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ETC lanes are closed at a toll booth on the Chuo Expressway in the city of Mitaka in Tokyo on Sunday.

JAPAN

Malfunctioning tollbooths snarl traffic around Honshu

The Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) system was unusable at over 90 tollbooths in seven prefectures — Tokyo, Kanagawa, Shizuoka, Yamanashi, Aichi, Gifu, and Mie.

ETC lanes are closed at a toll booth on the Chuo Expressway in the city of Mitaka in Tokyo on Sunday.

Leaders of ruling and opposition political parties meet Friday at the Diet building in Tokyo.

JAPAN / Politics

Calls for consumption tax cut increasing in Japan

With food and other prices still rising, even ruling party officials have started to demand consumption tax cuts as a key policy for this summer's elections.

An ambulance helicopter carrying six people, including a patient, crashed off the coast of Tsushima; three survivors were rescued with symptoms of hypothermia while three others are still missing.

JAPAN

Ambulance helicopter may have crashed in waters off Tsushima

The helicopter was found floating on the sea east of Tsushima, and three people on board were rescued, but the whereabouts of the other three are unknown.

At the launch ceremony on Sunday of the Self-Defense Forces Maritime Transport Group in Kure City, Hiroshima Prefecture, Defense Minister Gen Nakatani presents the unit's group flag.

JAPAN

Inaugural ceremony held for Japan SDF's Maritime Transport Group

The Maritime Transport Group was launched on March 24 as a unit jointly run by the Ground, Maritime and Air Self Defense Forces under the direct oversight of the defense minister.

Honda Racing President Koji Watanabe says the carmaker's development on the next generation of Formula One engines is proceeding as planned ahead of sweeping regulation changes in 2026.

MORE SPORTS / Auto Racing

Honda looks toward its F1 future as Red Bull partnership nears end

By Joel Tansey

Honda Racing President Koji Watanabe discusses the carmaker's past and future in Formula One as its Red Bull partnership draws to a close.

Honda Racing President Koji Watanabe says the carmaker's development on the next generation of Formula One engines is proceeding as planned ahead of sweeping regulation changes in 2026.

Vehicles used for ride-hailing services in the city of Kiryu, in Gunma Prefecture

Ride-hailing services spreading in Japan

About 3,300 people have registered as ride-hailing drivers in central Tokyo and other areas.

Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba speaks during a news conference at the Prime Minister's Office in Tokyo on Tuesday.

Ishiba says he plans to speak to Trump about tariffs in coming days

By Jesse Johnson

Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said that these talks could see Japan offer a fresh investment package, though he ruled out a small, piecemeal deal.

Japan to play major defense role during Taiwan conflict, U.S. expert says

U.N. group Japan chief warns of backlash against women's rights

Japan's Prince Hisahito starts college life

Victims of WWII mass suicide mourned in Okinawa

U.S. President Donald Trump signs an executive order during a tariff announcement in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington on Wednesday. Trump's tariffs policies are the centerpiece of his effort to bring manufacturing back to the U.S. and reshape a world trade system he has long decried as unfair.

Trump promised a manufacturing boom. Industries are not so sure.

Some question the tariffs' underlying logic, saying that supply chain issues, high costs and other obstacles stand may in the way.

Nissan plans to reduce production at its Fukuoka factory and shift some manufacturing of its Rogue SUV to the United States to mitigate the impact of Trump's tariffs.

Nissan considers transferring some domestic production to U.S., report says

The carmaker plans to reduce production at its Fukuoka factory and shift some manufacturing to the U.S. to mitigate the impact of Trump's tariffs.

'Anxious' U.S. farmers see tariffs as threatening earnings

By Beiyi Seow

Breaking with tradition: From the shop floor to fighting for millions

By Nobuko Kobayashi

'Hang tough, it won't be easy': Trump defiant on tariffs

U.S. starts collecting Trump's new 10% tariff, smashing global trade norms

Military personnel stand guard at a nuclear facility in the Zardanjan area of Isfahan, Iran, in April 2024 in this screen shot taken from video.

Iran seeks indirect talks with U.S., warns regional countries over strikes

Although Iran has rejected U.S. President Donald Trump's demand for direct talks, it wants to continue indirect negotiations through Oman.

A rescue worker walks past construction equipment being used to clear rubble at the site of a collapsed building in Mandalay, Myanmar, on Saturday.

Rains add to challenge for Myanmar quake relief as toll tops 3,470

The death toll from the powerful quake that hit on March 28 rose to 3,471, state media reported, with 4,671 people injured and another 214 still missing.

Artist of 'distorted' portrait says Trump complaint harming business

South Korea assembly speaker proposes revising constitution to curb presidency

Zelenskyy slams 'weak' U.S. response to Russian strike on his hometown

Trump administration appoints junior officer to oversee U.S. Foreign Service

By Humeyra Pamuk

Red Bull's Max Verstappen celebrates after winning the Japanese Grand Prix on Sunday at Suzuka Circuit in Mie Prefecture.

Clinical Verstappen caps final home race for Red Bull-Honda with a win

By Joel Tansey

The victory was the Dutch star’s fourth straight at Suzuka Circuit, while Red Bull debutant Yuki Tsunoda finished back in 12th.

Arsenal draws at Everton to push Liverpool closer to Premier League title

By Kieran CANNING

Ice legends: Alex Ovechkin and Wayne Gretzky had different paths to 894

Dodgers hold Phillies to four hits as Sasaki impresses

Tsunoda struggles in first qualifying with Red Bull as Verstappen takes pole

By Joel Tansey

DOGE, the U.S. government reform project, embodies America's brash, fast-paced approach to change, while Japan’s cultural norms emphasize slower, more deliberate decision-making rooted in consensus.

The DOGE solution? 'No thanks,' says Japan, with reason

Brad Glosserman

I can’t imagine a DOGE-like beast in Japan. No one can. It is utterly alien to every tradition, precedent or cultural inclination in this country.

How the U.S. and Japan can keep partnering for the future

By Joshua W. Walker and James Kondo

‘Liberation Day’ will weigh heavily on the world

Identifying choke points in the semiconductor supply chain

By Eiki Tagami

Europe must set the terms for postwar Russia engagement now

By Thomas O. Falk

Nattanit Yiamthaisong (right), a Ph.D. student, Thongyod Chiangkanta, a technician from the Forest Restoration Research Unit at Chiang Mai University (center) and a forest guide walk through areas damaged by wildfires in Thailand's Umphang Wildlife Sanctuary on March 22.

'It's gone': conservation science in Thailand's burning forest

By Sara Hussein

Scientists are confronting the toll that human activity and climate change are already having on forests that are supposed to be pristine and protected.

Artificial glaciers boost water supply in northern Pakistan

Rising seas test defenses of South American ports

By Axl HERNANDEZ

Clouds changing as world warms, adding to climate uncertainty

By Nick Perry

Trump can't stop 'sustainability revolution': Al Gore

Sasami has had a connection to Japan since childhood as her mother's side of the family is Zainichi Korean and has lived in Japan for years. The musician grew up listening to city pop and watching Japanese TV.

Sasami is in her pop era, and she’s not overthinking it

By Patrick St. Michel

As the singer explores Tokyo, she reflects on identity and her latest album, “Blood On the Silver Screen.”

Authors hold London protest against Meta for 'stealing' work to train AI

By James PHEBY

‘Unreachable’: An attractive but half-baked fantasy

By James Hadfield

AI may be coming for anime, but Hayao Miyazaki is irreplaceable, son says

By Natsuko Fukue

‘Let’s Meet at Angie’s Bar’: A granny like none other

By Mark Schilling

Japanese desserts have been turning heads in recent months for a series world-firsts.

‘Japanese pastry has matured into its own distinct identity’

By Haru Beaufort

“There’s been a shift over the years where Japanese pastry chefs are moving away from simply replicating French techniques,” says chef Koichi Katsumata.

In Los Angeles, Courtney Kaplan says sake is having a moment

By Melinda Joe

Can Japan's take on fandom help drive spending?

By Satoshi Sugiyama

Meeting new colleagues and introducing yourself in Japanese

By Yuko Tamura

The last cleanup: Life and death in a lonely Japan

By Johan Brooks

Shogo Yamaguchi shares his love of traditional Japanese culture with an audience of nearly 2 million YouTube subscribers.

Shogo Yamaguchi: ‘Traditional culture thrives in a peaceful society’

By Laura Pollacco

The Kyoto-based content creator shares travel tips and reminisces on the path that led him to where he is today.

Meet the cool cat with a roguish mustache

Montessori head educates Tokyo’s children for life

By Louise George Kittaka

How to navigate Japan’s e-commerce platforms and online flea markets

By Jessica Speed

A tawny Kai Ken discovers his courage

One of the many entrances to the Kabukicho neighborhood in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward.

Kabukicho: Tokyo’s ‘stadium of desire’

Professional cleaner Hirofumi Sakurai takes a moment to appreciate some photographs in a Gotanda apartment whose occupant died alone.

The last cleanup: Life and death in a lonely Japan

By Johan Brooks

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