51³Ô¹ÏÍø

author

 
Menu
Search
 
July 24, 2026
 

Home Delivery
Subscribe for more access

Meta

Christoph Steitz
A cotton farm worker in the Xinjiang region of China. Trade and human rights experts said U.S. President Donald Trump's new tariff threats would do little to solve widespread issues of abusive employment practices in the global supply chain.
WORLD / Politics / ANALYSIS
Jun 6, 2026
Trump¡¯s latest tariff salvo no fix for global issue of forced labor
Experts, business groups and some human rights groups say the move could actually make things worse.
Solar panels are seen on the roof of a home in Ronda, Spain, in February last year.
WORLD / ANALYSIS
Apr 24, 2026
51³Ô¹ÏÍø revives European rooftop solar demand to cut energy bills
The conflict has pushed oil, gas and electricity prices sharply higher, hitting companies and households alike.
A staff member works in the lab of Hobum Oleochemicals, a manufacturer that develops sustainable chemical raw materials derived from renewable plant oils, in Hamburg, Germany, on Aug. 25.
BUSINESS / Markets
Sep 4, 2025
Trump¡¯s tariffs threaten to choke European chemicals recovery
The sector has been grappling in recent years with high production costs after gas and power prices soared following Russia¡¯s invasion of Ukraine.
Swarm Biotactics' cyborg cockroaches are equipped with specialized backpacks that enable real-time data collection via cameras.
WORLD
Jul 24, 2025
Spy cockroaches and AI robots: Germany plots the future of warfare
A wave of German defense startups is developing cutting-edge technology, from tank-like robots and unmanned mini-submarines to battle-ready cyborg cockroaches.
A worker produces a turbine engine component at PBS Group, in Velka Bites, Czech Republic, on May 6.
BUSINESS / Companies
May 28, 2025
Booming business has Europe¡¯s defense companies scrambling for workers
Arms makers are hiking wages and benefits, and even poaching from other sectors, as governments ramp up defense spending.
The logo of Rheinmetall is displayed at the Eurosatory international defense and security trade fair in Villepinte, near Paris, in June 2022.
WORLD / Politics
Feb 25, 2025
Rheinmetall to convert German factories to make defense equipment
The move by Europe¡¯s top ammunition maker to repurpose two automotive plants highlights the impact of an expected surge in spending in the region.
Volkswagen Chief Executive Officer Oliver Blume speaks at a Volkswagen media event in Beijing on April 24.
BUSINESS / Companies
Sep 4, 2024
From peace-maker to taboo-breaker, VW boss Blume takes on the unions
Volkswagen disclosed it was not only planning to scrap a 30-year old job security plan, but weighing the closure of plants in Germany.
Japan Times
WORLD
Jun 16, 2023
Cyberattacks on renewables: Europe power sector¡¯s dread in chaos of war
The digitalized, interconnected technology of the thousands of renewable assets across Europe presented major vulnerabilities to infiltration.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Dec 16, 2022
Germany¡¯s big-spending energy bailouts may not be enough
Europe¡¯s pre-eminent economy, long a byword for prudent planning, now finds itself at the mercy of the weather.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Sep 30, 2022
Energy crisis sires new European order: a strong Italy and ailing Germany
Germany has been caught wholly unprepared and is on the brink of recession, as its industry is preparing for gas and power rationing and as it has just nationalized a major utility.
Japan Times
WORLD / ANALYSIS
May 20, 2022
Fearing Russian cutoff, German industry braces for gas rations race
Discussions on possible rationing have gathered urgency after Russia halted gas supplies to Bulgaria and Poland last month.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Apr 20, 2022
As Germany joins LNG import race, a long and crowded track awaits
Two planned terminals could re-gasify enough LNG to meet about a third of the supply Germany now receives by pipeline from Russia, but Berlin also needs to secure supply in a tight market.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / FOCUS
Nov 18, 2021
With Tesla in its sights, Volkswagen prepares to power up its own EV-charging grid
The automaker expects its fast-chargers to number about 45,000 by 2025, and is doubling the staff in its energy division to do it.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / FOCUS
May 9, 2021
How low can you go? Volkswagen throws down the emissions gauntlet
The German carmaker is betting it can absorb more stringent cuts than its rivals, sources familiar with the matter have said.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Mar 16, 2021
Volkswagen takes aim at Tesla with own European gigafactories
The world¡¯s No. 2 carmaker said on Monday it wants to have six battery cell factories operating in Europe by 2030.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Tech
Jan 25, 2018
Plug wars: leading the charge in the battle for electric car supremacy
German carmakers hope a network of high-power charging stations they are rolling out with Ford will set an industry standard for plugs and protocols that will give them an edge over rival makers of electric vehicles.
Japan scientists identify clusters of protein believed to trigger Alzheimer¡¯s disease
A team of researchers said they found a ¡°seed¡± that accelerates the amyloid beta accumulation process in the brain, naming it ¡°Peak 1 amyloid beta,¡± as seen in a mouse's brain.
Indian brothers make manga debut in Japan
Two Indian brothers made their manga debut in Japan with "Kung Fu Kung Fool" ¡ª an action-comedy series that follows the adventures of a notorious thief and a young boy.
Low-income families in Japan cut food and air conditioning during summer break
Yumiko Watanabe, the chairperson of nonprofit Kidsdoor, explains the results of a survey in Tokyo's Chiyoda Ward on July 1.
Iran strikes on CIA facilities prompt questions about possible Russian role
Iranian drones are displayed in an undisclosed location in Iran, in this handout image obtained on Jan. 13, 2025.U.S. officials have acknowledged that Russia has ?provided targeting ?and other support for Iran in its drone strikes on U.S. targets in the Persian Gulf region.
Intervention is the word after yen moves beyond ?163 and sits there
The government could prop up the yen at any moment, though its signaling is hard to read.
Can Japanese comedy get laughs in English? Yoshimoto Kogyo lets the jokes rip
Wes-P has millions of followers and his viral clips made him recognizable out of Japan.
The 180-day locals: Life on Japan¡¯s digital nomad visa
Christopher Flinn works remotely from Tokyo earlier this month. Japan issued 646 digital nomad visas in 2025, but tourism officials are hoping to increase that figure in the coming years, with Japan's relatively cheap cost of living and the weak yen seen as potential draws for young professionals.
Japan reveals hint of new defense spending target in fiscal blueprint
The Self-Defense Forces' Type 16 mobile combat vehicle fires during a joint live-fire drill with U.S. Marines as part of the annual Resolute Dragon exercises in Yufu, Oita Prefecture, on June 28.
Summer has arrived in Japan and so have hot sleepless nights
Amid the heat and humidity in Japan, a good night¡¯s sleep is growing increasingly elusive without the heavy use of air conditioning.
Maya Ongaku¡¯s DIY dream is getting bigger
The members of Maya Ongaku ¡ª (from left) Tsutomu Sonoda, Shoei Ikeda and Ryota Takano ¡ª grew up on the Shonan Coast south of Tokyo and have been friends since their school days.

Podcast

One of the many entrances to the Kabukicho neighborhood in Tokyo¡¯s Shinjuku Ward.
Kabukicho: Tokyo¡¯s ¡®stadium of desire¡¯

Longform

For many people, utility poles and power lines have become such a familiar part of Japan¡¯s landscape that they often go unnoticed.
Why Japan¡¯s utility poles won¡¯t be disappearing anytime soon
By Alex K.T. Martin

SUSTAINABLE 51³Ô¹ÏÍø

SPECIAL SUPPLEMENTS note

SUPPLEMENTS BINDER