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July 24, 2026
 

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Stephen Stapczynski
A farmer harvests oil palm fruit at a plantation in Indonesia¡¯s Central Kalimantan province last July.
BUSINESS
Jun 5, 2026
Indonesia¡¯s radical export plan takes effect as doubts swirl
Indonesia is facing severe investor pressure as questions have grown around governance and its economic outlook under President Prabowo Subianto.
A ship suspected of belonging to Russia's "shadow fleet," which was boarded by the Swedish coast guard outside Trelleborg, southern Sweden, on May 3
WORLD
May 18, 2026
Russia expands LNG dark fleet with four tankers to boost exports
The developments mean that there are now at least 20 tankers being used to ferry LNG from sanctioned Russian projects, according to tracking data.
The 30-day moving average for coal generation across Japan¡¯s main islands was up 17% on Tuesday compared with the same period last year, and has been consistently higher since late March.
BUSINESS
May 13, 2026
Japan¡¯s coal power generation climbs as war makes LNG more expensive
The 30-day moving average for coal generation across Japan¡¯s main islands was up 17% on Tuesday compared with the same period last year.
JERA, Japan¡¯s largest utility, will purchase around 3 million tons of liquefied natural gas per year from QatarEnergy beginning in 2028, according to an announcement in Doha on Tuesday.
BUSINESS / Companies
Feb 4, 2026
Qatar strikes 27-year deal with Jera to supply LNG
Jera will purchase about 3 million tons of LNG per year from QatarEnergy starting in 2028.
The Kashiwazaki Kariwa nuclear power station in Niigata Prefecture
51³Ô¹ÏÍø
Nov 11, 2025
Niigata governor¡¯s visit to nuclear reactor raises restart hopes
Hideyo Hanazumi is scheduled to visit Tokyo Electric Power Co.¡¯s Kashiwazaki Kariwa Nuclear Power Plant and an associated training facility on Friday.
Warren Buffett first revealed stakes in Japan¡¯s top five trading houses, also known as "s¨­g¨­ sh¨­sha," in 2020.
BUSINESS
Sep 22, 2025
Buffett raises Mitsui stake in bet on Japan¡¯s trading houses
The U.S. investor increased its holdings in Mitsui to more than 10% on a voting-rights basis, and may consider expanding its stake even further.
Orix shares gained as much as 3.6% in Tokyo on Monday, their biggest intraday gain since April 10.
BUSINESS
Jun 30, 2025
Orix to sell $1.3 billion stake in Greenko to founders
Tokyo-based Orix agreed to transfer a 17.5% holding in Greenko, out of its total ownership of 20%, to AM Green Power.
Workers build a scaffolding platform during construction at the Yamal LNG plant, operated by Novatek, in Sabetta, Russia, in August 2018.
BUSINESS
Jun 29, 2025
Russia tries again to expand LNG exports upended by sanctions
Since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, Russian gas pipeline exports to Europe have dwindled, and shipping more fuel via seaborne LNG tankers provides an attractive revenue stream.
Tokyo Gas is in talks with at least four U.S. liquefied natural gas suppliers to secure a purchase deal, according to sources.
BUSINESS / Companies
Jun 26, 2025
Tokyo gas in talks to seal long-term U.S. LNG purchase deals
Japan¡¯s largest gas distributor is in talks with at least four companies over supply from projects dotting the U.S. Gulf Coast, according to sources.
Japan sees liquefied natural gas as vital to energy security.
BUSINESS / Companies
Jun 20, 2025
Japan seeks gas past 2050, with AI and data centers set to lift demand
The government expects a boom in artificial intelligence, data centers and semiconductor chip-making factories to revive power demand.
Masayuki Omoto, Marubeni president and CEO, in Tokyo on Tuesday. Omoto has affirmed the Japanese trading house¡¯s commitment to a long-term partnership with Berkshire Hathaway, echoing sentiments recently expressed by the U.S. investment firm.
BUSINESS / Companies
May 13, 2025
Marubeni aligned with Berkshire Hathaway on long-term value, says top exec
Berkshire has steadily increased its stakes in Japan¡¯s five largest trading houses, with Chairperson Warren Buffett signaling in February that he plans to boost holdings further.
The Tomari nuclear power plant in Tomari, Hokkaido, in March 2024
51³Ô¹ÏÍø
Apr 30, 2025
Japan approves restart of nuclear reactor for first time in four years
The Nuclear Regulation Authority approved a preliminary report saying Hokkaido Electric Power¡¯s Tomari No. 3 reactor meets post-Fukushima safety rules.
Xiaobaodang Coal Mine, in Shaanxi province, China, in 2023. China, which mines and burns half the world¡¯s coal, is facing swelling inventories of the fuel.
BUSINESS / Markets
Mar 3, 2025
Coal¡¯s four-year lows hide a coming global supply squeeze
Demand for the fuel continues to rise in India and China, outpacing breakneck rates of expansion in solar and wind.
Warren Buffett's plans to increase holdings in Japanese trading houses are seen as a stamp of approval for the undervalued sector.
BUSINESS / Markets
Feb 25, 2025
Buffett¡¯s fervor for Japan trading firms sparks share rally
Buffett praised Japan¡¯s trading firms for increasing dividends when appropriate and for being less aggressive in their executive pay than U.S. counterparts.
Government officials and energy executives from countries such as India, Kuwait and Japan have been holding talks about procuring more U.S. gas, according to people with knowledge of the matter.
BUSINESS / Economy
Feb 1, 2025
From India to Japan, specter of Trump tariffs spurs interest in U.S. gas
Trump¡¯s tactics, however, are pushing away some other buyers, like those in China, the world¡¯s top importer.
A worker inspects the outdoor gas pipes at the underground gas storage facility operated by Gas Storage in Haje, Czech Republic, on Jan. 3.
ENVIRONMENT / Energy
Jan 13, 2025
Europe threatens to trigger a global scramble for natural gas
For the first time since the energy crisis was turbocharged by Russia¡¯s war in Ukraine, Europe risks failing to meet its storage targets for next winter.
A Nippon Steel blast furnace building in Kashima, Ibaraki Prefecture, on Dec. 6
BUSINESS / Companies
Dec 14, 2024
Nippon Steel¡¯s plan B now in focus as $14 billion U.S. deal falters
The bid for the once-fabled American company ran into a maelstrom of political opposition in the U.S. in the run-up to the presidential election.
Bulk carriers float offshore from Singapore, on Feb. 19.
WORLD
Sep 19, 2024
The shadow fleet transporting sanctioned gas for Russia
In the short term it could provide some wartime profit, but Moscow¡¯s ultimate goal is to triple LNG exports by 2030.
The No. 1 reactor building stands at Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Co.'s Shin-Kori nuclear power plant in Ulsan, South Korea.
BUSINESS
Jul 21, 2024
South Korea edges ahead of rivals to build Europe¡¯s nuclear reactors
A pair of projects in the Czech Republic could set up South Korea to build reactors for Western countries that are reconsidering nuclear energy.
Data has shown that Western pension funds may inadvertently be helping Russian President Vladimir Putin as Moscow looks to ramp up liquefied natural gas exports to replenish Kremlin coffers and fund its war in Ukraine.
BUSINESS / Economy
Jul 21, 2024
How U.S. pension funds help Putin¡¯s gas gambit
The case spotlights the opacity of the global finance and how hard it remains to sever Moscow from a key revenue source even two years after the Ukraine invasion.
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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