A truck, advertising the Japan tour of Taylor Swift, drives through Shibuya Crossing in Tokyo on February 6. Photo: AFP

‘We’re desperate to see her’: buzz in Japan as Taylor Swift begins Asia tour

Swifties splurging on tickets, merchandise, food and other related activities during the four-day concerts in Tokyo projected to reach US$230 million.

6 hours ago

Japan tech firms face fierce competition for global talent amid skills shortage

In Japan, 3 in 4 technology hiring managers found recruitment to be ‘very’ or ‘quite’ competitive last year, according to a report by Morgan McKinley.

In Japan, 3 in 4 technology hiring managers found recruitment to be ‘very’ or ‘quite’ competitive last year, according to a report by Morgan McKinley.

7 Feb 2024 - 8:00AM

South Korea lawmakers urge tougher laws after alleged theft of warplane secrets

Indonesian engineers are under investigation for allegedly trying to remove a USB device containing information on the South Korean-made KF-21 fighter jet.

Indonesian engineers are under investigation for allegedly trying to remove a USB device containing information on the South Korean-made KF-21 fighter jet.

6 Feb 2024 - 2:17PM

Is South Korea ‘adopting Japanese narratives’ on disputed islets under Yoon?

Critics have accused the South Korean government of playing into Japan’s narrative on Dokdo, which Tokyo claims as the Takeshima islands, amid pressure from Washington for the two to set aside their historical quarrels.

Critics have accused the South Korean government of playing into Japan’s narrative on Dokdo, which Tokyo claims as the Takeshima islands, amid pressure from Washington for the two to set aside their historical quarrels.

6 Feb 2024 - 12:22PM

In South Korea, Samsung boss acquitted in succession suit related to 2015 merger

The ruling could ease the legal troubles surrounding the Samsung heir, less than two years after he was pardoned of a separate conviction of bribery in a corruption scandal that helped topple a previous South Korean government.

The ruling could ease the legal troubles surrounding the Samsung heir, less than two years after he was pardoned of a separate conviction of bribery in a corruption scandal that helped topple a previous South Korean government.

5 Feb 2024 - 11:12PM

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Karolina Shiino has relinquished her Miss Japan 2024 title. Photo: Miss Japan Association via Reuters

Miss Japan’s Ukraine-born winner gives up crown after apologising over affair

Karolina Shiino, a naturalised Japanese, was the first person of European descent to win the Miss Japan Grand Prix title on January 22.

1 hour ago

Japan ‘needs to learn’ from slow quake response after 30 victims froze to death

Most victims of the January 1 earthquake died when old buildings collapsed, but autopsies showed about 30 survived only to die of the extreme cold while awaiting rescue.

Most victims of the January 1 earthquake died when old buildings collapsed, but autopsies showed about 30 survived only to die of the extreme cold while awaiting rescue.

5 Feb 2024 - 5:38PM

Tokyo ‘extremely concerned’ over rising tensions with Beijing in East China Sea

Japan deployed airborne early warning aircraft and at least one marine destroyer in response to Chinese vessels sailing near disputed islands in the East China Sea.

Japan deployed airborne early warning aircraft and at least one marine destroyer in response to Chinese vessels sailing near disputed islands in the East China Sea.

5 Feb 2024 - 1:27PM

Scandal erodes support for Japan PM Fumio Kishida’s cabinet

The same survey also suggested Kishida remains far from regaining the public’s trust, as most respondents do not accept his efforts on party reforms.

The same survey also suggested Kishida remains far from regaining the public’s trust, as most respondents do not accept his efforts on party reforms.

4 Feb 2024 - 8:52PM

‘Russia ignored the truth’: Seoul summons Moscow’s envoys over Yoon remarks

A South Korean minister warned Russia’s decision to criticise President Yoon Suk-yeol’s Pyongyang policy was corrosive to bilateral relations.

A South Korean minister warned Russia’s decision to criticise President Yoon Suk-yeol’s Pyongyang policy was corrosive to bilateral relations.

4 Feb 2024 - 3:32PM

Japan author’s AI revelation sparks debate: ‘some readers may feel cheated’

While some welcome the use of AI as a new writing tool, those managing Japan’s book contests question how the technology is influencing authors’ creativity.

While some welcome the use of AI as a new writing tool, those managing Japan’s book contests question how the technology is influencing authors’ creativity.

5 Feb 2024 - 8:39PM

Japan to cut teachers’ working hours amid ‘serious’ surge in mental health woes

The number of teachers who took leave due to mental illness at public schools in Japan climbed to a record high in 2022.

The number of teachers who took leave due to mental illness at public schools in Japan climbed to a record high in 2022.

4 Feb 2024 - 8:30AM

How North Korea eyelashes make their way abroad as ‘made in China’

Reuters spoke to 20 people, including 15 in the eyelash industry, who described a system in which China-based firms import semi-finished products from Kim Jong-un’s closed-off nation, giving it vital currency.

Reuters spoke to 20 people, including 15 in the eyelash industry, who described a system in which China-based firms import semi-finished products from Kim Jong-un’s closed-off nation, giving it vital currency.

4 Feb 2024 - 9:53AM

Taylor Swift can fly from Tokyo to boyfriend’s NFL game on time: Japan embassy

The embassy said despite the 12-hour flight, if she departs Tokyo in the evening after her show, she should comfortably arrive in Las Vegas before the game begins.

The embassy said despite the 12-hour flight, if she departs Tokyo in the evening after her show, she should comfortably arrive in Las Vegas before the game begins.

3 Feb 2024 - 11:41AM

Asean renewable energy sector gets boost from China’s solar projects

China’s export surge in solar modules has helped push down prices of such equipment and boost Asia’s renewable sector.

China’s export surge in solar modules has helped push down prices of such equipment and boost Asia’s renewable sector.

2 Feb 2024 - 4:30PM

Japan to allow longer stays for digital nomads who earn US$68,000 yearly

Remote workers will be able to live in Japan for up to six months by obtaining the designated activities visa, a rise from the current 90 days.

Remote workers will be able to live in Japan for up to six months by obtaining the designated activities visa, a rise from the current 90 days.

2 Feb 2024 - 2:28PM

‘Trend won’t stop’: Japan poll finds 2 in 3 couples have little to no sex

Reasons cited by respondents included a lack of interest after a child was born, work exhaustion and that sex was ‘bothersome’.

Reasons cited by respondents included a lack of interest after a child was born, work exhaustion and that sex was ‘bothersome’.

2 Feb 2024 - 1:24PM

Japan sends feelers to Trump: don’t strike China deal that could rattle region

Tokyo is worried that if Trump returns to power he may seek some kind of trade or security pact with Beijing, undermining years of efforts to rein in the Asian giant.

Tokyo is worried that if Trump returns to power he may seek some kind of trade or security pact with Beijing, undermining years of efforts to rein in the Asian giant.

2 Feb 2024 - 10:19AM

‘I feel empty’: month after Japan quake, people, businesses struggle to rebuild

The damage inflicted by the magnitude-7.6 earthquake that hit central Japan one month ago is estimated at several hundred billion yen, according to local government officials.

The damage inflicted by the magnitude-7.6 earthquake that hit central Japan one month ago is estimated at several hundred billion yen, according to local government officials.

2 Feb 2024 - 9:00AM

China unlikely to apply ‘economic coercion’ against Japan amid slowdown

A top Japanese business delegation has failed to get Beijing to address Tokyo’s concerns such as China’s anti-espionage law and seafood ban.

A top Japanese business delegation has failed to get Beijing to address Tokyo’s concerns such as China’s anti-espionage law and seafood ban.

2 Feb 2024 - 8:00AM