Society
Tokyo embraces new translation tech ahead of 2025 sports competitions
Venues adopt accessible tablets to bridge language and disability barriers
International relations
China enters Japan waters days after air violation protested
Japan's SDF sends minesweeper and patrol aircraft to monitor the Chinese vessel
Arts
Hayao Miyazaki among five Magsaysay awardees for 2024
Foundation praises animator's gift for making complex issues relatable to kids
.jpg?width=300&fit=cover&gravity=faces&dpr=2&quality=medium&source=nar-cms&format=auto&height=168)
Society
Tokyo's Shibuya cracks down on public drinking as tourist crowds swell
District to impose year-round nighttime ban with patrols targeting unruly behavior
Business deals
Cboe to buy 14.8% of Japannext in prop trading system tie-up
Move expands U.S.-based exchange operator's Japanese presence
U.S. elections 2024
Indo-Pacific leaders race to meet with next U.S. president after election
Diplomatic calendar hints at busy November with G20 and APEC summits
Defense
Japan defense ministry seeks record $58bn budget
Acquiring counterstrike ability pushes up costs, along with inflation and weak yen
Editor-in-Chief’s Picks
Letter from Nikkei Asia's editor: A very special relationship
Shin Nakayama shares his weekly reflections and recommendations
Inflation
Core inflation in Japan's capital rises 2.4% in August
Consumer price data backs case for more BOJ interest rate hikes
Natural disasters
Japanese typhoon weakens but train and flight disruptions continue
Shinkansen service between Nagoya and Shin-Osaka resumes; Tokyo-Nagoya still suspended
Property
Singapore's GIC acquires logistics facility in Japan for $400m
Sovereign wealth fund expands local real estate assets amid e-commerce demand
Business Spotlight
With 7-Eleven on buyout menu, Japanese owner Seven & i reaches crossroads
Couche-Tard targets food business, U.S. market; regulatory, antitrust issues weigh
Sports
ASICS to end sales of baseball gloves and bats in shift to running shoes
Once partner to Ichiro and Shohei Ohtani calls time on low-margin, Japan-focused goods
Food & Beverage
Japan's Yoshinoya puts ostrich on the menu and in skin care line
Restaurant chain eyes hedge against food shortages as mainstay beef prices soar
Politics
Japan interest rates, defense buildup push budget requests above $800bn
Record spending could go even higher on wage, inflation measures
Finanzbranche
Japan's MUFG Bank to enter electricity futures market in October
Key lender to invest in risk management startup to assist new players
Energy
Japan's TEPCO to invest $3.2bn in power grid to meet AI demand
Electric utilities build more substations as data centers, chip plants drive consumption
Telecommunication
NTT and Chunghwa Telecom launch all-optical link between Japan, Taiwan
First international connection using the Japanese company's next-gen tech
Finanzbranche
Japanese banks' lending rates rise for 7th straight month
Trend seen expanding from floating-rate loans to mortgages and other debt
Einzelhandel
Japan's Mercari app expands crossborder shipping to Taiwan
Move comes as China's Temu, Shein lead direct-to-consumer business
Natural disasters
Toyota extends production halt as strong typhoon pounds southern Japan
Other manufacturers follow suit as Typhoon Shanshan causes damage and injuries
Business deals
Nippon Steel outlines upgrades to two U.S. Steel mills amid buyout opposition
Japanese giant proposes extending operations for decades with $1.3 billion investment
Taiwan tensions
Taiwan tensions spur Okinawa businesses to make contingency plans
Execs send proposals to local government as security becomes higher priority
Unternehmen
Japan Inc. sells record $25bn in cross-held shares, led by Toyota
Governance trend reduces buffer against takeover bids and activist investors
Materials
Shin-Etsu beats Apple's operating margin with commodity-grade PVC
Japan chemical maker's drive to keep operation efficient honed over decades