Politics

Japanese Liberal Democratic Party lawmaker Arfiya Eri speaks during the Sydney Dialogue hosted by the Australian Strategic Policy Institute on Sept. 3 in Sydney. (Australian Strategic Policy Institute)
 Candidates for Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party's presidential election sit on stage during a debate in Tokyo on Sept. 14.
Japan's leadership race

Japan PM candidates eye ties with friendly nations as China rises

Koizumi says he will pursue talks with China, North Korea if he becomes PM

14 September 2024
A Great Lakes Works sign is seen at the U.S. Steel Great Lakes Works plant in Ecorse, Michigan.
Business deals

Nippon Steel bid for U.S. Steel faces Sept. 23 review deadline, sources say

National security panel could grant request by companies to extend review another 90 days

14 September 2024
The 7-Eleven operator has been designated as particularly critical to Japanese security. (Photo by Yuji Murakami)
Retail

Japan's Seven & i now a 'core business,' with tighter investment rules

But addition to security list seen having little impact on Couche-Tard's buyout offer

14 September 2024
U.S. President Joe Biden delivers remarks at the United Steel Workers headquarters in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on April 17.
Business deals

Nippon Steel and U.S. Steel send letter to Biden on merger plans

Move followed reports president was preparing to block deal; contents not disclosed

13 September 2024
Analysts say Tokyo Garden Terrace Kioicho, above, would be expected to fetch more than 300 billion yen if sold. (Photo by Hideki Yoshikawa)
Editor-in-Chief’s Picks

Letter from Nikkei Asia's editor: Japan Inc.'s treasure trove

Shin Nakayama shares his weekly reflections and recommendations

13 September 2024
An LDP presidential election poster of its party leaders, past and present. (Photo by Ryuto Imao)
13 September 2024
A Chinese military plane was detected in Japanese airspace in August. (Japan Defense Ministry via Kyodo)
Japan's leadership race

China poses policy challenge to Japan leadership hopefuls

LDP candidate proposals include 'Asian NATO' and top-level diplomacy

13 September 2024
The nine candidates to lead Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party join an event in Tokyo on Sept. 12. From left in front row: Sanae Takaichi, Takayuki Kobayashi, Yoshimasa Hayashi, Shinjiro Koizumi, Yoko Kamikawa, Katsunobu Kato, Taro Kono, Shigeru Ishiba and Toshimitsu Motegi. (Photo by Uichiro Kasai)
Japan's leadership race

Japan's LDP kicks off leadership race to pick Kishida successor

Record candidate field faces 2-week battle to win support from ruling party members

12 September 2024
An LDP presidential election poster of its party leaders, past and present. (Photo by Ryuto Imao)
Opinion

Japan's LDP turns to old playbook to pick new leader

Fundamental change is unlikely unless ruling party fears losing power

12 September 2024
A U.S. Steel plant in Pennsylvania. Negotiations between Nippon Steel and the U.S. government over the Japanese steelmaker's planned buyout of its U.S. counterpart are at a critical stage.
Business deals

Nippon Steel meets U.S. officials amid concerns focusing on India, China

Steelmaker execs arrange 'rush' meeting with Treasury Department

12 September 2024
NHK's mandate says that it must accurately report on Japan's official views, which the recent broadcast contradicted. (Photo by Konosuke Urata)
Media & Entertainment

Japan's NHK under fire for controversial unscripted remarks

Public broadcaster pilloried for failing to cut mic of announcer going rogue

12 September 2024
Shortly after Xi Jinping became president of China, the Communist Party newspaper People's Daily concluded for the first time that the status of Okinawa was "unresolved," despite decades of official recognition of Okinawa as part of Japan. (Source photo by Yusuke Hinata)
China up close

Analysis: China moves to play 'Okinawa card' over Japan's Taiwan stance

'Ryukyu research center' could reverse Beijing's position since Mao era

12 September 2024
U.S. Marines and members of the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force's Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade take part in joint military exercises in an island near Okinawa in November 2023.
Interview

U.S. needs 'alliances that work': former Trump defense official

Elbridge Colby argues for greater command integration between Japan and the U.S.

11 September 2024
Japanese broadcaster NHK is funded by viewers through subscription fees. (Photo by Konosuke Urata)
Politics

NHK exec resigns over Chinese staffer's unscripted Senkaku remarks

Contract worker said in Aug. 19 broadcast that the islands belong to China

11 September 2024
U.S. giants Oracle, Microsoft and Amazon Web Services have each announced multibillion dollar investments in Japan's data center development.
Opinion

Japan's digital transformation must not derail decarbonization drive

Data center-related power consumption is estimated to rise by 550 times by 2050

11 September 2024
Katsunobu Kato announces his candidacy for the Liberal Democratic Party presidential election at a news conference on Sept. 10. (Photo by Satoko Kawasaki)
Japan's leadership race

Japanese LDP leader candidate Kato calls for stimulus plan

Former health minister has entered race to lead nation's ruling political party

10 September 2024
If elected as president of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, Sanae Takaichi then likely would be chosen as Japan's first female prime minister. (Photo by Uichiro Kasai)
Japan's leadership race

Abe protege Takaichi is stock market's top choice for Japan leader

Economic security minister expected to restart nuclear plants if elected

10 September 2024
A concept model of the fighter jet being developed jointly by Japan, the U.K. and Italy is displayed at the Farnborough International Airshow in July. (Photo by Tsuyoshi Tamehiro)
Defense

Japan should allow exports of all defense equipment: former officials

Proposal would eliminate restrictions on use, eyeing boost to regional deterrence

10 September 2024
Masato Kanda, Japan's former vice finance minister for international affairs, is being nominated to take over the presidency of the Asian Development Bank early next year.
International relations

ADB chief Asakawa to step down, 'Mr. Yen' Kanda likely successor

Japanese Finance Ministry veteran says it is time for new leadership

9 September 2024
Chinese and Russian warships hold drills in the Sea of Japan in July 2023. (Photo from China's Ministry of National Defense)
Defense

China and Russia to hold joint drills in Sea of Japan and Okhotsk

Exercise aims to deepen cooperation in facing 'security threats,' says Beijing

9 September 2024
Sanae Takaichi announces her candidacy for president of Japan's Liberal Democratic Party on Sept. 9. (Photo by Akitoshi Sugiura)
Japan's leadership race

Conservative Takaichi makes 2nd bid in Japan's leadership race

Staunch supporter of late PM Shinzo Abe joins crowded field in LDP election

9 September 2024
New South Wales Premier Chris Minns, right, speaks during the Nikkei Forum Sydney 2024 on Sept. 9. (Photo by Shinya Sawai)
Business trends

Japan and Australia should 'update' trade relations: NSW premier

Nikkei Forum in Sydney focuses on the two countries' future

9 September 2024
All six ETFs, which made their market debuts in Hong Kong at the end of April, have posted negative returns as of the end of August. (Source photos by AP and Getty Images)
Market Spotlight

From Hong Kong to Singapore, crypto ETFs face chill

Market turbulence ahead of U.S. election weighs on digital asset funds

9 September 2024
From left, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, U.S. President Joe Biden, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida prepare to hold a Quad summit in Tokyo in May 2022. (Photo by Uichiro Kasai)
Indo-Pacific

Quad plans Biden-Kishida send-off summit in Delaware on Sept. 21

President to host leaders of Japan, India and Australia in home city

8 September 2024