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April 23, 2026
 

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JAPAN

The Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department has set up a special task force to intensify its crackdown on the Kohei-ikka, a Sumiyoshi-kai-affiliated designated crime group suspected of deepening its involvement with <i>tokuryš±</i> networks, including special fraud linked to illegal job schemes.
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Apr 23, 2026
Yakuza membership fell to record low in 2025
By Jessica Speed
Authorities have attributed the decline to an aging population within these criminal groups, tighter enforcement and the nationwide rollout of anti-gang ordinances.
A bill to strengthen the government&#039;s intelligence capabilities was passed a Lower House plenary session on Thursday.
JAPAN / Politics
Apr 23, 2026
Japan Lower House OKs bill to boost intel capabilities
The bill calls for setting up a national intelligence council to be headed by the prime minister and a national intelligence bureau.
The University of Wisconsin-Madison
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Apr 23, 2026
Japanese scientist accused of putting chemicals in co-worker¡¯s water in U.S.
A staff researcher at the Influenza Research Institute of the University of Wisconsin-Madison is being prosecuted on charges including recklessly endangering safety.
Comedian Satoru Saito poses at an exhibition themed around <i>yankii</i> (delinquents) held in Saitama Prefecture in February.
JAPAN / Society
Apr 23, 2026
Hit reality show helps rev up 91²Ö¿â delinquent youth subculture
By Tomohiro Osaki
A fighting spirit, loyalty to friends and straightforwardness are redeeming qualities often associated with 91²Ö¿â 1980s delinquent subculture, along with outlandish fashion.
New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon spoke with Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi over the phone on Wednesday about ensuring stable supplies amid tensions in the Middle East, among other topics.
JAPAN / Politics
Apr 23, 2026
Japan and New Zealand¡¯s leaders reaffirm cooperation over Middle East
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon agreed over the phone that ensuring stable supplies of energy and essential materials is important.
Immediately after a magnitude 7.7 quake off the Sanriku coast of northeastern Japan on Monday, many posts on X claimed the temblor was artificial.
JAPAN
Apr 23, 2026
Misinformation spreads on social media after northeastern earthquake
Many posts on X, formerly known as Twitter, claimed that the temblor was artificial.
In March 2025, the Tokyo District Court issued a dissolution order to the Unification Church, following a request from the culture ministry.
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Apr 23, 2026
At least ?40 billion secured in Unification Church liquidation
Claims of losses from large donations to the Unification Church will be accepted for a year from May 20.

ASIA PACIFIC

Nanette Castillo, mother of drug war victim Aldrin Castillo, reacts after the International Criminal Court&#039;s rejection of former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte¡¯s challenge to the court¡¯s jurisdiction over his crimes against humanity charges, in Quezon City, Philippines, on Wednesday.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Apr 23, 2026
ICC judges reject bid to release former Philippine President Duterte
The Philippines formally withdrew its International Criminal Court membership in 2018, and the defense had argued this meant ?the court had no jurisdiction over the case.
Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow (left) sits with Myanmar President Min Aung Hlaing during a meeting in Naypyidaw, Myanmar, on Wednesday.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Apr 23, 2026
Myanmar 'considering good things' for detained Suu Kyi, Thai chief envoy reports
The country's leader Min Aung Hlaing last week pardoned Suu Kyi's top aide Win Myint, who was swept into custody along with her in a 2021 coup.
A Republic of Korea Air Force F-15K Slam Eagles fighter plane takes off at Gunsan Air Base, South Korea, in April 2017.
ASIA PACIFIC
Apr 23, 2026
South Korea's air force apologizes after jet collision blamed on midair selfies
A report found that unplanned maneuvers for personal filming led to ?the collision between ?two F-15K jets during a formation flight ?near the city of Daegu in December 2021.
Kuan Bi-ling, minister of Taiwan&#039;s Ocean Affairs Council, which runs the Coast Guard Administration, speaks during a press conference in Taipei, Taiwan, April 2, 2026.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Apr 23, 2026
Taiwan minister makes rare visit to South China Sea island for drills
It was the first time in seven years a minister had visited Itu Aba, which is also claimed by China, Vietnam ?and the Philippines.
Vietnamese President To Lam (right) and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung at the Presidential Palace in Hanoi on Wednesday
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Apr 23, 2026
Vietnam and South Korea ink deals on security and nuclear power
By Nguyen Dieu Tu Uyen and Nguyen Xuan Quynh
The 12 agreements, such as cooperation in developing nuclear power plants, underscore deepening industrial ties as the Iran war disrupts energy markets and global supply chains.

WORLD

Ships and boats in the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday
WORLD / Politics
Apr 23, 2026
U.S. says no deadline for Iran proposal amid Hormuz standoff
Tehran says it has no plans to take part in negotiations imminently.
A sign controls the flow of freight traffic entering from Russia at the border crossing in Luhamaa, Estonia. Last week, the head of the Estonian Parliament¡¯s foreign affairs committee hit out at Spain for purchasing gas from Russia in March.
WORLD / Politics
Apr 23, 2026
Baltics warn Europe there¡¯s no going back to life with Russia
By Ott Tammik, Milda Seputyte and Aaron Eglitis
The Baltic states' shift away from Russian trade and energy dependence has put the seal on their economic integration with the rest of the EU.
U.S. Secretary of the Navy John Phelan speaks during an announcement of new ships including a ¡°Trump-class¡± battleship at the president¡¯s Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Florida, in December.
WORLD / Politics
Apr 23, 2026
U.S. Navy secretary ousted after infighting with top Pentagon leaders
By Courtney McBride, Roxana Tiron and Josh Wingrove
John Phelan was pushed out after butting heads with Pete Hegseth over President Donald Trump's focus on what the administration has dubbed a new U.S. "Golden Fleet."
Rafael Mariano Grossi speaks to the media at the U.N. headquarters in New York on April 21. An Argentine diplomat, Grossi is one of four declared candidates to replace U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres whose term ends on Dec. 31.
WORLD / Politics
Apr 23, 2026
Race for next U.N. chief heats up with first round of interviews
By Magdalena Del Valle
Top among the hours of questions: can the U.N. be made effective again?
French President Emmanuel Macron during a press event after a meeting at the Elysee Presidential Palace in Paris on Tuesday
WORLD / Politics
Apr 23, 2026
Climate scrubbed from G7 meeting to appease U.S., host France says
The Trump administration has withdrawn the U.S. from global agreements on climate change and weakened environmental protections since the president returned to office in 2025.
Mohamad, a Syrian refugee, sits on the stairs before taking boxing classes in Amsterdam in March 28.
WORLD / Society
Apr 23, 2026
Syrian minorities refused asylum in Europe as rejections surge
By Amina Ismail and Layli Foroudi
According to the European Union Asylum Agency, 27,687 out of 38,407 Syrian asylum decisions in 2025 were negative, or a 28% success rate compared with 90% in 2024.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer leaves No. 10 Downing St. for the House of Commons in London on Monday.
WORLD / Politics
Apr 23, 2026
Mandelson scandal shatters Starmer's promise of stable government
By Elizabeth Piper, Andrew MacAskill and Alistair Smout
During his early days in office, the British prime minister had pledged to "restore honesty ?and integrity to government."
A damaged U.S. Boeing E-3 Sentry airborne warning and control aircraft following an Iranian strike on the airbase, amid the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran, at Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia in this picture obtained from social media and released on March 29
WORLD
Apr 23, 2026
U.S. turns to Ukrainian counterdrone tech after Iran attacks, sources say
By David Jeans
The deployment of Ukrainian tech shows how Kyiv has surged ahead in drone and counterdrone technologies that have been ?battle-hardened in its four-year war with Russia.
U.S. President Donald Trump delivers remarks to NCAA Collegiate National Champions in the State Dining Room at the White House in Washington on Tuesday.
WORLD / Politics
Apr 23, 2026
Trump's deportation drive could cost Republicans in midterms, poll shows
By Jason Lange, Ted Hesson and M.B. Pell
Some 52% of Americans in a six-day poll completed Monday said they were less likely to support a candidate who backs the U.S. president's approach to deportations.
U.S. forces patrol the Arabian Sea near the Touska, an Iranian-flagged cargo ship, on Monday.
WORLD
Apr 23, 2026
U.S. intercepts three Iranian oil tankers in Asian waters, sources say
By Jonathan Saul, Nidhi Verma and Renee Maltezou
Washington has imposed a blockade on Iran's trade by sea while Iran has fired ?on ships ?to prevent them sailing through the Strait of Hormuz.

BUSINESS

Japan&#039;s benchmark index hit a new high shortly after stocks started trading in Tokyo on Thursday morning.
BUSINESS / Markets
Apr 23, 2026
Nikkei 225 hits record and breaks 60,000 for the first time
By Kazuaki Nagata
The benchmark retreated from the new high and ended the day down as some investors questioned the tech-fueled rally.
The first Robin Hood store, which will open Friday in Aichi Prefecture
BUSINESS / Companies
Apr 23, 2026
Don Quijote owner opens discount grocer as Japan inflation bites
By Eru Ishikawa
With food and daily necessities becoming more expensive in Japan, the company is betting fast, cheap and convenient offerings will drive traffic at stores designed for quick trips.
Members of the Samsung Electronics labour union hold signs reading "Change it to be transparent!" as they stage a mass rally demanding the removal of a cap on performance bonuses, outside the company&#039;s foundry and semiconductor factory in Pyeongtaek on Thursday.
BUSINESS / Companies
Apr 23, 2026
Samsung workers protest over huge pay gap with SK Hynix amid AI chip boom
By Hyunjoo Jin and Heekyong Yang
Protesters, which union organizers put at 40,000, plan to strike for 18 days from May 21 if their demands are not met.
Outgoing Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban speaks during a closing campaign rally in Budapest on April 11.
BUSINESS / Markets
Apr 23, 2026
Big bet on Orban¡¯s exit came from center of his family¡¯s empire
By Andras Gergely
Equilor Asset Management's bet signals that even insiders were preparing for the defeat of the Hungarian prime minister in an election earlier this month.
An interactive display at the iRootech Technology Co. offices in Guangzhou, China, on April 15. There is growing appetite in the U.S. Congress for restricting the flow of AI technology to China.
BUSINESS / Tech
Apr 23, 2026
AI export control measures aimed at China gain steam in U.S. House
By Maggie Eastland
The U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee is seeking to close what lawmakers see as loopholes allowing China to access powerful U.S. technology including Nvidia chips.
Nintendo¡¯s Switch 2 was the best-selling console in the U.S. in March, driven by the surprise hit Pokemon Pokopia, as hardware spending jumped 69% year on year to $500 million.
BUSINESS / Companies
Apr 23, 2026
Pokopia flurry helps Nintendo¡¯s Switch 2 top U.S. sales in March
By Vlad Savov
Pokemon Pokopia, an entry in a budding genre of "cozy games" that eschew leaderboards and time pressure, swept to global success with little expectation ahead of its release.
Makino&#039;s machine tools are widely used in defense applications and a planned takeover by a South Korean fund could undermine Japan&#039;s national security, Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama says.
BUSINESS / Economy
Apr 23, 2026
Japan moves to block South Korean buyout deal with rare use of security law
By Alice French and Cat BARTON
Makino's machine tools are widely used in defense applications and the takeover could undermine national security, Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama said in parliament.
Kakaku¡¯s shares jumped 9.2% on the Tokyo Stock Exchange on Thursday, the biggest intraday gain since Dec. 26.
BUSINESS / Companies
Apr 23, 2026
EQT is said to explore takeover of $2.6 billion Kakaku.com
By Michael Msika, Daniele Lepido and Manuel Baigorri
Last year was a record for deals involving Japanese companies, and private equity firms have played a significant role.
Residential buildings in the Kachidoki area of Tokyo. Used condominium prices in central Tokyo fell for a second month in March, raising concerns that Japan¡¯s property boom may be losing momentum.
BUSINESS / Economy
Apr 23, 2026
Tokyo condo prices fall two months in row in sign boom may fade
By Ryo Horiuchi
Average prices of previously occupied apartments in the six central wards of Tokyo fell 0.2% in March from the previous month to ?187.3 million.
Apple has ?expressed some willingness to use AI technology developed by rivals when needed.
BUSINESS / Tech
Apr 23, 2026
In the AI era, Apple's strengths may become its constraints
By Stephen Nellis
For decades, Apple's tightly managed ecosystem helped turn the iPhone into the most successful consumer product in history, but AI innovation may call for more openness.
The Ridley Island Energy Export Facility under construction at the Port of Prince Rupert, British Columbia, Canada.
BUSINESS / Markets
Apr 23, 2026
Alberta examines three northern routes for oil pipeline to serve Asia
By Brian Platt
A new crude pipeline is crucial to Carney's ambitions of making Canada an energy superpower that's more relevant in global markets.
A professional table tennis player competes against Sony AI autonomous robot Ace in December in Tokyo.
BUSINESS / Companies
Apr 23, 2026
Table tennis robot Ace makes history by beating top-level human players
By Will Dunham
The feat could presage an array of other applications for similarly adept robots.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks during a meeting of the government&#039;s Japan Growth Strategy Council on Wednesday.
BUSINESS / Economy
Apr 23, 2026
Takaichi asks for accelerated review of discretionary work system
As 91²Ö¿â annual labor productivity growth has stayed at around 0% in inflation-adjusted real terms in recent years, the government also aims to raise it by 15% over five years.
Employees on loan to Toyota from three major Japanese nonlife insurers, Tokio Marine & Nichido Fire Insurance, Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance, and Aioi Nissay Dowa Insurance, took out company information without permission.
BUSINESS / Companies
Apr 23, 2026
Three nonlife insurers fraudulently take out information from Toyota
The acts by the employees of the insurers may amount to violations of the personal information protection law or the unfair competition prevention law.
SoftBank has been piling on debt as its founder Masayoshi Son seeks to position himself as a linchpin in the global AI boom, with large-scale investments into OpenAI.
BUSINESS / Companies
Apr 23, 2026
SoftBank seeks $10 billion margin loan backed by OpenAI shares
By Laura Benitez and Kari Lindberg
SoftBank has been piling on debt as its founder Masayoshi Son seeks to position himself as a linchpin in the global AI boom.
Crypto entrepreneur Justin Sun, founder of Tron, speaks during a press conference in Hong Kong on April 3.
BUSINESS / Tech
Apr 23, 2026
Blockchain billionaire Sun takes Trump family¡¯s crypto firm to court
By Tom Wilson, David Gauthier-Villars and Lawrence Delevingne
The crypto entrepreneur has alleged that World Liberty Financial illegally froze his holdings of tokens issued by the company.

ENVIRONMENT

Environmental advocacy group Market Forces is calling on investors at Japan&#039;s three megabanks ¡ª Mitsubishi UFJ, Mizuho and Sumitomo Mitsui ¡ª to vote against directors failing to recognize the risks posed by fossil fuels.
ENVIRONMENT
Apr 23, 2026
Climate investor calls for votes against directors at Japan¡¯s megabanks and trading houses
By Anton Bridge
Environmental advocacy group Market Forces is arguing that directors are failing to oversee material ?financial risks to the banks and trading houses' businesses.

Opinion

Demonstrators march past riot police outside the Japanese Embassy in Beijing in September 2012. The global media often misrepresents Japan as nationalistic, driven in part by China-backed narratives and unfair stereotypes.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Apr 23, 2026
Falling for Beijing¡¯s anti-Japan propaganda is dangerously naive
By Stephen R. Nagy
This mischaracterization is rooted in 91²Ö¿â wartime history, but also shaped by blatant ideological bias and propaganda.
People walk past buildings destroyed during Israeli strikes in Tyre, Lebanon, on April 10.
COMMENTARY / World
Apr 23, 2026
Israel¡¯s Lebanon buffer zone is a fallacy and no path to peace
By Daoud Kuttab
Rather than taking more land where opponents will always exist, the wiser strategy is to pursue a political settlement.
Anthropic&#039;s Mythos, a powerful new AI model, signals a turning point in cybersecurity, where advanced AI tools may democratize powerful hacking capabilities faster than governments and companies can respond.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Apr 23, 2026
New AI tool reshapes the cybersecurity landscape
By Brad Glosserman
There appears to be consensus that Mythos represents a "step change" in capability and is a taste of the new digital world that we now inhabit.
Restrictions on fossil fuels, not climate change, pose the greater threat to the global food supply by raising costs and limiting fertilizer access, with the potential to increase hunger.?
COMMENTARY / World
Apr 23, 2026
War in the Gulf reveals the real risk to food security
By Bjorn Lomborg
Without fossil fuels, half the global population would suffer a severe lack of food.

Sports

Manchester City&#039;s Erling Haaland (left) and Burnley&#039;s James Ward vie for the ball during a match at Turf Moor in Burnley, England, on Thursday.
SOCCER
Apr 23, 2026
Manchester City rises to top of Premier League with narrow win over Burnley
After reeling in?Arsenal, Manchester City now leads the table ?on goals scored.
Machida Zelvia players celebrate after earning a spot in the Asian Champions League final in Jeddah on Tuesday.
SOCCER
Apr 23, 2026
Shabab Al Ahli calls for ACL semifinal loss against Machida Zelvia to be replayed
The Emirati side lost 1-0 in Jeddah on Tuesday
Shohei Ohtani reacts after a recording a strikeout during the sixth inning against the Giants in San Francisco on Wednesday.
BASEBALL / MLB
Apr 23, 2026
Giants top Dodgers despite impressive start by Shohei Ohtani
Ohtani went ?0-for-4 at the plate, snapping his streak of 53 straight games ?of having reached base safely.
The Thunder&#039;s Chet Holmgren celebrates after scoring against the Suns in Oklahoma City on Wednesday.
BASKETBALL / NBA
Apr 23, 2026
Thunder take control with another victory over Suns in Game 2
The Thunder are trying to become the first repeat champion?since Golden State in 2017 and 2018.
Himawari Akaho drives to the basket during Japan&#039;s game against France at the FIBA Women&#039;s Basketball World Cup in Sydney in Sept. 2022.
BASKETBALL
Apr 23, 2026
Japan to host FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup in 2030
Japan previously hosted the men's basketball World Cup in ?2006, ?but this is the first ?time the country will host the women's ?World Cup.
Japan coach Eddie Jones watches his team warm up before a match against France in Saint-Denis, France, in November 2024.
MORE SPORTS
Apr 23, 2026
Eddie Jones wants citizens of Rugby World Cup host city to rally around Japan
Jones ?did not rule out Japan setting up its World Cup ?base in Newcastle, the world's largest coal export port.
Bryson DeChambeau says he is committed to remaining with LIV Golf if the circuit continues in 2026.
MORE SPORTS
Apr 23, 2026
Bryson DeChambeau has not 'given up' on LIV Golf
DeChambeau said that he is still working on "a potential contract" as he plays out the final season of his original LIV Golf deal.
Why did a big earthquake strike the Tohoku region again?
An electronic board displays a subsequent earthquake advisory in Iwate Prefecture on Tuesday, a day after a magnitude 7.7 temblor struck off the Tohoku coast.
Japan issues rare special advisory over chance of more powerful quake
An official from the Japan Meteorological Agency speaks about the powerful quake that hit northern Japan at a news conference in Tokyo Monday evening.
Meta to capture U.S. employee mouse movements and keystrokes to train AI
A logo of Meta AI outside Meta House on the opening day of the 55th annual meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, in January 2025
91²Ö¿â tourism industry begins to feel pain of Iran war
Buildings in the historic area of Takayama, Gifu Prefecture
How to prepare when Japan is under an earthquake advisory
Sendai Station is crowded with people Monday after the Tohoku shinkansen line suspended operation following a powerful earthquake off the Sanriku coast.
Professional sumo awaits three potential new stars
Bill Christopher Li, now known as Honoikazuchi, at the All-Japan championships at the Kokugikan on Nov. 30
How to prepare when Japan is under an earthquake advisory
Sendai Station is crowded with people Monday after the Tohoku shinkansen line suspended operation following a powerful earthquake off the Sanriku coast.
Now on the multilingual margins, can Japanese bookstores be more than just a vibe?
Jimbocho, Tokyo¡¯s book town, has gained popularity online and some travel companies are already selling book-centric tours for foreign visitors.
Stars aligning for Japan as World Cup approaches
Japan defender Shogo Taniguchi (left) heads the ball from a corner kick during Japan&#039;s match against Scotland in Glasgow on March 28.
Counseling and community for foreign cancer patients in Japan
Navigating cancer treatment as a foreign resident of Japan can be an added layer of stress, but nonprofit organizations and community resources are available to support those with a diagnosis.

Podcast

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

Longform

Projects like the BuddhaBot aim to re-create dialogue once lost to time, raising questions about whether AI can extend the teachings of Buddha or merely simulate them.
Can AI replace a priest? Japan¡¯s temples and shrines are testing the limits.
By Alex K.T. Martin

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