Sapporo mayoral race takes shape with Olympics and foreign population in focus
Those issues, along with tourism, could prove crucial in the race to succeed Katsuhiro Akimoto.
Former Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda dies at 90
The son of former Japanese leader Takeo Fukada became the country's first second-generation prime minister when he assumed office in September 2007.
U.S. military bans Chinese-made BYD cars from key air base in Okinawa
The move comes amid growing concerns about smart technology in the vehicles and the threat of spying.
Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli wins in Texas to move to brink of Formula One title
Antonelli now needs to score only two points in Mexico City to be sure of the title even if rival George Russell wins.
Tomoka Nishiyama to become first woman to enter <i>kishi</i> shogi ranks
The holder of four women's shogi titles said she decided to enter Japan's regular professional ranks after considering her options for two weeks.
NFL party goes off without hitch despite unrest in France
The nationwide protests largely overshadowed the buildup to the game, with some fan and NFL events canceled over the weekend, mainly due to their location in central Paris.
Father of woman struck by man who jumped from building seeks murder charge
Kenji Inaba, whose daughter Hora died, argues that the 29-year-old man — who survived — knew his actions might cause another person's death.
Unscrupulous businesses preying on older people with dementia
Experts say it is essential to establish a support system to protect this vulnerable group from businesses that try to take advantage of them.
Yuri Yoshida rallies for first victory on LPGA Tour
Yoshida, 26, became the fourth player from Japan to win this season and the fourth first-time winner on the LPGA Tour.
Tensions high as North Korea howitzer spotted near South Korean border
The presence of the self-propelled 122-mm howitzer near the border marks a rare visible deployment of such artillery.
Trump says decision nearing on Iran as he weighs diplomacy or renewed strikes
Trump has suggested that U.S. strikes on Iran could resume after the Nov.
One year after split with LDP, Komeito seeks fresh direction with new leader
Whether newly elected leader Mitsunari Okamoto can expand both the number of representatives for the party and its support base remains to be seen.
Brazil’s Lula wins record fourth term in a shock comeback
President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva's victory was eked out in the 11th-hour after voters from his heartland rallied to the rescue.
Yen becoming more favorable hedge against AI market shock, says Goldman Sachs
The currency surged 0.9% against the dollar and reached its strongest level in over a month last week amid concerns over the technology boom.
Israel’s Eisenkot vows unity as Netanyahu paints him as soft on Iran
Polls have shown Benjamin Netanyahu and Gadi Eisenkot to be neck and neck as Israel heads into a consequential election.
France dodges rerun of looting and riots at protests
The more subdued weekend would suggest the government's decision to boost police numbers and contain marches paid off.
Grabbing a bargain: Japan’s claw machines cash in on inflation
"Shop-and-play destinations" merge essential buying with entertainment so that families do not feel a need to choose between the two.
Ex-opposition heavyweight Edano negative on forming new party
"I am basically thinking about how we should make much of parties that we have now," said former chief Cabinet secretary Yukio Edano.
Senior U.S. Democrat says midterm win would give party stronger voice in shaping Asia policy
Rep. Ami Bera said he hoped to advance legislation reinforcing the U.S.-Japan alliance and support for Taiwan.
New farm minister inspects typhoon damage in Chiba
Arata Takebe pledged to do his best to restore damaged facilities to ensure that local farming operations will be conducted normally next year.
Minors detained over ‘Shorinji racing’ pranks in Osaka and Hyogo
About 250 incidents tied to the social media-driven trend of pranking were reported in Osaka Prefecture in September and October, police said.
From Carnegie to Claude: AI wealth could reshape philanthropy
Anthropic has said it would commit 5% of its shares to a public benefit fund, a stake that could be worth $100 billion when the firm goes public.
Convenience stores, toilets and the allure of everyday Japan
Forget the temples and the famous landmarks. For some visitors, the country's appeal lies in the infrastructure of daily life.
SoftBank’s Son plans $50 billion Malaysia tech outlay, PM Anwar Ibrahim says
A push in Malaysia would expand SoftBank's reach in Southeast Asia, a region that is emerging as a key hub for AI infrastructure such as data centers.
Houthis claim attack on Riyadh airport hours after flights resume
Saudi authorities have not commented on any new airport attack.
Fukushima Gov. Uchibori wins fourth term in landslide election
Uchibori, 62, received support from local chapters of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party and three opposition parties.
[Update 2] Report on Unauthorized Access to Group Managed Server and Potential Data Leak
The Japan Times, Ltd. and News2u Holdings, Inc.
LeBron James gears up for another title run at age 41 with 76ers
James made it clear in July when he announced he was joining the 76ers that his move was all about making one more title run.
Legacy of Japanese woman’s apple pie store lives on in California
Locals in California have loved the Nagoya native's apple pie shop for more than 40 years, with some having simply referred to her as "Mom."
Global food inflation is expected to intensify as supply shocks pile up
The world's poorest consumers are being hit the hardest as food prices rise in many countries across the Middle East, North Africa and Asia.
Second minister visits Yasukuni Shrine during its autumn festival
Liberal Democratic Party General Council chair Hiroshi Kajiyama also made a ritual cash offering on behalf of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.
Daiichi Life offers $4.4 billion to buy rest of Challenger
A deal would give the Japanese insurer control of Australia's largest provider of annuities in the nation's fast-growing retirement market.
‘We’ve never had this’: Bear sightings spook Russia
At least 26 people have been killed in bear attacks this year, seven of which were in Siberia's Krasnodar region, according to Russian state media.
Putin reportedly proposes summit with Trump and Xi to discuss Ukraine deal
Any meeting could come as early as Nov. 18 and 19, on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Shenzhen, China.
China’s growth rebound tops forecasts to close in on annual goal
The improvement in the economy should give policymakers some breathing room, allowing them to hold off on further easing.
Japan aims to soothe world traders’ fiscal anxiety with outreach in English
Foreign investors held 13% of Japanese Government Bonds at the end of June, up from about 8% in 2012.
Kioxia shares face headwinds from margin-buying gone wrong
Outstanding leveraged long positions in the stock was the largest as of Oct. 15 among all companies listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange.
Nidec legal reckoning reaches founder and shares drop to decade low
A crisis that has prompted the motor maker's biggest shareholder to call for a review of privatization options has deepened.
Rays beat Guardians in Game 5 to take another step toward World Series
Yandy Diaz had three hits and scored a run, and Drew Rasmussen carried a shutout into the sixth inning
India’s latest student protests pin Modi on revision of electoral rolls
A reversal by the Indian leader would hand a victory to his opponents and call into question recent election wins for his ruling party.
Japan to expand language education for foreign residents
The education ministry plans to help local governments strengthen their teaching programs through subsidies and expert guidance.
As obstacles to peace go, Zelenskyy ranks below Trump
In the hierarchy of politicians responsible for the continuation of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Zelenskyy ranks only third, after Putin and Trump.
Japan to boost police investigations with advanced technology
"We can't keep up with attacks using the latest AI if police equipment lags behind," said the National Public Safety Commission chairperson.
Japan’s brewery ‘cartel’ didn’t collude enough
If the beer company collusion allegations are true, customers have been paying more than needed for years.
Two koalas debut at Saitama zoo, marking first arrivals from Australia in a decade
Bringing in koalas from overseas is considered important for maintaining genetic diversity among koalas in Japan.
McLaren to sell Formula Ones cars driven by former champions and Brad Pitt
The cars will be sold through high-end dealer Tom Hartley Jr. and are expected to raise tens of millions of dollars.
Parents of student killed in Henoko boat accident call for stronger safety measures
The bereaved parents met with the governor of Okinawa Prefecture for the first time since the accident in March.
Japan moves to improve conditions for SDF personnel amid staff shortage
Government and LDP officials are concerned that a shortage of staff could make it harder for Japan to strengthen its defense capabilities.
Knicks ready to raise championship banner to start new NBA season
New York went 16-3 in the postseason and won 13 straight games between the first round and the NBA Finals.
Anthropic to commit 5% stake to new ‘public benefit fund’
Anthropic said the fund could support initiatives that include efforts to address artificial intelligence's impact on the labor market.
NFL says Paris game to go ahead as planned despite unrest in France
The Oct. 25 game will be the NFL's first regular-season contest in France.
Pope Leo pledges gradual return to duties in first event since cancer surgery
Pope Leo, who was only elected in May 2025, has been diagnosed with lung adenocarcinoma, the most common form of lung cancer.
Grass fire at Canadian military base kills four and injures 39
An official described the sudden high winds and spread of the fire as an "uncommon, rapid" event in which flames advanced 1 km in 30 to 60 seconds.
Brewers edge Dodgers 2-1 in National League Championship Series opener
One year after they were unceremoniously swept by the Dodgers in the NLCS, the Brewers thrilled fans in Milwaukee.
Japan defeats Russia to win mixed team gold at World Judo
Japan reached the final after defeating host Azerbaijan in the second round, Mongolia in the quarterfinals, and China in the semifinals.
Unbeaten 49ers edge Seahawks while Vikings stay perfect
Thirty-eight points — 21 by the Niners — scored off seven turnovers, four by Seattle, were the most in an NFL game since 2017.
Efforts to stop criminals fleeing the country stepped up
Amid an increase in crimes committed by criminal groups, border control has become more important than ever before.
Five people missing after Nepal flash floods sweep away houses
Some 45 houses were swept away, with the flood also damaging three hydropower projects and four bridges.
Japan urges oil stockpiling and development as Mideast risks rise
The push reflects Japan's efforts to reduce Asia's vulnerability to oil supply disruptions.
China sanctions ministers from Paraguay and Belize over Taiwan ties
The sanctions are largely symbolic given ministers from Taiwan's diplomatic allies generally never travel to China.
New York’s notorious Rikers jail awaits elusive closure
The jail has counted John Lennon's killer Mark David Chapman, rapper Tupac Shakur and Sex Pistols musician Sid Vicious among its residents.
Verstappen captures first Singapore Grand Prix on 10th attempt
Red Bull's Verstappen held the lead throughout the race after he held off Ferrari's Charles Leclerc in the first corner.
Nishikori appears alongside Federer at retirement event
At the event held at the Ariake Coliseum indoor stadium in Tokyo, Nishikori held exhibition matches with Swiss tennis legend Roger Federer and others.
Japan’s Goto fires Freiburg to Bundesliga summit
Goto's 85th-minute winner saw Freiburg leapfrog Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund into first place.
Zelenskyy risks rupture with Trump as midterms pressure mounts
Tensions between the two leaders have come and gone since Trump returned to the White House with a pledge to quickly end the war in Ukraine.
Riyadh airport hit by fresh Houthi strike day after deadly attack
The fresh attack on the airport killed one person — a Pakistani resident — and wounded 11 others, Saudi Arabia's civil aviation authority said on X.
Emperor and empress watch table tennis matches at Japan Games
The imperial couple watched matches for boys and girls, held at a gymnasium in the city of Aomori.
Anti-sexual assault certification set for Japan’s cram schools
The move comes ahead of the Dec. 25 launch of a Japanese version of Britain's Disclosure and Barring Service.
Sports club affiliation influences physical strength, survey shows
The Japan Sports Agency survey also revealed that the physical strength of women in their 40s is declining markedly.
North Korea fires multiple ballistic missiles into Sea of Japan
At least two of the weapons were believed to have fallen into waters outside Japan's exclusive economic zone.
Cooling innovation from a hot startup
Eztia CEO Tiffany Yeh discusses the story behind this innovation and its potential across a wide range of applications.
Pope Leo says will undergo surgery for small growth on lung
It is the first health scare of the 71-year-old pontiff's tenure.
Driver’s license data breaches becoming major concern
The rush may reflect fears that their license data could be abused. Police, however, say that reissuing a license would do little to prevent crime.
The do’s and don’ts when applying for permanent residency in Japan
What to know about income requirements, pension payments and the all-important statement of reasons.
Netflix vies to be a cut above in TV production
Netflix Japan's dramas are pushing the boundaries of storytelling and uplifting domestic TV standards, though not without growing pains.
India releases ‘cockroach’ leaders as movement calls for more protests
Sweeping security restrictions have underscored tensions facing Narendra Modi's government as it confronts a sustained wave of youth-led dissent.
Major electronics firms bombarded with cyberdefense inquiries
Demand is expected to continue expanding as these electronics firms are reinforcing their services in anticipation of sophisticated AI cyberattacks.
Takaichi again in a bind as U.S. threatens to ‘end’ ICC
Japan, which hosts roughly 60,000 U.S. service members and depends on Washington for its security, will need to walk a fine line as it pushes back.
With bilateral trade booming, why are Japan-China tensions rising?
In our new era of "weaponized interdependence," economic ties can create strategic vulnerabilities.
A first look aboard the shinkansen’s new Supreme Class
From Oct. 1, select trains running between Tokyo and Hakata will offer the most luxurious way yet to travel on a bullet train.
Braves bounce back with victory to pull even in NLDS against Dodgers
Michael Harris II went 3-for-5 with a triple and a double, scored one run and drove in another as the Braves head home in the best-of-five series with Game 3 on Tuesday.
Instrument seller works to make disaster-hit town in Miyagi a music hub
Chiba Prefecture-based Sound House has established a logistics center and showroom in the town of Onagawa, which was struck by the March 2011 tsunami.
Drake Maye has big day as Patriots beat Bills
Maye ended the game with 269 passing yards and another 54 rushing.
Hiroshima’s rural high schools attract students from across Japan
Hiroshima's experiment is part of a broader national trend that sees small, rural high schools recruiting students from outside their prefectures.
Millennium to hire Jera power trader in Japan energy push
Since being liberalized about a decade ago, Japan's power market has drawn growing interest from domestic and overseas firms as trading expands.
Portugal keeps door open for star Ronaldo to return
Ronaldo left Portugal's training camp after being an unused substitute in a win over Norway and learning he would not start against Denmark.
South Korea soccer captain apologizes for gloating about military exemption
South Korea defeated host Japan 1-0 on Saturday in the men's final in Toyota, Aichi Prefecture, for their fourth Asian Games title in a row.
EU and China to hold two-day talks in Beijing aiming to avert trade war
A shift by Chinese firms into more high-tech manufacturing is threatening many traditional EU industries.
BOJ’s deputy chief flags AI’s possible impact on neutral rate
The comments come as economists and market players try to assess high quickly and how far the BOJ will raise interest rates.
Mayor pushing for spent nuclear-fuel facility reelected in Yamaguchi
Tetsuo Nishi said nuclear power-related subsidies from the state would help fund the town's child-rearing and resident-welfare measures.
On daughter’s birthday, mother of abductee Megumi Yokota prays for reunion
Sakie Yokota had prepared a birthday cake for her daughter every year, but she stopped a few years ago as it was "painful."
Thai police rescue two Japanese men believed to have been forced into fraud
The men are believed to have been forced to take part in fraud at a base in Myanmar.
U.S. accuses California woman of spying for China and surveilling Taiwan leader’s son
U.S. officials say Wanying Zhang used tradecraft to avoid detection and never notified Washington that she was acting for a foreign government.
Extreme heat putting pregnant women and newborns at risk, U.N. says
Around 33 countries, spanning from western Europe to the Sahel and central America, recorded their hottest July since records began this year.
Nippon Paint to buy Akzo’s Southeast Asia unit for $1.35 billion
Japan's No. 1 paint company had previously sought to buy Akzo's entire residential and commercial paints unit for $8.4 billion.
Taiwan’s envoy prods Trump administration on stalled arms sale
U.S. President Donald Trump's efforts to woo Chinese President Xi Jinping have sowed uncertainty about the United States' commitment to Taiwan.
Netanyahu orders security review of flights to Israel after Flydubai attack
Israeli media outlets have reported that pilots from countries hostile to Israel have repeatedly flown into the country in recent years.
Japan should keep focus on cheap Mideast oil, local refiner says
The comments from Taiyo Oil's CEO push back against a government drive to diversify crude sourcing triggered by the U.S.-Iran war.
Japan to bolster cyberthreat-hunting for critical infrastructure systems
The government will develop methods to detect cyberattack threats and share them with utilities and telecommunications companies.
Daryz races to second straight Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe crown
Daryz is the first two-time winner since Enable in 2017 and 2018 and first colt to achieve the feat since Alleged almost half a century ago.
MSDF deploys V-BAT uncrewed surveillance aircraft
The aircraft can autonomously patrol predetermined routes, collecting surveillance footage and transmitting it to a command vessel in real time.
SoftBank’s Masayoshi Son has rare cautionary note on AI safety
Superintelligence in the wrong hands can become "super dangerous," the SoftBank Group chief said.
Max Verstappen washes away frustrations with win at rain-soaked Bahrain Grand Prix
George Russell, who was still alive with an outside chance at catching his Mercedes teammate Antonelli for the drivers' title, saw those hopes take a blow due to an engine failure.
OpenAI’s Altman says AI benefits warrant accepting some risks
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman said he believes "people will do tremendously — orders of magnitude more — good stuff than bad stuff" with AI.
U.S. removes B-1 bombers from U.K. base amid security concerns
A dozen B-1 bombers were stationed at RAF Fairford air base. The planes had been used for U.S.
Residents in Yatsushiro face well water issues following July earthquake
Yatsushiro's public water supply coverage rate is only 52.1%, leaving nearly half of local households reliant on well water as an essential lifeline.
Indian executives are gaining clout in U.S. corporate boardrooms
A record 16 Indian men joined S&P 500 boards this year, taking directorships at companies including Walmart, Southwest Airlines and Western Digital.
Trump offered to sell arms to China’s Xi, U.S. ambassador says
The revelation will add to allied concerns as U.S. partners struggle for a firm grasp on the White House's policy toward China.
China’s Yan one and done after golden Asian Games throw
Yan Ziyi broke the Games record with her sole attempt and it was enough to beat a field that included Japan's Olympic champion Haruka Kitaguchi.
30% of children in low-income families miss out on extracurriculars: survey
Among the low-income households that had reduced spending on extracurricular activities, 76.5% cited the rising prices for necessities as a factor.
Ravens throw Cowboys for Loop in Brazil with walk-off field goal
Tyler Loop kicked a 56-yard field goal as time expired and Baltimore shocked Dallas 34-31.
From geisha face paint to servers, Sakai Chemical emerges as AI linchpin
Production capacity is quickly filling up at the Osaka-based company, which provides raw materials for capacitors necessary in AI data centers.
Powerful U.S. missile system to be stored at Okinawa’s Kadena Air Base
The Typhon midrange weapon that has been deployed in Japan for joint military exercises will be stored at the facility indefinitely from mid-October.
Higher defense spending won’t unsettle markets, government adviser says
Japan is considering a new medium-term target to raise defense spending to 3.5% of gross domestic product over 10 years.
Tough U.K. budget hangs over John Healey at Labour gathering
Chancellor of the Exchequer John Healey's focus at the Labour Party's annual jamboree shows the importance and difficulty of his fiscal set piece.
Women sluggers are no longer in a league of their own
Young girls increasingly see baseball, rather than softball, as a sport they can pursue.
Over 1,500 still in shelters two months after Kumamoto quake
A total of 182 emergency temporary housing units have been established in 10 complexes in Kumamoto Prefecture.
Japan has no space for solar farms apart from old golf courses
Solar farms need good sunlight, access to the power grid and to be fairly close to residential areas. Many golf courses tick those boxes.
Japanese police to use fake accounts to fight <i>tokuryū</i> crime
Under a new system, officers will pose as sellers and respond to online solicitations from criminal groups in order to trace flows of illicit funds.
Mariners manager Dan Wilson out after disappointing 2026 campaign
Seattle went 76-86 this season, finishing third in the American League West and missing the playoffs.
