news conference in the parliamentary building on Thursday
JAPAN / Politics
Jan 23, 2026
DPP vows to boost take-home pay in election pledges
While listing measures to alleviate the financial burdens on taxpayers, the opposition party also pledged not to raise taxes for the time being.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi looks on ahead of the dissolution of the lower house of parliament in Tokyo on Friday.
JAPAN / Politics
Jan 23, 2026
Takaichi dissolves Lower House for Feb. 8 snap election
By Eric Johnston
Candidates have just 16 days until election day to get their message out during what could be a snowy season in certain parts of the country.
The reflection of one of Ueno Zoo¡¯s twin pandas is seen at their enclosure. The animals¡¯ popularity has prompted concern among local businesses that their departure could hurt foot traffic in surrounding neighborhoods.
JAPAN / Society / Longform
Jan 23, 2026
What happens when the pandas leave Ueno?
By Alex K.T. Martin
The return of Ueno Zoo¡¯s last giant pandas underscores how an animal became a diplomatic symbol ¡ª and what happens when that symbol is withdrawn.
Terumi Tanaka (right), co-chair of Nihon Hidankyo, speaks during an event in Tokyo on Thursday.
JAPAN
Jan 23, 2026
Hibakusha and activists vow to continue fighting for nuclear abolition
Terumi Tanaka, co-chair of the Japan Confederation of A- and H-Bomb Sufferers Organizations, said they are "committed to building the movement" for nuclear abolition this year.
Kyoto University Hospital said a combination of immunotherapy and chemotherapy and radiation therapy has proved to be effective to treat patients with esophageal cancer.
JAPAN / Science & Health
Jan 23, 2026
Immunotherapy effective against esophageal cancer, study shows
Very few patients developed serious side effects, the hospital said, underlining the safety of such treatment.
Chubu Electric Power President Kingo Hayashi. His company has come under scrutiny from regulators over falsified earthquake risk data at Hamaoka nuclear power plant.
JAPAN
Jan 23, 2026
Authorities to launch inspection of Chubu Electric over data fraud
The Nuclear Regulation Authority will also halt screenings needed for reactivation of the No. 3 and No. 4 reactors at the Hamaoka nuclear power plant.

ASIA PACIFIC

A blackboard illustrating cannabis strains for sale is displayed inside Shaggy Buds, a cannabis dispensary in Bangkok.
ASIA PACIFIC / Society
Jan 23, 2026
Weed backlash grows in Thailand as kids turn to cannabis
By Patpicha Tanakasempipat and Pathom Sangwongwanich
The plant could be criminalized once again after next month¡¯s election, four years after its decriminalization.

WORLD

According to a press release from the U.S. Health and State Departments, the U.S. will only work ?with the ?WHO in a limited fashion in order to effectuate the withdrawal.
WORLD / Science & Health
Jan 23, 2026
U.S. withdraws from the World Health Organization
By Jennifer Rigby and Emma Farge
President Donald Trump gave notice that the U.S. would quit the organization on the first day of ?his presidency in 2025, via an executive order.
People enter an emergency service tent set up for those whose homes are without electricity or heating following Russian missile and drone attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure, in a residential neighborhood of Kyiv on Thursday.
WORLD
Jan 23, 2026
Freezing Kyiv residents seek warmth in trains and tents
Russia has targeted Ukrainian energy infrastructure throughout the nearly four-year war, but Kyiv says this winter has been the toughest yet.
President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen meets with U.S. President Donald Trump in Turnberry, Scotland on July 27. A wary and frustrated Europe said it was ready to get back to work with the United States.
WORLD / FOCUS
Jan 23, 2026
Europe returns focus to Ukraine after fractious week with Trump
By Jorge Valero, Daniel Basteiro, Sanne Wass and Andrea Palasciano
With President Donald Trump¡¯s threats to seize Greenland off for now, European Union leaders are trying to find a path forward on a host of issues.
U.S. businessman Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of U.S. President Donald Trump and one of his envoys for the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, speaks at the "Board of Peace" meeting during the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting in Davos on Thursday.
WORLD
Jan 23, 2026
U.S. touts ¡®New Gaza¡¯ filled with luxury real estate
By Joseph Schmid
The transformation could emerge in three years, says Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of U.S. President Donald Trump and one of his envoys for the Gaza ceasefire.
Heavy snow after a snow storm in Prospect Park in Brooklyn in February 2024. Frigid temperatures are expected to affect 150 million Americans through the weekend as a massive storm is set to hit the U.S. with heavy snow.
WORLD
Jan 23, 2026
Freezing temps and heavy snow expected in central and eastern U.S. this weekend
By Rich McKay and Julia Harte
New York, Boston, Baltimore and Washington could ?receive 10 to 25 centimeters of heavy, wet snow starting on Saturday.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte during a bilateral meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, on Wednesday
WORLD / FOCUS
Jan 23, 2026
¡®Trump whisperer¡¯ Rutte steers NATO around Greenland crisis
By Anthony Deutsch, Andrew Gray, Lili Bayer and John Irish
The NATO chief's strategy with Donald Trump is not subtle ¡ª?it is built on lavishing praise on the U.S. president even as other European leaders grow increasingly critical.
U.S. President Donald Trump speaks with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte during a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum annual meeting in Davos on Wednesday.
WORLD
Jan 23, 2026
Trump touts ¡®total access¡¯ Greenland deal as NATO asks allies to step up
By Mark John, Susan Heavey and Jacob Gronholt-Pedersen
News of a framework deal came as the U.S. president backed off tariff threats and ruled out taking Greenland by force.

BUSINESS

As well as shutting factories, Nissan is cutting 20,000 jobs, reducing production and has even sold its headquarters.
BUSINESS / Companies
Jan 23, 2026
Chinese car exporter Chery to buy Nissan plant in South Africa
Chery will buy the land, buildings and associated assets of Nissan facilities in Rosslyn, Pretoria, as the Japanese carmaker undergoes a major restructuring.
Tomoko Yoshino, president of the Japanese Trade Union Confederation, commonly known as Rengo, speaks during a rally in April 2023.
BUSINESS
Jan 23, 2026
Rengo leader seeks average 5% wage hikes for third consecutive year
The union leader expressed a wish to "build momentum around the idea that wages rise," reaffirming the largest Japanese labor group's target of at least 5% in pay increases.
Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama speaks during the World Economic Forum annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland, on Tuesday.
BUSINESS / Markets
Jan 23, 2026
Finance chief Katayama watching yen rate 'with sense of urgency'
By Erica Yokoyama
Katayama was speaking after the yen gyrated sharply at the conclusion of a press briefing by Bank of Japan Gov. Kazuo Ueda.
Shanghai-based AI startup MiniMax's CEO Yan Junjie (right) and Co-founder and COO Yun Yeyi attend the firm's listing ceremony at the Hong Kong stock exchange on Jan. 9.
BUSINESS / Tech
Jan 23, 2026
Dazzling Chinese AI debuts mask growing pains
By Tommy Wang
Investor confidence in Chinese AI startups is high, but obstacles to success range from U.S. export controls to the puzzle of how to become profitable.
The Bank of Japan headquarters in December. The central bank has opted to leave rates unchanged ahead of next month's election.
BUSINESS / Markets
Jan 23, 2026
Bank of Japan leaves rates unchanged ahead of February election
By Kazuaki Nagata
Rates were raised at the last policy board meeting to 0.75% from 0.5%.
The recent rollout of an editing feature on Grok, developed by Elon Musk's startup xAI and integrated into X, allowed users to alter online images of real people with simple text prompts such as "put her in a bikini" or "remove her clothes."
BUSINESS / Tech
Jan 23, 2026
Musk¡¯s Grok created 3 million sexualized images within days, research says
By Anuj Chopra
They include 23,000 that appear to depict children, the Center for Countering Digital Hate says.
U.S. President Donald Trump has accused JPMorgan of violating its principles unilaterally by shutting accounts belonging to him and his hospitality companies.
BUSINESS / Companies
Jan 23, 2026
Trump sues JPMorgan Chase and its CEO for $5 billion over alleged debanking
By Manya Saini and Jonathan Stempel
The U.S. president accused the bank and CEO Jamie Dimon of debanking him by closing several of his accounts to further a political agenda.
Core inflation rose 3.1% for all of 2025, marking the fourth consecutive year in which consumer price index gains exceeded the Bank of Japan¡¯s 2% inflation target.
BUSINESS / Economy
Jan 23, 2026
Japan¡¯s inflation slows on subsidy effect ahead of BOJ decision
By Erica Yokoyama
Consumer prices excluding fresh food rose 2.4% in December from a year earlier, with the pace decelerating from 3% in November.
Staff members of Stand-by Amusement Company stand by claw crane game machines during the Amusement Expo 2025 in Tokyo in November.
BUSINESS / Companies
Jan 23, 2026
Hooked on the claw: How crane games conquered 91²Ö¿â arcades
By Mathias Cena
"Crane games are keeping the sector afloat," said Morihiro Shigihara, an industry expert and former arcade manager.
Shareholder activism in Japan has intensified in recent years as the government and Tokyo Stock Exchange have aggressively pushed corporate governance reforms.
BUSINESS / Companies
Jan 23, 2026
Activist says Japanese founding families failing to boost shares
By Kentaro Tsutsumi
The shares of Tsutsumi Jewelry and staffing services provider Pasona Group are being allowed to stagnate to the detriment of minority investors, the investor argued in letters.

ENVIRONMENT

The Jaguari-Jacarei dam during a drought in Joanopolis, Sao Paulo state, Brazil. Three-quarters of the world¡¯s population ¡ª about 6.1 billion people ¡ª now live in countries where freshwater supplies are insecure or critically insecure, according to U.N. report.
ENVIRONMENT / Sustainability
Jan 23, 2026
Water ¡®bankruptcy¡¯ era has begun for billions, scientists say
By Danielle Bochove
Chronic overuse of groundwater, forest destruction, land degradation and pollution have caused irreversible freshwater loss in many parts of the world.
An employee works at a solar cells and modules manufacturing facility in India. The nation is electrifying faster than China did when it was at similar levels of economic development, according to a new report from the think tank Ember.
ENVIRONMENT / Energy
Jan 23, 2026
India is using cheap green tech to electrify faster than China
By Akshat Rathi
The nation is electrifying faster and using fewer fossil fuels per capita than China did when it was at similar levels of economic development, a think tank says.

Opinion

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney addresses the annual World Economic Forum meeting in Davos, Switzerland, on Tuesday. Carney warned that a belligerent, unconstrained United States under Donald Trump has shattered the rules-based world order.
EDITORIALS
Jan 23, 2026
Carney makes clear the world¡¯s choice
Carney this week offered one of the most unblinking, if not scathing, assessments of the world order.
As Russia¡¯s invasion of Ukraine continues, Vladimir Putin¡¯s reluctance to engage with global crises, such as America's actions in Venezuela, reveals his limited ability to assert Russian power on the world stage.
COMMENTARY / World
Jan 23, 2026
Putin¡¯s recent silence is worrying
By Marc Champion
It's hard to know exactly what Russians think, as reporting there is strictly limited.
Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi meets with his Swiss counterpart, Martin Pfister, at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, on Wednesday. Japan should revitalize the OECD as a hub for middle powers, moving beyond the Group of Seven and Bretton Woods.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Jan 23, 2026
After Davos, middle powers matter more than ever
By Kumiharu Shigehara
Japan is well placed to act as a custodian of cooperation among countries that still depend on functioning markets but can no longer rely on a single guarantor.
A demonstrator burns a photo of Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, during a protest in support of the Iranian people outside Downing Street in London on Jan. 11.
COMMENTARY / World
Jan 23, 2026
Iran¡¯s supreme leader trapped in a web of his own making
By Pegah Banihashemi
Should another war with the U.S. or Israel erupt, Iranians both inside and outside the country now appear far more willing to support it.

Sports

Trinity Rodman speaks with the media during a news conference in Los Angeles on Thursday.
SOCCER
Jan 23, 2026
Spirit's Trinity Rodman becomes world's highest-paid female soccer player
The deal makes Rodman the highest-paid player in the history of the National Women's Soccer League and the highest-paid female player in the world.
New Dodgers outfielder Kyle Tucker signed a four-year, $240 million deal with the team on Jan. 15.
BASEBALL
Jan 23, 2026
Dodgers' splurge on Kyle Tucker sparks renewed calls for salary cap in MLB
By Rob Woollard
Tucker's four-year deal is worth an average $60 million a season, second only to Shohei Ohtani, who joined the Dodgers on a 10-year, $700 million contract in 2023.
Sorana Cirstea speaks to Naomi Osaka after their match at the Australian Open in Melbourne on Thursday.
TENNIS
Jan 23, 2026
Tennis greats criticize Naomi Osaka for breach of 'basic etiquette'
The Japanese star's second-round win against Sorana Cirstea was marred by a testy exchange and icy handshake at the end.
Aryna Sabalenka reacts during her match against Anastasia Potapova during the third round of the Australian Open in Melbourne on Friday.
TENNIS
Jan 23, 2026
Emotional Aryna Sabalenka digs deep to reach last 16 at Australian Open
Sabalenka will now face fast-rising Canadian teenager Victoria Mboko for a place in the quarterfinals.
Naomi Osaka celebrates after defeating Sorana Cirstea in the second round of the Australian Open in Melbourne on Thursday.
TENNIS
Jan 23, 2026
Naomi Osaka 'confused' by testy exchange with Sorana Cirstea after win
The four-time major champion downed the experienced Romanian 6-3, 4-6, 6-2.
Switzerland's Marco Odermatt competes in the men's super-G in Kitzbuehel, Austria, on Friday.
MORE SPORTS / Alpine skiing
Jan 23, 2026
Odermatt retains Kitzbuehel super-G in Olympic broadside
The 28-year-old, who won Olympic giant slalom gold in Beijing four years ago, took home €101,000 ($118,000) for the win.
Patriots quarterback Drake Maye passes against the Falcons during the first half at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, on Nov. 2.
MORE SPORTS
Jan 23, 2026
Young QB Drake Maye looking to guide Patriots back to Super Bowl
The winner of the AFC championship game will face either the Seattle Seahawks or Los Angeles Rams ¡ª?who clash in the NFC title game ¡ª?in the Super Bowl?
Allan Corona (right) poses with Mexico President Claudia Sheinbaum (center) and other athletes during a ceremony for the Mexican delegation that will participate in the 2026 Games.
OLYMPICS / Alpine skiing
Jan 23, 2026
Mexican cross-country skier looks to blaze trail for others at Winter Olympics
Allan Corona will make his Olympic debut at the Milano Cortina Games after reinventing himself in a sport where few of his compatriots have ventured.
Italy's Federica Brignone competes in the first run of the women's giant slalom World Cup event in Kronplatz, Plan de Corones, Italy, on Tuesday.
OLYMPICS
Jan 23, 2026
Wounded 'Tiger' Federica Brignone hopes to roar at Milano Cortina Games
Federica Brignone is known in Italy as the "Tiger" for the ferocious determination that has helped her become the country's most successful female skier ever. She carries an image of the predator on her helmet and gloves.

LIFE

Turning "konnyaku" into braids is an easy way to present the low-calorie ingredient in a fun shape.
LIFE / Food & Drink / Washoku Essentials
Jan 23, 2026
Twists and turns to spice up the mild 'konnyaku'
By Elizabeth Andoh
A staple of Setsubun, the gelatinous food can be easily enlivened by shaping it into braids and sprinkling them with some fiery chili peppers.
The English ¡°I¡± has gendered equivalents in Japanese that give the listener hints as to how the speaker identifies.
LIFE / Language / BILINGUAL
Jan 23, 2026
Just between you and me: Gender and Japanese pronouns
By Peter Backhaus
Japanese pronouns reveal gender in unexpected ways, complicating how speakers express identity compared with current English.

CULTURE

Hanabie¡¯s ¡°Harajuku-core¡± style combines the guttural screams of metalcore and the colorful and playful aesthetics of Tokyo¡¯s youth culture.
CULTURE / Music
Jan 23, 2026
Hanabie makes metalcore cute and chaotic
By Adam Davidson
Hanabie¡¯s ¡°Harajuku-core¡± sound proves that metal doesn¡¯t have to fit one mold.
The second season of Netflix Japan's ¡°The Boyfriend¡± is bringing together a new set of bachelors to find romance and learn more about themselves.
CULTURE / TV & Streaming
Jan 23, 2026
Second season of ¡®The Boyfriend¡¯ lets love take its time
By Mike Fu
Netflix Japan¡¯s same-sex dating show returns with a season that lets relationships unfold at their own pace.
¡°Black Ox¡± is based on ¡°Ten Oxherding Pictures,¡± a Zen Buddhist series of illustrations and verses that represent the process toward enlightenment.
CULTURE / Film
Jan 23, 2026
Tetsuichiro Tsuta's 'Black Ox' rewards patience with daring cinema
By James Hadfield
For director Tetsuichiro Tsuta, the Zen parable turned luminous mood piece is the story of a man who has ¡°lost his connection with nature.¡±
Actors Danielle Brooks and Lewis Pullman announce the nominees for the 98th Academy Awards on Thursday. Kabuki drama "Kokuho" scored a nod for best makeup and hairstyling.
CULTURE / Entertainment news
Jan 23, 2026
¡®Kokuho¡¯ leads Japan Academy Film Prize nominations but falls short at the Oscars
By Alyssa I. Smith
The hit kabuki drama had been on the shortlist for best international feature, but still received recognition for hair and makeup.

COMMUNITY

Jose Imai grew up in Ibaraki Prefecture and founded Alberto, a poker parlor and creative space, in Fujisawa, Kanagawa Prefecture, in 2025.
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / 20 QUESTIONS
Jan 23, 2026
Jose Imai: ¡®Poker and business are about numbers, intuition and emotions¡¯
By Kris Kosaka
A mixed-race business owner with roots in Japan and the Dominican Republic makes space for community and creativity on the Shonan Coast.
Germany considers joining GCAP fighter project with Japan, U.K. and Italy
A concept model of the Global Air Combat Program fighter jet on display at the Defense and Security Equipment International Japan conference in Chiba last May
Struggling Nissan forecasts $4.2 billion full-year net loss
Nissan intends to reduce the number of its vehicle production plants from 17 to 10 by March 2028, and is targeting 20,000 job cuts worldwide by that date.
Why Asia can¡¯t undo decades of falling fertility rates
Singapore¡¯s stalled birthrate reflects a broader pattern across wealthy Asian economies where higher living standards, shifting values and gender imbalances have made low fertility persistent and resistant to quick policy fixes.
Why we¡¯ll never see a yokozuna in the Super Bowl
Wrestlers from Onoe stable with Fujitsu Frontiers cornerback Al-Rilwan Adeyemi (front) at the Rice Bowl at Tokyo Dome on Jan. 3, 2017
Yen strengthens decisively after strong showing by LDP boosts confidence
The yen has strengthened decisively since the Liberal Democratic Party gained a supermajority in the Lower House.
Japanese skier hits back at trolls and brings attention to online abuse at Olympics
Freestyle skier Kokone Kondo skis during a training session in Livigno, Italy, on Feb. 4.
Inside Yokohama¡¯s ¡®quit your job¡¯ bar, where drinks and advice are free
At the new Tenshoku Sodan Bar, owner Shota Umemoto (right) and recruiting staff from Yokohama-based LIA Group serve up cocktails and career advice in equal measure.
Landslide election victory lets Takaichi confront China on her terms
The resounding victory by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's Liberal Democratic Party in Sunday's general election has sent a strong signal that Takaichi is likely to be around for some time, giving her the bandwidth to adhere to her strategy of putting the onus on Chinese President Xi Jinping to reengage with Japan.
Is Takaichi on course for a long-term reign?
Sanae Takaichi, prime minister and leader of the Liberal Democratic Party, at the party¡¯s headquarters in Tokyo on Sunday
Against the grain: Japanese wine aged in local barrels
At Buryu Winery, owner Keiji Yamaguchi (left) and assistant winemaker Kaede Narita created a cedar-infused red wine by fermenting it in a 1,000 liter "kioke" cedar tub.

Podcast

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

Longform

Experts say emotional bonds with AI are often shaped by prior experiences ¡ª or disappointments ¡ª in human relationships.
Love, engineered in the age of AI
By Elizabeth Beattie

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