The Japan Times
@japantimes.co.jp
News, features and commentary from the oldest (est. 1897) and most widely read English-language media outlet in Japan.
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JT staff on Bluesky: https://jtim.es/bskysp
Our newsletters: https://jtime.es/newsletters
Elsewhere: jtim.es/m/social
Pinned
Japan’s reputation for longevity extends beyond its people. Some of its oldest companies — from temple builders to hot spring inns — offer clues to how craft and continuity can outlast centuries of change. 👉 ebx.sh/5Ir3XG
Japanese world champion snowboarder Kokomo Murase clinched Olympic gold in the women's big air competition on Monday as two-time champion Anna Gasser was dethroned.
Japan's Kokomo Murase clinches Olympic snowboarding big air gold
Murase executed her final jump perfectly to surge into the lead and take her first Olympic gold medal.
ebx.sh
February 10, 2026 at 12:30 AM
Japanese world champion snowboarder Kokomo Murase clinched Olympic gold in the women's big air competition on Monday as two-time champion Anna Gasser was dethroned.
Smile Japan’s Olympic campaign is on life support after a difficult loss to host Italy on Monday at Milano Rho Ice Hockey Arena.
Smile Japan loses Olympic heartbreaker to Italy
The favored Japanese squad got behind early for the second-straight game and couldn’t recover as Italy took a 3-2 decision.
ebx.sh
February 10, 2026 at 12:26 AM
Smile Japan’s Olympic campaign is on life support after a difficult loss to host Italy on Monday at Milano Rho Ice Hockey Arena.
Dutch speedskating stars Jutta Leerdam and Femke Kok dominated the field in the women's 1,000 meters at the Milano Cortina Olympics, with Japan's Miho Takagi picking up bronze for her eighth career Olympic medal.
Dutch pair in a class of their own as Japan's Takagi wins eighth Olympic medal
Femke Kok set an Olympic record but her teammate one-upped her in the final pairing of the night as the Netherlands took the top two podium places in the women's 1,000 meters.
ebx.sh
February 10, 2026 at 12:20 AM
Dutch speedskating stars Jutta Leerdam and Femke Kok dominated the field in the women's 1,000 meters at the Milano Cortina Olympics, with Japan's Miho Takagi picking up bronze for her eighth career Olympic medal.
From Taiwan to Brazil, a look at what NPB stars are joining which teams ahead of the World Baseball Classic starting on March 5 at Tokyo Dome. 👉 ebx.sh/du0o8d
February 10, 2026 at 12:14 AM
From Taiwan to Brazil, a look at what NPB stars are joining which teams ahead of the World Baseball Classic starting on March 5 at Tokyo Dome. 👉 ebx.sh/du0o8d
After a crushing debut defeat, Japan’s Centrist Reform Alliance faces a long road back to relevance — starting with a change in leadership. 👉 ebx.sh/uxVQjl
February 10, 2026 at 12:01 AM
After a crushing debut defeat, Japan’s Centrist Reform Alliance faces a long road back to relevance — starting with a change in leadership. 👉 ebx.sh/uxVQjl
Female representation in the body has fallen by a notch to its second-highest level despite a record number of 313 women having run in Sunday’s election. 👉 ebx.sh/43R1Na
February 9, 2026 at 11:39 PM
Female representation in the body has fallen by a notch to its second-highest level despite a record number of 313 women having run in Sunday’s election. 👉 ebx.sh/43R1Na
Takaichi’s big victory might not be a mandate for big spending with fiscal hawks in the LDP and the bond market keeping a lid on stimulus spending. 👉 ebx.sh/wzhQXv
February 9, 2026 at 11:25 PM
Takaichi’s big victory might not be a mandate for big spending with fiscal hawks in the LDP and the bond market keeping a lid on stimulus spending. 👉 ebx.sh/wzhQXv
Yasunobu Tsuruta crafted wooden toys with Koshiro Kido, who later died of cancer at 13. In memory of the boy, Tsuruta raises funds in aid of childhood cancer research. 👉 ebx.sh/fdW19J
February 9, 2026 at 11:01 PM
Yasunobu Tsuruta crafted wooden toys with Koshiro Kido, who later died of cancer at 13. In memory of the boy, Tsuruta raises funds in aid of childhood cancer research. 👉 ebx.sh/fdW19J
Commentary: For traditional opposition parties, the results of Sunday's election were a doomsday signal. For Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, it was an invitation to lead Japan as she sees fit.
Five key takeaways from Takaichi’s landslide victory
The LDP secured a supermajority on its own, giving Takaichi the golden opportunity to implement her policy agenda.
ebx.sh
February 9, 2026 at 10:15 PM
Commentary: For traditional opposition parties, the results of Sunday's election were a doomsday signal. For Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, it was an invitation to lead Japan as she sees fit.
After the Liberal Democratic Party won the most seats for a single party in postwar history, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi might be at the beginning of an enduring administration. 👉 ebx.sh/SEQTVN
February 9, 2026 at 9:48 PM
After the Liberal Democratic Party won the most seats for a single party in postwar history, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi might be at the beginning of an enduring administration. 👉 ebx.sh/SEQTVN
The LDP's Lower House electoral triumph stunned even the most optimistic observers. But the result is less a master stroke of the party than a success of its indisputable architect: Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi herself. 👉 ebx.sh/aLeCt2
February 9, 2026 at 9:09 PM
The LDP's Lower House electoral triumph stunned even the most optimistic observers. But the result is less a master stroke of the party than a success of its indisputable architect: Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi herself. 👉 ebx.sh/aLeCt2
Since Japan signed the U.N. Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in 2007, inclusive education for those with and without disabilities has been growing steadily there.
Inclusive education for students with disabilities advancing in Japan
Efforts to foster an environment that welcomes those with and without disabilities have helped one student realize her dream of studying abroad.
ebx.sh
February 9, 2026 at 12:32 PM
Since Japan signed the U.N. Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in 2007, inclusive education for those with and without disabilities has been growing steadily there.
“These classes have become a place where students learn to understand diversity and develop the collaborative skills needed in society.” 👉 ebx.sh/d8YF7h
February 9, 2026 at 11:57 AM
“These classes have become a place where students learn to understand diversity and develop the collaborative skills needed in society.” 👉 ebx.sh/d8YF7h
Female representation in the body has fallen by a notch to its second-highest level despite a record number of 313 women having run in Sunday’s election.
With 68 seats, female representation in Lower House slips to second-highest level
The women account for 14.6% of all elected Lower House lawmakers, after female candidates secured a record 73 seats the 2024 general election.
ebx.sh
February 9, 2026 at 11:18 AM
Female representation in the body has fallen by a notch to its second-highest level despite a record number of 313 women having run in Sunday’s election.
After the Liberal Democratic Party won the most seats for a single party in postwar history, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi might be at the beginning of an enduring administration.
Is Takaichi on course for a long-term reign?
The resounding win for the Liberal Democratic Party in Sunday’s Lower House election might be the start of an enduring administration for Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.
ebx.sh
February 9, 2026 at 10:41 AM
After the Liberal Democratic Party won the most seats for a single party in postwar history, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi might be at the beginning of an enduring administration.
After a crushing debut defeat, Japan’s Centrist Reform Alliance faces a long road back to relevance — starting with a change in leadership.
The long road to recovery after the CRA’s election loss
The new party must find new leadership after a crushing debut defeat.
ebx.sh
February 9, 2026 at 10:00 AM
After a crushing debut defeat, Japan’s Centrist Reform Alliance faces a long road back to relevance — starting with a change in leadership.
A gas container using a technology developed by Japanese Nobel Prize winner Susumu Kitagawa is drawing attention for its ability to transport gas more efficiently than conventional gas cylinders. 👉 ebx.sh/CnTSdx
February 9, 2026 at 9:20 AM
A gas container using a technology developed by Japanese Nobel Prize winner Susumu Kitagawa is drawing attention for its ability to transport gas more efficiently than conventional gas cylinders. 👉 ebx.sh/CnTSdx
Reposted by The Japan Times
Japan will not be only team with NPB talent at World Baseball Classic www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2026/...
Japan will not be only team with NPB talent at World Baseball Classic
Though Samurai Japan will have a good roster of NPB stars to help bolster its ranks ahead of the World Baseball Classic, they won't be the only team.
www.japantimes.co.jp
February 9, 2026 at 8:53 AM
Japan will not be only team with NPB talent at World Baseball Classic www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2026/...
Takaichi’s big victory might not be a mandate for big spending with fiscal hawks in the LDP and the bond market keeping a lid on stimulus spending.
Takaichi’s big victory might not be mandate for big spending
Fiscal hawks in the LDP and the bond market are expected to keep a lid on stimulus spending.
ebx.sh
February 9, 2026 at 9:04 AM
Takaichi’s big victory might not be a mandate for big spending with fiscal hawks in the LDP and the bond market keeping a lid on stimulus spending.
Tepco restarted a reactor at the world’s biggest nuclear power plant Monday, after an issue last month delayed the process.
Japan’s biggest nuclear plant restarts second time after hiccup
Tepco, the operator of the Fukushima nuclear power plant that suffered a meltdown accident in 2011, is facing public scrutiny to safely resume its Kashiwazaki-Kariwa plant.
ebx.sh
February 9, 2026 at 8:47 AM
Tepco restarted a reactor at the world’s biggest nuclear power plant Monday, after an issue last month delayed the process.
From Taiwan to Brazil, a look at what NPB stars are joining which teams ahead of the World Baseball Classic starting on March 5 at Tokyo Dome.
Japan will not be only team with NPB talent at World Baseball Classic
Though Samurai Japan will have a good roster of NPB stars to help bolster its ranks ahead of the World Baseball Classic, they won't be the only team.
ebx.sh
February 9, 2026 at 8:35 AM
From Taiwan to Brazil, a look at what NPB stars are joining which teams ahead of the World Baseball Classic starting on March 5 at Tokyo Dome.
Yasunobu Tsuruta crafted wooden toys with Koshiro Kido, who later died of cancer at 13. In memory of the boy, Tsuruta raises funds in aid of childhood cancer research.
Campaign aims to raise funds in memory of boy who loved woodcraft
Yasunobu Tsuruta crafted wooden toys with Koshiro Kido, who later died of pediatric cancer at the age of 13.
ebx.sh
February 9, 2026 at 8:22 AM
Yasunobu Tsuruta crafted wooden toys with Koshiro Kido, who later died of cancer at 13. In memory of the boy, Tsuruta raises funds in aid of childhood cancer research.
Commentary: American politicians claim the next election is the most important of our lifetime, fueling "The-End-Is-Near-ism" and "Armageddon politics."
The problem with making every election an existential threat
Branding every U.S. election as existential fuels hyperpartisan fear and overreach, even though repeated outcomes show democracy endures and power regularly changes hands.
ebx.sh
February 9, 2026 at 8:03 AM
Commentary: American politicians claim the next election is the most important of our lifetime, fueling "The-End-Is-Near-ism" and "Armageddon politics."
Commentary: Trump’s record of reversals, hostility to institutional constraints and indifference to sacrifice convinces adversaries and allies alike that U.S. commitments will not hold.
Trump has killed American deterrence
Trump has shown countless times that he cannot keep promises. His reversals on TikTok, tariffs and Ukraine demonstrate that his commitments have the lifespan of a mayfly.
ebx.sh
February 9, 2026 at 7:44 AM
Commentary: Trump’s record of reversals, hostility to institutional constraints and indifference to sacrifice convinces adversaries and allies alike that U.S. commitments will not hold.
Japan's current account surplus in 2025 rose 11.1% from the previous year to a record ¥31.87 trillion, the Finance Ministry has said in a preliminary report.
Japan's 2025 current account surplus hits record
The country's combined balance of goods and services trade extended its historic surplus growth to two years.
ebx.sh
February 9, 2026 at 7:31 AM
Japan's current account surplus in 2025 rose 11.1% from the previous year to a record ¥31.87 trillion, the Finance Ministry has said in a preliminary report.