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June 18, 2026
 

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Yoshiaki Nohara
The trade balance flipped to a ?378.6 billion ($2.36 billion) deficit in May on an unadjusted basis, according to the Finance Ministry.
BUSINESS / Economy
Jun 17, 2026
Japan¡¯s trade balance swings to deficit as yen inflates imports
The deficit suggests trade may weigh on growth in the second quarter, when economists largely expect a slowdown due to the impact of the war in Iran.
Real gross domestic product expanded at an annualized pace of 1.8% in the first quarter, down from an initial reading of 2.1%.
BUSINESS / Economy
Jun 8, 2026
Japan¡¯s growth holds up despite drop in business investment
The economy grew at a still-solid pace at the start of the year even after the turbulence in Iran prompted businesses to cut spending.
Trade minister Ryosei Akazawa attends Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation ministerial meetings in the ?eastern Chinese city ?of Suzhou on Friday.
JAPAN / Politics
May 24, 2026
Japan trade minister holds brief talks with Chinese counterpart amid diplomatic row
Trade minister Ryosei Akazawa is the most senior ?Japanese official to visit China since a diplomatic dispute between the two countries erupted in November.
Japan's trade balance in April was a ?301.9 billion ($1.9 billion) surplus on an unadjusted basis, according to the Finance Ministry, remaining in the black unexpectedly on strong exports and a sharp drop in energy imports.
BUSINESS / Economy
May 21, 2026
Japan¡¯s trade surplus remained in the black in April as energy imports plunged
Exports remained robust, with chip exports rising 44% amid strong demand for artificial intelligence-related products.
Spending on food, utilities and clothing also dragged down household spending figure for March.
BUSINESS / Economy
May 12, 2026
Japan¡¯s households cut spending even as wages kept growing
Transportation and communications made up the biggest drag on spending in March, while food, utilities and clothing also weighed on the figure.
Japan's industrial production dropped 0.5% in March from the previous month, as the war in Iran clouded prospects for global demand.
BUSINESS / Economy
Apr 30, 2026
Japan¡¯s factory output fell in March as Iran war clouded demand outlook
The data reflects a period in flux, with business prospects for manufacturers starting to dim as the impact of the Middle East conflict rippled through the global economy.
Japan¡¯s export growth beat analysts¡¯ forecast in March as demand in China rebounded, while the impact from the Middle East conflict has yet to surface.
BUSINESS
Apr 22, 2026
Japan¡¯s export growth quickened as China returned from holidays
The value of overall exports rose 11.7% in March from a year earlier, accelerating from a revised 4% pace in February.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks to reporters Wednesday at the Prime Minister¡¯s Office following an online meeting with Southeast Asian leaders.
JAPAN
Apr 15, 2026
Japan to provide $10 billion to Southeast Asia to secure oil
Sanae Takaichi added that Japan relies on Asian nations to secure medical supplies like surgery gloves.
New trucks bound for shipment at a port in Yokohama
BUSINESS
Mar 18, 2026
Japan¡¯s export growth slows on China holidays and U.S. tariffs impact
The value of overall exports rose 4.2% in February from a year earlier, after a big jump in the previous month.
Japan's gross domestic product rose at an annualized 1.3% in the three months through December, with the revised figures showing that business spending was stronger than reported in preliminary figures.
BUSINESS / Economy
Mar 10, 2026
Japan confirms economy expanded as Takaichi urges investment
Gross domestic product rose at an annualized pace of 1.3% versus the prior quarter in the three months through December.
Japan¡¯s exports rose 16.8% in January from a year earlier, the fastest pace since November 2022, driven by strong chip shipments to China and auto exports to the EU, the Finance Ministry said Wednesday.
BUSINESS / Economy
Feb 18, 2026
Japan¡¯s exports rise most in three years as AI underpins chips
The value of overall exports gained 16.8% in January from a year earlier, the sharpest increase since November 2022, the Finance Ministry said.
Japan's overall exports gained 3.1% in 2025 from the previous year, led by electronic parts and food.
BUSINESS / Economy
Jan 22, 2026
Japan¡¯s exports rise in 2025 despite drag from U.S. tariffs
Overall exports gained 3.1% in 2025 from the previous year, led by electronic parts and food, the Finance Ministry has reported.
Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama in Washington on Monday
BUSINESS
Jan 14, 2026
Japan warns speculators after yen sets fresh 18-month low
¡°We won¡¯t rule out any means and will respond appropriately to moves that are excessive, including those that are speculative,¡± said Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama.
A mine containing rare earth minerals in China's Inner Mongolia province.
JAPAN
Jan 10, 2026
Japan seeks support as fears rise over China¡¯s rare earth grip
Tensions have continued to rise between Asia¡¯s two biggest economies, dragging out a dispute that began in early November.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara speaks to reporters Thursday.
JAPAN / Politics
Jan 8, 2026
Japan protests China¡¯s gas drilling vessel in East China Sea
In 2008 Japan and China had reached an agreement to jointly develop gas fields in the East China Sea, but talks stalled since then.
A prototype of a Rapidus 300mm wafer displayed at the Semicon Japan exhibition. The industry ministry has earmarked ?150 billion for state-backed chip venture Rapidus, bringing the cumulative government investment in the venture to ?250 billion.
BUSINESS / Economy
Dec 26, 2025
Japan to quadruple spending support for chips and AI in budget
The jump in chips and AI spending comes at as Japan is trying to strengthen its capacities in frontier technology, and the U.S. and China race ahead.
A U.S.- Japan consultation panel on a $550 billion investment mechanism will give its input to U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick.
BUSINESS
Dec 18, 2025
U.S.-Japan panel convenes to mull projects for $550 billion fund
The investment pledge is a pillar of the trade deal between the two countries.
Japan's exports gained 6.1% in November from a year earlier, according to the Finance Ministry, beating economists' forecasts.
BUSINESS / Economy
Dec 17, 2025
Japan¡¯s exports to U.S. rise for first time since Trump¡¯s April tariffs
A turnaround in shipments to the U.S. helped power the biggest gain in overall exports since February, paving the way for a widely expected interest-rate hike later this week.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks at a Lower House Budget Committee meeting on Nov. 7. Although Takaichi has refused to recant her comments on Taiwan, she said in parliament later last month that she learned her lesson and will avoid speaking about specific scenarios.
JAPAN / Politics
Dec 12, 2025
Takaichi¡¯s Taiwan comment that sparked China spat apparently unscripted
The discrepancy between the prepared response and the prime minister¡¯s actual comment suggests she veered off-script from official policy.
Komeito leader Tetsuo Saito says he hopes to visit China soon to help ease tension between Beijing and Tokyo.
JAPAN / Politics
Dec 11, 2025
Japan-China spat lacks immediate off-ramp despite Komeito talks
Tetsuo Saito, the head of former ruling coalition partner Komeito, says he¡¯s spoken several times with China¡¯s ambassador.
¡®Customer harassment¡¯ continues in Japan despite moves to end it
A "customer harassment" prevention awareness poster at the entrance of an Aoki Super supermarket in Aichi Prefecture
Magnitude 5.5 quake jolts Tokyo area
Seismic intensity information about Tuesday evenning's earthquake
Five fall ill from E. coli outbreak at Nagoya Costco store
At least five people, including a child in serious condition, fell ill after eating ¡°high rollers¡± deli wraps sold a Costco store in Nagoya, according to media reports.
Chinese bombers put Japan¡¯s defense strategy in jeopardy, report finds
Chinese H-6N bombers fly in formation during a rehearsal in Beijing last August, ahead of a military parade to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II.
Number of bookstores in Japan drops below 10,000 for the first time
Only 102 new bookstores were opened in Japan during fiscal year 2025, which began in April last year, while 499 shops closed.
As his centennial nears, Osamu Tezuka gets a global reintroduction
Seen here in an archival shot, Osamu Tezuka's influence on Japanese anime has been monumental.
Why more bears are entering urban areas
Hikers walk past a bear warning sign in the Okutama area in western Tokyo on Sunday as local authorities urge visitors to take precautions following increased reports of bear sightings in the region.
In Tokyo¡¯s Mitaka, a search for traces of Osamu Dazai
Cafe Phosphorescence, owned by Osamu Dazai fan Miyuki Daba, is located about 15 minutes away from where the novelist used to live.
How Kojima made a destination out of denim
Across Kojima, production facilities handle different stages of denim-making, from sewing and washing to finishing and quality control.
Chinese bombers put Japan¡¯s defense strategy in jeopardy, report finds
Chinese H-6N bombers fly in formation during a rehearsal in Beijing last August, ahead of a military parade to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II.

Podcast

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

Longform

Social camouflaging can help neurodivergent people navigate social situations, but researchers say the effort often comes with significant emotional and mental strain.
The challenge of being neurodivergent in Japan¡¯s culture of conformity
By Tomoko Otake

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