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June 30, 2026
 

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CARMAKERS

CEO Toshihiro Mibe broke with Honda’s long history as an internal combustion engine whiz in an effort to reinvent the company as an electric motor powerhouse by 2040, but his vision of initially achieving 40% EV sales by 2030 is now in tatters.
BUSINESS / ANALYSIS
Mar 16, 2026
Honda’s car troubles began long before its disastrous bet on EVs
The carmaker invested too much and too late into a short-lived electric-vehicle boom, and now finds itself saddled with an aging line-up and questions about its future.
Honda will cancel the development and launch of three electric vehicle models that had been planned for North America.
BUSINESS / Companies
Mar 12, 2026
Honda warns of ¥2.5 trillion charge on global EV downturn
The carmaker said Thursday that it would cancel the development and launch of three EV models that had been planned for North America.
Nissan agreed to raise monthly salaries by ¥10,000, including pay scale increases, and to provide bonuses equivalent to five months' salary this year.
BUSINESS
Mar 11, 2026
Nissan accepts union’s wage hike demand in full
The struggling Japanese automaker agreed to raise monthly salaries by ¥10,000, including pay scale increases, and to provide bonuses equivalent to five months’ salary this year.
George Leondis will succeed Jeremie Papin as Nissan's finance chief from April 1.
BUSINESS / Companies
Mar 11, 2026
Nissan replaces CFO as carmaker struggles with turnaround
The personnel change comes as pressure is mounting on the carmaker to refresh an aging lineup in order to reignite demand.
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.
Honda’s Acura Integra Type S is one of the two U.S.-built models to be sold in Japan.
BUSINESS / Companies
Mar 5, 2026
Honda to boost Japan lineup by importing cars from the U.S. and China
Honda said it’s taking advantage of a simplified certification system in the wake of U.S. President Donald Trump’s push to sell more American cars in Japan.
Toyota’s clash with activist investor Elliot Investment Management shows that even Japan’s most powerful conglomerates must respect minority shareholders.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Mar 5, 2026
A win — and a lesson — from Toyota’s Elliott deal
On the face of it, the dispute between Toyota and activist investor Elliot Investment Management ended amicably with an agreement that gave each side what it wanted.
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.
Toyota Motor's new e-Palette electric vehicle, designed for self-driving, is unveiled during an event in Tokyo in January.
BUSINESS / Companies
Mar 2, 2026
Toyota and Docomo among firms tapping self-driving to ease local transport woes
Amid a nationwide shortage of drivers, broad adoption of autonomous driving will rest on establishing strong safety measures and cutting costs.
Mazda Motor has fully met union demands by offering pay-scale and regular pay increases of ¥19,000 in total a month.
BUSINESS
Feb 26, 2026
Mazda, Mitsubishi and Yamaha fully meet union wage hike demands
The companies are apparently aiming to maintain pay hike momentum amid the tough business environment caused by U.S. tariffs.
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.
Christian Meunier, Nissan’s chairman for the Americas, says the company has no plans to form partnerships with Chinese firms in the region.
BUSINESS / Companies
Feb 19, 2026
Nissan Americas head embraces threat from Chinese car brands
Christian Meunier, Nissan’s chairman for the Americas, says the competition will only make the industry stronger and benefit the car-buying public.
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.
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.
Oliver Hilburger, founder of the self-styled union Zentrum, hands out flyers before the early morning shift at the Mercedes car plant in Stuttgart on Feb. 11. His group is affiliated with the far-right Alternative for Germany party and is aiming to challenge mainstream unions.
WORLD / Politics
Feb 16, 2026
Germany’s far right woos unhappy auto workers
Far-right political forces, including the Alternative for Germany party, are hoping to harness anxieties among the struggling auto industry’s workers to gain influence and support.
A Joby Aviation pre-production prototype electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft at the company's production facility in Marina, California, in February
BUSINESS
Feb 15, 2026
Toyota gears up for bigger role at air taxi maker Joby
The Japanese automaker has a team of almost 200 employees working to supply critical parts, training tips and assembly line know-how.
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.
Nissan intends to reduce the number of its vehicle production plants from 17 to 10 by March 2028, and is targeting 20,000 job cuts worldwide by that date.
BUSINESS
Feb 12, 2026
Struggling Nissan forecasts $4.2 billion full-year net loss
The company sharply lowered the forecast for its annual operating loss to ¥60 billion, citing the acceleration of its restructuring measures.
Mercedes-Benz cars at a Panavto dealership in Moscow on Dec. 19. A Russian car dealer has said that most foreign cars sold in the country are imported through China regardless of where they are built.
BUSINESS / Economy
Feb 12, 2026
Thousands of foreign cars sold to Russia through China, circumventing sanctions
Automakers from regions imposing sanctions say they prohibit sales to Russia and that the trade happens against their will.
Toyota's new EV model of the Highlander, a large SUV, is scheduled for release in the North American market in late 2026.
BUSINESS / Companies
Feb 12, 2026
Toyota to begin sales of first U.S.-made EV
A new EV model of the Highlander, a large SUV, is scheduled for release in the North American market in late 2026.
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

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