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Japan news from Japan Times

• Seeing Kyushu slowly aboard the 36+3 tourist train

  Named for the island’s status as the world’s 36th largest, the train offers a slower way to see some of the region’s rural treasures.

• In call, Takaichi and Trump agree to work toward spring visit to U.S.

  The Japanese leader avoided a clear answer to a question about whether China’s large-scale military exercises around Taiwan earlier this week had been broached during the talks.

• Start 2026 with familiar flavors of home

  For foreign residents in Japan during the new year, homesickness can creep in. We show you where to go to feed your nostalgia.

• Imperial family members host New Year’s gathering

  In his speech, the emperor expressed concern for those still facing difficulties due to last year’s major natural disasters.

• Unification Church reportedly backed 290 LDP lawmakers in 2021 poll

  The figure compares with the Liberal Democratic Party’s announcement in 2022 that 180 of its lawmakers had ties with the group.

• Heat top East-leading Pistons in fourth straight win

  Norman Powell hit seven 3-pointers and scored 36 points.

• New Year's sales start at major department stores

  Sogo & Seibu's Sogo store in Yokohama prepared about 30,000 lucky bags, including ¥2,026 packages containing jackets for men.

• How Russia and Ukraine are fighting to shape Trump’s view of the war

  Off the battlefield, each side is trying to influence Trump’s perception of the conflict as they look to negotiate a peace settlement.

Asia/Pacific news from Japan Times

• The lure of a rising Asian metropolis? No traffic.

  Nusantara, Indonesia’s new city built in the jungle, has an uncertain future, but both new residents and tourists love it.

• U.S. urges China to halt military pressure on Taiwan, days after Japan and others

  A State Department spokesman said China’s military activities and rhetoric toward Taiwan and others in the region “increase tensions unnecessarily.”

• Daughter of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un makes first public visit to state mausoleum

  Kim Ju Ae, who is believed to be 13 years old, is seen as likely being prepared to become Kim Jong Un’s successor.

• Delhi’s worst air in years fuels anger in test for Modi’s party

  In November and December, when pollution in New Delhi typically peaks, the air quality index was above 300 on 88% of days, the highest percentage since at least 2017.

• China's Xi to host South Korea's Lee next week amid Japan tensions

  The visit marks the second meeting between Xi and Lee in just two months, an unusually short interval that signals China's keen interest in reinforcing ties with Seoul.

• North Korea's Kim hails 'invincible alliance' with Russia in New Year's letter

  North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has praised his troops fighting abroad as forging an "invincible alliance" with Russia in a new year's message, state media said Thursday.

• Taiwan's Lai vows to defend sovereignty after China's military drill

  The international community ​is watching to see whether the Taiwanese people possess the resolve to defend themselves, Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te said.

• China seeks South Korean support on Japan and Taiwan before Lee’s visit

  President Lee Jae Myung’s inaugural visit to meet Chinese leader Xi Jinping comes as tensions simmer between China, Taiwan and Japan.

Culture news from Japan Times

• NHK drama series returns to Sengoku-Period spectacle

  NHK’s “taiga” period drama leaves the pleasure quarters of Edo behind to shift focus on the right-hand man of one of Japan’s great unifiers.

• Comedian Gianmarco counts on naughty 'Dragon Ball' words to help him in Tokyo

  The New York-based Gianmarco Soresi is hyped to see how his style of crowd work plays with audiences in Asia on his first tour to this side of the world.

• A year of plenty: Endless art shows, subtle curation of themes

  Japan’s art scene was bursting with public enthusiasm, overflowing exhibition halls and more art festivals vying for attention.

• Brigitte Bardot, sex symbol turned animal activist, dies age 91

  Bardot quit making movies at age 39, and she courted controversy with comments about marginalized members of society.

• From trash to treasure: How anime became a museum staple

  Anime- and manga-related art exhibitions are now one of the pillars propping up the industry.

• A night at the museum when dinosaurs come to life

  The Dino-A-Live show, made with lifelike animatronic dinosaurs, has partnered with the Tokyo National Museum for a performance steeped in traditional culture.

• Japanese screenwriter Makiko Uchidate dies at 77

  The drama scriptwriter died of acute left-side heart failure at a hospital in Tokyo on Dec. 17.

• In 2025, anime tightened its grip abroad — and played it safe at home

  As anime conquered overseas markets, the industry doubled down on known IP and left innovation on shakier ground.

Sports news from Japan Times

• Heat top East-leading Pistons in fourth straight win

  Norman Powell hit seven 3-pointers and scored 36 points.

• Venus Williams gets Australian Open wildcard aged 45

  Venus Williams was handed a wildcard to the Australian Open aged 45 on Friday, becoming the oldest woman ever to play at the season-opening Grand Slam.

• Unbeaten outdoors, Rangers hit Miami for Winter Classic versus Panthers

  Friday's game will ⁠be the first outdoor game ever in the state of Florida.

• Premier League rings in New Year with goal drought as Man City loses ground

  Second-placed City would have reduced Arsenal's advantage to two points but instead was frustrated as its winning streak in all competitions was halted.

• Philip Rivers says he's done with NFL while Aaron Rodgers still undecided

  The 44-year-old Rivers came out of retirement a month ago after the Colts lost starting quarterback Daniel Jones to a season-ending injury.

• Astros reportedly reach deal with former Seibu ace Tatsuya Imai

  The contract is a three-year deal with opt-outs that includes $54 million in ​guarantees and could be worth up ‍to $63 million, ⁠per the report.

• Goalkeeper Zidane fast becoming Algeria favorite

  The son ‌of French World Cup-winning great Zinedine switched ‌international allegiance in September after playing for France as ​a ‌junior.

• Patriots receiver Stefon Diggs facing strangulation and assault charges

  The team did not share an update on Diggs' status for Sunday's Week 18 home game against the Miami Dolphins.

Life news from Japan Times

• Seeing Kyushu slowly aboard the 36+3 tourist train

  Named for the island’s status as the world’s 36th largest, the train offers a slower way to see some of the region’s rural treasures.

• Start 2026 with familiar flavors of home

  For foreign residents in Japan during the new year, homesickness can creep in. We show you where to go to feed your nostalgia.

• Running hot in 2026: What's in store for the Year of the Fire Horse

  2026’s Fire Horse brings speed, passion and opportunity — but astrologers warn that without restraint, momentum can tip into burnout.

• What — and who — helps us stick to our New Year’s goals

  How emphasis, intention and social support shape the words we use when we promise ourselves we’ll stick to our resolutions.

• Noto's Suzu ware reemerges from the earthquake rubble

  Two years after the 2024 earthquake and tsunami, Noto potters find purpose in carrying on their craft.

• The enduring charm of Japan's oldest Edo Period amusement park

  Instead of focusing on flashy new rides, Asakusa Hanayashiki leverages its history as a strength with attractions that consciously highlight their retro character.

• Japan’s milestone birthdays: Why 60, 77, 80, 88 and 99 matter so much

  A look at Japan’s milestone birthdays, the traditions behind them and how the grammar pattern “ni totte” expresses their personal meaning.

• In 2025, Asia got tough on nuisance streamers. Japan did not.

  After years of leniency, Asian countries are imposing serious penalties on transgressive online personalities — with Japan lagging behind.

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