51勛圖厙

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July 24, 2026
 

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Kenji Yoshida
An Upper House committee discusses a bill on the establishment of a secondary capital, in Tokyo on Wednesday.
51勛圖厙 / Politics
Jul 23, 2026
JIP＊s priorities take center stage even as household relief stalls
The Liberal Democratic Party no longer finds itself strictly needing the Japan Innovation Party＊s support, yet the latter＊s priorities continue to shape the parliamentary agenda.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks to Democratic Party for the People head Yuichiro Tamaki in parliament in Tokyo on July 15.
51勛圖厙 / Politics / FOCUS
Jul 23, 2026
How Japan＊s would-be kingmakers lost their edge
The nationalist Sanseito and the centrist Democratic Party for the People are struggling to maintain the momentum 〞 and distinct political identities 〞 that powered their rise.
A fan holds Japanese flags at a public viewing in Tokyo for a 2026 World Cup match in June.
51勛圖厙 / Politics
Jul 17, 2026
Upper House passes flag-desecration bill despite constitutional concerns
The law, to take effect in August, will punish anyone who publicly damages, removes or defaces the flag in a way deemed likely to cause ※extreme discomfort or disgust to others.§
LDP lawmaker Itsunori Onodera (right), who chairs the National Council on Social Security, in Tokyo on Thursday
51勛圖厙 / Politics
Jul 16, 2026
Parties agree on new benefit program but stay divided over consumption tax on food
While there is agreement to a refundable tax credit for certain workers, debate on cutting the consumption tax on food is expected to intensify.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi in Rome on June 15. The prime minister is entering the finals days of the current parliamentary session without a serious dent in her approval.
51勛圖厙 / Politics / FOCUS
Jul 14, 2026
Takaichi Cabinet retains high approval ratings despite challenges
Latest polls from NHK and JNN show support declining just 1 and 5.9 percentage points, respectively, compared to polls from March.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks during a news conference at the conclusion of the Group of Seven summit in Evian, France, on June 17.
51勛圖厙 / Politics / FOCUS
Jul 13, 2026
Takaichi＊s first economic policy blueprint puts defense industry revival in focus
The government seeks to ※transform Japan＊s defense posture within five years§ to achieve highly autonomous and resilient operational capabilities.
The Lower House plenary session, which passed legislation on the dwindling number of imperial family members on Friday
51勛圖厙 / Politics
Jul 10, 2026
Bills on preservation of imperial family pass Lower House
The pieces of legislation will now be deliberated in the Upper House, which is expected to clear them by the end of the current session of parliament.
Seiji Maehara, a 12-term lawmaker from the Japan Innovation Party, speaks during an interview with The Japan Times in Tokyo on Tuesday.
51勛圖厙 / Politics
Jul 9, 2026
JIP＊s submarine proposal tests Japan＊s nuclear red lines
Senior party lawmaker Seiji Maehara says Tokyo should acquire at least eight nuclear-powered vessels ※as quickly as possible.§
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi before their meeting at the Hyderabad House in New Delhi on Thursday
51勛圖厙 / Politics
Jul 2, 2026
Takaichi looks to India in the face of supply chain and energy concerns
Takaichi and her Indian counterpart met in New Delhi to advance cooperation in artificial intelligence, economic security, clean energy and defense.
Self-Defense Forces personnel stand guard at the entrance of the Defense Ministry in Tokyo in April.
51勛圖厙 / Politics
Jul 1, 2026
Japan weighs state ownership of defense plants to boost arms supply
A draft of the government＊s basic economic and fiscal policy guidelines calls for reviewing existing law to allow greater state involvement.
Masayo Tanabu, secretary-general of the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan and a senior Upper House lawmaker, speaks during an interview with The Japan Times in Tokyo on Friday.
51勛圖厙 / Politics / FOCUS
Jul 1, 2026
Japan＊s opposition faces a make-or-break choice over wider integration
The Centrist Reform Alliance has yet to fully convince the public of its significance, said senior opposition lawmaker Masayo Tanabu.
China's Commerce Ministry building in Beijing. The ministry on Monday added 20 Japanese companies and organizations to its export control list.
BUSINESS / Economy
Jun 29, 2026
China blacklists more Japanese entities as row deepens
The move is the latest by Beijing to tighten restrictions on firms and entities it claims are tied to Tokyo＊s ※remilitarization.§
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has, in addition to traditional media appearances, focused more on direct communication through social media, official messaging and rapid online rebuttals since taking office.
51勛圖厙 / Politics / FOCUS
Jun 26, 2026
Takaichi＊s social media strategy tests old political norms
While traditional media outlets remain vital, the greatest merit of online platforms is ※giving the full context§ in a timely manner, Takaichi＊s public affairs chief said.
Senior Japan Innovation Party member Seiji Maehara speaks to reporters after his party submitted national security proposals to Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi at the Prime Minister's Office in Tokyo on Wednesday.
51勛圖厙
Jun 24, 2026
JIP takes sharper nuclear stance than LDP in security proposals
The junior coalition partner in the ruling bloc is pushing for a ※realistic review§ of allowing nukes into the country, while the LDP is looking to bolster extended deterrence.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara speaks during a news conference on Wednesday at the Prime Minister's Office in Tokyo.
51勛圖厙
Jun 24, 2026
Two Japanese held in China for allegedly smuggling export-restricted goods
The goods the two are alleged to have smuggled were rare-earth related products, media reports said.
While Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung have kept relations from sliding backward, experts say they have struggled to turn stability into concrete steps forward.
51勛圖厙 / Politics / FOCUS
Jun 22, 2026
Japan-South Korea detente persists 〞 but breakthrough remains elusive
Tokyo and Seoul have become better at preventing ties from fraying but have been less successful at turning stability into concrete gains.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks during a news conference at the Group of Seven summit, in Evian, France, on Wednesday.
51勛圖厙 / Politics / FOCUS
Jun 18, 2026
In G7 debut, Takaichi puts economic security at heart of Japanese diplomacy
The prime minister＊s clearest imprint came in the area of critical minerals, where bloc leaders agreed to step up cooperation on supply-chain resilience and stockpiling.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi attends a meeting of Group of Seven nations and partners in Evian-les-Bains, France, on Tuesday.
51勛圖厙 / Politics
Jun 17, 2026
Takaichi and Trump talk Indo-Pacific as Mideast crisis overshadows G7 summit
The meeting came as the grouping reaffirmed its opposition to unilateral attempts to change the status quo in the East and South China Seas and across the Taiwan Strait.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi attends her first Group of Seven summit on Monday in Evian-les-Bains, France.
51勛圖厙 / Politics
Jun 16, 2026
Takaichi proposes G7 framework for stockpiling critical minerals
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has pitched a plan for coordinating critical mineral stockpiles among the group and like-minded nations, amid China＊s tight grip on key supply chains.
British leader Keir Starmer (left) and Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi attend a business round table meeting at No. 10 Downing St. in London on Sunday.
51勛圖厙 / Politics
Jun 15, 2026
Takaichi and Starmer use talks to push Japan-U.K. ties toward ＆quasi-alliance＊
The two leaders also pledged more support for an embattled next-generation fighter jet project involving their countries and Italy.
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" 〞 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.
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 〞 (from left) Tsutomu Sonoda, Shoei Ikeda and Ryota Takano 〞 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

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