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July 24, 2026
 

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Javier Blas
Most traders and analysts expect the Strait of Hormuz to reopen relatively soon because the economic consequences of a prolonged closure would be too severe.
COMMENTARY / World
Jun 1, 2026
What if the Strait of Hormuz didn¡¯t reopen?
History doesn¡¯t repeat, but it rhymes. So what if something similar were to happen in the Strait of Hormuz? It¡¯s a nightmare few contemplate.
A tanker unloads crude oil in Qingdao, in China's eastern Shandong province, on April 7. The divided oil market is showing high costs now but lower prices later.
COMMENTARY / World
Apr 21, 2026
So what is the real oil price right now?
Be wary of anyone saying one particular oil-price gauge matters more than the others.
This aerial view shows the oil tanker Boracaya, suspected of being part of the ¡°shadow fleet¡± involved in Russian oil trade, under investigation by French authorities off the coast of Saint-Nazaire in October.
COMMENTARY / World
Feb 17, 2026
The black market for Russian and Iranian oil is in trouble
China¡¯s choices will determine whether prices rise or fall and whether Moscow and Tehran cut production.
Modern farming and government support have dramatically increased crop productivity, especially in rice, helping the world avoid food shortages despite climate challenge and opposition to technology like GMOs.
COMMENTARY / World
Nov 6, 2025
Rice can feed the world ¡ª even with fewer farmers
The world¡¯s most important crop for food security recently reached its lowest price in 18 years.
A crude oil tanker berths at an oil terminal, off Waidiao Island in Zhoushan, China. The country¡¯s large-scale oil stockpiling is driven by cheap prices, expanded storage, new legal mandates, energy security worries and efforts to diversify away from U.S. assets.
COMMENTARY / World
Sep 21, 2025
Why is China stockpiling so much oil?
In problem-solving, the principle of Occam¡¯s razor recommends searching for the simplest explanation. So perhaps the answer is as straightforward as ¡°because it¡¯s cheap.¡±
Oil prices are currently low, but a potential recovery around 2027-2029 is expected as demand growth slows and reduced investment in non-OPEC production tightens supply.
COMMENTARY / World
Aug 10, 2025
The bullish case for oil is real ¡ª but far, far away
With oil benchmarks down almost 20% over the last two years, upbeat investors are, out of necessity, waiting.
The rush to electrify everything is reshaping energy, but without addressing demand, grid and supply risks, the green transition may falter.
COMMENTARY / World
May 18, 2025
It¡¯s electricity realism, not climate denialism
Electrifying everything comes with plenty of risks of its own.
The Trump administration, in a desperate bid to cushion trade war inflation, is pushing for cheap oil, but $50-a-barrel will ultimately widen the very trade deficit the U.S. president wants to reduce.
COMMENTARY / World
Apr 13, 2025
$50-a-barrel oil is a problem for the U.S. trade deficit
If oil prices fall to $50, under that scenario, total petroleum production in America will probably decline by 1 million barrels a day by the end of 2025.
A recovery in the olive harvest in Spain and elsewhere is easing the olive oil crisis, but depleted stocks and rising global demand mean prices will likely stay higher than pre-crisis levels.
COMMENTARY / World
Jan 3, 2025
The olive oil crisis is over ¡ª but fears continue to linger
Prices for the golden commodity are set to drop thanks to a bountiful harvest this season. That doesn¡¯t solve all its problems.
Notwithstanding the increase in EV sales, there are now more cars than ever powered by internal-combustion engines.
COMMENTARY / World
May 14, 2024
Nevermind those EVs ¡ª oil demand keeps growing
The oil bulls still have reason to worry: With OPEC+ trying to keep prices as close as possible to $100 a barrel, non-OPEC supply, including from biofuels, keeps surging.
A farmers open cocoa pods in Cote d¡¯Ivoire in October 2018. Many West African farmers make just enough to subsist, with most lacking the means to re-invest in their small plots.
COMMENTARY / World
Mar 13, 2024
The meltdown in chocolate is coming as prices signal supply shortages
It¡¯s worth remembering that cocoa beans traded a year ago for $2,500 and that in 2000 they changed hands at just $650.
Asteroid mining only works in a science-fiction world where metals are thousands of times more expensive than they are today.
COMMENTARY / World
Oct 25, 2023
Commercial asteroid mining has a astronomical cost issue
Asteroid mining only works in a science-fiction world where metals are thousands of times more expensive than they are today.
Peak of fossil fuel consumption may be approaching, but the post-peak period may not lead to a rapid decline, which could impact global efforts to combat climate change.
COMMENTARY
Oct 8, 2023
With fossil fuels, ¡®peak demand¡¯ isn¡¯t what it sounds like
Peak fossil-fuel consumption will be a cause for celebration. But we should remain skeptical it¡¯s as near as the IEA has said, especially for gas.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Jun 6, 2023
Saudi Arabia¡¯s solo oil production cut is a risky strategy
By implementing a unilateral output reduction, Riyadh is hoping to boost crude prices.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Jan 19, 2023
Europe is winning the winter war by sheer luck
Gas supplies are ample even if cold weather returns in force. The bad news is that it means climate change is still happening.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Jan 13, 2023
Even with the electric car boom, the U.S. need for oil is climbing
U.S. consumption of fossil fuels is heading toward records ¡ª even amid the electric-car boom ¡ª and plastics are to blame.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Oct 7, 2022
The Saudi-Russian oil axis snubs the West with production cuts
Coming weeks before the U.S. midterm elections, many also see the move to cut oil production as a personal attack on President Joe Biden.
BUSINESS
Dec 3, 2021
Surprise output hike by OPEC+ follows U.S.-Saudi diplomacy drive
The production boost comes even as the new COVID-19 variant threatens demand, after Washington and Riyadh reached a detente on oil prices.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Dec 2, 2021
OPEC+ faces output decision as omicron puts market in disarray
Despite the darkening outlook of the oil market, the panel forecast an oversupply of 1.9 million barrels a day in the first quarter, down from previous estimates.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
Nov 4, 2021
OPEC+ heads for geopolitical showdown as Biden demands more oil
Bowing to U.S. pressure and opening the taps would keep Saudi Arabia¡¯s closest ally onside, at the expense of the hard-won crude price recovery that has swelled the kingdom¡¯s coffers.
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.
Japan weighs regulating Pokemon cards amid trading mania
A Pokemon event is held in Jakarta on July 11
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.
The sci-fi sensibilities of electronic trio Black Boboi
Black Boboi was formed in 2018 when solo artists Julia Shortreed, Utena Kobayashi and Ermhoi came together under Kobayashi¡¯s newly founded label, Bindividual.
A perfect storm: Kaze Fujii fans flock to Fuji Rock
Okayama-born singer-songwriter Kaze Fujii has carved out a distinctive place in Japanese pop since his major-label debut in 2019.
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.

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

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