The Japan Times

@japantimes

Breaking news and features about Japan from the nation's most widely read English-language newspaper. 日本で最も読まれている英文ニュース。 More: http://jtim.es/m/social

Tokyo

Joined July 2007

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The Japan Times@japantimes · Jul 21

ICYMI: Our coverage and analysis of Japan's Upper House election on Sunday, in which the ruling coalition of LDP and Komeito lost its majority. japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/07/2…

japantimes's tweet card. The ruling LDP-Komeito coalition's devastating loss in Sunday’s poll could lead to Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba’s resignation or political gridlock in parliament.

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The Japan Times@japantimes · 2 h

Jolted by the threat of sweeping U.S. tariffs and “unfair” Chinese trade practices, the European Union and Japan have launched a “competitiveness alliance” to deepen bilateral economic ties. ebx.sh/PvD6nS

japantimes's tweet card. The new agreement will expand bilateral trade ties, promote business cooperation and explore ways to diversify critical mineral supply chains.

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The Japan Times@japantimes · 3 h

The Tokyo District Court on Wednesday sentenced a senior member of a Philippines-based Japanese crime ring to 20 years in prison for his involvement in a nationwide robbery scheme. ebx.sh/ZTGSeZ

japantimes's tweet card. Tomonobu Kojima, 47, was the first of the four indicted members of the group, whose members went by the nickname 'Luffy,' to receive a court ruling.

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The Japan Times@japantimes · 4 h

The island nation of Vanuatu has been the driving force behind work to have the International Court of Justice deliver its first-ever legal opinion on climate change. ebx.sh/crT41v

japantimes's tweet card. Vanuatu's climate change minister says he hopes the International Court of Justice will say it is the 'legal obligation of states to address climate change.'

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The Japan Times@japantimes · 1 h

In Japan, AI companions are filling the silence of loneliness, but not without risk. ebx.sh/zl1t0s

japantimes's tweet card. AI chatbots are becoming stand-ins for pets and partners — offering comfort, connection and raising new concerns.

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The Japan Times@japantimes · 2 h

A Pacific island nation wants to mine the ocean floor. Many islanders fear this could taint their ocean forever. ebx.sh/gfJ3GP

japantimes's tweet card. Research vessels roam the seas around the Cook Islands in search of deposits of battery metals, rare earths and critical minerals.

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The Japan Times@japantimes · 2 h

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas says she sees "a lot of room for cooperation" between the European and Japanese defense sectors, particularly in tech-driven areas like cyber and dual-use systems such as drones. ebx.sh/wgfIxr

japantimes's tweet card. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas says she sees 'a lot of room for cooperation' with Tokyo, particularly in technology-driven areas.

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The Japan Times@japantimes · 2 h

After investigating a suspected antimonopoly law violation, the JFTC concluded that swiftly executing proposed measures by Visa Worldwide would restore a competitive environment. ebx.sh/BCMUYV

japantimes's tweet card. After investigating a suspected antimonopoly law violation, the JFTC concluded that swiftly executing proposed measures by Visa Worldwide would restore a competitive environment.

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The Japan Times@japantimes · 3 h

A South Korean court reopened a case after the country's #MeToo movement inspired a woman to challenge her conviction for defending herself against sexual violence 61 years ago. ebx.sh/9qPcFi

japantimes's tweet card. The court at the time said her actions against a would-be rapist had 'exceeded the reasonable bounds of legally permissible self-defense' and gave her a 10-month prison sentence.

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The Japan Times@japantimes · 3 h

Japan and US both claim win in surprise 11th-hour tariff deal, with the "reciprocal" rate set at 15% and the rate on autos 12.5%. ebx.sh/SOxSAD

japantimes's tweet card. The 'reciprocal' rate is set at 15%, while the rate on autos is 12.5%

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The Japan Times@japantimes · 3 h

Japanese and European leaders took aim at China even as they announced a raft of deals to deepen ties at a summit in Tokyo, talks that were likely to stand in stark contrast to a similar meeting in Beijing on Thursday. ebx.sh/os4EB7

japantimes's tweet card. The two sides reiterated their opposition to “any unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force or coercion” in the East and South China seas.

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The Japan Times@japantimes · 4 h

The president of the 2032 Brisbane Olympics organizing committee is happy with the progress made so far but concedes there will be little wiggle room for any delays. ebx.sh/f0n1M6

japantimes's tweet card. The opening ceremony of Australia's third Summer Games will take place exactly seven years from Wednesday.

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The Japan Times@japantimes · 4 h

Norwegian Nobel Committee chair Jorgen Frydnes has visited Hiroshima and called for attention to be paid to the voices of hibakusha, who survived the 1945 atomic bombing. ebx.sh/mHGamh

japantimes's tweet card. Last year, the Japan Confederation of A- and H-Bomb Sufferers Organizations, also known as Nihon Hidankyo, won the Nobel Peace Prize.

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The Japan Times@japantimes · 4 h

Commentary: The nuclear pact recently signed by French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Kier Starmer reflects how an emerging post-liberal Europe is taking the form of a defense community. ebx.sh/H24We2

japantimes's tweet card. Britain can help shape the continent’s new security order, so long as it banishes the Brexit mindset.

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The Japan Times@japantimes · 4 h

Commentary: Trump’s aggressive tariff threats seemed effective because markets expected him to back down, but as investors grow numb, the risk rises he’ll follow through, triggering the economic harm his threats were meant to avoid. ebx.sh/d0LwFa

japantimes's tweet card. Complacency brings new risk: If markets tune out Trump’s tariff threats, they may stop checking harmful policies.

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The Japan Times@japantimes · 4 h

For inbound visitors coming to this weekend’s Fuji Rock Festival, we’d like to hear from you. If you have a minute, can we ask a few questions? (Residents feel free to share.) forms.gle/gSt6eZG7YMpEBm…

japantimes's tweet image. For inbound visitors coming to this weekend’s Fuji Rock Festival, we’d like to hear from you. If you have a minute, can we ask a few questions? (Residents feel free to share.) forms.gle/gSt6eZG7YMpEBm…

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The Japan Times@japantimes · 5 h

Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's fate remained unclear Wednesday amid reports — which he denied — that he would resign his post at the end of next month. ebx.sh/YrXYhW

japantimes's tweet card. Some media outlets had reported earlier that Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba was poised to step down in the coming weeks.

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The Japan Times Retweeted

Francis B. Tang@francis_towne · 5 h

My latest focus piece on today's US-Japan trade deal, with comments by @WillRevenge @ryo384_ir: The United States is promoting it as the deal of the century. For Japan, it was a mission-accomplished moment. @japantimes japantimes.co.jp/business/2025/…

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The Japan Times@japantimes · 5 h

Commentary: London’s worsening disorder — from soaring petty crime to reckless delivery riders and rising drug use — reflects a decades-old pattern of authorities and citizens normalizing lawlessness. ebx.sh/OnECSv

japantimes's tweet card. The city’s mayor, Sadiq Khan, needs to take growing disorder on the streets more seriously.

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The Japan Times@japantimes · 5 h

Commentary: Japan’s recent election fueled immigration fears, but the foreign resident population remains small, integrated and vital to counter population decline. ebx.sh/x5H7cr

japantimes's tweet card. While the number of foreign residents reached a record high last year, it’s still barely over 3% of the total population, low by international standards.

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The Japan Times@japantimes · 5 h

Japan is taking a top-down approach with AI, leaning into homegrown development to capitalize on a rapidly changing, tech-centered global economy. ebx.sh/3PXAWq

japantimes's tweet card. Japan is among the countries aiming to develop localized artificial intelligence models to target national priorities.

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