Politics

A law that came into effect last year stipulated that ByteDance must divest TikTok's U.S. operations or face a nationwide ban.
Agriculture Minister Shinjiro Koizumi, left, is seen as more likely to improve Japan's public finances, while former Economic Security Minister Sanae Takaichi, center, favors expansionary fiscal policy. Analysts expect a muted market reaction if Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi, right, wins. (Source photos by Ken Suzuki, Uichiro Kasai)
Japan leadership race

Japan financial markets weigh impact of LDP leadership race

Koizumi seen buoying yen, while Takaichi would provide potential tailwind for stocks

Countries participating in the Drone Coalition are using experience gained from the Ukraine war to refine their own drone technologies. (Photo by Takayuki Tanaka)
Interview

Latvia invites Japan into coalition supporting Ukraine drones

Latvian foreign minister says Tokyo could offer nonlethal units in war serving as tech testbed

The five Liberal Democratic Party leaders competing to replace Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba appear so far to lack the fresh thinking needed in a shifting world order.
Comment

LDP candidates need to discuss Japan's place in a global context

Opposition parties must also contribute to shaping national policies

22 September 2025
After a two-month policy vacuum, the new leader of the Liberal Democratic Party is likely to focus on moving the legislative agenda forward instead of contemplating a snap general election. (Photo by Uichiro Kasai) 
Japan leadership race

Japan ruling party kicks off leadership race: 5 things to know

Election of LDP leader likely to become PM, with coalition expansion in mind

22 September 2025
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un speaks during a meeting of the Supreme People's Assembly in Pyongyang in this picture released on Sept. 22. (KCNA via Reuters)
22 September 2025
Chrissy Houlahan, a Democratic member of the House Armed Services Committee, poses for a photo with Chinese Premier Li Qiang at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Sept. 21. 
US-China tensions

US House lawmakers make rare China visit to stabilize ties

First delegation since 2019 aims to 'break the ice' amid tense relations

21 September 2025
Hao Du, a Reform UK councilor, believes keeping Britain's doors open to "unnecessary migration" could lead to an "unsustainable" demographic shift. (Image from Du's X account)
Immigration

The Chinese immigrant representing a British anti-immigration party

Reform councilor Hao Du explains why East Asian values fit with right-wing populist party

21 September 2025
People play games at the Tokyo Game Show in Chiba prefecture on Sept. 26, 2024. This year's edition will feature over 1,100 exhibitors -- the largest number ever. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Your Week in Asia

LDP presidential race, ASEAN economy meeting, Tokyo Game Show

Your weekly lineup of Asia's biggest business and political events

21 September 2025
Chinese company ByteDance would hold less than 20% of the stock of a joint venture controlling TikTok's U.S. operations, according to a White House official.
Business deals

TikTok's US board will include 6 of 7 seats for Americans, White House says

American user data will be stored on U.S. cloud computing infrastructure

21 September 2025
Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te speaks at a conference titled "Resilient Taiwan for Sustainable Democracy" on Sept. 20 in Taipei. (Taiwan’s Presidential Office)
Taiwan tensions

'No time to lose': Lai urges broad Taiwan defense and resilience buildup

Repeats vow to raise spending after report Trump stopped $400m in military aid

20 September 2025
Shinjiro Koizumi speaks to reporters in Tokyo on Sept. 20 about running in the Liberal Democratic Party leadership race. (Photo by Uichiro Kasai)
Japan leadership race

Who is Japan's Shinjiro Koizumi?

Reformist LDP minister and former leader's son could be youngest postwar PM

20 September 2025
China is developing homegrown AI models, semiconductors and other robots.
Artificial intelligence

Global web of AI rules grows 30% in 3 years as cooperation stalls

US, Europe and China pursue their own aims, leaving rest of world behind

20 September 2025
U.S. President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump visit the Forbidden City in Beijing with Chinese President Xi Jinping and first lady Peng Liyuan on Nov. 8, 2017. 
Trump administration

Trump and Xi agree to meet at APEC in phone call

US president appreciates TikTok 'approval,' but no mention of Taiwan in readout

20 September 2025
The U.S. Navy's nuclear-powered submarines can travel faster and stay submerged for longer than their diesel-fueled counterparts in Japan. (Photo by Ryo Nakamura)
Defense

Nuclear submarines shouldn't be ruled out for Japan, defense panel says

Proposals stress sub-launched long-range missiles for China deterrence

20 September 2025
Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya said Japan will hold off on recognizing a Palestinian state at this year's U.N. General Assembly. (Photo by Kana Baba)
International relations

Japan plans not to recognize Palestinian state for now: foreign minister

Iwaya says it is not a matter of whether to make the move, but when

19 September 2025
Bank of Japan's decision follows the U.S. Federal Reserve on Wednesday lowering interest rates in a stalling job market.
Bank of Japan

BOJ chief strikes cautious tone despite some board members urging rate hike

Gov. Ueda says tariff impacts need monitoring; selling off ETFs over course of 100-plus years

19 September 2025
South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun speaks to international media in Seoul on Sept. 19. (Photo by Ahn Seong-bok)
International relations

South Korea seeks working group to resolve US visa issue

Seoul and Washington working to repair ties frayed by arrests of more than 300 workers

19 September 2025
Sanae Takaichi speaks to reporters in Tokyo on Sept. 18 about running in the ruling Liberal Democratic Party leadership race. (Photo by Uichiro Kasai)
Japan leadership race

Who is Sanae Takaichi? The politician aiming to be Japan's first female PM

LDP leadership contender is a fiscal dove who was close to late PM Shinzo Abe

19 September 2025
In North Dakota, where agriculture makes up over a quarter of the state's economic output, 90% of soybean production is exported -- most of it, under normal circumstances, to the world's top buyer, China. (Photo by Pak Yiu)
Trump tariffs

US soybean farmers face crisis as China keeps orders frozen

Growers lean on 'hope and prayers' for Trump-Xi trade detente

19 September 2025
Moviegoers line up to watch "731" at a cinema in Zaozhuang, in China's Shandong province, on Sept. 18.
Media & Entertainment

Chinese film '731' on Japan WWII unit pulls in $42m on opening day

Account of biological weapons program off to strong start but draws mixed reviews

19 September 2025
Geetanjali Kirloskar, co-chair of the Japan Council at the Confederation of Indian Industry, speaks at the Nikkei India-Japan Economy and Investment Forum in Bengaluru on Sept. 18. (Photo by Satoshi Iwaki)
International relations

Trade wars boosting India-Japan cooperation, business lobby figure says

Drive for 'self-reliance' is growing, Confederation of Indian Industry rep tells Nikkei event

19 September 2025
An event commemorates the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II at the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall in Taipei on Aug. 16.
Taiwan tensions

US wades into Taiwan status question and draws KMT backlash

Statement rejecting China's view of WWII documents highlights divide in Taipei

19 September 2025
Soldiers from the Pakistan Army following a militant attack in Bannu, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, in Pakistan on Sept. 2. At least 19 Pakistani soldiers and 45 TTP militants were killed in multiple clashes earlier this month.
International relations

Pakistan urges Afghan Taliban to choose a side: Islamabad or militants

Warning comes after recent deadly clashes and China's failure in mediation

19 September 2025
Container ships sit at the Chinese port of Qingdao. China has been exporting goods it cannot sell domestically amid a demand slump.
Trade

Japan's antidumping probes hit new high as China glut persists

Overproduction leads to South Korea, Taiwan redirecting goods normally sold to China

19 September 2025
Fences marked "traffic control" block off the Japanese school in Shenzhen on Sept. 18, the anniversary of the fatal stabbing of a student. (Photo by Shizuka Tanabe)
International relations

Japanese school in Shenzhen remains on alert a year after stabbing

Students stop using distinctive Japanese backpacks for fear of attacks

19 September 2025
U.S. President Donald Trump holds a table of his "reciprocal" tariffs while delivering remarks at the White House on April 2.
Trump administration

US Supreme Court to hear Trump's tariffs case on Nov. 5

Lower courts said president exceeded his powers with the levies

19 September 2025
An autonomous cruise missile developed by Taiwan and Anduril Industries is showcased at the Taipei Aerospace & Defense Technology Exhibition. (Photo by Tsukasa Hadano)
Defense

Taiwan shows off US defense cooperation with jointly developed missile

Island displays defense tech at expo amid China threat, Trump pressure

19 September 2025
Hak Ja Han, the leader of South Korea's Unification Church, arrives at a special prosecutor's office in Seoul on Sept. 17.
Politics

South Korean investigators seek arrest of Unification Church leader

Hak Ja Han under allegations of bribery tied to former President Yoon's wife and lawmaker

18 September 2025
Top contenders in the LDP leadership race are, from left, former Economic Security Minister Sanae Takaichi, Agriculture Minister Shinjiro Koizumi and Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi. (Nikkei montage/Source photos by Tomoki Mera, Uichiro Kasai, Satoko Kawasaki, Akira Kodaka and Akitoshi Sugiura)
Japan leadership race

Japan's fiscal health in the spotlight as LDP leadership race heats up

Bond yields rise as tax-cut talk coincides with higher spending demands

18 September 2025