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July 24, 2026
 

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Juliana Liu
A sign announces that a Starbucks coffee shop in Seoul is closing early for the day so staff can attend historical and social awareness training following the ¡°Tank Day¡± marketing fiasco.
COMMENTARY / World
Jun 29, 2026
Starbucks Korea marketing debacle is far from over
Last month¡¯s debacle, broadly perceived as mocking the victims of a brutal military crackdown, was not caused by front-of-house staff.
The J-20S (right) and J-35A stealth fighter jets are exhibited at the China International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition in Zhuhai, China, in November 2024.
COMMENTARY / World
Jun 22, 2026
In selling arms, China is still no superpower
In fact, China¡¯s strategy of avoiding military entanglements and binding security commitments is one of the reasons why it struggles to break through in the export market.
Boeing¡¯s new jet deal with China ends a nine-year sales drought, but the smaller-than-expected order underscores how geopolitical tensions and rising competition have weakened its position in the important aviation market.
COMMENTARY / World
May 19, 2026
Boeing deal won¡¯t end its China troubles
It was a surprise when the confirmed deal was less than half of the 500 that was reportedly in discussion.
Asia¡¯s budget airlines are struggling under soaring jet-fuel costs, facing flight cuts and higher fares, while governments are urged to intervene to prevent failures similar to the collapse of U.S.-based Spirit Airlines.
COMMENTARY / World
May 7, 2026
Asian budget carriers need help to avoid Spirit¡¯s fate
Unlike the region¡¯s flagship carriers, low-cost providers aren¡¯t backed by sovereign wealth funds.
Toyota¡¯s clash with activist investor Elliot Investment Management shows that even Japan¡¯s most powerful conglomerates must respect minority shareholders.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Mar 5, 2026
A win ¡ª and a lesson ¡ª from Toyota¡¯s Elliott deal
On the face of it, the dispute between Toyota and activist investor Elliot Investment Management ended amicably with an agreement that gave each side what it wanted.
BTS¡¯s comeback has been overshadowed by romance rumors, exposing the clash between K-pop¡¯s obsessive superfan culture and the artists¡¯ right to love freely as the industry expands globally.
COMMENTARY / World
Jan 16, 2026
K-pop stars should be allowed to love
The controversy that has fired up a small but vocal fandom centers on whether two of the industry¡¯s biggest stars, Jungkook of BTS and Winter of aespa, are in a relationship.
A ship is under construction at a Hyundai Heavy Industries' dry dock in Ulsan, South Korea, in July 2015. Partnering with South Korean companies would be cost effective for the U.S. Navy because their high-capacity shipyards can build ships at about half the U.S. cost.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Dec 16, 2025
South Korea is the answer to America¡¯s naval problem
The stakes are clear: The U.S. has a battle force of around 290, while China has a 400-strong fleet, according to U.S. estimates.
For decades, only three countries ¡ª the U.S., U.K. and Sweden ¡ª consistently exported more music than they imported, and South Korea has now joined them as the fourth.
COMMENTARY
Dec 2, 2025
The K in K-Pop is already silent. And that¡¯s OK.
In terms of music consumption, K-Pop is already on that path. Audience data shows that there are now far more fans outside South Korea than at home.
The U.S. and the world face a growing security risk due to heavy dependence on China for key pharmaceutical ingredients, prompting calls to diversify supply chains to reduce geopolitical vulnerabilities.
COMMENTARY / World
Nov 30, 2025
China holds all the cards in global pharmaceuticals
China is the exclusive supplier of at least one chemical used in nearly 700 crucial medicines.
Akio Toyoda, chairman of Toyota Motor, speaks during a media preview at the Japan Mobility Show in Tokyo on Oct. 29. Minority investors are challenging the carmaker's bid to take affiliate Toyota Industries Corp. private.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Nov 5, 2025
The Toyota buyout is a major test for Japan¡¯s reforms
A letter signed by two dozen investors addressed ¡°widespread concern¡± about the plan to buy out Toyota Industries Corp., also known as TICO.
Shenzhen International Airport. Chinese job seekers, worried about competition in tech fields, are upset about the new K visa, which allows foreign talent to work in China.
COMMENTARY / World
Oct 15, 2025
China¡¯s visa uproar is part of a DeepSeek illusion
Some of the resulting backlash on Chinese social media against the new K visa has been downright xenophobic and even racist.
Brooklyn Nets' Cam Thomas dribbles past Phoenix Suns' Oso Ighodaro during the NBA pre-season basketball game at the Venetian Arena in Macau on Sunday.
COMMENTARY / World
Oct 14, 2025
The NBA¡¯s return to China is no slam dunk
From a commercial point of view, re-engaging with its second-biggest market is an obvious move.
A protester displays a poster featuring U.S. President Donald Trump at Incheon Airport on Sept. 12 after South Korean workers detained in a U.S. immigration raid at a Hyundai-LG plant in Georgia returned home.
COMMENTARY / World
Oct 9, 2025
South Korea should turn the U.S. ICE raid into trade leverage
U.S. officials sought to justify the operation by saying the 300 South Koreans arrested were working illegally. But that logic now appears to be on shaky ground.
Jack Ma¡¯s return to Alibaba gives him a chance to boost the pay and benefits of delivery people, a move that would align with Beijing¡¯s economic goals and help the company navigate regulatory and competitive pressures.
COMMENTARY / World
Sep 25, 2025
Welcome back Jack Ma. Don¡¯t forget the little guys.
Alibaba¡¯s Ele.me stands to benefit from improving the pay and welfare of its hardworking delivery drivers.
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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