author

 
Menu
Search
 
July 12, 2026
 

Today's print edition

Home Delivery
Subscribe for more access

Meta

Francis Tang
Stock prices declined in Tokyo on Monday on concerns that higher oil prices could affect the Japanese economy.
BUSINESS / Markets
Mar 9, 2026
Oil’s dramatic rally sends Japanese stocks, bonds and currency down
Prices recovered later on Monday on reports of possible intervention.
Trade minister Ryosei Akazawa meets with U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick on Friday in Washington.
BUSINESS / Economy
Mar 7, 2026
Japan asks U.S. not to treat it unfavorably under new tariffs
Trade minister Ryosei Akazawa sought assurances from his U.S. counterpart that the latest U.S. tariffs would not disadvantage Japan.
The Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear power plant, one of the world's largest nuclear facilities, in Niigata Prefecture in December
BUSINESS / Economy
Mar 6, 2026
Japan’s nuclear comeback slow, steady and seen as necessary
A stable source of emission-free power is needed if the country is to meet its energy goals
The Nikkei 225 stock average fell for a third straight day as investors remained concerned about higher oil prices.
BUSINESS / Markets
Mar 4, 2026
Tokyo stocks drop for third day on war in Middle East and growing uncertainty
Concerns are growing that the conflict could drag on and oil prices could rise further.
Trade minister Ryosei Akazawa is making his 12th visit to Washington since tariff negotiations started last April, and the second this year.
BUSINESS / Economy
Mar 4, 2026
Akazawa heading to U.S. to discuss more projects under $550 billion pledge
Three projects have already been agreed upon and others could be concluded soon.
Tokyo stocks fell for another day as major conflict continues in the Middle East.
BUSINESS / Companies
Mar 3, 2026
Japan and its businesses rush to respond to Middle East conflict
Vessels are being halted, flights canceled and employees evacuated from the region.
The price of oil spiked after the attack on Iran by the U.S. and Israel and the closing of the Strait of Hormuz by Iran.
BUSINESS / Markets
Mar 2, 2026
Stocks trade lower in Tokyo and yen weak after the U.S. and Israel strike Iran
Politicians and economists argue that the situation in Japan is manageable unless the conflict becomes prolonged.
Rapidus is building a massive plant in Chitose, Hokkaido, for the manufacture of advanced semiconductors.
BUSINESS / Companies
Feb 27, 2026
Japan’s Rapidus receives another ¥267.6 billion in funding
The government now controls 11.5% of the chipmaker, and that figure reaches up to 40% if nonvoting shares are converted.
IHI's headquarters in Tokyo on Tuesday. Several affiliated companies of the Japanese conglomerate are among firms put on a Chinese blacklist the same day.
BUSINESS / Economy
Feb 24, 2026
China issues dual-use blacklist of 20 Japanese entities
Special permission will be needed to export dual-use items to these companies, institutions and agencies.
Trade minister Ryosei Akazawa spoke with the United States’ commerce secretary about new tariffs imposed by the U.S. president.
BUSINESS / Economy
Feb 24, 2026
Akazawa says Japan shouldn’t be worse off under new tariffs
The U.S. Supreme Court declared tariffs central to the Japan-U.S. trade agreement illegal.
Trade minister Ryosei Akazawa insists that the projects must be good for Japan and turn a profit.
BUSINESS / Economy
Feb 20, 2026
Second round of projects under consideration for Japan’s $550 billion pledge
Next-generation nuclear reactors might be on the short list, reports say.
Passengers will still be able to bring two power banks on flights, just not use them.
JAPAN
Feb 18, 2026
Japan set to prohibit use of power banks on flights
Portable batteries have caught fire and emitted smoke on flights globally.
Trade minister Ryosei Akazawa said that some details of the first projects under Japan's $550 billion capital commitment still need to be worked out.
BUSINESS / Economy
Feb 18, 2026
Trump selects three projects to be funded under Japan’s $550 billion pledge
Japan and the U.S. have agreed on the first round of projects to be funded by Japan, and a strategically important synthetic diamond factory is on the list.
U.S. President Donald Trump, flanked by U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick, delivers remarks at the U.S. Ambassador's Residence in Tokyo on Oct. 28, 2025.
BUSINESS / Economy
Feb 18, 2026
Trump selects investment projects to be funded by Japan
The announcement comes one month before Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s planned visit to the White House.
Trade minister Ryosei Akazawa takes a ride in a U.S.-made Toyota Highlander on Monday.
BUSINESS / Economy
Feb 17, 2026
U.S. cars can now be sold in Japan without local safety testing
The rule change follows an agreement reached last year in the course of tariff negotiations.
Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda after a BOJ policy meeting in January
BUSINESS / Markets
Feb 16, 2026
Takaichi-Ueda meeting most notable for what might not have been said
The prime minister not putting pressure on the central bank’s governor could prove to be significant.
Japan’s real gross domestic product grew an annualized 0.2% for the October-December quarter, falling below market estimates.
BUSINESS / Economy
Feb 16, 2026
Japan’s economy barely grew in fourth quarter and just avoided recession
Japan’s economy grew less than expected and just avoided a recession, with gross domestic product growing 0.2% annualized in the fourth quarter.
PayPay's Nasdaq listing could be the largest ever by a Japanese company.
BUSINESS / Companies
Feb 13, 2026
PayPay files for U.S. IPO and Nasdaq listing
The biggest mobile payments service in Japan is also seeking to expand its business in the U.S.
U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and trade minister Ryosei Akazawa speak during Akazawa’s trip to Washington to discuss Japan’s $550 billion commitment.
BUSINESS / Economy
Feb 13, 2026
Japan’s $550 billion capital commitment to the U.S. stuck in committee
Talks have been tough, and significant gaps remain on the fine details of the first deals.
The yen has strengthened decisively since the Liberal Democratic Party gained a supermajority in the Lower House.
BUSINESS / Markets
Feb 12, 2026
Yen strengthens decisively after strong showing by LDP boosts confidence
The Nikkei 225 stock average broke 58,000 and hit a new record on Thursday.
China’s demand for Soviet-style apartments shows limits to revival
Apartments built during a Soviet Union-inspired construction drive in the 1970s and 1980s tend to suffer from poor insulation and outdated plumbing, but they are seeing a revival in interest due to their attractive locations.
Japanese scientists identify neural mechanism that may explain why we dislike people
The aggressive mouse (left) used in the experiment and a mouse defending itself
Japanese payment processor’s collapse hits banks and restaurants
Zentoshin served around 200,000 shops, many of which rely on early payments to maintain cash flow, raising concerns over their financial stability following the disruption.
Over 70% of accommodations in Japan say they are understaffed amid tourism influx
The number of foreign visitors to Japan reached a high of 42.68 million in 2025.
Lenders seek $700 million after Japanese payments firm’s collapse
The financial failure of Osaka-based Zentoshin has left 63 creditors with claims totaling ¥115.16 billion, according to Tokyo Shoko Research.
Japan’s largest exhibition of women photographers rights a wrong in cultural history
Miwa Yanagi’s “Elevator Girl House” series skewers the superficiality of gender roles through staged images.
Over 70% of accommodations in Japan say they are understaffed amid tourism influx
The number of foreign visitors to Japan reached a high of 42.68 million in 2025.
‘Princess Mononoke’ comes alive in Super Kabuki staging
The “Princess Mononoke” adaptation was created under Shochiku’s Super Kabuki initiative, a modern form of kabuki with more technology in staging and open to pop culture collaborations.
The beating heart inside ‘Human Vapor’
Different forms of love and connection form the emotional backbone of Netflix’s “Human Vapor,” says actor Shun Oguri, who plays troubled detective Kenji Okamoto.
Japan bets on character IP to drive global growth
Born on social media platforms in 2022, Opanchu Usagi has become a major hit, especially among Generation Z.

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

Sompo looks beyond insurance to focus on well-being
Sompo looks beyond insurance to focus on well-being

SPECIAL SUPPLEMENTS note

Read more

SUPPLEMENTS BINDER