The agreement on an unusually early start of defense cost-sharing talks between South Korea and the U.S. reflects concerns in Seoul over the possibility of Donald Trump becoming president again. japantimes.co.jp/news/2024/03/1…

The Liberal Democratic Party has unveiled its blueprint for political reform, pledging to review current legislation on the handling of political funds and toughening penalties for lawmakers involved in wrongdoing. japantimes.co.jp/news/2024/04/2…

The cherry blossoms are falling, so it’s as great a time as ever to take your drinking indoors at some of Tokyo’s most eclectic watering holes that excel at craft beer. japantimes.co.jp/life/2024/04/2…

Commentary: There are other hidden humanitarian emergencies and dire crises beyond Ukraine that demand global attention. japantimes.co.jp/commentary/202…

When Secretary of State Antony Blinken sets off on his second trip to China in less than a year, the top U.S diplomat will have his work cut out for him as he tries to deliver a message of both cooperation and competition. japantimes.co.jp/news/2024/04/2…

Tokyo and Saitama police have detained six people on suspicion of smuggling ¥945 million ($6.1 million) worth of stimulants for profit by concealing the drugs inside a conveyor belt roller. japantimes.co.jp/news/2024/04/2…

Tokyo police on Tuesday turned over to prosecutors a 41-year-old man who was arrested on suspicion of assaulting a staff member of Lower House by-election candidate Hirotada Ototake during a campaign speech. japantimes.co.jp/news/2024/04/2…

Commentary: The extremely close relationship between civil technology and military technology is coming under scrutiny, as Starlink highlights the economic security challenges facing democracies. japantimes.co.jp/commentary/202…

After weeks of legislative back and forth, the U.K. prime minister's plan to deport asylum-seekers to Rwanda has cleared its last hurdles to becoming law. japantimes.co.jp/news/2024/04/2…

Commentary: Sicily mafia infiltration is extending beyond violence, manifesting in subtle economic coercion and sophisticated tax evasion schemes. japantimes.co.jp/commentary/202…

A growing reverse migration of workers to remote regions comes amid an economic downturn in China’s megacities, and is transforming so-called lower-tier cities as restaurants and stores cater to returnees and locals with disposable income. japantimes.co.jp/news/2024/04/2…

Hundreds of Ukrainian businesses making weapons and military equipment have sprung up since Russia's full-scale invasion, but some are struggling to fund production and all are concerned about being targeted in intensifying Russian missile strikes. japantimes.co.jp/business/2024/…

Remote working in Japan has declined with the end of the COVID-19 pandemic, but hybrid work has taken root among many who adopted it, according to a survey. japantimes.co.jp/business/2024/…

About 70% of companies in Japan will implement pay scale increases in fiscal 2024, a survey by the Finance Ministry showed. However, the survey also revealed that about 40% of firms still faced labor shortages despite raising wages. japantimes.co.jp/business/2024/…

This year’s installment of the photography festival highlights underrepresented groups from around the world — while avoiding anything too challenging. japantimes.co.jp/culture/2024/0…

The Bank of Japan is widely expected to leave its benchmark interest rate unchanged Friday, with investors focusing on any hints of a less dovish tilt as the yen trades around a 34-year low. japantimes.co.jp/business/2024/…

The MSDF has sent an ocean observation ship to trawl the seafloor for the remains of two helicopters that were thought to have collided over waters hundreds of kilometers south of Tokyo, and the U.S. military is also set to join the search effort. japantimes.co.jp/news/2024/04/2…

The government decided an additional spending of ¥138.9 billion from its reserve funds under its fiscal 2024 budget to support areas hit by the Jan. 1 Noto Peninsula earthquake. japantimes.co.jp/news/2024/04/2…

The world’s financial markets are encountering a force they didn’t bet on for 2024: A strong dollar is back and looks set to stay. japantimes.co.jp/business/2024/…

Under the new system, which will remain until Oct. 23 for this year, an alert will be issued for prefectures when unprecedented, dangerous heat could cause serious damage to human health. japantimes.co.jp/news/2024/04/2…