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Japan news from Japan Times

• DPP Lower House candidate arrested for election law violation

  The defeated candidate, Nobuko Irie, 63, and the two others, are suspected of paying a total of ¥270,000 in compensation to five female campaign staffers.

• South Korea says U.S. trade deal still intact after tariff ruling

  Seoul said it would closely monitor Washington’s follow-up measures, while continuing talks on the implementation of last year’s trade agreement.

• Cargo ship's officer arrested after fatal collision with fishing boat off Mie

  The coast guard arrested a 21-year-old second navigation officer, who was steering the cargo ship, on suspicion of professional negligence.

• New study probes why chronic pain lasts longer in women

  Research published in the journal Science Immunology shows that women actually do experience exacerbated chronic pain compared to men.

• Despite headwinds, Germany's Merz wins strong party backing

  German Chancellor Friedrich Merz passionately rallied his conservatives and won a strong endorsement with a 91% vote to confirm him as party chairman.

• Trump pivots to 10% global tariff and new probes after Supreme Court setback

  The president pledged to use different tools to work around the Supreme court ruling and preserve import taxes he has cast as essential to his economic and foreign policy.

• LDP OKs draft proposal for lifting ban on lethal arms exports

  The LDP plans to finalize the proposal soon and submit it to the government, which will aim to revise the defense equipment transfer guidelines in spring at the earliest.

• Germany seeks more F-35 jets as European fighter program falters

  One source said Berlin was ‌in talks ‌that could lead to the purchase of more than 35 ​jets in addition to the 35 it bought in 2022.

Asia/Pacific news from Japan Times

• Trump to travel to China next month, with U.S. trade policy in focus

  The U.S. Supreme Court ruling tariff calling Donald Trump's global tariffs program illegal likely "cements his weakness" in Beijing's eyes, one expert said.

• North Korea says five-year goals met as it kicks off rare ruling party congress

  Kim Jong Un said the North “successfully” carried out its goals set at the last congress “in all realms such as politics, the economy, national defense, culture and diplomacy.”

• Ousted South Korean President Yoon sentenced to life over martial law

  The verdict marks the conclusion of one of the most consequential judicial proceedings involving a former South Korean president.

• High-stakes showdown in Nepal’s post-uprising polls

  In Nepal's eastern plains, rival political flags flutter over tea farms and brick homes — symbols of a local election campaign shaping landmark nationwide polls.

• Jail, disgrace and death: The dark fates of South Korean leaders

  Former President Yoon Suk Yeol is far from the first South Korean leader to have his term end in tatters.

• Ousted South Korea president risks death penalty at martial law ruling

  A court is set to deliver a verdict on insurrection charges against former President Yoon Suk Yeol on Thursday.

• South Korea says civilians sent drones to North Korea four times, harming ties

  The ​trio flew the aircraft between September and January.

• Philippine VP Sara Duterte announces 2028 presidential bid

  The administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., with whom Duterte is embroiled in a bitter feud, is now expected to become more openly hostile toward her.

Culture news from Japan Times

• The critic who ruffled pop culture’s feathers

  In “Blank Space,” W. David Marx questions the 21st century’s creative vitality and responds to critics who say he’s too cynical.

• Bad Bunny to star in movie about Puerto Rico

  Fresh off major music triumphs, the global superstar will portray revolutionary Aguila Blanca in Residente’s directorial debut.

• Fujii Kaze, Massive Attack among Fuji Rock Festival 2026 performers announced

  Among the 66 acts unveiled, are also Khruangbin, The xx, Asian Kung-Fu Generation and more.

• ‘Mag Mag’: A wild, messy riff on Japan’s vengeful ghost tradition

  Yuriyan Retriever’s debut feature recalls the rambunctious spirit of 1990s indie cinema, mixing J-horror tropes with meta humor and shameless gross-out comedy.

• Shinomiya anime 'A New Dawn' seeks to ignite conversation on tradition and progress

  Premiering at the Berlin International Film Festival, Yoshitoshi Shinomiya’s debut weighs tradition against modernization through a threatened family fireworks factory.

• A California wildfire survivor turns devastation into art with a message on the climate crisis

  Alejandro M. Lopez channels the Altadena blaze into paintings that trace trauma, melancholy and renewal in Tokyo.

• ‘Rental Family’: Performance becomes perilously real in Hikari's 'love letter' to Japan

  Though it leans into stereotypes, Hikari’s film finds emotional resonance in Brendan Fraser’s performance as a hired father.

• Jung Jaeil composed for ‘Squid Game.’ Now, he steps on the stage as himself.

  The South Korean composer returns to live music and is set to stop by Tokyo for a show with the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra.

Sports news from Japan Times

• Canada to face U.S. in Olympic ice hockey final

  Tournament favorites Canada and the U.S. will face off for gold at Milan's Santagiulia Arena on Sunday, while Finland and Slovakia will battle for bronze on Saturday.

• Netherlands’ Rijpma-de Jong takes gold as Takagi finishes sixth in 1,500

  Takagi looked to be on pace to challenge for gold but her pace fell off dramatically in the final lap and she finished well back in seventh.

• Suns owner Mat Ishbia blasts teams for 'ridiculous' tanking 'done by losers'

  NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said on Saturday during the All-Star Weekend that teams' blatant approach to tanking is worse than he's seen in recent memory.

• Italy against allowing Russia and Belarus to use flags and anthems at Paralympics

  An IPC ​spokesman said later the organization was ⁠in talks with the Italian government over the participation of the Russian and Belarusian Paralympians.

• Japan's ski jumpers express mixed feelings about super team format at Olympics

  The event, which features two jumpers per nation ​taking multiple rounds, was introduced as a fresh addition to ‌the Olympic ‌program.

• Alysa Liu caps joyful comeback story with gold medal at Milano Cortina Games

  The reigning world champion started the day in third before scoring 226.79 points in the free skate.

• Italy's decentralized Milano Cortina Games offer glimpse of Olympics' future

  But whether it works as a model going forward is another matter.

• Fourth-place finishers at Olympics grapple with emotions of near misses

  "It sucks a lot," snowboarder Annika ‌Morgan said after the slopestyle event. "That's all I can say. Someone has to be fourth. And it's me."

Life news from Japan Times

• 5,200% price hike on fonts has Japan’s indie game devs scrambling

  The new pricing structure from Tokyo-based Fontworks, which is owned by U.S.-based Monotype, also includes caps on users that would incur even more fees.

• Bean by bean, coffee cultivation in Okinawa defies the odds

  From setting up greenhouses to padding up soil beds with grass, coffee producers on the island are finding ways to work around climate challenges to promote their sweet brew.

• Japan’s gaming icons are getting midlife makeovers as they hit their 40s

  Zelda, Pokemon, Dragon Quest and more mark major anniversaries in 2026 — a milestone year for the industry they built.

• Japan's other fried favorite is no small fry

  The less famous version of the deep-fried ‘karaage’ is equally, if not more, delicious.

• Rare Pokemon card sets record with $16.49 million sale

  One of just 41 such cards in existence, the Pikachu Illustrator card is now the most expensive trading card in history.

• Off the beaten feed: Comprehensive site steers hikers in Japan past social media noise

  English-language guides to hiking Japan’s many mountains can be scarce, but one Filipina resident has taken it upon herself to map out the country’s many trails.

• How Yohan Da Costa is redefining Peter at The Peninsula Tokyo

  After 12 years, The Peninsula Tokyo's flagship restaurant has swapped its steak-and-grill theme for a French concept led by up-and-coming chef Yohan Da Costa.

• Love, engineered in the age of AI

  As chatbots grow more sophisticated, some people are forming romantic bonds — and even marriages — with artificial partners.

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