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July 24, 2026
 

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RYOSEI AKAZAWA

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi meets with U.S. President Donald Trump meets at the White House in Washington in March. It's been a year since Japan reached a deal with the U.S. in tariff negotiations.
BUSINESS
Jul 19, 2026
20% of Japan¡¯s pledged U.S. investments underway a year after tariff deal
The Japanese government has faced unrelenting criticism on the sheer size of the proposed investments and loans spent on a foreign country.
Industry minister Ryosei Akazawa says the government will consider stockpiling naphtha.
BUSINESS / Economy
Jul 16, 2026
Japan considering stockpiling naphtha again
The country procures 40% of its naphtha, a raw material for plastic products and paints, through imports from the Middle East.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks during a meeting on the Middle East conflict in Tokyo on Friday.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø
Jun 27, 2026
Japan to draw up energy-related package by end of August
Industry minister Ryosei Akazawa has been tasked with drawing up an action plan to address the energy risks that became apparent amid the Middle East conflict.
Japan and the International Atomic Energy Agency signed a memorandum in Tokyo on Tuesday to cooperate on the development of small modular reactors.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø
Jun 24, 2026
Japan and IAEA team up to promote small modular reactors
Small modular reactors (SMRs) are smaller reactors with simpler systems and enhanced passive safety features.
Trade minister Ryosei Akazawa attends Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation ministerial meetings in the ?eastern Chinese city ?of Suzhou on Friday.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Politics
May 24, 2026
Japan trade minister holds brief talks with Chinese counterpart amid diplomatic row
Trade minister Ryosei Akazawa is the most senior ?Japanese official to visit China since a diplomatic dispute between the two countries erupted in November.
Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Ryosei Akazawa (second from left) and State Minister for Foreign Affairs Iwao Horii (far left) attend a high-level economic dialogue with the European Union in Brussels on Thursday.
BUSINESS
May 8, 2026
Japan and Saudi Arabia to set up energy security task force
Discussions at the task force are slated to start early next week.
Industry minister Ryosei Akazawa (center) inspects the central control room at the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear power plant in Niigata Prefecture on Saturday.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø
Apr 26, 2026
Minister inspects Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear plant
Akazawa made the visit after the No. 6 reactor of the plant restarted commercial operations on April 16.
An oil refinery in Yokohama. The government has stressed that the total volume of oil needed for Japan as a whole can be sourced from reserves and alternate locations that do not require transiting the Strait of Hormuz.
BUSINESS / Companies
Apr 17, 2026
Japanese government urges suppliers not to hold back critical materials from the market
It insists that shortages are in part the result of companies limiting sales due to fear of future scarcity.
Trade minister Ryosei Akazawa said Bank of Japan policy could be used to strengthen the yen and curb rising prices, as the central bank considers a rate hike to counter inflation driven by the 51³Ô¹ÏÍø.
BUSINESS / Economy
Apr 12, 2026
BOJ policy to boost yen could be an option to curb inflation, minister says
The central bank weighs raising interest rates this month to ?counter inflation spurred by the 51³Ô¹ÏÍø.
Industry minister Ryosei Akazawa speaks during an online gathering of officials of Group of Seven leading industrialized nations on Monday. Akazawa has been named Japan¡¯s critical-materials czar by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.
BUSINESS
Mar 31, 2026
Akazawa appointed critical-materials czar in response to conflict in the Middle East
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said the industry minister is tasked with reviewing the supply situation and developing policy responses.
A gas station in Tokyo on Friday.
BUSINESS / Economy
Mar 18, 2026
Japan to roll out gasoline subsidies amid record-high prices
The national average retail prices of gasoline have exceeded ?190 per liter.
Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Ryosei Akazawa speaks to reporters in Tokyo on Sunday after a two-day forum on energy security in the Indo-Pacific region.
BUSINESS / Economy
Mar 16, 2026
Japan and U.S. to work together to prevent critical mineral disruptions
The two countries will work to prevent supply disruptions for critical minerals resulting from possible export restrictions by resource-producing countries.
Industry minister Ryosei Akazawa addressed an Indo-Pacific Energy Security Ministerial and Business Forum on Saturday, calling on regional leaders to diversify their energy supply.
BUSINESS
Mar 15, 2026
Akazawa implores Asian partners to diversify energy suppliers
The industry minister said that the region depends on imports for more than 80% of its energy compounding the damage caused by the conflict between U.S.-Israeli forces and Iran.
Ryosei Akazawa, Japan's industry minister, has asked Australia to increase production of LNG amid the war in the Middle East.
BUSINESS
Mar 14, 2026
Japan industry ministry asks Australia to boost LNG output amid Iran crisis
Japan relies on the Middle East for around 11% of its LNG imports, with 6% shipped via the Strait of Hormuz.
Trade minister Ryosei Akazawa said at a news conference in Tokyo on Friday that there is no restriction on oil from Japan's national reserves being sold overseas if the drawdown exceeds domestic demand.
BUSINESS / Markets
Mar 13, 2026
Japan to sell oil from national reserves at pre-51³Ô¹ÏÍø prices
The government ¡°expects refiners that purchase crude at low prices won¡¯t then sell their products at higher prices and pocket the profit.¡±
Tankers off the coast of the United Arab Emirates. More than 70% of Japan-bound oil shipments pass through the Strait of Hormuz between the UAE and Iran.
BUSINESS / Markets
Mar 11, 2026
Japan ready to join coordinated intervention in oil markets
Concerns have intensified as crude oil tankers bound for Japan ceased navigating the Strait of Hormuz 10 days ago because the war made the passage too dangerous.
Trade minister Ryosei Akazawa meets with U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick on Friday in Washington.
BUSINESS / Economy
Mar 7, 2026
Japan asks U.S. not to treat it unfavorably under new tariffs
Trade minister Ryosei Akazawa sought assurances from his U.S. counterpart that the latest U.S. tariffs would not disadvantage Japan.
Trade minister Ryosei Akazawa is making his 12th visit to Washington since tariff negotiations started last April, and the second this year.
BUSINESS / Economy
Mar 4, 2026
Akazawa heading to U.S. to discuss more projects under $550 billion pledge
Three projects have already been agreed upon and others could be concluded soon.
Trade minister Ryosei Akazawa leaves a meeting with Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Feb. 16.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Politics
Feb 22, 2026
Japan to keep investment pledge to U.S. after tariff ruling
Some Japanese companies have sued the U.S. government over the tariffs, seeking a refund.
Trade minister Ryosei Akazawa insists that the projects must be good for Japan and turn a profit.
BUSINESS / Economy
Feb 20, 2026
Second round of projects under consideration for Japan¡¯s $550 billion pledge
Next-generation nuclear reactors might be on the short list, reports say.
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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