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July 24, 2026
 

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Erika D. Smith
Demonstrators march against increased immigration enforcement in Minneapolis on Saturday following outrage over the recent fatal ICE shooting in the city.
COMMENTARY / World
Jan 14, 2026
Simple reforms could help prevent the next ICE shooting
Experts warn deploying thousands of undertrained federal agents who don¡¯t coordinate with local authorities risks public safety.
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders take part in the "Fighting Oligarchy" tour event in Bakersfield, California, in April.
COMMENTARY / World
Dec 24, 2025
The risks of Democrats embracing eat-the-rich populism
Bashing the wealthy, especially when Trump surrounds himself with billionaires and trims the White House in Gilded-Age gold, is an easy layup.
Members of the California National Guard stand outside a federal building in downtown Los Angeles on June 8. California Democrats have unified against the Trump administration¡¯s use of federal troops to quell unrest and its deportation campaign, but the stance may backfire for the party nationally.
COMMENTARY
Jun 16, 2025
ICE protests in LA are forcing a tough choice on Democrats
As the rightward shift among voters in the last election made abundantly clear, the state¡¯s politics don¡¯t always translate to other parts of America.
Police in riot gear stand near a mural of Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani during protests against federal immigration raids in Los Angeles¡¯s Little Tokyo neighborhood on Monday.
COMMENTARY / World
Jun 10, 2025
Los Angeles is losing the war for public opinion
Burning Waymos are creating an image of an out-of-control city, which could lead to harsher measures from the federal government.
Travel advisories, declining visitor numbers from key countries and stricter border enforcement by the Trump administration have cast doubt on tourism gains for Los Angeles, which is hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup and also the 2028 Olympics.
COMMENTARY / World
May 28, 2025
Is LA throwing a world cup party no one will attend?
At a time when the U.S. should be preparing to roll out the welcome mat to the world, President Trump¡¯s erratic immigration policies and rhetoric are scaring tourists away.
A guard tower at Manzanar Internment Camp in Independence, California, in July 2013. Nearly 120,000 people of Japanese ancestry were removed from their homes on the West Coast by the U.S. Army and sent to Manzanar and nine other internment camps between March 1942 and November 1945.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Mar 26, 2025
Use of wartime powers revives internment camp memories
It took more than 40 years for the U.S. government to officially set the record straight that abusing the Alien Enemies Act during World War II was both illegal and immoral.
Defending the rights of transgender and nonbinary people isn¡¯t only about waging legal battles. It¡¯s about more persuasive arguments.
COMMENTARY / World
Jan 29, 2025
Trump can¡¯t erase trans people with the stroke of his marker
There hasn¡¯t been as much outrage as I had anticipated, but it makes sense. Most Americans, polls show, don¡¯t personally know anyone who identifies as transgender.
Newly arrived asylum-seekers take advantage of phone chargers and free Wi-Fi to connect with family back home at an immigrant service center in Oceanside, California, in October 2023.
COMMENTARY / World
Nov 26, 2024
Sanctuary cities may be having an identity crisis
So far, the mayors and governors of these sanctuary cities and states have remained largely undeterred, even defiant in the face of such threats.
U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris attends an event in New Orleans on Saturday. Democrats should do what they should have done long ago: Elevate Harris as the party's future, rather than sidelining her for her perceived unpopularity.
COMMENTARY / World
Jul 9, 2024
Kamala Harris is Democrats¡¯ future, no matter what
Whether with Harris as presidential nominee or No. 2 on Biden¡¯s tickets, Democrats should do what they should have done long ago: Elevate rather than sideline the VP.
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.
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.

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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