author

 
Menu
Search
 
June 30, 2026
 

Today's print edition

Home Delivery
Subscribe for more access

Meta

Yoshiaki Nohara
Japan's industrial production in May climbed 0.5% from the previous month as manufacturers were able to cope with the fallout from the war in Iran.
BUSINESS / Economy
Jun 30, 2026
Japan’s factory output rises as Iran fallout stays manageable
The government says it can secure enough crude oil through March 2028 by cultivating alternative procurements to the Strait of Hormuz.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi aims to put her stamp on Japan’s growth strategy as technological change and geopolitical tensions reshape economic priorities.
BUSINESS / Economy
Jun 24, 2026
Japan unveils $2.3 trillion investment plan for next 14 years
The roadmap marks a key step in Takaichi’s effort to put her stamp on Japan’s growth strategy as technological change and geopolitical tensions reshape economic priorities.
Bank of Japan Deputy Gov. Ryozo Himino warns that the central bank could be forced to conduct more rapid interest rate hikes later on if it is late with necessary adjustments.
BUSINESS / Economy
Jun 19, 2026
BOJ’s Himino sees risk of price trend rising above 2% target
The central bank deputy governor warned that it could be forced to conduct more rapid interest rate hikes later on if it is late with necessary adjustments.
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.
Uruguay federation reportedly cancels charter flight after World Cup exit
Uruguay's Jose Maria Gimenez reacts after the team's loss against Spain at the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Friday.
Inside Japan’s rigid adoption system, a British family finds a way
James Benstead, his wife, Jesse, and their three children. Their adopted son is in the rear stroller.
India’s gig workers pay the price for exposure to New Delhi’s hazardous air
Rohit Kushwaha waits for a customer as he delivers his last parcel of the day, in New Delhi in January. His work as a delivery driver has helped pay the family’s bills, but has had a significant impact on his health.
Chinese and Russian bombers and fighter jets stage joint patrol near Japan
A Chinese Air Force H-6 bomber is seen during a joint patrol with Russian military aircraft on Saturday.
U.S. missile moves in Japan send China clear message: A new era has arrived
Soldiers conduct the first Typhon midrange capability live-fire exercise outside of the continental United States, firing an SM-6 missile in July last year in Australia's Northern Territory during Exercise Talisman Sabre.
Japan’s fertility system offers few safe paths for same-sex couples
A Tokyo Pride parade participant holds a sign that says "we want to be a married couple, not a couple."
Inside Japan’s rigid adoption system, a British family finds a way
James Benstead, his wife, Jesse, and their three children. Their adopted son is in the rear stroller.
A French ship with close ties to Japan combines arts and sciences on the high seas
Romain Troublé, the executive director of Tara Ocean Foundation, speaks to visitors aboard the Tara during a rare port call in Tokyo in April.
In Kyushu’s far south, Senti.U sparks a culinary destination
Chef Yasuhiko Uchida was born in Saga Prefecture but has made his home in Kanoya, Kagoshima Prefecture, since 2012.
‘The colors speak for themselves’: How Japan’s chroma bible went global
“A Dictionary of Color Combinations” is meant to function as a quick-reference guide for artists, designers and anyone with a passing interest in aesthetics as a quantifiable pursuit.

Podcast

One of the many entrances to the Kabukicho neighborhood in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward.
Kabukicho: Tokyo’s ‘stadium of desire’

Longform

The Terasaka Rice Terraces are seen with Mount Buko in the background.
What Yokoze can teach Japan about rural revival
By Alex K.T. Martin

SUSTAINABLE JAPAN

New Logistics Consortium baton to accelerate trucking efficiency
New Logistics Consortium baton to accelerate trucking efficiency

SPECIAL SUPPLEMENTS note

Read more

SUPPLEMENTS BINDER